Main Story
Bonus
Full Progress
Herta Space Station
The Galaxy awaits. Are you ready for an adventure spanning the Honkai Universe?
The Moon's Origin and Finality
Honkai Impact 3rd
Blue ‘Somewhere Else’ blocks are completely optional to peruse. This is regarding content from other games that may give you some extra context in the story. Please keep in mind that these blue blocks can have spoilers for those games, so if you wish to play them, you should not read the blue blocks.
Honkai Impact 3rd is another miHoYo game that started its story with a manga in 2015. Alongside Houkai Gakuen 2, it established the broader Honkai Universe.
HI3 has direct connections to Honkai: Star Rail, but Star Rail is written with new players in mind.
Part 1: The Moon’s Origin and Finality ran from 2015 to 2023. The Global version released its finale on the same day as Honkai: Star Rail’s first livestream.
Playing through it is optional. If you do choose to play through it, it is highly recommended to use the Honkai Impact 3rd Story Guide to do so. You can play it alongside Star Rail.
If you don’t choose to play it, you may find the other snippets we will be sharing in this guide to be useful.
If you do choose to play it, then ignore the other HI3 snippets, as they may contain spoilers.
The Honkai. A force that has plagued humanity for ages. When humanity grows, so does the Honkai. And eventually, cataclysm consumes the world. Against it stand the Valkyries, valiant warriors with special powers. Women of hope and strength.
Kiana Kaslana, Raiden Mei and Bronya Zaychik, three students of St Freya Academy, are about to undergo their Valkyrie exams. But unbeknownst to them, they’re about to be swept up in a saga that spans generations.
Video Languages
https://viewsync.net/ is a website that allows the user to display two youtube videos simultaneously while respecting Terms of Service and giving the owner of the video their proper stats.
miHoYo often only includes subtitles on the English voiced versions of their videos. For other voiced versions, we will be including Viewsync links that will allow you to watch with both subtitles and your desired voice over. Just turn off the sound of the English version of the video, and let it play! Unfortunately, fullscreen may not be available.
In cases where the video does not exist in the wanted language on any official channels, we will link to a reupload of the video if available.
Reburn 2
Animation
Reburn 2 is an animation that was released immediately before the reveal trailer of Honkai: Star Rail, after a Honkai Impact 3rd concert. It is a concept animation, so it may not slot neatly into the story.
Golden blocks will typically represent ‘bonus content’. These are worth experiencing, but are typically not a part of the story.
Trailers
Trailers contain minor spoilers. They tease the future after all. Some content may appear earlier or much later in the guide than the trailer would suggest. This is to deal with spoilers or structural elements of the game.
Whether you watch the trailers is up to you. They can wet your appetite, but make for a less ‘blind’ experience. You can also come back and watch them after you’ve played trough the content.
Reveal trailer
Your Choice
To You Who Will Soon Depart
Witness
Info
Honkai: Star Rail allows the player to traverse several maps back and forth, picking up new missions left and right. Since it is a live service game, new missions and events are added constantly.
As such, there’s a high likelihood you will accidentally or deliberately unlock missions long before they are listed in this guide. In fact, you may accidentally trigger one while doing another mission.
Since we can’t track all of the triggers in the game, we can only advise you to avoid locations you don’t need to visit yet, and to look at your mission log regularly to check which mission you are currently playing.
Prologue
Today Is Yesterday's Tomorrow
Trailblaze Mission
Each Trailblaze Chapter is essentially a mission series. This mission series starts as soon as you enter the game.
Main Missions:
- Chaos In the Deep
- Eye of the Storm
- A Moment of Peace
- Lingering Shadows
- Simulated Universe: First Closed Beta
Now you will be given the chance to roam the area freely before completing the mission series.
You can talk to many colourful NPCs. There are also several special activities, many puzzles on the Space Station, and treasures to find. You can go through several Adventure Missions before leaving the Space Station.
- Master Control Zone
- Base Zone
- Storage Zone
- Supply Zone
- Simulated Universe: Second Closed Beta
- Road to Revival
- Emptiness of Locus Silentii
Tip
To get this mission, you must acquire 3 ‘authentications’.
- The first can be found by challenging a formidable foe in the Base Zone.
- The second can be found by exploring the Storage Zone.
- The third can be found by repeatedly talking to the Man with Luscious Hair in the Master Control Zone.
- You can use them on a hatch in the Base Zone
When you are satisfied, you can continue the main story.
Main Missions:
- The Voyage Continues
- Drifting Between the Stars
Info
When you visit the Astral Express, you can often get a random small mission from Pom-Pom. These are small optional bits of fun, but do often have a time limit once started.
Universe Lore
Star Rail takes place in the ‘Honkai Universe’. This is a Universe consisting of many worlds. It is rarely ever described by a reliable narrator. Instead, we mostly learn about it through the perspectives of the characters in it. And those characters typically have a very limited understanding of how the Universe works.
Due to the vast nature of the lore, it has become common for certain translation issues to occur. One such issue is that the words for ‘Universe’, ‘World’, ‘Galaxy’, ‘Milky Way’, ‘Star System’, ‘Sea of Stars’ etc. often get mixed up. This may cause some confusion going forward.
Several characters in Honkai: Star Rail bear a striking resemblance to certain characters from other Hoyoverse games.
In many cases, these are ‘alternate world versions’. On different worlds throughout the universe, there are many people who share aspects of their appearance and often even fate, but they are different people.
In rare cases, we do see characters themselves appear in multiple games.
Familiar Faces
If you decided not to play HI3, you can get some extra context from following these blue blocks. If you decided to play HI3, it’s better to skip these to avoid spoilers.
Interstellar Traveler
Welt is a character who came into the story directly from Honkai Impact 3rd. He’s the second Herrscher of Reason, the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy, hero of humanity, anime enthusiast… Welt Yang has had a tumultuous history.
When his hero and predecessor Welt Joyce died, Joachim Nokianvirtanen inherited the name ‘Welt’ from Joyce, and became the Herrscher of Reason. At his fingers was a power greater than he could handle.
In the wake of his father’s death, he started using his mother’s surname ‘Yang’.
After many adventures he retired from duty. Together with Frederica Nikola Tesla, he adopted a clone of Joyce. Joffrey Joyce Yang, nicknamed ‘Joey’.
Yet even when he chose to settle down, the call of duty still came for him, and he found his way onto the Express.
Otherworld Version
In the worlds of Honkai Impact 3rd and Guns GirlZ, we find a redhead called Murata Himeko.
In Honkai Impact 3rd, she took up the duties of a Valkyrie after her father’s mysterious death, not knowing her college professor Welt Yang had been involved in his passing.
Eventually she would make the ultimate sacrifice for a student of her own. When Welt saw her face on a screen, he was confused. But it wasn’t her he saw. It was Star Rail’s Himeko. A different person wearing the same face.
Otherworld Version
A version of Kafka is also present in Honkai Impact 3rd. But she doesn’t have much of a story. She just ‘exists’.
Otherworld Version
The ‘Silver Wolf of the Urals’ is the title Bronya Zaychik earned as an assassin. Both her Honkai Impact 3rd and Houkai Gakuen 2 versions have this honour.
Bronya Zaychik was raised as a child soldier and a mercenary assassin. She would also acquire sublime hacking skills, and a love for gaming.
Animations
Character trailers often come with some extra visuals and animated segments. As the game continues, the animation segments become increasingly prevalent.
Character Trailer - Let's Take a Photo!
Character Trailer - Star Chaser
Character Trailer - The Cusp of Ignition!
Character Trailer - In the Name of Landau
In the Withering Wintry Night
Trailblaze Mission
Main Missions:
- A Grand Cool Adventure
- Travelers on a Winter Night
- Everwinter Night
- You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide
- Hide-and-seek
- The Eighth and Final Rule
- Long Wait for the Blade’s Edge
Some Adventure Missions will appear on your path. You don’t have to wait until you’ve finished the Trailblaze Mission to tackle them. You can expect this to occur continuously.
- Outlying Snow Plains
- Administrative District
- Backwater Pass
- Boulder Town
- Calyx (Golden): Bud of Memories
- The Conductor’s Rewards (Pom-Pom)
When you are satisfied, you can continue the main story.
Main Missions:
- Ones Fallen into the Abyss – needs Trailblaze Level 13
- A Sunset Rendezvous
- The Past Will Return as an Avalanche
- Lying in Rust
- Backwater Pass
- Boulder Town
- Great Mine
- Vessel of Mediocrity (Part 1)
- Survival Wisdom
When you hit level 20, you will unlock ‘Trial of Equilibrium’. This will increase your level cap. Progressing Trial of Equilibrium is necessary to level up and unlock certain missions.
Main Missions:
- To Rot or to Burn
- Not Good with Farewells
- Boulder Town
- Robot Settlement
- Rivet Town
- Calyx (Crimson): Bud of Harmony | needs Equilibrium Level 1
- Night on the Great Mine (Part 1-3) | next part appears after daily reset
- Ring and Stage (1-2) | needs Trailblaze Level 16
- Don’t Forget About Home (Pom-Pom)
- Gladiator | needs Trailblaze Level 21
- Silent yet Shining
Info
Some quests may call into question the order of events. When did you return to the Express for those Pom-Pom missions? The answer is: sometimes there is no answer.
We try our best to guide you for the most complete and coherent experience possible. But sometimes the game has other plans.
In the Sweltering Morning Sun
Trailblaze Mission
Main Missions:
- Cleanse in the Darkness Outside – needs Trailblaze Level 24
- Unattainable Idol
- Young Guard
- Soldiers Stay Silent
- The Stars Are Cold Toys
- Roads to the Past Have Long Been Closed
- The Dawn Here…
- The Return
- In the Dangerous Muddy Swamp
- No Time for Me, My Friend
- Silent Galaxy
- Boulder Town
- Everwinter Hill
- Silvermane Guard Restricted Zone
- Administrative District
- Vessel of Mediocrity (Part 2-3)
- Winter Soldiers’ March
- Winter Soldiers’ March (1-3)
- An Eye for an Eye (Part 1-3)
- Out of Control
- Ancestor’s Drill Bit
- Old Fortress Scavenge
- Fleeting Lights | On the Express
Familiar Faces
Otherworld Version
In Honkai Impact 3rd and Guns GirlZ, Cocolia is an antagonist. In both games she is the orphanage mother of Seele and Bronya. Her questionable actions tend to drive a wedge between her and her orphanage daughters.
Otherworld Version
Yup, Bronya is the first character to get two otherworld versions in Honkai: Star Rail.
Notably, some other versions of the character get ties to Natasha as an orphanage mother instead of Cocolia, which makes it a neat detail that here she was in Natasha’s orphanage before being adopted by Cocolia.
Otherworld Version
Seele Vollerei is a complicated character with many versions, several of whom house two personalities.
Interestingly, Star Rail’s Wildfire Seele takes after the Firemoth Seele from Guns GirlZ.
Otherworld Version
Natasha appears in Honkai Impact 3rd as ‘Raven’, a mercenary for the World Serpent. She puts her earnings to protecting the child victims of a major disaster, running an improvised orphanage called The Roost.
Other versions of her also tend to have ties to her secret life as a fighter, and her life as a caretaker of children.
Otherworld Version
The Engine of Creation’s design reflects that of Wotan, a powerful mech in Honkai Impact 3rd Cocolia tried to power at the cost of a young woman’s life.
Otherworld Version
If you looked around in Natasha’s office, it’s likely you found a text about a Timmie obsessed with the concept of ‘pigeons’. It’s little more than a cute nod, but in Genshin Impact you can meet an NPC called Timmie who stands watch over the pigeons of Mondstadt.
The hotel we visit in Belobog shares its name with a hotel in Genshin Impact. Although in Genshin Impact, the owner ‘Goethe’ had his name translated as ‘Goth’, making it the Goth Grand Hotel.
Interlude
Companions in the Cosmos
The planets keep turning, and the Express is free to set out once more. On the Herta Space Station and Jarilo VI, some of your new friends are facing their own turmoils.
Alien Space
Honkai Impact 3rd (Manga)
This one gives a little bit more context regarding the history of Welt Yang and his connection to Himeko.
Do know that the official translation of this manga also mixes up terms like ‘world’ and ‘universe’ due to translation difficulties.
After the tumultuous events in St Fountain, Void Archives told Welt Yang to join him on a mission only he could help with.
Even knowing he might never see his wife and son again, he accepted the deal.
Now, he finds himself on a ship of the Sky People who invaded Earth, and he’s about to be struck with a reminder of events from two decades ago.
Familiar Faces
Welt’s old frenemy
In a high tech Era before Welt’s time, a supercomputer called Prometheus existed. Derivative of the supercomputer, ‘Void Archives’ was created. Void Archives was made using a Herrscher Core from the Herrscher of Reason of that Era, hence its powers are similar to Welt’s.
Centuries before Welt was born, a man named Otto Apocalypse got possession of Void Archives, and formed an alliance with the AI. Otto prolonged his life using spare bodies made of Soulium, a special substance. Void Archives would later claim one such body for himself.
It is due to Void Archives’ machinations that Welt would end up going on a space adventure. Welt’s bond to neither Otto nor Void Archives is particularly amicable, but his cooperation with Void Archives was mutually beneficial.
One can deduce from the conversations with the Express members that Void Archives did spend time on the train, but left for some unclear reason.
He appears in the background of Welt’s splash art.
An old friend
Einstein was around when Welt was a child, and is a part of the organisation of Anti-Entropy, which Welt would become the sovereign of. He trusts her with many secrets, as well as leadership in his absence. She is practically family.
She appears in the floating shards in Welt’s splash art.
Alleged wife
Tesla was also around from the early days along with Einstein, and the two are often spotted running the lab as a duo.
She eventually adopted a boy together with Welt. Whether they truly got married remains unclear, but that doesn’t stop the young ones from gossiping.
he appears in the floating shards in Welt’s splash art.
Welt’s Predecessor
Welt Joyce was a young man Joachim looked up to as a child. Upon his death, he gave Joachim his Herrscher Core, as well as the name ‘Welt’ to carry on his legacy.
The Dawn After the Dark
Companion Missions
Arlan:
- An Unexpected Turn of Events
Asta:
- You Already Know Me | needs Trailblaze Level 22
- Signs of Fragmentum
- Master Control Zone
- Supply Zone
- Base Zone
- Storage Zone
- Ever-Changing
- Guide Paradox
- Out of Reach
- Requiem Mass
- Sensitive Beings (1-3)
- Signs of Fragmentum
- Simulated Universe (Part 1-2)
- Good Stuff
- Spirit Traces
- To: The Faint Star
- Echo of War | needs Trailblaze Level 24
Azure Waters
Honkai Impact 3rd (Manga)
This is a short manga that explores the backstory of HI3’s Bronya Zaychik and Seele Vollerei. Since it’s short and pretty self contained, it’s a nice recommendation for those curious about what other versions of these characters may get up to.
The version on the main website is missing some pages, and has one page in the wrong language. It’s advised to read the Webtoon version instead. It has 11 chapters (including chapter 0). If you want to read more HI3 manga, do not continue on the Webtoon version.
The Silver Wolf of the Urals, an assassin known for her ruthless and effective killings at a young age. When Bronya Zaychik is tasked with killing ‘The Demoness’ Cocolia, her life takes a different turn than she had expected.
Stellaron Hunters
Companion Missions
Silver Wolf:
- Punklorde Mentality
Note: This was released in a later version, but this is the optimal time to play it. This will happen on occasion.
Slices of Life Before the Furnace
Companion Missions
Hook:
- Old Foreman’s Treasure
- Hook’s Treasure
- Hook’s Gift
Natasha:
- Origin of the Medicine
- Blizzard Immunity
Clara:
- Rarely Affectionate (1-2)
Serval and Gepard:
- Time Express
- Only a Child
- Eternal Freeze Aftermath
- Robot Settlement
- Boulder Town
- Everwinter Hill
- No One is Answering or Wish You Were Here | Depends on choices made in another mission
- The Adventurous Moles
- When Business Comes Knocking
Xianzhou Luofu
Phantylia Arc
Now that the matter on Jarilo VI has been settled, it’s time for the Astral Express to continue its voyage. To a new world we go!
Animations
Character Trailer - In Torrid Heat
Character Trailer - Tempered Chill
Windswept Wanderlust
Trailblaze Mission
Main Missions:
- An Invitation Without Proffer
- Amidst the Mara-Struck
- Devising Stratagems
- Scattered Memories of Hooded Past
- The Hound Chases the Fox
- Stars Spun, Prescience Sprung
High Priority Adventure Missions:
- Pallbearing Merchant, Swordwielding Recruit | needs Trailblaze Level 27
- Venom Brews, Immortality Looms | becomes unavailable later
- Cloudford
- Central Starskiff Haven
- Stargazer Navalia
- Exalting Sanctum
When you are satisfied, you can continue the main story.
Main Missions:
- New Friends Bring New Joy | needs Trailblaze Level 34
- Omniscient Inquiry of Arcana
- Wood Sprouts Anew, Fate Tilts Askew
- Humming Antlers, Entwined Horns
High Priority Adventure Missions:
- Ten-Lords’ Decree and Calamity’s Remnant
- Sinners Misled, Credence Falsified | becomes unavailable later
- Divination Commission
- Artisanship Commission
- Fired
- From Xianzhou With Love | needs Trailblaze Level 38
- A Teacher and a Friend
- A Teacher and a Friend: Interlude
- A Teacher and a Friend: Continued
Vita Infinita
Companion Missions
Yanqing:
- Frosty Blade’s Trial
Bailu:
- Evanesce Like the Morning Dew
- Tale of Woe | Available depending on choices made. Starts automatically.
Outworld Sojourner
Companion Missions
Luocha:
- A Knight Stranger
Topclouded Towerthrust
Trailblaze Mission
Main Missions:
- Desolate Depths of Despair
- Dragon Mislay, Dreams Astray
- Oblation Obtained, Order Ordained
- A Dragon Gallant, Its Ocean Distant
- Demise of Immortality, Finale of Calamity
- Alchemy Commission
- Scalegorge Waterscape
- Youci’s Clever Decor
Stellaron Hunters
Companion Missions
Kafka:
- Letter from a Strange Woman
Karmic Clouds Faded, War Banners Folded
Trailblaze Mission
Main Missions:
- Obsequies Performed, A Long Road Ahead
- Central Starskiff Haven
- Exalting Sanctum
- Todd Riordan’s Academic Research | next part appears after daily reset
- Glimpsing the Verdant Apothecary’s Pouch
- The Three Draconic Transformations
- Continued
- Bestial Ferocity
- Bestial Ferocity: The End
- Poetic Genius Ingenium
Familiar Faces
Otherworld Version
In the world of HI3, Yanqing ended up going by the name Ma Feima.
When he was but a mere child, he was pulled into a conspiracy by his fellow students to murder his master, the immortal Fu Hua. For a time, it seemed to have worked.
He was tricked into a marriage with a woman he didn’t love, and spent lots of his time riding across the desert with his horse, seeking out strong looking people to challenge to a fight.
On one such occasion, he came across Li Sushang, and Otto Apocalypse. Not knowing Sushang was the student of his fellow disciple, he almost killed them both in a brutal fight.
Otherworld Version
A disciple of the Taixuan arts, HI3’s Li Sushang is a great swordmaster and one of the most powerful warriors on the planet. She would form a friendship with Otto Apocalypse, but after an injury would spend a significant length of time in cryostasis, reemerging in modern times.
Otherworld Version
During one mysterious time in his life, Otto Apocalypse set out into the desert, headed for China. With him he carried a coffin, of which he was very protective.
The locals called him Raksha, also translateable as ‘Luocha’.
This man would later commit heinous crimes against humanity. And it was his spare body that was commandeered by Void Archives.
Hence Welt’s apprehension towards Luocha in HSR. He shares a face with two people he distrusts.
Jarilo VI
Sovereignty Arc
In the aftermath of Cocolia’s reign, Belobog is entering a new era of change.
Boulder Town Super League
Event
You can now complete all Main and Side missions associated with this event.
Age of Awakening
Companion Missions
Luka:
- Mo Cuishle
- Boulder Town
- Administrative District
Slices of Life Before the Furnace
Companion Missions
Lynx:
- Farther Than The Snow Plains
Everwinter City Museum Ledger of Curiosities
Event
You can now complete all Main and Side missions associated with this event.
- History and Culture Museum
Jolted Awake from a Winter Dream
Trailblaze Mission
Main Missions:
- Future Market (Prologue)
- Future Market (I)
- Future Market (II)
Aetherium Wars
Event
You can now complete all Main and Side missions associated with this event.
Boulder Town Martial Exhibition
Event
You can now complete all Main and Side missions associated with this event.
Simulated Universe: Swarm Disaster
Event
You can now complete all Main and Side missions associated with this event.
Xianzhou Luofu
Influencer Arc
The planets keep turning, and the Express is free to set out once more. On the Herta Space Station and Jarilo VI, some of your new friends are facing their own turmoils.
Aurum Alley's Hustle and Bustle
Event
You can now complete all Main and Side missions associated with this event.
- Aurum Alley
Vita Infinita
Companion Missions
Yukong:
- For I Have Touched the Sky
Dan Heng:
- The Dragon Returns Home
March 7th:
- Total Recall
Jingliu:
- Clouds Leave No Trace
- Central Starskiff Haven
- Exalting Sanctum
- Alchemy Commission
- Parlor Car
- Eye of the Cosmos
- Tales of the Fantastic: Chapter 1-3
- Wraiths of Mirage
A Foxian Tale of the Haunted
Trailblaze Mission + Event
You can now complete all Main and Side missions associated with this event.
- Fyxestroll Garden
Herta Space Station
Mad Science Arc
The planets keep turning, and the Express is free to set out once more. On the Herta Space Station and Jarilo VI, some of your new friends are facing their own turmoils.
Cosmic Splendor and Merited Praises
Companion Missions
Argenti:
- Night of Universal Hallucinations
Crown of the Mundane and Divine
Trailblaze Mission
Main Missions:
- When the Stars of Ingenuity Shine
- Mundane Troubles
- Memory Backtrack
- Seclusion Zone
Critter Pick
Event
You can now complete all Main and Side missions associated with this event.
Simulated Universe: Gold and Gears
Event
You can now complete all Main and Side missions associated with this event.