Version 4.4 of Honkai: Star Rail is shaping up around two big draws. The patch brings Himeko SP, a reworked version of the Astral Express navigator, and it opens the second half of the Fate/stay night collaboration with Rin Tohsaka and Gilgamesh joining the cast. None of this is official yet, so treat every kit, path, and date below as a leak that HoYoverse can still change.
Quick answer: Version 4.4 is expected to feature three five-stars (Himeko SP, Rin Tohsaka, and Gilgamesh), and the Fate collaboration lets you claim either Gilgamesh or Archer for free by logging in once the event starts.
HSR 4.4 release window and collab start
The exact launch timing is still unsettled across leaks. The most commonly cited setup pairs a Version 4.4 patch launch with a collaboration event beginning July 24, when logging in unlocks the free character claim. Some leak roundups list the patch dropping July 15, while others point to an early-August window instead. Until a beta or an official drip-marketing post lands, the safest read is a mid-to-late-July patch with the Fate event opening on July 24.
The collaboration runs as the second phase of the Fate/stay night crossover. Consistent with the first phase, the collab Warp banners are expected to stay permanently available rather than rotating out, so there is no hard deadline pressure to pull the moment they go live.
The free Fate collab character
The headline perk of the crossover is a free five-star pick. Once the event begins, you log in and choose to claim either Gilgamesh or Archer at no cost. Separately, the Collaboration Warp opens so you can spend Star Rail Special Passes to recruit the limited five-star Gilgamesh (Destruction, Lightning).
Note: the “free Gilgamesh” detail comes from a less reliable leak, so the exact list of who you can claim for free may shift before launch. The free-pick mechanic itself mirrors how the first collaboration phase handed out a character, which makes it the more dependable part of this rumor.
HSR 4.4 five-star lineup (leaked paths and elements)
| Character | Path | Element |
|---|---|---|
| Himeko SP | — | Fire (speculated) |
| Gilgamesh | Destruction | Lightning |
| Rin Tohsaka | Erudition | Quantum |
Path and element assignments for the collab pair come from pre-beta leaks and can still change. Himeko SP’s element has not been pinned down beyond a strong Fire read tied to her kit direction.
Himeko SP leaked kit details
Himeko SP is the central new unit of the patch, framed as a powered-up take on the Astral Express navigator. Her concept art has already circulated, and the early kit direction points to an Ultimate-focused main damage dealer that scales with ATK.
- Speculated Fire element, built around her Ultimate.
- Strong synergy with Astral Express members such as Dan Heng, March 7th, and Welt.
- Not a full Astral Express lockout — you keep 1 to 2 flexible team slots, though the buffs are tuned for AE units.
- Best-in-slot relic set appears to be “Navigator,” added in 4.3, which raises both Skill and Ultimate damage from the start of battle.
- May use a Nova-style resource system linked to her spear.
Tip: her Navigator relic set is already live in the game, so if you want to be ready, you can farm it ahead of her banner.
How to confirm the details before you pull
Everything here sits in leak territory until HoYoverse posts official material. The first solid signal will be drip marketing for Himeko SP, which reveals her polished splash art and confirms her path on official channels. After that, the 4.4 beta will lock down kits, banner order, and the precise event schedule.
If you are planning resources, keep your pull list flexible. The Himeko SP relic set and the permanent nature of the collab banners both reduce the urgency, so you can wait for official confirmation on dates and free-character eligibility before committing your Stellar Jade and Special Passes.
