Honkai: Star Rail Aetherium Wars – best Pokémon references
Fans of Honkai: Star Rail have been hailing Aetherium Wars, the flagship event of the ongoing update 1.4, as probably the best time-limited event of the game so far. Tasking players to catch and train Aether Spirits – essentially the NPC enemies they usually face in the game – to battle the teams of other characters and win the championship, Aetherium Wars was always intended to remind people of Pokémon.
The team over at HoYoverse certainly did not lack material to work with and filled Aetherium Wars up with many subtle as well as more on the nose Pokémon references and easter eggs.
Here are some of the best Honkai: Star Rail Aetherium Wars Pokémon references found in the event.
I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was!
HoYoverse
Pikachu is a Warp Trotter
Players get a very special Aether Spirit at the beginning of the event, a Warp Trotter with its own personality. As the Trailblazer and March 7th progress through the tournament, this adorable little critter never leaves their side and is an integral part of their battle teams. Does that remind you of someone? Pika, Pika? Exactly.
This sweet little Warp Trotter can certainly rival Pikachu in cuteness.
HoYoverse
Team Rocket wants Pikachu
Speaking of our adorable little friend, naturally a horde of bad guys is chasing after this special Warp Trotter. Aetherium Wars’ Team Rocket analog is the Topaz Support Squad, a crew of IPC employees that’s as tenacious as it is incompetent. They show up periodically to steal the Warp Trotter, just like Jessie and James try to grab Pikachu at every opportunity.
A recurring team of bad guys trying to steal our personal critter companion? Time to blast off!
HoYoverse
The entire gameplay structure
You travel through well-defined regions that are home to different Aether Spirits and players you can battle and must solve puzzles there to progress on top of beating the totally-not-gym-leader. Then you participate in a tournament in which you need to defeat four elite bosses to be crowned champion – elite bosses, who you may have already met on your journey without knowing about their high position. Yeah, you’re basically advancing through gyms and then battle the Elite Four.
Our battle will be legendary!
HoYoverse
Let's not forget the very obvious name of the achievement you get after obtaining all of the Aether Spirits.
First Pokédex I've completed in ages!
HoYoverse
This trailer scene from Pokémon Masters EX
Remember this Pokémon Masters EX trailer? After becoming champion in Aetherium Wars, you finally get to meet the “elite player” that was teased throughout the entire event. It turns out that it is none other than Hook and a recreation of the trailer scene linked above is played before you’re tasked with winning a grueling two-phased duel against her – seriously, she gets to bend the rules a lot. Just like Volo in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, who you also fight on a mountaintop. Hmm, very curious.
The mysterious elite player was a ten year old kid all along, who could have foreseen this?!
HoYoverse
Bug-type enthusiasts
Each Pokémon game features different trainer types, but early on players will often meet those who train Bug-type Pokémon – they are typically pretty easy to beat, but remain convinced that their Pokémon will someday become the strongest of them all. Aetherium Wars references the different trainer types as well, among them the infamous Bug-type collectors.
Some people just like the Aether Spirits they like, huh?
HoYoverse
Magikarp is still useless
Poor little Magikarp is always completely useless before evolving to Gyarados and Aetherium Wars did not miss to put in a reference to the Water-type. One of the Aether Spirits, which has the looks of a mechanical fish, possesses an Ultimate ability, which… does literally nothing, just like when Magikarp uses Splash. At least that little fellow is not useless in regular combat, being a powerful damage over time applicator, so just like Magikarp it has its redeeming qualities.
Oh Magikarp, you silly little fish.
HoYoverse
A talented Chinese fan even animated a Honkai: Star Rail version of the original Pokémon anime intro in tribute to Aetherium Wars. That’s the good stuff!
