Summary

• Honkai: Star Rail 2.4's release date has confirmed for late July, sticking to the regular six-week update schedule.
• New playable characters Yunli & Jiaoqiu were detailed, each possessing unique gameplay kits and Paths.
• The update includes a Trailblaze Continuance Mission, limited events, and quality-of-life optimizations.

The release date of Honkai: Star Rail 2.4 livestream.

The characters, their elements, Paths, and rarities had already been confirmed, but now their gameplay kits have also been showcased, officially confirming a lot of the leaked information about how they worked. The livestream also served as a stage to announce the Phase 1 and Phase 2 banner structure, indicating not only when the new units debut, but which characters are featured in rerun banners. Despite the conclusion of the main story arc this year, the game apparently has no intention of slowing down, and more narrative content is underway with the arrival of Honkai: Star Rail 2.4.

Honkai: Star Rail 2.4 - Release Date

The Game Is Sticking To Its Regular Six-Week Schedule Between Updates

While it was possible to predict when the new patch would arrive, HoYoverse has now provided an official confirmation. According to the details revealed during the livestream, which was broadcast on the official Honkai: Star Rail channel on YouTube, Version 2.4 will be released on July 31. This means that the game is following its regular six-week schedule between updates and that the current patch will not be extended – or shortened. Given the announcement, it is unlikely the patch will be delayed before its release later this month.

In HoYoverse games, delays tend to occur even before the livestream is announced – when a livestream that is due does not occur, it is indicative of a content delay.

Honkai: Star Rail 2.4 - New Characters, March 7th Form, & Banners (Phases 1 & 2)

Yunli & Jiaoqiu Are The New 5-Star Playable Characters In The Update

As has previously been announced, Yunli and Jiaoqiu are the new 5-star units for the patch. Yunli is a Physical character who follows the Path of the Destruction, whereas Jiaoqiu is a Fire unit that follows the Path of the Nihility. Their respective gameplay kits had leaked before, but now HoYoverse has confirmed exactly how they play – and most of the leaks about them were accurate. Yunli is a damage dealer who focuses on counterattacks with her giant claymore, which are considered follow-up attacks. This is the main source of damage in Yunli’s gameplay kit in Honkai: Star Rail.

As such, Yunli goads opponents into attacking her so that she can, in turn, counterattack them. She is being considered a viable main DPS alternative to Dr. Ratio in follow-up attack team comps, and pairs well with characters like Topaz, Jade, and Robin, for instance. On the other hand, Jiaoqiu is a master debuffer. The character can apply debuffs to enemies and, with it, increase the damage they take from all sources. Furthermore, Jiaoqiu boosts Ultimate DMG against these debuffed enemies, which makes him a superb sub-DPS and for Acheron team comps in Honkai: Star Rail.

For reference, Acheron gains buffs with extra Nihility characters in the team and her main source of damage is her Ultimate.

In addition to the new characters, March 7th is also getting a new playable form. The classic 4-star character is trading her Ice for Imaginary and swapping over to the Path of the Hunt, operating a sub-DPS in team comps. March 7th’s Hunt form sees her selecting a master, often the main DPS, who is SPD buffed in battle. By watching her master attack, she gains stacks and, after a set number of charges, she takes action with an Enhanced Basic Attack. There are also varied effects depending on which Path the character March 7th selects as a master.

March 7th’s Hunt form will be unlocked by completing specific tasks in the new Trailblaze Continuance Mission added with Honkai: Star Rail 2.4.

The character banners were also highlighted during the event. Phase 1 banners will be composed of Yunli’s debut and a rerun of Huohuo, while Phase 2 banners will feature Jiaoqiu and Sparkle. During Phase 1, Hanya, Yukong, and Lynx will have increased drop rates, whereas Hook, Guinaifen, and Arlan will be the 4-star characters with increased drop rates in Phase 2 banners. Phase 1 should last from July 31 to August 20. Contrarily, Phase 2 will start on August 20 and likely last until September 10, based on Honkai: Star Rail’s regular schedule.

During each period, each 5-star character’s respective signature Light Cone will be featured in the Light Cone banner. For example, Yunli’s signature 5-star Light Cone, Dance at Sunset, will be available in its dedicated Phase 1 Light Cone banner. In addition to that, a new 4-star Light Cone called Poised to Bloom, which features artwork of the new March 7th Hunt form will also debut in Version 2.4 banners.

Honkai: Star Rail 2.4 - Story Updates, Events, & More

A New Trailblaze Continuance Mission Will Take Players Back To The Xianzhou Luofu

Aside from the playable characters, the main attraction in Version 2.4 is the new Trailblaze Continuance Mission, which will take players back to the Xianzhou Luofu for the War Dance festival, an event that harbors several representatives from the Xianzhou Alliance and will nominate the Sword Champion. Characters from other Xianzhou Alliance flagships, like Feixiao, Jiaoqiu, and Moze will attend, for example. Yunli will also play an important part, mostly rivaling Yanqing.

There will also be a new map called Shackling Prison in Honkai: Star Rail 2.4, where players will encounter a new wolf-like enemy type called Borisin. Other darker things may also be happening in the Shackling Prison, as indicated by the new trailer, where Xueyi’s body seems lifeless and there is a large boss-scaled Borisin opponent.

Additionally, players will also be able to unlock Yunli’s Companion Mission in Version 2.4. There will be many limited events, too, including the Saga of Primaveral Blade, which will have players issue a crash course in swordplay to help March 7th train. This event is said to have multiple possible endings and its rewards include an Eidolon for March 7th’s Hunt form.

HoYoverse has also announced two limited events that revolve around Trashcans, as well as the return of the Gift of Odyssey event, which will score players 10 free pulls. Planar Fissure and Garden of Plenty, which grant double drops, are also bound to make a return.

There are also quality-of-life events planned, such as improved Relic istration and even a fast-forward function that allows players to have access to Trailblaze Continuance Missions and events, regardless of whether they reach the minimum requirements for them or not – players will, however, have to be Trailblaze level 21 to unlock the function. Lastly, HoYoverse announced a Honkai: Star Rail collaboration with the anime Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works in 2025, though no other details have been provided so far.

Source: YouTube/Honkai: Star Rail