Version 4.0 Powercreep Explained
Powercreep means newer characters outperform older units in endgame. Version 4.0 launches February 13, 2026 (11:00 UTC+8 Asia) / February 12, 2026 (22:00 UTC-5 NA), running Yao Guang's banner 22 days through March 6.
Yao Guang brings unique Zone mechanics and Punchline scaling. Her 101 base SPD and 180 energy cap make her a turn-manipulation specialist. Buy Honkai Star Rail oneiric shards via BitTopup for competitive rates and instant delivery.
F2P income: Version 3.8 gave 13,500-14,310 Jades (84-89 pulls). Version 4.0 Phase 1 offers 6,000-7,000 Jades (37-43 pulls). Total through March 26: 19,500-21,310 Jades (121-133 pulls).
Endgame Meta Impact
Endgame modes: Memory of Chaos, Pure Fiction, Apocalyptic Shadow (800 Jades bi-weekly each), Divergent Universe (1,800 Jades), Chrysos Heirs (1,200 Jades). These renewable sources drive F2P progression.
Yao Guang's Elation Skill Let Thy Fortune Burst in Flames deals 80% Physical damage to all enemies plus five 20% random strikes—strong for Pure Fiction waves. Her Ultimate grants 5 Punchlines and 20% All-Type RES PEN for 3 turns.
Gacha: 0.6% base 5-star rate, soft pity at 74, hard pity at 90. 50/50 system guarantees featured character after one loss. Pity carries between banners.
Historical Powercreep Trends
Version 1.0's Seele set baseline DPS. Version 2.0's Acheron introduced Nihility scaling. Version 3.0 emphasized universal supports like Robin and Ruan Mei.
Version 4.0 continues with Yao Guang's Talent Behold, Wherever Light Unfolds Great Boon—24% Elation DMG to allies, stacking 3x based on SP consumed.
Diviner 4-piece relic set: 10% Elation damage bonus, CRIT Rate scaling with SPD (10% at 120 SPD, 18% at 160 SPD). Intentional synergy favoring new characters while keeping older units viable.
Shiyu Defense Changes
Version 4.0 increases enemy HP and favors burst damage—where Yao Guang's Ultimate and Elation Skill excel.
Skill Decalight Unveils All deploys a Zone lasting 3 turns, granting Elation allies 15% damage and giving Yao Guang 3 Punchlines. Strategic turn manipulation rewards skilled play.
Trace Amaze-In Grace reaches 120 base SPD with 30% Elation bonus, granting 1% extra damage per SPD point up to 200 total. SPD-focused builds maximize turn frequency.
Yao Guang Kit Breakdown
5-star Physical Elation DPS with hybrid support via Zone deployment. 180 energy requirement favors ERR substats and energy-generating supports.
Basic Attack Whistlebolt Sings Joy: 90% ATK damage single-target, 30% ATK splash to adjacent enemies (126%/42% at Level 10). Primarily for energy generation.
Signature Light Cone When She Decided to See (Level 80): 1,058 HP, 529 ATK, 529 DEF, 18% SPD, 10% CRIT Rate, 30% CRIT DMG, 12% ERR for 3 turns. Addresses all core needs.
Role and Damage Type
Physical Elation main DPS with zone-based team buffing. Synergizes with Elation characters via 24% damage buff. Physical typing excels against Physical-weak enemies but struggles versus Physical-resistant bosses.
101 base SPD requires SPD boots and substats for optimal breakpoints. Trace bonus (30% Elation SPD) enables 4-5 actions per Memory of Chaos cycle when built correctly.
Core Abilities and Rotation
Optimal rotation:
- Skill to deploy Zone (3 Punchlines, 15% Elation damage buff)
- Basic Attacks for energy during Zone uptime
- Ultimate at max Punchlines (20 Punchlines = Aha extra turn)
Ultimate Hexagram of Feathered Fortune: Consumes 180 energy, grants 5 Punchlines, 20% All-Type RES PEN for 3 turns. Aha extra turn at 20 Punchlines chains multiple Elation Skills (80% Physical + five 20% random strikes each).
Trace Poised and Sated: 60% CRIT DMG, recovers 1 SP after Elation Skill. Offsets SP consumption for Talent stacking.
Recharge Honkai Star Rail stellar jade through BitTopup for fast, secure transactions.
Trace Priority
- Ultimate - Max RES PEN uptime, Punchline generation
- Skill - Zone duration effectiveness, Elation damage buff
- Basic Attack - Incremental damage during energy phases
Talent auto-upgrades via E3/E5, making direct investment less critical.
P2W Configuration: E6S5 Analysis
E6S5 = all six Eidolons + Superimposition 5 signature Light Cone. Extraordinary cost, absolute damage ceiling.
E6 Ferried: Allies' Elation damage +20%, Yao Guang's Elation Skill multiplier +60%. Transforms 80% Physical to 128% per hit, random strikes from 20% to 32% each—massive damage spike.
Signature S5: 48% CRIT DMG, +3 SP limit, 20% DEF ignore at max stacks (4 SP consumed). Perfect synergy with SP-consuming playstyle.
Optimal Eidolon Path
E1 Chuckle Chimes: Extra turn at 30 Punchlines, Elation Skill damage to 140% of base. Accelerates burst windows.
E2 Blind Arrows: Zone allies gain 12% SPD, 16% Elation damage. Testing confirms 18-24% team DPS increase over E0—highest value breakpoint for dolphins.
E4 Threads: Allies' Elation damage ignores 18% DEF. Stacks with Ultimate's 20% RES PEN = 38% total defensive reduction.
Signature Light Cone Performance
18% SPD at base enables critical breakpoints without sacrificing CRIT substats. 12% ERR reduces Ultimate rotation time 10-15%—one extra Ultimate per 5-cycle encounter.
SP limit increase (up to +3) creates resource flexibility. Each Elation Skill builds toward DEF ignore threshold—self-reinforcing damage loop.
Versus 4-star alternatives: 22-26% higher personal damage at E2. Gap widens at E6 due to increased Elation Skill multiplier scaling.
Premium Teams
Optimal P2W: Yao Guang + Sparkle (CRIT DMG, action advance) + Dan Heng IL (Elation DPS for Talent stacking) + Topaz (coordinated attacks). Stacks 24% damage buff 3x = 72% total Elation damage increase.
Alternatives: Gallagher (Break synergy, healing) or Fu Xuan (CRIT Rate sharing, damage redirection).
Premium supports: Robin (universal buffs, energy) or Ruan Mei (Break scaling, SPD manipulation) enable sub-3-cycle Memory of Chaos clears.
Total Investment Cost
E6: 7 copies, worst-case 630 pulls (90×7) = 100,800 Jades. Realistic soft pity average: 560 pulls = 89,600 Jades.
Signature S5: 65% rate-up, 80 hard pity. 5 copies average 400 pulls = 64,000 Jades.
Combined E6S5: 153,600 Jades total.
Real currency: Express Supply Pass ($4.99 monthly) = 2,700 Jades/30 days. Low-spender (monthly card + BP) accumulates 19,350 Jades (120 pulls). E6S5 requires $800-1,200 in direct top-ups.
F2P Configuration: E0S0 Performance
E0S0 = base character + 4-star Light Cone. Accessible via 121-133 pulls from Version 4.0 rewards.
Performance: Clears Shiyu Defense Floor 10-11 comfortably. Floor 12 full-stars require optimized relics and skilled execution. Missing E2's buffs reduces team DPS 18-24%, demanding better support investment.
Diviner 4-piece mandatory for F2P—10% Elation damage, CRIT Rate scaling. 160 SPD threshold = 18% CRIT Rate bonus (needs SPD boots + 2-3 SPD substat rolls).
Best 4-Star Light Cones
Dazzled By A Flowery World S5: 36-48% CRIT DMG, SP limit increases, DEF ignore. Mirrors signature utility with lower stats.
Damage gap: 15-18% personal damage reduction versus signature. Extends to 20-22% over 8-cycle encounters due to missing ERR bonus.
Budget alternatives sacrifice 25-30% damage potential but preserve resources.
F2P Teams
Budget supports:
- Asta: SPD buffing, Fire coverage
- Pela: DEF shred, debuffs
- March 7th: Freeze synergy, mitigation
Gallagher: Optimal F2P sustain (event rewards, standard banner). Break scaling, emergency healing, SP neutral.
Mono-Elation less viable at F2P due to limited 5-star Elation roster. Hybrid teams leverage existing depth.
Relic and Stat Priority
Main stats:
- Body: CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG
- Feet: SPD
- Sphere: Physical DMG%
- Rope: ATK% or ERR%
Substat priority: CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG to 70/140 ratio, SPD to 160 threshold, ATK%. Avoid Break Effect and Effect Hit Rate.
F2P players: Farm pieces with 3-4 useful substats. Skip multiple flat stat rolls.
Realistic Expectations
Floor 10: 5-6 cycles with optimized 4-star teams, Diviner sets.
Floor 11: 7-8 cycles, requires tight execution and favorable matchups.
Floor 12: 4-5 cycle clears achievable with near-perfect relics and skilled rotations. Occasional 6-cycle runs during unfavorable resets. CRIT RNG and random strike variance create run-to-run fluctuations.
Shiyu Defense Testing: P2W vs F2P
E6S5 achieves 2-3 cycle Floor 12 clears. E0S0 requires 4-6 cycles. 2-3 cycle differential = 40-50% total clear time reduction.
Multi-wave content widens gap—E6's 60% Elation Skill multiplier and E1's extra turn enable single-action wave clears. F2P needs 2-3 rotation cycles.
Single-target bosses show smaller gaps. Random strike variance decreases against solo targets, improving F2P consistency.
Floor 10-12 Clear Times
Floor 10: E6S5 sub-2-cycle, E0S0 4-5 cycles. Differentiator = consistency versus capability.
Floor 11: E6S5 clears first-half in 1-2 cycles. E0S0 needs 3-4 cycles.
Floor 12: E6S5 leverages 18-24% team DPS (E2 alone) plus E4/E6 bonuses for 2-3 cycles. F2P extends to 5-6 cycles, occasionally missing full-stars.
Investment Level Analysis
E2S1: 3-4 cycle Floor 12 clears, comfortable full-stars. Optimal dolphin value—80% max performance at 35% total cost.
E0S1: Marginal improvement over E0S0, reduces cycles by 0.5-1 via better energy/CRIT stats.
Odd Eidolons (E1/E3/E4/E5): Incremental benefits rarely justify cost outside pursuing E2/E6 breakpoints. Avoid stopping at odd counts.
Boss-Specific Performance
Physical-weak bosses: Both tiers gain 1-2 cycle improvements. 40% weakness multiplier compounds with damage scaling.
Physical-resistant: 30-40% effectiveness reduction, extends clear times proportionally. F2P should maintain alternative DPS options.
Multi-target phases: Elation Skill AOE enables simultaneous damage. Random strikes distribute naturally without manual targeting.
Consistency and Skill Floor
E6S5: Lower skill floor—stat advantages compensate execution errors.
F2P: Demands precise execution. 18-24% DPS deficit leaves minimal error margin. Single rotation mistakes extend clear times beyond thresholds.
Random strike variance affects both tiers mechanically, but P2W's higher base damage means unfavorable RNG still achieves acceptable results.
Eidolon Value Breakdown
E1 Analysis
E1 Chuckle Chimes: Extra turn at 30 Punchlines, Elation Skill damage to 140% base. 40% damage increase applies only to Elation Skill, not entire damage profile.
Extra turn creates action economy advantages—1-2 additional rotations per 8-cycle encounter. Requires consistent 30 Punchline generation.
Value: 12-15% personal DPS increase, minimal team benefits. Skip unless pursuing E2. 80-90 pull investment yields better returns on new characters or Light Cones.
E2 Analysis
E2 Blind Arrows: Definitive power spike. 12% SPD accelerates ally actions—10-12% more actions over 8 cycles. 16% Elation damage stacks multiplicatively.
Combined with Talent (24% Elation damage stacking 3x), Zone allies achieve 40% total Elation damage—comparable to limited 5-star supports.
Testing data: 18-24% team DPS increase over E0 in dual-Elation comps. Justifies 160-240 pull investment for Elation-focused accounts. Questionable for mixed-path teams.
E6 Analysis
E6 Ferried: Maximum power. 20% ally Elation damage, 60% Elation Skill multiplier boost. Transforms 80% Physical to 128% per hit, random strikes 20% to 32%—50%+ damage increase for this ability.
Ally buff stacks with E2's 16% = 36% total team Elation damage before Talent stacking. Positions E6 Yao Guang as premier DPS and elite support.
Cost-benefit: 560+ pulls beyond initial acquisition = 89,600+ Jades = $800-1,200 direct top-ups. Exceeds cost of 3-4 new 5-stars. Viable only for dedicated enthusiasts or whales.
Dolphin Investment Priority
E0S1 first: Guaranteed character + signature Light Cone. 170-180 pulls total, achievable in 2-3 version cycles.
E2 secondary: For Elation team builders. 160-240 additional pulls. Timeline: 4-6 cycles F2P, 2-3 cycles with monthly card.
Avoid odd Eidolons unless pursuing next breakpoint. Redirect resources to new characters, Light Cones, or savings.
Yao Guang vs Alternative DPS
Yao Guang = top-tier Physical DPS with unique team buffing, but not irreplaceable. Acheron, Seele, and built 4-stars maintain competitive performance in specialized niches.
Acheron: Nihility scaling, different team requirements. Zero overlap with Yao Guang's Elation focus. Both viable in separate Memory of Chaos teams.
Seele: Quantum Hunt specialist, Resurgence mechanic for consecutive turns. Similar burst windows, different execution.
Yao Guang vs Acheron
Acheron operates on debuff application (Pela, Silver Wolf, sustain). Zero resource conflict with Yao Guang.
Damage ceiling: E0S0 Acheron and E0S0 Yao Guang achieve similar cycles in favored content. Acheron excels single-target, Yao Guang dominates multi-enemy.
Investment efficiency: Acheron favors players lacking Elation depth—works with accessible 4-star debuffers. Yao Guang needs specific Elation teammates for max Talent stacking.
Yao Guang vs Seele
Seele's Hunt path and Quantum element create distinct requirements. Resurgence (extra turns after kills) competes with Yao Guang's AOE approach.
Speed-tuning: Seele benefits from extreme SPD (160+ base) for Resurgence frequency. Yao Guang balances SPD with CRIT stats.
Meta positioning: Seele declining through Version 3.0-4.0 powercreep. Yao Guang's team buffing and Elation synergies provide better long-term value.
F2P DPS Alternatives
Dr. Ratio: Event-reward 4-star, competitive single-target with CRIT builds and debuff supports. Zero-pull requirement = premier F2P option.
Herta: 4-star Erudition, AOE comparable to Yao Guang in Pure Fiction low-HP scenarios. Follow-up mechanics enable passive damage.
Clara: Physical counter-attack alternative. Hunt path prevents Elation synergy. Budget option accepting lower ceiling for resource preservation.
When to Skip Yao Guang
Skip if:
- Invested Acheron/Seele/Firefly teams clear current content comfortably
- Lacking Elation roster depth (Sparkle, Dan Heng IL)
- Version 4.1 leaks suggest powerful universal supports
Opportunity cost: Weigh immediate performance versus future characters offering broader compatibility or meta-defining mechanics elevating multiple DPS simultaneously.
Resource Management for F2P
Version 4.0 total: 19,500-21,310 Jades (121-133 pulls) combining Phase 1 (6,000-7,000) with ongoing sources through March 26.
Breakdown:
- Daily Training: 60 Jades × 56 days = 3,360
- Weekly challenges: 225 Jades × 8 weeks = 1,800
- Memory/Pure Fiction/Apocalyptic: 2,400 per cycle × 2 = 4,800
- Divergent Universe: 1,800
- Chrysos Heirs: 1,200
- Endgame total: 7,800 Jades
50/50 outcomes: Win = secure Yao Guang in 74-90 pulls, preserve 31-59 pulls. Lose = full 121-133 budget, minimal reserves for Light Cone or Version 4.1.
Stellar Jade Allocation
Version 4.1 leaks: Universal support characters providing 15-20% damage buffs to all DPS. Compare Yao Guang's specialized Elation synergies (18-24% at E2) versus broadly-applicable supports.
Opportunity cost: Diverse DPS rosters gain more from universal supports. Elation-focused accounts benefit more from Yao Guang's path-specific optimization.
Historical patterns: HoYoverse alternates DPS/support releases. Version 4.0's Yao Guang + Sparxie (Fire Elation Phase 2, March 6-26) suggests Version 4.1 may feature supports. Monitor announcements before committing.
Light Cone Banner Value
65% rate-up, 80 hard pity. Average 52-65 pulls per copy. S1 signature requires 52-80 pulls = 40-60% of F2P Version 4.0 resources, preventing guaranteed character.
Damage analysis: Signature provides 15-18% personal damage over optimal 4-star S5. Widens to 22-26% with E2 due to synergistic scaling.
Value proposition: Character acquisition > Light Cone for F2P. Pursue Light Cone only after securing desired characters or approaching pity thresholds.
Battle Pass and Monthly Card
Express Supply Pass ($4.99): 2,700 Jades/30 days. 56-day bonus = 5,040 Jades (31 pulls). Per-pull cost $0.16—far more efficient than direct purchases.
Battle Pass ($9.99): Light Cone selections, materials, moderate Jades. Value centers on 4-star Light Cone acquisition.
Combined ($14.98 monthly): Low-spender tier, 19,350 Jades (120 pulls) through Version 4.0 with F2P sources. Enables guaranteed character every 1.5-2 versions.
Smart Top-Up Timing
First-time bonuses: Double Oneiric Shards. $99.99 tier grants 12,960 Jades (81 pulls) with bonus—$1.23 per pull versus standard $1.85.
Anniversary/milestone events: 20-30% bonus promotions. Time major purchases to coincide with limited offers.
Pity breakpoints: 160 Jades per pull. Calculate exact requirements approaching soft pity (74) or hard pity (90), select tiers minimizing excess waste.
Common Misconceptions
Yao Guang is mandatory: False. Existing characters clear identical content with comparable cycles when optimized. Honkai Star Rail's endgame remains clearable with diverse combinations.
Powercreep concerns: Overstated. Version 4.0's 18-24% team DPS increase (E2 vs E0) = meaningful but not transformative. Maintains existing character viability.
F2P viability: Confirmed. F2P accumulates 121-133 pulls = guaranteed acquisition even after losing 50/50. E0S0 clears Floor 10-11 comfortably, Floor 12 achievable with optimization.
Debunking 'Must-Pull' Narratives
Content creator clickbait ignores reality: Memory of Chaos's two-team requirement rewards roster depth over specific characters. Yao Guang's Elation specialization creates constraints reducing universal applicability.
Physical typing creates coverage gaps requiring secondary DPS for Physical-resistant content. One-size-fits-all framing contradicts necessary roster diversification.
Understanding Powercreep Claims
Sensationalized narratives misrepresent incremental increases as game-breaking shifts. Version 4.0's actual scaling: 18-24% team DPS at E2—meaningful but not transformative.
Historical context: Consistent 10-15% performance improvements per new DPS generation. Gradual scaling enables long-term progression without invalidating prior investments.
Optimal vs viable: E6S5 2-cycle clears don't invalidate E0S0 5-6 cycle clears—both satisfy full-star requirements and reward thresholds.
F2P Shiyu Defense Reality
Floor 12 clears achievable through strategic investment, optimized farming, skilled execution. Cycle differential (4-6 vs 2-3) = comfort margin, not capability gap. Both tiers achieve full-star rewards.
Resource allocation > individual power. Diversified investments across multiple teams outperform hyperinvesting single characters. Memory of Chaos rewards roster breadth.
Skill ceiling for F2P exceeds P2W due to reduced stat margins. Increased difficulty = engaging challenge, not insurmountable barrier.
Future-Proofing: Version 4.1+
Version 4.1 leaks (late March 2026): Continued Elation development, potential supports enhancing Yao Guang teams. Investing now positions favorably for future synergy releases.
Elation roster growth: Current limited pool (Sparkle, Dan Heng IL, Yao Guang, Sparxie). Historical patterns: 2-3 new path characters yearly = 4-6 additional Elation options across Version 4.0-5.0.
Long-term meta: Favors team buffing over pure DPS. Yao Guang's Zone deployment and Elation buffs maintain relevance as newer DPS release with higher personal ceilings.
Predicted Meta Shifts
Unconfirmed reports: Version 4.1 Remembrance path with summon mechanics. Diversifies meta beyond Elation/Nihility/Hunt dominance.
Imaginary Elation characters: Would address elemental coverage gaps, enabling mono-Elation teams for diverse content. Significantly increases Yao Guang's value as team buffer.
Universal support leaks: Could shift emphasis from hyperinvested DPS to balanced teams. Favors Yao Guang's hybrid design over pure damage specialists.
Long-Term Investment Value
Team buffing ensures sustained relevance despite future DPS surpassing personal damage. 24% Elation damage (stacking 3x) + E2's 16% = 40% total team increase benefiting all current/future Elation characters.
Physical element provides niche value in Physical-weak content, maintaining viability regardless of meta shifts.
Punchline and Zone mechanics create unique gameplay differentiating from generic DPS. Mechanical distinctiveness maintains player interest beyond pure performance.
Building Flexible Teams
Roster diversification: Prioritize characters across multiple paths/elements. Balance Yao Guang investment with preserving resources for filling roster gaps.
Two-team requirement: Incentivizes parallel compositions over hyperinvesting single teams. Evaluate whether Yao Guang creates functional second team or duplicates existing capabilities.
Future difficulty scaling: Historically favors mechanical execution and synergy over raw stats. Properly-built E0S0 maintains viability across multiple versions. Prioritize character breadth over constellation depth.
FAQ
Is Yao Guang worth pulling for F2P?
Strong value for Elation-focused teams (existing Sparkle/Dan Heng IL). E0S0 clears Floor 10-11 comfortably, Floor 12 with optimization. Players with invested Physical/Elation rosters should prioritize. Complete teams in other elements can skip without missing critical progression.
Damage difference E0S0 vs E6S5?
E6S5: 2-3 cycle Floor 12. E0S0: 4-6 cycles. 40-50% clear time reduction. E2 alone = 18-24% team DPS increase. E6 adds 60% Elation Skill multiplier, 20% ally Elation damage. Personal damage exceeds 100% at max investment, team-wide gaps smaller due to support contributions.
Can F2P clear Shiyu 12 without Yao Guang?
Yes. Dr. Ratio, invested 4-stars, previous limited 5-stars (Acheron/Seele/Firefly) clear Floor 12. Yao Guang = optimization, not requirement. Alternative teams achieve comparable cycles with proper relics and synergy.
Best 4-star Light Cone alternatives?
Dazzled By A Flowery World S5: 36-48% CRIT DMG, SP increases, DEF ignore. 15-18% less personal damage than signature. Generic CRIT Light Cones sacrifice 25-30% damage for resource preservation.
Most important Eidolons?
E2 highest value: 12% SPD, 16% Elation damage to allies = 18-24% team DPS. E6 max ceiling: 60% Elation Skill multiplier, 20% ally Elation damage, requires 560+ pulls. E1 marginal, skippable unless pursuing E2. Dolphins target E0S1 or E2S0 for optimal value.
Save for Yao Guang or future characters?
Elation roster depth (Sparkle, Dan Heng IL) = prioritize Yao Guang. Lacking Elation synergies or complete other-element teams = preserve for Version 4.1, especially if leaks confirm universal supports. Evaluate roster gaps before committing 90-180 pulls.
