HSR 4.0 Yaoguang vs Sparkle Banner Guide: Pull Priority

Version 4.0 Banner Schedule: Leaked Timeline

Note: This covers Version 4.0 (not 3.0), introducing Edo Star region characters.

Launch Date & Duration

Conflicting leaks show either January 29 or February 14, 2026 launch—a two-week gap affecting Jade accumulation. December 8, 2025 compensation (1,000 Jade + 10 Fuel, 12:00 UTC+8) provides immediate resources.

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Phase Structure

Phase 1: Yaoguang (5★ Harmony support, Xianzhou Seer Strategist) Phase 2: SP Sparkle Hanami (5★ Elation DPS, starts February 18, 2026 per leaks)

Standard 21-day phases total 42 days. The compressed 4-day gap between launch and Phase 2 seems unreliable.

Yaoguang Details

First appearance, not a rerun. Pre-battle Technique Misdirect grants +3 SP. Ultimate recovers 4 SP plus Cipher stacks. Skill delivers 50% action advancement + CRIT DMG buffs.

Leak Reliability

December 5 livestream confirmed Yaoguang's existence. Conflicting dates suggest different dev stages. Expect official announcement 1-2 weeks pre-launch for definitive schedules.

Yaoguang Kit Breakdown

Core Mechanics

Rotation:

1. Pre-battle: Technique for +3 SP
2. Turn 1: Ultimate for 4 SP + Cipher stacks
3. Turn 2: Skill for 50% action advance + CRIT DMG buff

Eidolons:

• E1: 8% DEF ignore per Cipher
• E4: +1 SP from Ultimate

Speed Requirements:

• Minimum: 134 SPD
• Optimal: 143 SPD
• Advanced: 152 SPD

Meta Position

Enables Edo Star teams via Tengoku relic synergy (2pc: +16-32% CRIT DMG). Solves SP starvation for Imbibitor Lunae and similar characters. Competes with Sparkle (rerun 3.4 Phase 1, July 23, 2025) for Harmony slots.

Optimal Teams

• Imbibitor Lunae + Sparkle + Tingyun + Luocha: Triple support for max enhanced basics

• Seele + Sparkle + Silver Wolf + Fu Xuan: Speed-tuned turn cycling
• SP-hungry DPS + dual Harmony + sustain: Generic framework

Speed Tiers:

• Silver Wolf: 160+ SPD
• Yaoguang: 140-150 SPD
• Fu Xuan: 130-140 SPD
• DPS: 120-130 SPD

Build Recommendations

Light Cone:Earthly Escapade S1 (32-60% CRIT DMG) or Dance! Dance! Dance! (16-24% action advance)

Relics:

• Set: Tengoku 2pc (+16-32% CRIT DMG)
• Body: CRIT Rate (32.4%)
• Feet: SPD (minimum 134)
• Substats: SPD > CRIT Rate > Effect RES

SP Sparkle Hanami Analysis

Kit & Multipliers

SP Consumption Modes:

• Mode 1: 4 SP → 100% DEF ignore + 10 BIKURI stacks
• Mode 2: 8 SP → AoE + 30 BIKURI stacks
• Mode 3: 12 SP → Enhanced AoE (requires 50+ BIKURI)

Exponential scaling demands extreme SP generation. Standard supports can't sustain Mode 2-3 frequency.

Path & Element

First limited 5★ Elation DPS. Path bonus interacts with Edo Star content. Emphasizes high-risk, high-reward SP expenditure.

Banner Timing

Phase 2 (~February 18, 2026) gives 21 days after Yaoguang. Targeting both requires 360 pulls worst-case (57,600 Jade)—exceeding most 4.0 income.

Synergies

Premier Partner: Yaoguang (+3 pre-battle SP, 4 SP Ultimate, E4 +1 SP) Relic Synergy: Tengoku 3pc (+32% CRIT DMG when consuming 3+ SP over 3 turns) Alternative: Sparkle (unavailable unless surprise rerun)

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Yaoguang vs Hanami: Pull Priority

Damage Comparison

Yaoguang: Pure support, zero personal damage. Value = team-wide DPS increase. Hanami: Primary DPS, scales with BIKURI + SP mode.

Real question: Need support infrastructure (Yaoguang) or DPS options (Hanami)?

Flexibility & Investment

Yaoguang:

• Fits diverse comps needing SP/CRIT DMG
• E0S0 delivers 80%+ potential
• Low investment threshold

Hanami:

• Requires specialized SP-generation teams
• Needs Tengoku 3pc + 120% ERR (134% optimal)
• Underperforms without proper supports

F2P Accessibility

Yaoguang: High F2P value. Supports apply across multiple DPS, maximizing limited 5★ pulls. Enables 4★ DPS competitive performance.

Hanami: Demands premium supports. F2P pulling without Yaoguang/Sparkle risks underperformance vs well-supported 4★ alternatives.

Long-Term Value

Yaoguang: Support mechanics resist power creep. Edo Star synergies suggest multi-version relevance.

Hanami: DPS role faces inevitable creep within 2-3 versions. Unique SP mechanics may create niche longevity.

Stellar Jade Income Calculator

Free Sources (42-day version)

• Daily Training: 2,520 Jade
• Events: 1,600-2,000 Jade
• Compensation: 1,000 Jade (Dec 8)
• Simulated/Divergent Universe: 1,890 Jade weekly

F2P Total: 6,000-7,000 Jade (37-43 pulls)

Low-Spender Options

• Monthly Card: 3,780 Jade per version
• Battle Pass: 1,320 Jade equivalent

Combined: +5,100 Jade (68-75 total pulls)

Endgame Rewards

• Forgotten Hall: 1,600 Jade (2 resets)
• Pure Fiction: 1,600 Jade
• Apocalyptic Shadow: 1,600 Jade

Total: 4,800 Jade (full clear required)

Pull Budget by Tier

F2P:

• Base: 6,000-7,000 Jade
• Endgame: 4,800 Jade
• Total: 10,800-11,800 Jade (67-73 pulls)

Monthly Card:

• F2P: 10,800-11,800 Jade
• Card: 3,780 Jade
• Total: 14,580-15,580 Jade (91-97 pulls)

Monthly + BP:

• Previous: 14,580-15,580 Jade
• BP: 1,320 Jade
• Total: 15,900-16,900 Jade (99-105 pulls)

Assumes zero starting pity/reserves.

Pull Strategies: Decision Trees

Scenario 1: Guaranteed Pity for Yaoguang

Required: 0-90 pulls (0-14,400 Jade depending on current pity)

Soft pity starts pull 74 (~6% per pull → 100% at 90). At 70+ pity, expect acquisition within 10-20 pulls.

Post-Yaoguang (acquired pull 80 = 12,800 Jade), Monthly+BP players have 3,100-4,100 Jade left (19-25 Hanami pulls).

Scenario 2: Save for Hanami, Skip Yaoguang

Accumulate full 4.0 income (15,900-16,900 Jade for Monthly+BP) plus reserves.

Hanami Requirements:

• Win 50/50: 0-90 pulls (0-14,400 Jade)
• Lose 50/50: 0-180 pulls (0-28,800 Jade)

Monthly+BP with zero reserves = ~50% Hanami probability. Risk: acquiring her without optimal supports.

Scenario 3: Both Characters

Best case (win both 50/50s):

• Pulls: ~160
• Cost: ~25,600 Jade
• Probability: 25%

Worst case (lose both):

• Pulls: 360
• Cost: 57,600 Jade
• Probability: 25%

Monthly+BP generates ~16,000 Jade—need 25,000+ reserves for reasonable success.

Pity Management

Conservative:

1. Calculate guarantee threshold
2. Reserve worst-case budget
3. Allocate excess to secondary targets
4. Never pull without guarantee willingness

Aggressive:

1. Pull to first 5★ each banner
2. Accept 50% failure for 2× attempts
3. Stop at acquisition
4. Build guarantee for future priority

Hard truth: Guaranteed 5★ = max 28,800 Jade. Don't pull without this commitment.

Common Mistakes

New = Better Fallacy

Yaoguang's support role ≠ comparable to DPS. Players with Sparkle/Bronya may find her redundant. Conversely, lacking SP supports makes her invaluable regardless of newness.

Compare within roles, not release dates. Well-built 4★ + supports > poorly-supported 5★.

Income Overestimation

Reality: F2P = 67-73 pulls/version. Monthly+BP = 99-105 pulls. Supports ONE guaranteed 5★/version (with pity carryover), not multiple.

Multiple 5★s require reserves or spending beyond Monthly+BP.

Ignoring 4★ Rate-Ups

Rate-up 4★s deliver 70-80% of 5★ performance at fraction of cost. F2P should prioritize 4★ constellations over 5★ frequency.

Pulling Without Team Plans

Before pulling, answer:

• Which characters synergize?
• What role does this fill?
• Do I have enablers/DPS?
• Which content improves?

Can't answer? Reconsider that banner.

Pull Recommendations

Strong Support Roster

Pull Yaoguang if:

• Running dual-DPS needing multiple Harmony
• Main DPS = Imbibitor Lunae/Qingque
• Building toward Hanami

Skip if:

• Existing supports meet needs
• Limited Jade forces choice
• Lacking strong DPS to enable

Limited Harmony Depth

High priority if:

• Only 4★ Harmony (Asta)
• SP management struggles
• Planning Hanami pull

Broad applicability ensures long-term value.

F2P/Low-Spender

Prioritize supports over DPS—they enable multiple damage dealers vs single DPS facing power creep.

F2P reality: 2-3 limited 5★s/year. Each = significant opportunity cost.

Exception: Don't pull Yaoguang without strong DPS. Support without damage dealers = zero value.

Future-Proofing

Edo Star region suggests multi-version focus (like Xianzhou). Yaoguang/Hanami gain value through new synergies.

Planarcadia arrives post-Amphoreus 3.7, potentially shifting meta. Maintain reserves for transformative characters.

Conservative strategy: One 5★/version, building gradual depth while preserving emergency funds.

FAQ

When does Version 4.0 launch? Leaks conflict: January 29 or February 14, 2026. Official announcement expected 1-2 weeks pre-launch. Prepare flexible strategies for either date.

Yaoguang or Hanami? Yaoguang if lacking Harmony supports or planning Hanami (who needs SP generation). Hanami if you have Sparkle/similar and need DPS. F2P: prioritize Yaoguang's broader use unless support infrastructure exists.

Jade needed for guaranteed Yaoguang? Max 28,800 Jade (180 pulls) worst-case. Existing pity reduces proportionally (160 Jade/pull). Soft pity at 74 means average ~pull 80 (12,800 Jade) when winning 50/50.

Is Yaoguang meta-relevant? She debuts in 4.0 (new character). SP generation + CRIT DMG buffing address fundamental needs. Supports maintain relevance longer than DPS due to enabling role.

Can F2P get both? F2P = 67-73 pulls/version. Insufficient for dual guarantee. Requires winning both 50/50s (25% chance) or substantial reserves. Realistic: one guaranteed 5★/version.

Best Yaoguang teams? SP-hungry DPS: Imbibitor Lunae, Qingque, Hanami. Pair with secondary Harmony (Sparkle/Tingyun) + sustain. Speed-tuned Seele comps benefit from 50% action advance.