There may be a free 5-star character giveaway inHonkai: Star Rail3.6 that could tackle the worst issue with the game at the moment, even if it doesn’t provide a definitive solution to the problem.The popular turn-based RPG by developer HoYoverse is currently entering Version 3.5, an important patch that brings more content to the Amphoreus storyline and adds Hysilens and Cerydra asnew characters inHonkai: Star Rail3.5.
In addition to the new gameplay possibilities enabled by the new playable units, the update also introduces new characters, like the long-teased Cyrene, as well as the alternative forms for March 7th and Dan Heng.HoYoverse has already confirmed Evernight and Permansor Terrae via drip marketing posts, some of which may become thebestHonkai: Star Railcharacters this year.
Dan Heng: Permansor Terrae May Be A Free 5-Star Character In HSR 3.6
Dan Heng’s New Form Is Confirmed To Be A Physical Preservation Unit
Now, there has been a leak about one of these characters being given away for free. According to information provided by the leaker known as Anon, which was shared by user CSTheng in a post tagged as “Reliable” onReddit,a limited 5-star Physical Preservation character may be given for free during Version 3.6, and that description matches Dan Heng: Permansor Terrae.
The new form for Dan Heng is the only Preservation character who deals Physical DMG so far, and there haven’t been leaks about other 5-star Physical Preservation units arriving anytime soon.The leak also reveals that the new characters in Version 3.6 won’t have special gacha cutsceneslike Castorice orPhainon inHonkai: Star Rail. Even so, the rumors of a free copy of Permansor Terrae are promising.
Honkai: Star Rail 3.6’s Permansor Terrae Giveaway Makes Sense
Dan Heng’s New Form Could Provide Players With Gameplay Options
The rumors about the Permansor Terrae giveaway make some sense. Aside from the free 5-star Luocha or Ruan Mei giveaway earlier this year, as a means of celebrating the turn-based RPG’s second anniversary, and the recent Archer giveaway as part of theFatecollab event, it’s been a while since the game has given a brand-newHonkai-exclusive character for free.
In fact,the last distribution of this kind was with Dr. Ratio back in Version 1.6. Time-wise, it could make sense for a new character from the game’s own universe to be given in a distribution event. Moreover, the rumors about a free sustain character like Permansor Terrae coincide with leaks about a new endgame mode that will put you up against bosses.
According to a leak that was also provided by Anon and shared by user CSTheng onReddit,Version 3.6 will introduce a new endgame mode that requires you to have three team compsto face several bosses and reach the final stage. The leaked giveaway ofDan Heng’s new form inHonkai: Star Rail3.6 would be a great way of providing players with an extra sustain character.
With an additional sustain character,you may have a better time building a team and having a unit keep the party alive through this and other activities. Beyond serving as the pillar for a third team comp for the rumored endgame mode, a new free sustain character could significantly help returning players, too. There aren’t many sustain options altogether, and free ones are even more limited.
There have been 4-star sustain character distribution events in the past, but acquiring them now is restricted to banners. As such,older players who joined at launch and are returning now may only have access to Natasha or March 7th, some of the worst sustain characters in the game. The issue with Natasha is that she heals but doesn’t cleanse debuffs, whereas March 7th’s shield application is minimal.
Honkai: Star Rail Is In Desperate Need Of More Free Sustain Options
The Game Also Needs More 4-Star Characters
A free Permansor Terrae could be a way of mitigating that problem, even if it doesn’t solve it entirely.Hopefully, the leak is true, but the game still needs to improve the quantity, quality, and availability of sustain options, be they shielders orhealers inHonkai: Star Rail. Both sustain categories lack more character options. Meanwhile, there is an abundance of DPS and support characters.
Even a lot of the modern team comps look back to older healers and shielders. While it is great, as the older characters haven’t been powercrept and have held onto their value,their scarcity is really starting to affect gameplay, as combat is becoming more dire with new enemies and their scaling powers, which match the power of the current DPS units likeCastorice inHonkai: Star Rail.
The confirmed release of Permansor Terrae and his leaked free giveaway in Version 3.6 is certainly a step in the right direction, but HoYoverse needs to continue working on more sustain units for its players. Moreover,it also needs to work on more 4-star units, as these are the team comp backbones for F2P players.
There hasn’t been a single 4-star character release this year – the last 4-star unit to arrive was Moze in Version 2.5, in September 2024. Since then, F2P players may have been forced to use a lot of old characters. I’m particularly excited about Promensor Terrae’s release inHonkai: Star Rail3.6, but this excitement is reflective of just how much work HoYoverse actually has to do.
