Choosing between a free Luocha or Ruan Mei in Honkai: Star Rail 3.2 can prove to be difficult, especially when considering just how great both of these characters are for various team comps. Both 5-star units have been in the game for a while now, but you will be given the option to get either of them for free during a limited period simply by logging in. This was officially confirmed by developer HoYoverse as one of the many anniversary-centered celebrations set for the game, which will run alongside the content for Version 3.2.

The next update will be a huge one. Not only are several anniversary events planned for it, from free reward distributions to mini-games with even more prizes, but the patch should also contain important main story content, as well as two new playable characters. Version 3.2 will expand the Amphoreus campaign with quests that will be split between two story arcs, one of which should focus on Castorice, while the other revolves around Anaxa. In addition to that, players will also get access to the banners for Castorice and Anaxa in Honkai: Star Rail 3.2, both of which are anticipated.

Luocha & Ruan Mei Are Free From Honkai: Star Rail 3.2 Through 3.4

Either Of The 5-Star Characters Can Be Chosen

Among the many Stellar Jade and Star Rail Special rewards that will be distributed during the period, HoYoverse also announced a free 5-star character giveaway starting in Version 3.2. As was announced by the developer, players will be able to pick between a copy of Luocha and Ruan Mei from Version 3.2 through the end of Version 3.4. This free character distribution event doesn’t require any other prerequisite from players other than unlocking events after the start of the game set in Herta Space Station. After that, it’s a matter of selecting the desired character in Honkai: Star Rail.

For players who don’t own Luocha or Ruan Mei, this should be a prime opportunity to obtain one of the best sustain and characters in the game, respectively. For those who already own either or both units, such as myself, it will be a great chance to upgrade their Eidolon levels and, with it, gain access to new abilities that could make their presence in team comps more relevant. Picking between them is about what you need, but knowing the pros and cons of Luocha and Ruan Mei in Honkai: Star Rail could help you make an informed decision.

Pros & Cons Of Getting Free Luocha In Honkai: Star Rail 3.2

Luocha Is One Of The Best Healers In The Game

Years after his release, Luocha remains one of the strongest healers in the game. Granted, he pales in comparison to Huohuo, for example, and within certain teams, Lingsha sures him greatly, but Luocha is still a very reliable healer to have. With the ive portion of his Skill, Luocha can automatically heal any ally whose HP drops below 50% without consuming Skill Points every two turns. Furthermore, after gaining two stacks of Abyss Flower, Luocha deploys a Zone that automatically cures all allies when enemies are attacked. Using Luocha in Honkai: Star Rail is great because of this.

A character like Blade, who quickly drains his own HP, is almost always secure with a Luocha in the party. Additionally, Luocha forces his team to be aggressive, which can quicken the battle, as they all restore HP when they attack enemies whenever the Zone is active. An important thing to note about Luocha is that his damage and healing scale off of his ATK stat, so his presence wouldn’t contribute immensely to Tribbie in Honkai: Star Rail, who gains HP based on her team’s combined Max HP stat.

What can be perceived as an ATK-based limitation also extends to Luocha’s Eidolons.

Because this is a fairly old character, many players will already have him, so obtaining a free Luocha in Version 3.2 would result in upgrading his Eidolon levels. It is worth pointing out that Luocha’s E1, for example, increases the ATK of all allies by 20% when the Zone is active. This is a great effect for several types of team comps. However, if you intend to use Luocha exclusively in HP loss team comps, such as those led by Castorice or Mydei in Honkai: Star Rail, the extra ATK bonus may not be worth it.

The table below lists all of Luocha’s Eidolons so that you can consult and check if they make sense for what you plan to do:

If you are struggling with healing, especially in more advanced endgame activities, I highly recommend Luocha. He is reliable, can provide an immense amount of healing, and the Zone’s continuous team-wide healing effects are great for keeping everyone safe. If you already have him and are looking to upgrade his Eidolons, make sure the next Eidolon on your list makes sense for what you plan to do with him. I appreciate the extra ATK, but seeing I’m using Luocha almost exclusively in HP loss-based teams in Honkai: Star Rail, I’d much rather upgrade Ruan Mei, for example.

Pros & Cons Of Getting Free Ruan Mei In Honkai: Star Rail 3.2

Ruan Mei Is One Of The Most Versatile s

Contrary to Luocha, Ruan Mei is a character who buffs her allies and punishes enemies with prolonged Weakness Break periods. The 5-star Ice Harmony character increases her team’s damage output, their SPD, and their Weakness Break Efficiency. Over the past year, Ruan Mei gained a lot of relevance within Super Break team comps led by characters like Boothill and Firefly in Honkai: Star Rail, when aided by the Harmony Trailblazer. However, Ruan Mei’s versatility lets her run with various other characters.

Ruan Mei is an incredible for heavy-hitting DPS characters, and, because she increases the general DMG rather than ATK or HP, for example, she can help HP-scalers as well as traditional damage dealers. Another great aspect about Ruan Mei is that she creates a Zone that increases her allies’ All-Type RES PEN. Because of the prolonged Weakness Break duration she inflicts on enemies, she can even serve as a for DoT team comps in Honkai: Star Rail.

As a refresher, the table below lists all of Ruan Mei’s Eidolons:

The only more restricting Eidolon in Ruan Mei’s kit is her E2, which increases her allies’ ATK – which becomes dispensable when aiding certain DPS characters who don’t scale off of that stat. Otherwise, all of her other Eidolons are extremely strong and worthy of obtaining.

Between Luocha and Ruan Mei, the latter is a better character thanks to her versatility and how her buffs aren’t really restricted to ATK like Luocha’s. Even so, both units play very different roles in team comps, and, if health management or Skill Point management is a problem, Luocha may prove to be a better unit – especially in endgame activities that require two team comps and where only one 5-star healer may not be enough. The choice between them comes down to what you need, but regardless, both are fantastic Honkai: Star Rail characters.