HoYoverse has held the Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 trailer, taking players to Planarcardia for the first time after the Amphoreus story line ended. The Special Program also discussed the newest 5-Star Character,
Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 takes players to Planarcardia, the planet where Aeon Aha reigns. The Phantasmoon Games are being held, which grants the winner the Aeon powers of Aha for one minute. The Astral Express is traveling to the planet, which is also Himeko’s homeland, after the fall of Irontomb and the actions of the rest of the universe-wide players like the IPC, Masked Fools, Xianzhou Alliance, and even others like the Stellaron Hunters.
When it comes to exploring Planarcardia, players will find 2D spaces that transform them into platforming experiences. The Trailblazer is able to use new abilities and mechanics (like a double-jump) to get through the areas. There are also other areas where players can simply play through these 2D challenges, collecting new currencies to unlock things like collectables and profile customization options.
In Planarcardia, there’s also a new tabletop card game, Cosmicon Collective. Players will encounter NPCs to play with, collecting cards, rare variants, and more. In a bizarre turn of events, the Trailblazer will also have to manage a magazine company in Planarcardia to stop their reputation from being smeared.
Players will spend a year in Planarcardia’s story, just like the last Amphoreus story. Half the tale will be told on Planarcardia, while Trailblazers will go to the home planet of the IPC after that to finish the story.
Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 is introducing two new playable characters: Yao Guang and Sparxie, both of whom follow the Path of Elation, a brand-new combat Path. By having a character that follows the Path of Elation, Aha will take control of the Elation characters for an Aha Instant after players have gathered its attention with enough Punchlines. They’ll use new abilities and get buffs during this turn.
Yao Guang is a five-star Physical character. Her Skill lets her buff teammates while her Basic Attack makes enemies take more damage. This is particularly strong with characters who attack with Skills, as they’ll get a bigger buff. Her Ultimate provides more Punchline and immediately triggers an Aha Instant.
We also met Sparxie, another five-star Fire character that follows the Path of Elation. Her kit revolves around live-streaming combat, and players will “send” her gifts by using her Skill while fighting to get different buffs and abilities. Additionally, these gifts count as more Punchlines, and Sparxie can deal massive AoE damage.
At the same time, Sparkle and Black Swan are being buffed. Sparkle’s buffs now last longer, and she can generate more Energy for her team. Black Swan can now stack Arcana and apply Arcana more quickly.
The first banner will feature Yao Guang, who will be available for the entirety of Version 4.0. A triple banner with Evernight, Hysilens, and Black Swan will be available for the first half of the version. On March 3, Sparxie’s banner will go live, along with a triple banner featuring Cerydra, Rappa, and Sparkle.
Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 will also see the first expansion of Currency Wars, raising the max Ascension Level and adding new characters and adjusting the Bonds, Costs, positioning, and more. There’s also no more single-hit damage cap, which can result in some very high numbers. The Divergent Universe is also getting an update.
Several optimizations are also on the way. Assignments can be sent from anywhere, and they’re not attached to buffs for specific characters. Additionally, Relics will preview the 4th unlocked stat from the start, making it easier to decide what Relics to invest resources in.
In Version 4.0, players can claim 20 wishes over time between two different events. Ruan Mei is also getting a new outfit with Version 4.0, and players can log in during the patch to get it for free. Players can also log in for 5 days to get 1,600 Stellar Jades. There’s also a 0.01% chance for players to receive 100 Star Rail Special Passes.
Trailblazers are also getting new outfits that can be obtained through various methods. This includes an entire outfit change and headgear options.
That’s not the last of the rewards, either. Players will also be able to claim a free limited five-star character, choosing from Jing Yuan, Kafka, Jingliu, Sparkle, Acheron, Aventurine, and Dan Heng – Imbibitor Lunae.
At the very end, a collaboration with Fortnite was officially announced by HoYoverse, revealing that Kafka and Blade will be coming to the battle royale on February 26.
IT’s no secret that Version 4.0 was delayed, with Version 3.8 lasting an additional two weeks compared to other patches. To catch up to the original release schedule, Version 4.1 will only last for four weeks. A character preview for Version 4.1 will be released tomorrow, February 7, 2026.
Fans can watch the entire Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 Special Program below, which is full of small details about Planarcardia:
There are also several codes from the Special Program livestream that expire on February 7, 2026, at 11:59 pm (UTC+8), and they’re as follows:
- AHAHAHAHAHAHA (100x Stellar Jades, 50,000x Credit)
- QWQXDDLOLOMO (100x Stellar Jades, 5x Traveler’s Guide)
- HITLIKETOBEAHA (100x Stellar Jades, 4x Refined Aether)