The Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters is a Cavern Relic set in Honkai: Star Rail, introduced with the advent of Penacony. This set is specifically designed to amplify the damage of characters who excel at applying debuffs, making them even more formidable in combat. If you’re looking to enhance your debuff-focused team, the Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters set is a must-have. Let’s dive deep into its effects, the best characters to equip it on, and where to farm it effectively.
Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters Relic Effects
The Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters set offers a significant boost to damage output, especially against debuffed enemies. Here’s a breakdown of its 2-piece and 4-piece effects:
Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters Set Bonuses
| Set Piece | Effect |
|---|---|
| 2-Piece Effect | Increases DMG dealt to enemies with debuffs by 12%. |
| 4-Piece Effect | Increases CRIT Rate by 4%. The wearer deals 8%/12% increased CRIT DMG to enemies with at least 2/3 debuffs. After the wearer inflicts a debuff on enemy targets, the aforementioned effects increase by 100%, lasting for 1 turn. |
Honkai Star Rail Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters Cavern Relic Set
The 2-piece effect is straightforward, providing a flat 12% damage increase against any enemy suffering from a debuff. This is already a solid bonus, making it valuable even on its own.
The 4-piece effect is where this set truly shines. It grants an initial 4% CRIT Rate, and then significantly boosts CRIT DMG based on the number of debuffs on the target enemy. Against enemies with two debuffs, CRIT DMG is increased by 8%, and against those with three or more, it jumps to 12%. Furthermore, inflicting a debuff yourself doubles these effects for one turn, maximizing your damage potential during crucial moments in battle.
Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters Best Characters
This relic set is tailor-made for characters who can consistently apply debuffs to enemies. Here are some of the best characters in Honkai: Star Rail who can fully utilize the Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters set:
Top-Tier Characters for Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters
| Character | Why They Synergize |
|---|---|
| Acheron | Acheron is arguably the best user of this set. Her kit is heavily reliant on dealing damage to debuffed enemies, and the Pioneer Diver set perfectly complements her playstyle, maximizing her already immense damage output. This set is considered best-in-slot for her. |
| Dr. Ratio | Dr. Ratio’s gameplay revolves around attacking debuffed enemies, with his follow-up attacks triggering more frequently against them. The Pioneer Diver set enhances his damage significantly, making him even more effective at dispatching debuffed foes. His Ultimate is also considered a debuff, further amplifying the set’s 4-piece effect. This set is also considered best-in-slot for Dr. Ratio. |
| Aventurine | While Aventurine is primarily a Preservation character, building him as a Sub-DPS with this relic set can be highly effective. His Ultimate applies a debuff, allowing him to take advantage of the 4-piece bonus and contribute substantial damage while still providing team protection. |
| Welt | Welt, despite being a support unit, can deal impressive damage, especially to slowed enemies. His ability to inflict Slow debuff makes him a good candidate for the Pioneer Diver set, allowing him to capitalize on the damage bonuses while providing valuable crowd control. |
Star Rail Aventurine Character Icon
Other Strong Candidates
| Character | How They Benefit |
|---|---|
| Moze | Moze’s “Prey” effect counts as a debuff, making it easy for him to activate the 4-piece effect and maintain the damage bonuses consistently. |
| Dan Heng | Dan Heng’s ability to apply Slow debuff allows him to benefit from the increased CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG provided by the 4-piece set, enhancing his burst damage potential, especially with his Ultimate. |
| Hook | Hook can inflict Burn, a damage-over-time debuff, enabling her to utilize the 2-piece effect effectively and gain increased CRIT stats from the 4-piece bonus for her follow-up attacks and enhanced skill. |
| Serval | Serval’s Shock debuff makes her another good user of this set. She can consistently apply Shock to multiple enemies, benefiting from both the 2-piece and 4-piece effects to amplify her AoE damage. |
Star Rail Dr. Ratio Character Icon
Honorable Mentions
Characters like Himeko, Sampo, Yanqing, Guinaifen, Yunli, and Imaginary March 7th can also utilize this set to varying degrees, especially if your team composition supports consistent debuff application. DoT (Damage over Time) characters can benefit from the 2-piece effect, but the Prisoner in Deep Confinement set is generally more optimal for them as it directly boosts DoT damage.
Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters Location
To farm the Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters relic set, you need to head to Cavern of Corrosion: Path of Dreamdive, located in The Reverie (Dreamscape) in Penacony.
Farming Location Details
| Location | Cavern of Corrosion: Path of Dreamdive |
|---|---|
| Region | The Reverie (Dreamscape), Penacony |
| Cost | 40 Trailblaze Power |
Honkai Star Rail Trailblaze Power Icon
Each run of the Cavern of Corrosion: Path of Dreamdive will cost you 40 Trailblaze Power. By completing this Cavern, you have a chance to obtain pieces of the Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters set, along with the accompanying relic set, Watchmaker, Master of Dream Machinations. Efficient farming in this Cavern will allow you to equip your debuff-focused characters with this powerful set.
Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters Release Date
The Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters relic set was released on February 6, 2024, coinciding with the release of Honkai: Star Rail Version 2.0 and the introduction of the Penacony region.
Release Information
| Release Date | February 6, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Version | Version 2.0 |
This set arrived with the first wave of content in Version 2.0, bringing with it a wealth of new gameplay possibilities and character builds centered around debuff synergy.
Conclusion
The Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters is a game-changing relic set for characters who specialize in applying debuffs in Honkai: Star Rail. Its significant damage boosts, especially the conditional CRIT DMG from the 4-piece effect, make it invaluable for maximizing the potential of characters like Acheron, Dr. Ratio, and many others. Head to the Path of Dreamdive in Penacony, and start farming this set to take your debuff-focused teams to the next level!
