Join Siliconera+ for ad-free viewing.
During the Honkai: Star Rail Version 1.2 special program, HoYoVerse revealed the order that the new Blade and Kafka banners will come out in. We already learned that both will be the new playable five-stars, as well as the four-star Luka. However, we didn’t know until now which one would be first. Blade will show up initially. Then Kafka and Luka will follow.
Blade is a five-star Wind Destruction playable unit in Honkai: Star Rail. Lore-wise, he’s an immortal mara-struck who can keep it in control thanks to Kafka’s Spirit Whisper. He also has a mysterious past with Dan Heng, and his ultimate goal is to end his eternal existence. Blade is similar to Hu Tao in Genshin Impact in which he consumes his own HP to deal greater damage against enemies, as well as enhancing his Basic Attack. He’s voiced by Daman Mills in English.
Like Blade, Kafka is a member of the Stellaron Hunters in Honkai: Star Rail. She’s a five-star Lightning Nihility playable unit. In her lore, Kafka comes from a planet that doesn’t know fear and she also literally doesn’t know fear. So she works for Elio after he promised her that he would incite a change in her. As a playable unit, her kit mostly focuses on dealing Lightning DoT. She can also launch a follow-up attack after an ally’s Basic Attack. She’s voiced by Cheryl Texiera in English.
Finally, the third new playable character is Luka. He is from Belobog, and is a four-star Physical Nihility character. Not only is he Oleg’s protege and Fight Club champion, but he’s also a member of both The Moles and Wildfire. He can get stacks in battle, and consuming them will enhance his Basic Attack. He’ll appear on the same banner as Kafka.
Honkai: Star Rail is readily available on the Windows PC and mobile devices. Version 1.2 of will come out on July 19, 2023. The banner in the first half in Honkai: Star Rail will introduce the “A Lost Soul” Warp, which will feature Blade, Arlan, Sushang, and Natasha. The latter half of Version 1.2 will be “Nessun Dorma,” with Kafka, Luka, Sampo, and Serval.

source