The Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 special program, titled "No Aha At Full Moon," aired on February 6, 2026, and laid out everything arriving in the next major patch. The update introduces a brand-new playable Path, two new 5-star characters, a fresh destination called Planarcadia, character reworks, limited-time events, and a generous pile of freebies — including a free 5-star character of your choice.
Quick answer: Honkai: Star Rail 4.0 launches on February 13, 2026. Three livestream redeem codes worth 300 Stellar Jades total expire on February 7, 2026, at 10:59 AM (UTC-5). Redeem them immediately at the official redemption page.
Version 4.0 release date and server times
HoYoverse extended Version 3.8 from six weeks to eight weeks, pushing the 4.0 launch slightly later than the usual cadence. The update goes live on February 12, 2026, at 10:00 PM (UTC-5) for North American servers, which translates to February 13 for Europe (4:00 AM UTC+1) and Asia (11:00 AM UTC+8). Maintenance will precede the patch as usual, and all platforms receive the update simultaneously.
4.0 livestream redeem codes
Three promo codes were revealed during the special program, each granting 100 Stellar Jades plus bonus materials. Combined, they deliver 300 Stellar Jades — nearly two Warp pulls for free. These codes expire roughly 27 hours after the EN livestream ended.
| Code | Rewards |
|---|---|
| AHAHAHAHAHAHA | 100 Stellar Jades, 50,000 Credits |
| QWQXDDLOLOMO | 100 Stellar Jades, 5 Traveler's Guides |
| HITLIKETOBEAHA | 100 Stellar Jades, 4 Refined Aether |
You can redeem codes on the official website by logging in with your HoYoverse account and entering your server and character details. On Android and PC, in-game redemption is also available through the menu ellipsis in the top-right corner. iOS players must use the website — the in-game redemption button does not appear on Apple devices. Rewards land in your in-game mailbox once redeemed.
New Path: The Elation
Version 4.0 marks the debut of the Path of Elation, tied to the Aeon Aha. Elation characters build a unique resource called Punchline, which scales their damage output the more they accumulate. The mechanic rewards aggressive, high-tempo play and introduces new Light Cones and Relics designed specifically around Elation synergy.
New characters: Yao Guang and Sparxie
Yao Guang is a 5-star Physical Elation support arriving in Phase 1 (starting February 12/13 depending on server). A Seer Strategist from the Xianzhou Yuque, she deploys a support zone that generates Punchline stacks for the team, boosts All-Type RES PEN similar to Ruan Mei and Tribbie, and restores Skill Points. She is built to be the core enabler for Elation-based compositions.
Sparxie is a 5-star Fire Elation DPS debuting in Phase 2 (starting around March 6, 2026). She is the alternate "streamer" persona of Sparkle, and her kit revolves around high-tempo combat using an ability called Engagement Farming. Sparxie repeatedly enhances her boosted attacks and generates Punchline points, scaling her Elation damage higher with each action. Her Ultimate deals powerful Fire AoE while adding Punchline. She is Skill Point-hungry, making her a natural partner for Sparkle and Yao Guang.
Banner schedule and reruns
Version 4.0 follows a two-phase banner structure across its expected six-week run.
| Phase | New 5-Star | Reruns | Estimated Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Yao Guang | Sparkle, Evernight, Black Swan | Feb 12/13 – Mar 6, 2026 |
| Phase 2 | Sparxie | Rappa, Cerydra | Mar 6 – Mar 26, 2026 |
Yao Guang's signature Light Cone, When She Decided to See, increases the wearer's SPD by 30% and grants a "Great Fortune" buff that raises all allies' CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, and the wearer's Energy Regeneration Rate. Sparxie's signature Light Cone is Dazzled by a Flowery World. Both phases also include rerun Light Cones for the returning characters.
Sparkle and Black Swan reworks
Both Sparkle and Black Swan receive kit reworks in Version 4.0. The specifics were previewed during the livestream, and the changes are designed to bring these older characters into relevance alongside the new Elation ecosystem. Sparkle in particular synergizes with Sparxie's Skill Point demands, making her rerun banner in Phase 1 strategically timed.
Planarcadia: The new destination
The Astral Express heads to Planarcadia, an urban world with cyberpunk aesthetics and deep ties to the Aeon Aha. The story centers on the Phantasmoon Games, a competition hosted by Aha where the winner supposedly becomes an Aeon for one minute. The Trailblazer participates in these games, and the Astral Express crew is already well-known and revered by Planarcadia's locals.
Planarcadia is also Himeko's home world, adding personal stakes to the narrative. Several familiar faces return with secondary Paths — Silver Wolf and Blade among them. New characters teased for the broader 4.x arc include Nihilux, Ashveil (a Boothill-adjacent character), and Evanescia (the Yae Sakura expy).
Events, freebies, and quality-of-life changes
Version 4.0 packs a substantial lineup of limited-time events and rewards:
- Cosmicon, Roll On introduces a new in-game card game tied to Planarcadia's setting.
- Currency Wars returns as a recurring event.
- Double-drop events will run during the patch cycle.
- A login event grants free Warp pulls and additional Stellar Jades.
- Players receive a free Ruan Mei skin during the update.
- Some Trailblazer head accessories can be obtained for free, alongside paid cosmetic options.
A new Ascension material exchange system lets you trade materials at a 1:1 ratio, which should significantly reduce the grind when building characters across different element and Path requirements.
Free 5-star character selector
To celebrate the Chinese New Year, HoYoverse is giving every player a free limited 5-star character. The selection pool includes Jing Yuan, Kafka, Imbibitor Lunae, Jingliu, Sparkle, Acheron, and Aventurine. This is a permanent addition to your roster — pick whoever fills the biggest gap in your team or whoever you've been wanting to try.
Version 4.0 kicks off a new year of content for Honkai: Star Rail, and between the new Path, a fresh world to explore, and the mountain of free rewards, it's one of the most loaded patches the game has seen. Make sure to grab those livestream codes before they expire.
