In Short: Honkai Star Rail Ruan Mei Build
Ruan Mei Build is a 5-star Harmony character in Honkai Star Rail specializing in support with a unique Ice Damage type. To maximize her potential, the 4-piece Musketeer of Wild Wheat and the 2-piece Space Sealing Station are her best Relic and Planar Ornament combinations.
Her optimal team composition includes Seele (DPS), Pela (Support), Ruan Mei (Support), and Gepard (Sustain). Ruan Mei Build excels at enhancing allies’ performance through buffs while contributing moderate damage herself. As the first 5-star Ice Harmony character, her utility makes her an incredible addition to any team.
Here’s everything you need to know to build Ruan Mei Build effectively in Honkai Star Rail.
Ruan Mei: Path, Damage Type, Lore, and Release
Path & Damage Type
Ruan Mei Build is a Harmony character, designed to amplify her allies’ damage output. She deals Ice Damage and scales primarily on her Attack, making her an exceptional support for DPS units reliant on Attack-based scaling.
Lore and Backstory
Hailing from the snowy peaks of Xianzhou, Ruan Mei is a scholar and musician renowned for blending science and art. Her performances weave harmonic frequencies that synchronize perfectly with the galaxy’s rhythms. A member of the Astral Express, she dedicates herself to preserving the delicate balance of the universe through melody and logic.
Release Date and Banner
Ruan Mei Build was introduced in Version 2.3 of Honkai Star Rail, released on June 10, 2024. Her debut banner included the 4-star characters Yukong, Herta, and Hook.
Ruan Mei’s Kit and Ideal Rotation
Basic Attack: Ice Symphony
Deals Ice Damage equal to 80% of Ruan Mei’s Attack to a single enemy.
Skill: Melodic Convergence
Boosts all allies’ Crit Rate by 15% and Ice Damage by 20% for 3 turns. The effect diminishes by 1 turn with each of Ruan Mei’s actions.
Ultimate: Frosted Resonance
Ruan Mei Build enters the Symphony state, granting allies immediate action. In this state:
- Increases allies’ Attack by 18% of Ruan Mei’s Attack.
- Enhances allies’ Ice Damage by 30%.
- Allies’ attacks trigger an additional Ice Damage instance equal to 60% of Ruan Mei’s Attack.
The Symphony state ends after two turns or when Ruan Mei performs an action.
Talent: Harmonic Resonance
Boosts allies’ Crit Damage by 25% during battles. Additionally, Ruan Mei regenerates 3 Energy every time an ally lands a Crit.
Technique: Cryo Prelude
Creates an Ice Field for 15 seconds that immobilizes enemies. When battle begins within this field, Ruan Mei Build gains 10 Energy.
Optimal Rotation
- Use her Skill to apply buffs to allies.
- Charge her Ultimate using basic attacks.
- Trigger her Ultimate during critical moments to unleash the Symphony state and maximize team-wide buffs.
Best Relics for Ruan Mei Build
4-Piece Musketeer of Wild Wheat
- Boosts Attack, Speed, and Basic Attack Damage, making it ideal for Ruan Mei’s support-focused role.
2-Piece Musketeer + 2-Piece Messenger Traversing Hackerspace
- Provides a balanced mix of Attack and Speed, especially useful for cycling her Skill and Ultimate efficiently.
Alternative: 4-Piece Messenger Traversing Hackerspace
- Enhances Speed for all allies, synergizing well with her role as a Harmony unit.
Best Planar Ornaments
2-Piece Space Sealing Station
- Grants an Attack bonus when Ruan Mei’s Speed reaches 120 or higher.
2-Piece Broken Keel
- Increases Crit Damage for allies if Ruan Mei’s Effect Resistance is 30% or more, perfect for crit-reliant teams.
Recommended Stats for Relics
| Relic Slot | Primary Stat | Sub-Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Head | HP / Attack % | Effect Resistance > Speed > HP |
| Hands | Attack % | Speed > HP > Effect Resistance |
| Body | Attack % | Speed > Crit Rate > HP |
| Feet | Speed / Attack % | HP > Effect Resistance > Crit Rate |
| Planar Sphere | Attack % | Speed > HP > Crit Damage |
| Link Rope | Energy Regen / Attack % | HP > Speed > Effect Resistance |
Focus on stacking Attack to boost her buffs and Ice Damage while maintaining decent Speed and Energy Regeneration to sustain her cycle.
Best Light Cones for Ruan Mei Build
Signature Light Cone: Frozen Aria
- Increases Ruan Mei’s Attack and Ice Damage, synergizing perfectly with her Ultimate.
Alternatives
- But the Battle Isn’t Over: Provides Energy regeneration and team-wide buffs.
- Dance! Dance! Dance!: Enhances turn order cycling by advancing allies’ actions.
- Planetary Rendezvous: Grants an elemental damage bonus when the team includes an Ice DPS.
Ruan Mei Eidolons
E1: Echoing Chill
- Grants allies a 15% Ice Resistance Penetration boost.
E2: Frosted Harmony
- Enhances the Crit Damage buff from her Talent by an additional 10%.
E6: Symphony’s Zenith
- Increases the additional Ice Damage during Symphony state by 300%, significantly amplifying her team’s output.
Ruan Mei Build is an excellent unit at base, but her E1 and E2 greatly enhance her utility and effectiveness in battle.
Best Team Compositions for Ruan Mei
| Role | DPS | Support | Support | Sustain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best | Seele | Pela | Ruan Mei | Gepard |
| Alternative | Yanqing | Yukong | Ruan Mei | Bailu |
| F2P | Qingque | March 7th | Ruan Mei | Natasha |
Ruan Mei thrives in Ice-focused teams or those relying on Crit-heavy strategies. Pair her with Seele or Yanqing for optimal synergy.
Should You Pull for Ruan Mei?
Ruan Mei Build is a top-tier support unit whose buffs can turn any team into a powerhouse. If you’re building a Crit-based or Ice-centric team, she’s indispensable. Even at base, her abilities elevate team performance, but her Eidolons make her shine even brighter.
If you missed previous top-tier supports like Bronya or Tingyun, Ruan Mei is a must-pull for her unparalleled ability to empower allies.
Let us know in the comments—will you be pulling for Ruan Mei? Share your thoughts on her kit and how she compares to other Harmony characters!
Looking for more tips? Check out our guides on the best weapons, builds, and strategies in Gaming.
