Along With Heroic Spirits - Honkai Star Rail - Version 3.4

Along With Heroic Spirits - Honkai Star Rail - Version 3.4

The Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.4 update, titled "For the Sun is Set to Die," launched on July 2, 2025, and introduced a significant collaboration with *Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works]* alongside new characters, events, and content. Below is a detailed overview of the update, focusing on the "Heroic Spirits" introduced through the collaboration and other key features, with all links removed:

### Heroic Spirits in Version 3.4
The *Fate/stay night* collaboration, which began on July 11, 2025, introduced three legendary Heroic Spirits as playable characters: Phainon, Saber, and Archer. These characters bring unique combat styles and are central to the collaboration event, "Sweet Dreams and the Holy Grail War," set in Penacony. Here’s a breakdown of the Heroic Spirits:

1. **Phainon (5★, Physical, Destruction)**
- **Role**: Main DPS character with a transformation ability that allows him to deal massive AoE (Area of Effect) damage. During transformation, his teammates are temporarily locked out of battle, but he gains significant power to handle challenges solo.
- **Banner**: "To Evermore Burn as the Sun" (July 1 – July 23, 2025).
- **Story Context**: Phainon is a central figure in the Version 3.4 narrative, tied to the Era Nova arc. Players explore his backstory in Aedes Elysiae, his childhood home, which includes a village and a hidden forest. His journey involves delivering the final Coreflame to the Vortex of Genesis, a pivotal moment in the Amphoreus storyline.

2. **Saber (5★, Wind, Destruction)**
- **Role**: Excels in powerful area attacks with Core Resonance buildup, making her a strong AoE DPS character.
- **Banner**: "Excalibur Excelsior" (July 11 – beyond Version 3.4, as collaboration banners remain available).
- **Signature Light Cone**: "A Thankless Coronation" (5★, Destruction), available via the "Birth of a King" Collaboration Warp.
- **Collaboration Context**: Saber is one of the Heroic Spirits summoned in the Holy Grail War event in Penacony, where players act as Masters to summon and fight alongside Servants.

3. **Archer (5★, Quantum, The Hunt)**
- **Role**: A DPS character focused on sustained single-target damage, with the ability to use his Skill multiple times in one turn, likely tied to his *Unlimited Blade Works* ability.
- **Banner**: "I Am the Bone of My Sword" (July 11 – beyond Version 3.4).
- **Signature Light Cone**: "The Hell Where Ideals Burn" (5★, The Hunt), obtainable for free by spending 200 Star Rail Special Passes on any Version 3.4 Warp Banner (July 11 – August 13, 2025).
- **Collaboration Benefits**: Players can claim a free copy of Archer (up to Lv. 60) by logging in during the event period (July 11, 2025 – end of Version 3.6) after completing the Trailblaze Mission "Amphoreus — Dawn, Shine at the World's End."
- **Collaboration Context**: Like Saber, Archer is a Heroic Spirit in the Penacony Holy Grail War, adding strategic depth to battles.

4. **Lancer (Mentioned but Not Playable)**
- Lancer is referenced as one of the Heroic Spirits summoned in the "Sweet Dreams and the Holy Grail War" event but is not a playable character in Version 3.4. Their role is likely narrative-driven within the collaboration story.

### Fate/stay night Collaboration Details
- **Event Name**: "Sweet Dreams and the Holy Grail War"
- **Start Date**: July 11, 2025, at 12:00 (server time).
- **Story**: Set in Penacony, the Trailblazer receives an invitation from Old Oti of the Alfalfa Family to participate in a special entertainment program called the Holy Grail War. Seven participants, including the Trailblazer, Aventurine, Boothill, and Robin, summon historical figures as Servants to compete. The event introduces a new co-op game mode, replacing the previous "Seal Slammers" mode, and is designed as long-term multiplayer content.
- **Event Warps**:
- Collaboration Warps use Star Rail Special Passes and share a guarantee warp count with each other (but not with other Warp types).
- These banners remain available beyond Version 3.4, unlike standard event banners.
- **Collaboration Benefits**:
- Free Archer character and materials to build him to Lv. 60 via login during the event.
- Free 5★ Light Cone "The Hell Where Ideals Burn" after spending 200 Star Rail Special Passes.
- **Recommendations**: Players are advised to complete the Trailblaze Mission "Penacony — Stranger in a Strange Land" and the Trailblaze Continuance "Battles Without Ninja and Humanity" before engaging in the collaboration story. The "Finality’s Vision" function allows early access to the content.

### Other Version 3.4 Highlights
- **New Area**: Aedes Elysiae, a small location with a village and hidden forest, tied to Phainon’s backstory.
- **Trailblaze Mission**: Continues the Amphoreus arc, focusing on the Era Nova and the delivery of the Coreflame to the Vortex of Genesis.
- **Character Buffs (Novaflare System)**:
- **Silver Wolf, Blade, Kafka, and Jingliu** received enhancements to their abilities, Traces, and Eidolons. Players can toggle between enhanced and original states.
- Example: Silver Wolf’s Ultimate is now AoE instead of single-target.
- The Novaflare system allows players to test these changes in the Travel Log and earn Stellar Jades.
- **New Light Cones**:
- **5★**: "Thus Burns the Dawn" (Destruction), "A Thankless Coronation" (Destruction), "The Hell Where Ideals Burn" (The Hunt).
- **4★**: "The Story’s Next Page" (Remembrance), "A Dream Scented in Wheat" (Erudition), "A Trail of Bygone Blood" (Destruction), "Holiday Thermae Escapade" (Nihility).
- The Nameless Honor battle pass ("Jewels of the Starry Seas") now offers 16 selectable Light Cones, including new 4★ options.
- **New Skin**: Firefly’s "Spring Missive" outfit, available at a discounted price of 1,350 Oneiric Shards until the end of Version 3.4 (then 1,680 Oneiric Shards).
- **New Material**: Charred Bud of Twilight, a Stagnant Shadow material for ascending future Wind characters (likely Cerydra in Version 3.5).
- **Events**:
- **Origami Bird Clash**: A limited-time event in Version 3.4.
- **Fate/stay night Event**: Includes combat challenges and collaboration rewards.
- **Rerun Banners**:
- **Phase 1 (July 1 – July 23, 2025)**: Tribbie, Sparkle, Sunday.
- **Phase 2 (July 23 – August 12, 2025)**: Firefly, Jingliu, Blade.
- **Free 5★ Character**: Players can choose between Ruan Mei or Luocha as a free limited 5★ character by logging in from Version 3.2 to the end of Version 3.4.
- **Quality-of-Life Improvements**:
- Optimized Trailblaze Mission flow (e.g., skippable puzzles, reduced dialogues).
- Enhanced "Aptitude Showcase" with character switching and Auto-Battle features.
- New "Mass Superimposition" feature for 4★ Light Cones.
- "Stellar Convergence" shop with exchangeable 5★ characters and Light Cones.
- Eidolon Overflow system: Extra 5★ character pulls grant "Silver Companion Spirit" for shop exchanges.

### Sources
The information is compiled from multiple sources, including Game8 (Version 3.4 Summary, Livestream Details), Honkai: Star Rail Wiki, IGN, Icy Veins, ONE Esports, Sportskeeda, Gematsu, and PlayStation Blog.

For more details, check the official HoYoLAB community or the Version 3.4 patch notes on the Honkai: Star Rail website. If you have specific questions about any Heroic Spirit, event mechanics, or other Version 3.4 content, let me know!