Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.2 (scheduled for April 22, 2026) is a major update celebrating the game's 3rd anniversary.
The first half banner features the new 5-star Imaginary Elation DPS, Silver Wolf LV.999, while the second half features the Physical Elation DPS, Evanesia. Additionally, the Elation Trailblazer will be unlocked for free through the main story, making resource management more crucial than ever.
In this guide, we’ve compiled everything from the Banner Schedule to character mechanics, relic choices, and pulling strategies.
Now is the perfect time to save up for the 3rd anniversary! Get discounts at GamsGo Honkai: Star Rail Top-up and stock up on Oneiric Shards in advance.

💡 Note: All information below is sourced from the official Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.2 Preview Livestream on April 10, 2026.
Honkai: Star Rail 4.2 Summary
The Honkai: Star Rail 4.2 update brings a massive content drop to celebrate the game's highly anticipated third anniversary. Players can look forward to generous rewards, exciting new maps, and major system optimizations.
Here is a quick overview of the most important additions coming in the HSR 4.2 patch.
| Version 4.2 New Guides | |
| Version 4.2 Banners | Version 4.2 Codes |
| Silver Wolf Lv.999 Banner | Evanescia Banner |
| Indelible Coterie | Coalesced Truths |
| Brilliant Fixation | Celestial Invitation Update |
| Third Anniversary Guide | 4.2 Free 5-Star Characters |
| Version 4.2 New Characters | |
| Silver Wolf Lv.999 NEW | Evanescia NEW |
| Elation Trailblazer (Lightning) NEW | |
| Version 4.2 New Light Cones | |
| Welcome to the Cosmic City NEW | Until the Flowers Bloom Again NEW |
| Tomorrow, Together NEW | |
| Version 4.2 Rerun Characters | |
| The Dahlia | Castorice |
| Firefly | Tribbie |
| Sunday | Feixiao |
| Version 4.2 Rerun Light Cones | |
| Never Forget Her Flame | Make Farewells More Beautiful |
| Whereabouts Should Dreams Rest | If Time Were a Flower |
| A Grounded Ascent | I Venture Forth to Hunt |
| Version 4.2 New Events | |
| Cosmicon, Roll On Again! | Express Renovation Escapade |
| Cosmic Data Roaming | Relic Recon |
| Aha's Chosen | Phantasmoon New Game |
| Festive Gifts | Cherished Recollection |
| Novaflare | 300% Planar Fissure |
| 300% Garden of Plenty | 300% Realm of the Strange |
| Version 4.2 New Cosmetics | |
| Castorice Skin | Pom-Pom Outfits |
| Trailblaze Fashion | New Pet |
| Other Version 4.2 Updates | |
| New Mission | So Laughed the Masses |
| New Maps | Seafeld City & Seafeld TV Tower |
| New Items | Heart of Phagousa Material Series |
| Gameplay Update | Currency Wars |
| New Boss | Paramount Bliss Inverted: Illwish Archlotus |
This incredible anniversary patch guarantees that players will have plenty of content to explore. Be sure to log in to claim your free characters and experience the new story updates!
Honkai: Star Rail 4.2 Update Schedule
Knowing the HSR 4.2 schedule is crucial for planning your pulls and maximizing event rewards. The patch is divided into two phases, with events dropping continuously throughout the version.
Check out the detailed timeline below to stay on top of the upcoming release dates and limited-time activities.
| Event / Banner Phase | Schedule Duration |
| Version 4.2 Phase 1 | April 21, 2026 - May 13, 2026 |
| 3rd Anniversary Day | April 26, 2026 |
| Version 4.2 Phase 2 | May 13, 2026 - June 01, 2026 |
| Cosmic Data Roaming Event | April 22, 2026 - June 01, 2026 |
| 300% Planar Fissure | May 04, 2026 - May 18, 2026 |
| 300% Realm of the Strange | May 22, 2026 - June 01, 2026 |
Make sure to participate in these anniversary events before they expire. The triple drop rates and free banner pulls offer massive account value for all Trailblazers.
Honkai: Star Rail 4.2 Banner
HSR 4.2 New Characters and Light Cones
Silver Wolf Lv.999 is a 5-star Imaginary and Elation character releasing on April 21, 2026 for the NA Server and April 22, 2026 for Asia/EU. The Elation Trailblazer will also become available after progressing through the new Trailblaze Mission.
Meanwhile, Evanescia is a Physical and Elation character debuting in Phase 2 on May 13, 2026. Version 4.2 also brings three new signature Light Cones to the gacha pools.
Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Free Unlock |
![]() Silver Wolf Lv.999 | ![]() Evanescia | ![]() Elation Trailblazer |
![]() Welcome to the Cosmic City | ![]() Until the Flowers Bloom Again | ![]() Tomorrow, Together |
HSR 4.2 Phase 1 Banner
The first phase introduces an incredible new Elation unit alongside a stacked Indelible Coterie rerun pool. These rate-up banners run until May 13. Save your Stellar Jades to upgrade your premium team comps!
| New 5-Star Character | New 5-Star Light Cone | ||||
![]() Silver Wolf Lv.999 | ![]() Welcome to the Cosmic City | ||||
| 5-Star Rerun Characters and Light Cones | |||||
![]() The Dahlia | ![]() Castorice | ![]() Firefly | |||
![]() Never Forget Her Flame | ![]() Make Farewells More Beautiful | ![]() Whereabouts Should Dreams Rest | |||
| Featured 4-Star Characters and Light Cones | |||||
![]() Gallagher | ![]() Xueyi | ![]() Hook | ![]() Eyes of the Prey | ![]() Indelible Promise | ![]() Poised to Bloom |
HSR 4.2 Phase 2 Banner
Evanescia's banner, "The Demoiselle in Charge," will take over in Phase 2 alongside an updated Indelible Coterie banner. These run from May 13 until June 01, 2026.
| New 5-Star Character | New 5-Star Light Cone | ||||
![]() Evanescia | ![]() Until the Flowers Bloom Again | ||||
| 5-Star Rerun Characters and Light Cones | |||||
![]() Tribbie | ![]() Feixiao | ![]() Sunday | |||
![]() If Time Were a Flower | ![]() A Grounded Ascent | ![]() I Venture Forth to Hunt | |||
| Featured 4-Star Characters and Light Cones | |||||
![]() Guinaifen | ![]() Lynx | ![]() Sushang | ![]() Swordplay | ![]() Memories of the Past | ![]() Shared Feeling |
These weapon reruns and new additions conclude the anniversary patch's gacha rotation. Good luck with all your upcoming pulls!
Honkai: Star Rail New Character Details
Silver Wolf LV.999 Character Analysis
![]() | Silver Wolf LV.9995-Star Imaginary Elation DPS As the face of the 4.2 Anniversary update, Silver Wolf has completely transformed. Moving away from her role as a Nihility support, she returns as a high-powered Elation DPS. Her new look features a mature half-ponytail and a futuristic esports outfit. |
Silver Wolf LV.999 utilizes a sophisticated combat model that involves managing two unique resources: Hidden Rank and Meme. Mastering these stacks is the key to unlocking her full damage potential.
| Type | Skill Name | Mechanism Summary |
| Basic ATK | Take This! | Deals Imaginary DMG to a single target and reduces the Vulnerability gauge. |
| Skill | Data Overflow | Primary AoE attack. Deals Imaginary DMG and grants 5 "Meme" stacks. |
| Ultimate | God Mode: Activate! | Enters "Invincible Player" state with 100% Action Advance and field deployment. |
| Eidolon 1 | High Priority | Blind Box grants 200% more Meme stacks and increases Elation DMG by 200%. |
| Eidolon 2 | T0 Power Spike | Applies "Absolute Weakness", ignoring all RES and recording True DMG. |
To maximize her output, you will need to pair her with specific Light Cones and Relics. Below is a consolidated guide on her best build and overall unit evaluation.
| Signature Light Cone | Relic Set (4pc) |
| Welcome to the Cosmic City Provides high CRIT stats and solves Energy issues. | Ever-Glorious Magical Girl Increases CRIT DMG and provides up to 20% DEF shred. |
| Best Team Composition | |
| Silver Wolf LV.999 + Elation Trailblazer + Sparkle + Huohuo | |
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| • Top-tier AoE burst damage. • Ignores elemental weaknesses at E2. | • Requires a ramp-up period to maximize damage. • High investment cost for the optimal premium team. |
Evanescia Character Analysis
![]() | Evanescia5-Star Physical Elation DPS The final puzzle piece for the pure "Elation" Physical team. Her stunning design with pink fox ears is a clear homage to Yae Sakura and Yae Miko, making her a highly anticipated addition to the roster. |
Evanescia operates as an Energy Cycling Specialist. She relies heavily on consistent energy generation to unleash devastating ultimate attacks.
| Category | Trait Name | Summary |
| Ultimate | Chain Bounce | Damage concentrates on single targets, making her lethal against elite bosses. |
Elation Trailblazer Analysis
![]() | Elation Trailblazer5-Star Lightning Free Unlock Unlocked entirely for free in Version 4.2. After catching the gaze of the Aeon of Elation, the Trailblazer wields a glowing lightstick as a weapon and commands the Lightning element to support their allies. |
Pulling Strategy: Who Should You Pull First?
When Stellar Jades are limited, we recommend setting your priorities based on your current roster and the content you want to clear. Review our situational guide below to see who fits your needs best.
| Current Roster Situation | Recommended Pull | Reasoning |
| Lacking a top-tier AoE Burst DPS | Silver Wolf LV.999 | Great for both AoE and single-target. At E2, she completely ignores elemental weaknesses, providing long-term value. |
| Need Physical single-target burst | Evanescia | She shows devastating power in boss fights. Her Vulnerability mechanism boosts total team damage beautifully. |
| F2P or limited to one character | Silver Wolf LV.999 | Performs exceptionally well at E0. Her high versatility allows her to fit into many different team comps seamlessly. |
| Have high-Eidolon Firefly / Seele | Situational Choice | If your Break team is complete, pull Silver Wolf for team 2. She can further enhance Quantum team performance as well. |
| Fan of Yae Sakura / Yae Miko | Evanescia | Her design is a stunning homage. For fans, the satisfaction of owning her goes far beyond just her combat performance. |
| Want both banner characters | Prepare 320+ Pulls | To account for worst-case scenarios, you'll need about 320 pulls (~51,200 Stellar Jades). Utilize anniversary savings! |
💡 Pulling Tip: Version 4.2 is a major anniversary update with massive rewards. Since the Elation Trailblazer is given for free, prioritize pulling Silver Wolf LV.999 if you need a flexible DPS, or Evanescia if you struggle with single-target boss encounters.
Honkai: Star Rail 4.2 and Third Anniversary
Honkai: Star Rail's Third Anniversary celebration begins in Phase 1 of Version 4.2. Log in during the Anniversary Day on April 26, 2026, to receive 1,600 Stellar Jades and 10 Fuel directly in your mail!
The massive celebration features a variety of in-game, web, and offline events. Players can earn incredibly valuable rewards, including free 5-star characters, Stellar Jades, and Star Rail Special Passes!
| Event / Feature | Schedule & Summary |
![]() ![]() Anniversary Log-In Rewards | Start: 04/22/2026 Select a companion on April 26 to receive the special Anniversary Mail containing 1,600 Stellar Jades and 10 Fuel. Plus, log in for 7 days to get 20 Special Passes from the Festive Gifts event! |
![]() Free 5-Star Characters | Start: 04/22/2026 - End of 4.4 Log in during the event period to get a Golden Companion Spirit! Exchange it in the Stellar Convergence shop for a free 5-star character, including premium units like Huohuo and Robin. |
![]() Cosmic Data Roaming | Start: 04/22/2026 - 06/01/2026 Join the flagship event! Act as a game streamer and broadcast the Astral Express' journey. Complete objectives to earn massive rewards, including the new 4-star Light Cone: Tomorrow, Together! |
![]() ![]() ![]() Web Events & Reports | Start: Throughout 4.2 Join Aha's Chosen for merch chances, complete Phantasmoon New Game missions for 800 Jades, and view your 3rd Anniversary Data Review Report for an additional 180 Jades! |
![]() ![]() ![]() In-Game Mini-Events | Start: Sometime in 4.2 The Cosmicon dice game returns with a new boss mechanic! Spruce up the Party Car in Express Renovation, and purchase Oneiric Shards to unlock Cherished Recollection milestone rewards. |
![]() ![]() Combat & Relic Events | Start: Sometime in 4.2 Test out newly buffed kits for Welt, Huohuo, Seele, and Firefly in the Novaflare event. Additionally, complete the Relic Recon missions to open chests containing Relics for target characters. |
![]() ![]() ![]() 300% Drop Events | Start: 05/04/2026 - 06/01/2026 Enjoy massive resource boosts! Get triple drops across Planar Fissure (05/04 - 05/18), Garden of Plenty (05/13 - 05/25), and Realm of the Strange (05/22 - 06/01) during the anniversary. |
![]() ![]() ![]() Version 4.2 Cosmetics | Start: 04/21/2026 Castorice receives the Gossamer Flutter skin. Pom-Pom gets Age of Trailblaze! and Golden Dream! formalwear. Also, equip new Trailblaze Fashion headgear like Neon Cat-ear Headphones! |
![]() ![]() Planarcadia Map Expansions | Start: 04/22/2026 Explore the newly added Seafeld City and Seafeld TV Tower maps. These areas are unlocked by progressing through the brand new 4.2 Trailblaze Mission: So Laughed the Masses. |
![]() ![]() ![]() Gameplay & Boss Updates | Start: 04/22/2026 Challenge the new boss: Paramount Bliss Inverted. Play the expanded Currency Wars with new character employees, and farm the new Heart of Phagousa Trace Materials from Calyxes. |
![]() ![]() System Optimizations | Start: 04/22/2026 Yunli, Argenti, and Silver Wolf join the standard Celestial Invitation pool! Furthermore, upgrade your Nameless Honor Battle Pass to obtain exclusive avatars and bonus rewards. |
Final Thoughts
Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.2 is set to be a legendary 3rd Anniversary update with an incredible banner lineup.
Between Silver Wolf LV.999 setting a new standard for the Imaginary/Elation meta, Evanesia acting as the core puzzle piece for Physical Elation teams, and the addition of the free Elation Trailblazer, your Stellar Jades and Oneiric Shards will likely disappear faster than ever.
Since both Silver Wolf LV.999 and Evanesia have been confirmed as the main anniversary headliners, community expectations are sky-high. However, the pressure on your resources is very real. Make sure to plan your pulls strategically based on your current roster.
We will update this guide with confirmed details immediately after the official preview program. To stay on top of the latest Honkai: Star Rail banner news and efficient strategies, follow the GamsGo blog!
Running low on Oneiric Shards? Save money by using GamsGo for your Honkai: Star Rail top-ups and get perfectly ready for the 3rd Anniversary banners!
Honkai: Star Rail FAQ
When is the Honkai: Star Rail 4.2 update?
Based on the current version cycle, the update is expected to launch after maintenance on April 21 or 22, 2026. Since this is a massive 3rd-anniversary update, please double-check the exact date through official preview programs or announcements.
Who is more worth pulling, Silver Wolf LV.999 or Evanesia?
Silver Wolf LV.999 is the versatile choice for AoE/ST. Evanesia is a Physical nuke for dedicated Elation teams. Both excel when paired with the free Elation Trailblazer.
How do I get the Elation Trailblazer?
Finish the 4.2 main story to unlock them for free! You'll need 3M+ Credits and "Mysterious Nebula" to max them out, so start saving your resources now.
How many Stellar Jades do I need for the Silver Wolf LV.999 banner?
The 5-star pity is at 90 pulls. If you lose the 50/50, the maximum cost to guarantee the character is 180 pulls (approx. 28,800 Stellar Jades). If you also plan to pull for her signature Light Cone, we recommend preparing enough for an additional 80 pulls.
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