HoYoverse held a special broadcast today (the 22nd) ahead of the 4.3 version update for its turn-based RPG, 'Honkai: Star Rail'.

Version 4.3 introduces Asat Pramad, a Lord Ravager and the mastermind behind the Ideal Paradise. As it is revealed that the remains of the Aeon of 'Voracity,' who governs longing and predation, are sealed within the Ideal Paradise, the story of 'Graphia,' the progenitor of the Murata family who once sought to save Ahatopia, is also brought to light. Additionally, new clues will be provided regarding the mystery surrounding Murata Himeko, who became a navigator for the Astral Express after winning the 'Phantom Moon' game 15 years ago.

The Version 4.3 update features the debut of 'Heavenly Night-Blade' as a featured character. A Fire-type character following the Path of Nihility, Heavenly Night-Blade uses their own body as a furnace to reforge a broken sword and enter an enhanced state when using their Ultimate. In this state, they deploy a barrier that applies a damage-taken-increase debuff to all enemies within it, while gaining special charges whenever an ally attacks an enemy. Once fully charged, the character automatically triggers their combat skill as a follow-up attack twice. Their Technique attacks enemies in a certain range, taunting them upon entry and reducing the damage the character receives.

The 'Heavenly Night-Blade' banner will launch alongside a rerun of 'Dawn' in the first half of version 4.3, while 'Cyrene' and 'Phynon' will return in the second half. Players who obtain 'Heavenly Night-Blade' during its banner period will receive the Trailblazer outfit 'Karma of the Other Shore' for free.

New mini-game events for Version 4.3 include 'Pixel Plane Brawl' and 'Spirit Amusement Park.' 'Pixel Plane Brawl' is a roguelike event where players customize their own fighter jet, strengthening it to defeat 99 competitors and set a high score. 'Spirit Amusement Park' is a simulation-style mini-game where players build an amusement park for spirits and design their movement paths. Participating in these mini-games offers various rewards, including Stellar Jades.

The Version 4.3 update also brings several system optimizations. A new 'widget feature' will be introduced, allowing players to check their real-time Trailblaze Power and daily mission status directly from their smartphone home screen. 'Use Combustion Acceleration Ticket/Deep Immersion Device' will be added to the daily mission activity requirements. Additionally, cross-device setting synchronization will be supported. Furthermore, a new high-difficulty challenge mode called 'Star-Rise Mode' will be added to 'Memory of Chaos,' 'Pure Fiction,' and 'Apocalyptic Shadow.' In this mode, players must organize a total of three teams instead of the usual two to challenge three stages. Individual retries are available for each stage, and completing Star-Rise Mode perfectly grants an additional 100 Stellar Jades per cycle, totaling 300 Stellar Jades across all three contents.

Finally, collaboration news was shared. First, a collaboration with the electronics brand 'UGREEN' was announced. Various themed merchandise featuring Acheron will be released, with more details to follow. Additionally, following last year's success, the Fate/stay night UBW collaboration will continue. This collaboration is scheduled for after Version 4.3, with Rin Tohsaka appearing as a Quantum-type character on the Path of Erudition, and Gilgamesh as an Imaginary-type character on the Path of Destruction. Players will be able to obtain Gilgamesh or Archer for free when the collaboration event opens, with further details to be provided in future announcements.