Honkai: Star Rail 3.0 “Paean of Era Nova” Releases Jan 15

Exploring the Vast Cosmos: Honkai: Star Rail’s Exciting New Update

As we welcome a new year with renewed enthusiasm, the team behind Honkai: Star Rail extends warm wishes to all the adventurers who have journeyed alongside us through the cosmos. We are excited to announce the arrival of Version 3.0, titled "Paean of Era Nova," set to launch on January 15. This significant update promises to bring thrilling new dimensions to your cosmic travels, unveiling the long-anticipated world of Amphoreus and introducing an epic new chapter in the main storyline. This expansive narrative will unfold over eight versions, from 3.0 to 3.7, marking the most extensive story arc in the history of Honkai: Star Rail. Players can look forward to embarking on the "Hero’s Journey" with new characters such as Aglaea and The Herta, along with the Trailblazer: Remembrance, which unlocks a new Path.

The Enigma of Amphoreus

Departing from Penacony, the Planet of Festivities, the Astral Express sets its sights on the mysterious realm of Amphoreus, under the guidance of Black Swan. This journey is not merely about replenishing Trailblaze Fuel; it’s an exploration into the unknown. Amphoreus is a world shrouded in mystery, so elusive that even Akivili, the Aeon of Trailblaze, could not reach it. Its existence is concealed from most of the universe, appearing from the outside as a chaotic vortex. Unlike other worlds, the inhabitants of Amphoreus are oblivious to the concept of "Aeons" and instead worship deities known as "Titans." According to legend, twelve Titans are the creators of Amphoreus: three wove fate, three shaped the heavens and earth, three molded life, and three brought calamity.

However, the history of Amphoreus is not without its dark chapters. In ancient times, the arrival of three Titans—Strife, Death, and Trickery—ignited a civil war among the gods. This was followed by the emergence of a mysterious force known as the "black tide," which swept across the world, causing those affected to lose their sanity. Even the Titans were not immune. Over the centuries, the black tide slowly consumed Amphoreus, and the gods continued their endless war, plunging the world into a state of eternal night. Presently, the Holy City of Okhema stands as humanity’s final sanctuary, shielded by Kephale, the Worldbearing Titan, who is the last line of defense against the black tide. The arrival of the Astral Express is set to alter the fate of Amphoreus dramatically, but how this will unfold remains to be seen.

Embarking on the Hero’s Journey

The Trailblaze Mission on Amphoreus is set to be an epic narrative arc that spans across eight versions. The journey officially begins with Version 3.0, where players will set foot on this eternal land. Upon arrival, the Trailblazer and Dan Heng descend into a region known as the "Abyss of Fate." This is where legends say three Titans—Time, Passage, and Law—once wove the threads of time, space, and rules that govern Amphoreus. Now, this land lies in darkness, with only the echoes of its grand architectural remains.

As the story progresses, the Trailblazer’s group returns to the Abyss of Fate, navigates through the mists, delves deep into the temple, and eventually meets 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 the way, players will encounter a new companion, temporarily named "Mem" due to its mysterious origins and tendency to only make "Mem" sounds. Despite its cute appearance, Mem plays a crucial role in combat. The Trailblazer can summon Mem during battles, where it gradually accumulates Energy. Once fully charged, Mem’s Support allows a designated character to immediately take action and deal additional True DMG, potentially turning the tide of battle. Together with Mem, the Trailblazer will face and overcome the various challenges that lie ahead in Amphoreus.

Following the path beyond the Abyss, players will reach Okhema, the Holy City nestled into the mountainside. Bathed in the eternal dawn light provided by the Worldbearing Titan’s protection, this city serves as a critical base for the expedition through Amphoreus. One of its most notable landmarks is the Marmoreal Palace, a grand bathhouse that functions as the city’s heart and a public gathering place, fostering social interactions among residents. Okhema offers much more than architectural wonders. Here, players will encounter a variety of fascinating creatures, including the dromas, a loyal helper of the Amphoreans known for its strength in carrying both people and goods. The Dromas is a creation of Georios, the Earth Titan, one of the Three Titans of Foundation. A specialized Dromas Workshop can be found within Okhema, dedicated to crafting and training these remarkable creatures. Additionally, the city is home to numerous chimeras, each with unique traits, colors, and personalities. Some are quick to anger, others delight in mischief, while some offer their help to humans in various ways.

In these times of eternal night and chaos, Okhema remains humanity’s final sanctuary and beacon of hope, protected by the Worldbearing Titan. Local legend tells a romantic tale: Kephale shall one day open their eyes, leading humanity to triumph over the black tide and forge a new world. Beneath this holy city, a group of human heroes known as the Chrysos Heirs embarks on a quest for flame, tasked with reclaiming the twelve Titan Coreflames and restoring Amphoreus to its former glory. In future stories, the Trailblazer will join their journey, fighting alongside the Chrysos Heirs in this legendary expedition.

Discovering Castrum Kremnos

In Version 3.0, players will also explore the unique city-state of Castrum Kremnos. Named after the Blade of Fury that looms above the city, it is also home to the Strife Titan and the resting place of the seventh Coreflame. In the second half of the Trailblaze Mission, players will harness the power of Oronyx to travel back in time and experience Castrum Kremnos during its golden age. There, they will discover one of the mechanisms left by the Trickery Titan Zagreus: The Hand of Zagreus. This mechanism can be used to lift heavy objects, pick up items, smash open pathways, and obliterate enemies in special circumstances, aiding exploration significantly. In the climactic Trailblaze Mission of Version 3.0, Trailblazers and the Chrysos Heirs will confront numerous challenges before engaging in a final battle with Nikador, the Strife Titan, to reclaim the Coreflame of Strife. Known as the "Lance of Fury," Nikador and its followers are fanatically devoted to war and combat. To defeat them, Trailblazers must collect "Glory" stacks to shatter Nikador’s "Titanic Corpus."

The final area of Version 3.0 unfolds in the Vortex of Genesis, the grand sanctuary and birthplace of Amphoreus. This sacred site, home to the primordial essence of the Twelve Titans, is said to be where the Miracle of Genesis will one day manifest. Here, the Chrysos Heirs will return the reclaimed Coreflames after overthrowing each Titan. Above, constellations illuminate the night sky, representing the journeys of those who came before. The Flame-Chase Journey, a thousand-year odyssey of trials and perseverance, has now reached its turning point. The road ahead will be forged by the Trailblazers, standing alongside the Chrysos Heirs to continue the legend.

New Companions for the Flame-Chase Journey

Version 3.0 introduces two powerful 5-star characters to join players’ teams. The first is Madam Herta, a distinguished member of the Genius Society and an Emanator of Erudition. Known for her unique Herta puppets and idiosyncratic behaviors on the space station, Herta’s true self resides on the edge of the Cosmos and is rarely seen. The Herta is an Ice-Type Erudition character skilled at dealing AoE DMG. In battle, she can apply Interpretation on enemies, and ally characters’ attacks can further apply Interpretation. With increased Interpretation stacks, Herta’s abilities deliver powerful hits of DMG on specific targets and multiple enemies. Additionally, Herta’s Ultimate can transfer the highest Interpretation stacks to Elite or stronger enemies before dealing Ice DMG to all enemy targets.

The second character debuting is Aglaea from Amphoreus, who bears the divine authority of "Romance." As one of the earliest Chrysos Heirs to embark on the Flame-Chase Journey and Okhema’s dressmaster, Aglaea is a legendary hero of Amphoreus and a major figure in recruiting new Chrysos Heirs. As the first limited 5-star Remembrance character, Aglaea can summon her memosprite Garmentmaker in battle to fight alongside her, showcasing a duet dance aesthetic in combat. Through their cooperation, Aglaea and her Garmentmaker synchronize attacks on enemies, increasing the Garmentmaker’s SPD and adding rhythm and variability to combat. This new joint attacking mechanism allows an exquisite dance for two to unfold at a charming cadence.

Additionally, in the first half of Version 3.0, a special Warp event will feature limited 5-star characters Lingsha, Feixiao, and Jade making reruns. In the second half, the 5-star characters Boothill, Robin, and Silver Wolf will also return for a limited time. These characters will provide stronger reinforcements, embarking on a journey across Amphoreus alongside Trailblazers. Moreover, March 7th will gain a Preservation outfit, claimable after unlocking the "Characters" function and logging in during the Version 3.0 period. Meanwhile, the Honkai: Star Rail Trailblazer Edition PS5® Physical Disc Bundle will soon be available for purchase, both online and in physical stores!

System Enhancements

In response to player feedback, several system optimizations have been implemented in this major Version 3.0 update to enhance the gameplay experience. Among the new additions is the "Flying Amphora," which grants players a speed boost when traversing the open world. To facilitate new players’ enjoyment of the main storyline, adjustments have been made so that after completing the "Silent Galaxy" Trailblaze Mission, players can head directly to Amphoreus without difficulty. Version 3.0 also introduces updates to the new Leveling Guide system, allowing Trailblazers to evaluate their character’s strength, with recommendations on Character Level, Light Cone, Traces, Relics, and more. The introduction of "Wishful Resin" and "Variable Dice" allows for the targeted modification and redistribution of a Relic’s Main and Sub Stats, offering more flexibility in developing companions. These improvements are just the beginning, with many more exciting enhancements awaiting discovery!

These highlights represent just a glimpse of the exciting updates in Version 3.0 — there’s so much more to explore and enjoy! We wish you all a year filled with adventure, growth, and memorable moments in Honkai: Star Rail.