Honkai: Star Railhas no shortage of playable characters from across the cosmos. What’s also interesting is the number of NPCs who could be part of the roster in the future. This includesHonkai: Star Rail’s Annihilation Gang, an antagonistic faction that worships the Aeon of Destruction, and is believed to have been out of the picture.
The Annihilation Gang is led by Duke Inferno, and consists of his four followers. They were first teased in the cinematic titled “A Night of Ever-Flame: Scene 33,” which led many fans to believe that they would be playable characters in Penacony. However, it’s revealed that Acheron murdered Duke Inferno before the events of the Penacony arc, and it was hinted that his followers managed to escape or were presumed dead. Now, there’s a rumor thatDahlia from the Annihilation Gang might finally become a playableHonkai: Star Railcharacter.
Playable Antagonists May Be the Next Step in Honkai: Star Rail
A recentHonkai: Star Railleak reported that Constance, aka “The Dahlia,” might be released in Version 3.8. Dahlia’s star level, element, and Path are still a mystery, but the sheer possibility of her becoming playable is enough to attract fans' attention. Granted, many are also skeptical about the news becauseHonkai: Star Rail’s updates usually only last until Version 3.7, but they’re keeping an open mind. Especially since this could be the gateway for the rest of the Annihilation Gang, namely, Akash, Dubra, and Caterina, to be released in future banners.
The Annihilation Gang Members
It would be interesting to see Dahlia and the rest of the Annihilation Gang as playable units becauseHonkai: Star Raildoesn’t have a lot of playable antagonists. At first, fans had the impression that the Stellaron Hunters were the main baddies of the game, but they’re actually helping the Astral Express Crew with neutralizing Stellarons on different worlds. Most of them are also in friendly terms with the Trailblazer, especially Firefly/Sam, who’s currently the closest toHonkai: Star Rail’s protagonist.
In some ways, the Annihilation Gang becoming playable would be similar toGenshin Impact’s treatment of the Tsaritsa’s Fatui Harbingers. They are considered the main antagonists ofGenshin Impact, as their goal is to obtain the Seven Gnoses, and the theory is that the Tsaritsa might use the Archons' powers to revive the Third Descender. So far, only two Harbingers are playable, namely Childe and Arlecchino, but this still sets a clear precedent for the others to become 5-star banner units as the story progresses.
Genshin Impacthas also made it a point to involve the Harbingers in the main story as much as possible, so they don’t feel like supporting characters or just a looming presence in the game. If Dahlia indeed becomes playable, thenHonkai: Star Railmight be cooking up a bigger story involving the Annihilation Gang after the Amphoreus arc. This would be a great opportunity to further expand their story following the death of Duke Inferno, and to show just how unhinged they could be in their mission to gain Nanook the Destruction’s favor. It’s especially important now since it’s been more than a year since the faction was first introduced.
Between theChrysos Heirs of Amphoreusand the rumored Annihilation Gang,Honkai: Star Railstill has several characters that players are looking forward to. Another exciting faction with potential is the IPC’s Ten Stonehearts, where Topaz, Aventurine, and Jade are part of. The HoYoverse title still has an entire universe to go through, so there are definitely a lot of opportunities to refine future playable characters to give fans a good experience.
