Phaethon Guide: Builds, Light Cones & Teams

Phaethon is one of the Zlatius, heroes tasked with saving their home planet, Amphoreus, from disaster. The character first appeared in the version 3.0 storyline and received his own banner in version 3.4, which ran from July 2nd. This guide will cover how to build and optimize this nameless hero, detailing the best builds and characters that synergize effectively in a team with him.

Abilities

Technique: Beginning of the End

After entering combat, Phaethon restores 25 Energy to all allies and gains one Skill Point. He deals Physical DMG to enemies, and weaker opponents in the open world are defeated immediately without entering battle (similar to Acheron). Additionally, while the Zlatius is in the team, the maximum number of Technique charges increases by 3.

Basic Attack: Step Towards Liberation

Deals Physical DMG equal to 50-140% of his ATK to a target enemy.

Skill: Let There Be Light

Gains two stacks of “Flame Core” and deals Physical DMG to a target enemy and adjacent targets.

Ultimate: The World-Bearer Must Burn

Phaethon enters an enhanced state and creates a special field on the battlefield. Other team members leave the combat temporarily while this state is active, leaving the Zlatius alone. The character does not take turns but gains 8 special actions, during which he can use his Basic Attack, Skill, and Enhanced Skill. Upon exhausting these actions, the young hero performs a final strike on enemies and exits the state.

Talent: My Body is a Torch

When the number of “Flame Core” stacks reaches 12, Phaethon can activate his Ultimate. If the swordsman is targeted by an ability (from both enemies and allies), he gains one stack. When the Zlatius is targeted by an ally`s ability, such as Sparkle or Sunday, his Crit DMG increases for 3 turns.

Enhanced Talent: Fate: God`s Incarnation

After activating his Ultimate and entering the perfected state, Phaethon gains 4 “Calamity” points, and his Skill and Basic Attack are enhanced. He also restores 20% of his Max HP, and during the state, his Max HP and ATK increase. The Zlatius becomes immune to Crowd Control effects, and if he receives fatal damage, he does not perish but recovers partially and immediately performs the final strike.

Enhanced Basic Attack: Creation: Scarlet Thorns of Doom`s Crossing

Gains 2 “Calamity” charges and deals Physical DMG to multiple targets.

Enhanced Skill 1: Calamity: Decree of Soul Scorching

Gains one “Calamity” point for each enemy on the field. All enemies then immediately attack Phaethon, and he gains the “Soul Burn” status. This reduces incoming damage, and he performs a counter-attack after all enemies have finished their turns.

Enhanced Skill 2: Fundamentals: Star`s Death Verdict

Phaethon removes all debuffs from himself and deals Physical DMG to enemies. For each “Calamity” stack consumed, he performs additional hits. If 4 charges are consumed, Phaethon attacks again.

Eidolons

1. E1: Fire and Light Embody Virtue and Vice: Base Speed within the enhanced field increases for each defeated enemy. After activating the Ultimate, Speed increases by 50% for three turns.
2. E2: Heaven and Earth, Bubbles of the Mortal Realm: Physical Weakness Break efficiency in the perfected state increases by 20%. After consuming 4 “Calamity” stacks, Phaethon gains an additional special action.
3. E3: Depths of Silence, Buried in Ruins: Skill level increases by 2 (Max 15), Basic Attack level increases by 1 (Max 10).
4. E4: Faces of Titans, Blurred by Time: When activating Enhanced Skill 1, Phaethon gains an additional charge of the “Soul Burn” status.
5. E5: Eternal Turning of the Wheel: Ultimate and Talent levels increase by 2 (Max 15).
6. E6: Ashes of Antiquity Rekindle: The number of “Flame Core” stacks has no upper limit, and Phaethon gains 6 stacks at the start of the battle. He also deals additional damage to the enemy with the highest HP when using his second Enhanced Skill.

Materials

Materials needed for Ascension and Traces.

Ascension Materials (Level 80)

(Specific items not listed in the original text)

Trace Materials (Max Level)

(Specific items not listed in the original text)

Light Cones

Best Light Cones for Phaethon.

As the Dawn Burns

Phaethon`s Signature Light Cone, offering virtually no worthy alternatives for the character. It should be prioritized. This weapon provides a high Base SPD stat, allowing Phaethon to act more frequently in his enhanced state. Its passive effect grants a significant boost to the character`s overall damage and allows him to ignore a portion of enemy DEF, perfectly meeting the Zlatius`s needs.

Something Irreplaceable

Clara`s 5-star Light Cone from the Standard Warp. This weapon is quite versatile for many Destruction Path characters, including Phaethon. It is beneficial not only for its ATK percentage boost but also for its HP restoration, as the Zlatius can also take damage while fighting alone in his enhanced state, and Abundance characters cannot heal him during this time.

On the Fall of an Aeon

A Legendary rarity Light Cone obtainable from Herta`s Shop using Herta`s Bonds from the Simulated Universe. This weapon is notable not just for its accessibility and being free-to-play friendly, but also for its strong stats for Phaethon. It provides a substantial increase to ATK, which is the primary stat that scales all of the Zlatius`s abilities. If the character frequently triggers Weakness Break in combat, he can activate the second part of the passive for a general damage increase.

Blood of the Past

This Light Cone is a good alternative to the previous Legendary options and can even stand alongside them at a high Superimposition level. It increases Crit Rate and significantly boosts the damage of Phaethon`s Skill and Ultimate, allowing you to focus on obtaining Crit DMG, ATK, and other stats in your build.

Relics

Recommended Cavern Relic and Planar Ornament sets.

Cavern Relics

Scholar of the Lost

An excellent Relic set for the Zlatius. It increases Phaethon`s overall damage and is ideal as it significantly boosts critical hits and the damage from his Skill and Ultimate, which are his main damage sources during gameplay.

Champion of Streetwise Boxing

This is the best option for Phaethon if you need to increase Critical Damage, assuming you have sufficient Crit Rate but lack ATK. Equipping this set ensures not only good crit stats but also overall damage amplification, as the set successfully increases the character`s damage.

Planar Ornaments

Realm of the Mad Flowering

The best Planar Ornament set, which significantly increases the character`s damage and is his signature set. Thanks to its special passive, for each ally missing on the field, the young hero gains a significant increase to overall DPS. This synergizes perfectly with his Ultimate state.

Team Compositions

Characters that synergize well with Phaethon.

Trailblazer (Harmony)

A very versatile Support character, serving as a free-to-play alternative to characters like Sunday or other premium supports. They boost Phaethon`s damage and Advance his action, which is crucial. Furthermore, thanks to the Trailblazer`s abilities, the Zlatius can quickly accumulate stacks to activate his Ultimate, while also receiving valuable buffs.

Sparkle

Another excellent Support character who increases Critical Damage, restores Skill Points, and can Advance the action of a chosen ally. She pairs wonderfully with Phaethon and helps the Zlatius accumulate Ultimate energy faster.

Bronya

Despite being considered somewhat outdated by some, Bronya performs excellently in teams with Phaethon. Her abilities can Advance the Zlatius`s turn, grant him an ATK and overall damage boost, and increase the overall Critical Damage of the entire team. As a standard 5-star character, she is relatively easier to obtain and build.

Sunday

A premier Support character who synergizes well with Harmony Path characters, but his abilities also pair nicely with Phaethon. He Advances allies` actions and increases their overall damage, and thanks to his Skill and Ultimate, he helps the Zlatius accumulate stacks for his Ultimate faster. He is included in almost all premium team compositions featuring the character.