Honkai Star Rail Zandar (Lygus) Boss Guide

TL;DR

  • Zandar switches between Evolution and Disputation modes based on battlefield unit count
  • His Antinomy State provides risky ultimate recharge with 50% HP cost
  • Focus on Physical, Ice, or Wind damage dealers for maximum effectiveness
  • Avoid Remembrance characters as they accelerate his dangerous mode transitions
  • Defeating 10 enemies during Disputation mode cancels his devastating ultimate attack

The latest Honkai Star Rail 3.5 update introduces one of the game’s most formidable challenges: First Genius, Entelechy, Zandar, also known as Lygus. This complex boss encounter demands strategic planning and precise execution to overcome. Our comprehensive guide breaks down Zandar’s intricate move sets, optimal team compositions, and effective counter strategies to ensure your victory.

Lygus’s dramatic identity revelation as one of Zandar One Kuwabara’s nine vessels sets the stage for an epic confrontation. Understanding his dual nature is crucial to developing effective combat approaches.

Zandar employs a sophisticated combat system with multiple interlocking mechanics that require careful observation and response. His abilities shift dynamically based on battlefield conditions, making pattern recognition essential for success.

First Genius, Entelechy, Zandar Boss Guide Honkai Star Rail
Image Credit: Hoyoverse/Honkai Star Rail (screenshot by Sanmay/ Beebom)

Now that you’ve grasped Zandar’s fundamental mechanics, the next critical step involves assembling the right team composition. Character selection directly impacts your ability to counter his evolving tactics and exploit his vulnerabilities.

Move Name Explanation
Summon and Heal Zandar summons mythical combatants and provides healing support during his action phase.
Mode Change Zandar transitions between combat stances, becoming more vulnerable to damage during each mode shift.
Evolution Mode This represents Zandar’s default combat stance. Deploying Memosprites or increasing battlefield unit density accelerates his mode transitions. Accumulating four or more additional allies or enemies triggers the shift to Disputation mode.
Antinomy State This ability instantly replenishes a random ally’s Ultimate gauge and grants them immediate action. However, activating the Ultimate through this effect inflicts damage equal to 50% of the character’s maximum HP. Protective barriers can mitigate this damage, and the effect cannot reduce HP below 1.
Disputation Mode Zandar begins charging his Ultimate technique while becoming more susceptible to incoming damage. Eliminating 10 enemy units reverts him to Evolution mode, though he will execute his Ultimate attack before transitioning.
Query: Prime Mover’s Outcome This represents Zandar’s ultimate technique, delivering massive area-of-effect damage and applying Entanglement status. Both the damage output and number of affected allies scale with each turn Zandar remains in Disputation mode.
Honkai Star Rail Zandar (Lygus) Boss Guide
Image Credit: Hoyoverse/Honkai Star Rail (screenshot by Sanmay/ Beebom)

Zandar’s combat behavior adapts rapidly according to the number of combatants on the field and the quantity of allied Memosprites deployed. This dynamic makes utilizing Remembrance path characters particularly challenging as they can inadvertently accelerate his dangerous mode transitions. Additionally, prioritize characters capable of dealing Physical, Ice, or Wind elemental damage to maximize effectiveness. Here are the most effective character choices for the Zandar encounter:

DPS Support Sustain
Hysilens Ruan Mei Lingsha
Phainon Robin Aventurine
The Herta Tribbie Gallagher
Blade Jade Natasha
Argenti Pela Fu Xuan
Jingliu Bronya Geopard
Black Swan Sunday Huohuo
Saber Tingyun
Best Characters against Zandar boss in Honkai Star Rail
Image Credit: Hoyoverse/Honkai Star Rail (screenshot by Sanmay/ Beebom)

The most effective team configurations for defeating Zandar in Honkai Star Rail include:

  • The Herta Hypercarry: The Herta, Jade, Ruan Mei, Lingsha
  • Phainon Hypercarry: Phainon, Sunday, Bronya, Tingyun
  • Argenti Hypercarry: Argenti, Jade, Ruan Mei, Lingsha
  • Hysilens Stacked DoT: Hysilens, Kafka, Black Swan, Gallagher

When building your team, consider character synergy and role distribution carefully. Effective teams balance damage output with survivability while accounting for Zandar’s elemental vulnerabilities. For players seeking comprehensive team-building strategies, our Class Guide provides detailed insights into character roles and synergies.

Zandar boss mechanic Antimony State HSR
Image Credit: Hoyoverse/Honkai Star Rail (screenshot by Sanmay/ Beebom)

Mastering Zandar’s encounter requires more than just understanding his mechanics—it demands strategic execution and awareness of common mistakes. Many players underestimate the importance of managing battlefield unit density, which directly controls his mode transition frequency and ultimate attack timing.

Critical Strategy: Time your character deployments carefully to avoid triggering Disputation mode at inopportune moments. The ideal approach involves maintaining controlled unit numbers while building resources for critical damage phases.

Avoid These Common Errors:

  • Overusing summon abilities that accelerate mode changes
  • Ignoring the risk-reward calculation of Antinomy State ultimate activation
  • Failing to prioritize enemy elimination during Disputation mode
  • Underestimating the importance of shield mechanics for surviving ultimate attacks

Advanced Tactics: Coordinate your team’s ultimate abilities to maximize damage during Zandar’s vulnerable mode transition periods. These brief windows provide your best opportunities for significant health bar reduction.

For players struggling with resource management during extended engagements, our Weapons Unlock guide offers valuable insights into optimizing character performance through proper equipment selection.

Execution Timing: Most successful Zandar completions require 15-25 minutes of focused combat, depending on team composition and player skill level. Preparation through our Complete Guide can significantly reduce learning curve time and improve success rates.

Remember that Zandar’s complexity makes him one of Honkai Star Rail’s most rewarding challenges. With proper strategy and team coordination, victory becomes an achievable goal rather than an impossible dream.

Action Checklist

  • Assemble team with Physical/Ice/Wind damage dealers and avoid Remembrance characters
  • Monitor battlefield unit count to control Zandar’s mode transitions
  • Prepare shields before Antinomy State ultimate activation to mitigate 50% HP damage
  • Focus on eliminating 10 enemies during Disputation mode to cancel ultimate
  • Coordinate ultimate abilities during mode transition vulnerability windows

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