Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 Launches February 13 With a New World and New Characters

Key art for Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0, introducing Planarcadia and the start of the Elation story arc.

By Juli Scarr

Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 is set to launch on February 13, 2026. HoYoverse is calling the update “No Aha at Full Moon,” and it marks the start of a new chapter after the Amphorean storyline wraps up.

This update shifts the Trailblaze journey to a new setting called Planarcadia, described as Aha’s playground. It’s a new world built around “Elation,” with HoYoverse saying this arc will continue across the entire year.

Version 4.0 Launch Date and What’s Next

Version 4.0 arrives February 13, and it’s positioned as a full reset in terms of direction. Instead of continuing the Amphorean run, you’re moving into a new place with a different tone and a different theme driving the story forward.

Planarcadia is being described as a world where “clout is supreme” and people “amuse themselves to death.” That sets a very specific vibe right away, and it sounds like HoYoverse wants this next stretch to feel noticeably different from what came before.

Planarcadia Sets Up a New Year-Long Story Arc

Planarcadia is framed as Aha’s playground, and the update centres the story around “Elation.” HoYoverse is also being unusually direct about the timeline here, saying this Trailblaze journey will unfold throughout the year rather than being a short arc that wraps up quickly.

If you’ve been following how Honkai: Star Rail has structured its bigger story beats so far, this reads like a deliberate pivot into something longer and more layered, with Planarcadia acting as the foundation for multiple updates to build on.

New Companions Join the Trailblazer

Two new companions are joining the roster in Version 4.0: Yao Guang and Sparxie. HoYoverse is positioning them as key parts of this next journey, which makes sense given the way the game usually ties new arcs to new faces.

We’ll know more once the update is live, but the announcement makes it clear these aren’t side additions. They’re being introduced as part of the new direction tied to Planarcadia.

Sparxie joins the Trailblazer as a new companion in Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0.

Limited Warp Lineup and Returning 5-Star Characters

Version 4.0 also brings a two-phase lineup of limited 5-star characters through Warps. HoYoverse says Black Swan, Evernight, and Hysilens will appear in the first phase, followed by Sparkle, Cerydra, and Rappa in the second.

There’s also a balance update baked into this rotation. HoYoverse says Black Swan and Sparkle are receiving buffs, which should make them more reliable picks if you’re planning around future pulls or building toward a specific team setup.

Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 Trailer

Version 4.0 launches February 13, 2026. If you’ve been waiting for the next big shift after Amphorea, this is the update that starts it, with a new world, new companions, and a roadmap that sounds like it’s built to keep the story moving for months.

About the author

Juli Scarr

Co-owner and Contributor at 4ScarrsGaming

Juli has been gaming for over 20 years, starting with Tetris on her Game Boy. She is a special education teacher and a parent, which shapes how she approaches coverage of family-focused games, toys, and everyday play. She mainly plays on Nintendo Switch 2, PC, and mobile, and enjoys cozy games built around calm exploration and thoughtful problem-solving. Outside of games, she’s a longtime Twilight fan and loves watching Dirty Dancing.

More about Juli

Related Articles

Game News Honkai Star Rail HoYoverse

Loading related articles…