HoYoverse has announced that Honkai: Star Rail will receive its Version 2.1 update, titled “Into the Yawning Chasm”, on 27 March 2024. Continuing the Penacony narrative which commenced with the launch of Version 2.0 earlier in the year, players can look forward to new maps and companions, while further exploring the mysteries of Penacony and the hidden secrets it holds.
In Penacony, everyone harbors their clandestine agendas. With the growing unforeseen occurrences, guests with various motives are also beginning to take their moves, starting a fierce struggle for dominance on this table of collapsing cards, and Trailblazers need to navigate through this complex condition to uncover the truth beneath. Moreover, the Fate’s Ensemble will be introduced to aid players in grasping the storyline of Penacony. With this feature, players can venture alongside the Express Crew while also shifting to the viewpoints of other characters, thereby acquiring a deeper insight into the motivations and clandestine affairs of various factions.
These stories will unfold in the Clock Studios Theme Park and Dewlight Pavilion. Clock Studios Theme Park resides in the Golden Hour and offers incomparable joy and excitement to all guests visiting the Dreamscape. Here, guests will be able to behold Penacony’s unique cinematic culture and will have a chance to partake in the filmmaking process by skillfully evading enemy attacks and obstacles. Standing in stark contrast to the other bustling Dreamscapes in Penacony, Dewlight Pavilion resides in the Moment of Morning Dew, a tranquil and mysterious Dreamscape. As the domain of the Oak Family, Dewlight Pavilion belongs to Mr. Sunday and is where the lineages gather to discuss important matters. It is noteworthy to mention that ordinary guests will never know of its existence, let alone discover the route to reach where it resides.
Following the previous storyline, the mysterious drifter, Acheron, left an indelible mark on Trailblazers with her charisma. The identity of this self-proclaimed Galaxy Ranger is known only to a few, and she always bears a long blade while walking the vast cosmos alone. Despite her reserved and reticent demeanor, her swordsmanship speaks volumes, swift as bolts of flowing violet lightning. She will now be able to join your party as of Version 2.1, should lady luck shine upon you. In combat, Acheron accumulates Slashed Dream charges every time she unleashes her Skill. At the same time, when any ally uses an ability to inflict a debuff on an enemy, the Slashed Dream charges will also gain corresponding increases. When Slashed Dream recharges a designated amount of charges, Acheron can activate her Ultimate and deliver 4 hits against her enemies, with 3 of those hits targeting single targets and 1 hit damaging all of them. Additionally, when Acheron uses her Technique, she will instantly attack her enemies and eliminate them without entering battle if they are normal foes. This will make exploring the map and adventuring across worlds much easier.
Additionally, Aventurine will also be available to join the party as a 5-star character. Renowned as a senior executive of the IPC Strategic Investment Department, he also holds a prominent position among the Ten Stonehearts, with his Cornerstone being the “aventurine of stratagems.” Aventurine loves high-risk challenges and views life as a game without limits. When he games against destiny, he always does it with skill and ease. Despite Aventurine’s spirit for adventure and unfading smile, his true beliefs lay buried and masked deep within. In combat, Aventurine’s unique Skill allows him to grant allies a stackable shield. Allies with this Shield will accumulate Blind Bet charges for Aventurine upon being attacked. When Blind Bet reaches a certain count, Aventurine will unleash a follow-up attack and re-stack this Shield on allies anew while performing the follow-up attack. Aventurine’s Ultimate not only allows him to obtain a certain amount of Blind Bet and deal damage to a single designated enemy target but also inflicts a special debuff on enemies. Allies’ CRIT DMG increases when they attack enemies afflicted with this debuff.
Concurrently, the 4-star character, Gallagher, will also join Trailblazers’s party. This Penaconian native is publicly a security officer for the Bloodhound Family and a drinksmith in private. Gallagher dresses as he wishes and doesn’t waste time on trifling matters. His free and easy attitude also carries over to his drink mixing. Though he is polite to all customers and guests, he always bears a sense of vigilance and seems to hold countless unheard secrets. During combat, Gallagher is also a reliable companion, for when he uses his Ultimate, he not only deals damage to all enemies but also inflicts special debuffs, allowing allies to restore health when they attack enemies inflicted with said debuff and improve combat endurance.
Meanwhile, the 5-star characters Luocha and Jingliu will appear in the first- and second-phase banners for Version 2.1, and these two old friends from the Xianzhou will continue to be of invaluable assistance during the Trailblazers’ journey across Penacony.
Should Trailblazers wish to have a moment of respite from their adventures, they can also experience the fun of mixing drinks in the “Vignettes in a Cup” event. Keep in mind that the clientele this lounge services is far out of the ordinary, as this establishment is made specifically for the Dreamscapes monsters. Here, Trailblazers will have a chance to create fantastic Dreamjolt Specials or chat with the monsters and learn their backstories. Aside from this, the 9th and newest world in the Simulated Universe will also be available.
The release coincides with Honkai: Star Rail’s approaching one-year anniversary, for which a series of celebratory events have been planned. Players can expect rewards including up to 20 Star Rail Special Passes, 1,600 Stellar Jades, and other exclusive items upon logging in after the update.
Honkai: Star Rail is now available on PC, iOS, Android and PlayStation 5 platforms, with this newest update, Honkai: Star Rail Version 2.1: Into the Yawning Chasm set to go live on 27 March 2024.
