Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 Launches February 13
HoYoverse has announced that Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0, titled “No Aha at Full Moon,” will launch on February 13 across all platforms. The update introduces the new world Planarcadia, a major story arc centered on the Path of Elation, new gameplay systems, and two new 5-star characters.
Version 4.0 marks the beginning of a year-long narrative focused on The Elation, with players participating in the Phantasmoon Games, a large-scale event that forms the core of the update’s storyline. Beyond Planarcadia, players will later travel to Astropolis, the headquarters of the Interastral Peace Entertainment division.
New Location: Planarcadia
Planarcadia is introduced as a society shaped by entertainment, attention, and spectacle. Upon arrival, the Astral Express crew is welcomed by Madam Pearl, a member of the IPC’s Strategic Investment Department. The location also holds personal significance for Navigator Himeko, serving as her homeland and a key site in the Express’ past journey.
Players will explore Duomension City, home to creatures known as imagenae, which exist through public attention and “Wishpower.” Various sub-areas, including Dovebrook District, Graphia Academy, and the Tavern of Elation, are accessible through hidden gateways throughout the city.
Phantasmoon Games and New Combat Mechanics
The Phantasmoon Games serve as the update’s flagship event. Players compete for attention-based objectives, with the reward being an audience with Aha and the title of “Aeon for a Minute.” The event has no fixed rule set, and progression is tied to visibility rather than traditional win conditions.
Version 4.0 also introduces Punchlines, a new combat resource tied to Elation-aligned characters and enemies. Accumulating Punchlines can trigger Aha Instant, a special phase where Elation characters activate enhanced abilities in sequence. Afterward, Elation characters gain unique Certified Banger buffs that alter combat effects.
New Characters: Yao Guang and Sparxie
Two new 5-star characters debut in Version 4.0. Yao Guang, a Physical character from the Xianzhou Alliance, focuses on team control and resource generation through her “Weal and Woe Lots,” which influence Punchline accumulation and enemy damage intake.
Sparxie, a Fire-type Elation character and prominent streamer within Planarcadia, introduces mechanics that convert Skill Point usage into damage, team resources, and randomized combat effects through a livestream-themed system.
Banners, Rewards, and Enhancements
Limited 5-star characters Black Swan, Evernight, Hysilens, Sparkle, Cerydra, and Rappa will appear across Warp banners in both halves of the update. Black Swan and Sparkle will also receive enhancements, including expanded interactions with Elation-based damage.
Players who log in after the update launches will receive a 20-pull reward, a new outfit for Ruan Mei, and additional in-game rewards through limited-time events, including Stellar Jades and a free 5-star character selector.
New Events and Mode Updates
Beyond the main story, Version 4.0 introduces new events and updates to existing systems.
These include Cosmicon Collective, a card-based combat mode, Furbobo Weekly, a management-focused event, and updates to long-term modes such as Currency Wars and the Divergent Universe.