Summary
The Astral Express returns to the Xianzhou Luofu forHonkai: Star RailVersion 2.4, with a brand-new storyline featuring fresh faces like the foxian healer Jiaoqiu. He is a limited 5-Star unit that follows the path of Nihility and uses the element of fire, with a playstyle that revolves around weakening enemies through his Ashen Roast debuff. This deals Fire damage over time (DoT) and increases damage dealt by allies to enemies the more this debuff is stacked. While reliable beta test leaks showed that Jiaoqiu could be another high-damage Nihility unit, the latest information revealed some big nerfs before release. However, someHonkai: Star Railfans lost their excitement for the character after learning about these leaks.
Still, there’s no denying that his kit makes him a top-tier character for one of the strongest team compositions in the game. The handsome foxian will likely find a home in a team with his fellow Nihility unit Acheron. Since the latter relies on continuous debuff application to generate ult charge and the presence of her fellow Nihility units to boost her damage multipliers, Jiaoqiu is a no-brainer for her team. Those who don’t havethe Emanator of Nihilitycan also slot Jiaoqiu into some follow-up and DoT teams.
Jiaoqiu is the Support that Acheron Has Been Waiting For
The info aboutJiaoqiu’s ability nerfscame from Dim, one of the more reliable leakers in theHSRcommunity. The most impactful changes in their dossier include:
The recent beta test nerfs seem to dash the hopes of people looking to build DPS Jiaoqiu, but it’s important to note that this information is not final. Everything is subject to change until the character is officially released. Even then, Jiaoqiu still has big potential as the best-in-slot support for one of the most dominanthypercarry teams inHonkai: Star Rail.
Jiaoqiu’s Reliable Debuffs Enable Acheron to Destroy Enemies Faster Than Ever
Jiaoqiu’s skill has a 100% base chance to apply his Ashen Roast debuff. Meanwhile, his talent, Quartet Finesse, Octave Finery, also gives him a high chance (possibly upwards of 100% from recent leaks) of applying a stack of this debuff when using his basic attack, skill, or ultimate. Jiaoqiu’s technique, Fiery Queller, creates a field that deals fire damage to all enemies while also having a high chance of inflictingAshen Roaston them. On top of dealing damage, his ultimate also sets his debuff stacks to the maximum amount. Furthermore, enemies who take action while his ult field is active have a high chance of getting inflicted with Ashen Roast.
Every part of Jiaoqiu’s kit can stack Ashen Roast, which means that he can reliably debuff enemies when he takes his turn. This is unprecedented even for previous Nihility units, who often rely on light cones like Resolution Shines as Pearls of Sweat and Along the Passing Shore to apply guaranteed debuffs. With this character on Acheron’s side, she can trigger her devastating ultimate more frequently than before. She’ll generate bigger damage screenshots than ever too, thanks to Ashen Roast increasing the damage taken by enemies.
Jiaoqiu’s Viability Outside of Acheron Teams
Jiaoqiu can also be a great experimental addition to teams with Dr. Ratio, whose likelihood of doing follow-up attacks increases with each debuff a target enemy has. He could also help fellowDoT units Kafka or Black Swandeal big tick damage with Ashen Roast. Jiaoqiu is strong within his niche, but he is less versatile than other supports. Therefore, players should plan their teams accordingly if they want to pull him.
