HoYoverse recently announced that Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.0 will be released on all platforms on January 15, 2025. This is a massive update as it will feature the new world of Amphoreus along with two new playable characters.
The biggest addition in the massive 3.0 update is no doubt the addition of Amphoreus along with a new chapter in the main story. Specifically, the Trailblaze Mission in Amphoreus will be released in two parts split across eight versions (from 3.0 to 3.7). As such, this is the game’s biggest story arc to date.
To give you some idea of what to expect, HoYoverse describes the premise of the new story as:
Leaving Penacony the Planet of Festivities behind, the Astral Express embarks toward Amphoreus under Black Swan’s guidance, seeking both to replenish Trailblaze Fuel and uncover the mysteries of this celestial body. From the outside, Amphoreus appears as a chaotic vortex, its existence impossible to detect or understand. Similarly, its inhabitants remain completely unaware of the outside universe. Unlike other worlds, they do not know of the concept of “Aeons,” instead worshiping deities known as “Titans.” According to legend, twelve Titans created Amphoreus: Three who wove fate, three who shaped the heavens and earth, three who molded life, and three who brought calamity. In Amphoreus, gods and miracles are tangible existences rather than mere myths. Yet this realm’s history is steeped in tragedy. In ancient times, the arrival of three Titans — “Strife,” “Death,” and “Trickery” — sparked a civil war among the gods. Soon after, a mysterious force known as the “black tide” swept across the world. None know its origins, but all life touched by it loses sanity, with even the mighty Titans proving vulnerable. Over millennia, between the black tide gradually consuming Amphoreus and the gods waging endless war, the world fell into eternal night. Now, in humanity’s final sanctuary — the Holy City of Okhema — only the protection of Kephale, the Worldbearing Titan, stands as the last barrier against the black tide.
The Astral Express, arriving as an unexpected force from beyond this world, is destined to change the course of Amphoreus’s fate. Upon entering Amphoreus, the Trailblazer and Dan Heng first descend into a region known as the “Abyss of Fate.” Legend says three Titans — Time, Passage, and Law — once wove here the threads of time, space, and rules that would govern Amphoreus, determining the fate of all creation. Now this land lies in eternal night, with only emptiness echoing through its grand architectural remains. As the story unfolds, the Trailblazer’s group will return to the Abyss of Fate, pierce through the mists, delve deep into the temple, and finally gain audience with Oronyx, the Titan of Time. Through this encounter, the Trailblazer embarks on the Path of Remembrance, gaining the ability to “draw strength from the past.”
Along with the new story and map, Version 3.0’s other big additions are the new 5-star characters. First is The Herta, the #83 member of the Genius Society.
The Herta is an Ice-Type Erudition character who specializes in dealing AoE DMG. When in battle, The Herta can apply Interpretation on enemies, while ally characters attacks can also further apply Interpretation. As Interpretation stacks increase, The Herta’s abilities can increase powerful hits of DM. As for her ultimate, The Herta can Transfer the highest Interpretation stacks to Elite or stronger enemies, before dealing Ice DMG to all enemy targets.
Next ups is Aglaea from Amphoreus, one of the earliest Chrysos Heirs to embark on the Flame-Chase Journey. Aglaea is the first limited 5-star Remembrance character, and she can summon her memosprite Garmentmaker to fight alongside her in battle.
Aglaea and her Garmentmaker can synchronize attacks on enemies, increasing the Garmentmaker’s SPD, all while adding an extra layer of rhythm gameplay to combat.
Along with these two, the first half of Version 3.0 will have a special Warp event where 5-star characters Lingsha, Feixiao, and Jade will make reruns. Then, the second half will feature returns of 5-star characters Boothill, Robin, and Silver Wolf.
Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.0 launches on January 15 on PC, iOS, Android, Epic Games Store, and PS5.
In related news, HoYoverse is going to hold events in SEA and Australia to celebrate Mavuika’s launch in Genshin Impact.