HoYoverse will release Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.6, “Dance With the Beast Before Moonrise,” on September 28, bringing the next chapter of the Astropolis storyline alongside a new playable character and several events. The update introduces Pearl as a five-star Ice character on the Path of Elation and expands the game with Astral Imagea gameplay, new outfits and additional combat content. HoYoverse detailed the update during the Version 4.6 Special Program on September 20.
Pearl is the headline addition to the playable roster. Her kit revolves around the “Certified Banger” and “Deep Learning” mechanics, with Certified Banger helping offset some damage received by allies while Deep Learning allows Pearl to analyze a selected teammate and increase her Enhanced ATK. Pairing her with another Elation character can add Elation DMG to that enhanced attack, while teams built entirely around Elation characters can provide additional Punchline, Certified Banger and an extra turn for the selected teammate.
Pearl will receive a boosted drop rate during Version 4.6 alongside her limited five-star Light Cone, Colors for Tomorrow. HoYoverse is also bringing back Evanescia during the first half of the update, followed by a Mortenax Blade rerun in the second half. The banner lineup gives Version 4.6 a mixture of a new character and returning units rather than centering the entire update around Pearl alone.
The main story will continue events in Astropolis as the Trailblazer deals with a new threat connected to the Voracity. HoYoverse’s Version 4.6 trailer describes a creature awakening in the darkness and demanding a god as a sacrifice, while characters including Asat Pramad, Yabuli, Lighthouse, Ashveil, Kuchiba and Nihilux appear alongside Pearl. The update follows Version 4.5’s shortened five-week schedule, which ends immediately before the new patch goes live.
Several limited-time activities are also included. “Love, Ghosts & Robots” has the Trailblazer helping the resurrected Skott operate a mechatron workshop, with players assembling and selling machines as part of the event. “Interastral Peace Gala: One Take” takes a different approach, presenting its combat challenges as an in-universe reality show.
Version 4.6 will additionally introduce Astral Imagea gameplay, a system involving collectible companions that can accompany players. Multiple Astral Imageas can be obtained, and HoYoverse is adding a cooperative challenge called “Astral Slammers Squad!” that allows players to team up with friends while using the new companions. The update also adds new character outfits, including Hyacine’s “Warm Cotton Skies” and Evanescia’s “Lunar Blossoming.”
Outside the immediate update, HoYoverse used the Special Program to reveal several broader plans for Honkai: Star Rail. The company announced a collaboration with Razer centered on Silver Wolf LV.999, with a collection planned to include a gaming chair, keyboard, mouse and headset. Further details about the hardware lineup and its regional availability will be announced later.
HoYoverse also confirmed a future crossover between Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero. Ellen and Astra Yao are currently planned to appear in Star Rail during Version 4.8, although the developer has not yet detailed how the crossover will work or whether the characters will join through conventional banners. That announcement places Version 4.6 within a wider sequence of updates that will continue expanding Star Rail beyond its current storyline.
Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.6 launches September 28 across PlayStation 5, PC, iOS and Android. With Pearl joining the roster, the Astropolis story continuing and Astral Imagea introducing another gameplay system, “Dance With the Beast Before Moonrise” represents the next major content drop following Version 4.5.
