In the ever-evolving cosmos of Honkai: Star Rail, the Memory of Chaos remains the definitive proving ground where the game's complex meta crystallizes into clear hierarchies. As of 2026, this permanent endgame mode continues to be the ultimate benchmark for character viability, pushing Trailblazers to refine their strategies and optimize their rosters against a gauntlet of formidable foes. The data, much like a celestial map charting the brightest stars, reveals which characters have ascended to become the indispensable pillars of successful clears, their usage rates a direct reflection of their power, synergy, and adaptability within the game's most demanding combat scenarios.

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🏆 The Undisputed Champions of the Meta

At the absolute zenith of the Memory of Chaos usage charts sits Ruan Mei, commanding a staggering 97.3% usage rate. Her dominance is not a fleeting phenomenon but the result of a kit that functions with the seamless, foundational grace of a universal harmonic. She provides a symphony of buffs to the entire team's DEF, SPD, and Break Efficiency while contributing respectable damage herself, making her an almost universal plug-in for any squad composition. Following closely is the explosive Firefly, securing second place with a 94.6% rate. Her performance is akin to a perfectly calibrated stellar engine, delivering relentless, self-sustaining damage that can dismantle enemy defenses with terrifying efficiency. The top ranks are rounded out by premier sustain units, with Aventurine (86.6%) and the ever-versatile Trailblazer (85.8%) demonstrating that survivability is just as crucial as offensive power in the marathon that is Memory of Chaos.

⭐ Notable Performers and Standout Synergies

Beyond the top contenders, the meta showcases a diverse roster of powerful characters, each carving out their niche. The data highlights key units that form the backbone of many successful teams:

Character Role Usage Rate Key Strength
Gallagher Abundance (4-Star) 72.7% Exceptional synergy with top DPS units
Acheron Nihility DPS 64.6% Massive burst damage & debuff application
Sparkle Harmony Support 63.6% Powerful action advance & damage buffs
Robin Harmony Support 62.9% Team-wide ATK buffs & Follow-up support
Boothill The Hunt DPS 58.9% Single-target focused destruction
Huohuo Abundance Support 54.6% Cleansing, healing, & energy regeneration

A particularly fascinating case is Gallagher, who stands as the most popular four-star character with a 72.7% usage rate. His prevalence is a testament to well-designed synergy, operating like a specialized catalytic converter that dramatically boosts the performance of specific damage dealers such as Acheron and Silver Wolf, proving that rarity does not preclude meta relevance.

⚙️ The Engine of Memory of Chaos: Mechanics and Strategy

Memory of Chaos is far more than a simple stat check. It is a meticulously crafted 12-stage gauntlet that serves as the pinnacle of Honkai: Star Rail's endgame content. Its primary function is dual-purpose: it provides a relentless combat challenge that demands well-rounded teams, and it acts as the core incentive for players to continuously invest in upgrading their characters and Light Cones. Success here requires a balanced approach, typically built around a core philosophy:

  • A Primary Damage Dealer (DPS): The centerpiece of the team, responsible for breaking enemy toughness and dealing the majority of HP damage. Characters like Firefly and Acheron excel here.

  • A Sustaining Unit: A healer or shielder, like Huohuo or Aventurine, essential for surviving multiple enemy waves and powerful boss attacks.

  • Flex Support Slots: These positions are filled by units that amplify the team's capabilities. This includes:

  • Harmony characters like Ruan Mei and Sparkle for buffs.

  • Nihility characters for applying debilitating debuffs to enemies.

  • Additional sub-DPS or sustain, depending on the stage's requirements.

A critical, dynamic layer is added by the Turbulence Effects—temporary, stage-specific buffs that change with each version update. These effects can dramatically shift the meta, making characters who can leverage them particularly valuable for that cycle. Preparing for Memory of Chaos is therefore an exercise in strategic foresight, requiring players to build characters who are not only powerful in a vacuum but also adaptable, like a master keychain designed to open a variety of complex locks.

💎 The Reward for Mastery

The considerable challenge of Memory of Chaos is matched by equally substantial rewards. For Trailblazers who successfully clear its stages, bountiful prizes await, including:

  • Stellar Jades 💎: The premium currency for Warps, essential for acquiring new characters and Light Cones.

  • Credits 💰: The fundamental currency for character and Light Cone upgrades.

  • Other Materials: Various upgrade materials that aid in character development.

These rewards fuel the continuous cycle of progression, allowing players to strengthen their accounts to take on future, even more daunting iterations of the mode. In essence, Memory of Chaos is the self-sustaining heart of Honkai: Star Rail's endgame—a demanding, rewarding, and constantly shifting battlefield where the meta is written, challenged, and rewritten with every new version, ensuring the celestial journey of every Trailblazer remains engaging and dynamic.