Phainon vs Saber: Who to Pull for in Star Rail 3.4?

Phainon: 5-Star Physical Destruction DPS

• Release Date: July 2, 2025 (Phase 1 banner)
• Kit Overview:
  • Element: Physical
  • Role: Main DPS with a unique Ultimate twist.
  • Core Mechanic: Phainon uses "Coreflame" stacks instead of Energy to trigger his Ultimate. He gets stacks from his Skill (2 stacks) or when allies buff him or enemies debuff him (1 stack each). When his Ultimate pops, he enters a "Territory" state, sending allies away, turning into a "Second Form" (maybe Demiurge), and getting extra turns with new skills. He dishes out huge Physical damage and slaps Physical Weakness on enemies.
  • Strengths:
    • Insane damage potential, especially in his Ultimate form. Leaks say he might be the top DPS in 3.4.
    • Holds his own with counterattacks in Territory mode and works great with supports like Sunday, who help him stack Coreflame faster.
    • Gets big ATK boosts from ally buffs, especially with relics like Wavestrider Captain.
  • Weaknesses:
    • His playstyle is strict and needs specific teammates (like Sunday or Tribbie) to shine.
    • Not the best for modes like Pure Fiction since he’s more single-target focused.
    • Needs heavy investment (signature Light Cone, Eidolons) to hit his peak, which can be tough for F2P players.
  • Best Light Cones:
    • Thus Burns the Dawn (5★, Signature): Boosts SPD, ignores enemy DEF, and ups damage after Ultimate.
    • Dance at Sunset (5★): Pumps up Crit DMG and follow-up attack damage.
    • On the Fall of an Aeon (5★, F2P): Increases ATK and damage after Weakness Break, solid for F2P.
  • Relics: Wavestrider Captain (4-piece) for ATK boosts with ally support; focus on Crit Rate, Crit DMG, and ATK%.
  • Team Synergy: Works best with Sunday (Imaginary Harmony for Crit and damage buffs), Tribbie (sub-DPS with RES Pen), or Bronya (ATK and action boosts).
  • Availability: Permanent character, so he’ll show up again in future banners.
• Pros:
  • Likely the strongest DPS in 3.4, with leaks calling him a meta beast alongside Acheron and Castorice.
  • Ties into the Amphoreus story, great for lore fans or those who like Kevin Kaslana from Honkai Impact 3rd.
  • Good long-term pick since he’ll have reruns.
• Cons:
  • His complex mechanics can feel repetitive or limiting for some players.
  • Needs specific supports like Sunday or Tribbie, which you might not have.
  • High investment makes him less friendly for F2P players without his signature gear.

Saber: 5-Star Wind Destruction DPS

• Release Date: July 11, 2025 (Phase 1 collaboration banner, runs longer than standard banners)
• Kit Overview:
  • Element: Wind
  • Role: Main DPS with a straightforward but strong kit.
  • Core Mechanic: Deals Wind damage with a single-target Basic Attack and an AoE Skill hitting a main target and nearby enemies. Using Core Resonance (gained through certain conditions) boosts her Skill’s damage if her Energy is full, and it regenerates extra Energy. Her Ultimate delivers big Wind damage, and her Traces give a free 37% Crit Rate, making her easier to build.
  • Strengths:
    • Simple rotation, great for players who want an easy-to-use DPS.
    • High Crit Rate from Traces means you can focus relics on Crit DMG and ATK.
    • Solid AoE damage makes her great for endgame modes like Memory of Chaos and Pure Fiction.
    • Works well with common supports like Robin, Huohuo, and Sunday, which are easier to have.
  • Weaknesses:
    • Her kit’s less unique than Phainon’s, and some find her gameplay less exciting.
    • Limited-time collaboration character, so she probably won’t rerun due to licensing issues, which adds pressure to pull.
    • Might get outshined by future units since her kit’s simpler and may not benefit as much from new supports.
  • Best Light Cones:
    • A Thankless Coronation (5★, Signature): Boosts Crit DMG, ATK after Ultimate, and Energy regen for high-Energy builds.
    • Something Irreplaceable (5★): Ups ATK, damage, and adds healing on hit or enemy kill, good for staying alive.
    • On the Fall of an Aeon (5★, F2P): Same as Phainon, works well for F2P players.
  • Relics: Focus on Crit DMG, ATK%, and Speed; Wavestrider Captain or other Destruction sets are good.
  • Team Synergy: Pairs well with Robin (damage buffs), Huohuo (healing, Energy regen), Sunday (Crit and action boosts), or tanky units like Aventurine.
  • Availability: Limited-time Fate/stay night collaboration character, unlikely to rerun.
• Pros:
  • Easy to build and play, perfect if you want a no-fuss DPS with strong AoE for endgame.
  • Must-have for Fate fans or collectors since she might never come back.
• Cons:
  • Limited banner means you need to pull now, which can strain F2P resources.
  • Simpler kit might not stay meta as long as Phainon, especially if future supports don’t boost her.
  • Needs good Energy management to maximize damage, so team setup matters.

Additional Considerations

• Archer (Free 5-Star): Archer, a 5-star Quantum Hunt DPS, is free in 3.4 (log in after July 11, 2025). His single-target focus complements Saber’s AoE and Phainon’s hybrid damage, so he might cover your DPS needs. But his nerfed Skill multiplier makes him weaker in AoE modes like Pure Fiction compared to early hype.
• Resource Constraints: If you’re F2P with an E1 Castorice, your Stellar Jade is probably limited. Version 3.4 gives about 96 pulls for F2P (120 with Express Supply Pass). Pulling both Phainon and Saber might be tough, so pick based on what you need most.
• Team Composition: Got Sunday, Tribbie, or Bronya? Phainon’s your guy. If you have Robin, Huohuo, or Ruan Mei instead, Saber’s easier to slot in.
• FOMO and Collection: Saber’s limited banner makes her a priority if you love Fate or want rare units. Phainon’s permanent, so you can grab him later.

Recommendations

1. Pull for Saber if:
   • You’re a Fate fan or love her design, since she might not rerun.
   • You want a simple, versatile DPS with AoE for modes like Memory of Chaos and Pure Fiction.
   • You’ve got supports like Robin, Huohuo, or Sunday but not Phainon’s ideal teammates.
   • You want to lock in a limited unit for your collection.
2. Pull for Phainon if:
   • You’re all about meta and want a top-tier DPS with a unique playstyle.
   • You have or plan to get Sunday or Tribbie in 3.4’s Phase 1 banners.
   • You’re okay waiting for his rerun, as he’s permanent, and want to focus on long-term investment.
   • You enjoy complex playstyles and don’t mind his high-investment requirements.