Hello, Trailblazers!
Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.4 is expected to launch on July 14, 2026. This update may bring the Himeko Nova banner, along with the second phase of the Fate collaboration.
Since Version 4.4 may include new characters, crossover banners, and rerun banners at the same time, this guide will cover the expected HSR 4.4 banner schedule, key details about the new characters, and possible rerun characters to help you plan your Stellar Jade ahead of time.
Want to prepare your resources before Version 4.4 starts? Visit GamsGo to check Honkai: Star Rail top up deals and get ready before the Himeko Nova banner and Fate collaboration banners go live.
Honkai: Star Rail 4.4 Update Schedule
Based on current predictions, Phase 1 of Version 4.4 is expected to run from July 14, 2026, to August 5, 2026. Himeko SP may debut during this phase. The second phase of the Fate collaboration is expected to begin on July 24, which means the Himeko SP banner and the Fate collaboration banners may overlap. Stellar Jade pressure could be high, so it is better to plan your pulls early.
The rough schedule for the HSR 4.4 banners is as follows:
| Event / Banner Phase | Estimated Schedule |
|---|---|
| Version 4.4 Phase 1 | Expected to run from July 14, 2026, to August 5, 2026 |
| Himeko SP / Himeko • Nova Banner | Expected to run from July 14, 2026, to August 5, 2026 |
| Fate/stay night Collaboration Phase 2 | Expected to start on July 24, 2026 |
| Version 4.4 Phase 2 | Expected to run from August 5, 2026, to August 26, 2026 |
| Gilgamesh / Rin Tohsaka Collaboration Banners | Expected to start on July 24, 2026; exact end date is still unknown |
The official Version 4.4 Special Program livestream will most likely take place around July 4, 2026. By then, the banner order, rerun character list, and livestream redemption codes should be confirmed. I will also update the latest codes in this Honkai: Star Rail codes guide as soon as possible, so you can bookmark it now and come back later to grab the Stellar Jade codes right away.
Before the Special Program officially airs, let us first go through the current leaked timeline and take a closer look at the Version 4.4 banners, new characters, and possible matching Light Cone schedule.
HSR 4.4 New Characters and Light Cones
HSR 4.4 is expected to add Himeko • Nova, Gilgamesh, and Rin Tohsaka, along with their related Light Cone banners. Since Stellar Jades are limited, it is better to check the characters first before deciding whether to pull for their signature Light Cones.
The table below lists the new characters and Light Cones that may appear in Honkai: Star Rail 4.4, so you can plan your pull order ahead of time.
| HSR 4.4 Phase 1 Banner | Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] Banner | |
 Himeko Nova |  Gilgamesh |  Rin Tohsaka |
 A Star That Lights the Night |  I Am As You Behold |  Flickering Stars |
HSR 4.4 Rerun Banner Predictions
Based on current speculation, Honkai: Star Rail 4.4 may include the following rerun characters and Light Cones:
| Character | Light Cones | Character | Light Cones |
 Sparxie |  Dazzled by a Flowery World |  Dan Heng 鈥?Permansor Terrae |  Though Worlds Apart |
 Evernight |  To Evernight's Stars |  Anaxa |  Life Should Be Cast to Flames |
 Jade |  Yet Hope Is Priceless |  Aventurine |  Inherently Unjust Destiny |
These rerun characters should be pulled based on what your account actually needs. If you want to build around the Path of Elation, I would put Sparxie higher on the list. She focuses on frequent actions, Skill Point use, and burst timing.
She is a good fit for players who want to build an Elation team or need a Fire damage dealer. Since the current meta is putting more focus on team synergy and multiple target damage, Sparxie should still have solid room to perform later.
If your account lacks a reliable sustain unit, Aventurine is worth considering. He provides shields and gives the team more room for mistakes, so he works well in many lineups. That said, a possible SP version may arrive later. If you already have enough sustain options, you can wait and save your Stellar Jade for characters you need more.
As for Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae, Jade, Evernight, and Anaxa, it is better to decide based on the gaps in your current teams. If you want to save resources for the 4.4 new characters and the Fate collaboration banners, you can skip rerun characters that are not must pulls and keep your Stellar Jade for the new characters and their related Light Cones.
Want to know how to build Sparxie? 👉 Check out the Sparxie Build Guide.
Honkai: Star Rail New Character Details
The new characters in Honkai: Star Rail 4.4, Himeko • Nova, Gilgamesh, and Rin Tohsaka, all fill different roles.
Below, we will break down each character’s element, kit, Light Cone, Relics, and team value, so you can decide who should be higher on your pull list.
Himeko SP Character Analysis
| Himeko NovaHimeko • Nova still keeps her signature red hair, white ceremonial outfit, and gold accents, but her overall design feels lighter and younger. She is no longer just a traditional Fire Erudition character focused on AoE damage. Instead, her combat style is built around Assist Skill, ally actions, and her mech partner, Starblazer. The more often her teammates can help trigger Assist Skill, the smoother her damage cycle becomes. This also makes it easier for her Ultimate and follow-up Fire damage to deliver real value in battle. |
Himeko • Nova is a 5 star Fire Erudition character who focuses on team synergy and AoE damage. She does not rely only on standard Fire AoE attacks to deal damage. Instead, her kit connects teammate actions, follow up damage, and Ultimate timing through Starblazer, Assist Skill, and Source Energy mechanics.
Because of this, she works better in teams that can frequently trigger team synergy, provide buffs, or help her regenerate Energy faster.
Himeko • Nova Skills and Mechanics Overview
| Type | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Basic ATK | Enkindle the First Lodestar | Deals Fire damage to one enemy. Based on current info, this looks like a backup action instead of the center of her rotation. |
| Skill | Uprise the Vanward Cresset | Grants Navigator's Semaphore for several turns. While active, it restores Assist Skill uses and increases team damage. |
| Ultimate | We, Too, Stride the Stars | Lets Himeko Nova pilot Starblazer. It uses repeated AoE attacks and then spends Source Energy for stronger follow-up damage. |
| Talent | Of Fire and Far Faring | Deploys Starblazer Visioscape and grants Assist Skills to allies. This is the real core of Himeko Nova's kit. |
After checking her skill table, it is clear that Himeko • Nova, depends heavily on team rhythm to reach her damage ceiling. She needs the right Light Cone to boost her key damage, and she also needs Relics that improve follow-up attacks and AoE damage.
Below, we will cover her recommended Light Cones, best Relic sets, best team comps, and overall pros and cons.
Himeko • Nova Best Build and Team Comps
| Signature Light Cone | Relic Set (4-Piece Set) |
| A Star That Lights the Night | The Ashblazing Grand Duke |
| Provides a high ATK boost. When there is a Trailblaze Companion character on the team, damage dealt can ignore part of the target's DEF. After stacking Safe Escort, it can further increase Assist Skill and Ultimate damage. | Increases Follow-up ATK damage. It fits Himeko • Nova, whose kit revolves around follow-up attacks, team-based damage, and multi-hit Fire damage. |
| Best Team Comp | |
    Himeko Nova + Welt + Sunday + Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae | |
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| • Strong Fire AoE damage, good for multi-enemy content. • Her core mechanics revolve around Assist Skill and Ultimate damage, giving her a high damage ceiling. • Has extra synergy with Trailblaze Companion characters. | • May depend on her signature Light Cone and specific teammates. • If there is no suitable Trailblaze Companion, part of her kit value may drop. |
For a detailed build guide, check out 👉 Himeko • Nova Build Guide
Gilgamesh Character Analysis
| GilgameshGilgamesh is one of the Fate crossover characters, which already gives him strong collector value and plenty of attention. More importantly, Gilgamesh has been confirmed to be obtainable for free, so players can get the character first before deciding whether to invest further in his Eidolons or signature Light Cone. As a 5-Star Lightning Destruction unit, Gilgamesh works well as a Sub-DPS, AoE nuke, and team amplifier. With the right setup, this golden king can become a true core unit who brings both powerful burst damage and valuable team utility. |
Gilgamesh is one of the most popular characters in the Fate collaboration. He is also a rare 5-star Lightning Destruction damage dealer in Honkai: Star Rail. His main strength is that he can cover both single-target damage and Blast damage, making him useful for teams that need more Lightning Weakness Break coverage.
More importantly, Gilgamesh can be obtained for free. You can get the character first, then decide whether to invest more in his Eidolons or signature Light Cone after his final strength is confirmed.
Gilgamesh Skills and Mechanics Overview
| Type | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Basic ATK | Single Target | Lightning DMG to one enemy around 100% ATK. Mostly used as the very first auto action of a fight before Interest Piqued takes over. |
| Skill | King's Acknowledgement | Before attacking, gains King's Acknowledgement: ignore 30% of the target's DEF for 3 turns. Then deals 200% ATK Lightning DMG to the main target and 100% ATK to adjacent enemies. |
| Ultimate | Enuma Elish | Deals 400% ATK Lightning DMG to all enemies, then fires 10 bounces of 40% ATK each at random foes. Roughly an 800% total multiplier for an enormous 600 Energy cost. |
| Talent | Amuse Me to the Fullest | When an ally uses an Ultimate, Gilgamesh gains +40% Ult DMG for 3 turns. Each ally action grants 1 Interest. At 10 Interest he immediately takes a bonus action, not a turn. After the first such action he enters Interest Piqued and uses his Skill on every following bonus action. |
Gilgamesh’s strength mainly comes from his high Energy Ultimate, extra actions, and synergy with teammates’ Ultimates. He needs a team that can act often and use Ultimates frequently to help him activate Enuma Elish faster. Because of this, his Light Cone, Relics, and teammate choices will directly affect his damage rhythm.
Gilgamesh Best Build and Team Comps
| Signature Light Cone | Relic Set (4-Piece Set) |
| I Am As You Behold | 4.4 New Relic Set (4-Piece Set, Final Name Not Confirmed) |
| Provides 18% ATK and 10% Energy Regeneration Rate. After using Ultimate, it increases Ultimate damage based on the Energy consumed, up to 60%. After entering battle or using Ultimate, it also grants a buff for 3 turns, increasing all allies' CRIT DMG by 25%. This fits Gilgamesh very well, since his kit relies on a high Energy cost Ultimate for burst damage. It also improves his own damage while giving the whole team extra support value. | This is expected to be Gilgamesh's best Relic set. Its main value comes from ATK, Skill DMG, and Ultimate DMG boosts, which can strengthen his main damage sources at the same time. If you do not have this Relic set yet, you can use Scholar Lost in Erudition as a stable temporary option. It increases CRIT Rate and also boosts Skill DMG and Ultimate DMG. |
| Best Team Comp | |
   Gilgamesh + Saber + Sunday / Tribbie + Huohuo | |
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| • High Ultimate multipliers, with very strong AoE burst damage. • His Skill has a built in DEF ignore effect, giving him a high damage ceiling. • He can quickly gain stacks through teammate actions and Ultimates, allowing extra actions and linked damage. • When paired with Saber, he can trigger an exclusive joint follow up attack, making both his power level and visual impact stand out. • Even if he is not used as a pure main DPS, he can still work as a sub DPS, AoE nuker, or team support unit. | • His Ultimate requires 600 Energy, so he needs strong teammate cycling and Energy support. • His best performance may depend heavily on Saber. Outside the crossover team, his unique value may drop. • He works better with teammates who have high Energy costs and can use Ultimates often, so his team flexibility may not be the highest. • Some current data is still based on beta content, so changes may happen when he officially goes live. |
For a detailed build guide, check out 👉 Gilgamesh Build Guide
Rin Tohsaka Character Analysis
| Rin TohsakaRin Tohsaka is one of the most important characters to watch in the second phase of the Fate crossover. As a 5-star Quantum Erudition character, she has strong collector value as a crossover unit and may also give players a new option if they lack Quantum AoE damage. Since Gilgamesh has been confirmed to be obtainable for free, players who want to strengthen their teams or collect Fate characters can make Rin HSR one of their main pull targets in HSR 4.4. |
Rin Tohsaka is the second 5-star Quantum Erudition character in Honkai: Star Rail after Jade. Quantum already has strong strategic value, and the Path of Erudition is usually built for AoE damage. Because of this, Rin may have a solid role in Pure Fiction or other multi-enemy fights.
Rin Tohsaka Skills and Mechanics Overview
| Type | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Basic ATK | Bajiquan | Deals single-target Quantum DMG equal to 140% ATK. Functional filler only. In practice, you should rarely be pressing this button. |
| Skill | Jeweled Sword Zelretch | Base version: 225% ATK single-target Quantum DMG. When Talent conditions are met, upgrades to Second Magic Experiment: deals 112% AoE Quantum DMG to all enemies, then consumes 3 Gem Energy to unleash up to 33 randomized single-target jewel bombs at 112.5% ATK each. If you hold more than 2 SP, it drains your remaining Skill Points and converts each consumed SP into 2 Gem Energy. |
| Ultimate | An Gal Ta Ki Gal Šè | Deals 750% ATK Quantum DMG to a single target + 250% ATK splash to adjacent enemies. Recovers 1 SP for the team and applies a 25% Vulnerability debuff to all enemies for 3 turns. |
| Talent | Gem Magecraft: Freeform Tohsaka Style | Starts combat with 20 Gem Energy. Every time an ally consumes or recovers a Skill Point, Rin gains 1 Gem Energy + a 125% CRIT DMG buff for 2 turns. When Rin holds 15+ Gem Energy or the team has 7+ SP, her Skill permanently upgrades to the enhanced version. |
Based on her kit, Rin Tohsaka is not just a Quantum AoE damage dealer. Her core gameplay revolves around Skill Point use, her own special Energy buildup, and enhanced Skill attacks.
When the team consumes or restores Skill Points, Rin builds up her resource. Once the required conditions are met, she can activate her enhanced Skill and deal higher hit count Quantum damage. Her Ultimate can also apply Vulnerability to all enemies and refund Skill Points, helping the team keep its rotation going.
Rin Tohsaka Best Build and Team Comps
| Signature Light Cone | Relic Set (4-Piece Set) |
| Flickering Stars | Scholar Lost in Erudition |
| Provides 18% CRIT Rate and 36% Skill DMG. When any ally consumes 4 or more Skill Points in a single turn, the wearer gains Radiant Crown for 3 turns. While in this state, all allies' damage ignores 10% of the target's DEF, and Rin's own damage ignores an additional 20% DEF. This fits Rin Tohsaka's kit very well, since her damage revolves around Skill Point use and enhanced Skills. It can boost her burst damage while also giving the whole team extra damage value. | Provides CRIT Rate and further boosts Skill DMG and Ultimate DMG. This makes it a good fit for an Erudition character like Rin, who relies on enhanced Skills for multi-hit damage while still using her Ultimate to apply pressure. If you want to strengthen her core damage cycle first, this Relic set fits her current kit better than a more general Quantum set. |
| Best Team Comp | |
   Rin Tohsaka + Archer + Sparkle + Huohuo | |
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| • Quantum and Erudition make her a strong fit for multi-target content and Pure Fiction. • Her main damage comes from enhanced Skills, with high multi-hit damage potential. • Her Ultimate can apply Vulnerability to all enemies and refund Skill Points, giving her both damage and team utility. • She has extra synergy with Archer and can trigger a joint follow-up attack, making the team rotation smoother. • As long as the team can keep consuming and restoring Skill Points, Rin's damage flow should feel very smooth. | • She has high Skill Point economy requirements, so the team needs to manage resources around her. • Without teammates like Sparkle who can restore Skill Points or improve the rotation, her gameplay may feel less smooth. • She is better suited for multi-enemy content and longer fights, so single-target damage may not be her biggest selling point. • Some current numbers and mechanics are still based on beta content, so they may change after her official release. |
For a detailed build guide, check out 👉 Rin Tohsaka Build Guide
Pulling Strategy: Who Should You Pull First?
There are a lot of new characters and rerun characters in HSR 4.4, so who should you choose? Next, I will use a simple table to help you sort out your pull priority.
| Current Account Situation | Recommended Pull | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Fate fan or crossover collector | Rin Tohsaka | Gilgamesh is expected to be obtainable for free. If you want to complete your Fate crossover collection, you can save your Stellar Jade for Rin HSR first. |
| Like Himeko or lack Fire AoE damage | Himeko SP / Himeko • Nova | She is a key new 4.4 form character. She focuses on Fire AoE damage and team synergy, making her a good choice for players who want Fire AoE coverage. |
| Want to build around Elation | Sparxie | Sparxie focuses on frequent actions, Skill Point use, and burst timing. If you want to prepare an Elation team for future content, she is worth more attention. |
| Lack a reliable sustain unit | Aventurine | Aventurine provides shields, follow-up attacks, and team safety. He is still very useful in many teams. However, if you already have solid sustain units, you can wait and see, since an Aventurine SP may arrive later. |
| Lack Quantum AoE damage | Rin Tohsaka / Jade | Rin is the newer Quantum Erudition character and is better for players who want to build a newer system. Jade is more suitable for players who already have the right team foundation and need stronger Quantum AoE coverage. |
| Only want to get through 4.4 at low cost | Get Gilgamesh first, then wait | Gilgamesh is expected to be obtainable for free. F2P players can get him first, then decide whether to pull Light Cones or Eidolons after his final strength, banner order, and HSR reruns are confirmed. |
| Want to fill specific team gaps | Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae / Evernight / Anaxa | These characters are better pulled based on your current team needs. If they are not must pulls, it is better to save Stellar Jade for Himeko SP, Rin Tohsaka, or key rerun characters. |
| Want to pull several characters at once | Prepare 300+ pulls ahead of time | If your targets include Himeko SP, Rin Tohsaka, rerun characters, and Light Cones, the resource pressure will be high. Plan your Stellar Jade and Special Passes early. |
Honkai: Star Rail 4.4 Event Guide
Honkai: Star Rail 4.4 will bring the second phase of the Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] crossover. Based on current information, Fate Collab Part 2 will start on July 24, 2026, at 12:00 server time and last until the end of Version 4.6.
The focus of this update is very clear. Rin Tohsaka and Gilgamesh will join HSR 4.4, and Gilgamesh will also be included in the free character selection.
| Event / Feature | Schedule and Summary |
|---|---|
| Free Fate Character Selection | Start: 07/24/2026 During the event, players can choose either Gilgamesh or Archer for free. If you already have Archer, choosing Gilgamesh first may offer better value. If your account lacks Quantum damage, you can also consider Archer based on your team needs. |
| Fate/Night on the Milky Way | Version: HSR 4.4 Fate/Night on the Milky Way is expected to be the main crossover event in HSR 4.4. Players can look forward to new crossover story content, event missions, combat stages, and limited-time rewards. |
| 4.4 New Map Exploration | Version: HSR 4.4 HSR 4.4 is expected to add new maps, including new areas, exploration objectives, puzzle mechanics, and event rewards. |
| 4.4 New Monster | Version: HSR 4.4 HSR 4.4 will also add new monsters, which may be related to the Fate crossover story, new maps, or event combat stages. |
| 4.4 New Planars | Version: HSR 4.4 Version 4.4 is expected to add new Planar Ornaments. One set may provide CRIT Rate +8%. After entering battle, if the wearer and another ally are both Trailblaze Companions, it can also increase the wearer’s CRIT DMG. Another set effect may be related to whether the wearer’s Max Energy reaches 200 or higher. |
| 4.4 New Skin | Version: HSR 4.4 Version 4.4 is expected to add a new Sparxie skin. |
How Much Stellar Jade Do You Need to Pull Character in HSR 4.4?
In Honkai: Star Rail, if you start from 0 pity with no guarantee, a limited 5 star character can take up to 180 pulls to guarantee.
Each pull costs 160 Stellar Jade, so:
- 90 pulls = 14,400 Stellar Jade
- 180 pulls = 28,800 Stellar Jade
In the worst case, you need 180 pulls, or 28,800 Stellar Jade, to guarantee Himeko SP. If you also want to pull Rin, the resource pressure will be much higher. If you still want to invest in Gilgamesh Eidolons or his signature Light Cone, the cost will go up even more.
It is better to start saving Stellar Jade early through Daily Training, events, Simulated Universe, Forgotten Hall, Pure Fiction, Apocalyptic Shadow, and other regular content.
If you plan to pull several limited characters in Version 4.4, you can also top up Honkai: Star Rail on GamsGo ahead of time and prepare Oneiric Shards and Stellar Jade. This can help reduce the pressure when the banners go live.
Final Thoughts
Honkai: Star Rail 4.4 brings a lot of new content, especially for players waiting for Himeko • Nova and the second phase of the Fate collaboration event.
Based on current information, Himeko SP may be the main featured character in Version 4.4, while Gilgamesh and Rin Tohsaka will be tied to the Fate collaboration warps.
The version will also include several rerun characters, so you will need to choose between new characters, collaboration characters, and rerun upgrades. Planning your pulls early will be the safer choice.
We will update this guide once the banner order, rerun characters, and other details are officially confirmed. For more HSR banner news, pull guides, and version updates, follow the GamsGo blog.
Check out Honkai: Star Rail top up deals on GamsGo and prepare your resources early for Himeko SP and the Fate crossover banners. Good luck, Trailblazers. May your ten pulls hit gold, may you win your 50/50, and may every character you want come home smoothly.
Honkai: Star Rail 4.4 FAQ
When Will Honkai: Star Rail 4.4 Be Released?
HSR 4.4 is expected to launch around July 14, 2026. The second phase of the Fate crossover event is expected to start on July 24, 2026.
Who Is More Worth Pulling, Himeko SP, Rin, or Gilgamesh?
If you lack Fire AoE damage or like Himeko, Himeko SP should be your first choice. Fate fans and players who need Quantum damage can prioritize Rin. For Gilgamesh, it is better to check the free claim rules first before deciding whether to spend Stellar Jade on him.
Should You Pull the Signature Light Cones in HSR 4.4?
If your resources are limited, prioritize the character first. If Gilgamesh can be obtained for free, you can then check whether his signature Light Cone gives him a clear damage boost. For Rin and Himeko SP, it is better to wait for final numbers and real combat testing before deciding whether to pull their Light Cones.
Which Rerun Character Should You Pull First?
Considering the Version 4.4 environment, Sparxie is the rerun character I recommend pulling the most. She leans toward the Path of Elation, focusing on frequent actions, Skill Point consumption, and burst timing. She is one of the core units for Elation teams.
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