Recent leaks surrounding Honkai: Star Rail's upcoming version 2.4 have ignited discussions within the player community, primarily focused on significant adjustments to the kit of the new five-star Nihility character, Jiaoqiu. According to information from notable leaker Dim, the character has undergone several substantial revisions ahead of his anticipated debut in the second phase of the update this summer. These changes, which notably alter his damage output and utility, could potentially shift his role and impact on the game's meta upon release. The alleged modifications come as players eagerly await the official version 2.4 livestream scheduled for July 19, where developers are expected to confirm these details.

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The leaked changes present a comprehensive overhaul of Jiaoqiu's combat capabilities. His basic Skill, which targets a single enemy, has seen its damage multiplier reduced from 90% to 75% of his Attack stat. A more dramatic nerf affects his Ultimate ability, with its Area-of-Effect (AoE) damage multiplier reportedly slashed from 120% down to just 60% of his Attack. Furthermore, one of his Trace abilities has been completely reworked. Previously, it was said to reduce an enemy's Effect Hit Rate and provide an additional damage bonus. The new iteration, however, focuses on energy regeneration, granting Jiaoqiu 15 energy at the start of a battle. This shift moves him away from direct debuff support and towards a role that prioritizes faster Ultimate uptime.

Perhaps the most significant change is the introduction of a new core mechanic tied to his Talent. Jiaoqiu is now centered around applying a unique debuff called Ashen Roast. This effect, which can be considered an enhanced version of the Burn status, operates with the following properties:

  • 🎯 Inflicts one stack of Ashen Roast on enemies.

  • ️ Increases the initial damage those enemies receive from subsequent attacks.

  • 🔥 Deals additional Damage-over-Time (DoT) at the start of the affected enemy's turn.

This kit revision solidifies Jiaoqiu's identity as a premier Damage-over-Time (DoT) enabler and debuffer within the Nihility path. His role is to create a "special dimension" that persists for 15 seconds, dealing periodic AoE Fire damage while setting up enemies for massive follow-up damage from his teammates. The synergy with existing DoT units like Kafka and the upcoming rerun of Black Swan, who is scheduled to run alongside him in the second phase, becomes a focal point for team-building strategies.

Aspect Previous Leaked Kit (Alleged) New Leaked Kit (Alleged) Impact
Skill DMG Multiplier 90% of ATK 75% of ATK Reduced personal direct damage.
Ultimate DMG Multiplier 120% of ATK 60% of ATK Significantly lower burst damage.
Key Trace Effect Reduced enemy Effect Hit Rate + DMG Bonus Regenerates 15 Energy at battle start Shifts utility to energy economy.
Core Debuff Standard Burn? Ashen Roast (Increases DMG taken + DoT) Defines him as a premier DoT support/enabler.

In preparation for his arrival, dedicated players have begun farming his reported Ascension materials. Based on the leaks, trainers will need to stockpile:

  • Raging Heart (Trace Material)

  • Shards of Desires (Trace Material)

  • Immortal Aeroblossom (Ascension Material)

  • Immortal Scionette (Ascension Material)

It is crucial to note that these details are based on pre-release leaks and are subject to change. The developers often adjust character kits throughout the beta testing process based on internal balance data. Jiaoqiu's final kit will only be confirmed upon the release of version 2.4's second phase. The community's reaction has been mixed; some players express concern over the reduced damage numbers, while others are excited about the unique and potentially powerful support niche created by the Ashen Roast debuff.

The update's character rollout follows a specific schedule. Jiaoqiu's debut is preceded by another new five-star unit, the Destruction path character Yunli, who is set to launch in the first phase of version 2.4 alongside a rerun of the Abundance character Huohuo. This means players will have consecutive banners featuring new and powerful units, requiring careful planning of their Special Rail Passes and Stellar Jade resources. 📅 Each banner is expected to run for the standard duration of three weeks.

As 2025 progresses, Honkai: Star Rail continues to expand its roster with complex characters that redefine team dynamics. Jiaoqiu's leaked redesign highlights the developers' intent to create specialized supports rather than generic damage dealers. His potential to amplify DoT teams could make him a valuable asset, especially when paired with characters who benefit from enemies being under multiple debuffs or sustained damage effects. The upcoming livestream will be the definitive source for all official information, setting the stage for another exciting chapter in the game's ongoing interstellar journey.