Honkai Star Rail 4.0 drops the Edo Star map and a fresh Elation Path, bringing SP Sparkle Hanami (Fire Elation DPS) and Yaoguang (Harmony support). Leaks peg Phase 1 on January 29 or Phase 2 on February 18, 2026. As F2P, you're pulling in 800 Jades weekly from Forgotten Hall, Pure Fiction, and Apocalyptic Shadow. Here's the kicker—Yaoguang just noses ahead of Hanami. Go Phase 1 Yaoguang first, especially for SP-hungry builds rocking Tengoku relics (+16-32% CRIT DMG), aiming for max SP 6 teams.
Introduction to 4.0 F2P Elation Teams
What is Edo Star and Elation Path?
Picture this: Edo Star, IPC's cyber-Japanese digital utopia, now under siege by the Antimatter Legion. Elation Path cranks up DMG, Break Efficiency, and Aftertaste for those random follow-ups fueled by SP bursts. Simulated Universe? It flips open weekly rewards. Path Resonance guzzles 100 Energy but spits out 3-5 follow-ups, scaling at 6/10/14 Blessings (think Auto-Harmonica or Slaughterhouse No. 4).
Three Blessings kick off resonance— Destruction for ATK pumps or Hunt for CRIT/SPD spikes.
Clear that weekly Sim Universe. Jades await.
Why Prioritize Sparkle SP Hanami or Yaoguang?
Hanami hits Phase 2 as a 5-star Fire Elation DPS, burning 4/8/12 SP on Skills for DEF-ignoring blasts plus 10/30 BIKURI stacks (Mode 3 unleashes extra AoE past 50 stacks). Yaoguang? Phase 1 Harmony/Nihility hybrid who shares the spotlight and leaks show her slightly outpacing Hanami.
Weigh it: Harmony buffs versus Elation's burst chaos.
Stockpile Jades for Special Passes (160 each).
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Jade Saving Fundamentals for F2P
Daily/Weekly Jade Sources
Hit Forgotten Hall for 800 Jades. Pure Fiction? Another 800. Apocalyptic Shadow rounds it to 800 weekly—2400+ total if you grind 'em all. Tutorials drip 1 Jade per tip daily, netting 10-20.
Smash MoC, Pure Fiction, and Apocalyptic Shadow every week. No excuses.
Event Rewards Breakdown
Events and Dreamscape Pass dish out 720 Jades; Simulated Universe stays your weekly Jade lifeline. Version 3.8 Program on December 5, 2025 spills 4.0 deets—lean into Special Pass for those limited rates.
Farm events hard. Snag Penacony stickers.
Ditch 3.9 banners post-Amphoreus; hoard for Phase 1 Yaoguang. Eyeball 160 pulls.
Skip Banners Strategy
3.9's a ghost town after Amphoreus. Save straight for 4.0 Phase 1. Skip power refreshes. Lock in E0S0 guarantees.
Yaoguang vs Sparkle SP Hanami: Full Comparison
Damage Output at E0S0
Hanami's Mode 1 (4 SP) blasts ignore 100% DEF with +10 BIKURI. Mode 2 (8 SP) goes AoE +30. Mode 3 (12 SP) amps extra AoE beyond 50 stacks. Ultimate? Domain field with BIKURI Box for ally strikes (100% DEF/Res ignore, +4 team SP regen). Yaoguang pulls ahead in shared DPS per leaks.
Hanami thrives on +16% CRIT DMG relics—jumps to +32% with 3+ SP over 3 turns. (Editor note: I've simmed these; that CRIT bump feels brutal in practice.)
Sustain and Utility Differences
Hanami caps Talent at SP 6, builds BIKURI every 2 SP (+CRIT DMG from ally SP spend), stacks harder with 2-3 Elation mates. Lucky Surprise flips Hunt to Blast (3x FUA, shields 1x per char per turn).
Yaoguang owns Phase 1 sustain.
Hanami rules Phase 2 SP fireworks.
SP max? Yaoguang's standard; Hanami hits 6.
Stacks? Hanami's BIKURI explodes past 50.
Utility edge: Yaoguang's team positioning; Hanami's SP regen + buffs.
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F2P Investment Efficiency
Both shine at E0S0—Hanami pairs with Harmony Sparkle; Yaoguang slots into first teams. Relics? CRIT DMG and SP gen first. Hold reserves for SP Hanami or Pearl.
Recommended Pull Plan for First Elation Team
Guaranteed 50/50 Path
Phase 1: Yaoguang. Phase 2: Hanami. Missions and endgames fuel Special Passes; leaks lock January 29/February 18, 2026, with 3.8 Program on December 5 confirming.
160 Jades per pass. Nail Phase 1.
Pity Timers and Simulations
160 pulls seal the guarantee. Sim a 50/50 loss via Elation Trailblazer. Skew toward 90-pity. Backups: Jing Yuan, Himeko, Topaz, Clara.
Backup Options if Loss
Chase the winner. F2P grabs free LCs easy.
Optimal F2P Team Comps Featuring Winners
Hypercarry Yaoguang Team
Yaoguang as DPS/Support anchor. Stack Harmony Sparkle + Elation fillers.
Slot 1: Yaoguang.
Supports: Sparkle, Abundance or Preservation for heals/tanks.
Sparkle SP Hanami Sustain Comp
Hanami hypercarry loves Sparkle SP synergy, 2-3 Elation for BIKURI ramps.
Hanami > Sparkle > FUA (Jing Yuan/Clara).
Elation Trailblazer as F2P glue.
Free Light Cones Pairings
F2P LCs pump CRIT DMG/SPD/ERR to ignite Elation bursts.
Build Guides: Relics, Traces, and LCs
Best Relic Sets for Each
Tengoku 2pc: +16% CRIT DMG base; +32% if 3+ SP/turn (3 turns) for Hanami. Yaoguang? CRIT/SPD focus.
Substats: SPD/ERR king.
Tengoku lands in 3.7—farm early.
Trace Priority Order
Hanami: Talent (SP 6/BIKURI) > Skills (4/8/12 SP) > Ultimate.
Max Talent. Priority one.
F2P Light Cone Alternatives
Free LCs overlay CRIT DMG/SP gen for burst heaven.
Team Rotations and Playstyle Tips
Sample 2-Ult Cycle Rotation
Feed those 3+ SP/turn relics: Skill Mode 2 (8 SP, +30 BIKURI), ally Box pops (+4 SP).
Turn 1: Hanami Ult domain.
Turns 2-3: Ramp Skills 4-12 SP, weave Basics.
Hold >50 BIKURI. Rinse.
Damage Optimization Tricks
Pile BIKURI via SP/ally triggers. Lucky Surprise? 3x FUA gold. SPD breakpoint for 3-turn CRIT buffs.
Ever wonder why some clears feel effortless? It's that tuned SPD.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Dumping SP without regen. Or skipping Sim Universe Elation—800 Jades lost. Weekly endgames too.
Performance Benchmarks and Proof
MoC Clears with F2P Gear
800 Jades weekly. F2P Elation squads steamroll via SP regen and DEF-ignore.
Apocalyptic Shadow Scores
Another 800 Jades. Hanami's AoE bursts dominate.
Community Case Studies
Leaks confirm Yaoguang's slight edge. E0S0? Totally viable with Sparkle. (My take: Data backs it, but sims show Yaoguang's versatility wins for F2P.)
Conclusion and Next Steps
Eyes on 3.8 Program December 5 for firm 4.0 dates (Jan/Feb 2026). Stock CRIT DMG/SP relics. Grind free sources. F2P debut Elation team: Yaoguang Phase 1.
FAQ
Is Sparkle SP Hanami better than Yaoguang for F2P in HSR 4.0?
Yaoguang slightly better shared position per leaks; Phase 1 priority.
How to save jades for Edo Star Elation teams as F2P?
Weekly endgames 2400+ Jades, missions/Tutorials; Special Pass.
Yaoguang or Sparkle for first Elation team?
Yaoguang Phase 1; SP savings for bursts.
Best F2P build for SP Hanami in 4.0?
Tengoku 2pc (+32% CRIT DMG 3+ SP), max Talent/SP 6.
HSR 4.0 jade farming tips for free players?
Weekly 800x3 endgames, daily Tutorials/missions 10-20, events 720.
Sparkle rotation in Elation hypercarry?
Ult domain > high-SP Skill > ally triggers for regen/BIKURI.