HSR 4.0 Drops Feb 13: FREE 5-Star Selector + Planarcadia Madness Incoming!

Hey, Daily Quest readers.Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 launches February 13, and the community is already calling it one of the biggest updates yet. The introduction of the Elation Path, a brand-new world called Planarcadia, two powerful 5-star characters, targeted buffs for existing favorites, and an impressive lineup of free rewards have players counting down the days. Pre-registrations have crossed 700,000, unlocking extra Stellar Jade, while livestream promises include a limited 5-star selector and a new Ruan Mei skin. In this post we cover everything you need to know: the launch date and pre-registration rewards, the new planet and its atmosphere, detailed breakdowns of Yao Guang and Sparxie, the buffs coming to Black Swan and Sparkle, and the full list of freebies worth logging in for. If you are serious about Memory of Chaos, Pure Fiction, or building stronger teams in general, this update changes the game. Let us get into it.Version 4.0 Launch Details and Pre-Registration RewardsVersion 4.0 arrives on February 13. Pre-registrations have already passed the 700,000 milestone, which unlocks tiered Stellar Jade rewards for every account. The higher the global count climbs before launch, the more Jade everyone receives.The official Planarcadia web event is live right now. Completing the simple participation steps grants 60 Stellar Jade immediately, with additional entries for a chance at physical merchandise including a Sparxie plushie. For players who have been saving since the last banner, these bonuses provide meaningful extra pulls without any extra grinding.

Planarcadia: The New World AwaitsPlanarcadia introduces a vibrant, high-energy planet centered around the theme of Elation. The main story follows the Phantasmoon Games, a series of elaborate challenges and performances that blend exploration, dialogue, and combat in fresh ways.The environment stands out with striking neon aesthetics and dynamic areas that encourage thorough exploration. Many players expect this region to become a favorite for both lore enthusiasts and those who enjoy collecting every chest and puzzle reward. The world feels designed to keep you engaged long after the main quest concludes.New 5-Star Characters: Yao Guang and SparxieYao Guang is a 5-star Physical character on the Elation Path. She functions primarily as a support, focusing on generating large amounts of Skill Points for the team. This addresses one of the biggest bottlenecks for many DPS-heavy compositions, allowing carries to use skills and ultimates far more frequently.Sparxie arrives as a 5-star Fire character on the Elation Path. She is built as a main carry with a high-risk, high-reward playstyle. Her kit emphasizes critical hits and burst damage that scales dramatically when conditions are met, making her ideal for players who enjoy precise timing and aggressive rotations.Here is a quick comparison:

Yao Guang

Path/Element: Elation / Physical
Role: Support (Skill Point generation)
Key strength: Enables sustained DPS uptime
Banner: Phase 1 (entire Version 4.0)

Sparxie

Path/Element: Elation / Fire
Role: Main DPS
Key strength: High-crit burst potential with conditional multipliers
Banner: Phase 2 From a theorycrafting perspective, Yao Guang looks like an excellent partner for hypercarry setups that previously struggled with Skill Point economy. Sparxie has the potential to redefine certain endgame clears if players master her mechanics.

Buffs for Black Swan and SparkleBlack Swan and Sparkle receive noticeable improvements through the update's balance adjustments. Black Swan's DoT scaling sees an increase, while Sparkle gains enhancements to her action-forward and energy mechanics.These changes breathe new life into older Harmony and Nihility units. Teams built around DoT or hypercarry strategies now have stronger options without needing to pull brand-new characters. The buffs align well with the new Elation mechanics, creating interesting team synergy possibilities. 

Free Rewards and Livestream IncentivesThe 4.0 livestream delivered one of the most generous reward packages in recent memory. Players who log in during the version will receive a limited 5-star selector, allowing a choice from several popular limited characters. A new outfit for Ruan Mei is also available through event login rewards. Additional free pulls come from daily check-ins, the web event, and pre-registration bonuses. Combined, free-to-play accounts can expect well over 100 pulls worth of resources during the early weeks. Key free rewards include:

• Limited 5-star selector (choose from select banner characters)
• Ruan Mei "Plumblossom Letter" outfit
• 60 Stellar Jade from the Planarcadia web event
• Pre-registration Stellar Jade tiers
• Standard event login bonuses and one-time rewards

The selector alone represents a major opportunity to fill roster gaps. Many veterans recommend prioritizing a strong limited support or sustain if your account still lacks one.Why Version 4.0 Feels Like a Turning PointThe Elation Path introduces mechanics that directly solve long-standing team-building frustrations, particularly around Skill Point management. Planarcadia delivers strong visual and narrative appeal, while the free rewards lower the barrier for newer and returning players. For free-to-play accounts, the update provides exceptional value. For those willing to invest, the new characters and buffs open up powerful endgame compositions. February 13 marks the start of what could be one of the most active grinding periods in Honkai: Star Rail so far. Which character are you planning to pull for first, Yao Guang or Sparxie? Which reward are you most excited to claim? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, share this with your friends, and follow

@TheDailyQuest0

for more daily gaming coverage. What do you think? Let me know in the comments – and subscribe/follow

@TheDailyQuest0

for more daily gaming quests!