Honkai: Star Rail 4.4 arrives July 15 with Himeko Nova, Gilgamesh

HoYoverse will release Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.4 on July 15, 2026. The update, titled “In Ravages Does the Whistle Sound,” introduces a new Trailblazer Mission chapter, three five-star characters and a series of limited-time events, rewards and cosmetics.

The Trailblazer Mission chapter continues the Asat Pramad storyline from Version 4.3. The chapter follows the player team as they pursue Asat Pramad across the domain of the dead and investigates whether another Himeko exists, advancing the game’s existing narrative.

Himeko Nova debuts as a five-star Fire Erudition character. On entering combat she deploys an entity called Starblazer and grants allies access to an Assist Skill. When allies use that Assist Skill, Himeko Nova receives All-Type resistance penetration, higher critical damage and Toughness Reduction. Her active skill raises allies’ damage by 30 percent.

Gilgamesh appears as a five-star Lightning Destruction character built around an “interest” resource. Interest grows when allies act and when ultimates are used; it can convert to extra turns and expanded Skill windows. His Ultimate ignores enemy defense and deals high explosive damage. Gilgamesh provides teamwide attack and critical damage buffs and gains additional interactions when paired with Saber, triggering an area attack follow-up and extra Interest stacks.

Rin Tohsaka joins as a five-star Quantum Erudition character who converts skill points into Gem Energy to deal damage. She gains Gem Energy whenever allies spend or recover skill points. At set thresholds her Skill becomes “Second Magic Experiment,” which repeatedly targets enemies and can deal Quantum damage up to 33 times under certain conditions. Her Ultimate returns one skill point, applies 25 percent vulnerability to enemies and grants 12 Gem Energy. Rin also gains energy and recovers skill points when Archer deals damage.

Version 4.4 runs for 42 days, split into two 21-day phases. Himeko Nova’s banner will remain active through the full patch. The Fate collaboration banner featuring Gilgamesh and Rin will continue through Version 4.6. Phase one reruns will include Sparxie, Dan Heng Permansor Terrae and Evernight. Phase two reruns will include Cerydra, Anaxa and Aventurine.

The update adds timed events and new cosmetics. Antigraft Brickbuster tasks players with investigating IPC corruption by hacking a database and awards Stellar Jade, the Track of Destiny light cone, Credits and other materials. Planar Fissure temporarily increases the drop rate for Planar Ornaments. Sparxie receives a purchasable outfit called Candy-Coated Waves.

The Fate/stay night crossover includes a collaboration quest and event mechanics that allow players to fight alongside Rin Tohsaka and use related skills during the event. From July 24 until Version 4.6, logging in will grant players either Gilgamesh or Archer for free. During any Warp event in Version 4.4, spending a cumulative 200 Star Rail Special Passes lets players choose one limited five-star collaboration light cone.

HoYoverse released short-lived livestream redemption codes that expire within 24 hours of release. The announced codes are WAK84U29VLYP, HT3QMCJ9U4JB and XTJ9MV38DL3X. Rewards attached to those codes include Stellar Jade, Credits, Traveler’s Guides and Refined Aether.

Version 4.4 adds new characters, a story chapter, timed events and cosmetic items to Honkai: Star Rail.