On August 2, 2025, at 7:30 PM (UTC+8), HoYoverse captivated Trailblazers worldwide with the Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.5 livestream, titled Before Their Deaths. Hosted by the voice actors for Screwllum, The Herta, Cerydra, and Owlbert, the stream unveiled a treasure trove of content for the upcoming update, set to launch on August 12, 2025, for NA servers and August 13, 2025, for EU/Asia. From new characters and rerun banners to exciting story developments and redeemable rewards, here’s everything you need to know about the Version 3.5 livestream!

New Characters Steal the Spotlight

Version 3.5 introduces two highly anticipated 5-star characters, each bringing unique playstyles to the Amphoreus storyline:

  • Hysilens (5-star, Physical, Path of Nihility): Debuting in Phase 1 (August 12–September 2, 2025), Hysilens is a Knight Commander from the Chrysos Heirs faction and a powerhouse Damage-over-Time (DoT) DPS. Her kit revolves around inflicting multiple DoT effects, extending beyond the traditional Bleed debuff. Hysilens can deploy a Zone that weakens enemies by reducing their ATK and DEF while amplifying her DoT damage. The livestream showcased her fluid animations and devastating abilities, positioning her as a must-pull for DoT-focused teams.
  • Cerydra (5-star, Wind, Path of Harmony): Arriving in Phase 2 (September 3–23, 2025), Cerydra is a support character designed to synergize with main DPS units, particularly Phainon. As a Harmony buffer, her kit enhances team performance with powerful buffs, making her an ideal addition for players looking to optimize their DPS-heavy lineups. The stream highlighted her elegant design and seamless integration into Phainon-centric teams.

Rerun Banners Bring Back Fan Favorites

The livestream confirmed rerun banners for two beloved characters, as previously teased in Version 3.4:

  • Kafka (Phase 1): The Stellaron Hunter returns with her signature Light Cone, Patience Is All You Need, perfect for DoT enthusiasts pairing her with Hysilens.
  • Silver Wolf (Phase 2): The hacker extraordinaire reappears alongside her Light Cone, Incessant Rain, offering debuff-heavy support for diverse team compositions.

These rerun banners will run concurrently with the new character banners, giving players a chance to pull for both new and returning units.

New Light Cones and Banner Details

While specific details on new Light Cones were not fully disclosed, Hysilens and Cerydra are expected to receive signature 5-star Light Cones in the Brilliant Fixation banner. These Light Cones are tailored to enhance their respective kits, with Hysilens’ likely boosting DoT effects and Cerydra’s amplifying team buffs. The livestream provided a sneak peek at their visuals and effects, with full details to be revealed closer to the update’s launch.

Story and Trailblaze Mission: A Deepening Narrative

Version 3.5 continues Chapter 2 of the Amphoreus storyline, building on the dramatic revelations from Version 3.4 regarding Phainon and the Flame Reaver’s identity. The livestream debuted a cinematic trailer teasing high-stakes conflicts involving Lygus, Irontomb, and the broader mysteries of Amphoreus. A new Trailblaze Mission will advance the narrative, introducing fresh characters and formidable bosses. Expect emotional moments and plot twists as the Trailblazers uncover more about the holy city and its factions.

Events and Rewards Galore

The livestream showcased a variety of limited-time events packed with engaging mechanics and generous rewards. Players can look forward to earning Stellar Jades, ascension materials, and potentially exclusive 4-star Light Cones. While specific event names and details were highlighted during the stream, they promise unique gameplay experiences that tie into the Amphoreus storyline. Keep an eye on the official Honkai: Star Rail website for a full event schedule.

Redeem Codes for Free Rewards

As is tradition, the livestream dropped three redeem codes offering a total of 300 Stellar Jades and additional resources. These codes expire on August 3, 2025, at 10:59 AM (UTC-5), so act fast! Redeem them via the official HoYoverse redemption website or in-game menu under Settings > Redeem Code. Here are the codes:

  • TB2NPKQ8USKF: Stellar Jades x100, Credits x50,000
  • CT2N72RRUAJK: Stellar Jades x100, Traveler's Guide x5
  • YA37N29RUSJ7: Stellar Jades x100, Refined Aether x4

These rewards are perfect for saving up pulls for Hysilens, Cerydra, or the rerun banners!

Quality-of-Life Updates and Version 3.6 Tease

The stream hinted at quality-of-life improvements, such as streamlined menus or enhanced gameplay mechanics, though specifics were kept under wraps. Additionally, a brief tease for Version 3.6 sparked excitement, with potential leaks pointing to new 5-star forms for March 7th (Ice, Path of Remembrance, “Month of Evernight”) and Dan Heng (Physical, Path of Preservation, Terravox). These teases suggest HoYoverse is gearing up for even bigger updates in the future.

How to Catch Up

Missed the livestream? The VOD is available on the official Honkai: Star Rail YouTube channel and Twitch channel. For a detailed breakdown, check the Version 3.5 Before Their Deaths highlights page on the official website.

Final Thoughts

The Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.5 livestream delivered everything fans could hope for: compelling new characters, exciting story developments, and plenty of rewards to fuel the grind. Whether you’re pulling for Hysilens’ DoT dominance, Cerydra’s team synergy, or saving for Kafka and Silver Wolf, Version 3.5 promises to elevate the Trailblazing experience. Redeem those codes, prepare your Stellar Jades, and get ready to dive back into Amphoreus when the update drops on August 12–13, 2025!