Honkai Star Rail 3.5 'Before Their Deaths' launches August 13

Honkai Star Rail Version 3.5 "Before Their Deaths" launches August 13, 2026 with the second half of the Amphoreus arc, 2 new 5-star characters, and the setup for the 3.6 anniversary update. The patch is the climactic build-up to the 3rd anniversary on August 28.

What's in 3.5

• 2 new 5-star characters (Hysilens

+ Cerydra)

• 2 new 4-star characters (one is

Amphoreus-themed, one is a returning NPC)

• 2 new Light Cones (5-star, one

per new character)

• 2 new boss fights (one is the

Amphoreus saga finale)

• The Amphoreus finale — a

multi-hour story quest that concludes the Amphoreus arc

• 3 new events (1 permanent, 2

limited-time)

• 1 new map zone (the Forgotten

City, a long-rumored area)

The 2 new characters

• Hysilens (5-star, Wind, Hunt) —

the first Amphoreus-native 5-star since the saga began in 3.0. The fastest single-target DPS in the game, with a follow-up attack kit. Designed to be the "speed run" carry for Memory of Chaos.

• Cerydra (5-star, Lightning,

Harmony) — the first non-Destruction 5-star Harmony since Sparkle. A "buff amplifier" support that gives extra turns to allies. Strong in DoT teams and follow-up teams.

Hysilens is the first 5-star in Amphoreus since the saga's climax. Most players expected the next 5-star to be a returning NPC; Hysilens being a new character is a surprise.

The Amphoreus finale

The Amphoreus finale is the multi-hour story quest that concludes the saga that started in Version 3.0 (January 2026). The quest:

• Is multi-part (4 separate

missions, ~3 hours total)

• Features **every Amphoreus

character** (Tribbie, Cyrene, Hysilens, Cerydra, and the antagonists)

• Has 2 boss fights (one of which

is the saga's final antagonist)

• Resolves the major plot threads

(the missing Flame-Chase journey, the truth about Amphoreus, the fate of the Chrysos Heirs)

• Sets up the 3.6 anniversary

storyline (the "Reckoning" arc begins in 3.6)

The Amphoreus finale is required content for the 3.6 anniversary story. You can't skip the quest and get the anniversary rewards.

The new map: Forgotten City

The Forgotten City is a long- rumored area that's been in the files since 3.0. The area:

• Is the **largest single map zone

in the game** (bigger than Penacony or Amphoreus proper)

• Has 4 sub-areas (Underground,

Sky, Sea, Ruin)

• Includes 2 new boss fights
• Includes 1 new domain (the

"Tower of the Forgotten" 6-player raid)

• Is the endgame area for the

Amphoreus saga

The new events

• 1 permanent event — the

"Amphoreus Archive" (a museum experience in the Forgotten City that lets you replay the saga's major cutscenes)

• 1 limited-time event — the

"Before Their Deaths" 7-day login event (10 free pulls + 1,000 Stellar Jade)

• 1 limited-time event — the

"Flame-Chase Memories" 3-week event (1 free Hysilens, 1 free 4-star)

Why it matters

3.5 is the build-up to the 3rd anniversary. The 3.6 update (Sept 24) will ship the anniversary event, the anniversary selector, and the start of the "Reckoning" arc. 3.5 is the last patch before the anniversary.

What's next

• Aug 13: Version 3.5 launches
• Aug 28: 3rd anniversary begins

(login bonus)

• Sep 24: Version 3.6 launches

(anniversary update)

• Oct 22: Version 3.7
• Nov 26: Version 3.8 (final

2026 patch)

FAQ

When does HSR 3.5 launch?

August 13, 2026.

Is Hysilens free?

No, Hysilens is a 5-star limited character. The free character from 3.5 is the returning 4-star NPC.

What's the Amphoreus finale?

The multi-part quest that concludes the Amphoreus arc. ~3 hours total, required for the 3.6 anniversary rewards.

What is the Forgotten City?

The new map zone in 3.5, the largest single map zone in the game. Has 4 sub-areas, 2 new bosses, and the endgame content for the Amphoreus saga.

What's the 3rd anniversary?

3.6 launches September 24, with 30 free pulls, 1 free 5-star selector (largest selector pool in HSR history), and the start of the "Reckoning" arc.