You've probably seen her. The IPC Senior Manager with the red-streaked hair and the space trotter that looks like a piggy bank had a run-in with a jewelry store. When Honkai Star Rail Topaz first dropped, the community was... confused. People looked at her damage numbers and compared them to Seele or Jing Yuan and felt underwhelmed. They saw a "Hunt" character who didn't seem to hunt big enough.
They were wrong.
Topaz isn't just a damage dealer; she’s an engine. She is the literal cornerstone of the follow-up attack (FUA) meta that has dominated the endgame for months. If you’re trying to brute force high-level content like Pure Fiction or Memory of Chaos without understanding how she ticks, you’re basically playing the game with one hand tied behind your back. She’s complex, she’s expensive to build, and she is arguably the most "future-proof" unit Hoyoverse has released to date.
The Proof of Debt Problem
Most characters in this game want to hit things until they die. Topaz wants to tag them first. Her entire kit revolves around the Proof of Debt status. It’s a debuff that makes enemies take 50% more damage from follow-up attacks.
Think about that for a second.
That isn't a "stat boost" for Topaz. It’s a global vulnerability. It means anyone on your team—Dr. Ratio, Aventurine, Jade, even Himeko—suddenly hits like a truck because Topaz is on the field. This is why she’s often called a "Sub-DPS," though I’d argue she’s more of a Force Multiplier. She changes the math of the encounter.
Her pet, Numby, is the real star of the show, though. Numby has its own speed, acting as a separate entity on the action bar. But here’s the kicker: whenever an ally hits a target with Proof of Debt using a follow-up attack, Numby’s action is advanced by 50%. In a well-tuned team, Numby isn't just attacking; it’s teleporting around the turn order like a caffeinated blur.
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Why the "FUA Premium Team" is So Expensive
There is a running joke in the Honkai: Star Rail community about the "IPC Tax." To get the absolute most out of Honkai Star Rail Topaz, you generally want the "Premium" Follow-Up team. Usually, that's Topaz, Dr. Ratio, Aventurine, and Robin.
It’s an incredible team. It’s also incredibly hard to pull for.
Dr. Ratio needs debuffs to guarantee his chalk-throwing follow-up. Topaz provides one naturally with Proof of Debt. But to get the most out of Ratio, he needs three debuffs. This is where things get tricky. If you have Topaz at E0S0 (no eidolons, no signature light cone), she only provides one debuff. You’re left scrambling.
This is why many veteran players suggest getting her signature Light Cone, Worrisome, Blissful, or her first Eidolon (S1). Both of these add extra debuffs to her kit. Suddenly, she’s providing three debuffs by herself, and Dr. Ratio becomes a heat-seeking missile of destruction. It’s a heavy investment. Is it worth it? Honestly, if you enjoy the "out-of-turn" playstyle where the enemies die during their turn, yes. If you’re a Free-to-Play player, you have to be much more tactical with how you pair her.
Building the Manager: More Than Just Crit
Stop looking for a 100/200 Crit ratio immediately. You won't get it easily, and you don't necessarily need it to be effective.
Topaz scales purely on Attack, but because she’s a Hunt character, she lives and dies by her Crit Rate. Because Numby hits multiple times, a low Crit Rate feels terrible. You’ll see some hits crit and others "white number" out, dragging your average damage into the gutter. Aim for at least 70% Crit Rate before you even worry about your Crit Damage.
For relics, the The Ashblazing Grand Duke set is non-negotiable.
Since all of Topaz’s attacks (and Numby’s) are considered follow-up attacks, she stacks the 6% Attack buff from the 4-piece set instantly. It was practically designed for her. For your Planar Ornaments, Duran, Dynasty of Running Eagles or Inert Salsotto are your best bets. Duran is technically better in the long run if your teammates are also doing follow-ups, as it builds up to a massive 25% Crit Damage boost.
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Quick Stat Priority Check
- Body: Crit Rate or Crit Damage (Whatever gets you closer to a 1:2 ratio).
- Feet: Speed or Attack% (Speed is usually better unless you have E1/S1 and Robin).
- Sphere: Fire Damage Boost.
- Rope: Attack% or Energy Regeneration Rate (ERR is niche but helps with ult uptime).
The Overworld Queen (A Hidden Perk)
Let's talk about something most "meta" guides ignore: the IPC bank account.
Topaz has one of the best overworld techniques in the game. When you use her technique, Numby follows you around and automatically finds basic chests and Trotters. If you win a battle in the Simulated Universe with her technique active, you get extra Cosmic Fragments. Sometimes you even get a random Curio.
It sounds like a gimmick. It isn't.
Over months of play, the extra fragments and ease of finding chests adds up. She is the ultimate "comfort" character for farming. Plus, Numby will actually attack Trotters in the overworld so they don't run away. If you hate chasing those squealing space pigs, Topaz is your best friend.
Common Misconceptions and Nuance
A lot of people think Topaz is "bad" against multiple enemies. I get why. She’s Hunt. She hits one guy.
But because Numby’s action is advanced by any ally follow-up attack, she actually performs surprisingly well in "blast" or "AOE" scenarios if her teammates are hitting the marked target. If Himeko triggers a follow-up that hits the Proof of Debt target, Numby zooms forward. It doesn't matter if there are five enemies or one; Topaz focuses on the "boss" while her teammates handle the chaff, and her presence makes those teammates stronger.
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However, she does struggle if you can't manage your Skill Points (SP). Topaz is generally SP neutral or slightly positive, but if you’re pairing her with SP-hungry units, the rotation falls apart. You have to be smart. You aren't just spamming buttons; you're playing a turn-based strategy game.
The Verdict on Pulling
Should you get Honkai Star Rail Topaz in 2026?
If you have Dr. Ratio, Aventurine, or Jade, she is essentially mandatory for their "ceiling" performance. She is the glue. Without her, the FUA team is just a group of individuals. With her, they are a machine. If you prefer the "Hypercarry" style where one big unit (like Acheron or Firefly) does 100% of the work, Topaz might feel "weak" to you. She’s for the players who like synergy, complex turn orders, and seeing a million numbers pop up at once.
Actionable Next Steps for Topaz Owners
- Check your Crit Rate: If you are under 70%, swap your Crit Damage body for a Crit Rate one. Consistency is king for Numby.
- Level her Talent first: Her Talent dictates the Proof of Debt multiplier. This is where her team-wide utility comes from. Don't ignore it in favor of her Basic Attack.
- Speed Tuning: Try to make Topaz slightly faster than your other DPS. You want her to apply Proof of Debt before they take their turn, so their first hit actually benefits from the 50% boost.
- Simulated Universe Runs: Take her into the Elation path in Gold and Gears. Witness the absolute absurdity of "Aftertaste" damage paired with Numby. It’s the most fun you can have in the game's rogue-like modes.
Topaz isn't going anywhere. As long as Hoyoverse keeps releasing characters with follow-up attacks, her value only goes up. She’s a long-term investment in an account’s power, masquerading as a tax collector with a very cute pet.