Honkai: Star Rail's Version 4.0 launched on February 12, 2026 (NA) and February 13, 2026 (EU/Asia), introducing the vibrant new planet Planarcadia, the Elation Path as a playable mechanic, and a host of events like a free 5-star selector and double drops in relic/ornament domains. Phase 1 banners kicked off immediately, featuring the brand-new 5-star Yao Guang on her event warp alongside a special rerun banner called Indelible Coterie with three powerful 5-stars: Evernight (March 7th: Evernight), Hysilens, and Black Swan.
With Elation emerging as a meta-defining Path tied to Aha's followers, these banners offer top-tier options for endgame content like Memory of Chaos (MoC), Pure Fiction (PF), and Apocalyptic Shadow (AS). All four characters sit in T0 (apex) tiers across the latest rankings, but one stands out for most accounts.
Phase 1 Banner Details
- Gleam of a Thousand Plumes (Yao Guang Banner): February 12/13 - March 24, 2026. Featured 4-stars: Pela, Hanya, Qingque.
- Indelible Coterie (Rerun Banner): February 12/13 - March 3, 2026. Pick one of Evernight, Hysilens, or Black Swan (guaranteed from these three after pity).
- Light Cone Banners: Brilliant Fixation (Yao Guang sig: When She Decided to See) and Coalesced Truths (rerun LCs).
Character Breakdown
Yao Guang (Physical / Elation)
The star of Phase 1, Yao Guang is a versatile SP-positive support/DPS hybrid. She deploys a zone boosting allies' Elation stacks (10% of hers), generates Punchline stacks for Aha summons and extra turns, provides All-Type RES PEN (10% for 3 turns), and adds Elation DMG on ally attacks (extra on SP use). Scales hard with SPD (160+ recommended) for max Elation (+30% base +1% per SPD over 120). Her sig LC boosts SPD, Energy, and CRIT.
Strengths: T0 across MoC/AS; buffs any team but shines in Elation (pairs perfectly with Phase 2's Sparxie); future-proof for 4.x Elation meta.
Best Teams: Sparxie + Yao Guang + Sparkle + Sustain (e.g., Huohuo); F2P: Dan Heng + Yao Guang + Asta + Natasha.
Evernight (Ice / Remembrance)
March 7th's Evernight form is a T0 support/DPS excelling in Remembrance teams. She applies HP-drain synergies and buffs for Castorice/Hyacine/Cyrene comps.
Strengths: Apex in MoC/AS; niche but dominant in HP-drain/Remembrance.
Weakness: Less versatile outside specific teams.
Hysilens (Physical / Nihility)
A T0 Physical DoT DPS/debuffer, Hysilens amps DoT teams with Kafka/Black Swan. Partners boost her stacks and damage taken.
Strengths: Top DoT meta; consistent single-target/AoE.
Weakness: DoT-focused; needs investment in debuffs.
Black Swan (Wind / Nihility)
Buffed in 4.0 for faster Arcana stacks and ally DMG boosts, she's a T0 DoT support/DPS. Pairs with Hysilens/Kafka for max DoT output.
Strengths: Easier stacks post-buff; flexible in DoT.
Weakness: Outshined by newer DoT if not paired right.
Comparison Table
| Character | Path/Element | Role | Tier (MoC/AS) | Best For | Versatility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yao Guang | Elation/Physical | Support/DPS | T0 | Elation teams, SP-hungry DPS | High |
| Evernight | Remembrance/Ice | Support/DPS | T0 | Remembrance/HP-drain | Medium |
| Hysilens | Nihility/Physical | DPS/Debuffer | T0 | DoT Physical | Medium |
| Black Swan | Nihility/Wind | Support/DPS | T0 | DoT Wind | Medium |
Which 5-Star Should You Pull?
Pull Yao Guang. She's the clear winner for 90% of players. As the Elation pioneer, she enables the patch's hottest meta (T0.5 Sparxie incoming), works in hypercarry/SP-burn teams, and buffs CRIT/RES PEN universally. Early community reactions confirm her hype: massive pull numbers and "must-have" calls abound. Save leftovers for her LC and Sparxie.
Alternatives:
- Indelible Coterie first if you lack DoT (Hysilens/Black Swan) or Remembrance (Evernight) clears.
- Skip if you have full Elation/DoT rosters and eye Phase 2.