When it comes to deciding between Castorice and Anaxa in Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.2, players may find themselves in a challenging position due to limited free Stellar Jade. This scarcity can significantly impact how many pulls can be achieved without investing real money into the game. To make a well-informed choice, it is critical to understand the abilities, advantages, and disadvantages of each character. Recent leaks and drip marketing have confirmed the arrival of Castorice and Anaxa as playable characters in this update, but keep in mind that they are available for a limited duration.
Castorice is a 5-star Quantum character on the Path of Remembrance, while Anaxa is a 5-star Wind unit aligned with the Path of Erudition. Both heroes will be featured in the banners for Version 3.2, yet obtaining them can be a challenge, particularly since their 5-star status enforces low pull rates and high pity counts. The new update includes additional rewards celebrating the second anniversary of the turn-based RPG, but acquiring both characters and their signature Light Cones could still prove difficult.
Castorice & Anaxa Release Timing in Honkai: Star Rail 3.2
Release in Different Banner Phases
While Castorice and Anaxa both debut in the same update, they will be available in different banner phases. Castorice will be featured in the Phase 1 character banners, which run from April 9 to April 30. During this time, she shares the gacha pool with the triple rerun banner featuring characters Acheron, Jiaoqiu, and Fugue. Following this period, Castorice’s banner will conclude and be replaced by the Phase 2 banners, making it uncertain when she will return to Honkai: Star Rail.
Starting April 30, the Phase 1 banners will transition into Phase 2. Castorice’s banners will be supplanted by Anaxa’s debut banner, complemented by a long-awaited rerun featuring Dr. Ratio. Phase 2 banners, which include Anaxa and Dr. Ratio, are expected to run from April 30 through May 20, barring any changes in the release schedule. This timing leads into Version 3.3, which will introduce new characters Hyacine and Cipher, although the exact order of their respective banners remains unconfirmed.
Evaluating the Benefits and Drawbacks of Castorice
Castorice: High Damage with Significant HP Drain
As a character from the Path of Remembrance, Castorice excels as a main DPS thanks to her association with the dragon-like memosprite, Netherwing. Her kit is designed to deal heavy damage while simultaneously draining HP from her allies. Castorice’s Skill inflicts damage on enemies while keeping track of the total HP lost by her partners. Once she reaches a threshold, she can unleash her Ultimate to summon Netherwing, which in turn drains its own health to unleash powerful damage on enemies, scaling with her maximum HP.
Once Netherwing is summoned, Castorice is capable of executing a potent joint attack against foes. Besides its damage potential, Netherwing can absorb lethal attacks meant for allies, adding a layer of defense. Additionally, Castorice possesses a unique revival ability that can resurrect a fallen ally, even if she is not actively in the current team comp. Despite her overwhelming damage capabilities, the drawback lies in the significant HP drain required, risking the health of her teammates unless adequately mitigated through powerful healing.
Ideally, forming a team around Castorice demands high HP characters and a strong healer. Fortunately, players can acquire a complimentary Luocha in Honkai: Star Rail 3.2, serving as a potent healer if they do not already possess one.
However, Castorice does have her limitations. The most immediate concern is her substantial HP drain, which without proper healing can jeopardize your team—especially against formidable adversaries. If the idea of a character that benefits from HP loss doesn’t appeal to you, Castorice might not suit your gameplay style. Additionally, Castorice’s build can be intricate.
As of now, Castorice has limited Light Cone options: primarily her signature 5-star weapon and a 4-star battle pass item. Consequently, if you cannot acquire either of these, you will be forced to utilize a less effective Remembrance Light Cone, which hinders her overall effectiveness.
On a positive note, her overall build is quite streamlined. Players will primarily farm a singular set of Relics and Ornaments, concentrating on CRIT and HP for optimal performance. This focus simplifies the build process compared to those requiring multiple stats like Energy Regeneration Rate or ATK. Castorice proves to be a formidable character in Honkai: Star Rail, provided you adhere to her specified build.
Evaluating the Benefits and Drawbacks of Anaxa
Anaxa: Inflicting Weaknesses with a Complex Build
Conversely, Anaxa presents a distinct approach as an Erudition character. While he focuses on targeting multiple enemies, his primary function isn’t direct damage, but rather the ability to inflict new Weaknesses on opponents. Anaxa excels with his Ultimate, which hits all foes, imposing all seven possible Weakness types on them for an entire turn. His damage potential escalates with the number of Weaknesses present on enemies, making him a valuable asset in team compositions.
In comparison to Castorice, Anaxa possesses a wider array of Light Cone options. Even a less specialized 5-star like Eternal Calculus can work proficiently with him, not to mention an upcoming special event that will yield a free 4-star Light Cone optimized for his kit. Additionally, Anaxa is versatile, serving both as a main DPS in hypercarry strategies or as a secondary DPS and support in dual-DPS setups.
Nonetheless, Anaxa’s build mechanically demands more attention, needing critical stats such as CRIT, ATK, and Energy Regeneration Rate. Depending on your team’s configuration, some investment in SPD might also be necessary—a factor that Castorice has no requirement for, as her Relics do not depend on SPD considerations.
In conclusion, neither Castorice nor Anaxa can be considered universally superior; instead, the choice between them hinges on personal preferences, gameplay goals, and the willingness to invest in proper builds. Castorice presents complexities around Light Cone accessibility and health management, while Anaxa’s challenge lies in the nuances of his stat requirements. Regardless of your selection, both characters are capable of significantly enhancing your gameplay experience in Honkai: Star Rail.