Version 4.3 The Lethe Below the Living has been live for well over two weeks. Many players have already obtained Mortenax Blade and Yao Guang, the featured characters of the first-half Character Event Warps. On June 24, the second half's dual rerun banners will officially go live and run through July 14, bringing back two familiar faces — Cyrene and Phainon, a pair that leaves many veteran players torn between excitement and hesitation.

Alongside the banner refresh, the simulation management event Wispae Amusement Park will also launch on June 24. In this event, players build a dedicated amusement park for the Wispae inhabiting the painted world, with 500 Stellar Jade included in the event rewards.

Starting with Phainon. As a Physical main DPS on the Path of Destruction, his kit is built around sustained burst damage through his transformation mechanic. Once he casts his Ultimate to enter his enhanced form, the damage from his Enhanced Skills is incredibly potent.

While new main DPS characters have debuted since the 4.0 update, pushing Phainon past his peak in overall strength, he is still fully capable of clearing Memory of Chaos with proper investment. I used Phainon nonstop during my own early-game progression, and my biggest takeaway is that he is a completely self-sufficient unit: he works across a wide range of scenarios and functions well without heavy team support. For new players without a solid Physical main DPS or those working with limited resources, Phainon at E0S0 (zero Eidolons, no signature Light Cone) is the most cost-effective choice available. As a main DPS, he retains his value long-term and can put out respectable damage without relying on specific teammates. That said, to maximize his damage ceiling, pairing him with Cerydra is still the way to go. When it comes to Eidolons, unlocking E2 grants him additional extra-turn mechanics, letting him stay viable across more patch metas.

Moving on to Cyrene. She is a dedicated damage support made for Remembrance-based teams, providing the entire party with substantial Vulnerability effects and Remembrance DMG bonuses. Cyrene has a very clear niche: she is an exclusive support for the Chrysos Heirs, focused on True Damage empowerment and party-wide energy regeneration, and is designed to pair only with Chrysos Heirs characters like Castorice and Phainon.

There’s one very practical catch: Cyrene has extremely limited general utility. If the Chrysos Heirs archetype ever falls out of the meta, she will become obsolete right along with it. On the flip side, if you’re already running a Chrysos Heirs comp (built around Castorice or Phainon), Cyrene is a non-negotiable, must-pull piece. From my personal play experience, Cyrene delivers a game-changing boost to Chrysos Heirs lineups — her True Damage buff and party-wide energy recharge make the entire combat rotation run far more smoothly.

This dual rerun banner lineup for the second half of the version does put noticeable pressure on players’ resources. If you do plan to pull on these banners, COCODP can help you cut down your costs significantly. It offers fast, convenient top-ups with steady, reliable delivery — feel free to check it out if you’re interested.

All in all, the second half of Version 4.3 is a patch that truly puts your resource planning to the test. Phainon is a great fit for new players lacking a solid Physical main DPS or veterans looking to unlock his E2, while Cyrene caters more to players deeply invested in the Chrysos Heirs archetype. Pull from the banners rationally based on your roster and Stellar Jade reserves, and don’t let rerun nostalgia cloud your judgment. In my opinion, if you run the Chrysos Heirs comp and are missing its dedicated damage support, go for Cyrene; if you need a strong Physical main DPS, go for Phainon. If you’re on a tight budget but still want to get your hands on your desired characters, COCODP is a worthwhile option.

Best of luck to all Trailblazers — may your ten-pulls land double 5-stars. See you all for the Version 4.4 Fate crossover!