Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.5, titled “To Roll the Stars in Astropolis,” is the next major update for HoYoverse’s space-faring RPG.
The update moves the story toward Astropolis, introduces two new five-star alternate versions of existing characters, adds new events, expands Divergent Universe, and brings several quality-of-life improvements.
Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.5 Release Date
Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.5 will go live on August 26, 2026, across PC, PlayStation 5, Android, and iOS.
The update is called “To Roll the Stars in Astropolis” and will run for five weeks rather than the game’s more typical six-week update cycle.
The update is centered around Astropolis, an important IPC stronghold that also functions as a destination for business figures and officials from across the Pan-Cosmic Trade Association.
The new story will take you into the upper levels of the IPC’s world while the Astral Express crew searches for a way forward following the latest crisis in Planarcadia.
New Story Content in Version 4.5
Version 4.5 continues the game’s ongoing Planarcadia storyline with Astropolis as the next major setting.
The Trailblazer heads toward Astropolis in search of assistance, bringing the story into the territory of the Interastral Peace Corporation.
The update also features a Trailblaze Continuance set in Astropolis, with Robin and Aventurine playing major roles.
The timing of this story is deliberately flexible, meaning the Astropolis events can take place shortly after or considerably later than the conclusion of the Trailblazer’s journey in Planarcadia.
This makes Version 4.5 an important transition point for the overall storyline.
Robin Summeretto Joins the Roster
One of the biggest additions in Version 4.5 is Robin Summeretto, a new five-star version of Robin.
Unlike the original Robin, Summeretto is a Wind character following the Path of Remembrance.
She is designed around supporting the rest of the team while also dealing damage through her accompanying summons.
Robin Summeretto fights alongside a small group of birds, with her allies’ actions helping her build Vibes.
Once enough Vibes are accumulated, she can activate Fever Pitch, strengthening the team’s performance as allies continue attacking.
Her Ultimate can immediately advance a selected teammate’s action and restore Energy, giving her the ability to directly accelerate another character’s turn while continuing to build her own resources.
Robin Summeretto also comes with a new song called “Only by Chasing the Wind,” adding another musical performance to Robin’s growing collection of in-game appearances.
Aventurine Waveflair Arrives in Phase 2
The second major character addition is Aventurine Waveflair, another five-star alternate version of an existing character.
Waveflair is a Quantum character following the Path of Elation, giving him a completely different gameplay identity from the original Aventurine.
His combat animations lean heavily into the summer theme, including beach volleyball and surfing.
His gameplay revolves around building Punchline and Fervor through his abilities and his teammates’ actions.
Once enough Fervor is accumulated, Waveflair can activate an additional Elation Skill that attacks all enemies before following up with multiple instances of random single-target damage.
His Elation Skill can become even stronger during the next Aha Instant, with the damage scaling according to how frequently the team acts.
This means you should not think of Waveflair as simply another version of the game’s existing Preservation Aventurine.
He is a completely different combat option built around offensive Elation mechanics.
Version 4.5 Banner Schedule
Version 4.5 introduces the two alternate characters in separate phases.
Phase 1
The first phase begins with Robin Summeretto, alongside her limited five-star Light Cone Rise and Sing. Hyacine will also receive a rerun.
The new four-star Elation Light Cone A Little Getaway will also enter the Event Warp lineup during this phase.
Phase 2
Starting September 12, 2026, the second phase will feature Aventurine Waveflair and his signature five-star Light Cone, Summer Rides the Surf. Ashveil will receive a rerun during this phase.
The shorter five-week version means you will have less time than usual to save Stellar Jade and decide which banners to prioritize.
New Light Cones
Version 4.5 adds several Light Cones tied directly to its new characters and gameplay.
Rise and Sing is the five-star signature Light Cone for Robin Summeretto, while Summer Rides the Surf is the five-star signature Light Cone for Aventurine Waveflair.
The update also adds the four-star A Little Getaway, an Elation Light Cone that becomes available through the first-half Event Warps.
For players building an Elation-focused team, A Little Getaway is particularly notable because it provides another option within the Path introduced as a major focus of the current story arc.
Overdrive: Whirlwind Grand Prix
One of Version 4.5’s main events is Overdrive: Whirlwind Grand Prix, a racing-focused activity that takes a very different approach from Honkai: Star Rail’s usual turn-based battles.
Instead of simply controlling a conventional combat team, you take on the role of a team principal and compete in high-speed races.
You can research and equip different vehicle parts and cosmetics before taking on the challenges.
The event also offers substantial rewards, including a new four-star Hunt Light Cone, Race to the Horizon, along with its Superimposition materials, Stellar Jade, Tracks of Destiny and Self-Modeling Resin.
Minuscule Great Adventure
Another limited-time activity coming with Version 4.5 is Minuscule Great Adventure.
This event takes a more automated approach to combat.
You select the lineup and then let the battles play out automatically, receiving a report detailing the outcome rather than manually controlling every turn.
The event provides another way to earn Version 4.5 rewards, including Stellar Jade and other upgrade materials.
Divergent Universe: Arcadian Chronicles Gets Expanded
Divergent Universe receives another major expansion in Version 4.5 through its ongoing Arcadian Chronicles content.
The update adds new Masks, Equations, Curios, and Occurrences, giving you additional combinations and strategies to experiment with while progressing through the mode.
The Synchronicity Level cap increases to 80, providing additional progression and rewards.
The update also raises the Astronomical Division challenge to ×10, increasing the difficulty ceiling for players looking for a greater challenge.
For players who regularly play Divergent Universe, this is one of the more substantial gameplay additions in Version 4.5.
Gift of Odyssey Returns
Version 4.5 also includes the Gift of Odyssey login event.
You can obtain 10 Star Rail Special Passes by logging in and completing the required number of check-ins during the event period.
This gives you additional free pulls to use on the Version 4.5 character and Light Cone banners.
New Trailblaze Fashion
Version 4.5 adds a new cosmetic item called “Aw, Look Up Here.”
It is an electronic emoti standee-style piece of Trailblaze Fashion and is part of the update’s broader collection of cosmetic additions.
Faster Story Dialogue
One of the most useful quality-of-life additions in Version 4.5 is a new story dialogue speed option.
You will be able to adjust the speed of dialogue during story conversations, with the option capable of being switched on or off while playing.
This should make it easier for players who want to move through previously seen dialogue more quickly without changing the overall story presentation.
What Else Is Coming in Version 4.5?
Version 4.5 also brings the returning Planar Fissure and Realm of the Strange double-drop events, giving you opportunities to farm certain resources more efficiently during the update.
The update will continue to expand the game’s collection of rewards, cosmetics, and smaller activities alongside the larger story, character, and Divergent Universe additions.
Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.5: What Should You Focus On?
For players returning specifically for Version 4.5, the biggest priority is the new Astropolis story content, especially for anyone following the ongoing narrative.
Character collectors will have two major new targets in Robin Summeretto and Aventurine Waveflair.
However, they should be treated as entirely separate characters from their original versions because their Elements and Paths are different.
Robin Summeretto is positioned as a support-focused Remembrance character built around team actions, Vibes, and action advancement, while Aventurine Waveflair takes a much more offensive approach through the Elation Path.
The Overdrive: Whirlwind Grand Prix is also worth completing because it combines a completely different gameplay style with a new four-star Light Cone and other valuable rewards.
Meanwhile, players who enjoy endgame systems should have plenty to do with the Arcadian Chronicles expansion.
