Honkai Star Rail 4.0 Rewards Guide (March 2026) Free 5-Star Character, Skins & More
Welcome Trailblazers! The highly anticipated Honkai Star Rail 4.0 update “No Aha at Full Moon” is finally here, bringing with it an unprecedented wave of free rewards that you absolutely cannot miss. As someone who’s been following HSR since launch, I can confidently say this is the most generous update HoYoverse has ever released.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every single free reward, how to claim them, and strategic tips to maximize your gains. Whether you’re a new player or a veteran, you’ll want to bookmark this page – these limited-time offers are too good to pass up!
Quick Overview: All 4.0 Free Rewards
| Reward Category | What You Get | How to Claim | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free 5-Star Character | Choose 1 from 7 limited characters | Login during 4.0-4.2 | Version 4.0 to 4.2 |
| Ruan Mei Skin | “Plumblossom Letter” outfit | Login during 4.0 | Limited time, then 1680 shards |
| Stellar Jades | 1600+ total Jades | Multiple events | Various deadlines |
| Star Rail Passes | 30+ free pulls | Login events | Throughout 4.0 |
| Livestream Codes | 300 Stellar Jades + items | Redeem codes | Until Feb 7, 2026 |
| Pre-Register Bonus | 120 Stellar Jades | Web event | Before update launch |
The Crown Jewel: Free 5-Star Character Selector
This is undoubtedly the biggest reward in HSR history! For the first time ever, HoYoverse is giving away a FREE limited 5-star character of your choice. Here’s everything you need to know:
Available Character Options:
- Acheron (Lightning Nihility) – Top-tier DPS with recent buffs
- Sparkle (Quantum Harmony) – Best support, getting 4.0 buffs
- Aventurine (Imaginary Preservation) – Excellent shielder
- Jing Yuan (Lightning Erudition) – Classic AoE DPS
- Kafka (Lightning Nihility) – DoT specialist with recent buffs
- Jingliu (Ice Destruction) – Glass cannon DPS
- Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae (Imaginary Destruction) – Versatile DPS
My Personal Recommendations:
Based on current meta and 4.0 changes, I’d recommend:
- Sparkle – She’s receiving buffs in 4.0 and will be a staple Elation support
- Acheron – Currently one of the strongest DPS characters
- Aventurine – Great for newer players needing a reliable shielder
How to Claim:
- Update to version 4.0
- Log in to your account
- Check your in-game mail for the selector
- Choose your character (includes ascension materials to level 60!)
Important: You have until version 4.2 ends to claim this reward, but don’t wait too long!
Free Ruan Mei Skin: Plumblossom Letter
Another fantastic freebie is the elegant “Plumblossom Letter” skin for Ruan Mei. This outfit features a Xianzhou-inspired design with beautiful floral elements and maintains her signature color scheme.
Skin Details:
- Name: Plumblossom Letter
- Character: Ruan Mei
- Style: Xianzhou-inspired elegant design
- Value: Normally costs 1680 Oneiric Shards
How to Get It:
Simply log in during version 4.0 and the skin will be automatically sent to your in-game mail.
⚠️ Critical Warning: If you don’t claim this during 4.0, you’ll have to purchase it for 1680 Oneiric Shards later. That’s equivalent to pulling for a 4-star character!
Stellar Jades Galore: Multiple Events
Version 4.0 offers several ways to earn Stellar Jades, totaling over 2000 free Jades if you participate in everything:
1. A Flip of Fortune Event
- Reward: 1600 Stellar Jades
- How: Log in daily for 5 days and reveal fortune slips
- Bonus: Chance to win 100 Star Rail Premium Passes
2. Gift of Arcadia
- Reward: 600 Stellar Jades (via 10 Star Rail Premium Passes)
- Additional: 3 Self-Modeling Resin
- How: Simple login reward
3. Gift of Odyssey
- Reward: 600 Stellar Jades (via 10 Star Rail Premium Passes)
- How: Log in for 7 consecutive days
4. Pre-Register Web Event
- Reward: 120 Stellar Jades
- How: Participate in the Planarcadia Ultimate Elation League
- Bonus: Chance to win PS5 or Nintendo Switch 2
Livestream Codes: Don’t Miss These!
The 4.0 special program revealed three redeem codes that expire quickly:
| Code | Rewards | Status | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHAHAHAHAHAHA | 100 Stellar Jades + 50,000 Credits | Active | Feb 7, 2026 10:59 AM UTC-5 |
| QWQXDDLOLOMO | 100 Stellar Jades + 5 Traveler’s Guides | Active | Feb 7, 2026 10:59 AM UTC-5 |
| HITLIKETOBEAHA | 100 Stellar Jades + 4 Refined Aether | Active | Feb 7, 2026 10:59 AM UTC-5 |
How to Redeem Codes:
- Visit the official redemption website
- Log in with your HoYoverse account
- Select your server and enter character name
- Input the codes one by one
iOS Users Note: You can only redeem codes via the website, not in-game!
New Content & Combat System
While not directly rewards, version 4.0 introduces exciting new gameplay that enhances your experience:
New Combat Mechanics:
- Aha Instants: Triggered by accumulating Punchlines
- Elation Path: New character path with unique mechanics
- Certified Banger Buffs: Strategic combat enhancements
New Characters:
- Yao Guang (Physical/Elation) – Strategic support
- Sparxie (Elation) – Streamer-inspired chaotic damage dealer
Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Rewards
Based on my experience with HSR updates, here are some essential tips:
Before the Update:
- Complete all pending missions – Clear your quest log
- Save your resources – Don’t spend Stellar Jades before 4.0
- Check your storage – Make sure you have space for rewards
During 4.0:
- Log in daily – Don’t miss any login rewards
- Prioritize the 5-star selector – Choose wisely, this is permanent
- Claim codes immediately – They expire in 27 hours
- Participate in all events – Even small rewards add up
Character Selection Strategy:
- New Players: Choose Aventurine for survivability
- DPS-focused: Acheron or Sparkle for meta relevance
- Collection: Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae for story importance
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve seen many players make these mistakes – don’t be one of them!
Critical Errors:
- Waiting too long to claim the 5-star selector
- Missing the Ruan Mei skin deadline
- Forgetting to redeem livestream codes
- Not logging in consecutively for Gift of Odyssey
- Using the wrong HoYoverse account for pre-registration
Platform-Specific Issues:
- iOS: Remember you can only redeem codes via website
- PC: Check your in-game mail regularly
- PlayStation: Link your account properly before claiming
Important Dates & Deadlines
| Event | Start Date | End Date | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Version 4.0 Launch | Feb 12/13, 2026 | ~6 weeks | HIGH |
| 5-Star Selector | Feb 12, 2026 | Version 4.2 end | CRITICAL |
| Ruan Mei Skin | Feb 12, 2026 | Version 4.0 end | HIGH |
| Livestream Codes | Feb 6, 2026 | Feb 7, 2026 | URGENT |
| Pre-Register Event | Now | Update launch | MEDIUM |
Strategic Planning: What to Do First
Based on urgency and value, here’s my recommended action plan:
Day 1-2 (Immediate):
- Redeem all livestream codes (URGENT!)
- Claim your free 5-star character
- Get the Ruan Mei skin
- Start the login events
Week 1:
- Participate in A Flip of Fortune daily
- Complete Gift of Odyssey logins
- Explore new content and events
- Test your new character in team compositions
Throughout 4.0:
- Stay updated on patch notes and changes
- Join community discussions for strategy
- Save resources for future banners
- Enjoy the new Planarcadia content!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get multiple 5-star characters?
A: No, you can only choose ONE character from the selector. Make it count!
Q: What if I miss the Ruan Mei skin?
A: You’ll have to buy it for 1680 Oneiric Shards later – equivalent to about $27 USD.
Q: Are the codes server-specific?
A: Yes, make sure to select your correct server when redeeming codes.
Q: Can new players benefit from these rewards?
A: Absolutely! These rewards are perfect for new players to build a strong account.
Q: Will the 5-star selector come back?
A: HoYoverse hasn’t confirmed if this will be a recurring feature. Don’t count on it!
Q: What happens if I don’t log in during 4.0?
A: You’ll miss ALL time-limited rewards, including the free 5-star character.
Final Thoughts
Version 4.0 is genuinely a game-changer for Honkai Star Rail, not just in terms of content but also in player generosity. The free 5-star character selector alone saves you months of saving or hundreds of dollars. Combined with all the other rewards, this update gives you everything needed to build a formidable account.
Remember, these rewards are limited-time only and some (like the 5-star selector) may never return. Set reminders, mark your calendars, and don’t let FOMO get the better of you!
Additional Resources
For more HSR content, check out these helpful guides:
- Complete Honkai Star Rail Codes List – Updated daily with new codes
- HSR Tier List & Character Rankings – Help with your 5-star choice
- 4.0 Livestream Details – More update information