Honkai: Star Rail Drip Marketing Unveils Cerydra – The Chessmaster Monarch Joins Version 3.5!

Trailblazers, prepare to strategize your pulls! Following the recent reveal of Hysilens, Honkai: Star Rail has officially unveiled the second new 5-star character slated for Version 3.5: Cerydra, the Chessmaster Monarch! This powerful Wind-element Harmony character promises to bring a fresh dynamic to team compositions, especially for those looking to boost their strongest damage dealers.

The official reveal, which dropped on June 18, 2025, confirms Cerydra as a 5-star Wind character following the Path of Harmony. She is expected to debut in the second phase of Version 3.5, which, based on HoYoverse’s typical update schedule, should arrive around late August or early September 2025. Her unveiling comes amidst the excitement for Version 3.4, which is set to launch on July 2, 2025, featuring Phainon, Saber, and Archer.

Cerydra: The Empress of Okhema and Demigod of Law

Cerydra’s lore is as intriguing as her elegant design. Described as a Chrysos Heir and a demigod of the law, her Coreflame is tied to the titan Talaton. Her visual aesthetic features a striking light blue color palette, mismatched shoes, a regal crown, and a scepter, all hinting at her royal status and chess motifs.

In-game, Cerydra has already been referenced in character stories of Aglaea, Tribbie, and Cipher, as well as in various readable documents found in Amphoreus. Her backstory paints a picture of a formidable leader: years before the current events, Cerydra led an army that successfully defended Okhema from three allied city-states, ultimately ending the Chrysos War with the support of Hysilens. She then declared herself ruler of Okhema and initiated the “Flame-Chase Journey,” a path that led to Okhema’s current prosperity. However, after a significant defeat suffered by her army, she became obstinate and retreated from public view, adding a layer of mystery to her present circumstances.

A New Harmony Powerhouse: Cerydra’s Anticipated Kit

As a Harmony character, Cerydra’s kit is expected to revolve around powerful team buffs and energy regeneration, making her a highly valuable support unit. Leaks have provided some tantalizing glimpses into her potential abilities:

• Ultimate (High-Impact Buff): Her Ultimate is rumored to grant a substantial, one-turn buff to an ally, though it comes with a significant energy cost. This suggests a powerful, burst-oriented support that can supercharge a main DPS for a critical turn. Early leaks hint that this ultimate could also affect an ally’s “Memosprites,” potentially synergizing with characters like Aglaea.
• Talent (Speed Boost): Cerydra’s Talent is said to increase the Speed of the first ally by a considerable 30%. The community is eagerly awaiting confirmation on whether this scales with base or total Speed, which would significantly impact its effectiveness.
• Light Cone (Energy Regeneration): Her signature Light Cone is rumored to regenerate energy at the start of battle and provide a personal energy regeneration boost, potentially addressing the high energy cost of her Ultimate.
• Synergy with Phainon: Leaks strongly suggest that Cerydra will be an ideal support for Phainon, the highly anticipated DPS character debuting in Version 3.4. She’s even been jokingly referred to as Phainon’s “after-sales service,” implying a deep and beneficial synergy with his kit. This means players aiming for Phainon might find Cerydra an indispensable addition to their teams.

Given her role as a Harmony character, Cerydra is expected to bring a new level of utility, similar to how units like Bronya, Ruan Mei, Tribbie, Sunday, and Robin have influenced team-building strategies. Her potential to reshape meta compositions makes her a high-priority pull for many Trailblazers.

Version 3.5: A Glimpse into the Future of Honkai: Star Rail

The reveal of Cerydra, alongside the earlier announcement of Hysilens (a 5-star Physical Nihility character specializing in Bleed-focused DoT support), paints an exciting picture for Version 3.5. Both characters are members of the Chrysos Heirs, a powerful group of demigods, and their introduction marks a continued expansion of the Amphoreus storyline and its compelling lore.

Hysilens, who will likely debut in the first phase of 3.5, is expected to revolutionize DoT (Damage-over-Time) teams, potentially solidifying their place in the meta alongside characters like Kafka and Black Swan. The combined release of these two powerful 5-star units highlights HoYoverse’s commitment to continuously evolving gameplay mechanics and providing diverse options for players to optimize their team compositions.

As we approach the Version 3.4 livestream on June 20, 2025 (which will detail Phainon, Saber, and Archer), the anticipation for what comes next in Version 3.5 is already soaring. Cerydra’s elegant design, intriguing lore, and promising support kit are sure to make her a highly sought-after addition to many rosters, solidifying her position as a must-have for those looking to dominate the challenges of the Astral Express. Start saving those Stellar Jades, Trailblazers – the Chessmaster Monarch is almost here!