Jump for joy as Honkai: Star Rail is adding the new Path of Elation with two new characters in Yao Guang and Sparxie, among a ton of other content updates.
Honkai: Star Rail's next major update, Version 4.0 “No Aha at Full Moon”, is set to be released on 13 February and will see the Astral Express arrive at its latest destination: Planarcadia. Aside from the beginning of the story's next chapter, Version 4.0 will also add a new playable Path in the Path of Elation, as well as the game's first two Elation characters in Yao Guang and Sparxie.
And, as with every major update, Version 4.0 will also give players plenty of new goodies–such as a free 5-star selector and skins for the Trailblazer and Ruan Mei–as well as a wide array of new content and quality-of-life changes. Read on as we break down everything new coming in Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0.
Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 adds Path of Elation with Yao Guang and Sparxie
The Path of Elation
In the lore of Honkai: Star Rail, the Path of Elation, governed by the Aeon Aha, is all about chasing thrills and savoring joy by any and all means. HoYoverse has chosen to translate the Path's philosophy to in-game combat by having Elation characters try to amuse Aha through their attacks and, if they prove entertaining enough, gain the assistance of the Aeon.
When characters on the Path of Elation are added to the team, or when fighting special enemies, you will obtain "Punchlines." As Punchlines accumulate and Aha's interest peaks, Aha will personally take the stage to initiate an "Aha Instant." During this phase, Aha will lead the Elation characters in the team to unleash Elation Skills in turn. These Elation skills get stronger the more Punchlines are gathered and after the "Aha Instant" concludes, all characters on the Path of Elation will gain their own unique "Certified Banger" buffs.
Yao Guang
Yao Guang is the third Arbiter-General of the Xianzhou Alliance to become a playable character, taking the field by wielding the Physical element and following the Path of Elation. Yao Guang specialises in using "Weal and Woe Lots" to control the flow of battle, with Weal Lots increasing ally Elation and granting the team "Punchline" stacks when Yao Guang uses her Skill. During an Aha Instant, Yao Guang casts Woe Lots, causing enemies to take increased DMG while regenerating Skill Points for the team.
Yao Guang's "Certified Banger" buff allows teammates' attacks to deal 1 instance of Additional Elation DMG, with the damage increasing if that attack consumes a Skill Point. Furthermore, her Ultimate not only provides "Punchline" for the team, but also immediately triggers an extra "Aha Instant," increasing All-Type RES PEN for all allies.
Sparxie
Bearing a striking resemblance to the Masked Fool Sparkle, Sparxie is the most popular streamer in Planarcadia. Sparxie even treats combat just like one of her livestreams, with her skill letting her engage in a live upvote showdown with enemies. Players can continuously consume Skill Points to send random "Gifts" to Sparxie, regenerating varying amounts of Skill Points or "Punchlines" for the team. The more Skill Points consumed, the more Punchlines the team gains, and the higher the DMG dealt at the final settlement.
During an Aha Instant, Sparxie kicks off a boisterous lucky draw, dealing massive DMG to all enemies with multiple bounces. While in
the Certified Banger state, every Gift triggered during the live showdown will deal additional Elation DMG to a random enemy target upon settlement. Sparxie can then lay on even more Elation DMG by using her ultimate.
Yao Guang will be available for players to pull for the entirety of Version 4.0, while Sparxie can be acquired starting in the second half of the update. The rerun banners for the first half of Version 4.0 will feature Evernight (Ice Remembrance), Hysilens (Physical Nihility), and Black Swan (Wind Nihility) while the second half will include Cerydra (Wind Harmony), Rappa (Imaginary Erudition), and Sparkle (Quantum Harmony).
Planarcadia and the Phantasmoon Games
Version 4.0 will see the Astral Express arrive at Planarcadia, Aha's very own playground where clout reigns supreme and society amuses itself to death. The Trailblazer will also participate in the Phantasmoon Games, where they will compete for the chance to become an "Aeon for a Minute." And unlike the Astral Express' adventures in Amphoreus during the Version 3.x cycle, their journey surrounding The Elation will unfold both in Arcadia and in the Interastral Peace Corporation's Entertainment Division headquarters, in the world of Astropolis. Version 4.0's storyline is also set to unfold throughout an entire year.
As the world under the dominion of the Aeon of Elation, Planarcadia is a veritable amusement park of a planet that exists solely for the entertainment of Aha and his followers. The heart of this world is Duomension City, where unique life forms called “imagenae” co-exist with the inhabitants, and even public facilities are given sentience to better serve as entertainment.
But underneath all the bright lights, Planarcadia also hides its own fair share of secrets. Most notably, this planet is also the homeworld of the current Astral Express navigator Himeko, who found and repaired the interstellar train 15 years ago. Planarcadia will finally mark the first time that fan-favourite character Himeko becomes a central figure in the story.
The Astral Express' main objective in Planarcadia is to participate in the Phantasmoon Games, an event allegedly designed by Aha for reasons unknown. The victor not only earns the right to an audience with THEM, but also receives the prize of becoming an Aeon for one minute. The Phantasmoon Games has no fixed rules. The only criterion for judgment is who can attract the most attention. Any method goes, as long as it's dazzling enough.
All participants rely on a single mask as their ticket, and there are only eight such masks in existence. Some of the notable figures seeking participation in the games include the Trailblazer, Yao Guang, Sparxie, and even two members of the Stellaron Hunters in Silver Wolf and Blade.
Free 5-star selector, Ruan Mei and Trailblazer skins, plus 30 pulls
Aside from all of the new content, Version 4.0 will also give players plenty of free goodies. First up are two new skins for Ruan Mei and the Trailblazer. The Ruan Mei skin will be available for free through a log-in event while the Trailblazer skin can be acquired through the Gift of Stardust store.
Then there's a free 5-star selector where players can log in to acquire any of the following 5-star characters: Jing Yuan (Lightning Erudition), Kafka (Lightning Nihility), Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae (Imaginary Destruction), Jingliu (Ice Destruction), Sparkle (Quantum Harmony), Acheron (Lightning Nihility), and Aventurine (Imaginary Preservation).
Players can also get up to 30 free pulls in the form of 20 Star Rail Special Passes, and 1,600 Stellar Jade available through various log-in events.
New events and quality-of-life changes
Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 will also bring a host of brand-new events and gameplay updates. For example, in "Cosmicon Collective," you'll challenge formidable foes via card battles and strive for the pinnacle of cosmic might. In "Furbobo Weekly," Trailblazers will become magazine editors, experiencing a different kind of fun through management and critical decisions.
As for permanent gameplay modes, "Currency Wars" will see its first expansion, while the "Divergent Universe" is also getting an update, injecting more variety into long-term challenges.
For more details on what's to come in Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0, check out the full preview livestream.
Do you still need Stellar Jade to get the latest rerun characters and their signature Light Cones in Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.8? Use the code GOSUTOPUP for 3% off your premium currency purchases when you buy directly on Playasia.com!
