Travelers aboard the Astral Express, get ready — news for Honkai: Star Rail 4.0 update have been circulating, giving us hints about what might come next. From new characters to a brand-new Elation Path and a mysterious map, here’s a summary of what fans believe might be on the horizon.
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HSR 4.0 Release Date
Honkai: Star Rail's Version 4.0 is expected to be released on February 13, 2026 (UTC+8).
HSR 4.0 Banners
Yao Guang Banner
During Version 4.0, the Yao Guang banner will be available throughout Version 4.0.
| Warp Duration: February 12, 2026 - March 24, 2026 | |
Character Warp | Light Cone Warp |
Yao Guang (5★) NEW! | When She Decided to See (5★) |
| 4★ Rate-up Characters & Light Cones | |
Phase 1
In the first half of version 4.0, three rerun characters, Evernight, Hysilens, and Black Swan will have a boosted drop rate.
| Warp Duration: February 12, 2026 - March 3, 2026 | |
Character Warp | Light Cone Warp |
Evernight (5★) | To Evernight's Stars (5★) |
Hysilens (5★) | Why Does the Ocean Sing (5★) |
Black Swan (5★) | Reforged Remembrance (5★) |
| 4★ Rate-up Characters & Light Cones | |
Phase 2
In the second half of version 4.0, the new limited 5-star character Sparxie, and the rerun characters Cerydra, Rappa, and Sparkle will have a boosted drop rate.
| Warp Duration: March 3, 2026 - March 24, 2026 | |
Character Warp | Light Cone Warp |
Sparxie (5★) NEW! | Dazzled By A Flowery World (5★) |
Cerydra (5★) | Epoch Etched in Golden Blood (5★) |
Rappa (5★) | Ninjutsu Inscription: Dazzling Evilbreaker (5★) |
Sparkle (5★) | Earthly Escapade (5★) |
| 4★ Rate-up Characters & Light Cones | |
HSR 4.0 New Characters
Yao Guang
Yao Guang is a 5-star Physical Elation who serves as the support Elation-based team compositions. Her Skill deploys a Zone for 3 turns that increases all allies' Elation by an amount equal to 20% of her own Elation stat. While the Zone is active, Yao Guang gains 3 Punchline points after using Basic ATK or Skill. Punchline is a team-shared resource that determines the potency of Elation Damage - the more Punchline accumulated, the higher the Elation DMG output. Her Ultimate, grants 5 Punchline points and triggers an immediate extra turn for Aha where a fixed amount of 20 Punchlines is calculated. This turn doesn't consume Punchlines and increases all allies' All-Type RES PEN by 20% for 3 turns.
Her combat abilities center around the "Certified Banger" state obtained through Aha Instant mechanics. When Yao Guang possesses "Certified Banger," allies trigger the "Great Boon" effect after attacking, dealing additional Elation DMG equal to 20% to a random target. If allies consume Skill Points during their attack, additonally triggers Great Boon by 1 time.
Yao Guang's passive traces provide significant team-wide value. Her A2 Trace (Amaze-In Grace) grants increased Elation based on SPD, if her SPD is 120 or higher, she gains 30% Elation, with an additional 1% Elation for every 1 point of SPD above 120, capped at 200 SPD (80% bonus Elation). This makes SPD a critical scaling stat.
Sparxie
Sparxie is a 5-star Fire Elation DPS who generates Punchline points through Engagement Farming mechanics. Her Skill starts a livestream state that transforms her Basic ATK into an enhanced Blast attack and triggers Engagement Farming repeatedly. Each Engagement Farming proc has a chance to grant both Punchline and Skill Points, allowing her to maintain a positive SP economy while dealing massive damage. This unique mechanic makes her surprisingly Skill Point-friendly despite her burst-heavy playstyle.
Her combat abilities revolve around the "Certified Banger" state obtained through Aha Instant mechanics. Her Talent causes Enhanced Basic ATK to deal additional Fire Elation hits based on the number of Engagement Farming triggers, scaling multiplicatively with each proc. Her Ultimate deals Fire Elation AoE damage and grants Punchline, while the Elation Skill version bounces multiple times to random enemies and grants "Thrill" points that can offset Skill Point consumption.
Sparxie's passive traces provide significant scaling bonuses. Her A2 Trace grants increased Elation based on ATK investment, rewarding builds that exceed high ATK thresholds. Her A4 Trace grants additional Punchline and Thrill when using Ultimate based on the number of Elation characters in the team, making her strongest in mono-Elation compositions. Most importantly, her A6 Trace provides CRIT DMG to all allies based on Punchline owned, transforming her into a hybrid DPS/Support who buffs the entire team as she accumulates resources.
HSR 4.0 New Light Cones
When She Decided To See (5★)
HP: 1058丨 ATK: 529丨DEF: 529 | Elation
R1: Increases the wearer's SPD by 18%. When the wearer enters combat or uses Ultimate on an ally target, the wearer gains "Great Fortune" for 3 turn(s). While the wearer holds "Great Fortune," all allies' CRIT Rate increases by 10%, CRIT DMG increases by 30%, and the wearer's Energy Regeneration Rate increases by 12%. At the start of each wave, the wearer regenerates a fixed amount of 15 Energy.
Dazzled By A Flowery World (5★)
HP: 1058丨 ATK: 582丨DEF: 463 | Elation
R1: Increases the wearer's CRIT DMG by 48%. While the wearer is on the field, for every 1 Elation character in the team, increases the Skill Point upper limit by 1, up to a max increase of 3. For every 1 Skill Point the wearer consumes, enables the Elation DMG dealt by this unit to ignore 5% of enemy targets' DEF, stacking up to 4 times. If 4 or more Skill Points are consumed in the same turn, the wearer gains "Stream Promo," which increases all allies' Elation by 20%. Light Cone effects of the same type cannot stack.
Today's Good Luck (4★)
HP: 953丨 ATK: 529丨DEF: 397 | Elation
R5: Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 20%. When the wearer uses an Elation Skill, increases Elation by 20%, stacking up to 2 times.
Mushy Shroomy's Adventure (4★)
HP: 847丨 ATK: 476丨DEF: 397 | Elation
R5: Increases the wearer's Elation by 20%. When the wearer uses an Elation Skill, increases Elation DMG taken by all enemies by 10% for 2 turn(s).
Lingering Tears (3★)
HP: 847丨 ATK: 318丨DEF: 265 | Elation
R5: When Punchline is 10 or more, the wearer's CRIT DMG increases by 40%.
Sneering (3★)
HP: 741丨 ATK: 370丨DEF: 265 | Elation
R5: When Aha Instant is activated, the wearer's Elation increases by 32%, lasting until Aha Instant ends.
HSR 4.0 New Relics
Ever-Glorious Magical Girl
Diviner of Distant Reach
HSR 4.0 New Planet
Planarcadia is the new planet introduced in Version 4.0 and is expected to be the Astral Express’s next destination. Based on current information, the planet features an amusement park and is connected to the Path of Elation.
Sparkle & Black Swan Buffs
After Version 4.0 update, limited 5-star characters Sparkle (Harmony: Quantum) and Black Swan (Nihility: Wind) will receive Character Enhancement!
Conclusion
4.0 could represent one of the biggest shifts in Honkai: Star Rail yet — introducing new gameplay mechanics, a visually distinct star map, and characters built around a fresh combat philosophy. For players who enjoy experimenting with team builds, burst-damage strategies, or narrative-driven content, this update might offer fresh opportunities. Even for those not chasing banners, the addition of a new world (Planarcadia) and new Path could add meaningful variety to standard gameplay. And for those Trailblazers who want to get ahead of the game, we recommend that you top up Honkai: Star Rail on Lootbar.gg!
