Phainon HSR is almost officially arriving in Honkai: Star Rail, and this is no ordinary 5-star release. As a Physical Destruction unit fueled by pure rage, Phainon brings one of the most intense and cinematic introductions we’ve seen in the game so far.
And for now, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Phainon in Honkai Star Rail, from banner release dates and skill sets to trace materials, Eidolons, and optimal builds.
Phainon HSR Banner Release Date
So, Phainon’s banner drops on July 2, 2025, right alongside Version 3.4. The hype is real, and the meta’s about to shift–hard.
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Phainon is a 5-star Physical unit on the Path of Destruction, which typically means heavy single-target or AoE smackdowns. With the right setup, this character is poised to leave scorch marks across the entire battlefield.
See Also: Honkai: Star Rail 3.6 New Characters Leaked, Release Date & Collaboration
Phainon HSR Profile Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Rarity | ★★★★★ (5-Star) |
| Path | Destruction |
| Element | Physical |
| Role | AoE/Single-Target DPS |
| Region | Aedes Elysiae (Legendary origin) |
You’re playing a character that embodies the first light of dawn, or the fire that replaces it if dawn never comes. Yeah, it’s that intense.
See Also: Kafka Honkai Star Rail Best Build & Skills Guide
Phainon HSR Kit & Skills Overview
Meanwhile, Phainon’s kit is built around powerful AoE damage, high Weakness Break values, and a unique stacking mechanic that fuels his destructive potential the longer a battle drags on.
As a Physical Destruction character, he thrives in aggressive playstyles and excels at cracking through enemy defenses with brutal efficiency.
- Basic ATK – Stride to Deliverance: A straightforward single-target strike that deals Physical DMG and applies 30 Weakness Break. While simple, it’s essential for keeping his skill rotation flowing smoothly.
- Skill – Let There Be Light (Blast): An impactful AoE ability that delivers 60 Weakness Break to the main target and 30 to adjacent enemies. Perfect for weakening clustered enemies and building toward his ultimate.
- Ultimate – He Who Bears the World Must Burn: Phainon’s ultimate unleashes a massive AoE attack with 60 Weakness Break across the board. It’s a visual and mechanical climax to his kit, syncing perfectly with his Coreflame mechanic to amplify damage and effects.
- Talent – Pyric Corpus / Fate: Divine Vessel: The heart of his gameplay loop. Phainon gains Coreflame stacks, which enhance his overall damage output and survivability. The longer he stays in battle and the more he burns through enemies, the more potent he becomes.
- Technique – Beginning of the End: A pre-combat initiation skill that applies high Weakness Break before the first turn. Ideal for starting fights on your terms, especially useful in elite encounters and Memory of Chaos stages.
His entire kit rewards momentum, punishing foes with relentless pressure and reducing them to ashes in spectacular fashion.
Phainon Signature Light Cone: Thus Burns the Dawn
This Light Cone was made for Phainon, literally. The DEF-ignoring passive and Blazing Sun buff turn him into a monster in both MoC and boss fights.
- Stats: HP: 953 | ATK: 688 | DEF: 397
- Effect:
- Base SPD +12~20
- Ignores up to 30% DEF
- After using Ultimate, gains “Blazing Sun” to boost all damage dealt by up to 30%.
Best Relics for Phainon
1. Best Relic Set: Wavestrider Captain (4-piece)
- 2-piece: CRIT DMG +16%
- 4-piece: Gains “Help” stacks when targeted, which boost ATK by 48% after Ultimate.
If you want explosive turns where Phainon pops off like a sun flare, this is the set. Especially effective in multi-ally comps.
2. Alternative Mix (2-piece Combos)
- Champion of Streetwise Boxing – Physical DMG +10%
- Musketeer of Wild Wheat – ATK +12%
Perfect for early builds when farming full 4-piece sets is a pain.
Phainon’s Best Ornaments
1. Arcadia of Woven Dreams (BiS)
- Boosts DMG when party is not at full 4-man capacity–very thematic and synergizes with his lone-wolf narrative.
2. Backup Option: Rutilant Arena
- Crit Rate +8%, and +20% to Basic/Skill DMG if Crit Rate hits 70 %+. Easy damage spike with high-crit builds.
Best Stats Priority
| Slot | Main Stat |
|---|---|
| Body (Chest) | Crit DMG / Crit Rate |
| Feet | ATK% or Speed |
| Sphere | Physical DMG Bonus |
| Rope | ATK% |
Substats to chase: Crit Rate = Crit DMG > ATK% > Speed > Flat ATK.
See Also: Aglaea Honkai Star Rail Kit, Build, and More!
HSR Phainon Ascension & Trace Materials
If you’re aiming to unlock Phainon HSR’s full destructive potential, you’ll need to prepare for a serious resource investment.
From level 0 to 80 and through his trace upgrades, here’s everything you’ll need to farm to keep this Coreflame-fueled powerhouse blazing at max power.
Ascension Materials (0–80)
To ascend Phainon through all six stages, collect the following:
| Material | Total Needed |
|---|---|
| Invasive Clot | 65 |
| Ethereal Omen | 15 |
| Echoing Wail | 15 |
| Eternal Lament | 15 |
| Credit | 308,000 |
Trace Materials (To Max)
To fully max out Phainon HSR’s traces and unleash his true battle potential, gather:
| Material | Total |
|---|---|
| Borisin Teeth | 18 |
| Lupitoxin Sawteeth | 69 |
| Moon Rage Fang | 139 |
| Daythunder Anamnesis (Boss) | 12 |
| Tracks of Destiny | 8 |
| Credit | 3,000,000 |
It’s a heavy grind, no doubt. But if you want Phainon to truly burn like the cosmic force he is, every last Echoing Wail will be worth it.
Plan your farming routes early, and don’t forget to tackle weekly bosses for those essential drops.
Phainon Eidolons in Honkai Star Rail
On the other side, Phainon’s Eidolons are all about ramping up his offensive pressure, unlocking insane tempo gains, and pushing his Coreflame mechanic to overwhelming heights.
If you’re the type who wants to see enemies melt before they even get a turn, investing in his Eidolons will be worth it.
- E1 – Speed Scaling Overdrive: Every enemy Phainon defeats boosts the SPD ratio of his extra turns, up to a staggering 84%. The faster he moves, the more chances he gets to devastate the battlefield.
- E2 – Bonus Turn Machine: Using “Scourge” four times grants an extra turn, plus it adds Physical RES PEN, letting Phainon shred through even tanky enemies. Expect smoother rotations and significantly deadlier hits.
- E3 – Flat Skill/Ult Upgrade: Adds +1 level to Basic ATK and +2 to Ultimate. While it sounds simple, this Eidolon packs a serious punch in raw damage output and improves skill effectiveness across the board.
- E4 – Stack ‘Em High: Supercharges his Soulscorch stacking mechanics, allowing him to generate more Coreflame stacks at a faster rate. More stacks mean more destruction.
- E5 – Talent and Skill Scaling: Grants +2 levels to both Talent and Skill, pushing his scaling to the limit. At this point, Phainon becomes a consistent carry even in the hardest content.
- E6 – Overflow Uncapped: The big one. Phainon enters battle with 6 Coreflame stacks and gains the ability to deal True DMG equal to 36% of total damage dealt. This turns him into an endgame monster right from the first turn.
His eidolons transform him from a powerful 5-star into a battlefield-dominating force of nature. If you’re chasing meta-breaking potential, E6 is pure chaos incarnate.
See Also: Himeko Honkai Star Rail Best Build & Skills Guide
Alright.. so.. should you build Phainon HSR? Phainon indeed is more than just an ordinary character cause he’s a force of nature.
If you’re into high-damage, hyper-aggressive playstyles that reward bold moves, you’re gonna love this guy. He is shaping up to be one of the most impactful DPS units in the game, with his AoE-heavy kit, powerful self-buffs, and cool cosmic lore.
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Phainon’s fire is coming. Are you ready to burn with him?
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