New Adventures Await on the Xianzhou Luofu When Honkai: Star Rail Version 2.4 Arrives

Join Yunli, Jiaoqiu, and March 7th in the Thrilling Wardance Ceremony on July 31

HoYoverse has announced that Honkai: Star Rail's new Version 2.4 update "Finest Duel Under the Pristine Blue" will arrive on July 31. As the Penaconian holiday concludes, the Astral Express crew ventures to the well-known Xianzhou Luofu. They anticipate reuniting with familiar faces and greeting new ones during the Wardance ceremony. The latest update introduces two new five-star characters, Yunli and Jiaoqiu, and unveils an unexplored map teeming with the silkpunk flagship's hidden lore. Moreover, the cherished character March 7th commences her martial arts odyssey. In a thrilling revelation, the special program announces a global engagement: Honkai: Star Rail will officially partner with the Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] anime, with the collaboration set to launch in Q3 2025.

The latest update unveils the enthralling Wardance ceremony narrative. Although the Ambrosial Arbor crisis is resolved, the Trailblazers continue as key witnesses to the unfolding Xianzhou Luofu epic. The festival honors the Reighbow Arbiter and Cloud Knight's triumph over the Abominations of Abundance. This year's Wardance, extending an olive branch of peace and hospitality, seeks to raise the morale of Luofu's inhabitants following the recent turmoil. Trailblazers will reconnect with Yanqing and encounter notable figures like General Feixiao, the Merlin's Claw of Xianzhou Yaoqing, and General Huaiyan, the Flaming Heart of Xianzhou Zhuming.

Additionally, version 2.4 introduces the Shackling Prison map. Managed by the Ten-Lords Commission, this daunting prison is the workplace of Xueyi and Hanya. Housing the realm's most infamous offenders, its chilling entrance is concealed under Scalegorge Waterscape's surface, shrouded in secrecy. Trailblazers entering through the Sea-Stilling Gate reach the central dispatch hub. Beneath this hub, the prison extends into the abyss, its depths a mystery. The Shackling Prison also harbors the ferocious Borisin wolves, infamous for their brutal disposition and Moon Rage affliction.

In addition to the new map for players to explore, 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.

Meanwhile, 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.

It's worth noting that the limited 5-star characters — Huohuo and Sparkle — will make their appearances in the Warps during the first and second halves of Version 2.4, respectively. Their formidable strength ensures they will remain powerful allies in your future adventures. Finally, please stay tuned for the upcoming Honkai: Star Rail x Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] animation collaboration.

Honkai: Star Rail is now available on PC, iOS, Android, Epic Games Store, and PS5. In 2023, the game won Apple's App Store Game of the Year, Google Play's Best Game, and BEST MOBILE GAME by The Game Awards. The game has been rated Teen by the ESRB and is also classified as PEGI 12.