Phainon vs Castorice: Who Should You Pull For in HSR 3.7?

Attention Trailblazers! Version 3.7 brings the highly anticipated rerun of two top-tier DPS units: Phainon and Castorice. Stuck deciding where to spend your Star Rail Passes? This guide breaks down their core differences, ideal users and pull priority. Whether you’re F2P, low-spender or a new player, you’ll walk away with a clear call!

Phainon

Castorice

Damage Mechanics

While both are AoE DPS, their damage delivery differs greatly and this alone will decide which fits your playstyle.

Phainon

Phainon’s damage comes from a unique bounce mechanic that spreads damage across multiple enemies. It excels at crowd control and can focus fire on single targets as all bounces lock onto one enemy if no others are present. He has minor RNG dependency. Some runs nail a zero-cycle clear with the same team and rotation while other times bounces miss key targets. Failing to take down a manta ray before it summons minions ruins zero-cycles. Still, the RNG is rarely a dealbreaker and it’s a small price for his adaptability long-term.

 

Castorice

Castorice delivers consistent, direct AoE damage to all enemies with no RNG or guesswork. Her damage output is predictable, great for players who hate leaving things to chance. Her AoE is one-note. She struggles to pivot to single-target fights and her damage doesn’t adapt to enemy layouts like Phainon’s. Reliability is nice but it’s overshadowed by her team requirements.

 

Team Synergy & Investment

This is the make-or-break factor especially for F2P and low-spender players.

Phainon

Phainon’s biggest strength is versatility. He doesn’t demand specific premium units to perform. Any Harmony or Abundance supports that boost his ult charge or damage will work. An example F2P team of Phainon plus Sparkle, Bronya and Ruan Mei still hits zero-cycle clears and 1.2M+ damage. His Light Cone is nice but not mandatory. Even with a 4-star Light Cone, he outperforms most DPS with the right support builds. Investment should focus on your supports’ gear and levels rather than chasing specific 5-star teammates.

Sparkle

Bronya

Ruan Mei

 

Castorice

Castorice is a high-investment, high-reward DPS. Her full potential only unlocks with a premium team. Mandatory premium units include her signature Light Cone, Tribbie, Evernight and Hyacine. Low-cost teams work but they’re underwhelming. You won’t hit the 2–3M damage numbers of fully built Castorice teams with random supports. New players should beware as chasing her supporting cast will drain resources for months.

Tribbie

Evernight

Hyacine

 

Don't miss out on this time-limited offer!

 

Ideal Players

Let’s match each character to their ideal player for no more guesswork.

Pull Phainon

You’re F2P, low-spender or new to the game. You need a versatile DPS that works with your existing roster. You hate chasing specific support units to make a DPS viable. You prefer adaptability over strict reliability.

Pull Castorice

You’re a hardcore fan of her character design or kit. You’re willing to spend on her premium supports. You already have most of her required team built. You prioritize consistent AoE damage for specific endgame content like Ligus or Pure Fiction.

 

Global Passive Trap

One common myth claims Castorice’s global passive gives her an edge. The passive allows one revive per battle but it’s a C-tier passive at best. It’s highly situational. Players who swear by it often adjust their playstyle unconsciously because they have the revive. For pull value, this passive is irrelevant so don’t let it sway your decision.

 

Conclusion

Most players should choose Phainon. He’s flexible, F2P-friendly and performs well in nearly all content without draining resources. Hardcore fans and investors will find Castorice worth it if ready to commit to her premium team as she’ll hold up in endgame for a long time. New players should avoid Castorice unless ready to chase her supporting cast. Phainon lets you jump straight into strong team comps with what you already have.

Ready to unlock your chosen DPS’s full potential? Top up Honkai Star Rail at LDShop for secure transactions, great rates and fast delivery. Get the resources you need to build Phainon or Castorice into a powerhouse and dominate Version 3.7 content!