In Honkai: Star Rail, the Trailblazers’ journey to Amphoreus introduced fans of Honkai Impact 3rd to some familiar faces, including Phainon and Cyrene, among others. While Cyrene is still far from her official release, Honkai: Star Rail has officially announced that Phainon will be arriving in Version 3.4, Sun Is Set to Die.
Phainon is a 5-star Physical character who follows the Path of Destruction in Honkai: Star Rail. In this article, we’ll explore everything there is to know about Phainon, including his release date, the materials you need to farm for him, how his abilities work, what his Eidolons do, and more.
When is Phainon releasing in Honkai: Star Rail?
Phainon is set to release on July 2, 2025, during the first phase of the Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.4 update. Alongside Phainon, players will also be able to wish for his signature Light Cone, Thus Burns the Dawn.
Rumors suggest that Sunday may also be featured in the first half of Version 3.4. This seems plausible, as Sunday is due for a rerun and is currently considered the best support for Phainon.
Phainon Ascension and Trace Materials
If you’re planning to pull for Phainon in Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.4, it’s a good idea to pre-farm his ascension materials. Luckily, all of Phainon’s Ascension and Trace materials are already available in the game. You’ll need the following materials to level up Phainon and fully upgrade his Traces:
- 73 x Eternal Lament, 71 x Echoing Wail, and 56 x Ethereal Omen (Dropped by Black Tide creatures)
- 65 x Darkveil Moonlight (Dropped by Stagnant Shadow: “Murmuring Woods” Grove of Epiphany)
- 139 x Moon Rage Fang, 69 x Lupitoxin Sawteeth, 18 x Borisin Teeth (Obtained from Calyx (Scalegorge Waterscape))
- 12 x Daythunder Anamnesis (Dropped by Sky Titan Weekly Boss fight)
- 8 x Tracks of Destiny (Advanced Trace level-up material)
- 288 x Traveler’s Guide (Character level-up material)
- 3.9 Million Credits
Phainon Signature Light Cone
Phainon’s signature Light Cone, Thus Burns the Dawn, is a Destruction Light Cone featuring stunning artwork of Phainon. It boasts the highest base ATK among all Light Cones, which is fitting given that Phainon scales exceptionally well with ATK and receives significant damage boosts from both his own kit and his teammates. As a result, ATK becomes one of Phainon’s most valuable stats.
Beyond its impressive base ATK, Thus Burns the Dawn also features a powerful passive effect. Like many modern Light Cones, it increases Phainon’s base Speed, provides unconditional DEF shred, and grants a massive damage boost when he uses his Ultimate. However, due to the way his Ultimate works, the damage boost from this Light Cone only applies effectively to Phainon. Therefore, it is highly recommended to obtain this Light Cone exclusively for him.
You will need the following materials to level up Phainon’s signature Light Cone in Honkai: Star Rail –
- 14 x Eternal Lament, 20 x Echoing Wail, and 20 x Ethereal Omen (Dropped by Black Tide creatures)
- 15 x Moon Rage Fang, 12 x Lupitoxin Sawteeth, 4 x Borisin Teeth (Obtained from Calyx (Scalegorge Waterscape))
- 385000 Credits
Phainon Ability and Traces
Below you will find all of Phainon’s ability and traces at max levels:
Stride to Deliverance (Basic Attack)
Deals Physical DMG equal to 100% of Phainon’s ATK to one designated enemy.
Let There Be Light (Skill)
Gains 2 point(s) of “Coreflame,” dealing Physical DMG equal to 300% of Phainon’s ATK to one designated enemy and Physical DMG equal to 120% of Phainon’s ATK to adjacent targets.
He Who Bears the World Must Burn (Ultimate)
Transforms into █████ and deploys Territory during transformation. Other teammates in the Territory becomes Departed and cannot take action, and all enemies gain Physical Weakness.
█████ does not have his own turn, but has 8 █████’s extra turn(s) with a fixed SPD equal to 60% of █████’s base SPD. At the start of the final █████’s extra turn, immediately launches Final Hit and deals Physical Ultimate DMG equal to 960% of █████’s ATK that is distributed evenly across all enemies.
Hidden Stat: 12Territory
Territory effects are unique in the battle. While it exists, other abilities with Territory effects cannot be used.Departed
Targets in the Departed state cannot be designated as ability targets and will not appear in the Action Order.█████’s extra turn
When Phainon transforms into █████, a countdown will appear on the Action Order. When the countdown begins, █████ will gain 1 extra turn. When the last turn of the countdown begins, transforms into █████ and delivers a Final Hit before ending the transformation.
The countdown initial action value will be set between 0–100%. The action value will not be reset at the start of each wave.
When █████ is under the effect of action advance, the first countdown’s action is advanced instead.
After Phainon’s ultimate, his basic attack and skill changes to:
Basic ATK: Creation: Bloodthorn Ferry
Obtains 2 “Scourge”, dealing Physical DMG equal to 250% of █████’s ATK to one designated enemy and Physical DMG equal to 75% of █████’s ATK to enemies adjacent to it.
Skill: Calamity: Soulscorch Edict
Gains “Bruise” by an amount equal to the number of enemy targets present and then causes all enemy targets to immediately take action and gains 1 stack of “Soulrending Blaze.” When in the “Soulrending Blaze” state, reduces █████’s DMG received by 75% and gains 1 additional stack of “Soulrending Blaze” after enemy targets attack or take action. Triggers a Counter after all enemies take their immediate actions, dealing Physical DMG to all enemies equal to 40% of █████’s ATK, as well as additionally deals 4 instance(s) of DMG, each instance being Physical DMG equal to 30% of █████’s ATK. Then, “Soulrending Blaze” is dispelled. Each stack of “Soulrending Blaze” increases this Counter’s DMG multiplier by 20% of the original multiplier. DMG dealt through this ability is considered as Skill DMG. If “Soulrending Blaze” is still active at the start of █████’s extra turn, immediately launches Counter.
Skill: Foundation: Stardeath Verdict
Dispels all debuffs from this unit, then deals Physical DMG up to 1170% of █████’s ATK. In that, for every 1 point(s) of “Bruise” consumed, deals 4 instance(s) of DMG, each instance being Physical DMG equal to 45% of █████’s ATK dealt to one random enemy. When consuming 4 point(s) of “Bruise”, additionally deals Physical DMG equal to 450% of █████’s ATK, and this DMG is evenly distributed to all enemies.
Pyric Corpus (Talent)
Phainon’s Talent. When “Coreflame” reaches 12 point(s), Ultimate can be activated. After reaching the max limit, up to 3 excess point(s) can be accumulated.
When Phainon is the target of an ally or an enemy’s ability, he gains 1 point of “Coreflame.” When he is the target of an ally’s ability, increases CRIT DMG by 30%, lasting for 3 turn(s).
Fate: Divine Vessel (Enhanced Talent)
█████’s Talent. When Transforming, gains 4 point(s) of “Bruise”. If it is during an ally target’s turn, all buffs on that ally target will be extended by 1 turn and the current turn ends. █████ is immune to Crowd Control debuffs and has 1 Enhanced Basic ATK and 2 Enhanced Skills, but cannot use Ultimate. During his Transformation, increases ATK by 80% and Max HP by 240%. After attacking, restores HP equal to 20% of his Max HP. Upon taking a killing blow, █████ will not get knocked down, and will instead restore HP equal to 25% of Max HP and immediately launch Final Hit. For every 1 remaining extra turn █████ has, the Final Hit’s DMG multiplier reduces by 12.5% of its original multiplier. When the Transformation ends, increases all allies’ SPD by 15%, lasting for 1 turn.
Beginning of the End (Technique)
When Phainon is in the team, increases Max Technique Points by 3.
Actively uses Technique by consuming 2 Technique Points to immediately attack all enemies within a certain range. After entering battle, regenerates 25 Energy for allies, gains 2 “Scourge” and 1 Skill Point(s). Deals Physical DMG equal to 200% of Phainon’s ATK to all enemies at the start of each wave.
If attacking a normal enemy, immediately defeats them without entering combat. When not hitting enemies, no Technique Points are consumed.
First Trace: March to Oblivion
When the transformation ends, gains 3 point(s) of “Coreflame”.
Increases Crit Rate by 2.7%, Crit DMG by 5.3%, and SPD by 2.
Second Trace: Bide in Flames
When receiving healing effects or Shields from a teammate, increases DMG dealt by 40% for 4 turn(s). This effect cannot be triggered repeatedly within one turn. When receiving Energy regeneration ability effects provided by teammates, gains 1 point(s) of “Coreflame.”
Increases Crit DMG by 8%, Crit Rate by 4%, and Crit DMG by 8%.
Third Trace: Shine with Valor
When entering battle or when transformation ends, increases ATK by 50%. This effect can stack up to 2 time(s).
Increases SPD by 3, Crit Rate by 5.3%, and Crit DMG by 10.7%.
All six Phainon Eidolons and Whey They do
Phainon Eidolon 1: The SPD of █████’s extra turn increases to 72% of █████’s base SPD. When “Coreflame” reaches the max limit, this unit’s Physical RES PEN increases by 15%, lasting for 2 turn(s).
Phainon Eidolon 2: █████ attacks and deals DMG equal to 120% of the original DMG. When consuming 4 “Scourge” to use “Foundation: Stardeath Verdict,” gains 1 extra turn.
Phainon Eidolon 3: Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10.
Phainon Eidolon 4: When using “Calamity: Soulscorch Edict,” additionally gains 4 stacks of “Soulscorch.”
Phainon Eidolon 5: Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.
Phainon Eidolon 6: Max “Scourge” increases by 2. When using “Creation: Bloodthorn Ferry” or “Calamity: Soulscorch Edict,” additionally gains 2 “Scourge”. After using the attack from “Foundation: Stardeath Verdict,” additionally deals True DMG equal to 20% of the total DMG dealt in this attack to the enemy with the highest HP.