HoYoverse has announced that Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.4, titled “In Ravages Does the Whistle Sound,” will launch on July 15, continuing the Planarcadia storyline with a climactic battle against Lord Ravager Asat Pramad while introducing the playable debut of Himeko • Nova.
The update also marks the start of the second phase and special chapter of the game’s Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] collaboration, bringing Rin Tohsaka and Gilgamesh into the expanding crossover beginning July 24.
Himeko • Nova headlines Version 4.4
The latest chapter picks up after Asat Pramad revealed his true identity and shattered the fragile peace that had protected Planarcadia for 15 years. Following Himeko’s disappearance during her confrontation with the Lord Ravager, the Trailblazer must decipher clues she left behind while uncovering the truth surrounding both her identity and the events from 15 years ago.
The story culminates in a decisive showdown against Asat Pramad, with Planarcadia’s survival hanging in the balance.
Supporting the Trailblazer is Himeko • Nova, a new 5-star Fire Erudition character available throughout Version 4.4.
Himeko • Nova introduces a unique Territory mechanic that summons the mech Starblazer to fight alongside the team. Her Ultimate allows the party to pilot the mech together, while teammates gain access to an Assist Skill that can call Starblazer into battle at any time. Express Crew members also receive additional bonuses while inside the Territory.
Outside combat, her Technique lets players pilot Starblazer during exploration and attack enemies from above before battles begin.
Fate/stay night collaboration expands on July 24
The collaboration with Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] continues as Rin Tohsaka arrives in Planarcadia after exhausting her magical energy and using a Holy Grail displayed during the Star Rail FEST exhibit. Her actions inadvertently scatter Gilgamesh’s legendary treasures across the world, triggering another Holy Grail War.
Players will join Rin in investigating the mysterious incident while uncovering the truth behind the Imagenae: Holy Grail War.
Rin Tohsaka joins the roster as a 5-star Quantum Erudition character who builds Gem Energy to unleash multiple follow-up attacks while scaling with the team’s Skill Point usage.
Meanwhile, Gilgamesh arrives as a 5-star Lightning Destruction unit whose damage increases as allies take turns, allowing him to accumulate “Interest” before unleashing his signature Gate of Babylon and devastating Ultimate, Enuma Elish.
Free collaboration rewards and returning characters
From July 24 until the end of Version 4.6, players of Honkai: Star Rail can claim either Gilgamesh or Archer as a free limited 5-star collaboration character, along with the materials needed to upgrade them.
HoYoverse also confirmed that the collaboration Character and Light Cone Warps will remain available long term, with pity shared across both collaboration phases.
Players who use a total of 200 Star Rail Special Passes during Version 4.4 can choose one of two exclusive collaboration Light Cones: I Am As You Behold or The Hell Where Ideals Burn.
Version 4.4 also brings multiple rerun banners. Sparxie, Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae, and Evernight return during the first half of the update, while Cerydra, Anaxa, and Aventurine headline the second half. Sparxie will also receive a new outfit titled Candy-Coated Waves.
New events and gameplay updates
Beyond new characters and story content, Version 4.4 introduces several limited-time events and permanent additions.
Players can immediately claim a free 10-pull after the update goes live. The collaboration event Fate/Star Rail Night follows the Trailblazer and Rin Tohsaka as they recover Gilgamesh’s scattered treasures, while Antigraft Brickbuster tasks players with helping Aventurine investigate corruption within the IPC by solving data brick puzzles.
HoYoverse is also expanding the permanent Currency Wars: Zero-Sum Game mode alongside several quality-of-life improvements, a new pet called Pentaflavor Emoti, and the Fan-Made Lygus Trailblaze Fashion cosmetic.
With a major story conclusion, the arrival of Himeko • Nova, and the long-awaited continuation of the Fate/stay night crossover, Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.4 shapes up as one of the game’s biggest content updates of the year as players prepare for its launch on July 15.
