Image Credit: HoyoVerse

Why Kafka still slaps in 2025

Kafka is a Lightning Nihility unit built to spread and detonate damage over time. Her kit shocks enemies, makes existing DoTs tick instantly, and punishes any target that is already debuffed. On rerun she is still a top pick for Memory and Pure Fiction because her damage scales with team DoTs and she drives entire comps with one button press, especially with the newly release of Hysilens. If you want a main carry who turns every debuff into free damage, this is your girl.

Best light cones

Patience Is All You Need
Kafka’s signature remains best in slot. It gives attack turns more speed over time and can inflict extra shock, which directly feeds her detonation playstyle. If you own it, use it.

Solitary Healing
A free five star from the Herta Store that is excellent for DoT users. It boosts Break Effect and, more importantly, increases DoT after you use your ultimate while refunding energy on DoT kills. At high superimpose it is one of the best budget picks for Kafka.

Four star standouts
‘Good Night and Sleep Well’ scales damage per debuff on the enemy and has long been the safest purple option for Kafka. ‘Fermata’ boosts shock and wind shear specifically and works well if your teams lean into those DoTs.

Relics and planar ornaments

Relic set priority
Prisoner in Deep Confinement four piece is the standard. It ramps damage against enemies with multiple DoTs and fits Kafka’s detonation identity perfectly. Farm it from the Path of Darkness domain.

Planar ornaments worth farming

• Firmament Frontline Glamoth for attack and a strong damage bonus at key speed thresholds. Great if you like a faster Kafka.
• Pan Cosmic Commercial Enterprise for effect hit rate with a portion converting into attack. This makes hitting shock checks easier while keeping damage high.
• Space Sealing Station remains a simple attack boost that turns on once you reach the speed check.
  Choose based on whether you need more EHR to stick shock or more raw damage at speed thresholds.

Stats and main pieces

Body: Effect Hit Rate until your shock feels consistent, then swap to Attack percent if you can keep EHR through substats and ornaments
Feet: Speed
Sphere: Lightning damage
Rope: Attack percent
Substats: Effect Hit Rate to comfortable uptime, Speed to hit your plan, then Attack percent and Break Effect as gravy for shield breaks and Solitary Healing setups. Community math usually lands Kafka around one hundred percent total EHR for very reliable shock in tough content, with speed targets flexing based on your buffers.

Teams that make Kafka shine

Triple DoT premier team

Kafka + Hysilens + Black Swan + sustain
This is the go-to now for end game DoT clears. Hysilens pours on multiple DoTs and zones that amplify DoT damage while Black Swan continues to stack Arcana and extra debuffs that Kafka detonates. The fourth slot is flexible but pick sustain and energy support like Huohuo, Luocha, or Gallagher to keep the loop smooth. This comp is the heavy hitter for content where sustained damage and DEF shred matter.

Premium DoT core
Kafka + Black Swan + Ruan Mei + Huohuo
Black Swan stacks Arcana for huge DoT ramps, Ruan Mei speeds and buffs everyone, Huohuo sustains and feeds energy. This is the current comfort meta for many endgame clears. Swap Huohuo for Luocha or Gallagher if you prefer.

Budget friendly DoT detonation
Kafka + Sampo + Guinaifen + Lynx or Natasha
Sampo and Guinaifen pile on wind shear and burn so Kafka’s skill and ultimate can pop them. Your sustain keeps the team rolling while you manage skill points.

Flex picks that work
Luka brings bleed and a defense shred field, Pela shreds defense for all damage, Asta offers team speed to help hit Glamoth thresholds. Slot one of them into the above shells if you are missing a premium unit.

Trace upgrades to prioritize

Level the skill and ultimate first since those do the heavy lifting for DoT detonation and shock uptime. Then invest into talent for freer procs, followed by basic attack last. If you have spare materials, quality of life trace nodes that add effect hit rate and speed feel great.

Final word

Kafka is still a monster for anyone who loves the slow burn turning into a lightning storm. Build her with Prisoner, pick a planar that matches your speed and EHR needs, and run her with the best DoT friends you have. She will carry.

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