Version 4.0 drops two 5-star Elation characters: Yao Guang (Physical) in Phase 1 and Sparxie (Fire) in Phase 2. Phase 1 runs February 12 to March 6, 2026; Phase 2 from March 6 to March 26, 2026. This guide calculates exact pull requirements, analyzes F2P Stellar Jade income from version 3.8 (13,500-14,310 Jades = 84-89 pulls), and covers worst-case scenarios requiring up to 360 pulls for dual guarantees.
Understanding HSR 4.0 Banner System & Pity Mechanics
Character Event Warp has 0.6% base rate for 5-stars, with hard pity at 90 pulls. Soft pity starts at pull 74, dramatically increasing odds—most players get their 5-star between pulls 74-82, averaging 75-80 pulls.
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The 50/50 vs Guaranteed System
First 5-star on any Character Event Warp has 50% chance of being the featured character. Losing means you get a standard banner 5-star, but your next 5-star becomes 100% guaranteed featured character. This guarantee persists across banner changes—lose 50/50 on version 3.8 Phase 3 (ending February 12, 2026), and your guarantee carries directly to Yao Guang's banner.
4-star pity operates independently with 10-pull guarantee. Your 5-star pity counter tracks separately and carries over between all Character Event Warps.
Pity Carryover Mechanics
Pity transfers seamlessly between consecutive Character Event Warps. Reach pull 60 on the Aglaea/Sunday banner ending February 12? Those 60 pulls immediately apply to Yao Guang's banner starting the same day. Carryover applies exclusively to same banner type—Character Event Warp pity doesn't transfer to Light Cone Event Warp or Standard Warp.
Yao Guang & Sparxie: Banner Schedule and Overview
Version 4.0 launches February 12, 2026 (UTC-5) for North America, February 13 for Europe/Asia. Phase 1 features Yao Guang until March 6; Phase 2 features Sparxie until March 26.
Character Specs and Team Synergies
Yao Guang operates as Physical damage dealer with critical SPD breakpoints at 120 and 160. Signature Light Cone When She Decided to See provides 1,058 HP, 529 ATK, 529 DEF.
Optimal teams:
Yao Guang + Sparxie + Sparkle + Dan Heng PT (dual Elation synergy)
Yao Guang + Sparkle + Topaz/Numby + Gallagher (follow-up focus)
Yao Guang + Sparkle + Fu Xuan + Evanescia (defensive sustain)
Sparxie complements Yao Guang's Physical damage with Fire element coverage. Their shared Elation path suggests potential synergistic mechanics.
Pull Priority Framework
Common targets for Yao Guang: E0S0 (base, no signature), E0S1 (base with signature), E2S1, E4S1, E6S1 for whales. F2P players should prioritize E0 acquisitions for roster diversity over Eidolons.
Pull Requirements: Comprehensive Scenarios
Scenario 1: Worst-Case Dual Acquisition (Zero Pity, No Guarantee)
First Character (Yao Guang): 90 pulls to hard pity, lose 50/50, then 90 more for guarantee = 180 pulls
Second Character (Sparxie): Another 180 pulls
Total Worst-Case: 360 pulls = 57,600 Stellar Jades
Soft pity typically reduces actual needs to 300-320 pulls, but plan for worst-case.
Scenario 2: Average Player with Partial Pity
Starting: 50 pity built, no guarantee
First Character: 40 pulls to soft pity, lose 50/50, 80 pulls for guarantee = 120 pulls
Second Character: 80 pulls average = 80 pulls
Total Average: 200 pulls = 32,000 Stellar Jades
Scenario 3: Best-Case with Existing Guarantee
Starting: 70 pity built, guarantee active
First Character (Yao Guang): 20 pulls to guaranteed 5-star = 20 pulls
Second Character (Sparxie): 80 pulls average = 80 pulls
Total Best-Case: 100 pulls = 16,000 Stellar Jades
Complete Stellar Jade Income (Version 3.8 to 4.0)
Version 3.8 spans 56-58 days (8 weeks), providing 13,500-14,310 Stellar Jades = 84-89 pulls.
Daily and Weekly Recurring Income
Daily Training: 60 Jades/day × 56 days = 3,360 Jades (21 pulls)
Weekly Missions: 225 Jades/week × 8 weeks = 1,800 Jades (11.25 pulls)
Total Recurring: 5,160 Jades (32.25 pulls)
Endgame Content Rewards
Memory of Chaos: 800 Jades/cycle × 2 cycles = 1,600 Jades
Pure Fiction: 800 Jades/cycle × 2 cycles = 1,600 Jades
Apocalyptic Shadow: 800 Jades/cycle × 2 cycles = 1,600 Jades
Total Endgame: 4,800 Jades (30 pulls)
Version-Specific Bonuses
Divergent Universe: 1,800 Jades
Chrysos Awoo Championship: 1,200 Jades
Maintenance Compensation: 600 Jades
Delay Compensation: 1,000 Jades + 10 Fuel
Livestream Codes: 300 Jades
Gift of Odyssey: 10 Star Rail Special Passes (1,600 Jade equivalent)
Total Bonuses: 6,500 Jades (40.6 pulls)
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F2P Saving Timeline: Dual Character Feasibility
Pure F2P players get 84-89 pulls from version 3.8. Adding version 4.0 Phase 1 income (6,000-7,000 Jades from dailies, events, endgame), total available pulls reach 120-130 before Sparxie's Phase 2.
Realistic F2P Paths
Path 1: Single Guaranteed Character F2P income comfortably secures one guaranteed 5-star (180 pulls worst-case). Players with partial pity or guarantee from version 3.8 can confidently target Yao Guang.
Path 2: Dual Acquisition with Luck Securing both requires winning at least one 50/50. With 120-130 total pulls:
Win first 50/50 on Yao Guang (80 pulls average)
Win second 50/50 on Sparxie (80 pulls average)
Total: 160 pulls (within F2P budget with luck)
Losing both 50/50s makes dual F2P acquisition impossible.
Required Sacrifices for Dual F2P Goals
Skip all version 3.8 Phase 3 banners (Aglaea/Sunday)
Avoid Light Cone Event Warp pulls
Complete all limited-time events
Maintain consistent endgame full-clears
Don't pull Standard Warp
Express Supply Pass & Low-Spender Analysis
Express Supply Pass provides 2,700 Stellar Jades per 30 days = 16.875 pulls monthly. Purchasing for version 3.8 and 4.0 Phase 1 yields ~34 additional pulls.
Investment ROI
Express Supply Pass:
Cost: ~$4.99 USD
Return: 2,700 Jades (16.875 pulls)/month
Cost per pull: ~$0.30 USD
Direct Oneiric Shard purchases cost $0.50-$1.00 per pull, making Express Supply Pass the most cost-efficient option.
Optimal Purchase Timing
Version 3.8: January 28, 2026 (covers through February 27)
Version 4.0: February 12, 2026 (covers through March 14)
Emergency Jade Farming Before Version 4.0
Achievement Hunting
Combat Achievements: 10-20 Jades each
Exploration Achievements: 5-20 Jades each
Collection Achievements: 10-40 Jades each
Systematic review can yield 500-1,500 Jades.
Treasure Chest Completion
Ordinary Chests: 5 Jades
Precious Chests: 10 Jades
Luxurious Chests: 20 Jades
Using maps to locate missed chests in Jarilo-VI, Xianzhou Luofu, Penacony can generate 300-800 Jades.
Character Trials and Story Missions
Each limited character trial provides 20 Jades. Version 3.8 Phase 3 trials for Aglaea and Sunday offer 40 Jades combined. Incomplete story missions and companion quests provide 40-100 Jades per quest chain.
Risk Management: Preparing for 50/50 Losses
Chance of losing both 50/50s for Yao Guang and Sparxie is 25% (0.5 × 0.5)—one in four players faces worst-case.
Building Safety Buffers
Minimum Dual Acquisition: 160 pulls (winning both 50/50s)
Safety Buffer: +90 pulls (one additional guarantee)
Recommended Reserve: 250 pulls total
Priority Framework for Resource Shortfalls
Tier 1: Meta Impact Evaluate which character provides greater account value. Lacking Physical damage? Prioritize Yao Guang. Need Fire coverage? Prioritize Sparxie.
Tier 2: Team Synergy Owning Sparkle, Topaz, or other Elation-synergistic characters increases value for both.
Tier 3: Personal Preference When meta equals out, choose based on design, personality, gameplay enjoyment.
Rerun Predictions
Limited characters typically rerun 6-9 months after initial release. Version 4.3 or 4.4 likely features at least one rerun.
Light Cone Considerations and Budget Allocation
Light Cone Event Warp operates on different pity: 80-pull hard pity, 65% featured rate (no 50/50).
Signature Value Assessment
Yao Guang's signature When She Decided to See optimizes damage (1,058 HP, 529 ATK, 529 DEF). F2P alternatives provide 70-85% effectiveness:
Sleep Like the Dead (Gacha 4-star): Strong F2P with CRIT DMG
Swordplay (Battle Pass): Accessible with Nameless Honor
On the Fall of an Aeon (Herta's Store): Completely F2P
Budget Split Strategy
Recommended Allocation:
80% resources to Character Event Warp (securing E0 copies)
20% resources to Light Cone Event Warp (if surplus exists)
Signatures provide ~15-20% damage increase over optimal F2P alternatives. Additional characters typically provide greater account value.
Pre-Version 4.0 Preparation Checklist
Immediate Actions (Version 3.8 Phase 3)
Cease all Character Event Warp pulls on Aglaea/Sunday
Complete Divergent Universe (1,800 Jades)
Finish Chrysos Awoo Championship (1,200 Jades)
Claim Gift of Odyssey (10 Star Rail Special Passes)
Redeem livestream codes (300 Jades)
Weekly Tasks
Full-clear Memory of Chaos (800 Jades/cycle)
Full-clear Pure Fiction (800 Jades/cycle)
Full-clear Apocalyptic Shadow (800 Jades/cycle)
Complete Weekly Missions (225 Jades)
Daily Discipline
Complete Daily Training (60 Jades)
Avoid Standard Warp pulls
Track pity counters in Warp Records
Resist impulse pulls
Oneiric Shard Strategy
Oneiric Shards convert 1:1 to Stellar Jades (160 Shards = 1 pull). Players purchasing through BitTopup should stockpile Shards rather than immediately converting, maintaining flexibility for last-minute decisions.
FAQ
How many pulls to guarantee Yao Guang in HSR 4.0?
180 pulls maximum, accounting for losing 50/50 at 90 pulls and hitting hard pity again. With soft pity starting at pull 74, most secure guarantees around 150-160 pulls. If you have guarantee status from version 3.8, only 90 pulls maximum required.
Can F2P get both Yao Guang and Sparxie in version 4.0?
Only with favorable 50/50 luck. Version 3.8 provides 84-89 pulls, version 4.0 Phase 1 adds ~40 pulls, totaling 120-130 pulls. This covers both if you win both 50/50s (requiring ~160 pulls with average soft pity). Losing both makes dual F2P acquisition impossible.
Does pity carry over between Yao Guang and Sparxie banners?
Yes. Pity carries between all Character Event Warps. Reach pull 60 on Yao Guang's banner without a 5-star? Those 60 pulls immediately apply to Sparxie's banner starting March 6, 2026. Both pity counter and guarantee status transfer seamlessly.
How much Stellar Jade between version 3.8 Phase 3 and 4.0?
Version 3.8 provides 13,500-14,310 Jades (84-89 pulls) from all F2P sources. Version 4.0 Phase 1 adds ~6,000-7,000 Jades before Sparxie's banner, bringing total to ~19,500-21,310 Jades (121-133 pulls) for pure F2P.
What happens if I lose the 50/50?
You get a standard banner character (Bronya, Gepard, Welt, Bailu, Himeko, Clara, or Yanqing) instead of featured limited character. Your next 5-star on any Character Event Warp becomes 100% guaranteed featured character. This guarantee persists across banner changes and versions until consumed.
Is Express Supply Pass worth it for both 4.0 characters?
Yes. Express Supply Pass provides exceptional value at ~$0.30/pull vs $0.50-$1.00 for direct crystal purchases. Two passes (version 3.8 and 4.0) yield 34 additional pulls for ~$10 USD total, potentially bridging the gap between F2P income and dual character acquisition.