Gilgamesh Build Guide: Kit, Best Relics, Light Cones & Teams | HSR 4.4

Gilgamesh is finally stepping into Honkai: Star Rail as a 5-star Lightning character following the Path of The Destruction, arriving with the HSR x Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] collaboration from July 24.

This guide will give you a full breakdown of Gilgamesh’s character role, core mechanics, Skill Kit, Eidolons, materials, Light Cone options, and build direction, helping you understand how the King of Heroes works before planning your pulls and resources.

 

Overview

Rarity: 5-Star  |  Path: Destruction  |  Element: Lightning

Gilgamesh is a 5-star Lightning character following the Path of The Destruction, positioned as an AoE carry and team-scaling damage engine. His job is to build Interest through ally actions and Ultimates, then convert it into extra turns, stronger Skill windows, and explosive Ultimate damage. King’s Acknowledgement gives him DEF ignore, while King’s Burden ramps his Ultimate output, so he plays more like a scaling nuker than a simple turn-based attacker. He also supports the team with ATK and CRIT DMG buffs, making high-Energy teammates especially valuable. With Saber, he gains a unique Joint Follow-Up ATK angle, adding even more AoE pressure and combo value.

 

Gilgamesh Skill Kit

Basic ATK

Halfhearted Blow

Deals Lightning DMG equal to 100% of Gilgamesh's ATK to one designated enemy.

 

Skill

King's Treasure

Obtains "King's Acknowledgement," allowing this unit to ignore 30% of the target's DEF when dealing DMG, lasting for 3 turn(s). Deals Lightning DMG equal to 280% of Gilgamesh's ATK to one designated enemy, and deals Lightning DMG equal to 140% of Gilgamesh's ATK to adjacent targets.

 

Ultimate

Enuma Elish

Deals Lightning DMG equal to 400% of Gilgamesh's ATK to all enemies, and additionally deals 10 instance(s) of DMG, with each instance dealing Lightning DMG equal to 100% of Gilgamesh's ATK to one random enemy.

 

Talent

"Amuse Me to the Fullest"

When an ally uses their Ultimate, Gilgamesh gains "King's Burden," increasing Ultimate DMG dealt by this unit by 40%, lasting for 3 turn(s).

Initially, automatically uses Basic ATK at the start of this unit's turn. When an ally target takes action, Gilgamesh gains 1 point of "Interest." When "Interest" reaches 10 points, Gilgamesh consumes 10 points of "Interest" and immediately takes action.

When "Interest" reaches 10 points for the first time, Gilgamesh enters the "Interest Piqued!" state and can only use his Skill.

"I Grant You Permission To Strike"

When Gilgamesh or Saber attacks, they accumulate 1 attack tally. After either unit attacks, if the accumulated attack tally reaches 8, Gilgamesh and Saber launch a Joint Follow-Up ATK, dealing Lightning DMG equal to 400% of Gilgamesh's ATK and Wind DMG equal to 600% of Saber's ATK to all enemies.

Then, Gilgamesh gains 3 point(s) of "Interest," and Saber regenerates 120 Energy and the DMG dealt when she next uses her Ultimate becomes 200% of the original DMG. The accumulated attack tally is reset after using the Joint Follow-Up ATK.

 

Technique

Enkidu

After using Technique, creates 1 Special Dimension lasting for 10 second(s). Enemies in the Special Dimension enter the "King's Permission" state. Enemies in the "King's Permission" state will stop all actions. When entering combat by actively attacking an enemy in the "King's Permission" state, causes all enemies in the "King's Permission" state to enter combat, and deals Lightning DMG equal to 200% of Gilgamesh's ATK to all enemies after entering battle. Gilgamesh also immediately gains 3 point(s) of "Interest." Only 1 Special Dimension created by allies can exist.

 

Bonus Ability

1. Epic's Opening

When Gilgamesh uses his Ultimate, he gains 2 points of "Interest." When other ally characters use their Ultimates, Gilgamesh additionally gains 2 "Interest" points and regenerates a fixed amount of Energy equal to 30% of the Energy consumed this time.

2. Hero's Hauteur

During the battle, every 1 point of "Interest" gained by Gilgamesh increases his CRIT DMG by 25%. This effect can stack up to 6 time(s).

3. Hegemon's Strife

While Gilgamesh is on the field, increases the ATK of all ally targets by 20% and CRIT DMG by 20%. If the target's Max Energy exceeds 140, every 1 excess point of Max Energy additionally increases ATK and CRIT DMG by 1%, up to a maximum of 100%.

 

Skill Priority

Skill = Ultimate > Talent > Basic Attack

Skill and Ultimate are Gilgamesh’s top priorities because they provide nearly all of his damage. After reaching 10 Interest and entering Interest Piqued, he can only use Gate of Babylon, making its Blast multiplier and DEF ignore central to his turns.

Enuma Elish is equally valuable: despite its high Energy cost, its AoE hit and ten additional bounces deliver excellent damage against bosses and groups.

Talent comes next because leveling it improves his Interest-based SPD and Ultimate DMG buff, but these effects mainly support his core attacks.

Basic Attack is last, since it is mostly used automatically before Interest Piqued.

 

Eidolons

1. He Who Saw the Deep	When Gilgamesh possesses "King's Acknowledgement," its DEF-ignoring effect will apply to other teammates as well, and "King's Acknowledgement" will additionally increase Gilgamesh's ATK by 60%. He additionally regenerates a fixed 40 Energy when he uses his Skill.
2. Wisdom That Encompassed All	When entering combat, Gilgamesh gains 5 point(s) of "Interest," and additionally gains 5 point(s) of "Interest" when using his Ultimate. The DMG multiplier of the Skill "Gate of Babylon" dealt to the primary target increases by 100%, and the DMG multiplier dealt to adjacent targets increases by 50%.
3. Journey That Spanned Far	Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10.
4. King Who Bowed to None	Gilgamesh's Energy Regeneration Rate increases by 20%.
5. Sword That Parted God from Man	Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.
6. Soul That Bore Friendship	Increases the bounce DMG multiplier of the Ultimate "Enuma Elish" by 80%. While Gilgamesh is on the field, increases the All-Type RES PEN of ally characters by 20%. When a teammate uses their Ultimate, Gilgamesh gains 1 point of "Golden Rule," up to a total of 3 points. When this unit uses his Ultimate, he consumes all "Golden Rule" points and increases his Ultimate DMG's CRIT DMG by 100% for each point of "Golden Rule" consumed.

Pulling Advice

Since Version 4.4 gives one free copy, E0 is the default stopping point and already delivers Gilgamesh’s full core gameplay. He is most valuable for players with E0 or E2+ Saber, accounts built around E1 Ashveil, Mortenax Blade, and Tribbie, or newer and returning players still lacking two or three dependable carries. For further investment, choose E1 for stronger team value and smoother rotations, while S1 is the cleaner personal-damage upgrade. With two additional limited pulls, aim for E2 to accelerate his setup and greatly strengthen Gate of Babylon, or split them between E1 and S1 for a balanced build.

Recommended priority: E0 - E1 or S1 - E2 or E1S1 - E2S1. E6S1 is strictly for dedicated fans.

 

Gilgamesh Materials

Thunder Strum 65	Squirming Core 57	Glimmering Core 81	Extinguished Core 68
Guardian's Lament 9	Omnicolor, Fool's Own 116	Sixen, King-Rook Fork 65	Four Phases, Crossing the River to Check the King 16
Tracks of Destiny 6	Credit 2,890,500

 

Best Light Cones

Signature Light Cones

I Am As You Behold

Base HP 847   Base ATK 635   Base DEF 529

Increases the wearer's ATK by 30% and Energy Regeneration Rate by 20%. When the wearer uses their Ultimate, increases the Ultimate DMG dealt this time by 0.4% for every 1 Energy consumed, up to 144%. When the wearer enters combat or uses their Ultimate, the wearer gains "King's Entertainment," lasting for 3 turn(s). While the wearer has "King's Entertainment," increases all allies' CRIT DMG by 48%. Effects of the same type cannot stack.

I Am As You Behold is tailored to Gilgamesh’s high-cost, Ultimate-centered rotation. Its Energy Regeneration Rate helps him reach Enuma Elish consistently, while his 360 Energy cost naturally activates the Light Cone’s full Ultimate DMG bonus. The added ATK strengthens both his Skill and Ultimate, keeping it valuable across his rotation. Its teamwide CRIT DMG buff also suits his dual-DPS playstyle, supporting allies as they take actions, use Ultimates, and feed the Interest and Energy mechanics that drive his kit.

 

Alternative

Thus Burns the Dawn	Base HP 953 Base ATK 688 Base DEF 397
	The wearer's base SPD increases by 20. When dealing DMG, ignores 36% of the target's DEF. After the wearer uses Ultimate, gains "Blazing Sun," which is removed at the start of the turn. While holding "Blazing Sun," increases the wearer's DMG dealt by 132%.
Thus Burns the Dawn is a strong premium alternative because its base ATK, permanent DEF ignore, and SPD improve Gilgamesh’s rotation without demanding teammates. Its universal bonuses strengthen both Skill and Ultimate damage, while Blazing Sun can amplify any off-turn attacks occurring after Enuma Elish and before his next turn.
On the Fall of an Aeon	Base HP 1,058 Base ATK 529 Base DEF 397
	When the wearer attacks, increases their ATK by 16% in this battle. This effect can stack up to 4 time(s). After the wearer breaks an enemy's Weakness, increases DMG dealt by 24%, lasting for 2 turn(s).
On the Fall of an Aeon is an accessible alternative because Gilgamesh attacks often enough to build its ATK stacks quickly and retain them throughout battle. Its five-star stats suit his ATK scaling, while the conditional DMG bonus adds value whenever his wide attacks reliably secure a Lightning Weakness Break.

 

Best Relics & Stats

Scholar Lost in Erudition	2Set Increases CRIT Rate by 8%. 4Set Increases DMG dealt by Skill and Ultimate by 20%. After using Ultimate, additionally increases the DMG dealt by the next Skill by 25%.
Cosmic Life Sciences Institute	2Set When entering combat, if the wearer's Max Energy is greater than or equal to 200, increases the wearer's DMG dealt by 0.2% for every 1 point exceeding this value, up to a max increase of 32%.
Scholar Lost in Erudition and Cosmic Life Sciences Institute align perfectly with Gilgamesh’s two main damage windows. Scholar supplies CRIT Rate while amplifying both his Skill and Ultimate, then rewards his sequence of casting Enuma Elish before returning to Gate of Babylon. Cosmic Life Sciences Institute is effectively tailored to his large 360 Energy pool, granting its full 32% damage bonus immediately without extra stat thresholds or team restrictions. Together, they provide consistent, fully utilized bonuses across his entire rotation.

Main Stat

Body	Crit Rate
Feet	ATK% / SPD
Planar Sphere	Lightning DMG Boost
Link Rope	ATK% / ER

Sub-stat

Crit Rate > Crit DMG > SPD > ATK%

 

Best Team

Saber

Gilgamesh

RMC

Huohuo

Saber and Gilgamesh form a natural dual-DPS core because every ally Ultimate advances both engines: Saber gains Core Resonance and a damage window, while Gilgamesh gains Interest toward Interest Piqued. RMC supplies action advance and True DMG, helping either carry convert those buffs into extra attacks. Huohuo completes the loop with teamwide Energy restoration, ATK buffs, healing, and cleansing.

Ashveil

Gilgamesh

Mortenax Blade

Huohuo

Ashveil turns Gilgamesh’s frequent attacks into repeated follow-ups whenever they hit the Bait, while the resulting DEF reduction improves the entire team’s damage. Ashveil’s extra attacks also accelerate Mortenax Blade’s Charge cycle, producing more free Skills as his Zone and Balefire Bind amplify everyone. Huohuo sustains the lineup and restores teamwide Energy, keeping its attack-heavy rotation moving consistently.

 

Conclusion

With the full build now mapped out, you can start preparing his materials, Relics, Light Cones, and teammates ahead of release instead of farming blindly later. Use this guide as your checklist, then adjust the final details once he arrives in-game. For more Honkai: Star Rail builds and preparation guides, keep an eye on LDShop.