With the delay in Genshin Impact’s Version 4.2 livestream, tonight proved to be a double-whammy from the development team at HoYoverse, revealing information on upcoming updates for two of their major properties. Starting off tonight however was the already planned livestream for Honkai: Star Rail Version 1.5, also going by the title Honkai: Star Rail: The Crepuscule Zone. Due to go live on 15 November 2023, players will be taken back to the streets of Xianzhou Loufu, with this update providing access to the new Fyxestroll Garden area of the map, new missions with “paranormal cases” and a range of new characters to potentially recruit should lady luck be on your side.
After solving different kinds of intergalactic conflicts, the Trailblazers will set foot in an uncharted and spooky area for the very first time. A while back, the Creation Furnace Artisanship Commission was shattered, and the heliobi trapped inside were able to escape and find refuge in the Fyxestroll Garden. Heliobi are created from accumulated grievances and can inhabit individuals, manipulate their senses, and control their souls and even their bodies. The Fyxestroll Garden is already filled with yin energy and is littered with ancient suppression towers, stone monoliths, and gnarled trees, which contributes to its creepy atmosphere. Since the arrival of the heliobi, it has become one of the most dangerous places in the Xianzhou Luofu.
To solve the crisis caused by heliobi, Trailblazers will assemble a ghost-hunting squad and embark on the quest to unravel these mysteries. During this exciting experience, Trailblazers might get a helping hand from one of the Xianzhou’s most formidable forces: The Ten-Lords Commission, the authorities of the supernatural, guardians against evil forces, and the arbiters of life and death.
Characters from the Ten-Lords Commission are willing to weigh in and support Trailblazer’s journey. Huohuo, for example, a trainee judge from the Ten-Lords Commission, will join the playable cast as a five-star Wind-Type character who follows the Path of Abundance. Growing up, Huohuo was a timid Foxian girl who, during her childhood, faced an unusual ordeal when she was possessed by a heliobus. In order to save her life, the Ten-Lords Commission had to contain the heliobus within Huohuo’s tail. Afterwards, she developed an unusual affinity towards malevolent things. Recognizing her ability to pacify this monstrous being, the Ten-Lords Commission graciously welcomed Huohuo into their ranks. During battles, Huohuo’s Skill allows her to bravely wield her banner and restore hit points to a single ally and adjacent teammates. Her Ultimate is also helpful as it can rejuvenate her allies’ Energy and bolster their attack.
Also on the five-star front, players will be able to recruit Argenti, a noble and admirable member of the Knights of Beauty. Argenti is a five-star Physical-Type character following the Path of Erudition and a devoted admirer of Idrila the Beauty. Treating and helping others with courtesy, and offering sincere praise to all is Argenti’s code. Elegance is Argenti’s middle name and even manifests itself in his combat. Argenti’s Ultimate ability is genuinely distinctive, as it triggers different effects based on the amount of Energy consumed. When expending a small amount of Energy, Argenti’s Ultimate damages all enemies. However, when consuming all his Energy, Argenti’s Ultimate inflicts even more significant damage multiple times and includes additional harm to a randomly selected target.
If luck is not so much on your side but you are happy with new characters joining your ranks, the new four-star character, Hanya, a judge at the Ten-Lords Commission, will also be available to recruit. Hanya is a Physical-Type character following the Path of Harmony, and she specializes in reading the karmic sins of the criminals and employs her Oracle Brush to determine their sins. Aside from dealing physical damage to a single target during battles, Hanya’s Skill can also afflict the target with a Burden state. When an ally executes a set amount of attacks on an enemy marked with Burden, they will not only deal increased damage to that enemy but also regain a Skill Point.
Trailblazers can also look forward to various events throughout Version 1.5’s lifecycle, such as helping March 7th restore her cherished photographs to their original conditions. Furthermore, the game will introduce a Guest Book feature update, allowing Trailblazers to check on the visiting history of their friends to the Astral Express. Lastly, the Genius Society’s latest update, “Simulated Universe: World 8,” is also set to launch soon for those who crave more challenges… and rewards.
Developed by HoYoverse, Honkai: Star Rail is now available for the PC, PlayStation 5, iOS and Android platforms.
