As an avid player of Honkai: Star Rail, I’ve discovered that the Destruction characters consistently prove to be my most dependable units in the game. My go-to team features Blade and Jingliu alongside Jade and Luocha, not to mention my fondness for the resource-intensive Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae. Recently, after investing time in Phainon, I’ve noticed how his impressive kit epitomizes the ongoing power creep in the game, solidifying his role as the “main character”in battles.
Editor’s Note: This article contains spoilers about Phainon in Honkai: Star Rail.
In the Amphoreus storyline, Phainon serves as the focal point, and this status is mirrored in his role within a team. He is crafted to shine in combat as part of the Flame-Chase, which I find particularly appealing. It reflects HoYoVerse’s talent for weaving narrative elements intricately into character abilities. Much like Acheron as an Emanator of Nihility—whose Ultimate leverages enemy debuffs—Phainon displays a similar synergy, utilizing Coreflames in conjunction with Titans to enhance his combat prowess.
Phainon’s design emphasizes his prominence in battle, with his Ultimate move contingent upon his protagonist status. To activate He Who Bears the World Must Burn, players must accumulate Coreflames either through his skill or by directing single-target buffs and debuffs at him. Although collecting the necessary twelve Coreflames via enemy debuffs can be tricky, acquiring them through buffs and skill activations is relatively straightforward. Notably, his Ultimate transitions him into the only active character on the field while unleashing powerful moves like Creation: Bloodthorn Ferry and Calamity: Soulscorch Edict, showcasing his mastery in a thrilling manner.
Another remarkable aspect of Phainon is his accessibility as a free-to-play character. The free version of March 7th’s Hunt character harmonizes well with him, as her skill exclusively targets him. Similarly, a Remembrance Trailblazer’s Mem can be focused on Phainon, although its critical damage boost may offer limited benefits. Lynx pairs excellently as a healer, providing necessary HP boosts that allow Phainon to build his Ultimate efficiently. Given that Phainon often acts as the sole damage dealer, it’s less critical if your other team members are lower-tier characters.
However, a notable drawback of utilizing Phainon is his heavy dependence on skill points, making it essential to optimize strategies that facilitate his Ultimate usage. This is where characters like Gallagher, especially with Special Brew, prove advantageous. Additionally, Bronya, particularly with her first Eidolon, is an ideal choice as she has a chance to refund her skill points while also aiding Phainon in accumulating Coreflames through repeated skill use.
In summary, Phainon emerges as a highly desirable character to pursue in Honkai: Star Rail. For free-to-play players diligently conserving Stellar Jades and tickets, investing in him is worthwhile due to his high damage output and versatility when teamed with others. For those purchasing bundles or an Express Supply Pass, Phainon’s synergy with power players like Bronya or Sparkle enhances his value significantly. His strong kit, infused with lore elements, brings a novel excitement to the game.
Honkai: Star Rail is accessible on PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and the Phainon banner is live until July 23, 2025.
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