Honkai Star Rail 3.5 Banners Revealed: New 5-Stars Hysilens & Cerydra Join Kafka & Silver Wolf Reruns

“Honkai Star Rail 3.5 banners” are officially confirmed following Hoyoverse’s August 10, 2025, livestream, sparking massive anticipation. The update launches globally on August 13, 2025, introducing two new 5-star characters—Hysilens and Cerydra—alongside coveted reruns of Kafka and Silver Wolf. Phase 1 kicks off with Hysilens’ debut, while Phase 2 features Cerydra’s arrival, both paired with the ongoing HSR x Fate collab. For Trailblazers strategizing their pulls, this is the most consequential banner lineup of 2025.

Phase Breakdown: Characters and Light Cones

Phase 1 (August 13 – September 4)

• 5-Stars: Hysilens (New, Imaginary/Erudition) and Kafka (Rerun, Lightning/Nihility).
• 4-Stars: Asta (Fire/Harmony), Arlan (Lightning/Destruction), Hook (Fire/Destruction).
• Light Cones: Why Does the Ocean Sing (Hysilens’ signature), Patience Is All You Need (Kafka’s signature), plus 4-stars Eyes of the Prey, Poised to Bloom, and Indelible Promise.

Kafka’s rerun is a strategic win for DoT (Damage over Time) teams, synergizing with recent meta shifts. As noted in Hoyoverse’s Combat Design Insights 2025, her resurgence aligns with new end-game content favoring multi-target debuffs.

Phase 2 (September 4 – September 24)

• 5-Stars: Cerydra (New, Ice/Hunt) and Silver Wolf (Rerun, Quantum/Nihility).
• 4-Stars: Sampo (Wind/Nihility), Qingque (Quantum/Erudition), Dan Heng (Wind/Hunt).
• Light Cones: Epoch Etched in Golden Blood (Cerydra’s signature), The Birth of the Self (Silver Wolf’s signature), plus 4-stars Swordplay and Past and Future.

Silver Wolf’s return offers universal support, crucial for breaking high-level Memory of Chaos stages. Her versatility was highlighted in PC Gamer’s July 2025 tier list, cementing her as S-tier for weakness implantation.

HSR x Fate Collab Continuation

Archer and Saber remain available through Phase 2, alongside signature Light Cones:

• The Hell Where Ideals Burn (Saber)
• A Thankless Coronation (Archer)
  Collab mechanics will expand with new story quests, per Hoyoverse’s Special Program Recap.

Resource Planning Guide

• Jade Savings: F2P players earn ~7,200 Stellar Jades monthly (via daily activities/events).
• Pity System: Soft pity starts at 75 pulls (guaranteed 5-star at 90). Plan around dual banners!
• Priority Tips: Pull Kafka for DoT supremacy or Silver Wolf for flexibility. New characters’ kits will be testable in trial stages post-launch.

Must Know

Q: When do the Honkai Star Rail 3.5 banners end?
A: Phase 1 ends September 4; Phase 2 concludes September 24. The HSR x Fate collab has no confirmed end date but may conclude with 3.5.

Q: Are Archer and Saber worth pulling in 3.5?
A: Yes—both excel in burst damage. Saber’s AoE clears mobs efficiently, while Archer’s ranged attacks dominate single-target fights, per RPG Site’s collab review (July 2025).

Q: What’s the best banner for new players?
A: Phase 1 (Hysilens + Kafka) offers balanced DPS/Nihility options. Kafka’s rerun is especially beginner-friendly due to low investment requirements.

Q: Will 3.5 add free characters or Light Cones?
A: Hoyoverse hasn’t announced free 5-stars, but login events typically reward 4-star Light Cones (e.g., Poised to Bloom in Phase 1).

Q: How long is the 3.5 update?
A: Six weeks—shorter than standard patches due to accelerated content schedules.

Q: Should I save for future versions after 3.5?
A: Datamines suggest 3.6 introduces a Quantum Harmony unit. Balance immediate needs (Kafka/Silver Wolf) against long-term roster gaps.

The Honkai Star Rail 3.5 banners deliver strategic depth with meta-defining reruns and high-risk/high-reward new units. Kafka and Silver Wolf remain essential for account progression, while Hysilens and Cerydra promise fresh playstyles. With Phase 1 launching August 13, start stockpiling Stellar Jades now—your next 5-star could redefine your end-game viability. Prioritize wisely, Trailblazers!