Pioneer (imaginary) in Honkai Star Rail: guide to the best builds

In Honkai: Star Rail, the Pathfinder is a free 5-star character that all players receive at the very beginning of the story. After completing the story of Penaconia, a new variation of the main character will become available: one who follows the Path of Harmony and has an imaginary element. In this guide, we will look at the main skills of the protagonist and tell you for which teams he will become an extremely valuable ally.

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Main features of the Pathfinder (imaginary)

How to get the Pathfinder (imaginary)

The opportunity to open the Path of Harmony for the Pathfinder will appear after completing the main story mission of Penaconia. We will indicate which quest you need to complete for this after the release of version 2.2. After this, in the character menu you can switch to the desired version of the main character at any time.

Progression of characteristics of the Pioneer (imaginary)

Next, you can see how the hero’s base stats will change as he levels up.

< th class="center" scope="col">Attack Power

Level	Defense	HP	Speed
1	61	92	148	105
20	118	180	288	105
40	228	347	554	105
60	337	513	821	105
80	446	679	1087	105

Also, the Pioneer initially has 5% and 50% critical hit chance and critical damage chance, respectively. His taunt level, which indicates the chance of being attacked by an enemy, is 100 units. The ultimate has a cost of 140 energy.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Pioneer (imaginary)

The following positive aspects can be highlighted in the gameplay of the Pioneer:

• It has a wide selection of equipment, both among cones and various sets of relics.
• It is quite simple to assemble, since it does not require the selection of many different stats.
• Rotation of the Pathfinder's skills allows you to generate action points for the entire squad.
• Is an indispensable ally for teams whose damage relies on the value of the penetration effect.
• Has accessible eidolons that can be obtained simply by completing the story and exploring the world.
• Traces and eidolons make it much easier to gain energy for your ultimate.
• Also effectively depletes enemies' fortitude bar on their own.

But, as always, you can encounter several unpleasant moments:

• It has a rather narrow focus, which is why it will simply be useless in teams that do not depend on penetration damage.
• It will not be able to replace other legendary and more universal representatives of Harmony, such as Ruan Mei and Sparkle.

< li>Has fairly low own damage.

• Extremely dependent on E4, which, although easy to obtain, still requires additional completion of the content.
• Features of the skill and additional traces increase its usefulness for breaking through vulnerabilities in boss battles. Against a crowd of small enemies, the Pathfinder will be noticeably less effective.

Abilities of the Pathfinder (imaginary)

Basic attack Swing Etiquette deals 50~130% imaginary damage to one enemy, drains 30 units his durability and replenishes 20 Pathfinder Energy.

Explanation: This skill deals fairly little damage and will be used by the hero mainly to generate action points.

When using the Interlude Gift Rain skill, the Pathfinder deals 25~62.5% damage to the selected enemy, and then the same amount to four more random targets. Each hit removes 30 points of stamina and restores 6 points of energy.

Explanation: the attacks of this skill have a bounce mechanic: the first attack is delivered to the selected enemy, and the next ones are randomly distributed among all targets on the field. Thus, as part of this skill, the Pathfinder hits opponents a total of five times. Since in this variation the GG does not collect damage, this ability will mainly be used to deplete the vulnerabilities of monsters.

With his ultimate, Noisy Parade of Lanterns, the Pathfinder imposes a special status on the entire squad, which increases the penetration effect of all allies by 15~ 37.5% percent. Also, when any party member attacks an enemy with a depleted vulnerability, the Toughness damage is changed to Super Penetration damage. This bonus lasts three turns.

Explanation: Ultimate is the most important button of the imaginary GG. This is where all of its buffering potential lies. In an ideal situation, this skill should be used every three turns to maintain the bonus to the penetration effect on an ongoing basis. It is worth noting that the buff associated with this ability depends solely on the skill level.

When any enemy on the field has a vulnerability, the Full Spectrum High Song talent restores 5~13 units of Pathfinder energy.

Explanation: An extremely important skill that will make it easier to accumulate a rather expensive ultimate costing 140 units.

When entering battle after using the Now! Solo troupe! the penetration effect of all allies will increase by 30% for two turns.

Traces of the Pathfinder (imaginary)

In the image below you can see additional traces that increase the buffer potential of the Pathfinder, and also give a bonus to imaginary damage, penetration effect and resistance to negative statuses.

Eidolons of the Pathfinder (imaginary)

The main character will have no problem unlocking all the enhancements that these shards give, since getting them possible for completing some missions of Development, as well as raising the statue of Chasik in the Golden Moment. Next, we will look at what bonuses become available to the Pathfinder after activating each eidolon.

1. Higher is the best place – the first skill used in battle restores an action point.
2. Rainbow outside the prison walls – during the first three turns after the start of the battle, the hero’s energy recovery increases by 25%.
3. The sanatorium is intact pauses – increases the level of skill and talent by 2. Their maximum level: 15.
4. Crown with white doves – for all allies except the Pathfinder, increases the penetration effect by 15% of the corresponding stat of the GG himself.
5. Poems to an old tune – increases the level of the ultimate by 2 and the basic attack by 2. Maximum level: 15 and 10, respectively.
6. Tomorrow, life under the spotlight – the total number of hits in the skill increases from five to seven.< /li>

The most important eidolon of the Pathfinder is the fourth. It passively gives allies an additional buff of the penetration effect, which is especially appreciated in those teams in which the GG plays. E2 and E6 will also be useful. They will simplify the timely recruitment of an ultimate and allow you to quickly break through imaginary vulnerabilities in enemies.

How to play as the Pioneer (imaginary)

In terms of the gameplay of the Pioneer of the Path of Harmony, it is worth highlighting the following points:

1. If you do not lack points, then be sure to use the technique before the start of the battle. With its help, you will receive a pleasant buff even before the moment when the ultimate has time to accumulate.
2. Try to use ordinary attacks more often to generate skill points. But if the squad allows it, then you can activate the skill every 1-2 turns so that the Pathfinder receives more energy, and also, if necessary, breaks through imaginary vulnerabilities.
3. In an ideal situation, the ultimate should be activated every three turns to constantly maintain the buff. If you are unable to gain enough energy recovery without damaging other stats, then you should carefully monitor the stamina bar of the boss or other elite and powerful enemy. Use an elemental burst before the moment when his vulnerability is broken. This way you can get a bonus for the most powerful blow.

Best builds for the Pathfinder (imaginary)

Best light cones

For this variation of the Pathfinder, it is necessary to select cones that correspond to the Path of Harmony. The best cards are those that provide a bonus to the penetration effect for the carrier. In the absence of such options, any other weapons available on your account will do. It is only important to ensure that their passives meet the needs of the team in which the GG plays. Next, we will look at several of the most suitable or universal options.

< td class="center">

Meshed Gears (3 stars)

Name and rarity	Characteristics	Ability
Reflection of the past me (5 stars)	HP: 48~ 1058 Attack power: 24~529 Defense: 24~529	The penetration effect is increased by 60~100%. When the bearer uses an ultimate, all damage of his allies increases by 24~40% for 3 turns. When the owner's penetration effect reaches 150%, one skill point is restored. Each new wave of enemies restores 10~20 units of energy to the hero. If you have an unclaimed copy of this cone, you can give it to the GG. It will give a noticeable increase to the penetration effect and will simplify the timely recruitment of the ultimate. In addition, the weapon itself provides a good buff to the wearer’s allies and simplifies the management of skill points.
Memories of the Past (4 stars)	HP: 43~ 953 Attack power: 19~423 Defense: 18~397	The effect of carrier penetration increases by 28~56%. On the turn when the owner attacks an enemy, he restores 4~8 units of energy once. It is a more budget-friendly variation of the previous legendary cone. Does not provide buffs directly for the team, but bonuses to the penetration effect and energy restoration will be a very tangible help for the Pathfinder.
< p> The battle is not over (5 stars)	HP: 53~1164 Attack Power: 24~529 Defense: 21~463	Increases energy recovery value by 10 ~18%. Every two activations of the ultimate restore one skill point. An ally who acts after the owner of the cone deals 30~50% more damage during one turn. Signa Armor will help the Pathfinder gain timely ultimate and allow the team to use skills more often without worrying about AP. But at the same time, you will have to very carefully balance the speed so that your main damage dealer goes strictly after the cone carrier, otherwise the damage buff will simply go nowhere.
Past and Future (4 stars)	HP: 43~953 Attack Power: 19~423 Protection: 18~397	After the user uses the skill, the damage of the following ally increases by 16~32%. The ability of this cone partially coincides with the passive of the previous legendary variant. You will also have to adjust the speed of the entire squad so that the main damage dealer follows the Pathfinder. In addition to a good bonus to damage, we can highlight the ease of obtaining copies of this weapon: it is available for purchase in the Light Cone Passage.
The Adventures of Grezaville (4 stars)	HP: 43~953 Attack power: 19~423 Defense: 18~397	For allies, the damage of abilities whose type matches the last skill (basic attack, skill or ultimate) used by the bearer of the cone is increased by 12~20%. If you decide to give this weapon to the Pathfinder, then you you will have to very clearly organize the rotation and order of using skills so that the buff is received by the necessary ability of the main damage dealer. It should look like this: GY Basic Attack → Main-DD Basic Attack; GG Skill → Main-DD Skill DD; Ultimate GG → Ultimate Main-DD. It is worth remembering that the bonus only applies to the last type of skill used by the bearer. If you manage to build your rotation correctly, you can activate a nice damage buff for the entire squad, because overlays for this weapon are sold in the Light Cone Passage.
HP: 38~847 Attack Power: 14~318 Defense: 12~265	After receiving or using an attack, the owner restores 4~8 energy once during his turn. In the absence of other options, he shows himself very worthy, as it allows you to quickly accumulate energy for the ultimate.

The best relics

For the pioneer of the Path of Harmony, cave relics are suitable, giving a bonus to the penetration effect and speed for the bearer and his team.

Name	Bonuses	Benefits
Watchmaker of Sleepy Shenanigans	2 pieces: the penetration effect increases by 16%. 4 pieces: after the wearer uses an ultimate on allies, their penetration effect increases by 30% for two turns.	The full set will give a bonus to useful stats not only for the Pathfinder himself, but also for all his allies.
Messenger wandering in the hacker space	2 parts: speed increases by 6%. 4 parts: after the bearer uses an ultimate on an ally, the speed of the entire squad increases by 12% for one turn.	Since the Pathfinder is able to activate the bonus of four parts , this set will benefit the entire squad, allowing you to move more often, thereby increasing overall damage and energy accumulation rate.
Thief of the falling meteor	2 parts: the penetration effect increases by 16 %. 4 parts: the penetration effect is increased by an additional 16%. When the wearer breaks through a vulnerability, 3 units of energy are restored.	Grants a large amount of pierce effect, which increases the size of the buff the Pathfinder can provide. May also make energy storage a little easier.
Watchmaker of Sleepy Shenanigans/Thief of the Falling Meteor Messenger wandering in the hacker space	2 parts: penetration effect increases by 16%. 2 parts: speed increases by 6%.	You can also use any 2+2 combinations from the above sets. Although they will not be as useful as one full set, the Pathfinder will still be able to get useful stats from them for himself and the team.

From the planar decorations that are farmed in the Virtual Universe, it is worth choosing those that provide either a penetration effect or energy restoration for the Pathfinder himself, or bonuses for his commands.

Name	Bonuses	Advantages
Broken Keel	2 parts: increases resistance to effects by 10%. When this stat reaches 30%, crit. the damage of all allies of the wearer increases by 10%.	Increases the survivability of the Pathfinder himself. Will also give a crit buff. damage, which will pleasantly increase the damage of most units.
Ageless Fleet	2 parts: increases HP by 12%. When the wearer's speed reaches 120, the attack power of his allies increases by 8%.	It will be useful in those squads in which the damage of the main damage dealer depends on the attack power. Will also increase the durability of the Pathfinder.
Thalia – the land of bandits	2 parts: increases the penetration effect by 16%. This stat increases by an additional 20% when the wearer's speed reaches 145.	If you can reach the required speed value, it will give a noticeable increase to the penetration effect, which will increase the buff from the Pathfinder.
Dream Land Penaconia	2 parts: Increases energy recovery by 5%. When the wearer's speed reaches 135/160, an ally whose damage type matches the owner of the set increases the damage dealt by 12/18%.	This is suitable if you place the Pathfinder in the same squad as the damage dealer, causing imaginary damage. In addition, it will allow you to accumulate ultimate faster.
Living Wonwak	2 parts: Increases energy recovery by 5%. If the wearer's speed reaches 120, his first action in battle advances by 40%.	Mainly works to activate the ultimate more often. Suitable if the above kits with suitable stats are not available.

In individual items you should look for the following stats:

• Body: HP/defense.
• Legs: speed.
• Sphere: HP/defense.
• Connecting rope: penetration effect; if from set bonuses, weapons and extras. If you get a lot of characteristics from this stat, at least up to 150%, then you can consider a rope to restore energy.
• Additional characteristics: penetration effect → speed → HP%/defense%/resistance to effects.

< /ul>

Best commands for the Pathfinder (imaginary)

The Trailblazer will be in demand in those teams where damage dealers rely on penetration damage in one way or another. First of all, this is, of course, Boothill. GG is not a replacement for Ruan Mei, despite the slight similarity in skill sets, but they work well together. You can take Gallagher as a healer to the hero’s team, whose mechanics are also related to the penetration effect. Next, we looked at several suitable units.

Main-DD	Sub-DD	Sub-DD/Support	Support
Boothill	Pioneer (imaginary)	Ruan Mei	< img class="aligncenter" src="/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pervoprohodec-mnimyj-v-honkai-star-rail-gajd-na-luchshie-bildy-f9e9308.webp" alt="Pioneer (imaginary ) in Honkai Star Rail: guide to the best builds" /> Gallagher
Xuei	Pioneer (imaginary)	Ruan Mei	Gallagher
< p> Sushan	Pioneer (imaginary)	Ruan Mei	Gallagher
< p> Luka	Pioneer (imaginary)	Ruan Mei	Gallagher
< p> Himeko	Pioneer (imaginary)	Hertha	Locha
Jingliu	Pioneer (imaginary)	Ruan Mei (Pela)	< p> Gallagher

Upgrading the Pioneer (imaginary)

How to increase abilities (what to upgrade first)

The amount of materials required to fully upgrade the basic attack and skill/ultimate/talent is indicated below.





• Heavenly note, interlude and melody can be obtained from the sepal of Harmony in the Hotel in the Dream World.
• Thief's Instinct , twisted ambitions and the conqueror's will fall from the Antimatter Legion in the Open World and Virtual Universe.
• Past Wormhole Disasters fall after fighting Starbreaker: Skarakabaz as part of the Echoes of War challenge.
• Imprints of Fate are obtained by completing tasks in temporary events, the Virtual Universe and Honor of the Nameless.

To get the missing items, you can use the synthesis machine or purchase them from the Pom-Pom store for unquenchable ash.< /p>

Among all the Pathfinder's skills, it is first of all worth improving the ultimate in order to realize the hero's full buffer potential. Don’t forget about talent, which helps you restore energy faster as you level it up. Since the skill is used primarily for breaking through vulnerabilities rather than dealing damage, there is no point in investing too many resources into it. The basic attack can be ignored.

How to level up a character

Unlike skills, the Pathfinder level can only be raised once. It will not reset when switching between Paths. To do this, you will need the following resources:

• Exaltation (level 30): credits x3200 and thief's instinct x4;
• Exaltation (level 40): credits x6400 and thief's instinct x8;
• Ascension (level 50): credits x12800, distorted ambition x5 and bottomless ectoplasm x4;
• Ascension (level 60): credits x32000, distorted ambition x8 and bottomless ectoplasm x6;
• Exaltation (level 70): credits x64000, will of the conqueror x5 and bottomless ectoplasm x8;
• Exaltation (level 80): credits x128000, will of the conqueror x7 and bottomless ectoplasm x10.

Bottomless Ectoplasm is a special item for the Pathfinder elevation. You can get it by completing some missions and increasing your Mastery level.