Honkai: Star Rail: Dan Heng IL & March 7th Evolved Forms Revisited

Last Updated: October 14, 2025

Honkai: Star Rail has consistently delivered captivating updates, introducing significant character developments and expanding its rich universe. While early speculation once pointed to a "Version 3.6" titled "Back to Earth in Evernight" unveiling new forms for Dan Heng and March 7th, the reality of the game's evolution unfolded differently and earlier, bringing these highly anticipated transformations to players across distinct, impactful updates. This article revisits these pivotal moments, detailing the actual release of Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae and March 7th's evolved forms, and their lasting impact on the game.

The Unveiling of Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae

One of the most dramatic character transformations in Honkai: Star Rail arrived not in a speculative Version 3.6, but much earlier in Version 1.3, "Celestial Eyes Above Mortal Ruins," which launched on August 30, 2023. This update introduced players to Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae, the true Vidyadhara High Elder form of the beloved Astral Express crew member, Dan Heng. This wasn't merely a visual alteration; it was a complete character overhaul, establishing him as a powerful 5-star Imaginary-type character following the Path of Destruction.

Imbibitor Lunae's release was a monumental event, delving deep into Dan Heng's mysterious past and the lore of the Xianzhou Luofu. His gameplay mechanics were revolutionary at the time, featuring a unique skill point consumption system that allowed players to enhance his basic attack up to three times, unleashing devastating AoE damage. The community eagerly embraced this formidable new iteration, solidifying his place as one of the game's premier damage dealers. His banner garnered immense attention, reflecting the high anticipation for this lore-rich and meta-defining character.

March 7th's Evolved Form: A Free Acquisition

While Dan Heng's new form was a premium gacha character, the concept of a "free new form" for a beloved character did materialize later with March 7th. In Version 2.1, "Tides of War, Tumult of Nations," released in late March 2024, March 7th received her own significant evolution. Through the progression of the main story questline in Penacony, players were able to unlock her new form: a Preservation Path, Imaginary-type character.

This transformation saw March 7th shed her ice-wielding abilities for a more defensive, shield-focused kit, reflecting her growth and new understanding of her past. This new form was indeed acquired completely free of charge by all players who completed the relevant story content, fulfilling the earlier speculation of a free character acquisition, albeit in a different context and timeline than initially imagined. Her new kit offered valuable utility, providing shields and debuff resistance, making her a versatile addition to many team compositions.

Addressing Past Speculation: "Back to Earth in Evernight" and Version Numbers

The original article's speculative title, "Back to Earth in Evernight," and the version number "3.6" did not correspond to any official Honkai: Star Rail update. The actual updates that brought these character transformations were Version 1.3 for Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae and Version 2.1 for March 7th's Preservation form. The narrative threads explored in these versions focused on the Xianzhou Luofu's ancient history and Penacony's dreamscapes, respectively, rather than a direct "return to Earth."

The anticipation surrounding new forms for core characters like Dan Heng and March 7th was well-founded, as HoYoverse has demonstrated a commitment to evolving its cast both narratively and mechanically. The method of acquisition, with one being a limited 5-star character and the other a free story unlock, showcased different ways players could engage with these exciting character developments.

Community Reception and Lasting Impact

Both Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae and March 7th's new forms were met with significant excitement and discussion within the Honkai: Star Rail community. Imbibitor Lunae's powerful kit and stunning animations made him an instant fan favorite and a staple in many endgame teams. March 7th's new form, while not as meta-defining as Imbibitor Lunae, was celebrated for its accessibility and the narrative depth it added to her character, offering new strategic options for free-to-play players.

These transformations underscore Honkai: Star Rail's dynamic approach to character development, continually enriching its roster and storyline. The journey from initial speculation to the actual release of these iconic forms highlights the game's ongoing evolution and its ability to surprise and delight its player base with meaningful content updates. As the Astral Express continues its journey, players can undoubtedly look forward to more thrilling character evolutions and narrative revelations in the future.