HSR 2026 Banner Schedule: Current, Next & Future Banners

The Honkai: Star Rail 2026 banner schedule is moving into a busy stretch. Version 4.6 is now the live patch for Asia, Europe, and TW/HK/MO servers as of September 28, 2026, while North America entered the update late on September 27. That means the current banner focus is Pearl, the new 5-star Ice Elation character, alongside the first-half rerun slot.

The short version is simple: Pearl is the main current banner target, Mortenax Blade is the next confirmed rerun target, and the future roadmap is already pointing toward Nihilux, Void Archives, SP Sampo, Astra Yao, and Ellen Joe. However, not every future name has the same confirmation level. Use the current 4.6 details for immediate pull decisions, and treat 4.7 onward as planning material until HoYoverse publishes the final in-game notices.

This guide summarizes the current, next, and future HSR banners for 2026, with clear labels for confirmed information, community roadmap expectations, and speculative planning.

HSR Current Banner in 2026

As of September 28, 2026, the active version is Honkai: Star Rail 4.6 - Dance With the Beast Before Moonrise. The update launched on September 27 for North America and September 28 for Europe, Asia, and TW/HK/MO servers, so the exact date depends on your server time zone.

Pearl is the headline character of Version 4.6. She is listed as a 5-star Ice character following the Path of Elation, and her banner remains available across the whole version. This makes 4.6 slightly different from a simple two-phase patch: Pearl is not just a first-half unit who disappears after three weeks. She stays relevant for both halves of the patch, while the rerun slot changes from Evanescia to Mortenax Blade.

For players deciding whether to pull now, this matters. If you want Pearl, you do not have to rush every resource into the first few days unless you want early testing, screenshots, or immediate team building. You can wait for more impressions, see how she performs in endgame modes, and still pull before Version 4.6 ends.

Current 4.6 Banner Details

The current Phase 1 setup is built around Pearl and Evanescia. The same 4-star rate-up characters are expected across the 4.6 character banners, which helps players decide whether extra pulls have account value beyond the featured 5-star.

Pearl is the safest character to discuss as a current banner priority because her place in 4.6 is confirmed. She is the new character, she anchors the patch story, and she gives Elation teams another premium option. Evanescia is the first-half rerun choice, so players who already planned for her should compare that value against Pearl before spending too deep.

If you are free-to-play or a light spender, the best approach is to separate desire from account need:

· Pull Pearl if you like her, need an Ice Elation option, or want to invest in the patch's new team direction.

· Pull Evanescia only if she solves a clear roster gap or you already skipped her previous run with regret.

· Save for Phase 2 if Mortenax Blade is more important to your account than another Elation unit.

· Avoid pulling only for 4-stars unless you are comfortable accidentally getting a 5-star.

HSR Next Banner

The next major banner change is Version 4.6 Phase 2, expected around October 21, 2026. Pearl's banner continues through the end of the version, while the rerun slot changes to Mortenax Blade.

Mortenax Blade is the more account-utility-focused option if your roster already has enough Elation damage but lacks a premium debuffer. His value is strongest for players who need a unit that can contribute both enemy weakening and personal damage. If your account is missing Fire coverage, Nihility support, or a flexible sub-DPS slot, Phase 2 may be more attractive than Phase 1.

On the other hand, if your current teams already have reliable debuffers and you are mainly looking for a new playstyle, Pearl may feel more exciting. The main question is not "which banner is newer?" It is "which character fixes a real problem on my account?"

Future HSR Banners in 2026

Future HSR banners are where the uncertainty rises. The current community roadmap points to several upcoming names for late 2026 and early 2027, but the exact order, phase placement, kits, and rerun pairings can still change.

The key lesson is to budget in layers. Version 4.6 is immediate and confirmed enough for pull decisions. Version 4.7 is a future planning target with heavy story hype. Version 4.8 is especially important because HoYoverse has already teased Astra Yao and Ellen Joe boarding the Astral Express, but their banner format and HSR kits are still not locked publicly.

Longer-range 2027 names such as Kafka SP, Acheron SP, Welt SP, and Firefly SP should be treated as speculative until HoYoverse starts the relevant version marketing cycle.

HSR 4.7 Banner Outlook

The 4.7 banner conversation currently centers on Nihilux, Void Archives, and SP Sampo. Among them, Nihilux carries the biggest story weight because of the Aha connection. If the current roadmap holds, 4.7 could become one of the most lore-heavy late-2026 updates.

For now, 4.7 should be treated as a savings checkpoint. If you want Pearl or Mortenax Blade in 4.6 but also care about Nihilux, avoid spending down to zero. A single limited 5-star can cost up to 180 pulls in the worst case, so entering 4.7 with no reserve is risky.

HSR 4.8 Banner Outlook

Version 4.8 is already one of the most anticipated future banners because it is tied to the Honkai: Star Rail x Zenless Zone Zero crossover. Astra Yao and Ellen Joe are the two names players should track.

The important point is that ZZZ roles do not automatically translate into HSR roles. Astra Yao may not copy her original support kit directly, and Ellen may not arrive with the exact same element or battle identity players expect from ZZZ. Wait for official HSR path, element, skill, Eidolon, and Light Cone details before making a final pull decision.

Still, 4.8 deserves early savings. Crossover characters often carry extra collection value, and if both Astra Yao and Ellen Joe are limited, players may face a difficult choice between favorite, meta, and Light Cone investment.

Pull Priority by Player Type

If you can only guarantee one limited 5-star before the end of 2026, do not split your pulls between banners unless you accept the risk. A banner schedule is useful because it helps you skip with confidence. The best pull is not always the next pull.

Stellar Jade Budget for 2026 Banners

Honkai: Star Rail limited character banners use 160 Stellar Jade per pull. A hard pity 5-star can take up to 90 pulls, and a full guarantee after losing the 50/50 can take up to 180 pulls.

Most players will not hit the worst case every time, but planning around the worst case keeps your account safe. Check your pity, guarantee state, monthly pass status, event rewards, and version login rewards before deciding whether to pull Pearl now or save for Mortenax Blade, Nihilux, Astra Yao, or Ellen Joe.

FAQ

What is the current HSR banner in 2026?

The current version is HSR 4.6. Pearl is the main new 5-star character, and Phase 1 also includes Evanescia as the rerun option.

When is the next HSR banner change?

The next major banner change is expected around October 21, 2026, when Version 4.6 Phase 2 begins and Mortenax Blade enters the rerun slot. Pearl remains available through the end of 4.6.

Who are the future HSR 2026 banner characters?

The late-2026 roadmap currently points toward Nihilux, Void Archives, SP Sampo, Astra Yao, and Ellen Joe. Their exact phase placement and full kit details should be treated as unconfirmed until official notices appear.

Is Pearl worth pulling?

Pearl is worth considering if you want the new 4.6 character, need an Ice Elation option, or plan to invest in Elation teams. If your account needs debuffs or Fire coverage more, waiting for Mortenax Blade may be better.

Should I save for Astra Yao and Ellen Joe?

Yes, if you care about the HSR x ZZZ crossover. Astra Yao and Ellen Joe are major future names, but their HSR kits, paths, elements, and banner rules are not fully public yet.

Conclusion

The HSR 2026 banner schedule is entering a stacked period. Pearl is the current 4.6 highlight, Mortenax Blade is the next confirmed rerun target, and the future roadmap points toward Nihilux, Void Archives, SP Sampo, Astra Yao, and Ellen Joe.

If you are planning pulls, separate confirmed banners from future hype. Spend on 4.6 only if Pearl, Evanescia, or Mortenax Blade solves a clear roster need or is a favorite. Save for 4.7 and 4.8 if you care more about Aha-related storylines or the ZZZ crossover. The smartest 2026 banner plan is not to chase every character. It is to decide which version matters most before your Stellar Jade disappears.