HoYoverse unveiled the Honkai Star Rail 1.6 characters, and leading the pack is Dr Ratio. That is an entirely serious sentence. Dr Ratio and two other characters will headline the first Star Rail banners of 2024, and silly names aside, they’re actually a pretty interesting bunch.
First up, the doctor. He’s part of the Intelligentsia Guild, the same broad body of knowledge-seeking beings that Herta belongs to, and like Herta, he has a blunt way of getting his point across.
“The most annoying thing about idiocy is that you can’t explain it to an idiot,” is the quote HoYoverse introduced him with. Unlike Herta, however, he believes everyone can and should learn and better themselves.
"Extraterrestrial Satellite Communication" Dr. Ratio
"The most annoying thing about idiocy is that you can't explain it to an idiot."
A candid and self-centered Intelligentsia Guild member, who often conceals his appearance with a strange plaster sculpture.
He demonstrated… pic.twitter.com/Fpw4hCs2XN— Honkai: Star Rail (@honkaistarrail) October 31, 2023
On the practical side, Dr Ratio follows the Hunt path and has Imaginary as his element, the first combination of that kind that we’ve seen since the free-to-play game launched in April 2023. Your choices for serious Imaginary damage as of the 1.4 update include Welt, who specializes in status effects, and Imbibitor Lunae, who sucks up all your skill points. A single-target damage dealer who isn’t skill point negative is a pretty attractive prospect.
"Extraterrestrial Satellite Communication" Ruan Mei
"Want some pastry? The plums used in this recipe are freshly macerated, and I waited in line a long time for them."
A sweet-tempered and elegant scholar. Member #81 of the Genius Society. An expert in the biological sciences.… pic.twitter.com/x2bcwrYj07— Honkai: Star Rail (@honkaistarrail) October 31, 2023
Next on the 5-star side is Ruan Mei, who follows the Harmony path – Star Rail speak for support – and has ice as her element, and she’s even more intriguing. Ruan Mei collaborated with Screwllum and Herta on the Simulated Universe and is known for her “terrifying perseverance.” Star Rail only has four Harmony characters right now, but their support skills create a range of new opportunities for how you can build your team.
"Extraterrestrial Satellite Communication" Xueyi
"You are talking to a puppet. The Commission gifted me this body."
One of the judges of the Ten-Lords Commission. Of the four duties of a judge (detention, interrogation, incarceration, and punishment), she is charged with… pic.twitter.com/6yQbHvp91F— Honkai: Star Rail (@honkaistarrail) October 31, 2023
Finally is Xuyei, a 4-star Quantum character who follows the Destruction path and spends her time hunting down criminals. When she isn’t wrapping ne’erdowells in chains, Xuyei enjoys a bit of quiet embroidery. Quantum and Destruction are another new combination, but better still is the fact that Xuyei is a 4-star character. Arlan is the only 4-star Destruction character at the moment, and he’s, well, there’s a reason he’s not a top pick on our Star Rail tier list.
Honkai Star Rail 1.6 should launch sometime early in January 2024.
Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF
