Honkai Star Rail V4.0 Update Summary: New Path, Characters, Map and More

Alright, Trailblazers, buckle up—Version 4.0 and the Path of Elation, is finally rolling into the station! Word on the street is some people are predicting Yao Guang and Sparxie will absolutely melt faces while we laugh-cry through leaks and hype. Ready? Because this patch promises memes, chaos, and emotional trauma served with a side of spaghetti… I mean, comedy.

And here’s what this article will cover: all the details on HSR 4.0’s update, including the new Path, characters, buffs, map, skins, events, rewards, and system optimization.

4.0 NEW Path: The Elation

Version 4.0 is basically screaming that it’s bringing in a brand-new Path: The Elation. Front and center for this Path are Yao Guang and Sparxie ( Sparkle SP), who look set to be the Elation poster children. On top of that, an Elation Trailblazer feels all but guaranteed—and honestly, we’re all just waiting to see what kind of unhinged kit HoYoverse cooks up this time.

And it doesn’t stop there—the new planet’s theme is still Elation, because why be subtle? Leaks hint at a strong comedic vibe, possibly inspired by Italian comedy, which means exaggerated drama, theatrical chaos, and characters who probably treat emotional damage as a lifestyle choice. In short: expect jokes, expect madness, and expect the Path of Elation to live up to its name in the most unserious way possible.

 

4.0 New Characters

Phase 1: Yao Guang

Rarity: 5-Star | Element: Physical | Path: Elation

Yao Guang is one of the seven Arbiter-Generals of the Xianzhou Alliance's Cloud Knights. Described as "cautious and sophisticated," she presides over the Xianzhou Yuque. She is sometimes referred to as the Seer Strategist.

For detailed information on Yao Guang’s kit, please refer to the Yao Guang Guide article.

Phase 2: Sparxie

Rarity: 5-Star | Element: Fire | Path: Elation

The undeniable star of 4.0 is Sparxie , the newly named SP version of Sparkle. She is expected to launch as a first Elation DPS in Honkai Star Rail and leaks suggest she will release in the second half of 4.0 version.

For detailed information on Sparxie’s kit, please refer to the Sparxie Kit Guide article.

Both characters appear to have relevance beyond being playable units, with references to them interacting with the Express Crew. They represent a shift in gameplay direction and are expected to fit into newer team structures.

 

Old Character Buffs

Black Swan

Black Swan is transformed from a slow ramp-up DoT DPS into a consistent, plug-and-play DoT core with DEF-ignoring damage and strong teamwide enabling utility.

Sparkle

Sparkle is redefined as a tempo engine that converts SP control into damage, with massive SP recovery, SP-based Vulnerability, and broad offensive buffs that extend her value far beyond CRIT-only teams.

The enhancements are intended as a "your old mains still matter" move to keep these limited 5-star units competitive. The timing aligns with the introduction of the Elation Path and new characters like Yao Guang and Sparxie.

For detailed breakdowns of their exact changes, please refer to the “Sparkle and Black Swan to Get Buffed in HSR 4.0” guide.

 

4.0 New Light Cone & Relic Set

New Light Cone

Dazzled By A Flowery World	When She Decided To See
Today's Good Luck	Mushy Shroomy's Adventures
Lingering Tears	Sneering

New Relic Set

Magical Girl's Shining Medal

Diviner's Extrapolation Jade Abacus

 

4.0 New Map

Version 4.0 is expected to introduce an entirely new world. This world is described as a major destination that will serve as a central setting for story progression, rather than just a side location. In the official compensation announcement, the new world for 4.0 was also mentioned, and we are certain that this new world is Planarcadia.

Previous Predictions for the New Planet
Earlier speculation suggested that the new planet might be Benzaitengoku, a nation blending cyberpunk aesthetics with Japanese-inspired spirituality, ruled by Pearl of the Ten Hearted. It celebrates art, joy, and virtual transcendence, with the map possibly alternating between real and virtual layers.

A likely reason for the 4.0 update delay is the map revisions. It is possible that Planarcadia may share similarities with Benzaitengoku.

 

4.0 New Skins

Skins are also a notable part of the Version 4.0 discussion, with attention centered on several anticipated updates.

A new outfit for Ruan Mei is expected to appear during this version. At present, it is unclear whether this outfit will be distributed as an event reward or offered as paid content, though character skins have historically been tied to larger thematic celebrations.

In addition, full outfits for the Trailblazer are expected, and these will be different from the currently available cosmetics. At the moment, there is one outfit each for the male and female Trailblazer. Unlike existing skins—such as those for March 7th and Firefly, which do not have rarities—these new Trailblazer outfits will feature rarity tiers. The exact rarity of the new outfits has not yet been confirmed.

It looks like Pom-Pom got a new skin, and it’s the Trailblazer's outfit! Wait, what? Are they seriously matching parent-child outfits?

 

Seasonal Events and Rewards

Version 4.0 will coincide with significant real-world celebrations:

Lunar New Year Event

There are references to a seasonal event tied to the Lunar New Year period.

Rewards

While the exact nature of the special reward has not been fully explained, players generally expect bonus content or unique free rewards based on previous holiday patterns.

 

4.0 New Optimization

Several gameplay systems are expected to receive updates or expansions:

Pom-Pom AI (PMP) System

This is suggested to be an in-game assistant or guidance tool. It may help players with team compositions and content recommendations, fitting the trend of quality-of-life features that support decision-making.

Currency Wars Expansion

This ongoing mode is expected to receive further adjustments, potentially adding new characters, layers of strategy, or refreshed progression incentives.

Dice-Themed Mode: A new experiment involving dice-themed mechanics or variable outcomes is being connected to 4.0. This suggests an exploration of fresh gameplay structures that break from the usual routine.

Stellar Convergence Shop

Changes are expected for this character shop, likely widening access to previously limited units to support long-term collectors and returning players.

 

Summary

Version 4.0 appears to be moving several layers of the game forward simultaneously—spanning exploration, character meta, and system depth. While some specifics regarding numbers and exact mechanics are still awaiting fuller explanation, the overall shape of the update is big, interconnected, and forward-leaning.

We’ll keep a close eye on and share the latest news promptly, so stay tuned to LDShop. As a stable and secure top-up platform for Honkai: Star Rail, LDShop is your go-to choice if you want to get sufficient in-game resources to boost your combat power!