HSR 4.0 Banners: New Characters Yao Guang, Sparxie Debut!

Good day, Trailblazers! The HSR 4.0 banners is close! This banner introduces new character Yao Guang, Sparxie (SP Sparkle), and Rappa will rerun!

Also, there is a new path waiting for you to discover. Want to know more detailed information about the 4.0 banners? Keep reading!

 

HSR 4.0 Banners Release Date

The Honkai Star Rail 4.0 banner will release on February 13, 2026, which is 4 days ahead of the Chinese New Year. 

 

HSR 4.x Patch Calendar

Version 4.0 runs from Feb 13 to Mar 31, lasting just under 6 weeks.

Version 4.1 runs from Apr 1 to Apr 21, lasting 3 weeks.

Version 4.2 starts on Apr 22, and the anniversary falls on Apr 26.

 

HSR 4.0 Banners Overview

	New	Rerun
Phase 1	Yao Guang	Evernight	Hysilens
		Black Swan
Phase 2	Yao Guang	Cerydra	Rappa
	Sparxie	Sparkle

 

LC Banners
	New	Rerun
Phase 1	When She Decided to See	To Evernight’s Star	Why Does the Ocean Sing
		Reforged Remembrance
Phase 2	When She Decided to See	Epoch Etched in Golden Blood	Ninjutsu Inscription: Dazzling Evilbreake
	Dazzled by a Flowery World	Earthly Escapade

 

New Characters

Phase 1: Yao Guang

Rarity: 5-Star | Element: Physical | Path: Elation

Yaoguang is a 5-star Physical Elation support in Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0.

As a Seer Strategist of the Xianzhou Yuque, her kit revolves around deploying a support Zone that boosts team Elation and generates Punchline stacks to enhance allies’ performance.

Her abilities focus on teamwide buffs, energy support, and Elation synergy that elevates her allies’ damage potential. She is definitely designed to be a core enabler for future Elation-based teams. 

Though many of Yao Guang's materials are new in version 4.0, you can still pre-farm 2 materials and Yao Guang's relics ahead.

 

Phase 2: Sparxie

Rarity: 5-Star | Element: Fire | Path: Elation

Sparxie is a Fire Elation main DPS debuting in Version 4.0 as the alternate “streamer” persona of Sparkle.

Her kit revolves around high-tempo combat, using her unique Engagement Farming ability to repeatedly enhance her boosted attacks and generate Punchline points, which scale her Elation damage higher the more she performs.

With an Ultimate that deals powerful Fire AoE while adding Punchline, and a Talent that further strengthens her enhanced hits, Sparxie is designed to shine as an explosive DPS in Elation teams.

Similar to Yao Guang, Sparxie's materials are also new in 4.0 banner, you can follow our guide to pre farm her current available mats and Spaxie relics.

 

Rerun Character

Rappa

Rarity: 5-Star | Element: Imaginary | Path: The Erudition

Rappa is a 5-star Imaginary character following the Path of Erudition, serving as a specialized Break-focused DPS. This is Rappa's first rerun.

Her gameplay centers on her Ultimate, which activates the "Sealform" state, granting an immediate extra turn and "Chroma Ink" points for powerful Enhanced Basic Attacks. While in Sealform, Rappa’s Weakness Break Efficiency and Break Effect are significantly enhanced.

Her core mechanics include dealing Super Break DMG to weakness-broken enemies and utilizing a unique "Charge" system—accumulated when enemies are broken—to ignore Weakness Types and amplify damage.

 

Sparkle

Rarity: 5-Star | Element: Quantum | Path: Harmony

 

Evernight

Rarity: 5-Star | Element: Ice | Path: Remembrance

Cerydra

Rarity: 5-Star | Element: Wind | Path: Harmony

 

New Light Cones

Phase 1: Yao Guang Signature LC

When She Decided To See

Game Changer:

Increases the wearer's SPD by 30%. When the wearer enters combat or uses Ultimate on an ally target, the wearer gains "Great Fortune" for 3 turn(s). While the wearer has "Great Fortune," all allies' CRIT Rate increases by 14%, CRIT DMG increases by 60%, and the wearer's Energy Regeneration Rate increases by 20%.

 

Phase 2: Sparxie Signature LC

Dazzled By A Flowery World

Center of Attention

Increases the wearer's CRIT DMG by 36%. While the wearer is on the field, for every Elation character on 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, ignores 5% of enemy targets' DEF when this unit deals Elation DMG, and increases all allies' Elation by 5%. This effect can stack up to 4 time(s). Light Cone effects of the same type cannot stack.

 

4-Star Light Cones

Mushy Shroomy's Adventure

Rumble (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).

Today's Good Luck

Decision (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.

 

3-Star Light Cones

Sneering

Indulgence (R5)

When Aha Instant is activated, the wearer's Elation increases by 32%, lasting until Aha Instant ends.

Lingering Tears

Mourning (R5)

When Punchline is 10 or more, the wearer's CRIT DMG increases by 40%.

 

FREE 5-Star Pick

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, Honkai Star Rail gives us a free limited 5-star character as a gift! Now we have the list: Acheron, Aventurine, Sparkle, Jingliu, Dan Heng IL, Kaflka, Jing Yuan.

 

New World: Planarcadia

In the official compensation announcement released today, the new world of 4.0 was also mentioned. We are 100% certain that the new world is Planarcadia. 

The officials have also released new characters in Planarcadia. From left to right, they are Yaoguang, SP Blade, Evanescia (SP Yae Sakura, lol), Sparxie, SP Silver Wolf, Nihilux, and Ashveil (SP Boothill). The average visual design here is even better than the leaked concept art! I’m beyond hyped—I can’t wait!

 

New Path: The Elation

Honkai Star Rail Version 4.0 introduces a brand new Path: The Elation.

 

Conclusion

The debut of the new characters Yao Guang and Sparxie (SP Sparkle), alongside the introduction of the new Elation Path and its anticipated comedic theme, promises an incredibly exciting next chapter.

Don't wanna miss any of the latest news or wanna learn more about 4.1-4.x banners? Don't forget to keep following LDShop's HSR blog hub!