During the Honkai: Star Rail Special Program broadcast this morning, HoYoverse has officially announced the next Version update for their space-faring RPG. Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.2, titled “Through the Petals in the Land of Repose” will launch on April 9, 2025.
This update will mark the second anniversary of Honkai: Star Rail, and as such, players will obtain a plethora of rewards through a login bonus. Two new characters will also join the cast, and the Trailblazer’s journey continues even further with new quests being added.
Honkai Star Rail Version 3.2 – New Playable Characters
Two new playable characters, Castorice and Anaxa, will be added to the cast. Castorice is a 5-star Quantum character who follows the Path of Remembrance. In combat, she wields the Netherwing, a spectral entity born from eons of memories and divine authority. While active, the Netherwing syncs up with Castorice to deliver devastating joint attacks. When allies lose HP, it is converted into HP for Netherwing, further amplifying this unit and Castorice’s DMG. Furthermore, when in dire straits, it shields the party by taunting foes, only to erupt in a sacrificial blaze upon leaving the field, dealing additional damage while healing allies.
Furthermore, Castorice introduces a new survival mechanic that is a first for Honkai: Star Rail. When any ally suffers a killing blow in combat, they do not fall immediately, but are instead temporarily sustained in a near-death state. During this window, fulfilling specific conditions allows the character to recover and rejoin the battle. This event remains active even when Castorice is not on the team.
The second character is Anaxa, a member of the Seven Sages of the Grove of Epiphany and founder of the Nousporism. He is a 5-star Wind character who follows the path of Erudition. In combat, Anaxa’s attacks randomly apply Weaknesses to enemies. As these stacks reach a requisite amount on an enemy, he can trigger Qualitative Disclosure, a unique state that increases his damage and allows him to unleash a follow-up Skill Attack without consuming Skill Points. His Ultimate ability inflicts Sublimation on all enemies, instantly applying 7 Weaknesses to them.
Castorice will be available in the first half of banners in Version 3.2, alongside a special reprint banner featuring Fugue, Jiaoqiu, and Acheron. Anaxa will debut in the second half of the update, alongside a rerun banner for Dr. Ratio.
Honkai Star Rail Adds New Trailblaze Story
With the disappearance of the Death Titan Thanatos and the unexpected fall of Oronyx, the Trailblazers will journey alongside the Chrysos Heir Castorice to the forgotten city-state of Styxia—a ruined place submerged in the Sea of Souls, strewn with colossal dragon bones and haunted by wandering spirits. Guided by an ancient lantern, players will gradually unravel the ancient truth behind the Titans and the draconic calamity through fragmented tales told by spectral residents.
Beyond external dangers, the heroes face internal strife as well. Okhema’s Council of Elders aims to halt the Flame-Chase Journey through a council vote, while the unliving scholar Anaxa, sustained by the Coreflame of Cerces, complicates matters further. His secret dealings with the Council of Elders hint at a shadowy alliance. As the mysteries of Styxia intertwine with Okhema’s political machinations, the Trailblazer’s journey grows ever more treacherous, with their expedition and the Flame-Chase Journey facing even more challenges.
Honkai Star Rail Celebrates the 2nd Anniversary
In addition to the new characters, Honkai: Star Rail will be celebrating its 2nd anniversary. To celebrate this, the Festive Gifts anniversary-exclusive event will debut, allowing players to claim 20 free pulls via daily check-ins. On April 26, the anniversary date, Trailblazers will receive a commemorative in-game card from a companion and 1,600 Stellar Jades as a gift. Additionally, players can claim one free 5-star character of their choice between Ruan Mei or Luocha.
The Star Rail WORLD event will also be held, where Trailblazers will collaborate with old friends to organize a pan-cosmic gala. Players must employ strategic management to generate funds, elevate the venue’s tiers, and recruit trusted companions for support. As resources grow, new exhibition booths and Assistants will be unlocked, allowing the festivities to expand into a grander spectacle. Lastly, Trailblazers can also dive into Seal Slammers, a mini-game where players compete against their Chrysos Heir allies in chaotic seal-based collisions.
Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.2 Trailer
In Q3 2025, Archer (Emiya Shirou) and other Servants will board the Astral Express in the upcoming Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works collaboration. More collaborations for Honkai: Star Rail are expected to come, so stay tuned.
Honkai: Star Rail is available now for Android via Google Play Store, iOS via App Store, PlayStation 5, and PC via Epic Games Store.
