Honkai Star Rail: Sparkle Ascension and Trace Materials

Basic Info

“I’m not exactly a person loaded with cool skills, and dreaming big isn’t really my thing. But, ya know, my latest thing is… getting myself into the Genius Society! Ha, I’m so ready to give it a go. Reckon anyone will buy it?”

A member of the Masked Fools. Inscrutable and unscrupulous.

A dangerous master of theatrics engrossed in playing roles. A woman of countless masks and many faces.

Wealth, status, power… None of this matters to Sparkle. The only thing that can lure her interest is “amusement.”

Ascend

Ability

Stats at level 1

Monodrama

Basic ATK

Deals Quantum DMG equal to 50% of Sparkle’s ATK to a single target enemy.

Dreamdiver

Skill

Increases the CRIT DMG of a single ally by 12% of Sparkle’s CRIT DMG plus 27%, lasting for 1 turn(s). And at the same time, Advances Forward this ally’s action by 50%.

When Sparkle uses this ability on herself, the Action Advance effect will not trigger.

The Hero with a Thousand Faces

Ultimate

Recovers 4 Skill Points for the team and grants all allies Cipher. When allies with Cipher trigger the DMG Boost effect provided by Sparkle’s Talent, each stack additionally increases its effect by 6%, lasting for 2 turns.

Red Herring

Talent

While Sparkle is on the battlefield, additionally increases the max number of Skill Points by 2. Whenever an ally consumes 1 Skill Point, all allies’ DMG increases by 3%. This effect lasts for 2 turn(s) and can stack up to 3 time(s).

Unreliable Narrator

Technique

Using the Technique grants all allies Misdirect for 20 seconds. Characters with Misdirect will not be detected by enemies, and entering battle in the Misdirect state recovers 3 Skill Point(s) for the team.

To upgrade Sparkle’s Basic ATK to the maximum level (level 6), you will need the following Materials:

To upgrade Sparkle’s Talent, Skill, or Ultimate to the maximum level (level 10), you will need the following Materials as shown in the table below. If you want to upgrade all three skills to the maximum level at the same time, you will need to prepare three times a number of Materials listed in the table below.

Traces

Almanac

Requires Character Ascension 2

When using Basic ATK, additionally regenerates 10 Energy.

CRIT DMG Boost (CRIT DMG)

Requires Character Ascension 2

CRIT DMG increases by 5.3%

HP Boost (HP)

Requires Character Ascension 3

Max HP increases by 4%

Artificial Flower

Requires Character Ascension 4

The CRIT DMG Boost effect provided by the Skill will extend to last until the start of the target’s next turn.

HP Boost (HP)

Requires Character Ascension 4

Max HP increases by 6%

CRIT DMG Boost (CRIT DMG)

Requires Character Ascension 5

CRIT DMG increases by 8%

Nocturne

Requires Character Ascension 6

Increases all allies’ ATK by 15%. When there are 1/2/3 Quantum allies in your team, increases Quantum-Type allies’ ATK by 5%/15%/30%.

Effect RES Boost (Effect RES)

Requires Character Ascension 6

Effect RES increases by 6%

CRIT DMG Boost (CRIT DMG)

Requires Character Lv. 75

CRIT DMG increases by 10.7%

HP Boost (HP)

Requires Character Lv. 80

Max HP increases by 8%

HP Boost (HP)

Max HP increases by 4%

Effect RES Boost (Effect RES)

Requires Character Ascension 3

Effect RES increases by 4%

HP Boost (HP)

Requires Character Ascension 5

Max HP increases by 6%

Eidolons

Suspension of Disbelief

The Cipher effect applied by the Ultimate lasts for 1 extra turn. All allies affected by Cipher have their ATK increased by 40%.

Purely Fictitious

Each Talent stack allows allies to ignore 8% of the enemy target’s DEF when dealing DMG to enemies.

Pipedream

Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.

Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10.

Life Is a Gamble

The Ultimate recovers 1 more Skill Point. The Talent additionally increases Max Skill Points by 1.

Parallax Truth

Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.

Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.

Narrative Polysemy

The CRIT DMG Boost effect of Sparkle’s Skill additionally increases by 30% of Sparkle’s CRIT DMG, and when she uses her Skill, the CRIT DMG Boost effect will apply to all allies currently with Cipher. When Sparkle uses her Ultimate, this effect will spread to all allies with Cipher should the allied target have the CRIT DMG increase effect provided by the Skill active on them.

Voice

First Meeting

Hey hey, I’m Sparkle! Got any cool, daring quests or risky biz? Just hit me up! If it piques my interest we can talk money. The main thing is about having a riot of a time, right?

Greeting

Oh wow, we seem to be crossing paths a lot lately… Where could I have seen you before? Can you figure it out?

Parting

See you around, Nameless~ Try to stay out of trouble, especially… the next time we meet!

About Self: Name

Me, I’m happy being a side character in the background, cheering on those who have the limelight, then, at the climax of the performance, I’ll suddenly shoot into the sky— bang! Sparkling like fireworks into brilliant colors— You think the leading character would dare do this?

About Self: Dream

I’m not one with many talents, and having a dream isn’t really my thing. But my latest goal is… getting into the Genius Society! Yes, I wanna impersonate a genius! Ha, I’m itching to try. Think anyone will fall for it?

About Self: Past

An abandoned orphan, a cursed little girl, the last descendant of the puppet clan… I can tailor it to the tastes of the individual⁓

Chat: Masked Fools

This world’s just like a big non-stop circus showcasing beasts brawling all day and night: bears on unicycles, lions leaping through fire hoops, monkeys juggling bowls… The only thing that sets us “Fools” apart from the rest of you is we’re already in on the act.

Hobbies

I dig jokes — there’s just too much sorrow and resentment in the world. Sure, jokes won’t make the world any better, but they don’t make it any worse either.

Annoyances

Rules, societal dos and don’ts, all these made-up human moral codes — I’ve given it my all, but I just can’t seem to shirk them!

Something to Share

So, we’ve got this arrogant Aeon named “Nanook” out there in the cosmos, and they genuinely believe that, without them, the entire universe wouldn’t be headed straight for “Destruction!” Not funny? Okay, wanna hear my “Preservation” version?

Knowledge

The big shots think they know how this world ticks, so they’re out here making all the rules, judging what’s legal, what’s moral… they even want a say in what jokes make the cut! To me, that’s the real joke.

About Sampo

He’s quite the entertaining one, and dependable when it comes to handling matters. The only thing with this guy is… he’s got a line he won’t cross… having limitations always kills the vibe!

About Black Swan

Graceful, entertaining, distinguished, yet dangerous… I’m just itching to bring someone like that down, but hey, her wrecking me… is totally on the table too!

About Aventurine

Seriously, who’d ditch an invite to our “tavern” to go rub shoulders with the corporation’s drones? Still, if he’d simply become a friend, our relationship with him today would be far less interesting…

Eidolon Activation

A foolish sage or a wise fool… Who will I become next?

Character Ascension

Let’s push the envelope further, shall we?

Max Level Reached

Having fun? That’s all that matters!

Trace Activation

Rules, are made to be broken~

Added to Team With Trailblazer

I promise you won’t be bored with me. Can you say the same?

Added to Team With Black Swan

My dear Memokeeper, are you bold enough to let me guard your back?

Added to Team With Sampo

Shouldn’t the “Fool” introduce himself to everyone?

Battle Begins: Weakness Break

Oops, did that hurt?

Battle Begins: Danger Alert

The~ Game~ Is~ On~

Turn Begins 1

Why don’t you stay and play for a while?

Turn Begins 2

Don’t worry, I’ll go easy.

Turn Idling

You have 10 seconds — 10, 9…1!

Basic ATK

I’ll play the bad guy~

Skill 1

Don’t move, okay?

Skill 2

Let’s kick it up a notch.

Hit by Light Attack

Ouch ouch ouch.

Hit by Heavy Attack

Like that, huh?

Ultimate: Activate

Let’s play hide and seek.

Ultimate: Unleash

A thousand faces in a thousand places… can you find the answer?

Downed

Done playing for today…

Return to Battle

Can I finish my nap first?

Health Recovery

There’s no power like team power~

Technique

Watch this~

Battle Won

That’s what I call a good day~

Treasure Opening 1

That’s it? Guess it’ll have to do.

Treasure Opening 2

Aw, isn’t there more?

Precious Treasure Opening

That’s more like it!

Successful Puzzle-Solving 1

Everyone likes a clever girl, right?

Successful Puzzle-Solving 2

Not too shabby — wanna teach me next time?

Enemy Target Found

Better surrender while you have the chance~

Returning to Town

Wonder where I’m needed this time?

Story

Character Details

A member of the Masked Fools. Inscrutable and unscrupulous.

A dangerous maestro of theatrics, utterly engrossed in the art of performance. Adorned with innumerable masks, she is the hero with a thousand faces.

Wealth, status, power… None of this matters to Sparkle. The only thing that can get her attention is “amusement.”

Character Story: Part I

* Unlocked at Character Level 20

The girl, an abandoned orphan, lived without knowledge of her origins or destination until she encountered a passing troupe. From a distance, she watched a black-haired lady with a double ponytail, gracefully moving across the stage like a fish. Despite donning various masks, they did not hinder her laughs and cries during her performance, captivating the audience even from afar. The fish leaped in front of her, then dove back down, creating ripples in the surface of the water.

Gradually, she realized she was watching the performance from beneath the stage.

Intrigued, she continued to watch the performances for countless days, but she remained an audience member, never stepping into the spotlight. After one of the shows ended, she went backstage, where the black-haired lady handed her a mask.

“Can I perform, too?”

“Why not? If others believe you are ‘Sparkle,’ then you are. Go, it’s time for your show.”

As the curtain, serving as the fourth wall, was drawn, the stage remained dimly lit, revealing an unsettling black void. Though wearing a mask, she knew the audience could see and hear her. She kept recalling Sparkle’s performance, imitating her movements, voice, and demeanor.

“You’ve done very well for your first time.”

“But my imitation… Was not perfect.”

“That is a minor hiccup, but not a problem as long as nobody notices the difference… By the way, we are leaving tomorrow, so for as long as you want, you are the true Sparkle here, and you can make her whoever you want her to be.”

Sparkle wanted to say something, but the lady affectionately rubbed her head.

“Not many people come to see us, except for you. We’re just a small troupe, and we don’t have grand aspirations of becoming famous in the cosmos… It brings me joy to meet someone like you who will remember an insignificant character named Sparkle… Don’t cry, you can keep this mask. Now it’s yours.”

Sparkle nodded.

“When you don this mask, you have the power to become anyone and no one… If you truly aspire to be an actor, don’t limit yourself to this small stage. Set your sights on the larger world and explore new horizons.”

Character Story: Part II

* Unlocked at Character Level 40

As the last descendant of the Puppet Clan, the girl lacked the freedom to choose. She was bound to live her life according to the dictates of the mask, as puppets were mere vessels for the masks.

According to their legend, the longer a puppet dons a mask, the higher the chances of the puppet acquiring a soul, resembling a true human. However, in human folklore, masks were depicted as tools used for resurrecting the deceased, thus leading to the dwindling numbers of her people.

However, as she had no interest in becoming human, being a doll was not an unfavorable choice for her. She dutifully obeyed the commands of the mask, despite the risk of attracting pursuers, as defying the mask proved to be challenging.

Movement was a crucial aspect.

By the will of the mask, she needed to smile sweetly when happy, hold her forehead while crying, grit her teeth when angry, narrow her eyes when jealous, and make a scene when in despair. There were also signature gestures, such as raising her eyebrows slightly to face others with the left side of her face, and raising her hand to express love, although she had to lower it later, as slightly biting her lower lip was the way to convey her true desires.

Voice was another aspect.

Depending on the situation, her voice needed to be cheerful when happy, mellifluous when expressing lyrical emotions, calm and assertive when making statements, strained when harboring hatred, and sorrowful when filled with grief.

Remarkably, she managed to sustain this way of life for years, seamlessly blending into her surroundings and even becoming a playwright. Nobody ever suspected that she wore a mask. However, she couldn’t help but wonder if there existed another type of “mask” in the world — perhaps someone wearing such a mask would laugh when seeking revenge, shed tears when smiling, remain silent when raging… And speak the most sarcastic remarks with the utmost calmness.

Naturally, she couldn’t do this due to the will of the mask, but as a playwright, making her characters on stage act like this was easy for her.

One morning, the doorbell rang, but it wasn’t her usual delivery person at the door.

“Dear Miss Sparkle, I wonder if we could have a chat?”

“We have read your latest work, and we’re curious if you know anything about the ‘Mask’…”

Character Story: Part III

* Unlocked at Character Level 60

The faceless girl realized that she must be under some kind of curse. Why else couldn’t she feel any stimuli? Her sense of pain, taste, and smell were all intact, yet she was unable to react to them. Naturally, she couldn’t experience joy, anger, sadness, or a range of emotions. She could only strive to observe others’ reactions in various situations to understand their feelings.

“…How would you feel if you were drinking a cup of bitter tea? How would you drink it?”

Although tied to the chair and immobilized, the homeless man on the left made an appreciative gesture and nodded. The girl in the middle immediately cried and shook her head in denial, while the madam on the right wrinkled her nose in disgust.

“What if you were in an extremely cold hut, with only this cup of tea at hand?”

Naturally, the man nodded. The girl cried for a while and then reluctantly accepted, while the lady still reacted in disgust.

She continued to change her scenarios and ask questions day and night until her interviewees passed out. She would send them home and seek out new targets for her “interviews.”

During that time, the town’s inhabitants all had the same nightmare. They found themselves trapped in a place where a blurred-faced young girl politely asked them questions, and they had no choice but to answer. They could only provide responses repeatedly until the young girl meticulously recorded every detail on paper masks, one after another. Whenever a mask was filled, it was replaced by another.

This nightmare was soon replaced by another, as residents claimed to see paper masks flying through the air in the middle of the night. The masks would talk to each other, faintly glowing before eventually fading out, resembling sparklers in the night sky. They appeared every night, as if they were residents living in the shadow of the town.

In a dark basement, a young lady remained unaware of this nightmare. She had gathered enough information about people’s nuanced emotions and their perceptions of different things… To make more paper masks. She firmly believed that although she possessed no emotions, the masks she created had flesh and blood. She even believed that one day, they would become real beings.

Character Story: Part IV

* Unlocked at Character Level 80

“There are a few versions that are particularly popular.” When Sparkle arrived at Fool’s Tavern, she admitted her deeds. “Liking and believing are two different things, but people are more likely to believe in their favorite stories.”

“Lies? Come on, I’m not trying to tell a grand story or fabricate an eye-catching experience… I’m wholeheartedly exercising my imagination for my own sake. I imagine various lives, seek excitement, and then recreate them as best I can, and pump the brakes on my imaginative balloon just a second before it bursts.”

“Seriously, having a script is far from enough. First and foremost, I must wholeheartedly believe that the character I’m portraying truly exists. Then, I need to imagine the other stories where the character would appear. I always need extra information to make their motivation logical and emotional.”

“And only then will I feel I can grasp the essence of the character without being influenced by others. After all, I might encounter other Fools, and I won’t know what they want until I know who they are. Sometimes, you simply like the appearance of a character, and sometimes, you just want to experience it for fun. I do that sometimes, too.”

“And of course, there are those who play solely for the sake of gain or to be regarded in that way, hoping for unimaginable wealth, status, or power… Anyway, what I’m trying to convey is that in such an environment, who but myself can guarantee that I won’t stray from my intended path and become a character in someone else’s story? Nobody! That’s why I have to tirelessly imagine and immerse myself in the act.”

“No, I’m not denying it… It’s truly addictive to me. The more I imagine, the more I get absorbed in those characters, the wonderful and tragic situations I create for them, and the emotions they experience in those circumstances…”

“Sure, I used to think about that kind of life… Joining a troupe, becoming an actor, traveling to unknown planets for performances, creating a character with my own name on it… But then, one day, I had a sudden realization!”

“If you want to perform, is there a stage more captivating than your own life?”

About You

* Unlocked after completing the Trailblaze Mission “The Voyage Continues.”

Your Story 1

* Unlocked after completing the Trailblaze Mission “The Voyage Continues.”

Your Story 2

* Unlocked after completing Trailblaze Mission “Silent Galaxy.”