Honkai Star Rail 4.5 Special Program: Start Time, Where to Watch, and What to Expect

Honkai: Star Rail's Version 4.5 Special Program goes live on August 14, 2026. HoYoverse will mark the occasion with its usual developer livestream, laying out everything from new characters and banner schedules to fresh events and story beats. Expect new codes, too. With Version 4.4 winding down around late August, this Special Program is your first real look at what's next for the Astral Express crew.

Rumors and early banner schedule leaks have already pointed toward Robin and Aventurine getting new forms in Version 4.5, alongside what's being called the Summeretto and Waveflair versions of their kits. Robin's concert scene was a standout moment in Penacony. If the leaks hold, this update brings some of the arc's most popular characters back into the spotlight, just in different roles. Here's everything you need to know about tuning into the Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.5 Special Program and what it's likely to cover.

When Is the Honkai: Star Rail 4.5 Special Program?

HoYoverse typically airs Special Programs about 10 to 12 days before each version update, which means the timing here lines up with the projected August 25 launch for Version 4.5. The program will stream at the following times across major regions:

US West Coast (PDT): 4:30 AM, August 14
US East Coast (EDT): 7:30 AM, August 14
UK (BST): 12:30 PM, August 14
Europe (CEST): 1:30 PM, August 14
Australia (AEST): 9:30 PM, August 14

If you've been keeping up with the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banner countdown, the first phase of banners is expected to go live on August 25, right as Version 4.4 Phase 2 wraps up. So this Special Program drops about 11 days before you can actually pull on the new banners.

What Will Be at the Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.5 Special Program?

Robin Summeretto: A New Form for a Fan Favorite

HoYoverse hasn't officially confirmed the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 new characters lineup, but the banner schedule that's been making the rounds since early August points toward Robin Summeretto as the first-phase 5-star. Robin's original form was one of Version 2.2's breakout supports, providing team-wide ATK buffs and action advances. The Summeretto version could take that kit in a different direction based on community speculation about the leaked Path and element changes.

Why does Robin still have pull? Her in-game concert performance during the Penacony storyline genuinely surprised a lot of players. That goodwill carries over into excitement for anything she gets in an update.

Aventurine Waveflair: The Rerun Gets a Rework

The second half of the Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.5 banner cycle is expected to feature Aventurine with his Waveflair form, slated for September 16. Aventurine's original Preservation kit was already a defensive anchor for plenty of team comps, and the Waveflair version could shift his role into something different, possibly a more offensive variant judging by the name.

Aventurine hasn't had a rerun in several patches, so this banner pulls double duty, giving players who missed him the first time around a chance to grab him while also debuting an alternate kit. That's a lot of value in one phase.

New Events, Story, and the Usual Livestream Codes

Beyond banners, expect the HSR 4.5 Special Program to cover new story chapters, limited-time events, and the standard crop of Stellar Jade opportunities. HoYoverse rarely surprises with the structure: character deep dives first, then event previews, then the redemption codes that usually drop during the stream. Grab them fast. They won't last long.

Speaking of which, the livestream will include three 100-Stellar Jade codes, each redeemable for a limited window. You'll need to act fast after the stream ends, since these codes typically expire within 12 to 24 hours.

Where To Watch the Honkai: Star Rail 4.5 Special Program

The official stream goes up on Honkai: Star Rail's YouTube channel on August 14. You can also catch it on the game's official Twitch channel, and HoYoverse usually provides a parallel stream on the HSR official website for players who prefer that platform.

YouTube: Honkai: Star Rail Official
Twitch: honkaistarrail

The VoD will be available right after the stream ends, so if the early morning time slot doesn't work for your time zone, you won't miss anything.

Final Word

The Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.5 Special Program is worth tuning into if you're planning your pulls for the next patch cycle. Robin Summeretto and Aventurine Waveflair both represent fresh takes on characters with proven track records, and the events lineup could make or break how active the community stays through late August and September. Even if you skip the live broadcast, grab the redemption codes before they expire. That's 300 Stellar Jade you'd rather have than not.

If you're still catching up on Penacony's story before Version 4.5 drops, grab the latest Honkai: Star Rail update on APKPure to make sure you're running the current version with all the event content available right now.