Honkai: Star Rail Brings the Amusement Fun in Version 4.0 Update

The long-awaited Honkai Star Rail 4.0 update, "No Aha at Full Moon," will launch on February 13, 2026. The update will continue the Trailblazers' journey to Planarcadia, the land of the Aeon Aha, in a mission where popularity and amusement take center stage. This update features two new 5-star characters, Yao Guang and Sparxie.

The special event "Phantasmoon Games" will allow Trailblazers the chance to compete for the honor of becoming an "Aeon for a Minute." At the same time, the Express Crew will also head over to the Interastral Peace Entertainment headquarters, "Astropolis," to embark on new explorations.

The Phantasmoon Games begin, Planarcadia descends, and a journey of Elation officially departs! See the Honkai Star Rail 4.0 update, "No Aha at Full Moon" trailer:

When the Astral Express lands on Planarcadia, they are greeted and hosted by Madam Pearl, one of the "Ten Stonehearts." Their arrival marks the return of the Astral Express to where it began its journey 15 years ago, and is the home planet of the crew's well-loved navigator, Himeko.

In addition, the Express is thrown into the spotlight as they receive "star treatment" from the new hit comic based on the Express Crew, which is being serialized.

The Honkai Star Rail 4.0 update introduces two powerful new 5-star characters. The first is Seer Strategist from the Xianzhou Alliance's Yuque: General Yao Guang. She previously only had voice lines, marking this as her first official debut.

In Xianzhou, she is known as "Madam Yao," the goddess of fortune who resolves crises and brings good omens through her divination. As a Physical character on the Path of Elation, Yao Guang specializes in using "Weal and Woe Lots," which increases ally Elation and grants damage stacking whenever she uses her Skill.

During the newly introduced "Aha Instant", Yao Guang's Woe Lots causes increased damage to enemies while regenerating Skill Points for the team. Her "Certified Banger" buff also increases her teammates' attack by 1 instance of Elation DMG. Finally, her ultimate attack creates an "Aha Instant," which increases All-Type RES PEN for all allies.

The second 5-star character is Sparkxie, a mysterious fire-type character who follows the Path of Elation. Although her face may have some resemblance to Sparkle, this new character takes the role of one of the most popular streamers in "Planaracadia."

During combat, she goes into full streamer mode, entertaining her adoring fans. Players can send gifts to Sparxie, which come in the form of skill points or "punchlines" to help her teammates get increased damage. The "Aha Instant" causes her to start her own lotto draw in which she deals massive DMG to all enemies with multiple bounces, while her "Certified Banger" state will allow the gifts to deal additional Elation DMG. Lastly, Sparxie's Ultimate also deals extra Elation DMG.

Limited 5-star characters Black Swan, Evernight, and Hysilens, along with Sparkle, Cerydra, and Rappa, will be featured in Warp events during the first and second halves of the version, respectively. At the same time, Black Swan and Sparkle will also receive enhancements. Other features in this update include:

• Players who log in after the version launches will receive a 20-pull reward and can claim Ruan Mei's new Outfit for free
• Yao Guang's fortune event will also bring players 1,600 Stellar Jades in rewards, as well as new Trailblaze Outfits, new headwear, and a free 5-star character selector
• "Cosmicon Collective" is a game where players challenge formidable foes via card battles and strive for the pinnacle of cosmic might
• "Furbobo Weekly" is an event where Trailblazers will become magazine editors, experiencing a different kind of fun through management and critical decisions
• As for permanent gameplay modes, "Currency Wars" will see its first expansion, while the "Divergent Universe" will also be getting an update

For more information, visit the Honkai: Star Rail official website, Twitter (X), Instagram, and Facebook. The game is available on PC, iOS, Android, Epic Games Store, and PS5.

Honkai: Star Rail is a space fantasy turn-based combat RPG title by HoYoverse that follows the Trailblazer's journey through immense worlds of the unknown. The game has won Apple's App Store iPhone Game of the Year, Google Play's Best Game, and BEST MOBILE GAME by The Game Awards in 2023, while it also received the Golden Joystick Awards Still Playing Award (Mobile) and PlayStation® Partner Awards 2024 PARTNER AWARD among other honors in 2024.

HoYoverse is a game developer committed to providing immersive virtual world experiences to players around the world. It has brought popular games, including Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis, and Zenless Zone Zero, as well as a wide range of entertainment content.

Source: Press Release
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