HSR 4.8 Banners: ZZZ Collab, Ellen and Astra Yao Leaks

Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.8 will feature a collab with Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), with Ellen Joe and Astra Yao confirmed to appear. Based on the current version schedule, HSR 4.8 is expected to launch in late December 2026. The exact release date has not yet been announced.

Two of the biggest questions right now are whether Ellen will be available for free and what Astra Yao's Element and Path will be. This guide covers the latest HSR 4.8 banner leaks, including both crossover characters, possible banner arrangements, and Stellar Jade planning. We'll keep updating the guide as more official information becomes available.

If you're planning to pull Ellen or Astra Yao in Version 4.8, now is a good time to start saving Stellar Jade. If you need more resources, you can top up Honkai: Star Rail on GamsGo. Choose from Oneiric Shards and Express Supply Passes at competitive prices, and get ready for the crossover characters you're looking forward to.

Latest Update (September 22, 2026): The Version 4.8 crossover and its featured characters have been officially announced. However, the Element, Path, and free character rumors discussed below are based on leaks, not confirmed in-game information. The final banner rules will be subject to official announcements.

HSR 4.8 Banner Overview

The Version 4.6 Special Program on September 20 revealed plans for the upcoming HSR × ZZZ collab. Ellen and Astra Yao will join the adventure in Honkai: Star Rail, but their full character details and acquisition methods have not yet been revealed.

Here's a quick look at what we currently know about Version 4.8.

So far, only the crossover version and character lineup have been confirmed. Their rarities, whether they will appear in limited-time Warps, and how their banners will work are still unknown. We'll update this information as soon as official details are released.

When Is HSR 4.8 Coming Out?

Based on the current version schedule, HSR 4.8 is expected to launch in late December 2026.

Version 4.6 is scheduled to launch on September 28. If Versions 4.6 and 4.7 both follow the usual six-week update cycle, Version 4.8 could arrive around December 21. However, the version durations and maintenance schedule may still change.

Want to see which banners are coming before the crossover? Check out our HSR 4.6 Banner and HSR 4.7 Banners guides. If you're saving Stellar Jade for Ellen or Astra Yao, keep the next two versions in mind when planning your pulls.

HSR 4.8 Banners: Ellen Joe and Astra Yao in the ZZZ Collab

The two Version 4.8 crossover characters come from Victoria Housekeeping Co. and the entertainment scene of New Eridu in Zenless Zone Zero. Their crossover appearances in Honkai: Star Rail have already been revealed, but their full combat kits remain unknown.

Here's what we currently know about each character. There is still no reliable information about the banner order, so we won't assign either character to Phase 1 or Phase 2 just yet.

Ellen Joe

ELLEN JOE · CROSSOVER CHARACTER PREVIEW
	Ellen Joe Character Name: Ellen Joe Original Game: Zenless Zone Zero Rumored Element: Ice Rumored Path: The Hunt How to Obtain: Not yet announced
Ice / The Hunt

Ellen Joe is a member of Victoria Housekeeping Co. and an Ice Attack Agent in Zenless Zone Zero. In her original game, she builds up Flash Freeze Charges through Dash Attacks, then consumes them to unleash powerful Ice-infused attacks. Her Core Passive also increases the CRIT DMG of certain attacks.

According to current HSR 4.8 collab leaks, Ellen could become an Ice character following the Path of The Hunt in Honkai: Star Rail. Based on her original playstyle, she might be a DPS character built around Enhanced Basic Attacks and single-target burst damage.

One possibility is that Ellen could build up special stacks through her Skill, then consume them to unleash Enhanced Basic Attacks. Another possibility is a kit that consumes additional Skill Points in exchange for higher damage or opportunities to attack multiple times.

If these ideas make it into her final kit, Ellen's gameplay could revolve around building resources, powering up her attacks, and unleashing burst damage. However, Follow-up ATKs, extra actions, and Freeze-related mechanics are still just possible directions suggested by players. We'll need more information before drawing conclusions about her actual abilities and damage potential.

There's also another rumor worth keeping an eye on: Ellen might be available for free.

Astra Yao

ASTRA YAO · CROSSOVER CHARACTER PREVIEW
	Astra Yao Character Name: Astra Yao Original Game: Zenless Zone Zero Rumored Element: Quantum Rumored Path: Harmony How to Obtain: Not yet announced
Quantum / Harmony

Astra Yao is a famous singer and an Ether Support Agent in Zenless Zone Zero. In her original game, her singing state provides ATK and CRIT DMG buffs to allies. She can also trigger additional musical note attacks when teammates act, while her Ultimate restores HP to the entire team.

According to current leaks about the HSR 4.8 ZZZ collab, Astra Yao could become a Quantum character following the Path of Harmony in Honkai: Star Rail. Looking at her original kit, we can speculate that she might focus on sustained team-wide buffs, boosting her allies' damage while contributing some coordinated attacks of her own.

If her singing mechanic carries over, her Skill or Ultimate could put her into a special state that grants team-wide buffs for several turns. ATK and CRIT DMG bonuses are two possibilities worth watching. Her musical note attacks, which trigger when teammates act in ZZZ, could also be adapted into additional damage or another coordinated attack mechanic in HSR.

Some players have also compared Astra Yao to Robin, hoping she'll offer similar team support. However, there are currently no reliable skill leaks confirming team-wide Action Advance, healing, or specific buff values. Whether she becomes a general-purpose support or works better with a particular DPS archetype will depend on her final kit.

HSR 4.8 Phase 1 and Phase 2 Banners and Light Cones

Beyond Ellen and Astra Yao, details of the HSR 4.8 ZZZ collab banners, including any rerun characters, featured 4-star characters, and signature Light Cones, remain unconfirmed. It's also unknown whether the two crossover characters will appear in separate banner phases.

Here's the current banner schedule based on the information available so far.

It's worth noting that confirming a character's appearance does not automatically confirm how their limited-time Warp will work. Whether Version 4.8 will feature a separate Collaboration Warp, share pity with regular Character Event Warps, or use a different banner duration remains unclear. We'll have to wait for official details.

We'll update this table when new banner dates, rerun characters, or Light Cone lineups are revealed. In the meantime, you can check our Honkai Star Rail Banner Schedule for more information about upcoming banners.

HSR 4.8 Pulling Strategy

If you're hoping to get Ellen or Astra Yao in the Version 4.8 ZZZ collab, you can start planning your resources around your personal pull goals now.

If you haven't collected all the available resources from the current version, check out the latest Honkai Star Rail codes and keep an eye on rewards from upcoming events.

Want to get ready for Ellen and Astra Yao in Version 4.8 but don't have the roster you're looking for? You can also buy Honkai: Star Rail accounts on GamsGo! Browse accounts with different character lineups and resource levels, find one that fits your needs, and get a head start before the crossover arrives.

Conclusion

Ellen and Astra Yao are getting ready to board the Astral Express, and this crossover is definitely something to look forward to! Rather than rushing to decide who to pull, though, we're curious to see what new tricks these two will bring to HSR's turn-based combat. And if the free Ellen rumors turn out to be true, that's even more Stellar Jade left in everyone's pockets!

Now we just have to wait for the official reveals. We'll keep tracking the latest HSR 4.8 ZZZ collab banner news and update this guide with character kits, banner schedules, and crossover rewards as new details come in. Bookmark this page and stay tuned to GamsGo so you don't miss the next update!

Got your pulling plans sorted out on Teyvat and Solaris-3, too? GamsGo also offers Genshin Impact top-up and Wuthering Waves top-up options. Stock up on Genesis Crystals or Lunites ahead of time, so you'll be ready when your favorite characters arrive!

Honkai Star Rail 4.8 Banner FAQ

When Is HSR 4.8 Coming Out?

Version 4.8 is expected to launch in late December 2026. Some estimates based on the version schedule point to around December 21, but this is not an officially confirmed date. The final release date has yet to be announced.

Who Are the New Characters in the HSR 4.8 ZZZ Collab?

Ellen Joe and Astra Yao from Zenless Zone Zero have been officially confirmed for the Version 4.8 crossover. Their full character details, rarities, and acquisition methods have not yet been announced.

Will Ellen Be Free in HSR 4.8?

There are leaks suggesting that Ellen may be available for free, but HoYoverse has not confirmed this. Whether she will be free, how players might claim her, and any potential time limits are still unknown.

Will Ellen and Astra Yao Be Featured in Separate Banner Phases?

There is currently no reliable Phase 1 or Phase 2 lineup. Whether the two characters will appear in separate phases, use a dedicated Collaboration Warp, or have different banner durations remains to be officially announced.

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