Honkai: Star Rail 4.6 Phase 2 Guide: Mortenax Blade, Pearl, Pure Fiction, and Stellar Jade Plan

The second half of Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.6 creates a more interesting choice than a routine rerun. Mortenax Blade returns as a Fire Nihility debuffer, while Pearl and her signature Light Cone, Colors for Tomorrow, remain available for the entire version. At the same time, the new Pure Fiction cycle rewards frequent debuff application. That overlap makes Mortenax look timely, but it does not automatically make him the right pull for every account.

The practical decision is about role coverage. Mortenax Blade strengthens teams that need broad debuff utility and Fire pressure. Pearl is a more specialized Ice Elation support and sustain option for accounts building around Elation. Players who already own strong debuffers may gain more from Pearl, a future damage dealer, or simply keeping their guarantee. This HSR 4.6 Phase 2 guide separates confirmed information from assumptions and turns the banner into a clear Stellar Jade plan.

When does HSR 4.6 Phase 2 begin?

HoYoverse has officially confirmed that Mortenax Blade returns during the second half of Version 4.6. Based on the version schedule and the current event calendar, the banner change is expected around October 21, 2026. The exact opening hour can differ between the America, Europe, and Asia servers, so the countdown displayed inside the Warp menu should be treated as the final reference once the official Phase 2 notice is published.

Two nearby dates matter as well. Pure Fiction: Imagined Words begins on October 19 at 04:00 server time, while Interastral Peace Gala: One Take opens on October 21 at 12:00 server time. “Server time” is intentional here: it avoids converting an Asia-server timestamp into an inaccurate local deadline for players in other regions. Version 4.6 itself is scheduled to continue until the maintenance period on November 11.

What is confirmed, and what still needs an official notice?

As of October 14, the confirmed banner framework is straightforward. Pearl and Colors for Tomorrow remain available throughout Version 4.6. Evanescia is the first-half rerun, and Mortenax Blade is the second-half rerun. HoYoverse has also confirmed the October event calendar, the new Pure Fiction cycle, Gift of Odyssey, and the version-long rewards.

The Phase 2 four-star characters and the complete Brilliant Fixation Light Cone lineup have not been formally listed in the global update details. Mortenax Blade's established signature Light Cone is Reforged in Hellfire, but players should still verify the live Light Cone banner before spending. Any graphic or community post that presents an unannounced four-star lineup as final is getting ahead of the official notice. The safest source on release day is the in-game Warp Details page, because it shows the actual rate-up units, duration, and rules for the selected server.

Is Mortenax Blade worth pulling in Version 4.6?

Mortenax Blade is a five-star Fire character on the Path of Nihility. His value comes from combining teamwide damage support with his own area damage rather than behaving like a traditional solo carry. His debuffs reduce enemy defenses and increase the damage enemies receive during his strongest window, allowing several damage dealers to benefit instead of locking the player into one narrow pairing.

He is most attractive for an account that lacks a premium universal debuffer, wants stronger Fire coverage, or already has damage dealers whose output rises sharply when enemies carry multiple debuffs. His area pressure also makes him comfortable in content with several targets. Because he contributes both support and personal damage, he can improve a mature roster without asking for the same investment pattern as a new main damage dealer.

The rerun is easier to skip when an account already has well-built debuff supports, reliable Fire teams, and no immediate need for another offensive support. Newer players should also check whether they are missing a dependable sustain character or a primary damage dealer. Filling those two roles often changes an account more than adding a second premium debuffer. Mortenax Blade is strong when he solves a real roster gap; he is less convincing when the pull is driven only by the current endgame blessing.

Mortenax Blade or Pearl: which banner fits your account?

Pearl and Mortenax Blade serve different problems. Pearl is an Ice Elation character whose support, cleansing, and sustain tools are especially relevant to Elation teams. Her banner remaining available for the full version removes the need to make a rushed first-day decision. Players can test the new Pure Fiction cycle, review their existing support coverage, and wait for the Phase 2 Warp Details before choosing.

Choose Mortenax Blade when the account needs a flexible debuffer that can support several team archetypes and add Fire area damage. Choose Pearl when the account is actively developing an Elation core and lacks the utility that lets that archetype function comfortably. If both would help but only one guarantee is available, prioritize the character who completes a playable team now. A character who creates a second unfinished project is usually less valuable than one who immediately improves an existing lineup.

Players interested in both banners should pull on the character with the lower acceptable outcome first, then stop at a predetermined limit. Do not treat an early five-star as part of the budget until it actually appears. The cleanest plan is to reserve enough for one guaranteed character, assess the result, and only then decide whether the remaining balance can support the second banner.

How Pure Fiction changes the conversation

Pure Fiction: Imagined Words begins on October 19 at 04:00 server time. Its cycle mechanic grants Grit Value when an ally applies a debuff, with a limit of ten triggers per enemy. That rule naturally favors teams that can place debuffs repeatedly across several targets, so Mortenax Blade's kit should interact comfortably with the cycle.

However, a favorable seasonal mechanic is not the same as long-term account value. Pure Fiction blessings are temporary, and a character who looks exceptional under one cycle may be merely solid elsewhere. Before pulling, run the stage with existing Nihility characters, borrowed support where available, and different team orders. If the account already reaches the desired score, the banner is solving a problem that has effectively been solved.

The better use of Pure Fiction is as a diagnostic tool. Check whether the roster lacks debuff frequency, Fire damage, area pressure, or survivability. Mortenax Blade addresses some of those weaknesses, while Pearl addresses a different set. Let the failed run identify the missing role instead of letting the featured blessing choose a character for you.

Build a realistic Stellar Jade and Special Pass budget

One Star Rail Special Pass costs 160 Stellar Jades. A five-star character is guaranteed no later than 90 pulls, so one hard pity equals 14,400 Stellar Jades. Starting from zero pity without a guarantee, the worst-case cost for the featured character is 180 pulls, or 28,800 Stellar Jades. Most players will spend less, but a budget should survive the unfavorable result rather than depend on winning the 50/50.

Before Phase 2, write down four numbers: current Special Passes, current Stellar Jades, character-banner pity, and whether the next five-star is guaranteed. Character Event Warps share pity and guarantee with one another, including Pearl and Mortenax Blade. Light Cone Event Warps use a separate pity system, so Light Cone pulls cannot rescue a short character budget.

Gift of Odyssey supplies ten Special Passes over seven login days. Wishpower UP! Down with Voracity! includes 500 Stellar Jades and 18 Trendible Vouchers. Eligible players can also claim the 300-Stellar-Jade maintenance and issue compensation before the mail deadline on October 28. Do not add expired livestream redemption codes to the plan. A useful reserve is at least 20 to 30 pulls after the target character, especially when the next version is still unknown.

Character first, Light Cone second

For most accounts, securing the character provides more practical value than chasing a signature Light Cone. Mortenax Blade can perform his debuff role without turning the Light Cone banner into a mandatory second purchase, and Pearl's team function matters before Colors for Tomorrow becomes relevant. Signature equipment is best treated as an optimization after the character is secured and the remaining budget is still healthy.

Check three conditions before entering Brilliant Fixation: the character is already owned, the account can absorb a missed Light Cone outcome, and the remaining pulls will not consume the reserve for the next target. If any condition fails, stop. The exact Phase 2 Light Cone rate-ups should also be checked on the live banner, particularly because the full companion lineup was not yet listed in the global update information at the time of writing.

Oneiric Shards, outfits, and top-up order

Version 4.6 adds two cosmetic decisions that can quietly compete with pull currency. Hyacine's Warm Cotton Skies outfit costs 1,350 Oneiric Shards during the version discount and rises to 1,680 afterward. Evanescia's Lunar Blossoming outfit costs 2,680 Stellar Jades during the same window, equal to 16.75 character pulls, before rising to 3,280 Stellar Jades. Players who want both a character and an outfit should separate those budgets before opening the Warp screen.

If the remaining gap requires an HSR top up, calculate it only after free rewards, existing pity, and guaranteed status are included. On the Treabar Honkai: Star Rail top-up page, check the UID, server, package amount, first-purchase bonus status, and final total before payment. A legitimate UID delivery does not require the HoYoverse account password. Buying the exact shortage is usually better than purchasing a large package first and deciding how to spend it later.

For primary references, consult the official Version 4.6 update details, the official HoYoverse Version 4.6 announcement, and the in-game Warp Details page. Treabar's Pearl or Evanescia pull guide is also useful for comparing the first-half banners and version-long Pearl availability.

HSR 4.6 Phase 2 FAQ

Is Mortenax Blade officially confirmed for HSR 4.6 Phase 2?

Yes. HoYoverse's Version 4.6 announcement confirms Mortenax Blade as the second-half returning five-star character. The exact local opening time should still be checked through the live Warp countdown.

Does Pearl's banner end when Phase 2 begins?

No. Pearl and Colors for Tomorrow are available throughout Version 4.6, so players can compare Pearl with Mortenax Blade after the second-half banners open.

Are the Phase 2 four-star characters confirmed?

Not in the global update details as of October 14. Check the official Phase 2 notice and the in-game Warp Details page instead of relying on unverified lineup graphics.

How many Stellar Jades guarantee Mortenax Blade from zero pity?

The absolute worst case is 28,800 Stellar Jades, equal to 180 pulls, when starting at zero pity without a featured guarantee. Existing pity, Special Passes, and a guaranteed status reduce that requirement.

Should I pull Mortenax Blade only for Pure Fiction?

Usually not. The current Pure Fiction mechanic suits frequent debuffs, but its blessing is temporary. Pull when Mortenax Blade also improves the account's broader team options, Fire coverage, and debuff support.