The eagerly anticipated Honkai: Star Rail 2.0 update is now live, introducing an array of exciting features and content to enhance the player experience.
Developed by HoYoverse, the creators of Genshin Impact, this update for their latest PC and mobile game Honkai: Star Rail enriches the turn-based gacha role-playing game (RPG) by adding three new characters, fresh areas for exploration, and a slew of items to pick up. The game’s universe continues to expand, breaking the monotony with its third major planet addition, Penacony, since the game’s release in April 2023.
Version 2.0 marks a significant milestone, bringing substantial quality-of-life improvements such as a Salvage Relic quick select, a feature to tag relics as junk, and enhanced filtering options. This update shines a spotlight on three characters, including the DPS specialist Black Swan, who has dominated the promotional run-up to this patch.
The roster also welcomes Sparkle, a 5-star Harmony support path character, and Misha, a Destruction path character working as a bellboy at The Reverie Hotel, which is among the new areas introduced. Players can also look forward to new Light Cones, a continuation of the main quest, a new story mission, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Sparkle’s Masquerade Duet companion mission, and new events.
Version 2.0 Story Details
Honkai: Star Rail’s Version 2.0 ushers in an exciting new chapter set in Penacony, the Planet of Festivities, where players will encounter The Family, devout followers of Xipe, the Aeon of Harmony.
Invitations to vibrant celebrations have been extended not only to the Astral Express Crew but also to other significant groups such as the Interastral Peace Corporation (IPC). This addition introduces a host of new characters into the fray, including Black Swan, Sparkle, Misha, Firefly, and Aventurine, with the trailer teasing the participation of Acheron and others yet to be fully unveiled. Visuals from the same trailer showed hints of Firefly’s disappearance, which sparked discussions in the fandom on her role in Penacony’s narrative, and her possible secrets.
The narrative also draws attention to the Ever-Flame Mansion, a group belonging to the notorious Annihilation Gang, which is spotlighted in another trailer. Members of this faction, including its leader Duke Inferno, plan to leverage the planet’s festivities for a sinister plot against Penacony under the watchful eye of Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction. Tensions are further stoked by the Jepella Brotherhood, a rival faction within the Annihilation Gang, setting the stage for intricate plot developments.
Lead writer Shaoji has mapped out the Penacony saga to unfold across several updates, starting with Honkai: Star Rail Version 2.0 and concluding with an epilogue in Version 2.3. Initially presented with a lighter tone, the storyline is expected to take a darker turn, challenging players with a mission that grows increasingly grave as they delve deeper into the mysteries of Penacony.
New Trailblaze Mission
Since the last mission, Xianzhou Luofu – Obsequies Performed, A Long Road Ahead, introduced in August 2023, players have been waiting for the next Trailblaze Mission, marking a significant continuation of the game’s overarching narrative. The upcoming chapter, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, transports the Astral Express Crew to Penacony, a planet synonymous with pleasure and mystery, teeming with fresh faces and secrets to uncover.
To embark on this journey, players must have completed the previous Trailblaze mission in the Xianzhou Luofu. Successfully finishing this mission ensures immediate access to the new adventure in version 2.0, inviting players to the Watchmaker’s feast in Penacony, a realm of endless indulgence and dreams.
Additionally, version 2.0 introduces the companion mission Masquerade Duet, where Sparkle sends a mysterious challenge to Black Swan, setting the stage for an intriguing confrontation. This mission becomes accessible once players complete the Whodunit Trailblaze Mission, further expanding the game’s lore and character dynamics.
New Areas
Version 2.0 of Honkai: Star Rail introduces players to enchanting new locations that blend the boundaries of imagination and reality. Among these is The Reverie, a luxury hotel that stands at the crossroads of dreams and reality, attracting the elite and the celebrated. Next, players can explore Golden Hour, Penacony’s zenith of prosperity, where the city sparkles with endless opulence, filled with constant music and perpetual feasts.
Dream’s Edge offers a glimpse into a city still in the making, where the universe’s renowned architects are summoned to weave the fabric of Penacony’s dreams. Meanwhile, A Child’s Dream presents a world shaped by distorted memories, featuring aimless streams and frozen time, adding a layer of mystery to the adventure.
Lastly, The Reverie (Dreamscape) serves as a mirror to its counterpart in reality, albeit in a state of neglect and declared off-limits, adding an element of intrigue to why such a place has been forsaken. Each area promises a unique blend of wonder and mystery, inviting players to dive into the depths of Penacony’s dream-like realms.
New Character & Light Cone Banners
Refreshing the roster with exciting new characters and Light Cones for players to summon, this update introduces a dynamic mix of fresh faces and familiar heroes across two distinct phases.
Initially, the update kicks off with Phase 1 (until 29 February), marking the debut of Black Swan, a 5-star Wind Nihility character, alongside the comeback of Dan Heng – Imbibitor Lunae, a 5-star Imaginary Destruction character. Misha, a 4-star Ice Destruction character known for his DPS and crowd control skills, will be prominently featured in both gacha banners as the boosted 4-star character. Signature Light Cones for Black Swan and Imbibitor Lunae, namely Reforged Remembrance and Brighter Than the Sun respectively, will also be up for grabs.
Black Swan shines as a DPS powerhouse, inflicting enemies with Arcana, a unique damage-over-time effect, and activating additional effects based on the accumulated Arcana stacks. Misha‘s Ultimate skill not only has a chance to freeze opponents but also delivers extra hits per action after allies use Skill Points.
Following up, Phase 2, stretching from 29 February to 26 March, will introduce Sparkle, a 5-star Quantum Harmony support character, and bring back Jing Yuan, a 5-star Lightning Erudition character. Their Signature Light Cones, Earthly Escapade and Before Dawn respectively, will be highlighted in the Phase 2 weapon gacha banners. Sparkle excels at replenishing Skill Points for the team, extending the Skill Point cap, and enhancing allies’ CRIT DMG and overall damage output. As tradition holds, these characters will enjoy a three-week spotlight in the banner rotation.
Rumours are circulating about a potential banner re-run for Luocha in the forthcoming Honkai: Star Rail 2.1 update, alongside expectations for Acheron, Gallagher, and Aventurine to take centre stage. Although not officially confirmed, HoYoverse has teased these characters on social media, fueling anticipation among players.
New Events
Players are in for a treat with a slew of new events lined up to enrich their gaming experience. Among the novelties is an updated version of the Gift of Odyssey event, offering players a chance to snag up to 10 Star Rail Special Passes. This update also introduces the Gift of Stellarium event, promising another batch of 10 Star Rail Special Passes for participants.
The Penacony Food Fest invites players to a culinary celebration in the dreamy land of Penacony, where food and drink brands come to life. Engaging in this event rewards players with new consumable items, Stellar Jade, and Credits to fuel their journey.
In Hanu’s Prison Break, players will navigate a new Memory Bubble crafted by Dr. Edward, a fresh face in the game. This event brings new exploration mechanics and mini-games to the table, with rewards that are essential for character progression.
Dreamjolt TV throws a curveball as the Penacony TV Station’s broadcast is overtaken by mysterious signals. It’s up to players to unravel this puzzle and restore normalcy, earning valuable rewards in the process.
Version 2.0 also sees the return of two fan-favorite events with enhanced rewards. The Planar Fissure event promises to double the Planar Ornament drops in the Simulated Universe, while the Garden of Plenty event offers doubled rewards for completing Golden and Crimson Calyxes challenges. These boosted drops are particularly timely, given the introduction of new Relics in the game for player’s farming needs.
Honkai: Star Rail’s version 2.0 update propels players into an expansive universe brimming with novel adventures, characters, and realms waiting to be explored. The update not only enriches the game with substantial quality-of-life improvements but also extends an invitation to the vibrant planet of Penacony, where intrigue and festivities abound.
With Honkai: Star Rail’s version 2.1 on the horizon for the latter half of March, HoYoverse maintains its commitment to enriching the gaming experience with regular, significant updates every six weeks.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing Honkai: Star Rail, cosplaying, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
Trinity Sun
