The Honkai Star Rail version 1.2 update is reportedly set to release on July 19, 2023, but drip marketing posts from HoYoverse and leaks of its new banners and relics started cropping up on Twitter and Reddit around mid-May. With combined information from both HoYoverse themselves and reputable Honkai Star Rail leakers, players now have a vague idea about which characters will be released in the next two major updates, as well as the order in which they will drop.
When it comes to confirmed content, players should look no further than Honkai Star Rail Version 1.1, which is set to release on June 7, 2023. This update’s biggest addition is the five-Star Stellaron Hunter and hacking extraordinaire Silver Wolf. Her accomplice and fellow Stellaron Hunter, Kafka, is expected to be released in Version 1.2. She will be joined by a five-star and four-star character.
Kafka is Finally Joining the Cast of Playable Characters in Honkai Star Rail Version 1.2
The HoYoverse’s marketing materials offer some insight into the new characters possibly coming to Honkai Star Rail Version 1.2. Kafka is a five-star Lightning character on the path of The Nihility. Her background is shrouded in mystery, with official records only showing that she is one of the Destiny’s Slave Elio’s most trusted confidants and that she’ll do all she can to enact his envisioned future.
Despite being on the path of The Nihility, Kafka’s kit consists of high-damage area of effect abilities instead of debuff skills. Her technique lets her strike enemies immediately after entering battle, dealing 50% of her attack as lightning damage. Her skill lets her deal damage equivalent to 70% of her attack to a target enemy and 25% of her attack to adjacent opponents. Kafka’s ultimate is a lightning strike that hits all enemies and applies the shocked status, which causes them to receive damage over time.
Honkai Star Rail Adds More Stellaron Hunter and Wildfire Member Banners in Version 1.2
Blade may also be released in Version 1.2, according to the leaks. This character is a swordsman on the path of The Destruction and uses the Wind element. Like Kafka, Blade is a five-star character who also pledges his loyalty to Elio. His official description states that he’s a swordsman who’s so dedicated to improving his skill that he turned his body into a weapon. It also hints that he might be some kind of vampire, as he can heal himself in a “terrifying” way. The description goes further to say that his body and mind have withered throughout the years, like his ancient sword that’s riddled with cracks.
According to recent leaks, Blade’s abilities will include a skill that consumes his HP to advance his action forward. His talent lets him do max HP-enhanced follow-up attacks. His ultimate, on the other hand, does massive damage to a single enemy and a percentage of his max HP damage to adjacent opponents.
The four-star character rumored to join the cast in Version 1.2 is Luka, a member of the Wildfire faction. He’s a Physical element user who’s also on the path of The Nihility. Honkai Star Rail’s marketing materials describe Luka as a skilled mixed martial arts fighter who uses his strength to protect his fellow Underworld dwellers. His abilities revolve around the “Fissure” status that he inflicts with his skill. This causes enemies to receive repeated physical damage throughout the round. He deals additional damage with his talent when an enemy is afflicted with fissure. His ultimate does huge physical damage to an opponent and increases the damage they take for two turns.
Honkai Star Rail’s release calendar is stacked for the coming months, and information can’t help but overflow. Version 1.1 hasn’t even come out yet, and players already know who they’ll pull for in Version 1.2. This isn’t to the game’s detriment, however, as it only increases the hype for future releases.
Honkai Star Rail is available now on Mobile and PC, with PS4 and PS5 versions in development.