Honkai Star Rail 4.5 Phase 2: All Banners and Characters
Version 4.5 of Honkai: Star Rail, titled “To Roll the Stars in Astropolis,” is a shortened five-week patch that launched in late August 2026. Phase 1 featured the summer form of Robin and a Hyacine rerun. Phase 2 began on September 12, 2026, and runs until roughly September 27, when the version ends and Version 4.6 maintenance begins. This second half centers on a new alternate form of Aventurine and the first rerun of Ashveil, creating a focused opportunity for players building follow-up attack or Elation-oriented teams.
Because the overall version is shorter than the usual six weeks, the total Stellar Jade income is lower than a standard patch. Many accounts saved through Phase 1 specifically for these banners, making Phase 2 one of the more anticipated windows of the summer period.
Phase 2 Character Banner Schedule
Phase 2 Character Warps opened on September 12, 2026 (server time, with slight regional variations) and close on September 27, 2026 (UTC-5 reference). Two limited 5-star characters share the phase:
- Aventurine • Waveflair (new limited 5-star)
- Ashveil (limited 5-star rerun)
The banner titles are Over the Gilded Tides for Waveflair and A Hunt Through Night for Ashveil. Both use the standard Event Warp rules: 50/50 on the first 5-star of a cycle, with a guaranteed featured character on the next 5-star if the previous one was off-banner. Soft pity begins around 74 pulls, and hard pity sits at 90.
Aventurine • Waveflair – The New Limited Character
Aventurine • Waveflair is a 5-star Quantum character on the Path of Elation. This is an alternate summer form of the original Aventurine from Penacony. Importantly, the two versions are treated as separate characters. Pulling Waveflair does not advance or benefit the original Aventurine’s eidolon or light cone progress, and vice versa.
Waveflair shifts away from the original’s Preservation sustain identity. He functions as a main damage dealer focused on follow-up attacks and Elation mechanics. His kit revolves around building a resource (often described as Fervor) whenever allies attack. Once the meter fills, he automatically triggers Elation Skills that deal AoE Quantum damage. This design rewards teams that attack frequently, making him a natural fit for follow-up attack cores and high-action-count compositions.
His signature Light Cone, Summer Rides the Surf, appears on the matching Brilliant Fixation banner during the same period. As with most limited signatures, it provides strong path-specific bonuses that significantly boost his personal damage and team synergy when compared with generic alternatives.
Players who already run strong follow-up attack teams or who want a dedicated Quantum Elation DPS have the clearest reason to invest here. Because this is a new form rather than a completely original character, the decision also depends on how much a player values the summer aesthetic and the specific Elation playstyle versus other upcoming limited options.
Ashveil – The Rerun Character
Ashveil returns for his first rerun in Phase 2. He is a 5-star Lightning character on the Path of the Hunt. As a single-target focused Hunt unit, he specializes in high personal damage against elite and boss enemies. His kit emphasizes critical damage, action advance, or follow-up style pressure depending on the exact implementation, making him a strong option for pure Lightning single-target needs.
Because this is a first rerun rather than a final or late-cycle appearance, players who missed him on debut still have future opportunities. Accounts that already own a well-built Lightning Hunt character may safely skip, while those lacking strong single-target Lightning options or who specifically want Ashveil’s signature Light Cone, The Finale of a Lie, have a clearer reason to pull.
Ashveil’s presence alongside Waveflair creates a dual-banner phase that offers both a new Elation DPS and a solid Hunt rerun in the same window.
Featured 4-Star Characters
Three 4-star characters receive rate-up status on both Phase 2 character banners:
- Sampo (4-star, Wind, Nihility)
- Hook (4-star, Fire, Destruction)
- Guinaifen (4-star, Fire, Nihility)
Sampo remains a reliable Wind Nihility option for DoT or wind-shear teams. Hook provides accessible Fire Destruction damage and is useful for newer accounts or specific Fire weakness content. Guinaifen is a Fire Nihility unit valued for her burn application and team utility in DoT compositions. Players who need any of these three for eidolon upgrades or who are still building their 4-star roster benefit from the elevated drop rates during this phase.
Standard 4-star characters remain available on the banner as usual, but the three featured units have significantly higher odds.
Light Cone Banners in Phase 2
The Brilliant Fixation and accompanying Light Cone warps run concurrently with the character banners from September 12 to September 27.
Featured 5-star Light Cones:
- Summer Rides the Surf (Elation) – Aventurine Waveflair’s signature
- The Finale of a Lie (The Hunt) – Ashveil’s signature
Featured 4-star Light Cones typically include options such as Only Silence Remains (Hunt), Perfect Timing (Abundance), and The Story’s Next Page (Remembrance), though exact rate-up 4-stars can vary slightly by confirmation. These banners follow the same pity and 50/50 rules as character warps.
Players who pull Waveflair usually prioritize his signature for maximum performance. Ashveil’s cone is similarly valuable for dedicated Hunt users. Free-to-play and low-spending players often wait to evaluate performance data before committing limited resources to Light Cones, especially on a shortened patch.
Pulling Priority Considerations
Phase 2 presents a relatively focused choice. Waveflair is the new limited unit and the primary reason most accounts saved. His Elation identity and follow-up synergy make him attractive for players who enjoy or plan to invest in that playstyle. Ashveil is a solid but non-urgent rerun for most established accounts.
The shortened patch length means fewer total pulls from natural income. Players should check their current pity, remaining Stellar Jade, and upcoming Version 4.6 expectations before deciding how deeply to invest. Many accounts treat Waveflair as the priority and only consider Ashveil if they have significant surplus resources or a specific team need.
The 4-star rate-up is generally positive for DoT and Fire-oriented players, adding secondary value even for those who do not chase the 5-stars.
Context Within Version 4.5
Version 4.5 is a lighter content patch overall, featuring a new Trailblaze Mission and Continuance in the Astropolis area, quality-of-life improvements such as one-click leveling for characters and Light Cones, and an achievements menu update. The main gameplay event of the version, Overdrive: Whirlwind Grand Prix, began in Phase 1 and continues to provide rewards into the second half. A secondary event, Minuscule Great Adventure, launches with Phase 2.
Because the version is only five weeks long, the transition into 4.6 arrives relatively quickly. Players who pull in Phase 2 should plan their remaining resources with the next version’s expected banners in mind.
Summary of Phase 2 Lineup
From September 12 to September 27, 2026, Honkai: Star Rail Phase 2 of Version 4.5 features:
- New limited 5-star: Aventurine • Waveflair (Quantum, Elation)
- Rerun limited 5-star: Ashveil (Lightning, Hunt)
- Rate-up 4-stars: Sampo, Hook, Guinaifen
- Signature Light Cones: Summer Rides the Surf (Waveflair) and The Finale of a Lie (Ashveil)
This combination offers a new offensive take on a popular character alongside a practical Hunt rerun and useful 4-star support. Players interested in Elation or follow-up attack teams have the strongest incentive to pull, while others can evaluate their roster needs against the shortened patch length and the approaching Version 4.6.
The banners are live now. Check the in-game timer for exact remaining time on your server, review your current pity and Jade balance, and decide based on your long-term team goals. Phase 2 of 4.5 delivers a clear, focused set of options rather than an overwhelming number of choices, making it easier for most players to plan their pulls efficiently before the version closes.