Phainon, also known as Khaslana, has been making waves in Honkai Star Rail since his release in Version 2.6. As the Chrysos Heir carrying the Coreflame of "Worldbearing," this Physical Destruction path character has quickly established himself as one of the most powerful DPS units in HSR phainon meta.

Who is Phainon in Honkai Star Rail?

Phainon comes from Aedes Elysiae, a remote frontier village that now exists only in legends. His real name is Khaslana, and he carries the responsibility of bringing "the first light of dawn to the new world." His memorable quote, "But should dawn have never existed, let the fires of rage burn this body to ashes and transform into the blazing sun of tomorrow!" perfectly captures his fiery determination.

In the hsr phainon trailer released earlier this year, players got their first glimpse of his unique transformation mechanics and devastating combat abilities, which we'll explore in detail below.

Phainon's Unique Gameplay Mechanics

What sets Phainon apart from other characters is his distinctive Coreflame mechanic. Unlike traditional energy systems, Phainon uses Coreflame stacks to activate his Ultimate. These stacks can be accumulated through:

  • Using his Skill (grants 2 Coreflame)

  • Being targeted by ally or enemy abilities (1 Coreflame per targeting)

  • Receiving energy restoration from allies (via his A4 trace)

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The Transformation State

Once Phainon accumulates 12 Coreflame stacks, he can activate his Ultimate "He Who Bears the World Must Burn" to transform into Khaslana. During this transformation:

  1. All other allies temporarily leave combat

  2. All enemies gain Physical Weakness

  3. Phainon receives 8 extra turns with speed set at 60% of his base SPD

  4. His abilities are enhanced with new "Titans" versions

  5. He gains significant ATK and HP boosts

  6. He becomes immune to Crowd Control debuffs

This transformation state is what makes phainon Honkai Star Rail's first true "solo DPS" character, capable of handling entire combat sequences without ally support.

Best Builds for Phainon in 2025

  1. Thus Burns the Dawn (5★) - Phainon's signature light cone, providing DEF penetration and increased DMG after Ultimate

  2. On the Fall of an Aeon (5★) - Strong alternative with CRIT DMG and Break Effect

  3. A Trail of Bygone Blood (4★) - Excellent F2P option with ATK boost

  4. Under the Blue Sky (4★) - Another accessible option for new players

Optimal Relic Sets

  1. Wavestrider Captain (4-piece) - Best in slot for e6 phainon, providing ATK buffs during Enhanced State

  2. Arcadia of Woven Dreams (2-piece) + Musketeer of Wild Wheat (2-piece) - Strong alternative for balanced stats

Main Stats Priority

  • Body: CRIT Rate

  • Feet: ATK% or SPD (depending on your team composition)

  • Planar Sphere: Physical DMG

  • Link Rope: ATK%

Substats Focus

  • CRIT Rate (aim for close to 100%)

  • CRIT DMG (150%+ without buffs)

  • ATK% (2500+ ATK recommended)

  • SPD (tuned precisely for your team rotation)

Best Teams for Phainon

Phainon works exceptionally well with supports that provide turn advance and energy restoration. His ideal teammates include:

Premium Team

  • Phainon (Main DPS)

  • Sunday (Turn advance, Energy restoration)

  • Bronya (CRIT DMG buff, Turn advance)

  • Cerydra (Skill DMG buff, Energy restoration)

F2P-Friendly Team

  • Phainon (Main DPS)

  • Remembrance Trailblazer (Ice) (Energy restoration)

  • Tingyun (ATK buff, Energy restoration)

  • Natasha (Healing) or Lynx (Healing, ATK buff)

Phainon Gameplay Tips

  1. Optimize Coreflame Generation: Use supports like Sunday and Tingyun to rapidly generate Coreflame through their Energy restoration abilities.

  2. Manage Scourge Points: During transformation, try to use Enhanced E Skill (Foundation: Stardeath Verdict) only when you have 4 Scourge points for maximum damage.

  3. Time Your Transformation: Consider the enemy's action bar before transforming, as you'll want to maximize damage during the enhanced state.

  4. Use Calamity: Soulscorch Edict Strategically: This ability forces enemies to take action while reducing damage to Phainon by 75%, making it excellent for counter-attacking.

  5. Plan for Post-Transformation: Allies will be at the same action value they had before transformation, so plan your rotation accordingly.

Is Phainon Worth Pulling in 2025?

Absolutely. Despite being released several versions ago, phainon Honkai Star Rail's position in the meta remains incredibly strong. He offers:

  • Exceptional single-target damage potential

  • Unique gameplay mechanics that stand out from other DPS units

  • Good F2P compatibility with accessible support options

  • Strong performance in Memory of Chaos, Pure Fiction, and Apocalyptic Shadow

For players who still lack a strong Physical DPS, Phainon represents one of the best investments you can make, especially if you already have support characters like Sunday or Bronya.

Conclusion

Phainon continues to be one of Honkai Star Rail's most distinctive and powerful characters in 2025. His transformation mechanics, incredible damage potential, and self-sufficiency make him a standout choice for any Trailblazer's roster. Whether you're a new player looking for your first main DPS or a veteran seeking to optimize your team compositions, Phainon delivers exceptional performance across all content types.

As the meta continues to evolve, Phainon's unique kit ensures he'll remain relevant for the foreseeable future, making him a worthwhile investment for any player fortunate enough to obtain him during his banner reruns.

Expert commentary is drawn from Game Informer, a veteran source for gaming news and reviews. Game Informer's coverage of Honkai Star Rail frequently emphasizes the impact of new character releases like Phainon on the evolving meta, highlighting how transformation mechanics and solo DPS roles are reshaping team-building strategies for both competitive and casual players.