Version 1.6 of Honkai: Star Rail was just shown off in a brand new livestream and it seems to be one of the most packed version updates yet. With a new Trailblaze Continuance, a big update to both the endgame combat loop and the Simulated Universe, three wicked new characters and even a free limited 5-star being given to all players, 1.6 is shaping up to be a superb addition to Star Rail’s already excellent repertoire of content. And if that wasn’t all, the livestream also gave us our first look at the next major destination coming in version 2.0, Penacony, as well as some of the characters we’ll be meeting once we arrive there.
Before we go any further, though, here are the three new redemption codes that were given out during the 1.6 livestream. Each code will give you 100 Stellar Jade as well as a number of useful upgrade materials for your characters or Light Cones. They will only be active for a limited time so redeem them fast.
- 7S9SPCJ5CRUT
- QTRTNC3LU9UX
- VA8APU34C8C3
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- Ruan Mei, Genius Society Biologist
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- Dr. Ratio, the Ever Knowledgeable
As always, the next thing we’ll cover is the new characters joining Honkai Star Rail in Version 1.6, of which there are two new 5-stars and one new 4-star. The first person on our list is Ruan Mei, a famous biologist belonging to the Genius Society who has surely helped most of us win a round of Simulated Universe once or twice. As the first Ice Harmony character, Ruan Mei’s kit revolves around improving the Weakness Break Efficiency of her allies, allowing them to deal more Toughness DMG or keep enemies in the Broken state for longer periods of time.
The next 5-star on our list is the first Imaginary Hunt unit to join the game in the form of the aloof and strange Dr. Ratio. A member of the Intelligentsia Guild, Dr. Ratio is incredibly smart and knowledgeable, up there with the likes of the Genius Society. In gameplay, his Skill and Talent work together to allow him to pull off a powerful Follow-Up Attack (one where he, humorously, throws a stick of chalk at his target) with the chance of that FUA increasing with the amount of debuffs the target has on them.
Lastly, another one of the Luofu’s Ten Lords is becoming playable with the addition of our next new 4-star, Xueyi. As the sister of Hanya (who joined the game as a Physical Harmony unit last patch), Xueyi is a fearsome Quantum Destruction character, the first we’ve seen in Star Rail. In gameplay, Xueyi has a large focus on lowering enemy Toughness and Break Effect, with her gaining Karma Stacks any time she or an ally lowers enemy Toughness: at maximum stacks of Karma, Xueyi will unleash a powerful Follow-Up Attack on all enemies for big Quantum damage.
Xueyi of the Ten Lords
Next, here are all of the Event Warps coming as part of the 1.6 update. In phase 1 of Version 1.6, Ruan Mei will be available as the featured rate-up 5-star alongside Blade, who will be getting his first rerun. Additionally, the new Quantum 4-star Xueyi will also be available on rate-up alongside Tingyun and March 7th on both of these banners.
Then, in phase 2 of 1.6, Dr. Ratio will be sharing the spotlight with Kafka, who is also getting reran this version. The 4-stars available in Phase 2 include Sushang, Natasha and Hook.
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- Phase 1 Banners
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- Phase 2 Banners
Outside of new characters, we’ll be getting a ton of new events and gameplay additions in Version 1.6. To start, Star Rail is adding a new Trailblaze Continuance ahead of the big Penacony update coming in Version 2.0 where we explore the lower depths of the Herta Space Station. Once you’ve completed this Trailblaze Continuance, a brand new Echo of War titled Borehole Planet’s Old Crater will become available within the Space Station, so make sure to start farming this each week for high-tier Trace Upgrades.
Additionally, several new events are coming online during 1.6. Critter Pick is a fun, cute little event where, under the stewardship of master biologist Ruan Mei, you will nurture and care for a batch of little confectionary creatures themed after several popular Star Rail characters. Oh, and you’ll get to play as Arlan’s puppy, Peppy, during the event so that’ll be fun. Meanwhile, another new addition is coming to the Simulated Universe with the Gold and Gears update, which will add the Erudition Path and allow you to separate the effects of Dice and Path Resonances while within the Swarm Disaster.
Another big new feature coming in 1.6 is Pure Fiction, a new endgame mode which will rotate out with the Forgotten Hall. In Pure Fiction, enemies will constantly respawn and your goal is to slay out as much as possible during the limited rounds you have, with more enemies defeated translating to higher points scored. Each phase of Pure Fiction will come with a unique set of buffs and bonuses to let you experiment with your team compositions.
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- Critter Pick Event
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- Gold and Gears Simulated Universe Update
Outside of the 1.6 update itself, the livestream gave us a look at several characters coming with Penacony, the next planet we’ll be visiting in Honkai Star Rail Version 2.0.
The livestream revealed 8 new characters, all of whom should become available as playable units at some point after 2.0. Just to name a few, we got to see the fabulous Miss Robin, the dark and mysterious Black Swan, Sparkle of the humorous Masked Fools, Topaz’s co-worked in the IPC Aventurine and even a brief glimpse at the next Stellaron Hunter, Sam. There’s a wide and varied cast coming in Penacony, especially with the Charmony Ceremony looming on high.
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- Miss Robin and Black Swan
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- Acheron and Aventurine
Finally, and most excitingly, Hoyoverse announced they were giving away something special in return for Honkai: Star Rail winning multiple awards at various game award shows this year, including Mobile Game of the Year at the 2023 Game Awards. As thanks, after the Panta Rhei Character Event Warp goes live in the second half of Version 1.6, every single person who logs onto Star Rail between then and 2.1 will get a free copy of the new limited 5-star Dr. Ratio for absolutely free to keep forever.
Honkai: Star Rail Version 1.6 is releasing on the 27th of December 2023.
Free Dr. Ratio#
