Anomaly Arbitration 4.2 Best Characters and Teams in Honkai: Star Rail
This is our guide for Anomaly Arbitration teams and Best Characters in version 4.2 of Honkai: Star Rail. Read on to learn about the best teams available for the current cycle of Anomaly Arbitration.
Anomaly Arbitration Version 4.2 Guide - Best Characters and Team Advice
Anomaly Arbitration is the hardest endgame content available in Honkai: Star Rail facing against 3 different sets of enemies before facing a final boss much harder than other endgame modes. Here you can see an overview of the boss mechanics, some general combat advice as well as our recommended team compositions to clear Anomaly Arbitration in version 4.2.
For players looking for more information on how Anomaly Arbitration works or the rewards from Anomaly Arbitration. Check our overview below:
Anomaly Arbitration Version 4.2 Duration
- Event Duration: Start of Version 4.2(2026-04-21) - End of Version 4.2(2026-06-02)
Anomaly Arbitration releases a new phase at the start of every patch, lasting for the update. Always resetting on the Wednesday after the version update.
The current Anomaly Arbitration Cycle is the Paramount Bliss of the Version 4.2, where players will face off against the new boss, Paramount Bliss Inverted: Illwish Archlotus.
Knights, Mechanics, and Recommended Teams
Here is a breakdown of all three Knights, as well as recommended teams and best tips to get the maximum stars!
Knight I Stage Breakdown & Team Compositions
Ally targets initially obtain 2 stack(s) of this effect, with each stack decreasing their own DMG by 10%. This effect cannot be dispelled, and 1 stack is removed after each Ultimate used.
| Wave 1 - Enemy Type | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Aggressive Reading Material x3 | Physical Fire Imaginary |
| Rocking Rebel x2 | Physical Fire Imaginary |
| SD Civilian Mechatron x3 | Physical Fire Lightning |
| Wave 2 - Enemy Type | Weaknesses |
| Joy Ascendant | Fire Lightning Imaginary |
| Rocking Rebel x2 | Physical Fire Imaginary |
Recommended Team Compositions
Knight I debuff primarily affects characters who cannot gain energy quickly to cast their ultimates. This stage consists of many smaller targets while dealing with minibosses, so we recommend teams that are suiting for this enviorment.
See below for recommended team setups for Knight 1:
| Main DPS | Support / DPS | Support | Sustain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashveil | Tribbie | Remembrance Trailblazer | Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae |
| Hysilens | Kafka | Black Swan | Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae |
| Sparxie | Yao Guang | Sparkle | Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae |
| Firefly | The Dahlia | Fugue | Lingsha |
Knight II Stage Breakdown & Team Compositions
Decreases the DMG dealt by all ally targets by 10%, and decreases their DMG taken by 10%.
| Wave 1 - Enemy Type | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Canvas Peacock | N/A |
| Daybreak Squadron: Azurewing | Physical Fire Imaginary |
| Wave 2 - Enemy Type | Weaknesses |
| @SparxiConOfficial | Fire Quantum Imaginary |
Recommended Team Compositions
Knight II has a debuff that reduces both your outgoing damage and incoming damage, allowing for easier sustainless runs. The Daybreak Squadron member in wave 1 is a sign to avoid using Quantum units here if possible, but if not aiming for a full star clear, they should still perform adequately.
See below for recommended team setups for Knight 2:
| Main DPS | Support / DPS | Support | Sustain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Wolf LV.999 | Sparxie | Yao Guang | Huohuo |
| Sparxie | Yao Guang | Sparkle | Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae |
| Firefly | The Dahlia | Fugue | Lingsha |
| Evernight | Cyrene | Remembrance Trailblazer | Hyacine |
Knight III Stage Breakdown & Team Compositions
Enemy target takes immediate action after being attacked 6 time(s). This tally resets at the start of the enemy target's turn.
| Wave 1 - Enemy Type | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Daybreak Squadron: Dawnlance | Physical Fire Quantum |
| Daybreak Squadron: Blazeweaver | Physical Quantum Imaginary |
| Wave 2 - Enemy Type | Weaknesses |
| Flame Reaver of the Deepest Dark | Ice Lightning Quantum |
Recommended Team Compositions
Knight III sees the return of Flame Reaver, this time accompanyed by 2 Daybreak Squadron members that resist Fire and Imaginary. Avoid using these elements if possible. Typical good matchups into Flame Reaver from older patches will do well here, such as Herta and Aglaea.
See below for recommended team setups for Knight 3:
| Main DPS | Support / DPS | Support | Sustain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castorice | Evernight | Cyrene | Hyacine |
| Archer | Sparkle | Silver Wolf | Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae |
| Phainon | Sunday | Cerydra | Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae |
| Ashveil | Tribbie | Remembrance Trailblazer | Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae |
King in Check Enemy Breakdown & Team Compositions
King in Check is the main boss of the Anomaly Arbitration gamemode. Defeating the King provides a limited avatar frame depending on the number of stars you earn. Clearing the Plight version of the king will grant you the highest tier of avatar frame, but is incredibly difficult and only recommended for players with extremely high eidolon investments.
Knights, Mechanics, and Recommended Teams
Here is a breakdown of the King stage, as well as recommended teams and best tips to get the maximum stars.
King in Check Clear Requirements
In order to clear the King in Check Stage, you need to defeat the boss within the 6 provided cycles for a 1 star clear. However, for every 2 cycles left when your clear, you can earn a higher star count and a higher tier of avatar frame. If you manage to clear the King in the first cycle, you can unlock a rarer avatar frame.
| Star Target | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 1 Stars | Achieve victory in no more then 6 Cycles |
| 2 Stars | Achieve victory in no more then 4 Cycles |
| 3 Stars | Achieve victory in no more then 2 Cycles |
King in Check has the following debuffs:
Decreases the DMG dealt by all ally targets by 10%, and decreases their DMG taken by 10%.
Ally targets initially obtain 2 stack(s) of this effect, with each stack decreasing their own DMG by 10%. This effect cannot be dispelled, and 1 stack is removed after each Ultimate used.
| Wave 1 - Enemy Type | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Magical Girl Troupe x2 | Physical Fire Ice |
| Dreamjolt Troupe's Sweet Gorilla | Physical Fire Imaginary |
| Wave 2 - Enemy Type | Weaknesses |
| Joy Ascendant | Fire Lightning Imaginary |
| Wave 3 - Enemy Type | Weaknesses |
| Paramount Bliss Inverted: Illwish Archlotus | Physical Lightning Imaginary |
Recommended Team Compositions
King in Check has the following buffs available which can be used alongside your team.
Elation DMG dealt by ally targets ignores 30% of the target's DEF. Ally characters gain 6 Punchline(s) at the start of their turn.
Increases Break DMG dealt to enemy targets by 30%. When an enemy target enters the Weakness Broken state, advances all allies' actions by 5%.
Increases the DMG dealt by all ally targets by 40%, decreases All-Type RES of "Paramount Bliss Inverted: Illwish Archlotus" and their summons by 20%.
Recommended Team Compositions
This King stage has a mechanic that favors teams who have units that attack, as it punishes "sitting duck" teammates like Sunday who don't often attack. Thus, most teams that have damage spread out will do well here. There is a lot of HP in this stage, so make sure you invest into your units properly and optimize around the buffs provided.
| Main DPS | Support / DPS | Support | Sustain | Arbitral Quadrant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Wolf LV.999 | Sparxie | Yao Guang | Huohuo | Cathartic Applause |
| Evanescia | Yao Guang | Elation Trailblazer | Huohuo | Cathartic Applause |
| Firefly | The Dahlia | Fugue | Lingsha | Devastating Sweep |
| Hysilens | Kafka | Black Swan | Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae | Hallowed Abjuration |
| Ashveil | Tribbie | Remembrance Trailblazer | Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae | Hallowed Abjuration |
| Sparxie | Yao Guang | Sparkle | Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae | Cathartic Applause |
| Castorice | Evernight | Cyrene | Hyacine | Hallowed Abjuration |
| Phainon | Cyrene | Cerydra | Remembrance Trailblazer | Hallowed Abjuration |
King in Check:Plight Clear Requirements
In order to clear the King in Check:Plight Stage, you need to defeat the boss within the 2 provided cycles for a full star clear. Unlike the King in Check stage, there are no 1 or 2 star clear conditions. Clearing this version of the stage will grant you the highest rarity of avatar frame.
| Star Target | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 3 Stars | Achieve victory in no more then 2 Cycles |
King in Check has the following debuffs:
Decreases the DMG dealt by all ally targets by 20%, and decreases their DMG taken by 10%.
Ally targets initially obtain 2 stack(s) of this effect, with each stack decreasing their own DMG by 20%. This effect cannot be dispelled, and 1 stack is removed after each Ultimate used.
| Wave 1 - Enemy Type | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Magical Girl Troupe x2 | Physical Fire Ice |
| Dreamjolt Troupe's Sweet Gorilla | Physical Fire Imaginary |
| Wave 2 - Enemy Type | Weaknesses |
| Joy Ascendant | Fire Lightning Imaginary |
| Wave 3 - Enemy Type | Weaknesses |
| Paramount Bliss Inverted: Illwish Archlotus | Physical Lightning Imaginary |
Recommended Team Compositions
King in Check has the following buffs available which can be used alongside your team.
Elation DMG dealt by ally targets ignores 30% of the target's DEF. Ally characters gain 6 Punchline(s) at the start of their turn.
Increases Break DMG dealt to enemy targets by 30%. When an enemy target enters the Weakness Broken state, advances all allies' actions by 5%.
Increases the DMG dealt by all ally targets by 40%, decreases All-Type RES of "Paramount Bliss Inverted: Illwish Archlotus" and their summons by 20%.
Recommended Team Compositions
Plight is difficult due to the high outgoing damage and HP pool. Try to bring your highest investment teams: any less will not suffice.
| Main DPS | Support / DPS | Support | Sustain | Arbitral Quadrant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Wolf LV.999 | Sparxie | Yao Guang | Huohuo | Cathartic Applause |
| Evanescia | Yao Guang | Elation Trailblazer | Huohuo | Cathartic Applause |
| Firefly | The Dahlia | Fugue | Lingsha | Devastating Sweep |
| Hysilens | Kafka | Black Swan | Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae | Hallowed Abjuration |
| Ashveil | Tribbie | Remembrance Trailblazer | Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae | Hallowed Abjuration |
| Sparxie | Yao Guang | Sparkle | Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae | Cathartic Applause |
| Castorice | Evernight | Cyrene | Hyacine | Hallowed Abjuration |
| Phainon | Cyrene | Cerydra | Remembrance Trailblazer | Hallowed Abjuration |
Overview and Rewards for Anomaly Arbitration
For more information on Anomaly Arbitration, how to unlock it, how it works, and the rewards you can get, you can head to our Anomaly Arbitration Overview:
Changelog
- 21 Apr. 2026: Guide updated for Version 4.2 Treasures Lightward.
- 24 Mar. 2026: Guide updated for Version 4.1 Treasures Lightward.
- 12 Feb. 2026: Guide updated for Version 4.0 Treasures Lightward.
- 19 Dec. 2025: Anomaly Arbitration Guide updated for version 3.8.
- 04 Nov. 2025: Anomaly Arbitration Guide updated for version 3.7.
- 23 Sep. 2025: Anomaly Arbitration Guide added.