Honkai: Star Rail 4.0 New PV Breakdown — How Many New Characters Are Still on the Way?

I. Characters Confirmed for Version 4.0

These characters have been officially confirmed through the PV and related information. They are expected to debut in Version 4.0 (estimated release: February 13), split between the first and second banner phases. Their roles are clearly defined, and expectations for their power level are high — making them key priorities for upcoming pull plans.

Yaoguang — Physical • Path of Elation (Support / Sub DPS)

As the Martial Strategist General of Xianzhou “Yuqe”, Yaoguang’s design immediately signals her elevated status, featuring peacock motifs and lavish attire. She is Fu Xuan’s senior sister and is known for using divination to amass wealth — to the point that even Aha, the Aeon of Elation, is rumored to envy her fortune.

She follows the Physical Path of Elation, functioning as a team buffer with Sub DPS capabilities. After recent skill optimizations, even low Eidolon players can fully benefit from her core mechanics, with team damage amplification reaching up to 25%. She is shaping up to be a cornerstone unit for Elation teams and is expected to appear in the Version 4.0 first-half banner.

Sparxie (SP Form of Sparkle) — Fire • Path of Elation (Sub DPS)

Sparxie is the SP form of Sparkle, the well-known Harmony character. In Version 4.0, she is reimagined as a vibrant and outgoing interstellar livestreamer, bringing a dramatic shift in both presentation and gameplay identity.

She follows the Fire Path of Elation. Her original Main DPS-oriented design has been reworked into a Sub DPS role, with her buff mechanics converted into a permanent uptime system, significantly improving rotation consistency and overall flow. When paired with the original Sparkle, their synergy reaches a noticeably higher ceiling.

Sparxie is scheduled for the Version 4.0 second-half banner. In the PV, she takes center stage as one of the defining Elation characters, with a high-energy performance that has already won over a large portion of the playerbase.

II. Future Characters Revealed in the PV (Likely 4.X Releases)

Beyond the confirmed 4.0 characters, the PV also introduces several new figures whose release versions have not yet been announced. Based on historical patterns, these characters are highly likely to debut in later 4.X updates.

Pearl & Opal — The “Twin Pillars” of the Interastral Peace Corporation

The PV opens with Pearl and Opal, two key figures from the Interastral Peace Corporation who appear to be orchestrating the Anti-Destruction Alliance.

• Pearl is one of the Ten Stonehearts and, like Screwllum, is an intelligent mechanical lifeform. Her blonde, mature design has led many players to call her the current “visual peak” of the PV. She is widely speculated to be a defensive Elation unit, responsible for sustaining the Elation battleship.

• Opal, despite his youthful appearance, outranks Pearl. His true form is a gemstone-class opal entity. He previously questioned Silver Wolf’s identity and was later hacked in retaliation. In the PV, he primarily acts as the one who “pulls characters into the game,” making his personality particularly endearing.

Stephen Lloyd — Genius Prodigy Behind the Simulated Universe

Although he looks young, Stephen Lloyd is the 84th member of the Genius Society and a core contributor to both the Simulated Universe and the Divergent Universe projects.

He focuses on improving user experience and interaction design, preferring efficiency while strongly opposing cheating. In the PV, he appears alongside the returning Ruan Mei, and his Path is widely speculated to be Erudition. While his banner timing remains unconfirmed, his character concept and personality have already generated significant interest.

Nihilux & Evansecia — High Popularity, High Visual Appeal

Nihilux is one of the most discussed new characters in the PV. Her white-haired, mature design paired with unique pupil patterns has led to speculation that she may be a dual-Path character, along with the tongue-in-cheek title of “the strictest mother among the Aeons.” She is rumored to be a complete member of the Elation battleship crew.

Her Japanese voice actor has been confirmed as Haruka Tomatsu (known for Sword Art Online’s Asuna), instantly elevating hype levels.

Evansecia is widely considered a counterpart to Yae Sakura. With pink hair and fox ears, she appears alongside Himeko in the PV and is expected to debut in a future version as an Elation Main DPS.

Ashveil — New Powerhouse of the Galaxy Rangers

Ashveil represents a major new addition to the Galaxy Rangers faction. Rumors suggest he was involved in an assassination attempt on the Lord Ravager Zhullo. In the PV, he appears while investigating the disappearance of an Aeon, showcasing stylish and powerful combat animations.

He is expected to significantly expand the Galaxy Rangers’ combat roster and is already on the radar for players invested in this faction.

III. Returning Characters in New Forms — SP Silver Wolf & SP Blade

In addition to new characters, one of the biggest hype moments in the PV is the reveal of SP forms for existing characters.

• SP Silver Wolf receives a dramatic redesign, featuring twin tails and radiant wings during her transformation. The PV’s ending even hints at an armored combat form, suggesting major narrative and gameplay importance.

• SP Blade appears in a striking red-themed design. Although only his reflection is shown, it strongly implies a significant upgrade to his story presence and combat power.

Additionally, SP Sampo (twin-tail form) and other SP variants briefly appear in the PV and are likely to be released near the end of Version 4.0 via events or limited banners.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Version 4.0 “A Thousand Stars’ Journey” PV delivers an impressive lineup of nearly 10 new characters, spanning multiple factions and combat roles. It satisfies long-time players eager for SP transformations while also introducing a wave of visually striking and highly anticipated newcomers.

The collective rise of Path of Elation characters strongly hints that upcoming gameplay will lean even harder into expressive, high-synergy mechanics.

Trailblazers — who are you planning to pull for in Version 4.0? 🚀

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