Alright, so today there was this big livestream for Honkai: Star Rail version 3.4. It happened just like they said it would. People are always buzzing about the new characters in these updates, so yeah, that’s what everyone was psyched for. And yep, they showed off the newcomers arriving in this free-to-play RPG adventure.
Oh, and the big bombshell? A Fate/stay night crossover event is coming soon. I mean, who saw that coming, right? It got announced way back in August last year when Fate/stay night finally got its English version. Took them long enough. Anyway, it’s been brewing for a while, and now, nearly a year later, it’s almost here.
So, about the new characters — Version 3.4’s gonna roll out some fan favorites from the Fate series like Saber. She’s a 5-Star Wind/Destruction type and, you guessed it, she’s getting her own marquee banner. Also, Archer is showing up as a 5-Star Quantum/Hunt character and anyone who logs in during the event can snag him for free. This isn’t your usual quick cameo. These guys are sticking around from Version 3.4 till the end of Version 3.6, probably sometime in November.
Plus, there’s Phainon. You know, that major NPC who showed up in Version 3.0? Finally, he’s joining the fray as a playable character. He’s been hanging around long enough, giving major Chrysos Heirs energy, and now he comes in with a Physical/Destruction kit. And because the Fate collab folks are doing their own thing, all three newbies are dropping in Phase 1.
That’s not all. They’re bringing back six banners — yes, six. Phase 1 sees the reappearance of Tribbie, Sunday, and Sparkle for a bit, and then Firefly, Jingliu, and Blade pop back up in Phase 2. So the latter part of this update won’t have fresh faces, but with all this going on, complaining would be kinda, well, pointless.
Now, Stellaron Hunters fans, you’re in for a treat. Version 3.4 is shaking up the battle mechanics and Eidolon effects for Kafka, Silver Wolf, and Blade. Firefly even gets a new look. And Jingliu? She’s getting a kit upgrade too. Might she join the morally complex team of Elio’s mercenaries? I dunno, sounds kinda cool.
The whole 3.4 version goes live July 2nd, with the second banner phase switching on July 23rd. Feel free to catch the entire thing in the livestream VOD if that’s your jam.
And a quick throwback to May when version 3.3 came in hot with Hyacine. The Herta made a comeback then, along with Phase 2 introducing Cipher and other fan faves. Oh, and there was this whole English voice actor switch-up for the main characters, Stelle and Caelus. That tied into some SAG-AFTRA solidarity action. They suspended the strike with a tentative deal, but actors for characters like Dan Heng and Himeko? Their status is still kinda foggy.