Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.6 is taking shape, and the biggest reveal is now clear: Pearl is the only new character joining the playable roster in Version 4.6, while rerun banners are still part of the patch.
Here's everything we currently know about the HSR 4.6 banner, Pearl, the reruns, and what you should consider before spending your Stellar Jade.
HSR 4.6 Banner Overview
The current Version 4.6 picture looks like this:
|
Banner |
Character |
|
New Character |
Pearl |
|
Rerun Characters |
TBA |
HSR 4.6 Release Date
HSR Version 4.6 is currently expected to release around October 7, 2026.
HoYoverse has officially confirmed that Version 4.4 runs until August 26, 2026 at 06:00 UTC+8. Assuming the current six-week version schedule continues through 4.5, Version 4.6 would begin around October 7. A community-maintained 2026 release calendar currently projects the same date.
The expected schedule would therefore look roughly like this:
|
Event |
Expected Date |
|
Version 4.5 Release |
August 26, 2026 |
|
Version 4.6 Livestream |
Late September 2026 |
|
Version 4.6 Release |
Around October 7, 2026 |
|
Version 4.6 Phase 2 |
Around October 28, 2026 |
The latter dates remain estimates until HoYoverse publishes the official Version 4.6 Special Program and Warp details.
HSR 4.6 New Character: Pearl
After appearing throughout Planarcadia's story, Pearl is finally becoming playable.
Pearl is one of the Ten Stonehearts of the Interastral Peace Corporation and has already become a familiar face during the 4.X storyline.
Her playable version has now been introduced as:
Element: Ice | Path: Elation | Role: Sustain / Support
The most interesting part is her role.
Elation already has powerful offensive characters and dedicated support options, but current community information repeatedly describes Pearl as a possible sustain character designed for Elation teams.
If that survives into her final kit, Pearl could fill one of the biggest remaining gaps in the archetype.
Why an Elation Sustain Matters
A dedicated archetype sustain usually does more than simply keep the team alive.
If Pearl interacts directly with Punchline, Aha Instants, or Elation Skills, she could allow Elation teams to run four characters that all contribute to the same core mechanic instead of using a general-purpose healer or shielder.
That could make her particularly relevant to players who have already invested in characters such as Yao Guang, Sparxie, Silver Wolf LV.999, or other Elation units.
For players building around this Path, Pearl may therefore offer more account value than her individual damage numbers initially suggest.
Prepare Your Stellar Jade for HSR 4.6
Version 4.6 could look relatively quiet on paper if Pearl really is the only new 5-star, but that doesn't necessarily make it a cheap patch.
Strong reruns can quickly change your plans, and players who want Pearl may still need to budget carefully across consecutive updates.
If you're short on Oneiric Shards when your target banner arrives, you can also check [Honkai: Star Rail Top-Up on Mone] before committing to additional pulls. Mone currently lists Honkai: Star Rail among its supported game top-up options.
The safest strategy right now is simple: save during 4.5, wait for Pearl's beta kit, and avoid spending based on unconfirmed 4.6 rerun rumors.
HSR 4.6 Banner FAQ
Who is the new character in HSR 4.6?
Pearl is currently the only new 5-star character revealed for HSR Version 4.6. She is an Ice character following the Path of Elation.
Is Pearl a DPS or sustain?
Pearl's final kit has not been officially detailed. Current community leaks describe her as an Elation sustain, suggesting that she may focus on keeping the team alive while supporting Elation mechanics.
Will HSR 4.6 have more than one new 5-star character?
No. Current information indicates that Version 4.6 will only have one new limited 5-star character, Pearl.
Is Nihilux in HSR 4.6?
Nihilux is currently expected in Version 4.7 rather than 4.6, according to recent community leaks.
Who are the HSR 4.6 rerun characters?
The Version 4.6 rerun lineup has not been reliably confirmed yet. Older roadmaps list several possibilities, but they conflict with newer banner information.
When will HSR 4.6 release?
Version 4.6 is currently expected around October 7, 2026, assuming the existing version schedule continues. This date remains a projection rather than an official 4.6 release announcement.
Final Thoughts
The HSR 4.6 banner now looks much clearer as a one-new-character banner cycle with reruns still in play.
For Elation players, Pearl is already a character to watch closely. If her rumored sustain role is accurate, she could fill a major team-building position rather than simply competing with existing Elation damage dealers.
The next major pieces of information will be Pearl's beta kit and the Version 4.6 rerun lineup. Once those are available, it will be much easier to decide whether Version 4.6 is a saving patch or another expensive stop on the road to Version 4.7.
