With the release of Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.2, we've been given something truly exciting. A whole new city called Styxia, also known as the Dragonbone City. If you love adventure, exploration, puzzles, secret areas, and uncovering lore, you're going to love Styxia.
This guide is for anyone who wants to explore the city thoroughly without missing out on hidden gems, fights, and rewards. Let's get into everything you need to know about Styxia.
What Is Styxia?
Styxia is a brand-new zone on the planet Amphoreus, built quite literally on the bones of ancient dragons. These massive, twisted bones are everywhere and are even built into the city walls, arched into buildings, even forming bridges and staircases. It's got a mysterious feel with glowing lanterns and eerie music, and it's one of the coolest zones in terms of design.
The city's history is tied to Thanatos, the so-called "Titan of Death." You'll see references to this figure as you explore temples and ruins.
Important Areas in Styxia
The city is divided into many areas. Some are good for farming resources, while others hide rare chests or secret storylines. Here are a few spots you should make time for:
- Ancient city market is where you'll find NPCs, shops, and some sneaky pathways leading to treasure.
- Temple of ages is one of the most visually stunning areas. The puzzles here can get tricky, but the rewards are worth it.
- The abandoned palace is almost like ruins with hidden staircases, and a few powerful mini-bosses. There are a couple of premium chests tucked in here, too.
- Skybone overpass offers one of the best views of Styxia. It's a bit hard to get to at first, but worth it if you love exploring.
Oneiric Shards
Oneiric Shards are super important if you want to keep pulling characters, buying gear, or speeding up your progress. It works like currency in the game.
You can earn some Oneiric Shards through quests and achievements in Styxia, but they're not infinite. A lot of players choose to buy Honkai Star Rail Oneiric Shards from TOPUPlive to make the grind a little easier. You can get them through:
- In-game store
- Express supply pass
- Event bundles
Just be smart about it, don't overspend, and always check for events that offer better deals.
Chests and Spirithiefs
Styxia has more than 50 chests, and they're not all easy to find. Some are sitting right out in the open, while others require solving puzzles or defeating enemies. They range from basic to luxury, and inside you'll find Stellar Jade, EXP materials, Relics, and even crafting parts.
Spirithiefs are annoying little spirit creatures that try to stake away your loot. When you open a chest and a Spirithief pops out, don't panic. Defeat it quickly, and you'll usually get bonus rewards. Some players even farm Spirithief chests for drops.
The Golden Scapegoat Challenge
The most mind-boggling puzzle right now is the Golden Scapegoat challenge. You'll find three puzzle areas scattered across the city, and they involve changing times of day, positioning statues, and interacting with ancient relics.
When you solve these, you're rewarded with Stellar Jades and some deep lore about the ancient civilization that used to inhabit Styxia. Just make sure you don't skip the cutscenes. They're actually pretty intriguing and make the city feel more alive.
Combat Encounters and Mini-Bosses
There are a handful of elite mobs and mini-bosses wandering around the map. Most of them guard high-tier chests or are tied to side quests.
Make sure your team is well-balanced. A few of these enemies are weak to Quantum or Imaginary elements, so bring characters like Seele or Welt for an easier time. And stock up on healing items because some fights can get tough, especially in the Palace ruins.
Time-Switching Mechanic
One of the coolest mechanics in Styxia is the ability to switch between day and night. This isn't just a visual change, it actually affects puzzles, spawns, and accessible areas.
Some staircases only appear at night. Certain doors only open during the day. Even enemy behavior can shift depending on the time. You'll be prompted to switch modes during quests, but later on, keep experimenting to uncover more secrets.
Don't Skip the NPCs
Styxia is full of characters with stories to tell. Sometimes it's tempting to just skip dialogue and rush to the next chest. But in this city, the NPCs are worth listening to.
You'll hear tales about Thanatos, the Dragonbone Prophecy, and even get hints about future updates. Some of them give you mini side quests that reward you with rare materials or even Star Rail Passes.
Chirping Secret Treasure Quest
This side quest involves solving three distinct puzzles within Styxia, each unlocls multiple chests and provides deeper lore insights. Completing all puzzles rewards players with nine chests and the achievement "Chirping Secret: Lost Prayers."
Prophecy Tablets
These tablets have riddles that, when solved, grant access to hidden chests and narrative elements. One tablet in the Treasure Vault requires players to switch to Dawn using Oronyx's Miracle to reveal the solution.
Creation Nymphs
Styxia has 10 Creation Nymphs that are ethereal, firefly-like creatures. Collecting all of them and reporting back to the Garmentmaker opens up a unique puzzle involving giant stone spheres. Solving this puzzle rewards players with a precious chest and the "Chirping Secret: Lost Prayers" achievement.
Tips for Exploring Styxia
- Some chests and pathways are only accessible during specific times like at dawn or ever night.
- Listen for subtle audio cues or observe visual hints indicating nearby secrets or puzzles.
- Engaging with all NPCs can unlock hidden quests or provide clues to obscure puzzles.
- Rotate your party often. Different enemies in Styxia require different strategies.
- Revisit old areas after completing quests. Some zones unlock new paths later on.
- Buy Honkai Star Rail Oneiric Shards if you're planning to grind seriously. They can save you tons of time and effort in the long run.
Conclusion
Styxia is probably the most ambitious city Honkai: Star Rail has introduced so far. From the twisted dragonbone architecture to its deep storylines and tricky puzzles, it's one of those places you'll want to revisit again and again.
You could be someone who is hunting for treasure or solving ancient riddles. Just be sure that there's something for every kind of player here. So, grab your favorite team, load up your inventory, and explore the depths of Styxia.
