Honkai Star Rail 3.5 “Before Their Deaths” officially launches on August 13, 2025, at 11 am (UTC+8), marking the beginning of Amphoreus storyline’s second half. With new characters, enhanced gameplay mechanics, and exciting story developments, Trailblazers worldwide are eagerly awaiting this major update from HoYoverse.

Honkai Star Rail: Global Release Schedule & Time Zones

The update releases globally on August 13, 2025, following a standard 5-hour maintenance period on August 12. HoYoverse has confirmed different release times across regions to accommodate server infrastructure.

Honkai Star Rail 3.5 Release Times by Region

Region	Release Date	Local Time	UTC Equivalent	Maintenance Start
Asia/China	August 13, 2025	11:00 AM CST	03:00 UTC	August 12, 6:00 AM
Europe	August 13, 2025	5:00 AM CET	03:00 UTC	August 12, 12:00 AM
North America (East)	August 12, 2025	11:00 PM EST	03:00 UTC+1	August 12, 6:00 PM
North America (West)	August 12, 2025	8:00 PM PST	03:00 UTC+1	August 12, 3:00 PM
Australia	August 13, 2025	2:00 PM AEST	04:00 UTC	August 12, 9:00 AM

Source: Game8, Sportskeeda, Gematsu

What’s New in Version 3.5 “Before Their Deaths”

This update kicks off the second half of the Amphoreus story, introducing fresh companions, challenging enemies, and expanded gameplay mechanics that will shape the Trailblaze journey.

Key Features:

New Characters: Introduction of Hysilens and Cerydra with unique abilities
Story Continuation: Second half of Amphoreus storyline development
Character Reruns: Popular character banner returns for collectors
Enhanced Events: Special limited-time activities and rewards

Pre-Update Maintenance Information

Before each major update, HoYoverse conducts essential server maintenance to implement new features and ensure stable gameplay experience.

Maintenance Details:

Duration: Approximately 5 hours
Start Time: August 12, 2025 (varies by region)
Game Access: Complete server shutdown during maintenance
Compensation: Free Stellar Jades for all players post-maintenance

New Character Banners & Availability

Version 3.5 brings exciting character roster additions alongside returning favorites through rerun banners, giving players multiple summoning opportunities.

Expected Banner Schedule:

Phase 1: New character debuts (Hysilens/Cerydra)
Phase 2: Character reruns with enhanced drop rates
Duration: Each phase typically runs 3 weeks

For comprehensive gacha guides and character analysis, check our Honkai Star Rail coverage and explore gacha game strategies.

Amphoreus Story Development

The “Before Their Deaths” subtitle hints at dramatic narrative developments in the ongoing Amphoreus arc, promising emotional storylines and character development that fans have been anticipating.

Story Expectations:

Deeper character backstories and motivations
New planetary locations and exploration opportunities
Enhanced combat scenarios with fresh enemy types
Expanded lore surrounding the Amphoreus civilization

Technical Preparations for Players

To ensure smooth update experience, players should complete necessary preparations before maintenance begins.

Pre-Update Checklist:

Complete ongoing events and claim rewards
Finish daily missions and energy consumption
Clear inventory space for new items
Update game client when available

Platform Availability

The update releases simultaneously across all supported platforms, ensuring unified gameplay experience regardless of device preference.

Supported Platforms:

Mobile: iOS and Android devices
PC: Windows via official launcher or Epic Games Store
PlayStation: PS4 and PS5 compatibility

Post-Launch Events & Rewards

Following the update launch, HoYoverse typically introduces special events celebrating new content releases, offering exclusive rewards and bonuses.

Expected Post-Launch Activities:

Login bonus campaigns with premium rewards
Character trial events for new additions
Limited-time story quests with Stellar Jade rewards
Anniversary celebrations and community events

The Version 3.5 update represents a significant milestone in Honkai Star Rail’s ongoing evolution, promising enhanced gameplay experiences and compelling narrative developments for the growing Trailblazer community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What exact time does Honkai Star Rail 3.5 release in my region?

A: Honkai Star Rail 3.5 “Before Their Deaths” releases globally on August 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM CST (UTC+8). For North American players, this translates to August 12 at 11:00 PM EST and 8:00 PM PST. European players can access the update on August 13 at 5:00 AM CET. The release follows a 5-hour maintenance period starting August 12, so plan accordingly and complete any ongoing activities before servers go offline.

Q2: What major content can players expect in the 3.5 “Before Their Deaths” update?

A: Version 3.5 introduces the second half of the Amphoreus storyline with dramatic narrative developments, new characters Hysilens and Cerydra, enhanced gameplay mechanics, and character rerun banners. Players will encounter fresh companions, confront new enemies and events, and explore expanded planetary locations.