Honkai: Star Rail

Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.5, "To Roll the Stars in Astropolis," officially launches on August 26, 2026, bringing another major content update to HoYoverse's space fantasy RPG. The update introduces two new 5-star character forms, a journey to Astropolis, new story content, limited-time events, Divergent Universe additions, new Light Cones, and several quality-of-life improvements.

Two familiar faces are at the center of the update. Robin · Summeretto and Aventurine · Waveflair arrive as new playable versions of Robin and Aventurine, complete with different Paths and combat identities. Version 4.5 also introduces the racing-themed Overdrive: Whirlwind Grand Prix, alongside another event called Minuscule Great Adventure.

With two new 5-star character forms headlining the update, Version 4.5 also gives players another reason to prepare for the latest Event Warps. Those planning their pulls can Top Up Honkai: Star Rail Oneiric Shards on Z2U and compare available offers before diving deeper into the new banners and content.

Here is a closer look at the major content arriving with Honkai: Star Rail 4.5.

Honkai: Star Rail 4.5 Update Overview

Version 4.5 begins on August 26 and moves the story toward Astropolis, with new missions and locations to explore.

The update combines permanent progression content with limited-time activities, giving both story-focused and endgame players something new to tackle.

One of the most interesting aspects of Version 4.5 is how it combines familiar characters with a new setting. Rather than simply adding completely unrelated characters, HoYoverse is revisiting Robin and Aventurine through new playable forms.

Robin · Summeretto Arrives in Phase I

Robin · Summeretto is one of the two major new 5-star characters introduced in Version 4.5.

Unlike the original Robin, who follows the Path of Harmony, Robin · Summeretto is a Wind character following the Path of Remembrance.

That distinction is important. Summeretto is not simply a costume for Robin. She is presented as a separate playable character form with a different Path and combat identity.

Robin · Summeretto becomes available during the first phase of Version 4.5, alongside a rerun for Hyacine.

Players interested in pulling during the first half of the update can therefore expect the following headline characters:

• Robin · Summeretto – 5-Star, Wind, Remembrance

• Hyacine – Returning 5-Star

Robin · Summeretto also receives a new 5-star Remembrance Light Cone called Rise and Sing.

The Phase I Event Warps begin following the Version 4.5 update, making Summeretto one of the first major pieces of new content players can experience when logging in.

Aventurine · Waveflair Takes Over Phase II

Robin is not the only familiar character receiving a new playable form.

Aventurine · Waveflair will arrive during the second phase of Version 4.5.

While the original Aventurine follows Preservation, Waveflair follows the Path of Elation and deals Quantum damage.

The second half of Version 4.5 therefore features:

• Aventurine · Waveflair – 5-Star, Quantum, Elation

• Ashveil – Returning 5-Star

Aventurine · Waveflair also receives his own 5-star Light Cone, Summer Rides the Surf.

Together, Summeretto and Waveflair give Version 4.5 an unusual character lineup. Instead of focusing exclusively on entirely new faces, the update explores alternative playable identities for two characters already well known to the Honkai: Star Rail community.

The Trailblazer Heads to Astropolis

Characters are only part of the update. Version 4.5 also expands the game's story and explorable world with Astropolis.

The new version continues events following the Planarcadia journey and introduces new story content surrounding the destination.

Among the new missions is:

Astropolis — To Roll the Stars in Astropolis

The update also includes a new Trailblaze Continuance titled:

Astropolis — How to Lose Your Way to the Top: The Zero-Dollar Strategy

Players will encounter new environments as the story develops, with locations associated with Astropolis expanding the places available to visit and explore.

The official Version 4.5 presentation places considerable emphasis on Astropolis, making the destination more than a background for the summer events. It is closely connected with the new story content and the roles played by characters such as Robin and Aventurine.

Overdrive: Whirlwind Grand Prix Brings Racing to Star Rail

One of Version 4.5's biggest events is Overdrive: Whirlwind Grand Prix.

Instead of another conventional combat event, Whirlwind Grand Prix introduces a racing-themed experience in Astropolis.

Players participate in the Grand Prix while taking on a management-style role surrounding their racing team. The event includes vehicle development and competition elements, creating a different gameplay loop from Honkai: Star Rail's traditional turn-based battles.

Players can expect activities involving elements such as:

• Participating in races

• Managing aspects of a racing team

• Researching vehicle parts

• Equipping and improving components

• Using special abilities during races

• Working toward stronger racing performance

The event offers rewards including Stellar Jade, Self-Modeling Resin and Tracks of Destiny.

Another notable reward is Race to the Horizon, a new 4-star Light Cone for the Path of The Hunt.

That combination of a distinctive minigame and useful progression rewards makes Whirlwind Grand Prix one of the headline activities of the entire update.

Minuscule Great Adventure Adds Another Event

Players looking for something different can also participate in Minuscule Great Adventure.

Rather than emphasizing racing, this event focuses more heavily on party configuration and automated encounters.

Players prepare their lineup before battles and then see how their choices perform, creating a more strategy-oriented event built around team preparation.

Rewards include valuable progression resources such as Stellar Jade and Tracks of Destiny.

Having both Minuscule Great Adventure and Whirlwind Grand Prix helps diversify Version 4.5's event lineup. One focuses on a racing-themed experience, while the other puts more emphasis on party-building decisions.

Divergent Universe Gets New Content

Version 4.5 is not limited to temporary events.

Divergent Universe also receives an update, giving players who regularly engage with the mode additional content to explore.

The update introduces new elements across the mode, including additions involving:

• Equations

• Curios

• Occurrences

• Masks

The Synchronicity Level cap is also increased to Level 80, providing another progression target for players who have already spent significant time in Divergent Universe.

This makes the update particularly relevant for veteran players. Even after completing the new story and limited-time activities, the expanded Divergent Universe provides additional longer-term objectives.

Gift of Odyssey Returns With 10 Special Passes

The familiar Gift of Odyssey login event returns in Version 4.5.

By logging in during the event period, players can obtain a total of:

10 Star Rail Special Passes

These can be used on limited Event Warps, making the login event particularly useful for anyone planning to pull for Robin · Summeretto, Aventurine · Waveflair or one of the returning characters.

Additional resource events, including Realm of the Strange and Planar Fissure, are also part of the Version 4.5 event schedule.

These events give players more opportunities to collect materials and equipment while preparing new or existing characters.

New Light Cones Expand Build Options

Several Light Cones are connected with the new version.

The major additions include:

A Little Getaway is particularly notable because it is being added to Herta's Store during Version 4.5.

According to the official preview, the Light Cone will later enter Stellar Warp beginning with Version 4.6, giving players another way to obtain it in the future.

Dialogue Speed-Up Is a Welcome QoL Addition

Version 4.5 also introduces an important quality-of-life feature: dialogue speed-up.

Honkai: Star Rail contains a substantial amount of story dialogue, particularly during major Trailblaze Missions and event stories. The new option gives players more control over the pace at which they progress through conversations.

It may not be as visually exciting as a new character or event, but it is the type of everyday improvement that can have a noticeable effect on the player experience.

The update also introduces new Trailblaze Fashion content, including the "Aw, Look Up Here" head accessory, alongside other adjustments and additions.

Honkai: Star Rail × Zenless Zone Zero Collaboration Teased

The Version 4.5 Special Program also gave players something to look forward to beyond the current update.

HoYoverse officially teased a future collaboration between Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero.

However, this collaboration should not be confused with content launching directly in Version 4.5. It was revealed alongside the Version 4.5 announcements as a future project rather than an August 26 gameplay event.

More information is expected closer to the collaboration's release.

Is Honkai: Star Rail 4.5 Worth Returning For?

Version 4.5 covers a surprisingly broad range of Honkai: Star Rail content.

For character collectors, Robin · Summeretto and Aventurine · Waveflair provide two new versions of popular characters with different Paths and combat identities.

For players interested in story and exploration, Astropolis provides the setting for new missions and locations.

For players looking for activities and rewards, the update includes:

• Overdrive: Whirlwind Grand Prix

• Minuscule Great Adventure

• Divergent Universe additions

• Gift of Odyssey

• Realm of the Strange

• Planar Fissure

• New Light Cones and progression rewards

The addition of dialogue speed-up also shows that Version 4.5 is not focused exclusively on adding more content. HoYoverse is continuing to make smaller usability changes alongside major character, story and event releases.

With Honkai: Star Rail 4.5 now live as of August 26, 2026, players can already begin exploring Astropolis, progressing through the new story and participating in the first phase of the update. Robin · Summeretto leads the opening banner period, while Aventurine · Waveflair and additional Version 4.5 content will give Trailblazers more to look forward to as the update continues.

For players who want another way to jump into Version 4.5, Z2U also provides a marketplace where they can Buy Honkai: Star Rail Account offers from different sellers, compare prices and account details, and choose an option that matches what they are looking for.