Honkai: Star Rail 4.3 Pull Guide: Is Mortenax Blade worth pulling?

With the debut of the new Fire Nihility unit Mortenax Blade and the highly anticipated returns of Yao Guang, Cyrene, and Phainon in Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.3, many of us are staring at our Stellar Jades wondering who actually deserves the pull. It’s a tough call, do you go for the new debuff-focused character, one of the proven rerun powerhouses, or save for future banners? To help you decide, we’re breaking down their roles, seeing how they actually hold up in the current meta, and comparing them to other key units you may already have. By the end, we’ll give you our honest recommendation on where to spend your hard-earned pulls.

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Honkai: Star Rail 4.3 Banner Overview

Version 4.3 splits its spotlight between two distinct phases, each offering major value depending on what your account needs. The first half features the debut of Mortenax Blade, a new 5-star Fire Nihility character, alongside a rerun for Yao Guang, giving players a strong opportunity to choose between a brand-new debuff-focused unit and a returning Physical Elation option.

The second half shifts gears with the return of Phainon and Cyrene, two powerful rerun characters aimed at very different team needs. Phainon returns as a Physical Destruction unit, while Cyrene brings Ice Remembrance value, making Phase 2 especially tempting for players who skipped them before or need stronger late-game roster options.

Mortenax Blade

Role

Fire Nihility / Sub-DPS / Debuffer / Offensive Support

Current Meta Role (Version 4.3)

In Version 4.3, Mortenax Blade arrives as a flexible Fire Nihility unit designed for players who want more than simple damage. His value comes from combining AoE Fire DMG, DEF reduction, damage amplification, and team utility in one slot. Through Balefire Bind, he can weaken enemies and help the whole team deal more damage, making him useful for accounts that need both debuff support and extra offensive pressure.

He truly comes alive when his Zone is active. During this window, Mortenax Blade can strengthen his own damage while also supporting allies through offensive buffs and frequent debuff application. This makes him a strong pick for players who want a hybrid sub-DPS, debuffer, and offensive support, especially in teams that benefit from Nihility synergy or frequent attacks.

Should You Pull for Mortenax Blade?

Mortenax Blade works best in teams that need a flexible Fire Nihility unit who can provide DEF reduction, damage amplification, and extra offensive pressure without acting as a pure main DPS. He is a high-value pull for players who need more debuff utility, stronger AoE Fire DMG, or a hybrid character who can function as a sub-DPS, debuffer, and offensive support in one slot.

However, if your account already has strong Nihility debuffers, enough Fire coverage, or well-built damage dealers for endgame content, Mortenax Blade may feel more like a luxury pull than a must-have upgrade. For F2P players, it may be smarter to save your Stellar Jades for other Version 4.3 banners or future characters unless Mortenax clearly fills a missing role in your roster.

Comparison to Other Nihility / Debuff Units

Final Verdict

PULL if you want a flexible Fire Nihility unit who can provide DEF reduction, damage amplification, AoE Fire DMG, and offensive team utility in one slot. Mortenax Blade is especially valuable if your account needs a hybrid sub-DPS / debuffer / offensive support who can improve team damage while still contributing his own pressure.

SKIP if you already have strong Nihility debuffers, enough Fire coverage, or well-built damage dealers for endgame content. He can be a strong pull, but for F2P players, his value depends on whether he clearly improves your current teams or if saving Stellar Jades for other Version 4.3 banners is the smarter choice.

Yao Guang

Role

Physical Elation Support / Team Buffer / Punchline Enabler

Current Meta Role (Version 4.3)

In Version 4.3, Yao Guang returns as a premium Physical Elation support designed for players who want to invest in the growing Elation team archetype. Unlike standard supports that only provide simple stat buffs, her value comes from enabling Punchline generation, boosting team damage, and helping Elation-based teams maintain stronger offensive momentum.

She truly shines in teams that can take advantage of team-wide buffs, All-Type RES Penetration, and repeated damage triggers. Her pull value is especially high for players planning to build around Elation characters or DPS units that consume Skill Points frequently. However, if your account is not interested in the Elation path or already has strong universal supports, Yao Guang may feel more like a long-term investment than an immediate must-pull.

Should You Pull for Yao Guang?

Yao Guang is an excellent pull if you are actively building into the Elation team archetype or need a premium Physical Elation support who can improve team damage through Punchline generation, team-wide buffs, and All-Type RES PEN. Her pull value is highest for players who already use Elation-focused characters or plan to invest in teams that benefit from frequent attacks and repeated damage triggers.

However, her value depends heavily on your current roster. If your account is not focused on Elation teams, or if you already have strong universal supports who cover your main DPS needs, Yao Guang may feel more like a specialized investment than an urgent must-pull. For F2P players, she is worth considering if you want to commit to the Elation path, but saving your Stellar Jades for another Version 4.3 banner may be smarter if your teams do not benefit from her specific support style.

Comparison to Other Elation Units

Final Verdict

PULL if you want a premium Physical Elation support who can push Elation teams to a much higher ceiling. Yao Guang is especially valuable if you are building around Punchline generation, repeated Elation damage triggers, and team-wide offensive buffs like All-Type RES PEN. She is a strong long-term pick for players who want to fully invest in the Elation team archetype.

SKIP if you are not planning to play Elation-focused teams, already have enough universal supports, or need a more flexible character who can fit into almost any lineup. For F2P players, Yao Guang is powerful but specialized, so saving your Stellar Jades for another Version 4.3 banner may be smarter if your current teams do not benefit from her specific support style.

Cyrene

Role

Ice Remembrance Support / Chrysos Heir Enabler / Team Amplifier

Current Meta Role (Version 4.3)

In Version 4.3, Cyrene returns as a strong Ice Remembrance support designed for players who want to strengthen Chrysos Heir and Remembrance-focused teams. Unlike general supports that only provide simple stat buffs, her value comes from boosting team damage, enabling special effects for Chrysos Heir characters, and adding extra Ice DMG through her Memosprite.

She truly shines in teams that can fully use her Recollection mechanics and team-wide damage amplification. While Cyrene can still offer support value outside her best teams, her pull value is much higher for players already investing in Chrysos Heir units or Remembrance-based compositions. This makes her a strong rerun target for accounts that want specialized support synergy, but less urgent for players who only need a universal buffer.

Should You Pull for Cyrene?

Cyrene is a strong pull if you are actively building Chrysos Heir or Remembrance-focused teams. Her value is highest for players who want a specialized Ice Remembrance support capable of improving team damage, enabling special buffs for Chrysos Heir characters, and adding extra offensive value through her Memosprite. Her Recollection mechanics also make her especially effective when paired with the right team core.

However, her pull value depends heavily on your current roster. If you do not use Chrysos Heir units or Remembrance characters, or if your account already has enough universal supports, Cyrene may feel more like a specialized luxury than an urgent must-pull. For F2P players, she is worth considering if you already have the right team for her; otherwise, saving Stellar Jades for another Version 4.3 banner may be the safer choice.

Comparison to Other Remembrance Utility Units

Final Verdict

PULL if you want a strong Ice Remembrance support who can significantly improve Chrysos Heir and Remembrance-focused teams. Cyrene is especially valuable if your account already has the right team core to use her Recollection mechanics, special Chrysos Heir buffs, and team-wide damage amplification effectively.

SKIP if you are not building around Chrysos Heir units or Remembrance teams, or if your account already has enough universal supports for your main DPS characters. For F2P players, Cyrene is a powerful but specialized Phase 2 rerun, so saving your Stellar Jades may be smarter if your current roster cannot fully benefit from her support style.

Phainon

Role

Physical Destruction Main DPS / Hypercarry / Transformation DPS

Current Meta Role (Version 4.3)

In Version 4.3, Phainon returns as a powerful Physical Destruction hypercarry designed for players who want a self-centered damage dealer with a unique transformation-based playstyle. Unlike most DPS characters who rely on standard Energy rotations, Phainon builds Coreflame to activate his Ultimate and enter a special Territory, becoming the main source of damage for the team.

His value comes from strong personal damage, explosive burst windows, and his ability to function as a dedicated Physical DPS for accounts that need a reliable main carry. Since his transformation temporarily removes teammates from action, Phainon works best in teams that can fully buff him before his major damage window. This makes him a strong Phase 2 rerun target for players who need a premium hypercarry, but less urgent for accounts that already have well-invested main DPS units.

Should You Pull for Phainon?

Phainon is a strong pull if you need a premium Physical Destruction Main DPS who can act as the main damage core of your account. His value is highest for players who want a dedicated hypercarry with strong burst windows, Coreflame-based gameplay, and a transformation state that lets him take over the field as the team’s primary source of damage.

However, Phainon is not a universal must-pull for every account. If you already have well-invested main DPS units, prefer more flexible team-based damage, or are saving for Mortenax Blade, Yao Guang, or Cyrene, his pull value becomes more account-dependent. For F2P players, Phainon is worth pulling if you clearly need a powerful Physical hypercarry; otherwise, saving your Stellar Jades for another Version 4.3 banner may be the safer choice.

Comparison to Other Physical DPS Units

Final Verdict

PULL if you want a powerful Physical Destruction hypercarry who can take over the battlefield with a unique transformation-based playstyle. Phainon is especially valuable if your account needs a dedicated main DPS with strong burst windows, Coreflame mechanics, and high personal damage during his Territory state.

SKIP if you already have well-invested main DPS characters, prefer flexible team rotations, or do not want a carry whose strongest damage window requires setup before transformation. For F2P players, Phainon is a strong but account-dependent Phase 2 rerun, so saving your Stellar Jades may be better if your roster already has enough reliable DPS options.

Conclusion

Version 4.3 brings a high-stakes mix of a brand-new unit, specialized supports, powerful rerun options, and strong DPS value, giving players meaningful choices across both banner phases. Whether you’re aiming for the flexible Fire Nihility utility of Mortenax Blade, the Elation support value of Yao Guang, the specialized Ice Remembrance synergy of Cyrene, or the raw Physical Destruction carry power of Phainon, the right pull ultimately depends on your current roster, team goals, and how carefully you want to spend your Stellar Jades.

With several valuable banners running in the same patch, understanding how each character fits into your account will help you make smarter pull decisions in Honkai: Star Rail 4.3. If you need debuff utility, Mortenax Blade is a strong option; if you are building around Elation or Remembrance teams, Yao Guang and Cyrene may offer better long-term value; and if your account needs a dedicated Physical hypercarry, Phainon is worth considering. If you are planning to pull this version, prepare your resources early and consider topping up Honkai: Star Rail through LootBar for a safe, fast, and convenient recharge option.