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Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.5 "Before Their Deaths" Announced

by QuinnHarry 10 Oct 2025 0 comments

Before Their Deaths

You enter Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.5. This is a big update. It takes you on a trip 1,000 years back. There are five new characters you can play. One is Cerydra, a 5-star Harmony class.

Line chart showing Honkai: Star Rail average monthly players from March 2024 to April 2025

You visit Okhema, the first civilization of Amphoreus. Okhema is famous for worshiping Kephale. It became a safe place after the Black Tide disaster. The story uses time travel to make it more interesting. This update is special in the Honkai: Star Rail universe.

Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.5 Overview

Release Dates and Duration

Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.5 is the 21st big update. The update is called "Before Their Deaths." It comes out at different times in each region. The update starts on August 12 or 13, 2025. It ends on September 24, 2025. You can check the table below to see when it starts for you:

Time Zone

Release Date and Time

NA Servers

August 12, 2025, at 08:00 PM PST

CST (Rest of World)

August 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM CST

New Delhi, India

August 13, 2025, at 8:30 AM IST

Tokyo, Japan

August 13, 2025, at 12:00 PM JST

California, USA

August 12, 2025, at 8:00 PM PST

You have more than a month to try new things in this update.

Special Program and Banners

The special program showed many cool things for Version 3.5. You will see new characters like Hysilens and Cerydra. The story keeps going with a new Trailblaze Mission. It is called "Before Their Deaths." This mission happens in Amphoreus. You can look around a new map called Warbling Shores Styxia. There is also a new boss named Theoros: Lygus.

Here is a table with banners and events you can join:

Banner/Event Name

Type

Phase

Winedark Swansong Banner

5-Star Character

Phase 1

Nessun Norma Banner

5-Star Character

Phase 1

The Iron Tamer of Tides Banner

5-Star Character

Phase 2

Contract Zero Banner

5-Star Character

Phase 2

Brilliant Fixation Banner

5-Star Light Cone

Phase 1

Brilliant Fixation Banner

5-Star Light Cone

Phase 2

Bygone Reminiscene Banner

5-Star Light Cone

Phase 1

Bygone Reminiscene Banner

5-Star Light Cone

Phase 2

Chrysos Maze Grand Restaurant

Limited-time Event

N/A

New Trailblaze Mission Chapter

Limited-time Event

N/A

New areas - Styxia

Limited-time Event

N/A

New boss - Lygus

Limited-time Event

N/A

Tip: Check banners often. Some characters and events do not last long.

Version 3.5 gives you new places, characters, and things to do. You can plan your game by looking at the banners and events.

Discover New Characters

New Content and Features

Hysilens and Cerydra

You meet two new characters in Version 3.5. Hysilens and Cerydra help your team in new ways. Hysilens uses Physical Nihility skills. She can give random Damage over Time effects when allies attack. Her ultimate makes a zone that lowers enemy attack and defense. It also hurts many enemies at once. Cerydra is the empress of Okhema. She helps your team by giving buffs. She lets allies use their skills two times. Her ultimate hits all enemies with Wind damage. It also helps your team get more Charge.

Here is a table that shows what makes them special:

Character

Unique Traits

Gameplay Role

Hysilens

Physical Nihility character
Talent: 100% chance to apply random DoT on ally attacks
Ultimate creates a zone reducing enemy ATK and DEF, dealing AoE damage

Support/Damage dealer with DoT synergy

Cerydra

Empress of Okhema
Grants buffs to allies and allows skill duplication
Ultimate provides AoE Wind damage and Charge generation

Strategic support with high damage potential and skill manipulation

Hysilens is good for teams that use DoT. She works well with Kafka and Black Swan. Cerydra helps Phainon do more skill damage. She lets him use skills two times when he changes form. If you use both Hysilens and Cerydra, your team gets stronger and works better together.

Tip: Try different teams with Hysilens and Cerydra. You might find new ways to win fights.

Honkai: Star Rail Aventurine 1/7 Scale Figure

Ancient City of Okhema

You explore Okhema, a city with a long history. The story takes you back one thousand years. This is during the Eternal Recurrence. Okhema is the first civilization of Amphoreus. You see tall buildings with pillars. There are big stone streets and conifer trees. The city has waterfalls and baths inside. A huge Atlas-like titan statue stands at the entrance.

Here is a table that compares Okhema and Fontaine:

Feature

Okhema

Fontaine

Architectural Inspiration

Ancient Greek and Roman

Modern French

Street Design

Large stone streets

Similar large stone streets

Building Style

Tall buildings with pillars

Tall buildings with pillars

Vegetation

Conifer trees

Similar greenery

Waterworks

Indoor waterfall and baths

Waterworks present

Distinctive Elements

Atlas-like titan statue

No equivalent

You meet people like Hysilens and Cerydra in Okhema. The story follows the Deliverer and Cyrene. They face problems under Cerydra’s rule. You learn about Okhema’s culture and its place in the game.

  • Okhema is the main place in the new chapter.

  • You find new areas and new bosses.

  • The city looks different from other places in the game.

Gameplay Adjustments

You see many changes in Version 3.5. The developers fixed lots of problems. Now the game works better. Phainon does not lose Technique Points when you log in. His talent buff lasts the right amount of time. Archer’s follow-up attacks work now. Trace ability glitches are gone.

Here is a table that shows some fixes:

Character

Issue Type

Specific Problem

Impact Level

Fixed in v3.5

Phainon

Resource Management

Technique Points deduction on login

Medium

Yes

Phainon

Visual Display

Extra turns in Action Order

Low

Yes

Phainon

Visual Display

Coreflame counter display

Low

Yes

Phainon

Ability Function

Talent buff duration abnormality

High

Yes

Archer

Ability Function

Follow-up ATK trigger failure

High

Yes

Archer

Ability Function

Trace ability glitch

Medium

Yes

You can see how many problems were fixed in this chart:

Bar chart showing number of issues by impact level fixed in Honkai: Star Rail v3.5

Note: Sounds in the game are smoother now. You hear clearer battle sounds and voices.

These changes make the game better. Battles are smoother. Your favorite characters work the right way.

Story and Historical Context

Time Travel Narrative

You enter a world where time travel changes many things. In Version 3.5, you visit Okhema when Imperator Cerydra is in charge. This time shows how history can repeat itself. You watch the first Flame-Chase Journey, which Cerydra started. The story lets you see how old choices affect today. You learn about old customs and the hard times that shaped Okhema. Time travel helps you see why Okhema became safe after the Black Tide disaster. You see how leaders like Cerydra made choices that still matter now.

Note: Time travel in Honkai: Star Rail is not just about moving places. It helps you learn why people fight and why characters act the way they do.

Ongoing Conflicts

You are in the middle of battles that have lasted a long time. Okhema has problems from inside and outside the city. The Deliverer and Cyrene do not agree with Cerydra’s rule. You see how fighting for power changes Okhema’s future. The new boss, Lygus, brings new danger to Amphoreus. You must fight to keep Okhema safe and learn why each enemy fights. The story shows that conflict is not only about battles. It is also about staying alive, being loyal, and making changes.

Conflict Type

Main Participants

Impact on Story

Political Struggle

Cerydra, Deliverer

Changes leadership

Rebellion

Cyrene, Okhema citizens

Sparks new alliances

External Threat

Lygus, Amphoreus

Forces unity and defense

Connection to Previous Updates

You see how Version 3.5 builds on old chapters. The story is not by itself. It links to past updates in many ways, especially the Amphoreus world introduction:

  • The Amphoreus story keeps going, showing how the world changes.

  • New characters, like Cyrene and the mysterious Dark March, move the story forward.

  • The boss fight with Lygus shows secrets about Amphoreus and its past.

You meet old friends and visit old places, but you also find new secrets. Each update adds more to the story, making your adventure more fun and interesting.

View Best-Selling HSR Merch

Impact on Honkai: Star Rail

Community Reactions

You can see that many players feel excited about the new update. The time travel story brings a fresh way to explore the world. You get to meet ancient leaders like Imperator Cerydra and see how their choices shape the present. Players talk about the new city, Okhema, and how it looks different from other places. Many share screenshots and tips online. Some fans enjoy the deeper lore and the chance to learn about the past. Others like the new characters and how they change team strategies.

Players often say that the update makes them think about fate and leadership. You might notice more discussions about how your choices in the past can change the future.

Here are some common reactions from the community:

  • You see more fan art of Cerydra and Hysilens.

  • Players create guides for the new boss, Lygus.

  • Many discuss the best teams for the new events.

  • Some share theories about what will happen in the next updates.

Future Implications

The changes in Version 3.5 set up big things for the future of Honkai: Star Rail. The poetic theme, "Before Their Deaths," hints that the story will get even deeper in the next versions. You will travel between two timelines: ancient Okhema and modern Amphoreus. This means you can uncover secrets about Cerydra’s past and see how Lygus connects to Okhema’s fall. You will also learn more about Cyrene and why her story matters.

The time travel feature lets you shape events and see the results of your actions. This makes the game more interesting and gives you more control over the story. You will face new questions about fate and leadership as you play. The next updates, 3.6 and 3.7, will likely explore these ideas even more, as covered by sources like GameSpot.

Future Storylines

What You Can Expect

Dual Timelines

Switch between past and present

Deeper Character Stories

Learn about Cyrene and Cerydra

New Challenges

Face new bosses and choices

You can look forward to more surprises and a richer story as Honkai: Star Rail continues to grow, and you can find the best merch here at Bahomu.

You notice lots of changes in Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.5. This update adds new characters and a story about time travel. It also makes the game easier to play. Here are some of the biggest new things:

Feature

Description

Stamina Cap Increase

You can now save up to 240 stamina. This helps you play longer.

Gacha Countdown System

You see clearer info about banners now.

Animation Optimization

Skills look nicer and have less clutter.

You get to learn about Okhema’s history and meet leaders like Cerydra. The new story lets you help decide what happens next. Fun events and cool features keep you busy. Try the update and find out what your next adventure will be!

FAQ

What is the main theme of Version 3.5 "Before Their Deaths"?

You visit Okhema, an old city. You go back 1,000 years in time. The story is about leaders, fate, and how choices change the future.

How do you unlock the new characters Hysilens and Cerydra?

You get Hysilens and Cerydra from special banners. You need Star Rail Passes or Stellar Jades. Look at the banner schedule to see when they show up.

Tip: Save your Stellar Jades for banners with your favorite characters.

What makes Okhema different from other cities in Honkai: Star Rail?

Okhema looks like ancient Greece and Rome. The city has tall pillars, stone roads, and waterfalls. You meet new leaders and learn about old ways.

Feature

Okhema

Other Cities

Architecture

Greek/Roman

Modern/Fantasy

Main Leaders

Cerydra, Hysilens

Varies

Unique Areas

Baths, Titan

Varies

How does time travel affect gameplay in Version 3.5?

You move between the past and now. You solve puzzles and fight new bosses. What you do in the past can change things in the present.

Where can you find help for new events and bosses?

You can read guides on the official website. You can join forums for tips. Many players share team ideas and strategies online.

Note: Try new teams and ask questions in the community to get better at the game.

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