Just got my hands on the latest 5-star character in Honkai: Star Rail, and I'm absolutely blown away! Yunli dropped with Version 2.4 on July 31, and after spending the past week mastering her unique counterattack mechanics, I'm convinced she's revolutionizing the Physical DPS meta. The return to Xianzhou Luofu has been refreshing after our Penacony adventure, and Yunli is definitely the star of this update.
Yunli's Unique Kit: The Art of Counterattacking
Yunli follows the path of Destruction as a Physical-type DPS, but what makes her stand out is her counterattack-focused gameplay. Unlike traditional DPS characters who want to avoid damage, Yunli actually wants to get hit! Her Talent 'Flashforge' is the cornerstone of her kit, allowing her to immediately strike back when attacked, dealing Physical DMG to the target and adjacent enemies while regenerating Energy.
Her kit is complex but incredibly rewarding once you understand the flow. Here's a breakdown of her abilities:
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Basic Attack (Galespin Summersault): Standard single-target Physical damage
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Skill (Bladeborne Quake): Restores HP and deals Physical DMG to a target and adjacent enemies
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Ultimate (Earthbind, Etherbreak): Enters "Parry" state, taunting enemies and boosting Crit DMG
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Talent (Flashforge): Performs counterattacks when hit, dealing AoE damage
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Trace (Demon Quell): Reduces incoming damage and resists CC while in Parry state
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Technique (Posterior Precedence): Gains "Ward" and can trigger Intuit: Cull outside of battle
Mastering the Parry Mechanics
The most challenging aspect of Yunli's kit is timing her Ultimate correctly. Her Parry state only lasts until the next unit's turn ends, so I've learned to use it right before an enemy's turn for maximum impact. This way, she'll almost certainly get hit and trigger the powerful "Intuit: Cull" attack.
When Yunli's in Parry state and gets attacked, she unleashes "Intuit: Cull" - a devastating multi-hit attack that deals massive Physical DMG to the target, adjacent enemies, and then lands multiple additional hits on random enemies. If the Parry state ends without her being attacked, she'll use the weaker "Intuit: Slash" instead.
After dozens of battles, I've developed this optimal rotation:
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Open with her Skill for some healing and initial damage
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Use her Ultimate right before a boss or elite enemy's turn
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Watch as they attack her and trigger the full Intuit: Cull sequence
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Clean up with Basic Attacks and repeat
Team Building Around Yunli
I've found that Yunli works best with teammates who can:
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Provide shields or damage reduction (to keep her alive since she's deliberately taking hits)
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Boost Physical DMG or CRIT stats
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Control enemy turns to maximize her Parry windows
My current favorite team is:
| Position | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Main DPS | Yunli | Counter-based Physical damage |
| Support | Huohuo | Healing and buffs |
| Sub-DPS | Blade | Additional damage |
| Utility | March 7th (Imaginary Hunt) | Break effect and control |
Speaking of March 7th, her new Imaginary Hunt form is available for free in Version 2.4's main event! She synergizes beautifully with Yunli, providing crowd control that helps Yunli maximize her counterattack opportunities.
Yunli's Lore and Character
Beyond gameplay, I'm fascinated by Yunli's background. She's a young but skilled swordmaster from a renowned Xianzhou family of swordsmiths, carrying a tragic past that's explored in her Companion Mission "Swords to Plowshares." The mission gives her character incredible depth, and I found myself emotionally invested in her story.
In the current event "Finest Duel Under the Pristine Blue: Part I," Yunli teams up with Janqing to train March 7th in swordsmanship. The dynamic between these characters is delightful, showcasing Yunli's expertise and patient teaching style despite her young age.
Banner Information and Future Content
Yunli's banner runs from July 31 to August 21, 2026, alongside Huohuo's rerun. If you're considering pulling, I'd highly recommend it - especially if you enjoy more technical, high-skill-ceiling characters. Her signature Light Cone is also available, which significantly enhances her counterattack damage.
Looking ahead, Version 2.4 is just the beginning of Xianzhou Luofu's spotlight. We're expecting Jiaoqiu in Phase 2, with Feixiao and Lingsha coming in future updates. The Xianzhou storyline continues to expand beautifully, and I'm excited to see how these characters interact with Yunli.
My Final Verdict
After a week of intensive play, Yunli has earned a permanent spot on my main team. Her counterattack playstyle offers a refreshing change from traditional DPS approaches, rewarding strategic timing and enemy knowledge. While she has a steeper learning curve than some characters, mastering her kit provides an incredibly satisfying combat experience.
For Physical team enthusiasts or players looking for a character that rewards skillful play, Yunli is absolutely worth your Star Rail Passes! ✨🗡️
Are you planning to pull for Yunli? Let me know in the comments what team comps you're considering for her! I'm always looking for new synergies to try out with this amazing swordswoman.