The Trailblazer
The protagonist around whom the narrative is focused is The Trailblazer. Although you are free to replace them with any other character you unlock, they will still appear in cutscenes and dialogue situations even if you choose not to utilize them. They are of the Physical type and follow the Destruction path.
March 7th
If you’ve seen any advertising for Honkai Star Rail at all, you’re bound to recognize March 7th, a member of the Astral Express. She is a support character with the ability to freeze foes with her bow. Ice is her type, and preservation is her chosen route.
As she is introduced right after the Trailblazer, it is impossible to overlook her. They both basically become playable at the same moment because the latter doesn’t even have a chance to engage in combat without her.
Dan Heng
Dan Heng is another Astral Express member you’ll run into early on. In contrast to the previous two characters, he solely uses single-target attacks. He is a Wind, and The Hunt is his route.
Dan Heng is introduced alongside March 7th, but he doesn’t yet join the group. As you move through the Herta Space Station, you’ll have to engage in a few skirmishes. He’ll show up and join the group whenever you come across a broken elevator.
Asta
Asta, the principal astronomy researcher in charge of the Herta Space Station, arrives a little later. As a support, she strengthens alliances. She is a Fire type, and Harmony is her life path.
As you’ll be thrust into a Warps gacha system tutorial right after meeting her, she is another free character you shouldn’t miss. She is the one you must try out since she will pull.
Serval
Serval, the next character up for grabs, might just be a one-time deal. She assaults numerous foes at once with electric attacks. Her route is Erudition, and her type is Lightning.
Herta
Herta is another one of the iconic characters. She may buff herself and is also focused on dealing damage to several adversaries. Her route is Erudition, and her type is Ice.
In the beginning, Herta is addressed frequently, especially since you are on a station that bears her name. As part of the Trailblazer Mission “Simulated Universe: First Closed Beta,” you’ll have to visit her Simulated Universe shortly after you first encounter her. After finishing it, she will become available.
Natasha
Another character that you will eventually unlock is this one. In keeping with her own lore, Natasha, a doctor in Belobog, takes on a healer role. She is a Physical type, and Abundance is her life’s destiny.
Once you finish objectives on the planet Jarilo-VI, Natasha will become available. She becomes available specifically after finishing the Trailblazer mission “Lying in Rust.”
Qingque
Qingque completes the list of free characters, however she can take some time to unlock. She is the only unlocked character with the Quantum type and the Erudition path.
The Forgotten Hall game mode, which tests players with difficult combat, unlocks Qingque. To access her, you must first complete Forgotten Hall – Memory Stage 3 after reaching Trailblaze Level 21.