Honkai: Star Rail Gilgamesh Guide: Free Claim, Kit, Best Teams & How to Get His Signature Light Cone

The second phase of the Honkai: Star Rail × Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] collaboration is one of the most generous events the game has ever run — and at its center is Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, arriving as a free 5-star Lightning Destruction unit. Unlike most limited characters that demand a deep Stellar Jade pool, Gilgamesh can walk onto your account at level 60 for the price of a login. The only real decision is whether to claim him or Archer, and whether to spend warps chasing his eidolons or his signature Light Cone.

This guide is built from the official collaboration preview and the character breakdown published ahead of the banner, cross-checked against mainstream community kit testing. It covers everything players are actually asking about: how to claim Gilgamesh for free, how his "Interest" kit works, the best team comps, what each eidolon does, and how to grab his signature Light Cone without a single pull on the weapon banner. Where topping up helps you reach the 200-warp Light Cone threshold, we point you to a safe, UID-only method.

If you want to lock in the 200 warps needed for the free Light Cone — or save for the paid chase unit Rin Tohsaka — you can secure your Oneiric Shards through Topuplist on the Topuplist Honkai: Star Rail top-up page, using only your UID and server with no account password required.

Gilgamesh Is a Free 5-Star in the HSR × Fate Collab

Gilgamesh (毁灭 · 雷 / Destruction · Lightning) is delivered through the Fate Contract: Renewal event. According to the official collaboration announcement, from July 24, 2026 at 12:00 server time through the end of Version 4.6, every Trailblazer who logs in can choose one free limited collaboration 5-star — Gilgamesh or Archer — bundled with enough materials to raise the unit to level 60 and upgrade its Traces. There is no pull, no pity, and no cost attached to the claim itself.

This is a genuinely unusual giveaway. Most limited 5-stars in Honkai: Star Rail are locked behind the gacha, and even "free" units from past events typically arrive at level 1 with no materials. Fate Contract: Renewal hands you a fully built, level-60 limited unit — the kind of head start that normally takes days of Calyx farming. The collab itself, themed around a "phantom Holy Grail War," weaves story and turn-based card combat into the event, and the permanent (no hard-expiry) banner structure means even late-arriving players through Version 4.6 can still claim their copy. In other words, there is no FOMO clock on the character — only on the 200-warp Light Cone selector, which has a fixed event window.

The claim steps are straightforward:

1. Update to Version 4.4 "In Ravages Does the Whistle Sound" (live from July 15, 2026).

2. After the collab opens on July 24, 2026, open the Events menu and select Fate Contract: Renewal.

3. Choose Gilgamesh or Archer.

4. Confirm — the character arrives at level 60 with upgraded Traces, battle-ready immediately.

Which one should you pick? Most accounts should lean Gilgamesh. Archer was already given to every player for free during the first Fate collab (Version 3.4), so a large share of the player base already owns him; picking Archer again would only add an eidolon. Gilgamesh, by contrast, is a brand-new unit — and notably the game's first 5-star Lightning Destruction character, filling a long-empty role. If you somehow missed Archer entirely, claim him instead; otherwise Gilgamesh is the higher-value choice. Remember: the selector gives one character, not both.

The official collaboration hub at hsr.hoyoverse.com confirms these dates and the level-60 material bundle, so the free claim is not a rumor — it is a guaranteed reward sitting behind a login screen.

Gilgamesh's Kit: How the "Interest" Engine Works

Gilgamesh is far more than a free trophy. His kit is built around a stacking resource called Interest (兴致), which turns your teammates' actions into his own extra turns, damage windows, and a powerful Joint Follow-Up with Saber. Here is the kit at a glance, based on the pre-release character breakdown.

Two things make the kit click. First, Interest is fuel: every ally action feeds it, so fast, active teammates ramp Gilgamesh faster and let him chain extra turns. Opening with his Technique banks 3 Interest before turn one, giving him a head start. Second, his Saber synergy is the team identity — when the attack-count threshold is met, the Joint Follow-Up effectively combines both kings into one burst. That is why Gilgamesh feels stronger than a generic Lightning DPS: he rewards teams that act often, not teams that nuke slowly.

His trace lineup reinforces the burst fantasy. The standout, "Hero's Pride" (英雄的孤傲), can raise his CRIT DMG by up to 150% once Interest is stacked — a bigger multiplier window than comparable traces on other Destruction units. For reference, the equivalent boost on a unit like Himeko sits around 130%, so Gilgamesh's ceiling is genuinely higher when his loop is fed correctly.

Best Teams for Gilgamesh

Because Interest scales with how often your team acts, Gilgamesh's best partners are units that take frequent turns, buff his Ultimate window, or trigger the Saber Joint Follow-Up. The pre-release testing and community breakdowns converge on three tiers:

Worth noting: the Saber route deserves special attention because it is the only synergy that unlocks his Joint Follow-Up as designed. Saber, the headliner of the first Fate collab, is already widely owned, so many players can immediately plug her in. When Saber's attack count contributes to the threshold (around eight combined team attacks), the resulting strike deals Lightning-and-Wind combined damage and refreshes both kings — Gilgamesh banks 3 Interest while Saber's next Ultimate hits at 200% damage. That feedback loop is the single biggest reason Gilgamesh is rated above a generic Lightning DPS: he does not just deal his own damage, he amplifies a teammate's burst in the same window.

• Premium — Gilgamesh + Saber + Harmony buffer + sustain. This is the headline Fate synergy. Saber's frequent attacks feed Interest fast and trigger the Joint Follow-Up, while a Harmony unit (think a strong Action-Advance or CRIT/DMG buffer) widens the Enuma Elish window. A sustain keeps the loop alive in longer fights.

• Standard — Gilgamesh + ATK/CRIT support + DEF-shred debuffer + sustain. If you don't own Saber, any fast, active support works. The key is tempo: more ally actions equals more Interest equals more Gilgamesh turns. A debuffer that shreds DEF pairs naturally with his DEF-ignoring Skill.

• Budget — Gilgamesh + energy/speed support + comfortable healer or shielder. Even without premium units, Gilgamesh functions because his base kit is complete at E0. Speed is his hidden damage stat, so prioritize supports that act often over slow, heavy hitters.

The takeaway: don't slot a slow nuke next to him. Gilgamesh wants a busy team. If your roster is light on fast supports, his free E0 frame still performs — you just lose some of the extra-turn tempo that makes him shine.

A practical way to think about teambuilding: picture Gilgamesh as an engine that converts turns into damage. Every Skill point spent, every Ultimate fired by an ally, every basic attack feeds his Interest. So the ideal teammates are those with low downtime — units that act on their first turn, regenerate Energy quickly, or advance action. A Harmony character who grants Action Advance or frequent buffs is worth more to Gilgamesh than a bigger personal-damage unit that acts rarely. Conversely, a team of three slow hitters leaves him starved for Interest, and his "Interest Piqued!" state never triggers on schedule. If you are deciding who to build around him, audit your roster by action frequency first, raw ATK second.

Eidolons: What E1, E2, E4, and E6 Actually Change

Gilgamesh's eidolons are listed at E1, E2, E4, and E6 in the character breakdown (the early tiers are skipped). Since his base kit is already complete at E0, the question every player asks is whether dupes are worth the ~180 pulls per eidolon at hard pity. Here is what each tier changes:

• E1 smooths his rotation — it extends the Skill's DEF-ignore benefit to teammates and recovers a chunk of flat Energy when he uses his Skill, easing the long Ultimate cycle.

• E2 is the comfort ceiling for Gilgamesh mains: he opens battle with a head-start on Interest and his Skill multipliers rise, giving faster ramp and bigger numbers.

• E4 deepens the burst scaling, adding another layer to his Ultimate window for players committed to vertical investment.

• E6 maxes the fantasy, turning him into a self-sustaining damage engine.

The honest read: F2P and low-spenders should stop at the free E0. Eidolons add comfort and ceiling, not new capabilities — E0 already has the AoE Ultimate with bounces, the DEF-ignore Skill, and the self-action-advance. Spending warps on dupes directly cannibalizes your budget for the paid chase unit (Rin Tohsaka) or the free Light Cone path. Treat eidolons as optional luxury, not requirement.

How to Get Gilgamesh's Signature Light Cone for Free (200 Warps)

Here is the part that surprises most players. Beyond the free character, the collab runs a second event, Fate Gift, that hands out a free limited 5-star Light Cone — no weapon banner pity required.

During the event window (Version 4.4, from July 15, 2026 to August 26, 2026, 06:00 UTC+8), if you spend 200 Star Rail Special Passes on any Version 4.4 Warp event, you unlock a selector to claim one limited 5-star Light Cone after the collab warp opens on July 24:

• "I Am As You Behold" (Destruction) — Gilgamesh's signature. It raises ATK and Energy Regeneration and grants a team-wide CRIT DMG buff, tailor-made for his burst loop.

• "The Hell Where Ideals Burn" (The Hunt) — the alternative for Archer-line units.

The math is the catch: 200 Special Passes = 200 warps, which is a large Stellar Jade sink. Players who want the signature Light Cone without gambling the weapon banner need to stockpile — and that is exactly where a top-up helps. Securing those warps is far easier when you convert real-money Oneiric Shards (which exchange 1:1 for Stellar Jade) through a trusted channel. You can build that warp pool through Topuplist on the Topuplist Honkai: Star Rail top-up page, entering only your UID and server region (America, Asia, Europe, or TW/HK/MO) — no login credentials, no password, delivered straight to your in-game mailbox.

One planning note: because the Light Cone reward counts any Version 4.4 warp spend, you can pursue Rin Tohsaka (the paid chase unit) and still hit the 200 threshold for the free selector. The warps double-dip, so pulling toward Rin naturally builds the counter.

Should You Pull Gilgamesh or Save for Rin Tohsaka?

Gilgamesh himself costs zero pulls — so never spend warps on his E0. The real budget question is Rin Tohsaka, the collab's paid 5-star (Quantum Erudition), who headlines Part 2 alongside him.

Pre-release reads paint Rin as the higher-value pull: she is only the second 5-star Quantum Erudition unit in the game and introduces a Skill-Point economy archetype that enables an entirely new team type. Her banner runs on the same timeline as the collab warp, with no announced end date (the Fate collab banners are permanent through Version 4.6).

Practical advice by account type:

• F2P / monthly-pass players: Claim free Gilgamesh, skip signatures, and pull Rin only if you have spare Stellar Jade after the 200-warp Light Cone goal.

• Meta / power players: Must-claim Gilgamesh, consider Rin E1 if budget allows, and treat signatures as optional.

The cleanest plan: claim Gilgamesh free, bank 200 warps for the free Light Cone, then decide on Rin with whatever remains. That sequence extracts maximum value from the collab without overspending. If you need to top up to comfortably reach 200 warps and keep Rin in reach, a reliable Oneiric Shard top-up through Topuplist on the Topuplist Honkai: Star Rail top-up page stretches every dollar and delivers fast, UID-only, password-free.

How to Fund Your Warps Safely (Oneiric Shards via Topuplist)

Reaching 200 warps — or chasing Rin — means accumulating Stellar Jade, and the fastest legal route is converting Oneiric Shards, the premium currency bought with real money that exchanges 1:1 for Stellar Jade. The safest top-ups share three traits: they require only your UID and server, they never ask for your HoYoverse password, and they deliver through official direct-top-up rather than account sharing.

A few habits protect your account and your wallet:

• Copy your UID, don't type it. A transposed digit sends shards to a stranger. Your UID sits at the bottom-left of the in-game screen (or tap the phone icon).

• Confirm your server region (America / Asia / Europe / TW-HK-MO) before paying — mismatches are the most common "where are my shards" issue.

• Leverage first-purchase bonuses. HSR's first top-up on each pack tier is doubled, and these bonuses historically reset during anniversary/major version updates, so time large purchases around those resets.

• Prioritize the Express Supply Pass for steady daily Stellar Jade before buying raw shards.

It also helps to understand why the 200-warp goal feels expensive. A Star Rail Special Pass costs 160 Stellar Jade, so 200 passes means roughly 32,000 Stellar Jade — far beyond what most free-to-play accounts bank in a single version. Oneiric Shards convert to Stellar Jade at a 1:1 rate, so reaching that threshold realistically means converting a meaningful amount of premium currency. That is not a complaint about the reward; it is a planning note. If the free Light Cone matters to you, start the warp count early (every Version 4.4 banner counts), and treat a top-up as the tool that closes the gap rather than the thing that blows your budget. Spreading the spend across the Express Supply Pass (daily Stellar Jade) and a couple of doubled first-purchase packs is almost always more efficient than buying one giant raw-shard bundle at the end.

For overseas players who find the official store region-locked or priced unfavorably, completing a secure, password-free top-up through Topuplist on the Topuplist Honkai: Star Rail top-up page removes the friction: pick your Oneiric Shard pack or Express Supply Pass, enter your UID and server, and receive the balance quickly. It is the low-risk way to make sure the free Gilgamesh and his 200-warp Light Cone don't slip past your account for lack of warps.

FAQ

Is Gilgamesh really free in Honkai: Star Rail?
Yes. Through the Fate Contract: Renewal event (July 24, 2026 through the end of Version 4.6), every player who logs in can claim Gilgamesh — or Archer — as a free 5-star at level 60 with upgraded Traces. No pulls required.

How do I get Gilgamesh's signature Light Cone without the weapon banner?
Spend 200 Star Rail Special Passes on any Version 4.4 Warp during the Fate Gift event (July 15 – August 26, 2026). That unlocks a free selector for "I Am As You Behold" (his signature) or "The Hell Where Ideals Burn." The warps count any 4.4 banner, so pulling Rin also builds the counter.

What element and path is Gilgamesh?
He is a 5-star Lightning Destruction unit — the game's first 5-star Lightning Destruction character. His kit stacks "Interest" from ally actions to trigger extra turns and a Joint Follow-Up with Saber.

Do I need eidolons on Gilgamesh?
No. His E0 kit is complete: AoE Ultimate with bounces, DEF-ignoring Skill, and a self-action-advance. Eidolons (E1/E2/E4/E6) add comfort and ceiling, not new abilities. F2P players should stay at free E0 and save warps for Rin or the Light Cone.

Is it safe to top up Oneiric Shards for the 200-warp goal?
Yes, when you use a UID-only method that never asks for your password. Enter your UID and server, complete secure checkout, and shards deliver to your in-game mailbox. Avoid any service that requests account login credentials.