In the upcoming Honkai: Star Rail 3.3 update, players may find themselves needing to choose between two compelling new characters: Hyacine and Cipher. As the game currently evolves through Version 3.2, which is centered around the expansive stories of Amphoreus, the limitations on earning free Stellar Jade—a crucial currency for obtaining Star Rail Special Passes—make this decision even more pressing. Presently, players are experiencing Phase 1 of this major patch, featuring a unique banner spotlighting Castorice. However, this dynamic landscape will shift in a few weeks as we transition to Phase 2.
Phase 2 will see the departure of Castorice’s banner, as well as the triple rerun featuring popular characters Jiaoqiu, Acheron, and Fugue. Instead, players can expect the debut banner for Anaxa alongside a highly anticipated rerun for Dr. Ratio. Each banner is set to last three weeks, consistent with the typical six-week format of updates, before the game undergoes maintenance and introduces new content, including two fresh characters in Version 3.3.
Introducing Hyacine & Cipher: The New Characters in Honkai: Star Rail 3.3
Both Units Confirmed as 5-Star Characters
The fresh faces in this patch, Hyacine and Cipher, have been confirmed through HoYoverse’s ongoing drip marketing campaign on their official social media channels—indicating their inclusion in Version 3.3 is nearly certain. Both characters are classified as 5-stars, which raises concerns about a diminishing variety of 4-star characters in the game.
HoYoverse has disclosed that Hyacine will embody the Wind element and follow the Path of Remembrance, while Cipher will represent the Quantum element on the Path of Nihility. These designations hint at their functional roles within team setups. Cipher is likely to serve as a debuffer, while Hyacine’s versatile Path suggests she could fulfill multiple roles, balancing between support and damage output. Insight from the beta test leaks has provided a bounty of details regarding their gameplay mechanics.
Evaluating the Pros & Cons of Saving Stellar Jade for Hyacine
Hyacine: A Potential Game-Changing Healer
While the full scope of Hyacine’s abilities is yet to be officially unveiled (anticipated during the ensuing livestream), numerous leaks suggest she will excel as a healer, restoring her allies’ health with her memosprite, dubbed Ica. Sources indicate that both her Skill and Ultimate allow her to summon Ica for healing support. During her Ultimate, Hyacine enters a special state known as Petrichoric Clear Skies, which provides a significant boost to all allies’ Max HP.
Within this Petrichoric state, Ica will automatically heal allies following any ability that Hyacine activates. Additionally, Hyacine’s passive abilities reportedly amplify her CRIT Rate by a staggering 100%, which could allow her to also contribute to DPS output. The leaks suggest that players should focus on building her Speed (SPD), as enhancing her outgoing healing hinges on maintaining high SPD figures.
Hyacine’s continuous healing abilities make her a highly reliable support character, ensuring her allies remain in fighting form. Her capacity to increase Max HP could prove exceptionally beneficial, particularly in team compositions involving characters like Mydei and Tribbie. For teams geared towards HP loss mechanics, Hyacine could emerge as the leading healer, effectively overshadowing current top choices like Luocha.
However, building Hyacine may prove challenging due to the delicate balance of required stats. Achieving substantial Max HP while maintaining impressive SPD and healing output poses a significant obstacle, calling for careful farming of Relics and Ornaments.
Weighing the Pros & Cons of Saving Stellar Jade for Cipher
Cipher: A Potential DPS and Debuffer
In contrast, Cipher is projected to serve primarily as a secondary DPS and debuffer. Leaks reveal that she uses her Skill to reduce an enemy’s ATK while her Ultimate delivers True DMG, which is then distributed among affected foes. Additionally, Cipher can initiate follow-up attacks against enemies with the highest Max HP whenever allies strike them, further accentuating her role as a damage contributor.
Yet, Cipher’s abilities come with trade-offs; her stat requirements and overall effectiveness may not merit her selection over existing characters like Jiaoqiu or Pela, who could fulfill similar roles with lesser investment.
Consider Saving Stellar Jade for Honkai: Star Rail 3.4
At this juncture, Hyacine appears to be the more advantageous choice, especially given the limited availability of top-tier healers compared to damage-focused units in Honkai: Star Rail. Hyacine promises a revolutionary role in HP loss team setups, particularly outshining Luocha. Nevertheless, some players might find themselves drawn to save their pulls for upcoming content in Version 3.4.
Rumors suggest that Phainon will debut in Version 3.4, anticipated to be a formidable DPS character, rounding off a lineup that could change the metagame. Additionally, potential collaborations with Fate in this update may introduce characters that could overshadow both Hyacine and Cipher. As such, strategizing your resource allocation now could prove crucial in maintaining a competitive edge.
While forgoing immediate pulls for Hyacine poses risks of missing out on a stellar healer, holding out might yield even more substantial character choices in the subsequent patch. Ultimately, the decision hinges on your gameplay style and team composition needs.