Phainon E1 vs S1 in Honkai Star Rail: Which One Should You Choose?

• Overview of Phainon
• Advantages of S1
• Advantages of E1
• Conclusion

Overview of Phainon

The much-anticipated character Phainon has finally made his grand entrance as a playable unit in Honkai Star Rail. As a 5-star Physical Destruction character, Phainon serves as the main DPS in any team composition. Players can also obtain Phainon’s signature Light Cone, Thus Burns the Dawn, which is available for pulls alongside his Event Warp banner.

Considering the essential role that Phainon plays, players are often torn between obtaining his E1 (Eidolon 1) or his S1 (Signature Light Cone). This discussion aims to clarify why pulling for Phainon's S1 is the superior choice in Honkai Star Rail.

Advantages of S1

Phainon’s S1, Thus Burns the Dawn, is not just an ordinary Light Cone; it is considered his best-in-slot option. Here’s a breakdown of the reasons why you should prioritize this Light Cone:

• Increased Speed: Equip Phainon with the S1 to receive a base SPD increase of 12. This enhancement is crucial as it allows Phainon to generate stacks for his Ultimate more swiftly.
• Speed Inheritance: When Phainon activates his Ultimate to transform into Khaslana, he inherits 60% of his base SPD, enabling him to deal damage more effectively.
• Enemy DEF Shred: The Light Cone grants an 18% DEF shred to enemies, permitting Phainon to inflict even more significant damage.
• Major Damage Buff: After using his Ultimate, Phainon enjoys a significant 60% damage increase, amplifying his already impressive damage output.

This combination of stat boosts makes Phainon's S1 an exceptionally advantageous tool in battle.

Advantages of E1

If you decide to go for Phainon’s E1, you gain certain buffs that can enhance his combat performance. At E1, Phainon’s base SPD inheritance for his Khaslana form increases to 66%. Additionally, defeating enemies boosts this ratio by 1.5%, stacking up to a cap of 84%. Furthermore, following the Ultimate activation, he experiences a 50% increase in CRIT DMG for the next three turns.

While the E1 provides valuable enhancements, the combined attributes of the S1 cannot be overlooked. The base SPD increase and the 18% DEF shred from S1 significantly enhance Phainon’s overall efficiency.

Conclusion

In summary, although Phainon’s E1 offers some worthwhile buffs, obtaining his S1 is exceptionally beneficial. The base SPD increase, combined with the DEF shred and damage boost, positions it as the optimal choice to maximize Phainon’s capabilities on the battlefield.

Players seeking to enhance their gaming experience in Honkai Star Rail can explore Honkai Star Rail Top Up and Oneiric Shards for the latest boosts and upgrades.