In Honkai: Star Rail, there are many different stat values players will need to pay attention to, with HP, ATK, and DEF being quite familiar for most, while there are other base stats including Speed, Break Effect, and Effect Res. As such in many content, players will come across these terms, however, it may not be as easy to understand what their importance is, and typically might be looked over.
In Honkai: Star Rail, players will also encounter the term "Advance Forward" in addition to the speed value, particularly in the Simulated Universe and often associated with Hunt path blessings and other paths. These terms may appear similar when applied in combat, as they both relate to the action order of a character during a fight. However, these terms are not actually used interchangeably as they have different calculation aspects that make a difference during the gameplay.
What Is Speed Stat?
Speed is one of the primary stats that every character and enemy possesses with a base value. The amount of base speed a character has usually depends on their character path, such as The Hunt path having significantly higher base speed compared to other paths. However, certain characters like Tingyun may have higher speed values if their kit is designed to synergize with speed in some way.
The speed value plays a crucial role in determining the Action Value during a turn cycle. It is calculated based on various factors, including the character's base speed, speed percentage modifiers from buffs, and additional flat speed bonuses from relics or other buffs like Asta's Ultimate. The combination of these factors determines the actual speed a character will have for a particular turn, influencing the order in which the team and the enemy act.
Accordingly, the Action Value is calculated by dividing a base number (10000) by the current Speed value. As a result, the higher the Speed, the lower the Action Value will be. Characters with a lower Action Value will be able to act before others. Additionally, since this number is determined by division, if the value is low enough, the same character can even act before the turn cycle is completed. This is often observed in the case of characters like Seele or Sushang. It is also important to note that speed may have diminishing returns in the long run, and as such, players shouldn't be focusing on this stat alone.
Characters That Have An Effect On Speed Stat
Some characters have access to skills, passives, bonus abilities, or eidolons that help boost their own or their team members' Speed Stat. On the other hand, some characters can also affect the enemy by reducing their speed. It is important to note that few light cones also have speed-related effects.
Character | In-Game Description | Type | Effect Target |
|---|---|---|---|
 Asta | Astral Blessing: Increases SPD of all allies by 36–57 for 2 turn(s). | Ultimate | All allies |
 Bronya | Quick March: When using Skill, the target ally's SPD increases by 30% after taking action, lasting for 1 turn. | Eidolon (2) | Target Ally |
 Dan Heng | Cloudlancer Art: Torrent: Deals Wind DMG equal to 130%–325% of Dan Heng's ATK to a single enemy. On a CRIT Hit, there is a 100% base chance to reduce the target's SPD by 12% for 2 turn(s). | Skill | Enemy (Single Target) |
Faster Than Light: After launching an attack, there is a 50% fixed chance to increase own SPD by 20% for 2 turn(s). | Bonus Ability | Self | |
 Gepard | Lingering Cold: After an enemy Frozen by Skill is unfrozen, their SPD is reduced by 20% for 1 turn(s). | Eidolon (2) | Enemy (Conditional) |
 Himeko | Childhood: After "Victory Rush" is triggered, Himeko's SPD increases by 20% for 2 turn(s). | Eidolon (1) | Self |
 Pela | Adamant Charge: Using Skill to remove buff(s) increases SPD by 10% for 2 turn(s). | Eidolon (2) | Self |
 Qingque | Winning Hand: Qingque's SPD increases by 10% for 1 turn after using the Enhanced Basic ATK. | Bonus Ability | Self |
 Seele | Sheathed Blade: Increases Seele's SPD by 25% for 2 turn(s) and deals Quantum DMG equal to 110%–275% of Seele's ATK to a single enemy. | Skill | Self |
 Sushang | Dancing Blade: When an enemy has their Weakness Broken on the field, Sushang's SPD increases by 15%–22.5% for 2 turn(s). | Talent | Self |
 Tingyun | Nourished Joviality: Tingyun's SPD increases by 20% for 1 turn after using Skill. | Bonus Ability | Self |
Windfall of Lucky Springs: After using their Ultimate, the ally with Benediction gains a 12% increase in SPD for 1 turn. | Eidolon (1) | Target Ally | |
 Welt | Edge of the Void: Deals Imaginary DMG equal to 36%–90% of Welt's ATK to a single enemy and further deals DMG 2 extra times, with each time dealing Imaginary DMG equal to 36%–90% of Welt's ATK to a random enemy. On hit, there is a 65%–80% base chance to reduce the enemy's SPD by 10% for 2 turn(s). | Skill | Enemy (Single Target) |
Gravitational Imprisonment: After using Welt's Technique, create a dimension that lasts for 15 second(s). Enemies in this dimension have their Movement SPD reduced by 50%. After entering battle with enemies in the dimension, there is a 100% base chance to Imprison the enemies for 1 turn. Imprisoned enemies have their actions delayed by 20% and SPD reduced by 10%. Only 1 dimension created by allies can exist at the same time. | Technique | Enemy (AoE) | |
Synthetic Black Hole: Deals Imaginary DMG equal to 90%–180% of Welt's ATK to all enemies, with a 100% base chance for enemies hit by this ability to be Imprisoned for 1 turn. Imprisoned enemies have their actions delayed by 32%–44% and SPD reduced by 10%. | Ultimate | Enemy (AoE) | |
 Yanqing | Gentle Blade: When a CRIT Hit is triggered, increases SPD by 10% for 2 turn(s). | Bonus Ability | Self |
What Is Advance Forward?
While speed stat is a general value that determines the typical order of actions in a battle, Advance Forward is not a standalone stat. It is usually gained as a buff, such as in the Simulated Universe, or as a skill of a character. Unlike speed, which is a linear value, Advance Forward is expressed as a percentile and advances the character a certain amount.
To simplify their effects, players can imagine a scenario where it takes 100 steps to reach a destination. A character with 50 speed would take 2 turns to get there, while a character with 20 speed would take 5 turns. However, with Advance Forward, let's say the slower character is advanced forward by 40%. They would gain 40 steps, which means that while the character with 50 speed would normally be ahead, the other character gained an additional 40 steps, putting them at 60 steps out of 100 and making them the one who takes the turn first. Therefore, while characters generally benefit from having early turns, Advance Forward has a significant impact on determining who gets to take their turn.
Characters That Have An Effect On Advance Forward
Similar to skills, certain character skills, passives, eidolons, and even some light cones have an effect on Advance Forward.
Character | In-Game Description | Type | Effect Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronya | Combat Redeployment: Dispels a debuff from a single ally, allows them to immediately take action, and increases their DMG by 33%–82.5% for 1 turn(s). When this Skill is used on Bronya herself, she cannot immediately take action again. | Skill | Target Ally |
Leading the Way: After using her Basic ATK, Bronya's next action will be Advanced Forward by 15%–37.5%. | Talent | Self | |
| Dan Heng | Roaring Dragon and Soaring Sun: When Dan Heng uses his Ultimate to defeat an enemy, his next action is Advanced Forward by 100%. | Eidolon (4) | Self |
| Gepard | Unyielding Resolve: When his Talent is triggered, Gepard's action is Advanced Forward by 100%, and he restores extra HP equal to 50% of his Max HP. | Eidolon (6) | Self |
 Hook | Playing With Fire: When using her Ultimate, Hook has her action Advanced Forward by 20% and Hook additionally regenerates 5 Energy. | Bonus Ability | Self |
| Seele | Rippling Waves: After using a Basic ATK, Seele's next action will be Advanced Forward by 20%. | Bonus Ability | Self |
| Sushang | Shape of Taixu: Dawn Herald: Deals Physical DMG equal to 192%–384% of Sushang's ATK to a single enemy and immediately Advances her action forward by 100%. In addition, Sushang's ATK increases by 18%–36% and using her Skill has 2 extra chances to trigger Sword Stance for 2 turn(s). Sword Stance triggered from the extra chances deals 50% of the original DMG. | Ultimate | Self |
Vanquisher: After using Basic ATK or Skill, if there are enemies on the field with Weakness Break, Sushang's action is Advanced Forward by 15%. | Bonus Ability | Self |
Honkai Star Rail is available on PC, iOS, and Android. A PlayStation version is in development.