Before Their Deaths: What to Expect from Honkai Star Rail 3.5’s Biggest Update Yet

Get ready, Trailblazers—because Honkai: Star Rail is about to hit you with one of its most intense updates yet! Version 3.5, ominously titled “Before Their Deaths,” is dropping soon, and if you’ve been paying attention to the story arcs, you know that title isn’t just for dramatic effect. It’s loaded with lore implications, new characters, and potentially game-changing developments!

Whether you're a longtime fan or just hopping aboard the Astral Express, there's a lot coming your way this patch—from limited banners and new units to a climax in the Amphoreus storyline that’s been building for months. Here’s what to expect when Version 3.5 rolls out in August 2025!

When Is It Happening?

The Version 3.5 livestream goes live on August 2, 2025 at 19:30 (UTC+8) on the official Honkai: Star Rail Twitch and YouTube channels. If you’ve tuned into previous special programs, you already know the drill—this is where HoYoverse drops the details, hands out some juicy redeem codes, and maybe gives us a peek at what’s coming next.

The patch itself is expected to go live on August 12 (NA) / August 13 (EU & Asia), following regular server maintenance. That means you’ve got about a week between the stream and the official update to prep—clear your dailies, hoard those Stellar Jades, and maybe take one last look at your Trailblazer’s gear.

Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.5 "Before Their Deaths" Special Program

New Characters: Hysilens and Cerydra Join the Fray

Let’s talk banners. One of the biggest reasons players come back every patch is for the new 5-star characters, and Version 3.5 is doubling down with two completely fresh faces: Hysilens Cerydra.

Hysilens will headline Phase 1 of the update. She’s a Physical Nihility unit that specializes in debuffs and DoT (damage-over-time). If you’re someone who enjoys setting up status effects and watching your enemies slowly crumble, she might be your next main.

Cerydra arrives in Phase 2 and fills a support role on the Harmony Path. She’s all about buffing the team and manipulating turn order—think Bronya vibes but with a twist. Based on early leaks and teaser art, her kit looks perfect for speed comps and burst-heavy teams.

And that’s not all. Kafka and Silver Wolf are both getting rerun banners, and yes, their signature Light Cones (*Patience Is All You Need* and *Incessant Rain*) are coming back too. If you missed them the first time or want to max out Eidolons, now’s your chance.

The Lore Is Getting Heavy

If the title “Before Their Deaths” made you pause—good. You’re not imagining the weight behind those words. This update seems to dive deep into the Chrysos arc, focusing on characters like Hysilens and Cerydra, both of whom were supposedly dead. So why are they suddenly back?

The Amphoreus storyline, which has been teased in recent events and character lore, is expected to reach a major turning point. There are even hints that we’ll see March 7’s true past emerge, as well as revelations involving other mysterious figures like Terravox. This is the kind of update that could shake up the main narrative for good.

Free Stuff: Codes and Compensation Incoming

Let’s be real—part of the reason we all watch the Special Program live is for the free codes. And yes, Version 3.5 is expected to include the usual trio of redeem codes revealed during the stream, typically worth about 300 Stellar Jades total.

In addition to the livestream codes, players will also receive 600 Stellar Jades as compensation for maintenance downtime once the patch goes live. If HoYoverse continues its trend from previous versions, we might even see additional login bonuses, event bundles, or limited-time missions offering more currency, character XP, or upgrade materials.

New Events and Gameplay Additions

While HoYoverse hasn’t officially confirmed all the gameplay events for Version 3.5, some trusted sources are pointing to a new Combat Simulation mode focused on team synergy and rotation timing—possibly tying into Cerydra’s skillset.

We’re also likely to get a limited-time mini-story event featuring the new characters, complete with cutscenes, voice lines, and trial stages. And don’t be surprised if an old favorite gets a rerun. The devs love to recycle strong past events with slight remixes, which isn’t a bad thing when the rewards stack up.

Should You Pull?

Honestly, both Hysilens and Cerydra are shaping up to be solid pulls. Hysilens fits right into DoT-based comps, especially with Kafka rerunning in the same version. If you already have Kafka built, the synergy is there. Cerydra, on the other hand, feels like a must-pull if you’re lacking a strong team-wide support unit.

If you’re low on Stellar Jades, make your choice carefully. Look at your current roster, your gaps, and your future plans. Don’t let the hype alone make the decision for you—unless you’re just in it for the drip, and hey, no judgment there.

Final Thoughts

Version 3.5 of Honkai: Star Rail is shaping up to be more than just a regular patch. It’s a story milestone, a meta shake-up, and a fan-service fest all rolled into one. Between the return of fan-favorite characters, the addition of two powerful newcomers, and what looks to be a serious narrative twist, there’s plenty to keep players locked in throughout August and beyond.

Whether you’re logging in for the lore, the free pulls, or the shiny new banners, “Before Their Deaths” is going to give you a reason to stay. Don’t sleep on the livestream either—you’ll want to grab those codes before they expire. Set your alarms, prep your teams, and get ready to ride the Astral Express straight into one of Honkai’s boldest updates yet.