Image via HoYoVerse
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I was skeptical about the execution of the Honkai: Star Rail Fate crossover pulling from the Fate/stay Night Unlimited Blade Works anime. Like I saved my Stellar Jades for it, because of course I wanted Archer and Saber, and the character designs seemed great. But these sorts of collaboration stories can fall flat and end up being more about getting access to fun characters than the tale explaining why it even happened. In practice, it does pull together well, with characters that are not only cool to have in a party going forward, but a story that worked too.
Editor’s Note: There will be some spoilers for the 2.0 storyline and parts of the Fate “Sweet Dreams and the Holy Grail” Trailblaze Continuance crossover chapter in Honkai: Star Rail.
After the events of the 2.0 storyline that took the Trailblazer and Astral Express to Penacony to deal with a capital-S Situation, it left off with Alfalfa Family head Old Oti being one of the most powerful folks there and Robin in charge of the Oak Family. Oti acquired the Holy Grail and is hoping to create an event along the lines of the Charmony Festival to draw in attention. The idea is that people summoned as Masters to compete, such as the Trailblazer, Robin, Boothill, Aventurine, and Lyndon Skott, are supposed to summon Servants based on major figures in Penacony’s history. That does happen for Robin and Skott, who end up with the Caster Miss Note and Assassin Grady (Mr. Reca).
To explain the fact that characters who shouldn’t be there, which are Archer, Lancer, and Saber, the idea is planted that there’s something wrong with this Holy Grail War. Archer first brings this up after being summoned as Aventurine’s Servant and when talking with him, Boothill, and Lancer, and Lancer agrees it seems plausible. So right away, we have seeds planted to make this all make sense. It’s happening in the dream world Penacony, during dreams. It went awry, causing Servants who typically appear in these fights, but shouldn’t under Old Oti’s restrictions, to appear. Since this is supposed to deal with Penacony’s history, and we do have two Servants based on those people that end up forming part of the crux of the conflicts here, it also keeps the Fate crossover grounded in established Honkai: Star Rail lore in a way.
The execution is such that people who aren’t aware of Fate as a series or the mechanics that make the game and anime memorable still get that takeaway in Honkai: Star Rail due to the execution here. It established that the Master and Servant who win it get a wish. It showcased the concept of Command Spells. It addressed the importance of secrecy when it comes to obscuring names, with Mr. Reca trying to go by Grady even though we are aware of his identity due to past adventures on Penacony. The dynamics are well established, and it even explains Saber’s voracious appetite due to the source of magic and power here not being what they are in the normal confines of the Fate series.
Dynamics between characters are perfect for this Honkai: Star Rail Fate crossover too. Lancer’s superiority comes across well and deserved, and it plays quite well with Boothill’s bluntness. Saber and Trailblazer go well together, what with both having deadpan and stoic demeanors, but the ability to be ridiculous in fun ways sometimes. The Aventurine and Archer dynamic is perfect, with the latter criticizing the former at every opportunity and doing some hilarious roasting.
Appropriately, both characters are quite strong. However, I was surprised to see that HoYoVerse pulled a Dr. Ratio again. I feel like the free five-star Archer is genuinely the stronger and more exciting character in the Fate crossover in Honkai: Star Rail than Saber. He’s Skill Point hungry, due to his Caladbolg II: Fake Spiral Sword SKill. You absolutely need Sparkle for him to be at his best. But he’s such a solid DPS with incredible damage capabilities if you have enough SP to take advantage of the Skill, and Unlimited Blade Works is fantastic for his follow-up attacks. Saber is also good and fits in with her known movesets in the anime and games, plus has the benefit of not being as reliant on specific characters as supports like he is. (A great Archer team, as shown in his in-game demo, would really have Sparkle, Gallagher, and ideally Cipher around.)
The Fate crossover event in Honkai: Star Rail works so well. It fits in with the Honkai: Star Rail lore. The dynamics between characters are well-written and fun. Archer and Saber personalities and movesets are perfect, capturing the Servants well. Archer is even one of the best DPS units in the game if you run him with the right team, which is great for everyone since he’s free. It’s just a perfect event executed flawlessly, and I’m glad it’s sticking around for a while so nobody misses out.
Honkai: Star Rail is available for the PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and the Fate crossover collaboration event will be available until the end of the 3.6 update.
Published: Jul 20, 2025 03:00 pm