Honkai: Star Rail 4.4: Fate/stay Night Collab, Free 5-Star, and Everything You Need to Know

Version 4.4 Quick Summary

Field	Answer
📅 Release	July 15, 2026 (July 14 NA servers)
🎭 Version Name	"In Ravages Does the Whistle Sound"
⭐ Biggest Addition	Fate/stay night UBW Collab Part 2 — Rin Tohsaka + Gilgamesh
🎁 Best Free Reward	Free 5★ selector: Gilgamesh OR Archer (with level 60 materials)
💎 Save Stellar Jade?	Yes — this is the most stacked patch in HSR history
🔥 Community Focus	Free 5★ pick, 200-pull LC, collab pity sharing
📦 Version End	August 25, 2026

What Makes Version 4.4 Different?

Most HSR patches add one or two new 5★ characters. Version 4.4 adds three, plus a free 5★ selector, a 200-pull free Light Cone, six rerun banners, and the second phase of the Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] collaboration.

Here is why 4.4 stands apart from every previous patch:

First-ever free 5★ selector in HSR history. The Fate Contract: Renewal event lets every player pick Gilgamesh or Archer — completely free, no pulls required — and the character arrives at level 60 with upgrade materials.
200-pull free signature Light Cone. Spend 200 Star Rail Special Passes across any Warp in 4.4, and you get to choose one of two collab 5★ Light Cones. Every pull from Day 1 counts — not just collab pulls.
Collab pity carries over from Version 3.4. If you pulled on the Saber or Archer banners during the first Fate collab, your pity counter transfers directly to the Rin/Gilgamesh banners. You might be closer to a guarantee than you think.
Long-term availability. The Fate collab banners and free selector remain open through the end of Version 4.6 — no announced end date yet. This is not a "pull now or miss forever" situation, but the free selector should still be claimed early.
Story climax. The Planarcadia arc reaches its finale: the Trailblazer confronts Lord Ravager Asat Pramad, with Himeko's disappearance at the center of it all.

Compared to Version 4.3, which was a story setup patch, 4.4 is the payoff.

Version 4.4 at a Glance — Why It Matters

Category	Why It Matters
Story	Planarcadia arc finale — Himeko's fate revealed
New Characters	3 new 5★ + 6 reruns = most banner content in HSR history
Fate Collab	Rin + Gilgamesh arrive July 24; pity shares with Phase 1; long-term through 4.6
Free Rewards	Free 5★ selector + 10 free pulls + 200-pull free LC
Events	Fate/Star Rail Night (collab story) + Antigraft Brickbuster + Currency Wars update
Cosmetics	Sparxie outfit "Candy-Coated Waves" + new pet Pentaflavor Emoti
Spending Pressure	3 new 5★ + 6 reruns + 200-pull threshold = highest Stellar Jade demand ever

Story Without Spoilers

Himeko vanishes during her confrontation with Lord Ravager Asat Pramad, leaving behind a hidden clue tied to the Astral Express. The Trailblazer must track down and decipher this clue while Asat Pramad's obsession with Himeko's identity ties to a buried truth from 15 years ago. The search culminates in a decisive battle with Planarcadia's survival at stake.

On the Fate side: Rin Tohsaka is stranded in Planarcadia after her magical energy runs out. She accidentally restores the Holy Grail's power, scattering Gilgamesh's treasures across the realm — which is where the collab storyline picks up.

Who should care:

Story-focused players — this is the Planarcadia arc climax
Returning players — catch the finale of a multi-version storyline
Fate fans new to HSR — the collab event has its own self-contained story accessible without main story completion

Phase I opens July 15. Himeko • Nova runs the entire patch (July 15 → August 25), giving you maximum flexibility on when to pull. Her rerun companions are the Indelible Coterie I — pick one from Sparxie (Fire Elation), Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae (Physical Preservation), or Evernight (Ice Remembrance). Nova's signature Light Cone, A Star That Lights the Night, is on Brilliant Fixation alongside her.

Phase I — July 15 to August 5

Banner	Type	Featured 5★	4★ UP
Ad Astra Nova	Character	Himeko • Nova (Fire Erudition)	Moze, Hanya, Serval
Indelible Coterie I	Pick-One Rerun	Sparxie (Fire Elation) / Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae (Physical Preservation) / Evernight (Ice Remembrance)	Moze, Hanya, Serval
Brilliant Fixation	Light Cone	A Star That Lights the Night (Erudition)	—

Phase II — August 5 to August 25

Banner	Type	Featured 5★	4★ UP
Indelible Coterie II	Pick-One Rerun	Cerydra (Wind Harmony) / Anaxa (Wind Erudition) / Aventurine (Imaginary Preservation)	Moze, Hanya, Serval

Fate Collab Banners — July 24 to End of Version 4.6

Banner	Type	Featured 5★	Notes
Rin Tohsaka	Collab Character	Rin Tohsaka (Quantum Erudition)	Pity shares with Phase 1 (Saber/Archer)
Gilgamesh	Collab Character	Gilgamesh (Lightning Destruction)	Also obtainable FREE via selector
Collab LC Warp	Collab Light Cone	I Am As You Behold (Destruction) / The Hell Where Ideals Burn (The Hunt)	Pity shared between both LC options

Critical pity mechanics:

Collab Character Warp pity is shared between Phase 1 (Saber/Archer from Version 3.4) and Phase 2 (Rin/Gilgamesh)
Collab Light Cone Warp pity is also shared across both phases
Uses standard Star Rail Special Passes — no special currency needed
Collab banners remain available long-term through end of Version 4.6

New Characters Deep Dive

Himeko • Nova — 5★ Fire Erudition

Attribute	Detail
Element	Fire
Path	Erudition
Banner	Ad Astra Nova (entire patch)
Signature LC	A Star That Lights the Night

Nova deploys the Starblazer — a mech that becomes a battlefield object your allies can command via an Assist Skill. Her Companion Protocols split into two modes: Verdict (personal damage boost with Trailblaze Companions) and Decimation (team-wide CRIT DMG boost with Express members). She is a team-driven DPS, not a solo hyper-carry.

For a full kit breakdown, stopping points (E0S1 recommended), and F2P budget analysis, see our dedicated guide: Should You Pull for Himeko • Nova in 4.4?

Rin Tohsaka — 5★ Quantum Erudition (Fate Collab)

Attribute	Detail
Element	Quantum
Path	Erudition
Banner	Fate Collab (Jul 24 → 4.6 end)
Voice (JP)	Ueda Kana (original Fate VA)

Rin is an SP-hungry AoE DPS built around Gem Energy and Skill Point manipulation. She starts combat with 20 Gem Energy. Every ally SP action grants +1 Gem Energy and a 100% CRIT DMG buff for 2 turns. When she has 15+ Gem Energy or 7+ SP, her Skill upgrades to "Second Magic Experiment" — an AoE hit followed by up to 33 bounce hits, consuming 3 Gem Energy each.

Her Ultimate, "An Gal Ta Ki Gal Šè," deals 600% single-target plus 200% AoE Quantum DMG, applies 20% Vulnerability for 3 turns, recovers 1 SP, and grants 12 Gem Energy. She also provides +2 max SP to the team and 150% ATK + 15% Quantum RES PEN at battle start — and if Archer is on the team, he gains the same buffs.

Archer synergy: If Archer uses Caladbolg II with SP ≤ 3, they trigger a Joint Follow-Up ATK (300% Rin + 300% Archer AoE) and recover 4 SP. This makes Rin and Archer one of the most tightly paired duos in HSR — designed to be used together.

Why she matters: Only the second 5★ Quantum Erudition in the game (after Jade). Her SP-eating playstyle demands a fundamentally different team structure — you need SP generators, not SP consumers, as teammates.

Note: Kit numbers are based on beta datamines and theorycrafter analysis. Values may change at official release. (Gachabase beta data | Icy-Veins profile)

Gilgamesh — 5★ Lightning Destruction (Fate Collab, FREE)

Attribute	Detail
Element	Lightning
Path	Destruction
Banner	Fate Collab (Jul 24 → 4.6 end)
Also Available	FREE via Fate Contract: Renewal selector

Gilgamesh runs on an Interest gauge. Ally actions grant +1 Interest plus Energy regeneration; ally Ultimates grant +2 Interest plus 30% Energy refund. At 10 Interest, he enters "Interest Piqued!" state and can only use his Skill — which resets the gauge.

His Skill, "Gate of Babylon," deals Lightning DMG to the main target and adjacent enemies, and grants "King's Acknowledgement" (roughly 30–37.5% DEF ignore for 3 turns). His Ultimate, "Enuma Elish," unleashes massive AoE Lightning DMG plus 10 random bounce hits, scaling with Interest accumulated. His Technique "Enkidu" creates a dimension that stuns enemies and grants 3 Interest on combat start.

Saber synergy: After 8 cumulative attacks, Gilgamesh and Saber trigger a Joint Follow-Up ATK (400% Gilgamesh + 600% Saber AoE) — one of the highest-damage team combos in the game.

His A6 Trace grants the team +20% ATK and +20% CRIT DMG, plus an additional +1% per Energy over 140 (up to +100%). This means he scales harder in teams with high Energy generation.

Why he matters: He is a completely free 5★ Destruction DPS with team-scaling mechanics. Even without Saber, he functions as a solid Lightning DPS. With Saber, he becomes one of the top damage dealers in the game.

Note: Kit numbers are based on beta datamines. (Gachabase beta data | Icy-Veins profile)

Free 5★ Selector: Gilgamesh or Archer?

Event: Fate Contract: Renewal Window: July 24, 2026 → end of Version 4.6 Cost: Free — no pulls, no pity, no currency Bonus: Character arrives at level 60 with upgraded Traces and ascension materials

You can only pick one. Here is the decision framework:

Your Situation	Pick	Why
Already have Archer (from Version 3.4)	Gilgamesh	A new 5★ beats a single Eidolon on an existing character
Missed Phase 1 collab entirely	Gilgamesh	Self-sufficient DPS; doesn't require Saber to function; fills Lightning DPS gap
Have Saber but not Archer	Archer	Completes the Saber/Archer synergy pair; Rin is Archer's premium partner
Have both Saber and Archer	Gilgamesh	Completes the Fate trio; unlocks Gilgamesh + Saber Joint Follow-Up
New player (started after 3.4)	Gilgamesh	Fresh 5★ DPS; works standalone; Lightning is universally useful

The 80% rule: For most veteran accounts, Gilgamesh is the correct pick. Archer was free in Version 3.4, and most active players already own him. A new 5★ character is always worth more than a single Eidolon.

The selector stays open through Version 4.6, so there is no rush — but do not forget to claim it. There is no known way to obtain the other character for free later.

200-Pull Free Light Cone Guide

Spend a total of 200 Star Rail Special Passes during Version 4.4 — across any Warp, not just collab banners — and you can choose one free collab 5★ Light Cone:

Light Cone	Path	Whose Signature	Effect Summary
I Am As You Behold	Destruction	Gilgamesh	ATK + Energy Regen boost; Ultimate DMG scales with Energy consumed; team CRIT DMG buff
The Hell Where Ideals Burn	The Hunt	Archer	CRIT Rate + Skill DMG boost; enhances follow-up attack mechanics

Key Things to Know

The counter starts on July 15 — not when the collab opens on July 24. Every pull from Day 1 counts, including Himeko Nova and Indelible Coterie pulls.
You can only claim the LC after the collab opens on July 24, even if you hit 200 pulls before then.
These are the signature Light Cones for Gilgamesh and Archer — not generic stat sticks. They are meaningfully better than free or 4★ alternatives for those characters.
The LC Warp pity is shared between Phase 1 and Phase 2 collab LC banners.

Who Should Aim for This?

Player Profile	Feasible?	Why
Pulling for Rin Tohsaka (~160 pulls to guarantee)	✅ Close — only ~40 more pulls needed	You are already most of the way there
Pulling for Himeko Nova + her LC (~160+ pulls)	✅ Close	Same logic — your pulls count toward the threshold
F2P with limited savings (~94 free pulls)	❌ Not realistic	200 pulls ≈ 32,000 Stellar Jade, far exceeding free income
Mid-spender planning multiple banners	✅ Achievable	Savings + Express Pass + small top-up covers the gap

Budget Reference

Goal	Pulls Needed	Stellar Jade Equivalent
200-pull LC threshold (from 0)	200	~32,000
200-pull LC (if already pulling for 1 character)	~20–40 more	~3,200–6,400
200-pull LC + Rin Tohsaka guarantee	~200–360	~32,000–57,600

For a detailed F2P income breakdown, see our Should You Pull Himeko Nova guide and our HSR Cheapest Top-Up Guide 2026.

Event Priority Guide

Priority	Event	Why	Key Reward
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Must Do	Fate Contract: Renewal (Free 5★ Selector)	Free 5★ character + level 60 materials — the single most valuable reward in 4.4	Free Gilgamesh or Archer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Must Do	10-Pull Login Reward	Free 10 Star Rail Special Passes just for logging in	10 free pulls
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Fate/Star Rail Night (Collab Story)	Main collab event; unlocks the selector; story content with Rin Tohsaka	Astrite + event materials
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Antigraft Brickbuster	Block-stacking mini-game with Aventurine investigation storyline	Astrite + event items
⭐⭐⭐☆☆	Currency Wars: Zero-Sum Game (Permanent Update)	New permanent mode expansion for endgame players	Ongoing rewards
⭐⭐☆☆☆	Sparxie Outfit Purchase	Cosmetic only; no gameplay impact	Candy-Coated Waves skin

Claim the free 5★ selector and 10 free pulls on Day 1. Complete Fate/Star Rail Night to unlock the selector event. Everything else can be done at your own pace.

Cosmetics

Item	Price	Availability
Sparxie Outfit "Candy-Coated Waves"	1,350 Oneiric Shards (discount) → 1,680 Oneiric Shards (regular)	Discount until Aug 26, 2026 06:00 (UTC+8); then permanent at regular price
Pet "Pentaflavor Emoti"	TBD	Version 4.4
Trailblaze Fashion "Fan-Made Lygus"	TBD	Version 4.4

Naming note: The outfit's official English name is "Candy-Coated Waves" (official Chinese: 「甜梦电波」). Sparxie is an alternate form of Sparkle, similar to how Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae is an alt of Dan Heng. Always refer to the in-game shop for the canonical name.

The discounted price saves 330 Oneiric Shards — roughly the value of a monthly Express Supply Pass. If you want the outfit, buy it before August 26.

Three Things Most Players Will Miss

1. The 200-pull counter starts on Day 1 (July 15), not when the collab opens (July 24). Many players assume the counter only starts when Fate banners go live. In reality, every pull from July 15 counts — including Himeko Nova and Indelible Coterie pulls. Plan your pulls from Day 1 to maximize progress toward the free LC.

2. Collab pity carries over from Version 3.4. If you pulled on the Saber or Archer banners during the first Fate collab, your pity count transfers directly to the Rin/Gilgamesh banners. Check your current pity before pulling — you might be 10 or 20 pulls away from a guarantee.

3. The free 5★ selector stays open through Version 4.6 — which means you will forget. The selector has no urgency, which is exactly why players procrastinate and miss it. Set a reminder now. If you miss it, there is no known way to obtain Gilgamesh or Archer for free later.

Before You Update: Preparation Checklist

☐ Finish current Version 4.3 content — unclaimed rewards expire
☐ Spend your Trailblaze Power — don't let it cap during maintenance
☐ Claim Stellar Jade from all active events — check the Events tab
☐ Check your collab pity count — if you pulled during Fate Phase 1, your pity carries over
☐ Pre-farm Himeko • Nova materials — Fire/Erudition ascension mats are farmable now
☐ Clear Simulated Universe / Divergent Universe — weekly Jade income
☐ Claim Echo of War rewards — weekly limit
☐ Finish Pure Fiction / Memory of Chaos — current cycle resets
☐ Save your Star Rail Special Passes — do NOT spend them before 4.4
☐ Free up storage space — update size TBD
☐ Set a daily login reminder — don't miss the 10-pull login reward

If you are planning to recruit Himeko • Nova, Rin Tohsaka, or chase the 200-pull free Light Cone in Version 4.4, preparing your Stellar Jade before the update can help you avoid missing launch banners and limited-time events. Topuplist provides a fast and secure way to top up Oneiric Shards — UID-based, password-free, with first-purchase double bonus on every tier and up to 6% off. For a detailed price comparison across regions, see our HSR Cheapest Top-Up Guide 2026.

Which Players Benefit Most from Version 4.4?

Player Type	Why 4.4 Matters	Priority
Fate fans new to HSR	Best entry point — free 5★ + self-contained collab story; no need to catch up on 4.x plot	Claim free 5★ → pull Rin → explore
F2P veterans	Most generous patch ever — free 5★ + 10 free pulls + 200-pull LC within reach if saving since 4.3	Claim all free rewards → pull Nova or save for rerun
Monthly card players	200-pull LC is achievable with savings + Express Pass; Nova E0S1 is within reach	Plan pulls from Day 1 to hit 200 threshold
Whales / collectors	3 new 5★ + 6 reruns + collab LCs = the most spending-heavy patch in HSR history	E6 Nova + E6 Rin + Gilgamesh Eidolons + all signature LCs
Returning players	Free 5★ selector available through 4.6 — no rush; collab pity carries over if you pulled in 3.4	Claim free 5★ → catch up on story → decide on pulls
Meta chasers	Gilgamesh (free) + Saber = top-tier team; Rin is Archer's premium support; Nova is a new Fire DPS option	Pick Gilgamesh → build Saber team → evaluate Rin

Official vs Community Discussions

Officially Confirmed by HoYoverse	Community Findings (Not Officially Detailed)	Still Unknown
Version 4.4 release date (July 15)	Rin Tohsaka exact multipliers (beta data)	Version 4.5 / 4.6 content
Himeko • Nova, Rin, Gilgamesh kits	Gilgamesh × Saber Joint Follow-Up exact scaling	Future non-collab banners
Free 5★ selector (Gilgamesh/Archer)	Exact 200-pull counter edge cases	Collab banner end date beyond 4.6
Phase 1/2 rerun characters	Sparxie = Sparkle alt form confirmation	Summer characters (rumored)
200-pull free LC names and paths	Relic/stat recommendations for new characters	Next region after Planarcadia
Sparxie outfit name and pricing	Eidolon sweet spots (E1/E2/E6) for Rin/Gilgamesh	Future Fate collab phases
Events: Fate/Star Rail Night, Antigraft Brickbuster

Community discussions are based on beta datamines, theorycrafter analysis, and unofficial sources. Values and mechanics may change at official release. Always verify with in-game information after the update goes live.

Topuplist Editor's Take

If you are a Fate fan new to HSR: Start now. The free 5★ selector gives you a top-tier DPS with zero investment. Pull for Rin Tohsaka if you want the authentic Fate experience — she and Archer form a unique duo with a Joint Follow-Up attack.

If you are F2P and saved since 4.3: Claim everything free first (selector + 10 pulls), then decide between Himeko • Nova or saving for a Phase 2 rerun. Do not chase the 200-pull LC unless you were already pulling for a character — 200 pulls exceeds your free income.

If you are a monthly card player: You can realistically hit the 200-pull threshold with savings + Express Pass + a small top-up. Prioritize Nova (entire patch banner = flexible timing) and let your pulls count toward the free LC.

If you are returning after a long break: The free 5★ selector is available through Version 4.6 — take your time. Claim it, play the Fate collab story for fun, and decide on pulls after experiencing the new content.

If you want maximum value: Top up Oneiric Shards on Topuplist to close the gap between your free pulls and the 200-pull threshold. The free signature Light Cone is worth more than the cost of the additional pulls needed to reach it.

FAQ

How long is maintenance?

Maintenance typically lasts 5 hours, starting at 2026-07-15 06:00 (UTC+8). Compensation: 300 Stellar Jade + 1 Star Rail Special Pass.

Should I save Stellar Jade or spend it all in 4.4?

4.4 has the highest value-per-pull of any HSR version: 3 new 5★ + 6 reruns + 200-pull LC threshold. If you have been saving, this is the patch to spend. If you only care about one character, save the rest for future versions.

Which free 5★ should I pick — Gilgamesh or Archer?

If you already have Archer from Version 3.4 (most veterans do), pick Gilgamesh. If you are new and missed the first collab, Gilgamesh is still the stronger general pick — he works standalone without Saber. Only pick Archer if you specifically need a Quantum Hunt DPS or already have Saber.

Does the 200-pull counter include pulls from all banners or just the collab?

All banners. Official wording: "Spend a total of 200 Star Rail Special Passes in Version 4.4" — this includes every character Warp banner in 4.4, not just the Fate collab banners.

Is the Fate collab pity shared with the first collab (Version 3.4)?

Yes. The guarantee counts are shared between both phases of the Collaboration Character Warps. If you pulled on Saber or Archer banners, your pity carries over to Rin/Gilgamesh.

Can new players start in Version 4.4?

Yes. The Fate collab event has its own storyline accessible without completing the main story. The free 5★ selector is available to all accounts. New players also get the updated beginner experience.

What should I do before maintenance?

Spend all Trailblaze Power, claim weekly rewards (Echo of War, Simulated Universe), finish current events, and save your Star Rail Special Passes. Check the full checklist above.

Is Sparxie the same character as Sparkle?

Sparxie appears to be an alternate form of Sparkle, similar to how Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae is an alt of Dan Heng. The outfit "Candy-Coated Waves" is for the Sparxie form.