As players progress through the Trailblazer story in Honkai Star Rail, they ultimately arrive at Xianzhou Luofu, where they explore new areas and follow a series of story chapters. One of these chapters includes the Humming Antlers, Entwined Horns mission, which becomes available following the completion of Wood Sprouts Anew, Fate Tilts Askew.
This chapter requires players to follow an NPC who guides them through various puzzles that utilize a specific mechanism to defeat the chapter boss. Although this story chapter of Honkai Star Rail is relatively lengthy, it provides enjoyable puzzle-solving moments and a challenging boss fight, along with the chance to explore new areas in Xianzhou Luofu.
Beginning The Quest
Upon completion of the previous chapter, players will receive this quest automatically. This allows players to continue the quest exactly where they left off. Initially, players are required to enter the Artisanship Commission by walking a short distance ahead and turning to the right from where the previous quest led them. As they approach, they notice that the gate to the Commission is closed, and an additional task appears requiring players to inquire about the situation from nearby NPCs.
The area where the NPCs are present will be indicated, and players will come across Awei, with whom they must engage in appropriate dialogues to obtain Artisan Commission Jade Seal. This seal enables players to enter through the gate and proceed with the quest.
First Puzzle Solution
Upon entering through the gate, players will experience a short cutscene. At this juncture, players may choose to explore the area as they simultaneously progress through the next quest marker. To quickly reach the marker, players may travel down the stairs on the right and make another right turn, where they will encounter monsters and an unfamiliar NPC. After defeating the monsters, players may engage in conversation with the NPC, Master Gongshu, who provides critical information regarding the Luminflux Pyxis puzzles that must be solved in order to cleanse the area and advance the storyline. Players can apply their knowledge of these puzzles to obtain chest rewards during their exploration later on as well.
To complete the first Luminflux Pyxis puzzle, players must rotate the devices to redirect beams of light into each other, thereby destroying all of the Ambrosial Arbor's coils (black branches) simultaneously as shown above. The devices can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, and players can launch the energy from the starting device once they believe they can destroy all coils. If unsuccessful, players may attempt the puzzle multiple times with different adjustments. A bird's-eye view helps players to comprehend the direction in which the devices are oriented. Once the puzzle is solved, players must proceed to the Creation Furnace marked on the map. However, when they arrive, players will promptly be pulled into a cutscene and will realize that the furnace is entirely covered in coils.
Abundant Ebon Deer First Boss Battle
To remove the coils, players must defeat the Abundant Ebon Deer, which is susceptible to Fire, Ice, and Quantum attacks. However, during the battle, players will discover that the monster instantly heals itself, regardless of the strength of the attack. Therefore, it will be impossible to defeat the creature until more Ambrosial Arbor Coils are destroyed to reduce its healing potential. This necessitates solving additional Luminflux Pyxis puzzles.
Second and Third Puzzle Solutions
Getting to the second puzzle is a simple task from this point, and it will be indicated on the map. To solve the second puzzle, players must align the devices in the configuration depicted below:
Getting to the last puzzle takes a bit longer than the previous one. To reach it, players must move straight ahead to the next area from the second puzzle and use the Jade Teleporter ahead. Once they arrive at the next teleporter, they must rotate it once to align it correctly towards the Quest marker. From this point, players can easily locate the marker by moving ahead, near the next Space Anchor. Then they need to follow the route to the right, past the chest and monsters, and climb up the stairs, as this is the only route. Once they have reached the top, they can continue on the bridge towards the west. Players do not need to open the gate in the same area yet, unless they want to explore. Once they pass through the gate, they will find the third puzzle.
Upon aligning the devices as shown below, players will have successfully completed all puzzles and will be able to return to the boss to defeat it.
Abundant Ebon Deer Real Boss Battle
As a chapter that focuses on puzzle solving rather than difficult battles, the battle in this chapter is not particularly challenging. However, it is recommended that players have a healer character since the monster occasionally deals both single target and A0E damage. Additionally, at one point in the battle, the monster will summon two branches that need to be destroyed in order to prevent a devastating attack. The Deer will continue to summon other branches with various properties such as healing the boss and other branches, dealing AoE damage, and more.
To effectively defeat the boss and the branches, players are advised to bring Fire, Ice, and Quantum characters. These characters can Toughness Break the boss and utilize AoE attacks to eliminate all the branches as fast as possible. Himeko or, March 7th for example are recommended characters as they can deal A0E Fire or Ice damage and quickly defeat the branches. Additionally, while a single target character, Seele is also recommended since she can quickly eliminate the branches and take follow up actions in the same turn. For an entirely F2P team, Fire Trailblazer can also prove to be highly beneficial due to its AoE shielding capabilities combined with taunt and AoE damage with the Ultimate.
After completing the battle, players will be treated to a brief cutscene before finishing this section of the Trailblaze Quest. As a reward, players can expect to receive an Achievement, EXP, Stellar Jade, and an Eidolon for Fire Trailblazer, among others.
Honkai Star Rail is available on PC, iOS, and Android. A PlayStation version is in development.