HSR 4.4 Phase 2 Pull Guide: Cerydra, Anaxa, Aventurine and the Fate Collab

Honkai: Star Rail 4.4 Phase 2 is a crowded decision window. Players are not only comparing Cerydra, Anaxa and Aventurine; they are also seeing the Fate collaboration beside the regular limited banners. That makes this phase easy to misread. A simple tier-list answer is not enough, because the right pull depends on your account, your pity, your saved Stellar Jade, and whether you are willing to use Oneiric Shards before the banner ends.

This guide is written as a practical planning page for HSR players who want to decide before spending. It explains how to compare the Phase 2 targets, when the Fate collab should change your priorities, how to calculate a clean pull budget, and when a small top-up is safer than chasing every banner at once. If you published or read Treabar's previous HSR article, use that as the 4.3 context and treat this page as the new 4.4 Phase 2 cluster article: HSR 4.3 Phase 2 guide .

What is active in HSR 4.4 Phase 2?

Current public banner trackers list the 4.4 Phase 2 window as August 5 to August 25, 2026, with Cerydra, Anaxa and Aventurine appearing as the major limited targets during this period. The important detail is not just who is available; it is the overlap. When several desirable characters appear in the same phase, players often spend early, then realize they still need resources for a rerun, a Light Cone, or the collaboration banner.

Before you pull, separate the banners into three groups: account repair, account upgrade and collection value. Account repair means a character who fixes something your roster clearly lacks. Account upgrade means a character who improves a team that already works. Collection value means you mainly want the character because you like the design, story, or collaboration. All three reasons are valid, but they should not use the same budget. The most dangerous mistake is treating a collection target like an account repair target and spending as if skipping is impossible.

Cerydra, Anaxa or Aventurine: how to choose

Start with Cerydra if your interest is tied to the new 4.4 cycle and you want the freshest character experience. New characters usually attract the most searches, guides and testing during the first days of a phase, so players who enjoy building around new mechanics may find Cerydra the most exciting option. The safe approach is to try the character trial, check whether the playstyle feels natural, then decide whether your account can support the team requirements before committing all pulls.

Anaxa should be judged by how much value the character adds to your existing teams. If you already have a strong roster and are looking for a specific damage profile, support profile, or team route, Anaxa may be attractive. If your account still lacks a stable core, however, a specialist pull can feel weaker than expected. Do not pull just because another account showcases large numbers; ask whether your relics, supports and Light Cones can reproduce the setup.

Aventurine is the clearest rerun-style decision. For many accounts, a reliable defensive slot can change how comfortable endgame content feels. If your teams already survive comfortably, Aventurine becomes a luxury upgrade or a comfort pick. If you often lose runs because one side cannot stay alive, he moves much closer to account repair. That difference matters because account repair can justify a higher budget, while comfort upgrades should usually stay below your future-version reserve.

Where the Fate collab fits into the pull plan

The Fate collaboration is the emotional trap in this phase. Collaboration banners are easy to over-prioritize because players worry about missing something special. That does not mean the collab is bad; it means you need to decide whether you are pulling for gameplay, collection, or both. If you love Fate and would regret skipping the collab more than skipping a regular HSR rerun, set aside that budget first and build your other banner plan around what remains.

If you are mainly a gameplay-focused HSR player, treat the collab like any other banner: test the unit, read the kit, compare the team cost, and only then decide. A collaboration label should not erase basic account math. If the collab target overlaps with a role you already own, the pull may be less urgent. If it unlocks a team you have wanted for months, it becomes a real priority. The point is to make that call before pity gets consumed by impulse pulls.

Stellar Jade and Oneiric Shard budget: use a gap calculation

A clean HSR spending plan starts with a gap calculation. Count your current Stellar Jade, Special Passes, unfinished event rewards, daily training, Simulated Universe or Divergent Universe resets, shop exchanges and any mail rewards you have not claimed. Then compare that total with the number of pulls you need to reach your next realistic decision point, not necessarily the hard pity ceiling.

For example, if you are close to pity and already guaranteed, your gap may be small. In that case, a modest Oneiric Shard top-up can be enough if you truly want the character. If you are far from pity and not guaranteed, the gap is much larger, and topping up without a stopping rule can become expensive quickly. The safer rule is to set a maximum spend before buying. Decide the character, decide the maximum pulls, then use a reliable top-up page such as Treabar Honkai: Star Rail top up only if the missing amount is clear.

Recommended pull routes by player type

Free-to-play players should usually choose one priority and ignore everything else until the result is known. If you want Cerydra, do not throw early pulls at the Fate collab just to test luck. If Aventurine fixes your account, do not split the budget into two half-attempts that can fail together. Low-spend players can be more flexible, but the same rule applies: one main target, one backup target, no random Light Cone pulls before the character decision is settled.

Returning players should be more careful than active players. You may have missed several patches of power shifts, new teams and relic expectations. Before pulling, check which of your old teams still work and which support pieces are missing. Collectors can give more weight to the Fate collab, but should still protect enough pulls for the character they care about most. Endgame-focused players should wait for early testing and avoid spending on day one unless the account need is obvious.

FAQ

Is Cerydra automatically the best pull because she is new? Not automatically. New characters usually bring fresh interest, but the best pull is the one your account can actually use.

Should I pull Aventurine if I already clear endgame? If your clears are stable, Aventurine is more of a comfort or optimization pick. If survival is your biggest issue, he becomes much more valuable.

Is the Fate collab worth saving for? It is worth saving for if you care about the collaboration or the kit fits your account. Do not pull only because the banner feels rare.

When should I top up Oneiric Shards? Top up only after counting free resources, checking pity and setting a stopping point. A top-up should close a known gap, not start a new gamble.