Honkai: Star Rail is returning to the Xianzhou Luofu for version 2.4, which will introduce a new storyline and some fresh faces. All eyes are on the new limited 5-star units Yunli (Destruction-Physical) and Jiaoqiu (Nihiliy-Fire). However, HoYoverse seems to be listening intently to the fans’ calls for new 4-star characters with great designs and viable kits, as March 7th’s new Hunt-Imaginary form fulfills both of those wishes.
The main cast of the Astral Express often takes a back seat to the main characters of each Honkai: Star Rail story arc. It makes sense, as HoYoverse probably wants players to get invested in the new characters so that they’re more inclined to spend for their limited banners. However, the Astral Express crew gets their shining moments from time to time with new path and elemental variants like Dan Heng’s Imbibitor Lunae form, Harmony and Preservation Trailblazer, and now Swordmaster March 7th.
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March 7th’s Hunt Variant is a Return to Form for Honkai: Star Rail’s 4-Star Roster
The Astral Express will be returning to Luofu for the Xianzhou Wardance, a competition on which March 7th seems to be competing under the tutelage of swordmaster Yunli. She sheathes bow and arrow in favor of shortswords and dons a new Xianzhou-influenced costume—March 7th’s new Swordmaster design looks great, and it’s bolstered further by her amazing new set of abilities.
Swordmaster March 7th Proves that 4-Star DPS Characters Can be Viable
Honkai: Star Rail’s 4-star characters are meant to have weaker stats and fewer features compared to their 5-star counterparts. Some 4-star supports like Pela and Tingyun have found their niche and are best-in-slot for hypercarry team comps, and it’s the damage units that get the short end of the stick since their lower multipliers and more basic kits can’t keep up with 5-stars by design. However, March 7th’s Hunt-Imaginary form seems to be challenging this convention.
March 7th’s The Hunt Form has an Excellent Kit for a 4-Star
Swordmaster March 7th’s playstyle revolves around the synergy of her basic attack, skill, and talent.
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Skill - Master, It’s Tea Time!: This assigns one ally as her “Sifu.” This buffs the target’s speed while enhancing the properties of March’s basic attack depending on the master’s path.
- Destruction Erudition, or The Hunt Sifu: March 7th deals additional damage equal to a percentage of her ATK
- Abundance, Harmony, Nihility, or Preservation Sifu: March 7th deals 100% more toughness reduction for her basic attack
- Talent - Master, I’ve Ascended!: This has a stack mechanic that’s charged when she or her Sifu uses an attack or ultimate. When the counter reaches seven, Imaginary March 7th immediately takes her turn and does an enhanced basic attack that initially doles out three hits that deal Imaginary damage equal to a percentage of her ATK. There’s a 60% chance of dealing one more hit after the final blow, with a maximum of three extra slashes.
- Ultimate - March 7th, the Apex Heroine: This is a 110-energy ult that deals big ATK% damage to a single enemy. This also guarantees two additional hits for her next enhanced basic and improves the chance of dealing more slashes by 20%. This brings up the maximum number of hits to eight.
March 7th’s Hunt-Imaginary form gives players flexibility when it comes to dealing damage. They can focus on whittling down HP by assigning their skill to another DPS. She can also contribute to weakness breaking by using their skill on support units. This is further improved by her A4 Trace: Filigree, which lets March reduce the toughness bar of enemies weak to her Sifu’s element and trigger Imaginary weakness effect when she breaks them. Her enhanced basic attack mechanic lets her deal decent damage more consistently than most 4-star DPS units.
Swordmaster March 7th is a must-build for every account, as she fits different meta teams. Her talent and enhanced basics let her take extra turns and deal additional instances of damage. This makes March’s new form excellent for follow-up comps with Topaz/Dr. Ratio, Aventurine, and Robin. She can even replace Firefly and deal big toughness and Super Break damage in a Gallagher, Harmony Trailblazer, and Ruan Mei team.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 90%
- Released
- April 26, 2023
- ESRB
- Teen / Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Simulated Gambling, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Publisher(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
WHERE TO PLAY
They call them, "Aeons" in this galaxy. They construct reality, erase stars, and leave their marks on countless worlds. Together with your companions you'll travel across the galaxy on the Astral Express, following the path once traveled by the Aeons. From here, you will explore new civilizations, meet new comrades, and begin new adventures among countless fantastical worlds. All the answers you seek will be uncovered among the stars.
Well what're you waiting for? Are you ready to begin this trailblazing journey?
Honkai: Star Rail is a new HoYoverse space fantasy RPG. Hop aboard the Astral Express and experience the galaxy's infinite wonders filled with adventure and thrills.
Players will meet new companions across various worlds and maybe even run into some familiar faces. Overcome the struggles together caused by Stellaron and unravel the hidden truths behind it! May this journey lead us starward!
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC, Android, iOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Turn-Based RPG
