Marking the end of July with a new update for their sci-fi tactical RPG Honkai: Star Rail, HoYoverse has shared information on Version 2.4, Honkai: Star Rail Version 2.4 – Finest Duel Under the Pristine Blue, scheduled for release on 31 July 2024. With the Penaconian arc having drawn to a close, the Astral Express returns to Xianzhou Luofu – where they reunite with old friends and meet new ones at the Wardance ceremony. As is the case with virtually all updates, players can also look forward to new characters and character banners, in-game events and more.
In the new version update, the story of the Wardance ceremony will unfold. While the Ambrosial Arbor crisis has been resolved, the Trailblazers remain crucial witnesses to Xianzhou Luofu’s ongoing saga. The Wardance festival commemorates the Reighbow Arbiter and the Cloud Knight’s victory against the Abominations of Abundance. This year’s Wardance aims to uplift the spirits of Luofu residents after the recent crisis and arrives as an invitation to allies and friends in a gesture of peace and hospitality. Trailblazers will reunite with familiar faces such as Yanqing and meet significant figures such as the Merlin’s Claw — General Feixiao of Xianzhou Yaoqing — and the Flaming Heart — General Huaiyan of Xianzhou Zhuming.
While this update’s narrative is centered around a ceremony, its new map doesn’t sound so festive. The new map is The Shackling Prison. Overseen by the Ten-Lords Commission, this formidable facility is where Xueyi and Hanya perform their duties. The Shackling Prison detains the realm’s most notorious criminals, and its cold, imposing entrance lies hidden beneath the waters of Scalegorge Waterscape, adding an extra layer of mystery. As Trailblazers pass through the Sea-Stilling Gate, they arrive at the dispatch hub. Below the hub, the prison floors descend into darkness, their true depth unknown. Moreover, The Shackling Prison is inhabited by wolflike monsters called Borisin, notorious for their ruthless nature and innate Moon Rage.
Yunli, a five-star character, will debut in the upcoming version by participating in the Wardance ceremony as a delegate from Xianzhou Zhuming. Yunli is a straightforward sword hunter and the beloved granddaughter of “Flaming Heart” General Huaiyan. She has practiced swordsmanship and forging under Huaiyan’s profound guidance since childhood, making her the second-youngest prodigy swordmaster of the Flamewheel Octet. As a Physical-Type character following the Path of Destruction, Yunli sets herself apart in combat with her unique Counter ability. When attacked, she immediately Counters, dealing damage to the target and adjacent enemies. More, after using her Ultimate, Yunli acquires the Parry state, reducing damage taken and Taunting all enemies. Most importantly, under this state, Yunli’s CRIT DMG will be drastically increased, and her ordinary Counter is upgraded to a Powerful Counter, dealing higher damage. Additionally, in the Version 2.4 storyline, a dispute emerges between Yanqing and Yunli over their prowess in swordsmanship, causing them both to end up instructing March 7th in swordplay together.
Alongside Yunli arrives Jiaoqiu, representing the Xianzhou Yaoqing delegates. Born into a distinguished Alchemy Commission family, Jiaoqiu is a foxian healer and counselor. Though he often greets others with a warm smile, beneath this facade lies a cunning nature. Jiaoqiu’s mastery of alchemical prescriptions, particularly those that view food as medicine, is unparalleled. His true skill exists in discovering meals that inspire the senses and bring about unique recipes rich with spices. As a Fire-Type character on the Path of Nihility, Jiaoqiu’s abilities are unique and formidable. Any attack Jiaoqiu lands has a possibility to inflict Ashen Roast debuff. When the enemy is inflicted with Ashen Roast, they effectively suffer from the Burn state. As Ashen Roast stacks grow, the amount of damage enemies suffer will also increase. When Jiaoqiu activates his Ultimate, the battlefield transforms into an enormous yuanyang hot pot, compounding the effects of Ashen Roast for enemies already afflicted, in line with the current highest number of stacks. This also creates a field lasting for several turns, where enemies sustain increased Ultimate DMG and may receive additional stacks of Ashen Roast during their actions. This debuff helps teammates like Acheron acquire Ultimate charges faster, enhancing their combat effectiveness.
The first half-update banner will feature Yunli and the re-run of Huohuo, while the latter half-update banner will feature Jiaoqiu and a re-run of Sparkle.
March 7th is also due to receive some attention. Upon returning to Xianzhou Luofu, March 7th is also filled with excitement for the upcoming Wardance and eagerly seeks to participate, beginning her journey as a swordmaster apprentice under Yunli and Yanqing. During combat, when using her Skill, March 7th designates a teammate as her Shifu and gives them a special beverage to increase their SPD. As a promising young student, March 7th adjusts her style according to her Shifu’s actions. When her Shifu takes a specific action, March 7th acquires Charges. When Charges reach a set number of stacks, she immediately takes action again and obtains an Enhanced Basic ATK. Additionally, depending on her Shifu’s Path, her attacks gain additional effects. For example, Shifus on the Paths of Destruction, Erudition, or The Hunt can enhance specific attacks to deal Additional DMG, while those on the Paths of Nihility, Harmony, Preservation, or Abundance can increase the Toughness Reduction of specific attacks.
