The Elation meta officially launches with Yao Guang’s Version 4.0 debut, and Trailblazers face a familiar gacha game dilemma: chase her first Eidolon or grab her signature Light Cone? With limited Stellar Jades at stake, making the wrong choice could haunt your account for months. Let’s break down which upgrade delivers maximum value for your primogem investment.
Table of Contents
HSR E1 vs S1 Comparison
| Upgrade | Key Benefits | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | 20% DEF Ignore (team-wide), Double Ultimate Punchline (20→40) | ~90 pulls | Elation-focused teams, Sparxie owners |
| S1 | SPD scaling, +50 Crit Value team buff, Energy Regen boost | ~80 pulls | Flexible compositions, struggling with SPD breakpoints |
| E0S0 | Core functionality intact, F2P viable | Base pull | Budget players, skip strategy |
Why E1 Wins for Most Players
The permanent 20% DEF Ignore buff alone makes E1 exceptional. While Yao Guang’s Zone is active, every Elation damage source ignores one-fifth of enemy defenses—a universal damage multiplier that scales with future Elation characters.
E1 also doubles the Ultimate’s Punchline calculation from 20 to 40, significantly amplifying Aha Instant burst damage. For the upcoming Elation DPS meta, this future-proofs your investment considerably.
When S1 Makes More Sense
The signature Light Cone solves specific problems rather than raw power increases. SPD scaling helps hit crucial breakpoints (120 SPD for 30% Elation boost), while the team-wide 50 Crit Value buff provides immediate damage. Energy Regen boost delivers smoother Ultimate cycling.
However, Mushy Shroomy’s Adventures at S5 covers 70-80% of the signature’s effectiveness without primogem cost, making S1 more of a luxury quality-of-life upgrade.
The Budget-Friendly Truth
E0S0 Yao Guang clears all endgame content perfectly fine. With Diviner of Distant Reach 4-piece and proper team composition, her core functionality—Zone deployment, Aha Instant generation, RES PEN buffs—remains fully accessible. Saving Stellar Jades for upcoming HSR banners often provides better long-term value.
Final Verdict
Pull E1 if: You own Sparxie, plan to build mono-Elation teams, or want maximum damage amplification. The 20% DEF Ignore future-proofs your account as more Elation characters release.
Pull S1 if: You lack Speed relics, need energy management help, or run flexible team compositions beyond pure Elation focus. The quality-of-life improvements smooth out gameplay significantly.
Skip both if: You’re F2P with tight resources, already cleared endgame content comfortably, or prioritize roster width over vertical investment. Save those pulls for Sparxie or future Elation carries instead.
FAQs
Q: Can I run Yao Guang effectively without either E1 or S1?
A: Absolutely! E0S0 with Mushy Shroomy’s Adventures and proper Speed substats handles all content. The upgrades add power but aren’t mandatory for clearing.
Q: If I can only afford one upgrade, which should I choose?
A: Go E1 for Elation-focused teams (especially with Sparxie), or S1 if you need Speed/Energy help across various compositions. E1 has higher damage ceiling.
