In an exciting twist for fans of Honkai Star Rail, HoYoverse has unveiled plans to revitalize some of its beloved yet aging characters in the upcoming HSR 3.4 update. During the RPG’s recent livestream, it was revealed that Kafka, Silver Wolf, Blade, and Jingliu are all set to receive significant reworks, aimed at bringing these fan-favorites back into the limelight. While the specifics of these changes are still under wraps, the announcement has certainly piqued player interest.
If all goes according to plan, you can expect the much-anticipated update, HSR 3.4, to roll out in early July 2025.
Back in their heyday across 2023, these characters stood out as top-tier options in Honkai Star Rail, renowned for their power and team synergy. Kafka, for instance, gained traction again in 2024 with the advent of Acheron. However, fast forward to now, and they’ve been somewhat overshadowed. For example, Jingliu demands significant investment and still doesn’t match the damage output of others in her category. Meanwhile, Kafka has been left without new damage-over-time characters to pair with for several months, and latest character Mydei seems like nothing more than a Blade repeat.
It’s not uncommon in the world of gacha games like Honkai Star Rail for older characters to experience what’s known as “powercreep,” becoming less relevant as new characters emerge. Interestingly, this trend is less pronounced in HoYoverse’s other titles. Take Genshin Impact, for example, where early powerhouses are still highly viable and frequently seen leading players through difficult challenges. In Zenless Zone Zero, the starting trio of characters can still hold their own against formidable foes, showcasing how these games maintain a balance that keeps their characters from fading away.
For now, it doesn’t appear that HoYoverse has plans to extend similar updates to other veteran characters in Honkai Star Rail. Despite their past glory, figures like Bailu, Yanqing, Natasha, Hook, and Welt have been somewhat left behind, with no signs of imminent updates.
On a brighter note, an enticing opportunity awaits players when version 3.2 is released—get ready to choose one of two free 5-star characters: Ruan Mei or Luocha. It’s a chance to expand your roster with some fresh talent and strategize for upcoming battles.
