Gilgamesh Guide and Best Builds

Introductions

Gilgamesh is a 5-Star Lightning character who follows the Path of Destruction. Gilgamesh is an ATK-scaling Sub DPS who builds "Interest" through ally actions to accelerate his own turns and unleash powerful attacks. He has particularly strong synergy with Saber, triggering a Joint Follow-Up ATK together and enabling each other's damage.
Our Gilgamesh Build Guide will show you the best Light Cones, Relics, and Team Compositions for Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh's Best Light Cone

The percentages listed show the relative DPS increase when accounting for both the Light Cone effects and base stats.

I Am As You Behold (S1)
106%

Increases the wearer's ATK by 18.0 / 21.0 / 24.0 / 27.0 / 30.0% and Energy Regeneration Rate by 10.0 / 12.5 / 15.0 / 17.5 / 20.0%. When the wearer uses their Ultimate, increases the Ultimate DMG dealt this time by 0.2 / 0.25 / 0.3 / 0.35 / 0.4% for every 1 Energy consumed, up to 72.0 / 90.0 / 108.0 / 126.0 / 144.0%. When the wearer enters combat or uses their Ultimate, the wearer gains "King's Entertainment," lasting for 3.0 turn(s). While the wearer has "King's Entertainment," increases all allies' CRIT DMG by 24.0 / 30.0 / 36.0 / 42.0 / 48.0%. Effects of the same type cannot stack.

Gilgamesh's signature Light Cone and his strongest overall option. It amplifies team damage by providing team CRIT DMG and strong personal DMG gains with a personal Skill DMG buff. However, it is not at all necessary; Gilgamesh's intrinsic kit provides an abundance of CRIT DMG.

A Thankless Coronation (S1)
101%

Increases the wearer's CRIT DMG by 36.0 / 45.0 / 54.0 / 63.0 / 72.0%. When using Ultimate, increases the wearer's ATK by 40.0 / 50.0 / 60.0 / 70.0 / 80.0%, and if the wearer's Max Energy is greater than or equal to 300, regenerates a fixed amount of Energy equal to 10.0% of the wearer's Max Energy and once again increases the wearer's ATK by 40.0 / 50.0 / 60.0 / 70.0 / 80.0%, lasting for 2 turns.

Sources: Event Warp (limited)

A solid premium alternative that is close to his Signature, providing consistent personal DMG and Energy for Gilgamesh. However, if players only have one copy of Saber's signature and are playing Gilgamesh with her, it should remain on her.

On the Fall of an Aeon (S5)
100%

When the wearer attacks, increases their ATK by 8.0 / 10.0 / 12.0 / 14.0 / 16.0% in this battle. This effect can stack up to 4 time(s). After the wearer breaks an enemy's Weakness, increases DMG dealt by 12.0 / 15.0 / 18.0 / 21.0 / 24.0%, lasting for 2 turn(s).

Sources: Herta's Store

A strong 5-Star option that provides unconditional ATK% after every attack and a DMG bonus. However, the DMG% bonus is only provided under the condition that Gilgamesh will Weakness Break his enemies. Given that Gilgamesh is a rather fast character, if he is not played against Lightning Weak enemies, this Light Cone may perform slightly worse than the alternatives below.

A Trail of Bygone Blood (S5)
98%

Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 12.0 / 14.0 / 16.0 / 18.0 / 20.0%. The Skill DMG and Ultimate DMG dealt by the wearer increase by 24.0 / 28.0 / 32.0 / 36.0 / 40.0%.

Sources: Nameless Glory

A strong 4-Star option obtainable from the Battle Pass, increasing Skill and ULT DMG while providing CRIT Rate.

A Trail of Bygone Blood (S1)
95%

Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 12.0 / 14.0 / 16.0 / 18.0 / 20.0%. The Skill DMG and Ultimate DMG dealt by the wearer increase by 24.0 / 28.0 / 32.0 / 36.0 / 40.0%.

Sources: Nameless Glory

A Secret Vow (S5)
94%

Increases DMG dealt by the wearer by 20.0 / 25.0 / 30.0 / 35.0 / 40.0%. The wearer also deals an extra 20.0 / 25.0 / 30.0 / 35.0 / 40.0% of DMG to enemies whose current HP percentage is equal to or higher than the wearer's current HP percentage.

Sources: Stellar Warp

A budget alternative that works, though it falls behind other options due to Gilgamesh needing to be at low HP to get the extra DMG% bonus.

Best Relics and Planar Ornaments for Gilgamesh

Best Relics for Gilgamesh

These are the best Relic Sets to build for Gilgamesh.

Genius of Brilliant Stars
106%

2-Piece Set: Increases Quantum DMG by 10.0%.

4-Piece Set: When the wearer deals DMG to the target enemy, ignores 10.0% DEF. If the target enemy has Quantum Weakness, the wearer additionally ignores 10.0% DEF.

Gilgamesh's best-performing Relic Set when enemies are Quantum Weak, which is relevant when sources of DEF Shred, like Mortenax Blade, are present on the team.

Scholar Lost in Erudition
100%

2-Piece Set: Increases CRIT Rate by 8.0%.

4-Piece Set: Increases DMG dealt by Skill and Ultimate by 20.0%. After using Ultimate, additionally increases the DMG dealt by the next Skill by 25.0%.

A strong general set for Gilgamesh, providing CRIT Rate and a DMG% buff after using his Ultimate.

Other than Genius of Brilliant Stars, Gilgamesh can use 2PC sets with optimal substats, given he has no Relic set tailored to him yet.

Best Planar Ornaments

Cosmic Life Sciences Institute
100%

2-Piece Set: 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 32.0%.

Gilgamesh's best Planar Ornament option overall, providing the strongest personal DMG in most scenarios.

City of Myriad Forms
99%

2-Piece Set: When the wearer uses a Follow-Up ATK, their ATK increases by 24.0% for 2 turn(s). When an enemy target is defeated, increases CRIT DMG for all allies by 12.0% for the rest of the current battle. This effect cannot stack.

A close alternative that provides ATK% to Gilgamesh and teammates, remaining competitive with the top choice.

Izumo Gensei and Takama Divine Realm
99%

2-Piece Set: Increases the wearer's ATK by 12.0%. When entering battle, if at least one teammate follows the same Path as the wearer, then the wearer's CRIT Rate increases by 12.0%.

Another competitive alternative that provides CRIT Rate and ATK%, so long as a member of the same path is in the team.

Inert Salsotto
98%

2-Piece Set: Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 8.0%. When the wearer's current CRIT Rate reaches 50.0% or higher, the DMG dealt by the wearer's Ultimate and Follow-Up ATK increases by 15.0%.

An option that provides DMG% to both his Ultimate and his Joint ATK, along with CRIT Rate.

Gilgamesh's Stat Priority

Body

CRIT Rate

Feet

SPD

ATK%

Planar Sphere

Lightning DMG Boost

ATK%

Link Rope

ATK%

Energy Regeneration Rate

Stat Priority

CRIT Rate

CRIT DMG

ATK%

SPD

Recommended Endgame Stats for Gilgamesh

ATK

2400+

CRIT Rate

90%-100%

CRIT DMG

140%+

Traces Priority

Skills Priority

Talent > Ultimate > Skill > Basic ATK

Major Traces Priority

Hero's Hauteur = Hegemon's Strife > Epic's Opening

Gilgamesh Build Comments

Gilgamesh is a unique DPS whose turns are accelerated by his allies. When any ally takes an action, he will gain a stack of Interest, increasing his SPD by 10%. After obtaining 10 Interest, he will permanently use his Skill for the rest of the battle, which consumes no SP. His Talent also grants him "King's Burden" whenever any ally uses their Ultimate, gaining 40% Ultimate DMG for 3 turns.

Gilgamesh's Skill, King's Treasure, grants him "King's Acknowledgement," causing him to ignore 30% of the target's DEF, and deals strong Blast DMG. His Ultimate, Enuma Elish, deals AoE Lightning DMG followed by 10 additional bouncing instances against random enemies for massive total damage.

He has exceptional synergy with Saber. When their combined attack tally reaches 8, they launch a Joint Follow-Up ATK that deals Lightning and Wind DMG to all enemies. This also regenerates Saber's Energy and buffs her next Ultimate. Note that SPD tuning between Gilgamesh and Saber can be complex: optimal main stats for Boots and Link Rope vary by team context, as a large portion of Gilgamesh's Energy is generated through fixed means rather than SPD-dependent actions.

Gilgamesh's Best Teams

To learn all about Gilgamesh's synergies and best team compositions, check our dedicated Gilgamesh team page below:

Gilgamesh Teams

Gilgamesh's Best Eidolons

Like Saber, Gilgamesh benefits the most from his Eidolon 1 and Eidolon 6, though as he is free, you only need 6 copies and do not need his Signature Light Cone for vertical investment efficiency. At E0, staying at E0S0 is cost-efficient; though his Eidolon 1 is a strong investment to stop at. His E1 and E2 meaningfully boost his and his team's DMG, while E6 supports both his own DMG and his team's.
Listed below are our thoughts on Gilgamesh's Eidolons.

Eidolon	% Diff	% Diff E0	Comment
He Who Saw the Deep	21%	21%	Causes "King's Acknowledgement" DEF Ignore to apply to teammates as well, and grants Gilgamesh 60% additional ATK while it is active. Also regenerates 40 fixed Energy the next time he uses his Skill after consuming Interest. A significant power spike.
Wisdom That Encompassed All	6%	28%	Grants 5 Interest on combat start and 5 additional Interest on Ultimate use. Also greatly increases his Skill DMG. A strong Eidolon. While numerically the Eidolon may seem minuscule, altered rotations will render this Eidolon much higher, close to the strength of his E1.
Journey That Spanned Far	4%	33%	Skill Lv. +2 and Basic ATK Lv. +1.
King Who Bowed to None	17%	56%	Increases Gilgamesh's Energy Regeneration Rate by 20%. Situationally useful.
Sword That Parted Gods from Man	7%	66%	Ultimate Lv. +2 and Talent Lv. +2.
Soul That Bore Friendship	72%	184%	Massively increases Gilgamesh's Ultimate DMG and grants all allies 20% All-Type RES PEN. When allies use their Ultimates, he gains "Golden Rule" stacks, up to 3. Every time he uses his Ultimate, his Ultimate will gain 100% Crit DMG for every Golden Rule stack. An enormous power spike and his best Eidolon.

Camaraderia

Guide Author

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This guide is written by camaraderia, a Honkai: Star Rail theorycrafter focused on spreadsheets, optimization, and build recommendations for all characters. He regularly maintains a comprehensive list of resources for upcoming characters and an active theorycrafting community, helping players with realistic assumptions across all investment levels.