Understanding the Banner System for Yao Guang
Yao Guang's banner runs February 12, 2026 (10:00 PM UTC-5) through March 6, 2026. The Character Event Warp features:
- Base rate: 0.6% for any 5-star
- Hard pity: Guaranteed 5-star at 90 pulls
- Soft pity: Dramatically increased rates starting pull 74
- Statistical average: Most 5-stars appear between pulls 74-85
Each pull costs 160 Stellar Jades (1,600 for 10-pull). If you need to buy Honkai Star Rail Stellar Jade top up, BitTopup offers competitive pricing with fast delivery.
Pity Mechanics: Hard vs Soft
Hard pity guarantees a 5-star at exactly 90 warps. This counter tracks every pull and carries over between Character Event Warp banners—pulls on previous limited banners count toward Yao Guang's pity.
Soft pity starts at pull 74 with escalating probability. About 90% of 5-star acquisitions occur between pulls 74-85.
Check your pity: Warp menu > View Details > Records. Count pulls since your last 5-star.
The 50/50 System
When you pull a 5-star, you have 50% chance of getting Yao Guang versus a standard 5-star. Losing the 50/50 guarantees your next 5-star on any Character Event Warp is the featured character. This guarantee carries over between banners.
Worst case: 180 total pulls (28,800 Jades)—90 to potentially lose 50/50, then 90 for guarantee.
Average case: ~160 pulls (25,600 Jades) accounting for one 50/50 loss.
Banner Types
Character Event Warp: Yao Guang banner with 90-pull hard pity.
Light Cone Event Warp: Signature weapon When She Decided to See (HP 1058, ATK 529, DEF 529) with 80-pull hard pity (12,800 Jades) and soft pity at pulls 63-75.
Pity counters operate independently—pulls on one don't affect the other.
Pity Carryover
Your pity persists across all Character Event Warps. If you pulled 60 times on a previous banner without a 5-star, you start Yao Guang's banner at 60/90 pity.
Guarantee status also carries forward. Lost your last 50/50? You enter with guaranteed featured character, needing only one pity cycle (average 75-80 pulls).
Exact Stellar Jade Requirements
Worst-Case: Double Pity
Starting from zero pity, no guarantee: 180 pulls = 28,800 Stellar Jades
- First 90 pulls (14,400 Jades): Potentially lose 50/50
- Second 90 pulls (14,400 Jades): Guaranteed Yao Guang
Calculate your personal worst case based on current status. At 40/90 pity with guarantee? Only 50-60 pulls needed (8,000-9,600 Jades).
Average Case
Statistical average: 80 pulls per 5-star. Starting fresh: **160 total pulls (25,600 Jades)** accounting for one 50/50 loss.
With existing progress:
- 50/90 pity + guarantee: 24-35 pulls average (3,840-5,600 Jades)
- 60/90 pity + guarantee: 15-25 pulls (2,400-4,000 Jades)
Best-Case
Early pulls possible with 0.6% base rate, but unreliable for planning. High existing pity (60-73) with guarantee can secure Yao Guang in 15-25 pulls (2,400-4,000 Jades).
Always budget for worst-case, hope for best-case. Secure at least 12,000 Jades for one soft pity cycle.
Constellation Costs
- E1 (30 Punchline stacks): 2 copies total—50,400 Jades worst-case, 25,600 average
- E2 (SPD +12%, Elation +16% for Zone allies): 3 copies—76,800 Jades worst-case
E0 provides complete functionality. Constellations are luxury optimizations.
Stellar Jade Income Until February 13, 2026
F2P players can accumulate 12,000-21,000 Stellar Jades through:
Daily & Weekly Sources
- Daily Training: 60 Jades/day (15-20 min)
- Weekly missions: 225 Jades/week
- Combined baseline: Consistent income requiring minimal skill
Endgame Modes (Weekly)
Total: 4,800 Jades/week for full clears
- Memory of Chaos: 1,600 Jades per two-cycle period (12-star clear)
- Pure Fiction: 1,600 Jades per two cycles
- Apocalyptic Shadow: 1,600 Jades per two cycles
- Divergent Universe: 1,800 Jades per cycle (highest single-mode income)
Players clearing all endgame content can secure guaranteed Yao Guang through F2P means alone.
Version 4.0 Events
- Livestream codes: 300 Jades (three codes)
- Chrysos Awoo Championship: 1,200 Jades
- Planarcadia exploration: 1,500-2,500 Jades
- Total event bonus: 3,000-4,000 Jades
Time-limited and non-renewable—missing events permanently reduces your Jade pool.
Additional Sources
- Trailblaze Level milestones: One-time rewards for progressing players
- Story quests: Main and character-specific quest completions
- Achievements: Combat, exploration, collection categories
- Map exploration: Chests, puzzles, location discoveries
Endgame Jade Farming
Memory of Chaos
Resets bi-weekly. 1,600 Jades for 12 stars across all floors. Requires two strong teams handling diverse enemy types.
Even partial clears (8-10 stars) provide substantial Jades.
Pure Fiction
Bi-weekly 1,600 Jades. Emphasizes AoE damage and multi-target capabilities. Different mechanics than Memory of Chaos—requires roster depth.
Apocalyptic Shadow
Bi-weekly 1,600 Jades. Boss-focused content rewarding single-target damage and mechanic understanding. Yao Guang's Physical specialization suits Physical-weak bosses.
Skilled play with moderate investment often beats poor execution with premium units.
Divergent Universe
1,800 Jades per cycle—highest single-mode income. Roguelike mode rewarding blessing synergies and adaptive team building.
Even partial completion provides rewards. Learn blessing interactions and enemy patterns.
Nameless Honor (Battle Pass)
Free Track
Provides Stellar Jades at level milestones throughout 42-day seasons. Accessible to all players completing objectives through daily/weekly missions.
Includes materials, credits, experience items beyond Jades.
Premium Track
Cost: $9.99
Value: Several thousand Jades + 4-star Light Cone selector + premium materials
Better value than direct Jade purchases when accounting for all resources. Purchase during active play versions to ensure full completion.
Completion Timeline
42-day seasons align with version cycles. Consistent daily/weekly objective completion ensures full track without grinding.
Event experience boosts help catch up if behind.
F2P Strategy
Zero-Spend Income
Conservative estimate: 12,000-14,000 Jades (daily activities, weekly missions, endgame content)
Optimized estimate: 18,000-21,000 Jades (clearing all endgame modes)
Event bonuses: +3,000-4,000 Jades from Version 4.0 events
Realistic F2P Timeline
Starting from zero pity, no guarantee: Need ~25,600 Jades average. With 18,000-21,000 available, most F2P players face shortfall.
However:
- 40/90 pity + guarantee: Only 5,600-8,000 Jades needed (achievable F2P)
- 50/90 pity + guarantee: Well within F2P capacity
Strategy: Skip banners before Yao Guang to preserve pity and Jades.
Light Spender Optimization
Express Supply Pass
Best value: $4.99/month
Rewards: 300 Jades immediately + 90 Jades daily for 30 days (2,700 total) = 3,000 Jades + 30 Star Rail Special Passes
Two months = 6,000 Jades (~40% of average soft pity)
Battle Pass Value
$9.99 premium Nameless Honor provides superior value versus direct purchases when including materials and Light Cone selector.
Light spender foundation: Express Supply Pass + Nameless Honor = ~$15/month, significantly improving guarantee odds.
First-Time Bonuses
First-time purchase bonuses double Stellar Jades for each tier. Resets independently per tier—claim across multiple amounts.
Use strategically during critical banners for maximum impact.
When to Buy Additional Jades
Buy when close to guarantee but slightly short. Calculate exact shortfall first.
Example: At 60/90 pity with 8,000 Jades saved? Need only 2,400-4,000 more for soft pity range.
Wait until near banner end to collect all F2P Jades first. If you need to recharge Honkai Star Rail Oneiric Shards fast, BitTopup converts 1:1 to Stellar Jades for immediate use.
4-Star Character Analysis
Rate-Up Value
Character Event Warps feature three rate-up 4-stars. 4-star guarantee every 10 pulls at 5.1% base rate.
While pursuing Yao Guang, you'll get multiple 4-stars. New 4-stars offer more value than duplicate constellations for most players.
Constellation Worth
4-star constellations provide meaningful power increases, but value varies. Some reach full functionality at C0, others gain substantial power at C2/C4 breakpoints.
Research specific constellation values before chasing. Risks accumulating unwanted 5-star pity.
Pulling Strategy
Primary goal: Featured 5-star. 4-stars appear on multiple banners and in Starlight Exchange shop.
Pulling specifically for 4-stars risks early 5-star acquisition consuming pity. Only works if you want the featured 5-star.
Got Yao Guang early? Choose to continue for 4-star constellations or stop to preserve pity.
Starlight Exchange
Purchase specific 4-stars using Undying Starlight (earned from duplicate pulls). Provides targeted acquisition outside RNG.
Save Starlight for high-value characters or critical constellations—more control than banner pulling.
Pulling Strategy Framework
When to Start
Early pulling: Maximum time to accumulate additional Jades if you lose 50/50. Allows spending/farming adjustments.
Late pulling: Ensures all F2P Jades collected first, minimizing spending. No recovery time if short.
Optimal: Pull once you've secured 12,000 Jades (one soft pity), then farm more while waiting.
Lost 50/50 Recovery
Losing 50/50 activates guarantee, requiring another soft pity cycle (~12,000 Jades).
Recovery options:
- Use saved Jades beyond initial budget
- Purchase Express Supply Pass/battle pass if not owned
- Make targeted Jade purchases
Early 50/50 loss allows F2P recovery. Late loss requires purchases for guaranteed acquisition.
Signature Light Cone?
When She Decided to See optimized for Yao Guang but requires separate 80-pull pity (12,800 Jades).
Priority: Secure Yao Guang first. Alternative 4-star/standard 5-star Light Cones provide 70-80% of signature performance at fraction of cost.
Future Banner Considerations
Version 4.1 arrives ~3 weeks after Yao Guang's banner ends with new characters and reruns.
Pulling for Yao Guang consumes pity and Jades, reducing resources for immediate future banners. Plan comprehensively if wanting multiple characters.
Yao Guang rerun expected within 6-12 months based on historical patterns.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Soft Pity Misconception
Soft pity (pull 74+) increases probability but doesn't guarantee 5-star. Some reach pull 85-90.
Budget for hard pity (90 pulls) for certainty. Soft pity averages work statistically but individual results vary.
Standard Banner Trap
Standard banner (Stellar Warp) has no rate-ups, includes characters and Light Cones in 5-star pool. Poor value versus limited banners.
Use only free Star Rail Passes, never Stellar Jades. Limited characters never join standard pool.
Impulse Pulling
Pulling immediately without full soft pity budget risks Jade shortfall. Wait until comfortable reserves accumulated.
Banner lasts 3 weeks—rushing day one offers no advantage. Wait a few days to complete events and collect additional Jades.
Ignoring Pity Tracking
Not tracking pity counter and guarantee status leads to uninformed decisions. Knowing you're at 65/90 pity with guarantee dramatically changes required budget.
Check before every banner: Warp menu > Records tab for complete pull history.
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FAQ
How much Stellar Jade for guaranteed Yao Guang?
Worst-case: 28,800 Jades (180 pulls). Average: 12,000-18,000 depending on pity/guarantee status. At 50/90 pity with guarantee: 6,400-8,000 average.
What is the pity system in HSR 4.0?
Hard pity: 90 pulls guarantees 5-star. Soft pity: Pull 74+ with increased rates. 50/50: 50% chance for featured character; losing guarantees next 5-star is featured. Pity carries over between Character Event Warps.
Can F2P get Yao Guang?
Yes. 12,000-21,000 Jades available through dailies (60/day), weeklies (225/week), endgame modes (4,800/week), and events (3,000-4,000 total). Players with existing pity/guarantee have strong odds.
How does soft pity work?
Starts pull 74 with dramatically increased rates. ~90% of 5-stars appear between pulls 74-85. Not a guarantee—only hard pity at 90 is certain.
Does pity carry over?
Yes, between all Character Event Warps. Previous limited banner pulls count toward Yao Guang. Guarantee status also carries—lost last 50/50 means next 5-star is guaranteed featured.
When does Yao Guang's banner run?
Starts: Feb 12, 2026 10:00 PM UTC-5 (Americas), Feb 13 4:00 AM UTC+1 (Europe), Feb 13 11:00 AM UTC+8 (Asia)
Ends: March 6, 2026 11:59 AM UTC-5 (~3 weeks)
