During the latest Honkai Star Rail livestream, HoYoverse announced an exciting update slated for HSR 3.4, featuring the reworking of some fan-favorite characters. The developers plan to revitalize Kafka, Silver Wolf, Blade, and Jingliu, acknowledging the community’s appeal to bring these once-dominant figures back into the spotlight. Although the exact details of these changes remain under wraps, the anticipation is palpable.
If all goes according to plan, players can expect to see the HSR 3.4 update roll out in early July 2025.
These four characters were game-changers when they initially appeared in 2023. Kafka, in particular, enjoyed a resurgence in 2024 with the introduction of Acheron. However, as time marched on, they gradually lost their edge, lagging behind in both damage output and team synergy. For instance, Jingliu demands substantial investment only to deliver less firepower than her peers, while Kafka lacks synergy with newer damage-over-time allies. Meanwhile, Mydei’s arrival didn’t quite shake things up as it mirrored Blade’s skillset too closely.
In gacha games like Honkai Star Rail, “powercreep” is a common concern. Yet, in HoYoverse’s previous titles, such as Genshin Impact, early high-tier characters continue to hold their ground, effortlessly supporting players through complex endgame scenarios. Zenless Zone Zero, another HoYoverse creation, allows players to face fearsome foes with the initial trio of free characters, demonstrating a commitment to character longevity.
However, similarly comprehensive revamps don’t seem to be in the cards for other characters. Names like Bailu, Yanqing, Natasha, Hook, and Welt find themselves increasingly sidelined, with no signs of a comeback on the horizon.
On another note, once version 3.2 goes live, players can look forward to claiming one of two complimentary 5-star characters: Ruan Mei or Luocha. This offers a fresh opportunity to enhance your roster with some top-tier talent.
