Why the February 12 Deadline Matters
The final 48 hours before banner transitions represent HSR's most critical decision point. Version 3.8 Phase 3 (Aglaea/Sunday) ends February 12, 2026, 10:00 PM UTC-5 (NA servers S1/S5/S9). Asia/Europe servers transition February 13, UTC+8.
Version 4.0 Phase 1 Timeline
Phase 1 introduces Yao Guang (5★ Physical Elation support), running February 12–March 6, 2026 (22 days). Phase 2 features Sparxie (5★ Fire Elation DPS), March 6–26, 2026.
F2P players accumulate 12,000-14,000 Stellar Jades per version cycle—75-87 pulls at 160 Jades each. For Honkai Star Rail Oneiric Shards top up, BitTopup offers secure transactions with competitive pricing.
What Changes After February 12
Version 3.8 Phase 3 banners become permanently unavailable. Aglaea and Sunday enter unpredictable rerun rotation (typically 6-9 months). Your pity counter carries forward—if you're at pull 73, that progress transfers to Yao Guang's banner. Soft pity starts pull 74, hard pity at 90. 50/50 guarantee status persists across all banner changes.
Resisting Deadline Psychology
FOMO intensifies during final hours, but pity carryover eliminates false urgency. Every character eventually reruns. Set predetermined pull limits before entering the 48-hour window to prevent emotional spending.
Account Status Assessment
Calculate Exact Pull Count
Visible resources:
- Stellar Jade balance ÷ 160 = pulls
- Special Passes (1:1 ratio)
- Undying Starlight (exchange in Herta's Store, 1:1 for Special Passes)
F2P income per version (42 days):
- Daily Training: 60 × 42 = 2,520 Jades
- Weekly missions: 225 × 8 = 1,800 Jades
- Memory of Chaos: 800 × 2 = 1,600 Jades
- Pure Fiction: 800 × 2 = 1,600 Jades
- Apocalyptic Shadow: 800 × 2 = 1,600 Jades
- Divergent Universe: 1,800 Jades
- Version events: 1,200+ Jades
- Total: 12,220-14,820 Jades (76-92 pulls)
Monthly Pass adds 2,700 Jades (91-97 pulls total).
Livestream codes (expire Feb 6):
- AHAHAHAHAHAHA: 100 Jades + 50k credits
- QWQXDDLOLOMO: 100 Jades + 5 Traveler's Guide
- HITLIKETOBEAHA: 100 Jades + 4 Refined Aether
- Total: 300 Jades (2 pulls)
Determine Pity and Guarantee Status
Access Warp Records to manually count pulls since last 5★. Character Event Warp pity is separate from Light Cone Event Warp—never confuse them.
Guarantee status:
- Last 5★ was featured character = 50/50 next
- Last 5★ was standard character = guaranteed featured next
Budget 80 pulls average per 5★ (soft pity 74-89). Worst-case: 160 pulls for guaranteed featured character on 50/50.
Evaluate Team Gaps
Yao Guang synergizes with:
- Yao Guang + Sparxie + Sparkle + Dan Heng IL
- Yao Guang + Sparkle + Topaz + Gallagher
If you lack Physical DPS or Elation characters, her value drops. Players planning Sparxie pulls gain substantial synergy.
Signature Light Cones provide 15-25% performance improvement over 4★ alternatives. Yao Guang's When She Decided to See: 1,058 HP, 529 ATK, 529 DEF, +18% SPD. Light Cone banners require separate pity (80 hard pity, 63-75 soft pity)—12,800 Jades worst-case.
Complete Decision Tree
Decision 1: Guarantee or 50/50?
Guarantee: Budget 75-80 pulls average, 90 worst-case. Only pull if character addresses critical gaps—guarantee status is your most valuable resource.
50/50: Budget 150-160 pulls worst-case (lose 50/50 + reach pity twice). With <160 pulls, you risk incomplete acquisition.
Decision 2: Pulls Until Pity?
0-30 pulls: Safe zone. Some build pity to 70-73 for future banners, but accidental early 5★ occurs ~15% of time (0.6% base rate).
31-73 pulls: Moderate risk. Avoid if saving for Phase 2.
74-89 pulls: Soft pity—90% of 5★ arrive here. Never enter on skip banners.
90 pulls: Hard pity guarantees 5★.
Decision 3: Phase 1 vs Phase 2 Value
Pull Yao Guang if:
- You own/plan Sparxie acquisition
- Need Physical support
- Have guarantee + 90+ pulls
Skip to Sparxie if:
- Lack Fire DPS
- Prefer self-sufficient damage dealers
- On 50/50 with limited resources
Skip both if:
- Neither addresses team gaps
- Saving for Version 4.1
- Need broader roster depth
Decision 4: Account Progression
Early-game (TL 1-40): Prioritize versatile DPS over niche supports. Yao Guang requires specific teams—suboptimal for new accounts.
Mid-game (TL 41-60): Evaluate which completes functional team compositions. Fill missing roles first.
Late-game (TL 60+): Optimize existing teams. E2 costs 360 pulls worst-case. Signatures justify 80-pull investment for main DPS only.
Phase 1 Character Value
Yao Guang functions as secondary support for Elation-path Physical teams. Without Sparxie or existing Physical DPS, her value decreases substantially.
Signature Light Cone Assessment
When She Decided to See offers +18% SPD, suggesting turn-frequency support. For F2P/low-spenders, signatures only after securing character with surplus resources. 15-25% improvement rarely justifies missing entire character (12,800 Jade cost = half a guaranteed character).
Eidolon ROI
E1: 75-160 pulls. E2: 360 pulls worst-case. E6: 1,260 pulls worst-case.
Support Eidolons offer lower value than DPS Eidolons. Avoid unless whale collector or critical account need. Prioritize roster diversity.
Rerun Timeline
Limited 5★ typically rerun within 6-9 months. Yao Guang likely reruns Version 4.4-4.7. Skipping debut carries minimal long-term consequences if willing to wait. Some units experience 12+ month gaps, but eventual return eliminates true FOMO.
Phase 2 and Beyond
Sparxie Analysis (March 6 Launch)
5★ Fire Elation DPS. Signature Dazzled By A Flowery World: +48% CRIT DMG (crit-focused damage profile).
Optimal teams:
- Sparxie + Yao Guang + Sparkle + Fu Xuan
Reliance on Yao Guang creates two-character investment requirement. Players skipping Yao Guang may find Sparxie underperforms without dedicated support.
Pull if lacking Fire DPS or struggling with Fire-weak endgame content.
Long-Term Income Planning
F2P: 75-92 pulls/version = 1 guaranteed 5★ every 1.5-2 versions (accounting for 50/50 losses). Target 3-4 limited 5★ annually.
Monthly Pass: 91-97 pulls/version = 1 guaranteed 5★ per version. Target 5-6 annually.
6-Month Pull Calendar Template
Track desired characters, release dates, current resources, projected income. Assign priorities: must-pull, nice-to-have, skip.
Example (80 pulls saved, guarantee status):
- V4.0 Phase 1: Skip Yao Guang
- V4.0 Phase 2: Pull Sparxie (80 saved + 75 earned = 155, covers guarantee)
- V4.1 Phase 1: Skip, rebuild reserves
- V4.1 Phase 2: Flexible based on reveals
Emergency Resource Farming
Unexplored Jade Sources
- Achievements: 10-40 Jades each (1-3 pulls total)
- Simulated Universe/Divergent Universe: 1,800 Jades across completion tiers
- Trailblaze Level milestones, character friendship, exploration completion
Time-Limited Events
Version 3.8 events expire February 12. Incomplete events = lost resources. Most provide 300-600 Jades (2-4 pulls). Exhaust event shops before expiration—leftover currency converts to credits at poor rates.
Endgame Content
Memory of Chaos, Pure Fiction, Apocalyptic Shadow: 800 Jades per mode per reset (4,800 total across both resets). Partial clears provide rewards—don't need 3★ completions.
Store Exchanges
Convert Undying Starlight to Special Passes (1:1) in Herta's Store before pulling. Embers Exchange (Light Cone currency) only as last resort—unfavorable rates.
For last-minute needs, buy HSR Oneiric Shards online via BitTopup for fast delivery and secure payment.
Common Mistakes
Myth: Pity Resets Between Versions
Reality: Pity persists indefinitely within same banner type. Character Event Warp pity carries from V3.8 Phase 3 to V4.0 Phase 1. Only resets when pulling different banner types (Character/Light Cone/Standard are separate).
Mistake: Just One Pull for 4★
Every pull carries 5★ risk (escalating after pull 73). Just want the 4★ frequently triggers unwanted 5★, consuming guarantee or depleting resources. Wait for 4★ rate-ups on desired 5★ banners.
Misconception: Standard Banner Urgency
Never convert Stellar Jades to Standard Passes. Standard Banner has no time pressure—permanent availability. Only use free Standard Passes from events/Battle Pass.
Error: Light Cone Separate Pity
Light Cone Event Warp has completely separate pity (80 hard pity vs 90 for characters, soft pity 63-75). For most players, Light Cones = poor value. 15-25% improvement rarely justifies 12,800 Jade cost when same budget secures new character.
Strategies by Player Type
F2P (75-92 pulls/version)
- Prioritize versatile characters over niche specialists
- Skip signatures entirely unless collector
- Avoid 5★ Eidolons—roster diversity > incremental power
- Build pity to 70-73 on acceptable banners for future positioning
- Maintain 160-pull reserves minimum
Monthly Pass (91-97 pulls/version)
- Target 1 character/version baseline
- Consider signatures for main DPS after securing character
- Evaluate E1 for supports with high-value first Eidolons
- Maintain flexibility—don't commit to every banner
Dolphin Spenders
- Reserve top-ups for guarantee scenarios (20-40 pulls short)
- Use first-time bonuses on largest packs (max Jade/dollar)
- Time purchases around version transitions (complete information)
- Track spending vs entertainment budget
Collectors vs Meta-Chasers
Collectors: Skip signatures/Eidolons entirely. Channel all resources to character acquisition for roster completion.
Meta-chasers: Skip weak characters. Invest signatures/Eidolons for top-tier units. Accept lower roster size for optimized performance.
Final Decision Action Plan
48-Hour Countdown
Hour 48-36:
- Calculate exact resources (unclaimed events, achievements, store exchanges)
- Verify pity via Warp Records
- Confirm guarantee status
- Complete emergency farming
Hour 36-24:
- Review Phase 2 synergies
- Assess Yao Guang account fit
- Calculate worst-case requirements (160 for 50/50 guarantee, 90 if guaranteed)
- Determine Phase 2 participation feasibility after pulling
Hour 24-12:
- Make decision: commit, skip, or build pity to 70-73
- Set hard stop limits (never exceed 73 on skip banners)
- Prepare psychological defenses against FOMO
Hour 12-0:
- Execute pull plan
- Claim final event rewards
- Convert Undying Starlight if needed
- Accept decision without second-guessing
Psychological Stop-Loss
Write exact conditions before pulling:
- Pull until Yao Guang or 90 pulls, whichever first
- Pull exactly 73 times, then stop
- Skip entirely, save for Sparxie
Documentation creates accountability. Share with friends for social reinforcement.
Post-Decision Reallocation
Obtained Yao Guang: Calculate remaining resources. If <80 pulls, likely can't guarantee Sparxie without spending. Shift to V4.1 planning.
Lost 50/50: You have guarantee for next 5★. Evaluate continuing for Yao Guang (75-90 more pulls) vs saving guarantee for Sparxie/later. Guarantee is extremely valuable—don't waste on low-priority characters.
Skipped: Preserved resources for Phase 2+. Farm V4.0 Jades immediately (dailies, weeklies, events = 75-92 pulls for Phase 2). Maintain discipline through Phase 1.
FAQ
Should I pull Phase 1 or save for Phase 2?
Pull Yao Guang only if acquiring Sparxie Phase 2 or own Physical DPS synergizing with her support. Value depends on team composition—accounts lacking Elation damage dealers gain minimal benefit. Save for Phase 2 if needing Fire DPS or preferring self-sufficient dealers.
How many Jades can I farm before February 12?
Final 48 hours: 200-500 Jades from incomplete achievements, unexplored content, remaining events (1-3 pulls). Enough if extremely close to pity, insufficient if 20+ pulls from guarantee.
Does pity carry over between banners?
Yes. Pity persists indefinitely within same banner type. Character Event Warp pity from V3.8 Phase 3 carries to V4.0 Phase 1 without reset. Guarantee status also persists.
What happens to unused tickets after V4.0?
Nothing. Special Passes and Stellar Jades never expire. Zero urgency to spend before version transitions. Only event currencies expire, not premium resources.
How to calculate exact pulls remaining?
Stellar Jade ÷ 160 + Special Passes + unconverted Undying Starlight (1:1 exchange Herta's Store) + unclaimed event/achievement Jades = maximum available pulls.
Worth pulling Eidolons or saving for new characters?
F2P/low-spenders: roster diversity always > Eidolons. New characters provide new gameplay/teams; Eidolons offer incremental power. Only consider Eidolons after functional teams for all endgame content + surplus resources with no upcoming needs.
