HoYoverse Announces Honkai Star Rail Character Revamps for Kafka and Beloved Classics in Version 3.4

During the latest livestream for Honkai Star Rail, HoYoverse revealed some exciting news: a series of reworks is on the way for several fan-favorite characters in the 3.4 update. Slated for early July 2025, this update aims to revitalize characters like Kafka, Silver Wolf, Blade, and Jingliu, who were once top-tier picks when they first made their debut back in 2023. HoYoverse hasn’t spilled all the details just yet, leaving fans eagerly guessing what these changes might entail.

Originally heralded as some of the finest in the game, these characters have seen their potency diminish over time. While Kafka gained renewed interest in 2024 with the introduction of Acheron, her synergy has since waned, lacking new damage-over-time counterparts. Meanwhile, Jingliu demands significant resources but still doesn’t quite measure up to others in her class, and the recent arrival of Mydei feels somewhat redundant as a Blade 2.0.

In the world of gacha games, the phenomenon of “powercreep,” where older characters become less effective, is a familiar issue. However, HoYoverse’s flagship games typically manage to keep their characters relevant longer than most. For instance, Genshin Impact’s early stars continue to shine bright on player tier lists and easily tackle endgame hurdles. Zenless Zone Zero, another HoYoverse creation, allows you to conquer formidable challenges with your original trio of characters. Both games have evolved substantially without rendering their characters obsolete.

Despite this positive trend, it seems not all characters will be getting a facelift anytime soon. Chances are slim for characters like Bailu, Yanqing, Natasha, Hook, and Welt, who have gradually fallen behind. There’s no indication they’ll be receiving similar attention in the near future.

On the upside, players can look forward to snagging one of two available free 5-star characters once version 3.2 is released: Ruan Mei or Luocha. These offers provide a little something extra for those eager to bolster their teams with fresh faces.