With the second half of Honkai Star Rail version 4.5 now live, attention turns to the version 4.7 drip marketing campaign, the short teaser HoYoverse uses to confirm an upcoming playable 5-star along with a splash art and a brief character quote. The reveal usually lands on the game’s official social channels in every region at the same moment.
Quick answer: The 4.7 drip marketing is expected around September 22, 2026 at 12:00 pm China Standard Time (UTC+8), which is September 21 at 9:00 pm Pacific. Nihilux is the character most likely to be announced. This timing is speculative and not officially confirmed.
Expected 4.7 drip marketing date and regional times
Drip marketing typically goes live roughly a week after a patch’s second phase begins, and HoYoverse tends to keep the same clock time across campaigns even when the calendar date moves. Following that pattern, the version 4.7 teaser is likely to appear on September 22, 2026. The exact wall-clock time is far more consistent than the day of the week, so the hours below are the most reliable part of the estimate.
| Date | Time | Timezone |
|---|---|---|
| September 21, 2026 | 9:00 pm | Pacific Daylight Time (UTC-7) |
| September 22, 2026 | 6:00 am | Central European Summer Time (UTC+2) |
| September 22, 2026 | 12:00 pm | China Standard Time (UTC+8) |
You will know the campaign has started when the character post appears on the official Honkai Star Rail accounts. The reveal shows the unit’s name, a piece of art, a short self-introduction, and its element and Path.
Why the schedule could still move
Version 4.5 runs for only five weeks, and its second phase started on a Saturday, September 12, 2026, rather than the usual midweek slot. A shorter patch and an unusual phase-two start can nudge the drip marketing date, so the day could shift by a little even if the release hour stays fixed.
Note: There is no official date for the 4.7 drip marketing yet. September 22 is a projection based on how past campaigns have been timed, not a confirmed announcement.
Nihilux is the likely 4.7 reveal
Nihilux is the strongest candidate to be shown during the 4.7 campaign. She has already played a central role in the most recent Trailblaze Mission, and multiple leakers point to her debut in this version. Her expected combat profile lines up with the game’s growing Elation roster.
| Detail | Expected value |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Limited 5-star |
| Element | Quantum |
| Path | Elation |
| Model | Redesigned playable form, in the vein of Phainon and Cyrene |
Nihilux first appeared as an NPC with long silver-white hair, a black cap, glasses, and a white long coat. Her leaked playable design drops the glasses and adds a crown-like headpiece with a black, white, and red color scheme, plus playing cards and stage-performance motifs. The final in-game version remains the only authority on her look, since these appearances come from leaks.
What version 4.7 is shaping up to include
Version 4.7 is expected to launch in November 2026, with early estimates pointing to around November 10 or 11 depending on region. That window follows the shortened 4.5 patch and 4.6’s cycle, so it may still be adjusted before the official schedule is confirmed through the Special Program and in-game notices.
Current leaks suggest Nihilux may be the only brand-new 5-star in the version, with the remaining slots filled by rerun banners. A Fire Elation character, Kuchiba, has surfaced in early development files, but that appearance is weakly supported and may arrive later or not reach live banners at all. The rerun lineup and phase order have not been reliably established.
| Item | Current expectation | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Nihilux debut in 4.7 | New limited 5-star headliner | High |
| Nihilux element and Path | Quantum, Elation | Medium |
| Kuchiba as a second new unit | Possible Fire Elation character | Low |
| Rerun characters and phase order | No reliable lineup | Very low |
Until the drip marketing post goes live, treat the date, the character kit, and the banner order as projections rather than facts. The teaser itself will lock in Nihilux’s element and Path, and the following Special Program will confirm the release date, phase length, and the full banner lineup for version 4.7.
