Gilgamesh joins Honkai: Star Rail as part of the second Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] crossover, billed in-game as the "Imagenae Holy Grail War." He arrives as a 5★ Lightning character on the Path of Destruction, and the collaboration gives players a way to add him to their roster without spending any premium currency.
Gilgamesh release date and collab window
The collaboration launches on July 24 at 12:00 server time. From that moment, Trailblazers can claim a free 5★ collab character, and the offer remains active through the end of Version 4.6. That means you do not need to rush the decision on day one, but you should claim before the version closes or the free option disappears.
Gilgamesh is also added to a limited collaboration Warp that opens at the same time. If you want guaranteed copies or eidolons beyond the single free unit, you can spend Star Rail Special Passes on that banner.
| Detail | Confirmed |
|---|---|
| Rarity | 5★ |
| Element | Lightning |
| Path | Destruction |
| Collab event | Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] |
| Start | July 24, 12:00 (server time) |
| Free claim ends | End of Version 4.6 |
| Original concept artist | Takashi Takeuchi |
How to get Gilgamesh for free
The free selector is the simplest route. When the collab opens, you are asked to choose one of two crossover units to keep permanently at no cost.
Step 1: Log in after the collab goes live on July 24. The selection prompt becomes available once the event unlocks at 12:00 server time.
Step 2: Open the collab event menu and review the two free options. Gilgamesh is the Lightning, Destruction pick, while the alternative is Archer, a Quantum character on the Path of The Hunt.
Step 3: Confirm Gilgamesh as your free unit. You will know the claim worked when he appears in your character roster and the selector closes for that choice. Because the pick is one-time, you cannot later swap to Archer without obtaining the other character separately.
Gilgamesh kit status
Gilgamesh's full kit, including skills, traces, eidolons, and ascension materials, is added when the character goes live. His confirmed framework is Lightning damage on the Path of Destruction, which positions him as an offense-focused unit rather than a support or sustain pick.
In lore, Gilgamesh is the King of Heroes from the dawn of human history, described as two-thirds divine and one-third mortal. The collab frames him as a ruler dragged into the Star Rail's world, intent on reclaiming what he sees as rightfully his.
The alternative free pick
If you would rather not take Gilgamesh, the same selector offers Archer, a 5★ Quantum character on the Path of The Hunt. Only one of the two can be claimed for free, so the decision comes down to whether you need a Lightning Destruction attacker or a Quantum single-target damage dealer. Gilgamesh can still be obtained afterward through the paid collab Warp if you change your mind.
With the crossover scheduled to begin July 24, the practical move is to plan your roster needs ahead of time and decide between Gilgamesh and Archer before logging in, then claim early in the window so the free unit is locked in well before Version 4.6 closes.