The Honkai: Star Rail community is buzzing with excitement following fresh leaks hinting at significant character buffs in the upcoming version 4.2 update, coinciding with the game's anniversary celebrations. According to reliable leaker Mortis Leaks, the third wave of Novaflare enhancements will target four key 5-star characters: Firefly, Seele, Welt, and Huohuo.
What Are Novaflare Buffs?
Novaflare is HoYoverse's initiative to periodically rework and strengthen select characters, bringing older units back into the meta spotlight. The first wave targeted several early-game characters, while the second in version 4.0 dramatically overhauled Sparkle and Black Swan. Sparkle's buffs, for instance, included SP recovery on her Ultimate (up to 6 SP with overflow saving), vulnerability application on team SP usage, energy generation, and reduced Skill SP costs after ally SP expenditure. These changes propelled them to top-tier status after nearly a year of dormancy. Players are eager to see how 4.2's buffs will elevate the listed characters.
The Buffed Characters and Why They Matter
Here's a breakdown of the leaked recipients and their potential impact:
| Character | Path & Element | Current Standing | Potential Buff Needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firefly | Destruction (Fire) | Strong in Super Break teams thanks to The Herta: Dahlia, but struggles in pure endgame without her. | Break efficiency, Ashveil synergy, or broader utility to solidify her as a top DPS. |
| Seele | Hunt (Quantum) | The game's first limited 5-star, viable for skilled players but outdated in modern content. | Resurgence guarantees, instant-kill adaptations, or Hunt path improvements for endgame clears. |
| Welt | Nihility (Imaginary) | First standard 5-star potentially buffed; his delay-focused kit falters in speed-centric modes. | Faster black hole deployment or sustain tweaks for quick-clear viability. |
| Huohuo | Abundance (Wind) | Excellent energy battery for DoT and hypercarry teams, but high SP costs limit team-building. | SP neutrality, enhanced healing/cleansing, or better synergy with upcoming units. |
These buffs align with descriptions from the leak: an Imaginary male who joined the Astral Express after defeat (Welt) and a Xianzhou native (Huohuo).
Leak Credibility and Community Hype
Mortis Leaks has a strong track record, with past predictions aligning closely with official reveals. The information surfaced on Reddit's r/HonkaiStarRail_leaks and quickly spread across X (formerly Twitter), sparking debates on priorities. Fans celebrated Seele's long-overdue attention and Firefly's continued relevance, while some lamented the absence of others like Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae or Sunday. Anniversary patches often pack extras like rewards, making 4.2 a prime candidate for these quality-of-life upgrades.
As with all leaks, treat this information as speculative. HoYoverse could alter plans, and full details on the buffs remain under wraps. Version 4.1 is expected to run just four weeks, paving the way for 4.2's anniversary fanfare.