TL;DR
- Yao Guang and Sparxie are confirmed as the spotlight units for HSR 4.0 through official marketing.
- The expected release date for HSR 4.0 is mid-February 2026, with specific dates of February 12 (NA) and February 13 (EU/Asia) being the strongest estimates.
- Phase 1 will feature Yao Guang, and players need to prepare their Stellar Jades for early pulls, while Phase 2 will feature Sparxie, making planning essential.
Disclaimer: This summary was created using Artificial Intelligence (AI)
HSR 4.0 banners leaks are hitting that dangerous sweet spot. There’s just enough official confirmation to feel real, and just enough unverified info floating around to bait people into bad Stellar Jade decisions.
The big headline is already locked in through official drip marketing. Yao Guang and Sparxie are being positioned as the Version 4.0 spotlight units, backed by the “Aha Instant” branding tied to Aha and Elation vibes.
Because of that, this breakdown focuses on what actually matters for planning. We’ll separate what’s confirmed from what’s still rumor, look at how Phase 1 and Phase 2 are shaping up, and help you prep your pulls without getting scammed by your own hype.
HSR 4.0 Banners Leaks: What’s Confirmed So Far
The safest “no drama” takeaway from the leak cycle is simple: Yao Guang and Sparxie are real, because they’ve already been revealed via official drip marketing posts from HoYoLAB.
That means any planning around “4.0 has two headline limited characters” is reasonable. Everything else (kits, numbers, reruns, Light Cones) still needs the usual caution.
HSR 4.0 Banners Release Timing: The Best Current Estimate
Multiple large guide sites currently point to a mid-February 2026 window for Version 4.0, with some listing Feb 12 (NA) / Feb 13 (EU/Asia) as the expected start timing. Treat this as a strong estimate, not a promise, until HoYoverse posts the livestream + patch notes schedule.
See Also: Honkai Star Rail 4.0 Leaks – Major Meta Shift & New Region
Expected Structure For HSR 4.0 Banners (Phase 1 and Phase 2)
HSR 4.0 Banners Phase 1: Yao Guang

A common leak consensus is Yao Guang in Phase 1, and that matches how several community-facing guides are currently framing the patch structure.
What you can plan around right now:
- If you want Yao Guang, assume you’ll need your Stellar Jades ready for early 4.0
- If you’re trying to snipe reruns too, you may need to pick one priority and commit (4.0 looks like a wallet test)
HSR 4.0 Banners Phase 2: Sparxie

Sparxie is widely circulated as Phase 2’s featured unit, and that also lines up with the “two new limited characters split across phases” expectation people are using for 4.0 planning.
Why Phase 2 matters: if you pull in Phase 1 and lose your 50/50, you might not have time to rebuild enough currency to guarantee Sparxie without spending. So Phase planning isn’t optional, it’s survival.
The Elation Signal and What It Could Mean For HSR 4.0
HSR 4.0 Banners Leaks and the “Aha Instant” Clue
The drip marketing posts from HoYoLAB are explicitly branded with the “Aha Instant” framing on official channels, which is why the community is laser-focused on Elation becoming a bigger gameplay pillar in 4.0.
Practical impact for pull planning:
- If 4.0 is the “Elation push,” older accounts may need one of two things:
- a new “Elation core” unit
- or a new support that makes Elation teams feel less gimmicky
- If you don’t care about new archetypes, 4.0 could be an easy “skip patch” where you only pull for favorites
HSR 4.0 Banners Leaks vs Reality
Here’s the rule that saves your Stellar Jades: drip marketing confirms characters, not their final kit power. Beta numbers swing, and HoYoverse has no problem shipping last-minute changes if something is too strong or too weird.
So don’t pull because “people said it’s broken.” Pull because it fits your account’s direction.
See Also: Dan Heng Honkai Star Rail Build Guide for Max DPS
Reruns and Extra Banner Rumors For HSR 4.0

Reruns are the messiest part of the leak ecosystem. You’ll see “full roadmap” claims across social posts, random graphics, and long-range predictions. But most of that isn’t stable until close to livestream.
If you want the safest approach:
- Only treat reruns as real when multiple independent leak sources converge
- Or when an outlet is clearly basing it on a repeated banner pattern, not a one-off rumor
A lot of the current “roadmap” chatter is coming from leak communities (especially dedicated leak subreddits), so it’s useful for planning, but still not confirmation.
HSR 4.0 Banners Leaks Pull Guide: Who Should Save and Who Should Spend
If You’re Free-to-Play
Pick one:
- Phase 1 target (Yao Guang), then stop
- Phase 2 target (Sparxie), then stop
Trying to “lightly pull both” is how you end up with a guaranteed pity that never happens.
If You’re a Meta Chaser
Wait for two things before you hard commit:
- reliable kit direction from beta consensus (not day-one panic)
- how well the new unit actually plugs into your best teams
If You’re a Collector
Your only real job is to plan the calendar:
- If mid-February is accurate, you’ve got a short runway to stockpile
- Decide now which phase you’re prioritizing so you’re not rage-swiping on day one
See Also: Aventurine HSR Best Builds and Teams – Full Build Guide
HSR 4.0 Banners Leaks are already doing what they always do: making everyone feel late before the patch is even here. The good news is you’re not blind. Yao Guang and Sparxie are officially revealed, and the “Aha Instant” branding makes it clear 4.0 is aiming at a new vibe shift.
All you need to do is commit to one phase, keep your expectations flexible until the livestream, and don’t let “roadmap graphics” spend your Stellar Jades for you.And if you’re stocking up for upcoming pulls, Light Cones, or future banners, top up Honkai: Star Rail on Joytify so you’re ready when your must-pull moment arrives.
TL;DR
- Yao Guang and Sparxie are confirmed as the spotlight units for HSR 4.0 through official marketing.
- The expected release date for HSR 4.0 is mid-February 2026, with specific dates of February 12 (NA) and February 13 (EU/Asia) being the strongest estimates.
- Phase 1 will feature Yao Guang, and players need to prepare their Stellar Jades for early pulls, while Phase 2 will feature Sparxie, making planning essential.


