Honkai Star Rail Phase 1 V3.5 Hysilens & Rerun Kafka

Honkai Star Rail Phase 1 V3.5 Hysilens & Rerun Kafka brings the debut of Hysilens, a Physical Nihility unit, and the return of fan-favorite Kafka from the Stellaron Hunters. Phase 2 will follow with new Wind Harmony character Cerydra and a rerun of Silver Wolf.

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Overview of HSR Phase 1 V3.5

Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.5, expected to launch on August 12, 2025 (North American servers) and August 13, 2025 (Asia/EU servers), brings a major update to the Astra lineup and banner rotation.

Phase 1 of this update centers on Hysilens a new 5‑star Physical character on the Nihility path and the rerun of Kafka, a Lightning‑element Nihility unit known for her DoT detonator gameplay.

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Meet the Stars of Phase 1: Hysilens & Kafka

Phase 1 of Honkai Star Rail Phase 1 V3.5 Hysilens & Rerun Kafka highlights two powerful Nihility units who thrive in DoT-based team compositions.

Hysilens

Hysilens is a brand-new 5-star character debuting in Version 3.5. As a Physical Nihility unit, he excels at inflicting Bleed-type damage over time and applying debuffs to enemies. Early details suggest that his abilities not only stack persistent DoTs but also include internal detonation mechanics, allowing him to trigger additional bursts of damage. His skillset is designed to synergize seamlessly with Kafka, making him a perfect fit for DoT-centric strategies.

Kafka

Kafka, returning as a rerun in this phase, is already well-known for her Lightning Nihility path and her ability to amplify existing DoT effects. She remains a cornerstone of many DoT teams due to her passive and follow-up attacks that automatically trigger DoT detonations. In both lore and gameplay, Kafka stands out as a formidable Stellaron Hunter and a fan-favorite character for players who enjoy tactical, effect-based combat.

Together, Hysilens and Kafka form a devastating DoT duo, capable of overwhelming enemies with a combination of status effects, detonation chains, and consistent pressure. If you’re aiming to build a meta-relevant team in Version 3.5, pulling during Honkai Star Rail Phase 1 V3.5 Hysilens & Rerun Kafka is an opportunity worth considering.

Banner Schedule & Timeline

Phase	Banner Start (NA / Asia&EU)	Banner End
Phase 1 – Hysilens & Kafka	Aug 12, 2025 / Aug 13, 2025	Sep 3, 2025

Hysilens banner begins phases of Version 3.5 and runs roughly six weeks from mid‑August to early September.

The Kafka rerun will align with Hysilens’ banner in Phase 1, but exact dates for her lift aren’t officially confirmed yet.

Team Composition & Strategy

In Honkai Star Rail Phase 1 V3.5 Hysilens & Rerun Kafka, the synergy between these two Nihility units creates one of the strongest DoT (damage-over-time) team setups in the game.

Hysilens is a new 5-star Physical Nihility character who stacks Bleed-type DoTs and triggers detonations for early burst damage. She excels as both a DPS and enabler.
Kafka, returning in this rerun, remains a top-tier DoT detonator. Her follow-up attacks auto-detonate existing DoTs and apply bonus hits to Electrified enemies.

Together, they form a powerful DoT duo capable of sustained, explosive damage.

Recommended team composition:

Kafka – DoT detonator and main damage dealer
Hysilens – Bleed applier and early burst
Black Swan – Spreads DoTs and adds debuffs
Hyacine – Boosts debuff effectiveness and team utility

This team excels in wave-based or long boss fights where DoTs can tick and detonate repeatedly.

Whether you’re a newcomer or veteran, Honkai Star Rail Phase 1 V3.5 Hysilens & Rerun Kafka is the perfect opportunity to build a stylish and meta-relevant DoT team.