The Honkai: Star Rail community has been buzzing ever since Castorice’s release and her game-changing global passive. The question on everyone’s mind: who’s next? With Phainon’s arrival, many assumed he’d be the natural successor, wielding a similar, if not more powerful, global buff. However, recent leaks from JTT have thrown a wrench into those expectations.
Phainon’s Shocking Revelation
Despite Phainon’s hyped status and meta-breaking potential, leaks suggest he will not have a global passive. This news is surprising, considering his kit’s focus on rapid attacks and mid-battle transformations. It seemed like he was tailor-made to follow in Castorice’s footsteps.
A Trend Emerges?
Adding to the surprise, leaks indicate that neither Hiasene nor Cipher, two other highly anticipated characters with detailed kit leaks, possess global passives. This raises a crucial question: is Hoyoverse reconsidering their approach to global abilities?
The Castorice Controversy
Castorice’s global passive, which revives all characters outside of battle and grants additional actions even on sustainless teams, sparked significant controversy. Many perceived it as pay-to-win, especially since it was locked behind a limited five-star character. This backlash might have prompted Hoyoverse to reevaluate their design philosophy.
Current Theories and Speculations
Based on the current information, the theory suggests that only Castorice and potentially Sirene will have global passives within Amphorius. Sirene, a support character expected in version 3.7, is speculated to have a global effect focused on support or utility.
Furthermore, there’s speculation surrounding March 7th’s SP variant. Her sales expectations are reportedly high, suggesting a unique selling point like a global passive could be in play. However, these are merely speculations at this point.
A Shift in Design Direction?
The lack of global passives in Phainon and other upcoming characters hints at a potential change in Hoyoverse’s design strategy. They may have realized that widespread global passives could disrupt the game’s balance. It risks creating a scenario where players are forced to pull for units that permanently enhance their entire account, moving beyond strategic choices into a power grab.
Perhaps Castorice was an experiment, a way to gauge the community’s reaction. The strong pushback might have led Hoyoverse to reconsider their plans. Phainon’s inherent strength is already substantial, so a global passive might have been overkill.
Implications for the Future
This shift in design direction provides insight into how Hoyoverse is managing power creep and planning for the game’s long-term health. The question remains: should global passives return in future patches, or was Castorice’s enough?
What are your thoughts?
- Do you believe global passives should be a recurring feature?
- Was Castorice’s passive too powerful?
- How do you think Hoyoverse should balance future characters?
Share your opinions in the comments below! And stay tuned for more Honkai: Star Rail leaks and updates.
