Boss: Kafka (Complete)
Elites: Disciples of Sanctus Medicus: Shape Shifter, Blaze Out of Space, Guardian Shadow, Voidranger: Trampler
Rooms: 13
Immersion Rewards: Pan-Galactic Commercial Enterprise, Celestial Differentiator
As World 5 is the second to the last available World in the Simulation Universe, it will be challenging. Moreover, Kafka is its final boss, and she's no pushover. While the Pan-Galactic Commercial Enterprise set isn't helpful for now, Celestial Differentiator slightly boosts Crit DMG. The latter is more important than the other, though its bonus effect is less beneficial than Inert Salsotto's.
Still, it can be helpful for DPS characters.
Kafka (Complete) Boss Battle Overview
The battle has three phases, and Kafa uses various abilities throughout. She has two passive talents that are active during combat:
Cruelty: When enemies (apart from Kafka) and Dominated allies deal DMG to Shocked targets, Kafka unleashes an additional Lightning ATK.
Griever: Every time a target triggers the Shock state, Kafka's DMG increases slightly (2% per instance)
Her weaknesses are Physical, Wind, and Imaginary.
Phase 1
Midnight Tumult - Deals Lightning DMG to a single target, with a high chance to Shock them for 3 turns.
Caressing Moonlight - Deals Lightning DMG to a target and the adjacent units. If the target is Shocked, the adjacent units also get the status.
Silent and Sharp Mockery - Deals Lightning DMG to all targets.
Spirit Whisper - Has a high chance of Dominating a target and Advancing Forward their turn to attack an ally immediately.
Tremble - If the target is Shocked, deal Shock damage one time.
Phase 2
Midnight Tumult
Caressing Moonlight
Silent and Sharp Mockery
Tremble
Psychological Suggestion - Inflict the Psychological Suggestion status onto multiple targets and adds Revelation to the action bar. The next time Revelation takes a turn, units with the debuff become Dominated.
Phase 3
Caressing Moonlight
Silent and Sharp Mockery
Psychological Suggestion
Tremble
Seething Whisper of the Fallen - Deals Lightning DMG to a target with a high chance of inflicting the Shock status on the target. Simultaneously, the attack deals Lightning DMG to other Shocked targets.
More Details
Due to Kafka's tendency to inflict various status effects, cleansing these becomes a priority to keep your party alive. As you can see from the descriptions above, the debuffs empower Kafka and even turn your characters against each other. If your DPS ever gets Dominated, it may spell the end of your party.
Despite being accompanied by Cloud Knights initially, she won't ever summon more mooks. Defeating those two soldiers as soon as possible will make the rest of the battle easier.
Recommended Characters
- Physical Trailblazer
- Clara
- Sushang
- Natasha
- Dan Heng
- Sampo
- Bronya
- Welt
- Yukong
- Luocha
- Bailu
- Gepard
- March 7th
- Silver Wolf
As you can see, you'll want a Physical or Wind DPS character and supporting characters. Natasha and March 7th are vital due to their ability to remove debuffs with their Skills (obtained through upgrading Traces). Gepard gets a pass because he's the best shielder character, and Bailu is for healing.
Of all healers, however, Luocha may be the best due to being able to heal without using a Skill Point. This triggers when an ally's HP reaches a specific point. With a Trace upgrade, he can also dispel debuffs which is crucial in this battle.
With the release of Yukong and Luocha, there are now other Imaginary element characters to pick from. Welt is no longer the only one who uses that element. Yukong is a strong buffer and can quickly whittle down Kafka's toughness, so she's a critical unit for the fight.
Physical Trailblazer is a decent enough DPS, though Sushang and Clara could be better. However, for those unlucky to have the others, they can only rely on Trailblazer. Fire Trailblazers can only be brought along for their taunt and shielding ability if no substitutes exist. Physical ones are preferable, though.
As for Wind characters, Dan Heng is a solid choice. Sampo is good if you have a strong DoT inflicter, but only Serval currently fits that criterion. Bronya is an excellent buffer, so she wouldn't really be breaking weaknesses. But she also clears debuffs with her Skill, an invaluable ability for this fight.
Silver Wolf can create weaknesses for elements that your allies use. It opens more opportunities for weakness breaks. Perfect for when you don't have a DPS of the required elements.
Recommended Paths
Guides will recommend Abundance, which is the best Path for this World. Focus on getting at least 6 Blessings to get the Path Resonance ability and the Resonance Formation - Anicca. The latter will clear all debuffs from the team, the perfect counter to Kafka. With Natasha or March and the Formation, you should be able to get through the battle safely.
If you can get 10, the following Resonance Formation should be the one that puts the Path Resonance on the Action Bar. This automates the healing and cleansing and leaves an emergency button, as it doesn't use the energy from Resonance.
Preservation is a close second, especially if you can get the Blessing that has a chance of clearing debuffs when obtaining a shield. Any Blessings that can increase Effect RES should also be a priority to avoid the status effects.
You can still use other paths, but you'll have to be on top of clearing the debuffs with March, Natasha, or Luocha. Remembrance is still a problematic Path, as few enemies are weak to Ice, and it's not too effective on Kafka. Elation is also not recommended, as the few characters with follow-up attacks aren't recommended. Nihility can be taken if you're using Sampo.
Destruction and Hunt are still solid DPS paths, but survival should be your priority. Hunt is preferred over Destruction, as low HP leaves your team vulnerable to Kafka's Shock DoTs.
Recommended Curios
Curios rarely help in battle, as they usually concern Blessings, Cosmic Fragments, and others. However, there are still some that can help in combat. Those are the Error Curios, which take 3 battles to fix, so pick them up early if you can.
Record from Beyond the Sky is also good, despite its debuff immunity lasting only 3 turns. Robe of the Beauty can also help, but it requires you to spend only a few Cosmic Fragments so it doesn't become useless.
Tips and Tricks
Kafka isn't dangerous because she deals high damage. It's her ability to turn your units against each other and all the Shock statuses she inflicts on your party. You can try to rush her with a good DPS and the Hunt Path, but you'll succeed more with survival in mind.
Although you'll have the Resonance Formation - Anicca, save some skill points for cleansing with Natasha, March, or Luocha. Their Skills also provide healing or shields, letting your party survive longer. Besides, using the party-wide Path Resonance cleanse to clear debuffs from one character feels like a waste. It's mitigated if you need healing, but still.
Taunt abilities (Fire Trailblazer's Skill, Landau's Choice Light Cone) can be helpful because they'll be targeted by the debuffs or Domination. Due to being built with DEF instead of attack, they're at a lower priority for cleanse than DPS characters.
You'll lose your shields, but at least you won't be afraid of being killed by your DPS. It also prevents your healer from being Dominated, which is even worse because you'll lose healing and possibly let them heal Kafka.
Have Fun Playing World 5!
The Simulated Universe is just filled with rewards you can earn. Planar Ornaments are essential to building characters, even if the ones here aren't meta right now. Still, this should make it easier to complete, even for just the Stellar Jades.
Enjoy playing Honkai: Star Rail!
