Honkai: Star Rail developer and publisher HoYoverse has announced that the game’s anniversary update Version 4.2 will be released on April 22, 2026. Dubbed, “So Laughed the Masses,” the update will introduce the next chapter in the game’s main story as well as add new playable 5-star characters Silver Wolf LV.999 and Evanescia, the brand-new Path of Elation, a series of special events and rewards for players in celebration of the game’s third anniversary, and a lot more.
Here’s a description of what players can look forward to in Version 4.2’s main story:
“The adventure in Planarcadia continues. The state of the Phantasmoon Games has grown increasingly complex following the announcement that its reward has received an unprecedented escalation: the victor will permanently become the Aeon of Elation. As Fulwish, leader of the Research Society of Happy Smiles, invites all Supplicants to a public debate at the Fulwish TV headquarters in Seafeld City, even more plots and schemes are bound to surface. Can the Trailblazer successfully navigate every hurdle, obtain more Wishpower, and resolve the hidden crisis?”
3rd Anniversary Celebration
The Honkai: Star Rail third anniversary celebration will include the exclusive “Festive Gifts” event that will reward players with a total of 20 free pulls. Players will also receive 1,600 Stellar Jades when they select a blessing card from one of their companions, as well as a Golden Companion Spirit that they can use in the “Stellar Convergence” store to obtain their companion of choice. Additionally, the limited 5-star characters Huohuo and Robin will be also added to the store. The annual first-time top-up double bonus will also be reset during the third anniversary celebration. Furthermore, players who join the “Aha’s Chosen: Spreading Elation Everywhere” online event will get a chance to win a Silver Wolf LV.999-themed car and other gifts.
Silver Wolf LV.999 and Evanescia
As for the new playable 5-star characters Silver Wolf LV.999 and Evanescia, here’s a description of each character and their abilities:
With the competition heating up, two brand-new 5-star characters Silver Wolf LV.999 and Evanescia will officially join the team, becoming crucial companions to help the Trailblazer turn the tables. First up, a familiar face: Silver Wolf is making her grand entrance with a brand-new look. As a long-time member of the Stellaron Hunters, she needs no introduction. If you had to pick the universe’s most hardcore gamer, Silver Wolf takes the crown, hands down. If you treat the vast universe as a game of endless level ups and progress, then “Silver Wolf LV.999” is what happens when she hits level 999 and evolves into a “Godmode Player.” This hacker from Punklorde also happens to be the very first Emanator of the Elation from the Phantasmoon Games to step into the spotlight. Silver Wolf LV.999 is a 5-star Imaginary character following the Path of Elation. In combat, she can rack up “Hidden MMR” to activate her exclusive Cartridge and enter the “Godmode Player” state. Once active, Silver Wolf pulls both teammates and enemies alike into her own gaming domain, unlocking a “Reward stage” at the start of her turn. During this “Reward stage,” she can use her Cartridge to spawn various in-game items, not only shaking up the combat dynamics but also sharing powerful buffs with teammates to turn the tide together. When “Aha Instant” strikes, Silver Wolf blasts all enemies with a game-crashing laser cannon, dealing massive DMG. On top of that, this hacker from Punklorde has one more trick up her sleeve: when a teammate falls under enemy control, she’ll hack into the battlefield — even if she isn’t actively in the team — granting allies temporary immunity to control. It’s her own special way of keeping the team protected during every battle.
Next up is Evanescia. Since the start of the Phantasmoon Games, this mysterious girl has always been watching this game’s progress as an observer. In fact, as a “Special Observer,” Evanescia has participated in far more than just one iteration of the Phantasmoon Games. Because of this, this multi-playthrough player has already witnessed way too many contestants scheming against one another to fight for Wishpower, and watched countless people repeatedly clash on the heels of Aeonic power. Rather than looking forward to who will become the ultimate champion of the Phantasmoon Games, she pays much more attention to the performance of her favored “protagonist”: the Trailblazer. And in the new story, more secrets regarding Evanescia’s true identity will also gradually reach a final revelation. Evanescia is a 5-star Physical character following the Path of Elation. In combat, Evanescia can continuously accumulate “Certified Banger” through various means: whether she regenerates Energy, teammates Charge her, or the “Certified Banger” on her teammates changes, she continues to gain “Certified Banger.” Whenever Evanescia gains “Certified Banger,” she will simultaneously regenerate Energy, allowing her to maintain her DMG rhythm. As “Certified Banger” continues to accumulate, Evanescia’s DMG will also gradually increase. Whenever it reaches a certain number of points, it will additionally trigger an attack from “Master Fox,” dealing DMG to all enemies and regenerating Energy for Evanescia. Her Elation Skill can also attack all enemies. While delivering a stylish performance, it will further increase the team’s overall DMG.
Apart from the two new playable 5-star characters, the new Trailblazer on the Path of Elation will also be unlocked in Version 4.2. Equipped with a glow stick that can transform into a lightblade or nunchucks, the Elation Trailblazer can deal damage to all enemies, gain the “Certified Banger” buff, grant the same buff to a temmate, and more.
The first half of Version 4.2 will feature rerun banners for The Dahlia, Castorice, and Firefly, while Tribbie, Sunday, and Feixiao’s rerun banners will be available during the second half. HoYoverse has also announced that several character will be getting buffs during the update, including Firefly, Huohuo, Seele, and Welt.
Some of the other activities that will be introduced in Version 4.2 include the brand-new “Cosmic Data Roaming” event, a massive expansion to Currency Wars, the Version 2.0 update for the Cosmicon Collective, and more.
Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.2 “So Laughed the Masses” and its third anniversary celebration events will be launched on April 22, 2026.