Honkai: Star Rail Update 2.1 – Start, Maintenance, and Preload

Marco Wutz
·3 min read

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HoYoverse will release update 2.1 for Honkai: Star Rail this week, bringing a package bursting with brand-new playable characters, anniversary rewards, and the continuation of the thrilling storyline we encountered on Penacony.

In the first half of version 2.1, we’ll be able to pull for Acheron, a mysterious and immensely powerful Emanator of Nihility, as well as Gallagher, who may pretend to be a mere security officer and drinksmith of the Bloodhound Family, but who’s been implied to have a secret or two up his sleeves as well. We’ll get access to the new story and areas on Penacony in this half as well. In the second half, Aventurine will become playable and HoYoverse will celebrate Honkai: Star Rail’s first anniversary with a special game mode and generous rewards.

Here are all the details about the Honkai: Star Rail update 2.1 start time, maintenance, and preload.

Acheron and Aventurine are two central characters in the upcoming story arc.<p>HoYoverse</p>
Acheron and Aventurine are two central characters in the upcoming story arc.

HoYoverse

Honkai: Star Rail Update 2.1 – Start

Honkai: Star Rail 2.1 is scheduled to be available on March 27, 2024, at 11am UTC+8. Check below for what that means for your time zone:

  • March 26, 2024, 8pm PT

  • March 26, 2024, 10pm CT

  • March 26, 2024, 11pm ET

  • March 27, 2024, 3am GMT

  • March 27, 2024, 4am CET

  • March 27, 2024, 8:30am IST

  • March 27, 2024, 11am CST

  • March 27, 2024, 12pm KST/JST

  • March 27, 2024, 2pm AEDT

  • March 27, 2024, 4pm NZDT

Honkai: Star Rail Update 2.1 – Maintenance

Be advised that the Honkai: Star Rail servers will be inaccessible ahead of the update due to maintenance. Honkai: Star Rail downtime will begin approximately five hours ahead of update 2.1. Check below for what that means for your time zone:

  • March 26, 2024, 3pm PT

  • March 26, 2024, 5pm CT

  • March 26, 2024, 6pm ET

  • March 26, 2024, 10pm GMT

  • March 26, 2024, 11pm CET

  • March 27, 2024, 3:30am IST

  • March 27, 2024, 6am CST

  • March 27, 2024, 7am KST/JST

  • March 27, 2024, 9am AEDT

  • March 27, 2024, 11am NZDT

As usual, HoYoverse will compensate players for the downtime with 300 Stellar Jade, the game’s premium currency. In case maintenance drags on, you can expect higher compensation.

Related: Original Pokémon Anime Opening Remade For Honkai: Star Rail By Fan

Honkai: Star Rail Update 2.1 – Preload and Download Size

You can already preload Honkai: Star Rail 2.1 on PC, iOS, and Android to shorten the download time on the day the new version becomes fully available. Players on PS5 won’t be able to get the update ahead of time and will need to download the entire patch on release day.

Here are the download sizes and storage requirements for the preload:

  • PC: 10.6 GB (download), 22.5 GB (free space required for compression)

  • Mobile: 11 GB (download and free space required for compression)

Keep in mind that this size may vary slightly depending on which voice pack you’re using in your game.