HoYoverse has revealed an exciting update for Honkai Star Rail with the announcement of character reworks set to breathe new life into once-iconic figures. During a recent livestream, the gaming giant disclosed that in version 3.4, slated for an early July 2025 release, players can expect revamped versions of characters like Kafka, Silver Wolf, Blade, and Jingliu. These changes come in response to fans’ pleas for these characters to regain their past glory. However, specifics on the reworks are still under wraps.
Back in their heyday in 2023, these four were among the top contenders in Honkai Star Rail. Kafka, for instance, regained some prominence in 2024 with the introduction of Acheron. But as time passed, their effectiveness waned. Jingliu, despite needing considerable resources, has struggled to match the damage output of her peers. Kafka has gone months without new damage-over-time allies, and Mydei’s recent entry is seen by many as merely an upgraded version of Blade.
The concept of “powercreep,” where older characters lose their sheen, isn’t uncommon in gacha games like Honkai Star Rail. Yet, HoYoverse usually maintains better longevity for their characters, as seen in Genshin Impact. Some of its early stars still hold top spots on tier lists and handle late-game challenges smoothly. Similarly, in Zenless Zone Zero, players can still conquer bosses using their initial trio of free characters. These games have evolved, but they haven’t discarded their early heroes.
Nonetheless, it appears HoYoverse might not extend similar updates to other characters soon. Veterans like Bailu, Yanqing, Natasha, Hook, and Welt seem to be trailing behind, with no signs of catching up anytime soon.
On a brighter note for fans of classic characters, with version 3.2 rolling out, players can choose between getting one of two free 5-star heroes: Ruan Mei or Luocha. It’s a sweet treat for those nostalgic for older game figures.
