A few months ago, Hoyoverse released their latest game, Honkai Star Rail, which quickly gained popularity among gamers. Unlike its predecessors, Honkai Impact 3rd and Genshin Impact, this game offers turn-based RPG gameplay with an intriguing storyline.
The new gameplay mechanic introduced in this game is the Path system. This new system may have left players a bit confused, so what exactly is Path? What is its function or role for each character? Let's dive into it below!
Path is a collection of Imaginary energy born as a universal manifestation of philosophical concepts in Honkai Star Rail. Those who believe in and practice the concepts behind Path become Pathsriders, and the path they follow changes according to their own philosophies and opinions.
In some special cases, entities that fully embrace a Path and explore its philosophical concepts entirely become an Aeon.
Paths are closely linked to the Aeon, god-like entities in the game. Aeon is known to be able to use Paths as they see fit once they are elevated to godhood, remaining connected to it throughout the character's life.
Someone on the Path Star Rail will gain formidable powers, and their every desire will be fulfilled. Those who possess this power are called Pathstriders.
The Importance of Path Star Rail
In terms of gameplay, the Path is crucial in determining the role of a character in your party. Additionally, the Element also affects a character's gameplay.
Path determines the type of abilities a character has, allowing players to maximize their character's role. Meanwhile, Element represents the element a character uses to attack, allowing them to target the weaknesses of enemy elements.
For example, Path Preservation with the Ice Element, Erudition with Lightning, Abundance with Imaginary, Hunt with Wind, and so on.
List of Path Names in Honkai Star Rail
Following the story, it is known that there are fourteen Paths in Star Rail. However, currently, there are only seven Paths available for playable characters in the game. These include:
The Preservation
Preservation is the path for characters who are patient, self-sacrificing, and protective of others. Characters on this Path have strong defensive abilities to protect their teammates (shielder). In terms of gameplay, characters with this Path serve as Defenders in the party.
Examples of characters on this Path include Gepard, March 7th, and the newest addition, Fu Xuan, in the upcoming update.
The Destruction
Destruction is the path for characters with reckless behavior, anger, and the ability to cause havoc. Characters on this Path can attack enemies first, making them optimal for targeting enemy weaknesses and strong for solo combat (Tanker).
Characters on this Path include MC Destruction, Clara, Arlan, Hook, Blade, Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae, and Jingliu.
The Hunt
Hunt is the Path characterized by admiration, strong determination, cruelty, and resilience. It grants the ability to deal strong damage to a single target (Single Target). Characters on the Hunt Path are typically focused on DPS or Attackers in the party.
Characters on this Path include Dan Heng, Sushang, Yanqing, Seele, and the latest addition, Topaz, in update 1.4.
The Erudition
Erudition is the Path known for its admiration of thinking, logic, and strategic behavior. This Path provides AoE (Area of Effect) damage to multiple targets, allowing it to attack numerous enemies. In essence, characters on this Path focus on characters who can attack in an AoE manner.
Characters on this Path include Serval, Qingque, Herta, Himeko, and Jing Yuan.
The Harmony
Harmony is the Path characterized by understanding, cooperation, and support. This Path can provide buffs to either an individual or a team, strengthening their abilities. In other words, characters with this Path focus on Support roles.
Characters on this Path include Asta, Tingyun, Yukong, and Bronya.
The Abundance
Abundance is the Path for characters who prioritize others, heal others, and practice altruism (helping others by sacrificing oneself). In terms of gameplay, characters with this Path are Healers.
True to their nature, characters on the Abundance Path can heal either an individual or a team. This is why they are always brought into battles. Characters on this Path include Natasha, Bailu, Luocha, and Lynx, who will be introduced in a future update.
The Nihility
Nihility is the Path that admires fatigue, laziness, and meaningless behavior. Nihility can reduce the overall strength of enemies in battle (Debuffer). In broad strokes, characters with this Path focus on inflicting debuffs on enemies.
Characters on the Nihility Path include Kafka, Luka, Pela, Sampo, Silver Wolf, Welt, and Guinaifen.
Other Path Names
Apart from the seven Paths mentioned above, there are also several Paths aligned with Aeon that have disappeared, are unknown in whereabouts, and can only be encountered in the Simulated Universe. These include:
The Trailblaze.
The Voracity.
The Elation.
The Beauty.
The Propagator.
The Enigmata.
The Remembrance.