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Honkai Star Rail 4.0 Pull Guide: Who to Pull – Sparxie, Yao Guang or Rappa
2026-02-13
Honkai: Star Rail 4.0 is shaping up to be one of the most resource-intensive patches we’ve seen in a while. With Yao Guang, Sparxie, and a Rappa rerun all appearing in the same version cycle, players are asking who to pull HSR 4.0?
If you’re short on Stellar Jades or debating how to allocate resources, this guide from BuffBuff.com breaks down HSR 4.0 banner system & pity mechanics, the character meta value, how many pulls you realistically need, HSR 4.0 jade count calculation, and how to get more Stellar Jades for 4.0.
HSR 4.0 Banner System & Pity Mechanics
Let’s start with the most important part: understanding the banner system. Before deciding between Sparxie or Yao Guang, you need to understand how many pulls it may actually take to secure them.
Basic 5-star Rates
On limited Character Event Warps:
- The base 5-star rate is very low (under 1% per pull).
- Around the mid-70s pulls, your chance starts increasing significantly (commonly referred to as “soft pity”).
- At 90 pulls, the game guarantees a 5-star if you haven’t obtained one yet (“hard pity”).
This means 90 pulls is the absolute maximum to get a 5-star drop on a character banner.
The 50/50 System Explained
When you obtain a 5-star on a limited banner, there is a 50% chance it will be the featured character.
If you lose that coin flip and get a standard 5-star instead, your next 5-star on any future limited banner is guaranteed to be the featured unit. If you hit 90 pulls, lose the 50/50, then go to hard pity again. In other words, you need up to 180 pulls to guarantee one specific limited character.
How Many Rounds Does It Usually Take?
Most players land somewhere around 75-85 pulls per 5-star, but planning around 90/180 is the safest strategy. Let’s check the details below.
| Situation | Pulls Required |
| Lucky pull | 10-40 pulls |
| Typical soft pity range | 70-85 pulls |
| Hard pity guarantee | 90 pulls |
| Worst-case full guarantee | 180 pulls |
If you stop at 60 pulls on Yao Guang and don’t get a 5-star, those 60 pulls carry over to Sparxie’s banner. That is to say, banner timing is critical under the HSR 4.0 banner schedule, especially when deciding between the two.
HSR 4.0 Banner Schedule Overview
Based on community tracking and preview discussions, Version 4.0 officially launches on February 12, 2026 (UTC-5) for North America and February 13, 2026, for Europe and Asia.
The Version 4.0 update schedule includes two limited-time phases:
- Phase 1: Features Yao Guang, available until March 6, 2026.
- Phase 2: Highlights Sparxie, running through March 26, 2026.
If you want deeper insights into Yao Guang and Sparxie, check out our detailed guide on the Honkai: Star Rail 4.0 leaks banner for Yao Guang and Sparxie, where we analyze the release date, new playable Elation path, etc.
Yao Guang - Safest & Long-Term Meta Investment
Every major patch tends to introduce one character that quietly reshapes the meta. In HSR 4.0, that role likely belongs to Yao Guang.
Yao Guang is positioned as a premium support with strong amplification potential. Historically, supports in Honkai: Star Rail age better than DPS units because they enhance multiple teams instead of serving just one.
If your account lacks a powerful buffer or enabler, Yao Guang significantly boosts team damage output and synergizes across archetypes.
Pull Cost Exception
- Average cost: 75~85 pulls
- Guaranteed cost: up to 180 pulls
If you already have a guaranteed status from a lost 50/50, you only need one pity cycle (~90 pulls max). In short, for those players asking who to pull HSR 4.0, Yao Guang is the safest meta investment.
Sparxie - Immediate Damage Upgrade
While supports stabilize accounts, DPS units generate excitement, and Sparxie clearly fills that spotlight role in 4.0.
Designed to deal explosive burst damage, Sparxie appeals most to players who feel their current DPS units struggle in endgame modes. She provides high peak damage, depends more heavily on team composition, and is likely strong in short-cycle content.
Pull Cost Exception
- Soft pity: around mid-70 pulls
- Hard pity: 90 pulls
- Guaranteed cost: up to 180 pulls
As you can see, if you plan to pull both Yao Guang and Sparxie, you may need over 240-300 pulls unless you win at least one 50/50.
Sparxie or Yao Guang?
- Need account-wide long-term value➡️Yao Guang
- Need immediate damage injection ➡️ Sparxie
Rappa Rerun - Is Rappa Worth Pulling in 2026?
Rappa, the Flashbang Ninja of Penacony, masters ninjutsu, creating Dazzling Ninja Seals while blending rap, graffiti, and comics. As a fearless Galaxy Ranger, she defends justice across the stars, relentlessly pursuing the villain Evil Ninja Osaru.
In a meta that constantly evolves, rerun units must compete with newer releases. Some gamers ask, is Rappa worth pulling in 2026? The answer is yes, but it is not a priority for the following three reasons.
- Still effective in select team comps
- No longer ranks as top-tier DPS
- Outperformed by newer releases
Pull Cost Exception
- Hard pity: 90 pulls
- Guaranteed cost: up to 180 pulls
In a word, if you’re strictly optimizing resources, Rappa is not the highest priority in 4.0.
HSR 4.0 Jade Count Calculation
A realistic HSR 4.0 jade count calculation includes:
- Daily + weekly missions
- Simulated Universe
- Memory of Chaos
- Events
- Story rewards
- Shop resets
Based on our assessment, Active F2P players can usually earn 70-100 pulls per full patch cycle. This means you are guaranteed one limited character, while pulling a second may require luck or extra resources.
Star Rail is an epic sci-fi RPG from miHoYo featuring a vast and dangerous universe.
How to Get More Stellar Jades for 4.0
If you’re short on resources, focus on:
- Clear unfinished Forgotten Hall stages
- Complete Simulated Universe caps
- Finish companion missions
- Unlock hidden achievements
- Participate in all limited events
Players looking to get more stellar jades in 4.0 often consider options such as passes or top-ups. Running low on Jades? Please consider topping up HSR on BuffBuff.com to avoid missing your target banner, as it is a secure, reputable, and fast top-up provider.
Conclusion
For HSR 4.0, choose your desired character based on your goals: Yao Guang for future-proof scaling, Sparxie for immediate DPS, or Rappa for personal preference. Plan around 90/180 pull thresholds, check your pity status, complete your jade calculations, and make a strategic choice. Please remember that Version 4.0 rewards preparation, not impulse.
FAQs
If you’re interested, please explore the following related tips to learn more about this topic and enhance your understanding.
1. Who’s the best pull in HSR 4.0 - Sparxie, Yao Guang, or Rappa?
If you want long-term value, Yao Guang is your go-to. Sparxie is great for big burst damage, and Rappa is more for collectors or if you really like her kit.
2. How many pulls do I need for a featured character?
Most people hit a 5-star around 75-85 pulls. Hard pity guarantees it at 90. Worst case, if you lose 50/50 on the first, 180 pulls.
3. Should I prioritize DPS or support units in HSR 4.0?
If you want long-term account growth and meta flexibility, prioritize support like Yao Guang. If immediate damage spikes are needed, pull Sparxie.
4. How do I figure out how many Jades I need?
Look at daily/weekly missions, events, Simulated Universe, Memory of Chaos, story rewards, and shop resets. This helps you know if you can realistically pull for one or two units.
5. What’s a safe pull strategy for HSR 4.0?
Plan around soft/hard pity (75-90 pulls), track 50/50 results, use pity carryover smartly, and follow the banner schedule to avoid wasting Jades.
