Paths Guide - Class System Breakdown

Paths are the unique class system in Honkai: Star Rail. See each path explained in a breakdown on what they do here.

What Are Paths in Honkai: Star Rail?

Character and Weapon Class System

In Honkai: Star Rail, characters are assigned Paths that determine their role. It is essentially their class or job, and there are seven Paths in total.

Light Cones can be considered the weapons and are also assigned Paths. Characters can only wield Light Cones with the same path as them.

All Paths Explained

Path Breakdown

Path	Summary
Destruction	・Bruisers who can deal damage and withstand punishment. ・DPS characters who offer both single-target and AoE damage. ・Usable across all Endgame content.
The Hunt	・Boss killers specializing in single target damage. ・Effective on game modes with Bosses such as Memory of Chaos and Apocalyptic Shadow.
Erudition	・DPS characters that specialize in AoE DMG. ・Effective in dealing with swarms of enemies like in content such as Pure Fiction.
Harmony	・Support characters that provide buffs to allies. ・They improve the combat capabilities of the party.
Nihility	・Mostly support characters that inflict debuffs to enemies. ・Some of them can inflict DoTs (Damage over Time) onto an enemy. ・They reduce the effectiveness of enemies in combat.
Preservation	・Tanks with powerful defensive abilities to protect allies. ・They can mitigate incoming damage or redirect DMG to themselves.
Abundance	・Healers who focus on HP restoration. ・Some can remove enemy debuffs that affect a character.
Remembrance	To be announced!

Destruction Path Explained

Characters on the Path of Destruction are bruisers who are able to dish out damage while having decent survivability. These characters may need to consume their own HP or use a lot of Skill Points to deal a lot of damage.

They can dish out both single-target and AoE DMG (usually up to three enemies), making them mostly effective in any Endgame mode.

Destruction Guides
Destruction Characters	Destruction Light Cones

Return to Path Breakdown

The Hunt Path Explained

Those who walk the Path of The Hunt specialize in dealing massive burst DMG to a single target. They are best used to eliminate a single target quickly.

They are effective in content with Bosses such as Memory of Chaos and Apocalyptic Shadow.

The Hunt Guides
The Hunt Characters	The Hunt Light Cones

Return to Path Breakdown

Erudition Path Explained

Characters who tread the Path of Erudition are capable of dealing high amounts of AoE DMG to all enemies.

They can take out hordes of enemies and are especially useful in the Pure Fiction game mode.

The Erudition Guides
Erudition Characters	Erudition Light Cones

Return to Path Breakdown

Harmony Path Explained

Characters who follow the Path of Harmony are support characters who empower allies. They grant buffs to allies allowing them to become stronger and more effective in battle.

Their temporary buffs could potentially spell the difference between victory and defeat in combat.

The Harmony Guides
Harmony Characters	Harmony Light Cones

Return to Path Breakdown

Nihility Path Explained

Characters who follow the Path of Nihility are characters who debilitate enemies with debuffs. They inflict negative status effects on enemies to cripple them and give their allies a big advantage in combat.

These debuffs can either weaken an enemy's stats or provide extra damage during an enemy's turn through DoTs.

Nihility Guides
Nihility Characters	Nihility Light Cones

Return to Path Breakdown

Preservation Path Explained

Path of Preservation characters wield defensive abilities like shields, taunts, and damage mitigation.

They excel in protecting allies by preventing or redirecting DMG. They are valuable characters who help the party survive challenging encounters.

Preservation Guides
Preservation Characters	Preservation Light Cones

Return to Path Breakdown

Abundance Path Explained

Characters who follow the Path of Abundance utilize healing skills to keep their allies healthy. Some units can also cleanse debuffs or provide small buffs to the party.

The Abundance Guides
Abundance Characters	Abundance Light Cones

Return to Path Breakdown

Remembrance Path Explained

We have yet to determine what the Remembrance Path provides to the party. We will update this as soon as more information has been announced!

Remembrance Guides
Remembrance Characters	Remembrance Light Cones

Return to Path Breakdown

Honkai: Star Rail Related Guides

All Tips & Tricks

All Tips and Tricks Guides

Game Mechanics Tips and Tricks
All Paths Explained	Trailblaze Power Guide
Forgotten Hall	How to Farm Stellar Jades
Pity System Explained	All Achievements Guide
Simulated Universe Guide	Reroll Guide - Is It Worth It?
Livestream Codes	Battle System Guide
Daily Check-In Guide	How to Save Skill Points
How to Increase Your Trailblaze Level	Daily Task List
How to Return to Herta Space Station	How to Open Mailbox
How to Level Up Characters	All Chest Locations
How to Increase Equilibrium Level	How to Do Follow-Up Attacks
All Memory Bubble Locations	Best Ways to Spend Currencies
World Shops Guide	All Techniques and How to Use
How to Use Photo Mode	Operation Briefing Guide
Easter Eggs and References	Omni-Synthesizer Guide
Team Building Guide	List of All Curios
How to Get Shadow of Destruction	How to Get Shadow of Preservation
List of All Paths	Recommended Assignments
How to Retreat	How to Revive Characters
How to Purchase From the Store	List of Elements and Effects
How to Unlock Daily Training	How to Get Eidolons
How to Fast Travel	Crimson and Golden Calyx Locations and Rewards
Healing and How to Recover HP	How to Level Up Traces
How to Switch Characters	How to Gain Energy for Ultimates
List of All Aeons	Break Effect Guide
Enemy Tracking Guide	List of All Shops and Locations
All Simulated Universe Events	Reserved Trailblaze Power
Speed Breakpoints Guide	How to Get Free Yukong
How to Get Free Lynx	Clockie's Offering Rewards
Penacony Car Dealer Location	How to Invite Characters for a Group Photo in Penacony
How to Get Shadow of Harmony	How to Get Harmony Trailblazer Eidolons
How to Negotiate and Win Against Skott	How to Win Feixiao Debate
FAQ
Is There Multiplayer or Co-Op?	Can You Customize Your Character?
Is There Cross-Platform Play?	How to Fix Connection Errors
Will There Be a Switch Version?	Can You Change Gender?
How to Get Birthday Rewards	What are Eidolons?
Can You Skip Cutscenes?	Controller Support Guide
Should You Buy the Express Supply Pass?	Daily Reset Time
How to Use Windowed or Full Screen Mode	How to Change Main Character's Name
Best Warp (Gacha) Banners to Pull On	How to Add Friends
Permanent Game Features	Best Settings for PC
How to Download on All Platforms	Battle Pass Guide
Starter Guide	How to Get the Fire Trailblazer
How to Fix the Stuck on Train Loading Screen Bug	Is Honkai: Star Rail Open World?
How to Use the Chat Function
Puzzles
How Many Trash Cans Are in Belobog?	Rock, Paper, Scissors Guide
Real Treasure Map Guide	Fool's Box Solutions
Magflow Link Solutions	Mine Cart Test Guide
Unearthly Marvel Solutions	Hexanexus Solutions
Navigation Compass Guide	Triple Authentication Door Guide
Luminflux Pyxis Solutions	Mutare Magnus Solutions
Origami Crane Locations	Abacus Circuitry Locations
Phonograph Record Locations	Obsequies Performed, A Long Road Ahead Character Locations
Origami Bird Locations in Penacony	Clockwork Quests and Gear Locations
Lordly Trashcan Locations and Answers	Dreamscape Pass Stickers
Dream Jigsaw Solutions	Dream Ticker Solutions