In Honkai: Star Rail, Ruan Mei is a 5-star Cryo character, known as a Harmony Destiny - essentially a support character boosting the team's strength. While she has captivated players with her beauty, what about her skill set? Here's a detailed breakdown of this character for your reference.
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Ruan Mei's Skills and Essence
All parameters shared by Mytour below are calculated according to the destiny 0, and maximum skill level (6 for basic attacks, 10 for other skills).
Skill Set
Normal Attack: Golden Orchid PathInflicts Cryo Damage equal to 50% of Ruan Mei's Attack on a designated enemy.
Combat Technique: Silk Weave ThrustAfter executing Combat Technique, Ruan Mei gains Soul Resonance, lasting for 3 rounds. At the start of each round for Ruan Mei, the remaining rounds of Soul Resonance decrease by 1. While Ruan Mei has Soul Resonance, our party gains a 32.0% damage boost and a 50% Weakspot Break Efficiency increase.

- Requires 130 energy.
- Ruan Mei activates her ultimate, maintaining it for 2 rounds. At the start of each of her rounds, the remaining rounds of the ultimate decrease by 1. While in the ultimate state, our party gains a 25.0% all-element resistance, and after attacking, triggers Falling Plum Blossoms on the enemy.
- Falling Plum Blossoms activates when the enemy attempts to recover from a Weakspot Break state, extending the Weakspot Break state of the target and causing the target to Delay Action by 20% of Ruan Mei's Attack Penetration +10%, inflicting damage equivalent to 50% of Ruan Mei's Cryo attribute Weakspot Break damage.
- Enemies cannot be attached with Falling Plum Blossoms before recovering from the Weakspot Break state.
Increases team speed by 10.0% (excluding self). When our entire party breaks the enemy's weakspot, Ruan Mei deals damage equivalent to 120.0% of her Cryo attribute Weakspot Break damage.
Secret Technique: Sleeves Entwining the StringsAfter using Secret Technique, gain Sleeves Entwining the Strings, which automatically activates Combat Technique once at the start of the next battle without consuming Technique Points.
In the Simulated Universe, when Ruan Mei has Sleeves Entwining the Strings and our party actively attacks the enemy, it's considered exploiting Weakspots in combat. Additionally, this attack can bypass Weakspot Attributes and reduce the enemy's Endurance. When Weakspot Break occurs, it triggers the Weakspot Break effect of the attacker's attribute. With each Blessing owned, it increases the damage dealt by this attack by 100% Endurance Damage, and after breaking the enemy's weakspot, it deals additional Weakspot Break damage equivalent to 100% of Ruan Mei's Cryo attribute Weakspot Break damage.

Traces
Reflecting Shadows of Water CandlesWhen Ruan Mei's Attack Penetration in battle exceeds 120%, for every 10% surpassed, Combat Technique will increase the damage amplification effect of our entire party by an additional 6%, with a maximum cap of not exceeding 36%.
Breathing ObjectIncreases Attack Penetration of our entire party by 20%.
Passing Days, Wandering ThoughtsAt the start of Ruan Mei's round, she restores 5 Energy points.

Ruan Mei's Essence
E1: Nervous System Embroidery SimulationDuring the ultimate's bound state, when our entire party deals damage, it bypasses 20% of the target's defense.
E2: Strolling Through the Bamboo ForestWhile Ruan Mei is in battle, and our entire party deals damage to enemies in Weakspot Break state, attacks increase by 40%.
E3: Silken Shadow of Azure SmokeIncreases Ultimate Level by +2, up to a maximum of level 15; Increases Talent Level by +2, up to a maximum of level 15.
E4: Seeking Deities Before the Bronze MirrorWhen the enemy's Weakspot is broken, Ruan Mei's Attack Penetration increases by 100% for 3 rounds.
E5: Exquisitely Handcrafted HairpinIncreases Combat Technique Level by +2, up to a maximum of level 15; Increases Normal Attack Level by +1, up to a maximum of level 10.
E6: Autumn Silk ScarfThe duration of the bound state deployed by the Ultimate is extended by 1 round. The Weakspot Break Damage Multiplier of Talents increases by an additional 200%.

Looking at Ruan Mei's skill set, we can see 2 standout factors: one is the ultimate's Falling Plum Blossoms effect, which extends the enemy's Weakspot Break state, and two is the ability to buff the team's speed by 10%. She can also assist teammates in breaking the enemy's Weakspot faster, dealing greater damage, and resisting all elements. Mytour believes these effects are extremely valuable, and even if you already have Bronya, Ruan Mei is still a must-have in your lineup, especially when you want to play with 2 DPS.
Furthermore, her 5-star headwear, 'Me in the Mirror of that Day,' also proves to be quite powerful. It provides up to 60% Attack Penetration, 24% damage for 3 rounds after using the ultimate, and restores 1 Technique Point if Attack Penetration is 150% or higher. Additionally, you also gain 10 Energy at the start of each round - not very significant but useful in content with multiple waves of enemies, such as Memorial Arena. With this setup, players will only need to build an additional 70% Attack Penetration for Ruan Mei to reach the 150% threshold because she already has 20% from her Traces. However, Mytour suggests that Essence 1 has

The optimal artifact choice for Ruan Mei seems to be 4x Starlit Astrologers, as it provides up to 32% Attack Penetration, but you can also use the 4x The Herrscher set or mix 2 + 2. As for accessories, Vonwacq would be a very good choice in any situation, but if paired with an Ice DPS, you can use the Penacony set.
Conclusion
Above are what Honkai: Star Rail players need to know about Ruan Mei before she is released in patch 1.6 on December 27th. Mytour will have a more detailed analysis and guide on building Ruan Mei when the character officially launches, so stay tuned!
Check out more: Genshin Impact: Complete guide to 'Baleful Sword' in patch 4.4, how to obtain and maximize upgrades