Phainon in Honkai Star Rail: Detailed Guide and Best Build

В HSR Phaenon is a Path of Destruction damage dealer who attacks with a physical element and, after using his ultimate, makes all enemies vulnerable to that element. However, his mechanics prevent cooperation between heroes actively participating in combat. This is due to the Zlatius's ultimate form—after transforming, allies are given the "Departed" status, leaving the arena and unable to perform actions.

The territory included in the Flamestalkers leader's skill set is a unique mechanic that partly replicates the "Duel Mode" The leader of the Borisintsy, Huley in endgame activities. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that the Golden Descendant remains alone against enemy targets and begins to crush them with powerful strikes with high AoE and solo potential.

The presence of a territory with a transition to a perfect form and a number of restrictions associated with it can complicate the process of unit assembly, as well as choosing the most effective allies for a squad. In this guide, we'll examine all the important aspects, present equipment ratings, and examples of good teams where the "nameless" warrior plays the role of hyper-carry.

How to Get the Character

Phaenon can be dropped from the Event Jump called "Everburning Sun".

If you don't want to miss the Phainon rerun, bookmark our banner schedulewith constantly updated information.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The Savior of Kaoslan has high damage and unique mechanics that set him apart from most damage dealers. While the character is effective in hard modes, he requires a specific approach in terms of team selection and gear to fully realize his potential.

Best Phainon Builds in Honkai: Star Rail

The Flamestalker leader is a classic hyper-carry damage dealer, playing off the following stats:

• CRIT Rate и CRIT DMG - directly impact the outgoing DPS figures;
• ATK — an indicator that skills scale with. The hero gains ATK after transformation, so significant investments may not be required;
• physical DMG bonus - the talent tree does not offer elemental gains, therefore they can be found through effects on cavern relics, or through available bonuses of planar ornaments;
• speed — a secondary stat, as the unit has both "speed" (130+ units) and "slow" (base stat) builds. You can either invest in this stat or prioritize ATK in boots.

Phaenon's build in XSR is based on the requirements outlined above. Belonging to the Path of Destruction unlocks a list of various weapons that can be equipped in place of the signal. Furthermore, the availability of diverse artifact sets allows for a variety of customization options for the overall build.

Recommended Stats

Main stats for the artifacts:

Priority of "lower" characteristics:

Speed ​​(if required) > crit > ATK

Recommended final values ​​at level 80:

• HP — 3-000+
• ATK — 2-700+
• Crit Rate — 70-90%
• CRIT DMG — 150-180%
• speed - either basic (the build does not require the signature), or 134 (signature weapon highly recommended).

Light Cone Rating

The best weapon "cards" will be those that offer a boost to DPS, as well as various combat stats.

Light cone	Effect	Recommendation
Thus Burns the Dawn ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ HP 43-952 ATK 31-687 DEF 18-396	Base speed is increased by 12-20, and dealing damage ignores 18-36% of the target's defense. After using the superpower, the owner receives the Blazing Sun status, which is removed at the beginning of the turn. While this effect is active, the DPS dealt by the wearer increases by 60-132%.	A signature with an extremely high base attack power boost. It increases damage from primary abilities and allows you to ignore enemy defenses, which is beneficial for any type of content.
On the Fall of an Aeon (S5) | F2P ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ HP 48-1058 ATK 24-529 DEF 18-396	When the hero attacks, their ATK for that battle increases by 8-16%. This effect can stack up to 4 times. When the wearer breaks an enemy's toughness bar, the damage they deal is increased by 12-24% for 2 turns.	Pairs well with abilities: when the hero enters his perfect form, he grants all enemies physical vulnerability, which means he can often activate the passive's second bonus, especially in Pure Fiction.
Something Irreplaceable ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ HP 52-1164 ATK 26-582 DEF 18-396	ATK is increased by 24-40%. When the character equipped with the "card" defeats an enemy, or an enemy attacks the owner, they immediately recover HP equal to 8-12% of ATK. Damage is also increased by 24-40% until the end of your next action. This effect cannot stack, and it can only trigger once per turn.	Increases ATK, restores health (important within the area), and increases damage from all abilities. It's considered a decent option that can be worn for long periods of time.
A Trail of Bygone Blood ⭐⭐⭐⭐ HP: 48-1058 Attack Power: 24-529 DEF 15-330	Crit chance increases by 12-20%, and the damage caused by the skill and super ability is 24-40%.	Alternative option from Nameless Honor (paid version of BP). It will be useful due to the increased damage dealt by the skill—the primary skill in a unit's rotation when entering its Ultimate Form.
A Secret Vow ⭐⭐⭐⭐ HP 48-1058 ATK 21-476 DEF 12-264	The damage dealt by the owner is increased by 20-40%. Against enemy targets whose current HP percentage is higher than or equal to the current HP of the hero carrying the weapon, the damage is increased by an additional 20-40%.	One of the best epic-quality pieces of gear that impacts damage output. It performs well at both the first and maximum Overlay levels.
The Moles Welcome You ⭐⭐⭐⭐ HP 48-1058 ATK 21-476 DEF 12-264	When a character uses a b/a, skill or ultimate to attack an enemy, they gain 1 level of the Mischievous status. Each level of the named effect increases ATK by 12-24%.	At max Overlay level, the light cone in question provides the character with a 72% attack power boost (36% on H1) - this is a good boost that can significantly impact overall DPS.
Under the Blue Sky ⭐⭐⭐⭐ HP 43-952 ATK 21-476 DEF 15-330	ATK is increased by 16-32%. When the owner defeats an enemy, their critical chance increase by 12-24% for 3 turns.	Not a bad option, which will be especially good while clearing the the content, where you have to fight with several opponents. However, in comparison with the "cards" above, it is still less attractive.

In addition to the presented weapon "cards", the following alternatives are suitable:

• The Unreachable Side (legendary) and Ninja Record: Sound Hunt (Epic) - HP options that provide secondary boosts when the wearer takes enemy hits. Can be equipped with either the 5-degree option or the free one provided. Herta's shop.
• Nowhere to Run (Epic) - a direct ATK boost and an additional health restore option, which can be useful early on. Later on, it needs to be replaced with the Light Cones discussed earlier.

What relics and ornaments are needed

Among artifacts, those that increase combat potential through increases to important combat stats (crit, ATK) or offer increased damage from skills will be of great benefit.

Cavern relics

Set and its effects	Recommendation
Wavestrider Captain 2 parts: crit bonus +16%. 4 parts: When the wearer is targeted by another ally's skill, they gain 1 level of the Help status, which can be stacked up to 2 times. If the wearer has 2 levels of the Help status when using the super ability, they will consume all levels of this status and increase their attack power by 48% for 1 turn.	The best set, offering the most satisfying stat boosts and fully aligning with Zlatius' mechanics. However, to fully utilize the bonus, you'll need to select suitable allies with targeted skills.
Scholar Lost in Erudition 2 parts: crit chance +8%. 4 parts: Increases skill and ultimate damage by 20%. After using the ultimate, the DPS of the next skill increases by 25%.	An additional option, primarily valued for increasing the outgoing damage numbers of the main abilities in the Chrysos Heir rotation - the skill and the ultimate.
Champion of Streetwise Boxing 2 parts: bonus to physical type +10%. 4 parts: After the owner performs or receives a hit, their attack power is increased by 5%. This effect can stack up to 5 times.	An equally attractive option with a bonus to the hero's element and a total increase of 25% to ATK. Since the character actively performs actions after entering their Perfect Form, including taking enemy attacks, they fully utilize the effect.
Wavestrider Captain 2 parts: crit bonus +16%. Compatible with sets: Scholar Lost in Erudition - (2 parts) critical chance +8%. Champion of Streetwise Boxing  - (2 parts) bonus to physical type +10%. Musketeer of Wild Wheat - (2 parts) attack power +12%.	You can combine them until you have complete sets. In this case, it is advisable to choose either as a base "The Wave-Chasing Captain"or "The Lost Scholar in Knowledge"to make it easier to balance stats.

Another acceptable, but more situational, equipment option is Poet of Mourning CollapseIf Kaoslana plays without his signature cone at base speed, he can get the maximum benefit from his passive (increasing his damage/hit percentage to 32%).

Planar ornaments

Set and its effects	Recommendation
Arcadia of Woven Dreams 2 parts: If the number of allies on the battlefield is not equal to 4, for each extra/missing ally, the damage of the owner and their memosprite is increased by 9/12%. This effect stacks up to 4/3, respectively.	A signature option that grants 36% extra damage after entering the perfect form (an area where other allies retreat, allowing the swordsman to fight one-on-one).
Rutilant Arena 2 parts: Crit. chance +8%. If crit rate is not less than 70%, damage dealt by basic attack and skill increases by 20%.	Offers a damage boost to the base attack/skill (the basis of the rotation within the territory), which will allow the hero to deal more damage with these skills when transitioning to the perfect form.
Firmament Frontline: Glamoth 2 parts: Attack Power +12%. If the owner's Speed ​​is greater than or equal to 135/160, the DPS dealt by him will be increased by 12/18%.	An additional option that can be used after using a superpower. Given the variability of builds, it can be used to obtain a full bonus of 18% DPS from all abilities. When equipping, it is advisable to have “speed” boots and signals Thus Burns the Dawn.

Alternative choices among planar ornaments sets:

• Sigonia, the Unclaimed Desolation — performs well in AoE content, such as "Pure Fiction." Since the set offers 40% bonus damage at level 10, you can focus on damage in the body as your primary stat when choosing gear.
• Space Sealing Station - a starter set that offers +24% ATK. The character's base speed is 99, taking into account the explored footprint tree. Boots with the "Speed" stat are enough to obtain the full percentage bonus.
• Bone Collection's Serene Demesne — in exchange for a high increase in crit dmg requires a certain amount of HP in combat. Since the hero increases his own health after entering the territory, the total value should be enough to get +28% to the characteristic.

Team Guide for Phainon in HSR

Phainon's role in the team is a main DPS character, playing as a hyper-carry. The young man really wants to get all the bonuses distributed by the selected support heroes and accumulate charges of the Coreflame (12) as quickly as possible to unlock the super ability for use.

Which characters are suitable?

Given the peculiarities of the Golden Descendant skill set, it is important to emphasize that the hero is primarily offered the best synergy by representatives capable of providing increases to combat effectiveness, as well as manipulating actions in the team, moving them forward by 50/100%.

Character	Features
Keridra (Harmony: Windy)	A signature support that increases ATK and K/U, while simultaneously allowing a second turn with a specific ability (a repeat of the "turn advancement" mechanic, but with a slightly different execution). Most importantly, the bonuses extend to the ally in the first position of the squad.
Sunday (Harmony: Imaginary)	The best support for Harmony, on par with other action-promoting representatives. Increases damage/hit and damage/kill and directly affects the damage dealt. Her superpower restores energy, granting 1 unit of Flame Core.
Bronya (Harmony: Wind)	Increases ATK and damage, and with her ultimate, increases the entire squad's K/U. She'll be a great companion for a swordsman without requiring a significant investment. The only important stat is Critical Damage, as the overall bonus scales with the heroine's individual Critical Damage.
Sparkle (Harmony: Quantum)	A more "expensive" replacement for Bronya, which expands the amount of available skill points and restores them during combat. The problem is that she only advances action by 50%.
Robin (Harmony: Physical)	AoE Harmony with a significant attack damage boost for the entire squad. The ultimate forces all allies to perform an instant turn and significantly accelerates the generation of Flame Cores if used correctly (= at the right moment).
Tingyun (Harmony: Lightning)	An epic support variant that affects ATK/damage and restores energy. Replaces some of Harmony's 5⭐ premium units if they are already taken by other DPS representatives.
Hanya (Harmony: Physical)	Applies the "Burden" status to enemies and restores skill points. The ultimate increases attack power and speed: the latter affects the order of Zlatius' special moves after entering the area.
Trialblazer (Remembrance: Ice)	A free-to-play support that grants critical hits and advances the action once Memo reaches 100% charge. This can sometimes conflict with other units with similar functionality, as the Spirit Advancement can overlap with the action set by another support.
Hoho (Abundance: Windy)	A unique Abundance representative that offers both consistent healing and an ATK/Energy regen boost via activating her Ultimate.
Liberator of the Wasteland (Save: Physical)	They achieve optimal synergy in tough battles thanks to Dan Heng's constant protection. The unit also summons the Dragon Soul, which remains within Kaoslana's "territory," granting shields and attacking enemies, further strengthening the hero.

Ruan Mei (Harmony: Ice), Tribbie (Harmony: Quantum) и Cipher (Nihility: Quantum) They also offer decent synergy, but their contribution is significantly reduced after the Zlatus transformation. Therefore, they should only be considered if they occupy the fourth position, usually reserved for sustain.

Among the sustain-type characters, not only the aforementioned Hoho and Wasteland Liberator are valuable, but also other units with stable healing or strong shields.

Best team samples

If you want to set up a balanced team, you may want to consider the following examples:

Character 1	Character 2	Character 3	Character 4	Features
Phainon	Cerydra	Sunday	Bronya Sparkle	An expensive group option that allows Phaenon to quickly accumulate the required number of Flame Cores, as well as receive significant increases to critical hit rating and outgoing DPS before transitioning to his Ultimate form.
Phainon	Cerydra Sunday	Bronya Tingyun	Huohuo Permansor Terrae Robin	An option with sustainers or a third AoE buffer, which can provide an additional increase in damage and also affect the accelerated accumulation of Flame Cores. Zaryanka's specialty is her superpower—it allows her to boost her squad's performance by 100% and restart her rotation, bringing her to perfect form under all boosts.
Phainon	Sunday	Bronya	Ruan Mei Tribbie Cipher	A secondary team with an AoE support in position three or a secondary DPS character with debuff potential. Before Zlatius' transformation, it's important for Ruan Mei/Tribby to activate or refresh their primary bonuses. The number, in turn, will continue to record the true damage on enemies under the status "Regular Customer" while the young man is in top form. After exiting, you'll be able to activate the cat's ultimate and deal some serious damage.
Phainon	Tingyun	MC Remembrance	Gallagher Luocha	A more budget-friendly option, focusing on the targeted abilities of Tingyun and Gallagher/Locha, as well as the action boost from the Pathfinder's Memory Spirit, Memo. This composition boosts the swordsman's critical hits, ATK, and overall damage output.
Phainon	Hanya	Tingyun	Lynx Natasha	Another F2P group, where Flame Core charges are accumulated through Tingyun's skill and the Abundance representative's targeted healing. Hanya compensates for the Action Point cost with her Burden status, and uses her ultimate on the swordsman before he activates his ultimate.

All about leveling

The table shows the total amount of resources needed to fully strengthen a character.

List of all materials for full leveling of Phainon:

• Credits ×3 888 000;
• Traveler's Guide × 289, Adventure Log × 6, Travel Encounters × 16;
• Ethereal Omen × 56, Echoing Wail × 71, Eternal Lament × 73 - consumable material for killing various creatures of the Black Tide on the territory of the Eternal Land;
• Borisin Teeth × 18, Lupitoxin Sawteeth × 69, Moon Rage Fang × 139; - complete the Crimson Calyx in Scalegorge Waterscapeto get this item;
• Invasive Clot × 65 — a material that can be obtained by completing the levels of the Stagnant Shadow: Shape of Deepsheaf dungeon in the territory of "Dragonbone City" Styxia;
• Daythunder Anamnesis × 12 — a resource rewarded for clearing the Echo of War, which is located in the "Fortress of Dome" Eye of Twilight , - the battle involves the elite enemy Sublime, Radiant, Avatar of the Sky;
• Tracks of Destiny × 8.

How skills work

The distinctive feature of the character is territory, where he enters after using his ultimate ability and begins dueling opponents. This distinguishes the hero from other representatives of the Path of Destruction, as well as the Paths of the Hunt and Erudite, who remain on the battlefield with their allies and, through combined efforts, inflict damage on Antimatter monsters.

When moving into the perfect form, the leader of the Flames-Chasers receives various bonuses, and also significantly increases his own health bar. The ability to restore HP and a third-party buff, thanks to which the young man becomes almost invulnerable to enemy attacks, make the native of Aedes Elysiae a truly strong DPS unit, capable of providing due resistance to any creature.

The stat all the damage scales with is ATK.

Active skills

The abilities used outside of the perfect form are almost no different from other units, with the exception of technique. The technique allows you to quickly deal with ordinary monsters in the open world, and also acts as an additional source of energy for allied characters.

Superpower (Ultimate)

He Who Bears the World Must Burn || Perfect Form and AoE

Goes into the perfect form and creates a special territory for the duration of this state. Other allies receive the Departed status, leave the battlefield and cannot act. Enemies gain physical vulnerability.

The Chrysos Heir in his perfect form has no turn of his own, but gets 8 special actions at a fixed speed equal to 60% of the base indicator of the named statt.

At the start of the 8th special action, immediately performs the final blow (480-1200%), the damage of which is distributed evenly among all enemies.

Animation of the "final" blow:

Passive Skills

Unlike other DPS class characters, the unofficial leader of the Chrysos Heirs can be considered one of the most unique heroes due to the presence of two talent options:

• the first, being the main one, allows to accumulate stacks to activate the ultimate skill;
• The second one offers third-party boosts after entering the area.

Talent

Pyric Corpus || Superpower Charges and Boosts

When the number of Flamecorecharges reaches 12, the character is able to use his ult.

Once you reach the max amount of Coreflames, you can accumulate up to 3additional effect charges. After the transformation is complete, you can gain additional effect levels based on the excess accumulated units.

Whenever the Chrysos Heir is targeted by another creature's ability (ally or enemy), he gains 1charge. If the hero is targeted by an ally's skill, his critical damage rating is increased by 15-37.5% for 3 turns.

Skills within the territory

The transition to the perfect form is accompanied by the replacement of normal abilities with their enhanced variations. Each skill has high single-target and AoE potential, which allows the hero to comfortably go through any endgame content.

Leveling Order

The priority for upgrading the skills is as follows:

Skill > Superpower ≥ talent > basic attack

B/a is not an important ability: in its normal form, its use is kept to a minimum (ideally, prioritize the skill); after transformation, although it does good DPS, it is primarily used only to accumulate points of "Disaster".

Skill, superpower, and talent are the foundation of the young man's skillset. The first and second listed skills account for all damage, while the talent grants Zlatius significant bonuses, further enhancing his combat effectiveness.

Traces

The buffs placed in the Traces category provide the following increases to the unit's important combat characteristics:

• Crit Rate - + 12 %
• Crit DMG — + 37.3 %
• speed - +5 .

Eidolons

The best Eidolons of Phainon are the first, second and sixth:

• E1 — allows the hero to act more quickly within the territory and is an additional source of an important indicator that affects the overall damage of abilities (when selecting relics, you can focus on critical chance).
• E2 - Not only increases DPS, but also offers 1 additional action in the perfect form after using an empowered skill for Scourge stacks.
• E6 - opens up the ability to quickly accumulate points to activate the ult and is a source of third-party damage.

As a F2P player or a newbie looking to maximize your character's power by obtaining consts, it is recommended to go with E2.

How to Play Phainon in HSR

Phainon's rotation is focused on quickly building up Coreflame charges, allowing him to use his ultimate and, as a result, enter the territory in a perfect form. The gameplay then consists of constantly using two enhanced skill variations, Calamity: Soulscorch Edict and Foundation: Stardeath Verdict. This order is relevant for clearing most content, such as "Forgotten Hall" and "Apocalyptic Shadow" and "Pure Fiction".

To activate the He Who Bears the World Must Burn ult, you need to accumulate 12 charges. To reach this amount, you can use the following:

As a result, it is important to activate the technique, Beginning of the End, before the battle begins, and then:

1. Allies' turns are devoted to using targeted skills and strengthening the Chrysos Heir. Healers and Preservation Shielders are similarly primarily concerned with directing personal abilities to the swordsman hyper-carry.
2. During the Chrysos Heir's turn, use the skill that offers the greatest increase to Coreflames - 2 stacks.
3. Once your ultimate is charged, use it.
4. Additional features: before activating He Who Bears the World Must Burn It is advisable to take advantage of your allies' abilities with various positive bonuses (whether it be an increase in ATK, crits, or simply DPS).

Within the territory, the rotation comes down to quickly accumulating units of Scourge and alternating the previously mentioned enhanced skills, where the greatest DPS comes from Foundation: Stardeath Verdict and 4 stacks of Scourge.

Is The Character Worth Pulling?

In Honkai: Star Rail, the Flame Chasing Heroes' Leader, Phaenon, is a unique representative of Destruction. His unique ability lies in his superpower, which allows him to transform into a powerful warrior who battles opponents in "Duel Mode." In this new form, in addition to special moves that differ from his usual actions, the hero significantly increases his combat stats, including HP.

Kaoslana constantly accumulates "Disaster" stacks and expends them to deliver devastating blows. His arsenal, in turn, expands to include enhanced variations of his basic attacks and skills. By equipping him with good gear and signature supports, he can deliver extremely satisfying damage and quickly clear the final levels. "Forgotten Hall", "Apocalyptic Shadow" и "Pure Fiction".

A key difference from most top-tier damage dealers is that Zlatius is friendly to F2P accounts and newcomers. Consequently, it will allow you to quickly get into the game and progress through current content without any problems.

Which is better: signature or E1

When choosing between the signature light cone and the first eidolon, it is recommended to choose the Thus Burns the Dawn weapon because it offers better bonuses in comparison:

The first constant is valued only due to the sharp increases in critical damage, which less significant compared to the bonuses that the "Thus Burns the Dawn" light cone provides.