Version 2.3 of Honkai: Star Rail had its update show livestream last Friday, right before Summer Game Fest started. The update will see players return to Penacony for the conclusion to the arc that started in 2.0. Players who’ve been keeping up with the story will know that Sparkle’s fail-safe buttons that were distributed to different members of Penacony during the 2.2 mainline quest went unanswered. It seems those answers will be found in 2.3, which will also feature Jade, one of the heads of the Interastral Peace Corporation’s Strategic Investment Division, arriving in Penacony in a bid to bring the planet under the Corporation’s control. Firefly, one of the other main characters from the 2.0 arc, will be taking center stage as Stellaron Hunter Sam.
The two characters on rate up will be Firefly and Jade. Firefly, during the first half, will be a five star fire Destruction path dps focused on breaking enemies toughness and attacking weakness broken enemies. Her kit seems to focus on getting her into her ult form which enhances her skills and basic attack. The ult timer is tied to the action bar, with Firefly acting independently of it.
Jade, the second half banner, will be a five star quantum Erudition path dps focused on buffing herself or an ally in order to hit as many enemies as possible with their attacks so Jade can launch a follow up attack. Jade’s skill buffs an ally or herself with damage for three of Jade’s turns, similar to Ruan Mei or Robin’s skills. For every enemy hit by Jade or the ally with her buff, Jade gains one stack of her talent. At eight stacks, Jade launches a follow up attack that hits all enemies. Jade’s basic attack is blast meaning it hits the central enemy and the two adjacent ones. Her ultimate hits all enemies and gives her two charges of an enhanced follow up attack.
A new endgame mode Apocalyptic Shadow will also begin in Version 2.3, entering the rotation with Memory of Chaos and Pure Fiction. Apocalyptic Shadow pits players against unique variants of old boss fights, with players scored based on how quickly they defeat the boss. The first one seems to be break oriented to match with Boothill, the current banner, and Firefly, the banner for the first Apocalyptic Shadow, who both focus on breaking enemies.
New relics will be available that complement both of the upcoming characters, as well as possibly providing significant damage boosts to existing ones.
All that and more will be available in Honkai: Star Rail Version 2.3 launching June 18th, 2024.