What to Expect From Honkai Star Rail’s 4.x Banners: Yao Guang and SP Characters

You want to know which new faces will show up in Honkai Star Rail’s 4.x banners? Yao Guang, SP Sparkle, and SP Sampo look ready to shake things up. These leaks give you an edge when building teams and planning pulls. If you want to save up for these new characters, ManaBuy offers a fast Honkai: Star Rail top-up. Big changes might come with new mechanics, so you should watch for updates that could change how you play.

Honkai Star Rail 4.0 Banner Leaks

Yao Guang’s Banner and Abilities

You probably want to know why everyone is talking about Yao Guang. She is set to make her debut as a 5-star Harmony support in the first half of the 4.0 banner. Many leaks say she will be a top pick for team support, maybe even stronger than Sparkle in the same role. Yao Guang is known as the "Seer Strategist" and leads the Xianzhou Yuque. She brings a careful and smart approach to battles, which could help your team win tough fights.

Here’s a quick look at her leaked details:

You can expect her skills to boost your team’s power and maybe even change how you build your squads in Honkai Star Rail.

Other 4.0 Featured Characters

You will see more than just Yao Guang in the 4.0 banners. The leaks point to a strong lineup of new and returning faces. Here are some of the rumored characters:

• Yae Sakura (Ice Elation)
• Sparkle (SP variant, 5-star)
• Sampo (SP variant, 5-star)
• Cyrene
• Screwllum (rumored to become playable soon)

Each of these characters brings something new to the table. For example, Yae Sakura could introduce the Ice Elation path, while Sparkle and Sampo will appear in special SP forms. If you like to try new team setups, this banner will give you lots of options. You can check the current HSR banner schedule for confirmed dates.

Banner Phases Overview

The 4.0 update will likely split the banners into two phases. You can expect Yao Guang and SP Sparkle to headline the first phase. Sampo’s SP form and other new characters may show up in the second phase. This setup gives you a chance to plan your pulls and save resources for your favorite units.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

1. Phase 1: Yao Guang and SP Sparkle (both 5-star)
2. Phase 2: SP Sampo and possibly Yae Sakura, Cyrene, or Screwllum

Tip: Watch for official announcements before you spend your Stellar Jade. Leaks can change, but planning ahead helps you get the characters you want in Honkai Star Rail.

SP Characters: Sparkle and Sampo

SP Sparkle’s New Path

SP Sparkle, also called Hanami, brings a fresh twist to Honkai Star Rail. You might notice right away that she is not just a copy of the original Sparkle. She follows the Path of Elation and steps into a true DPS role. Here’s how she stands out:

• SP Sparkle (Hanami) acts as a 5-star DPS, while the original Sparkle fills a different spot on your team.
• Hanami can use several Skill Points in one turn. This feels a lot like how Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae works, so you get a unique playstyle.
• Her design shows her as a Japanese high school student and a virtual streamer. This gives her a lively and modern look, which is very different from the original Sparkle.

You will find that Hanami’s new Path changes how you build your teams. She boosts Skill Points and gives big buffs to her allies, especially in CRIT DMG and ATK. If you like to make strong combos, you will want her on your squad. Many players think she will become a key part of the meta, especially with teams that can use her buffs well. If you're new to these mechanics, check our beginner's guide.

If you want to keep up with the top teams in Honkai Star Rail, you should watch how SP Sparkle shapes the meta. Her skills can help you clear tough content faster and with more style.

SP Sampo’s Role

SP Sampo is another big surprise in the 4.x banners. You might know Sampo as a tricky support, but his SP form brings new power. Leaks suggest that SP Sampo will be a 5-star unit with a focus on damage over time (DoT) and debuffs. He could fit well in teams that want to stack effects and wear down enemies.

Here’s what you can expect from SP Sampo:

You may want to save your Stellar Jade for his banner if you enjoy DoT teams. SP Sampo could work well with characters who spread debuffs or rely on status effects. You can see how he might synergize with characters like Kafka in our Kafka team building guide. His arrival might also shake up the current team setups in Honkai Star Rail.

Future SP Character Speculation

You might wonder if more SP characters will join the roster soon. Many players think that the SP system will keep growing. The game could bring SP versions of other popular characters, each with new Paths or roles. This would give you more ways to build teams and try out new strategies.

Some fans hope to see SP forms for characters like Seele, Jing Yuan, or even March 7th. If this happens, you will have even more choices for your teams. Keep an eye on leaks and official news, so you can plan your pulls and get ready for the next wave of SP units. ManaBuy can help you stock up on resources when these banners drop.

Tip: SP characters often bring new mechanics or playstyles. If you want to stay ahead in Honkai Star Rail, you should try out these units and see how they fit your favorite teams.

New Mechanics in Honkai Star Rail 4.x

The Elation Path

You’re about to see a big shift in how you build teams with the new Elation Path. This mechanic focuses on performance and emotion, letting your characters play in ways you haven’t tried before. The Elation Path brings a fresh layer to combat, making battles feel more dynamic and expressive.

Here’s a quick look at what makes the Elation Path special:

When you use Elation Path characters, you get new options for buffs and debuffs. You can adjust your team’s strategy on the fly. Elation boosts follow-up attack damage, so if you love characters with strong follow-up moves, you’ll want to try this Path. Some Ultimates get stronger under certain conditions, which means your DPS units can shine even more. You can learn more about game mechanics on the Honkai: Star Rail Wiki.

• Elation Path introduces performance-based buffs.
• You can change team strategies during fights.
• Elation blurs old roles and adds layered buffs and debuffs.
• Follow-up attacks get a big boost.
• Ultimates can become even more powerful.

Tip: Try mixing Elation Path characters with your favorite DPS units. You might discover combos that clear tough content faster.

Other Gameplay Changes

You’ll notice more than just the Elation Path in Honkai Star Rail 4.x. The update brings new characters, upgrades, and special SP versions that shake up your usual playstyle.

• A new form of Himeko is coming soon.
• Yae Sakura’s expy character will join the roster.
• Many new 5★ and 4★ characters will appear.
• Trailblazer gets an upgrade to the Elation Path.
• Sparkle, Blade, and Sampo will have new SP versions.

These changes give you more ways to build teams and try new strategies. You can experiment with different setups and see which ones work best for you. The game feels fresh, and you get more choices for every fight.

Note: Keep an eye out for official patch notes. New mechanics can change how you play, so staying updated helps you stay ahead.

Upcoming Banners and Pull Strategies

4.1 and Later Banner Predictions

You’re probably wondering who’s coming next after the 4.0 update. Leaks and datamines point to some exciting new faces in the 4.1 and future banners. Here’s a quick look at who you might see soon:

• Archer (Emiya): He’s expected to bring a versatile combat style, likely fitting the Hunt or Destruction Path.
• Saber (Artoria Pendragon): She could show up as an Erudition or Destruction character with high damage potential.
• Rin Tohsaka: Many believe she’ll focus on buffs or debuffs, possibly as a Nihility or Harmony unit.
• Shirou Emiya: You might see him with an adaptive path, using follow-up attacks or support skills.
• March 7th SP (Special Version): Rumors say she’ll take on a more offensive role, maybe Erudition or Hunt.
• Dan Heng SP (Special Version): Another version is expected, exploring new combat styles or elements.

You’ll want to keep an eye on official news and leaks on Reddit. New SP versions and crossover characters can change your team plans fast.

Planning Pulls for 4.x

You want to get the most out of your Stellar Jade and tickets. Smart planning helps you grab your favorite units without running out of resources. Here are some tips that experienced players use:

• Save up Stellar Jade and Passes early. Aim for at least 70–80 pulls to give yourself a good pity cushion.
• Use free tickets first. You can collect them from login events, Simulated Universe, and redemption codes.
• Pull early in the banner. If you’re chasing a new character and their Light Cone, you’ll have time to recover if you lose a 50/50.
• Don’t ignore rerun banners. Herta’s banner offers great value if you still need her or want her Light Cone (check our Herta Store guide). She’s also strong for farming content.

You might notice that player spending peaks during major updates. For example, March 2024 saw $91.7M in revenue, while April and June also had high numbers. These periods often bring popular banners, so saving up for big releases can pay off.

Tip: Plan your pulls around banner phases and leaks. You’ll have a better chance to get the characters you want in Honkai Star Rail.

You will see Yao Guang, SP Sparkle, SP Sampo, and other cool units in Honkai Star Rail 4.x banners. New relic sets like Self-Enshrouded Recluse and World-Remaking Deliverer change how you make teams.

Watch for official news because leaks can change fast. Save your resources for the best meta units and plan your pulls for each banner phase. If you need more resources, ManaBuy is always here with game top-ups. If you want good value, pick supports that help many teams and DPS units that hit hard.

FAQ

What are SP characters in Honkai Star Rail?

SP characters are special versions of existing units. They often have new Paths, skills, or roles. You can use them to try out different team setups. SP Sparkle and SP Sampo are the first ones coming in 4.x.

Should you save Stellar Jade for Yao Guang or SP Sparkle?

If you want a strong support, Yao Guang is a great pick. SP Sparkle offers a new DPS style. Think about your team needs before you pull.

Tip: Check official news for last-minute changes before spending your resources!

How does the Elation Path change team building?

The Elation Path boosts follow-up attacks and adds new buffs. You can mix Elation units with your favorite DPS for stronger combos. Try different setups to see what works best for your playstyle.

Will more SP characters come in future updates?

Yes, leaks suggest more SP units will arrive soon. You might see SP versions of popular characters like Seele or March 7th. Stay tuned for updates and plan your pulls ahead.