Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.8, titled "Memories are the Prelude to Dreams," is a major update that continues the Penacony arc while introducing new content, banners, and system changes. The patch centers on the debut of The Dahlia, a new 5★ Fire Nihility character, along with a story-focused Finality Mission and a familiar six-week version schedule.
Release Date and Maintenance
The 3.8 update maintains the standard server-based schedule, with North America getting access slightly earlier than other regions. For most players, the patch goes live around mid-December 2025, with the precise time depending on regional time zones.
- Release Time: The version 3.8 update was released on December 16, 2025, across NA, EU, Asia, and TW/HK/MO.
- Version 3.8 is planned to last about six weeks, mirroring the typical cycle after 3.7 and setting up the next patch in late January or early February 2026.
New Character: Dahlia
-Dahlia------ NEW!
Phase 1 | Limited Banner
5★ Fire Nihility character with strong ties to the Annihilation Gang
- She is associated with the Annihilation Gang, a group linked to the Penacony storyline, and her release solidifies this faction’s presence in the late-game narrative.
- Dahlia is positioned as a debuff-oriented unit that fits naturally into Fire- and Nihility-centric teams.
- Interact heavily with Penacony-related content and characters, reinforcing thematic cohesion within the arc.
All Banners Released
Honkai: Star Rail 3.8 features one new character, The Dahlia, alongside multiple reruns across three phases over an extended 8-week patch. Banners include dedicated character events, reruns, and light cone rotations with specific 4-star rate-ups.
| Phase | Character Banners (5★) | 4★ Rate-Ups | Light Cone Banners (5★) | 4★ Light Cones |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Dahlia, Firefly | Gallagher, Luka, March 7th | Never Forget Her Flame, Whereabouts Should Dreams Rest | Concert for Two, Memories of the Past, Good Night and Sleep Well |
| 2 | Fugue, Lingsha | Natasha, Sampo, Arlan | Long Road Leads Home, Scent Alone Stays True | Geniuses' Repose, The Moles Welcome You, Post-Op Conversation |
| 3 | Aglaea, Sunday | Tingyun, Yukong, Dan Heng | Time Woven Into Gold, A Grounded Ascent | Geniuses' Greetings, Trend of the Universal Market, Dance! Dance! Dance! |
New Story and Missions
Version 3.8 brings a new Finality Mission titled "Memories are the Prelude to Dreams," which revisits parts of the Penacony storyline and fills in details that were previously left off-screen or lightly touched upon. This mission serves both as a lore expansion and a gameplay milestone.
The mission is designed to deepen players’ understanding of Penacony while offering rewards that support progression in the new version. It also acts as a bridge between main Trailblaze content and the endgame systems introduced in later updates.
- Memories are the Prelude to Dreams
- Revisits events and perspectives from the Penacony arc, clarifying earlier plot threads and character motivations.
- Positioned as a Finality Mission, making it a significant step in the overarching narrative with associated rewards and challenges.
- Integration with existing content
- Encourages players to complete previous Penacony missions to fully appreciate the new storyline beats.
- Offers additional context for characters like The Dahlia and the Annihilation Gang, reinforcing their thematic role in the update.
Events, Rewards, and Quality-of-Life Changes
Alongside banners and story content, Version 3.8 includes a suite of events and system improvements aimed at refreshing daily play and easing resource acquisition. Community and guide sources emphasize that new events will support character building and provide extra rewards for both returning and active players.
Limited-time Events
- Time-limited activities provide resources such as Credits, Relic materials, and enhancement items, helping players prepare for The Dahlia and other units.
- Events are varied, ranging from combat-focused challenges to more casual modes tied to in-universe themes and mini-games.
Quality-of-life and Balance
The 3.8 version update follows the usual pattern of internal balance tweaks, bug fixes, and minor UI or flow adjustments, improving the feel of exploration and mission completion.
These changes are meant to make it easier to progress through story chapters and manage resources during the six-week version cycle.
How to Prepare for Version 3.8
With The Dahlia’s debut and a new Finality Mission on the way, players benefit from planning ahead. Efficient preparation ensures that account progression keeps up with the new content, especially for those aiming to pull and build the new 5★ unit.
Before the patch
- Finish current version events and missions to claim all outstanding rewards before maintenance starts.
- Stockpile Stellar Jade, Special Passes, and enhancement materials to optimize early investment in The Dahlia’s banner and build.
After the patch goes live
- Prioritize unlocking and completing "Memories are the Prelude to Dreams" to gain story context and rewards tied to Penacony.
- Test The Dahlia in trial stages or banner showcases (if available) to determine how she fits into your existing Fire and Nihility lineups before committing heavy resources.
If you share more detailed official patch notes later, this structure can be expanded with exact numbers (e.g., talent values, event dates, and QoL specifics) while keeping the same mix of paragraphs and bullet points.