The Honkai: Star Rail 4.3 livestream has been confirmed, and we now know a few more details about what to expect from the upcoming event, from the exciting new playable character down to what direction the story will be taking following the events seen in Version 4.2. Unlike Version 4.1, the current patch is regular-sized and is actually full of content. There are two new playable characters in Honkai: Star Rail 4.2, for example, as well as important narrative developments.

The leaks about the next big update have been quite abundant, and while it may only feature one new playable character, it seems like there is a lot to look forward to, especially with the shift that the story is taking. A few familiar, yet modified faces have been showing up in the Planarcadia story arc for some time, and there have also been some new characters, like Ashveil in Honkai: Star Rail, who have helped expand the roster and the lore alike. This will continue with Version 4.3, and its content may not take too long to be seen.

Honkai Star Rail 4.3 Livestream – Date & Time

Even though it was possible to speculate when the special event would take place, based on HoYoverse’s regular behavior between updates, the company has now announced when it will occur. According to a post on the official Honkai: Star Rail account on Instagram, the Version 4.3 livestream will happen on May 22, at 7 am ET. The Lethe Below the Living special event will be presented by Evanescia, Mortenax Blade, and Yao Guang from Honkai: Star Rail.

Given the fact that the livestream has been announced, it’s very likely that neither the special event nor the patch itself will be delayed. Usually, when the update is to be postponed, HoYoverse pushes back the livestream from when it would normally happen. The event is happening precisely when it is expected to, so it’s likely that Honkai: Star Rail 4.3 will be released on June 3, since updates arrive two weeks after the livestream, on Wednesdays.

What To Expect From Honkai: Star Rail 4.3 Livestream – New Character & Leaked Banners

The only new playable character in Version 4.3, according to the teasers made by HoYoverse and the leaks from the beta tests, is called Mortenax Blade. This new version of Blade in Honkai: Star Rail sees the Stellaron Hunter follow the Path of the Nihility and use Fire Damage against enemies. However, if the leaks are to be believed, the swordsman will still retain his HP-loss mechanics, for which he is well-known, and that ties in with his character background.

According to Mortenax Blade’s leaked kit on Honey Hunter World, his Ultimate will target all enemies by creating a zone, inflicting a debuff on them that reduces their DEF, and increasing the DMG they take. This will consume Mortenax Blade’s HP and put him into a special state. In this state, the rumors say that he’ll see CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG buffs, while also unlocking his Skill and a new Ultimate.

The leaks say that his Skill will see him consume HP to deal Fire DMG to all enemies, plus four instances for additional Fire DMG, each applied to one random enemy. Mortenax Blade cannot use this Skill if he does not enter the special state activated by his Ultimate. His Talent will see that, while his Zone (not unlike the Zone created by Cyrene in Honkai: Star Rail, for example) is active, he’ll accumulate charges after hitting enemies with the debuff, and when he’s gathered enough, he can use his Skill an extra time.

As seen in the leaks, Mortenax Blade will be an extremely aggressive DPS character – and having him not only use HP-loss mechanics, but deal DMG that scales on his Max HP stat makes him extremely promising. It’s worth noting that he Taunts enemies with his Basic Attack, too, which should make him the main DPS and damage sponge in the party.

According to a leak by Sakura Haven, which was shared by KaidoPklevel on Reddit, Mortenax Blade will debut in Phase 1 banners, alongside a rerun banner for Yao Guang. In Phase 2, players can expect Cyrene and Phainon reruns, according to the leaks. While this is currently unconfirmed by official sources, the banner structure will be revealed during the Honkai: Star Rail 4.3 livestream this Friday.

What To Expect From Honkai: Star Rail 4.3 Livestream – Story Updates, Events, & More

In addition to details about the new character and banners, the Version 4.3 livestream will also serve as a stage to tease the new story updates and events that will happen in the upcoming patch. Following the events in Version 4.2 and before, the Planarcadia story arc should slightly shift to showcase a bit more of the Stellaron Hunters and their role in the campaign – this is evidenced by the presence of Mortenax Blade as the new playable character, following Silver Wolf LVL.999 in Honkai: Star Rail 4.2.

When it comes to events, players can also expect several activities that will allow players to continue playing long after they beat the new story missions added with the patch. These events, as usual, should provide them with plenty of rewards, including free Stellar Jade, which could be used to obtain new characters and Light Cones. All of this should be detailed during the Honkai: Star Rail 4.2 livestream, so be sure to stay tuned.

Systems

Released

April 26, 2023

ESRB

Teen / Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Simulated Gambling, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact

Developer(s)

HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)

Publisher(s)

HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)

Engine

Unity