Honkai: Star Rail 4.0 “No Aha at Full Moon” Launches Feb 13 with Planarcadia

Honkai: Star Rail 4.0 launches Feb 13 with Planarcadia, Aha Instant combat, new 5-star Elation units, events, and 20 free pulls.

HoYoverse has announced that Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0, “No Aha at Full Moon,” will launch on February 13, bringing Trailblazers to a flamboyant new world, a bizarre Aeon-driven combat mechanic, and two brand-new 5-star characters on the Path of Elation.

This update introduces Planarcadia, Aha’s extravagant playground, where reputation is currency, spectacle is law, and even warfare is treated like entertainment. Alongside this, players will take part in the Phantasmoon Games, a chaotic competition that could grant the winner the surreal title of “Aeon for a Minute.” This Elation-focused storyline will continue throughout the year, setting the tone for Star Rail’s next major narrative arc.

Planarcadia: A World That Runs on Attention

Once a flat “World in Canvas,” Planarcadia was reshaped after the IPC took control, transforming into a dazzling metropolis fueled by publicity, performance, and audience engagement. Upon arrival, the Express Crew is greeted by Madam Pearl of the Ten Stonehearts, but the city holds deeper significance. It is both Himeko’s homeland and the birthplace of the modern Astral Express.

Planarcadia’s centerpiece is Duomension City, home to strange beings known as imagenae, creatures that exist only as long as people remember and pay attention to them. From the station master Meowton to the train-like Bullet Wyrm, these entities blur the line between reality and imagination. Hidden portals across the city lead to places like Dovebrook, Graphia Academy, and the secretive Tavern of Elation, rumored to be a Masked Fools hideout.

The Phantasmoon Games: Chaos as Competition

The Phantasmoon Games, allegedly designed by Aha themself, has no rules beyond one: be the most captivating. Only eight masks exist, each granting entry. With multiple factions converging, the Astral Express, IPC, Masked Fools, Xianzhou Alliance, and even the Stellaron Hunters, tensions are high, alliances are uncertain, and chaos is inevitable.

New Combat System: Punchlines & Aha Instant

Version 4.0 introduces a unique Elation mechanic centered around Punchlines. When Elation characters join the team or special enemies appear, Punchlines accumulate. Once enough are gathered, Aha personally triggers an “Aha Instant,” forcing all Elation characters to act in sequence with enhanced abilities.

Afterward, all Elation units receive a “Certified Banger” buff, further deepening team strategy and synergy, particularly for players building around this new playstyle.

New 5-Star Characters: Yao Guang & Sparxie

Yao Guang (Physical, Elation) - a high-ranking strategist of the Xianzhou Alliance, debuts as a powerful support-oriented DPS. Using “Weal and Woe Lots,” she manipulates Punchlines, buffs allies, and regenerates Skill Points during Aha Instant. Her Ultimate not only adds Punchlines but triggers an additional Aha Instant while boosting All-Type RES PEN for the team.

Sparxie (Fire, Elation) - a flashy Planarcadia streamer resembling Sparkle, turns combat into a live broadcast. Players spend Skill Points to send “Gifts,” which generate Punchlines and amplify damage. During Aha Instant, Sparxie unleashes a chaotic multi-hit lucky draw attack that scales with accumulated Punchlines.

Warps, Buffs, and Free Rewards

Limited 5-star banners will feature:

• Phase 1: Black Swan, Evernight, Hysilens
• Phase 2: Sparkle, Cerydra, Rappa

Both Black Swan and Sparkle receive buffs in 4.0 - Black Swan strengthens DoT teams, while Sparkle’s support now extends to Elation damage.

Login rewards include 20 free pulls, a free Ruan Mei Outfit, and up to 1,600 Stellar Jades from the Yao Guang fortune event, plus additional Trailblaze Outfits, headwear, and a free 5-star selector over time.

New Events & Mode Updates

Version 4.0 also introduces:

• Cosmicon Collective — card-based boss challenges
• Furbobo Weekly — magazine management gameplay
• Currency Wars — first major expansion
• Divergent Universe update — refreshed long-term challenges

Honkai: Star Rail 4.0 “No Aha at Full Moon” launches February 13 on PlayStation 5, PC, iOS, and Android.