Honkai: Star Rail players are eating good, with Version 4.2 and third anniversary celebrations kicking off later this month

HoYoverse just wrapped up a stacked Honkai: Star Rail Special Program, delivering the one-two punch of revealing the game’s next major update, and detailing what you can expect from its third anniversary celebrations.

First off, Version 4.2, dubbed So Laughed the Masses, arrives April 22, making two characters playable, and bringing back a host of beloved characters for re-runs. The new update continues the Phantasmoon Games arc, as the story takes an especially suspect new development.

The big inciting incident of this new chapter is the reveal that whoever wins the Phantasmoon Games will also become the permanent Aeon of Elation. Meanwhile, Fulwish has invited all Supplicants to the Fulwish TV HQ to announce their intention to host a TV debate about the ultimate goal of the Phantasmoon Games.

Naturally, you’re invited, and you’ll have to overcome the challenges that await to gather more Wishpower.

Our first new arrival is Silver Wolf LV.999, with whom you should already be familiar. The difference now, of course, is that she’s becoming playable. True to her game name, she evolves into Godmode Player upon reaching level 999. Silver Wolf LV.999 is a 5-Star Imaginary character on the Path of Elation.

Her main combat trick is the ability to rack up Hidden MMR, which is what allows her to eventually activate her Cartridge and settle into the aforementioned Godmode state. While in that form, she shifts the entire battle into the virtual world, pulling in both teams into her gaming domain.

This is essentially a world under her control, which is why she can unlock a Reward Stage at the start of her turn, which lets her spawn in-game items. When picked up, these items can turn the tide of battle.

Keeping up with the ultra-gamer persona, Silver Wolf’s Aha Instant strike blasts all enemies with a laser cannon, dealing massive damage. Perhaps her most interesting ability is being able to hack into the battlefield when she’s not actively on the team, something she can do when a teammate falls under enemy control.

Evanescia is the other newly-playable character, who has thus far only been an observer of the Phantasmoon Game. 4.2 sees the girl join the roster as a 5-Star Physical character who’s likewise on the Path of Elation. As she fights, she always accumulates Certified Banger, when she earns the title she’s able to simultaneously regenerate Energy and maintain her damage.

Evanescia’s damage continues to increase the more Certified Banger she accumulates, triggering an attack from Master Fox upon reaching a certain threshold, which deals damage to all enemies and regenerates Energy for herself. Her Elation Skill adds a bit of a performance to her kit, and is capable of hitting all enemies.

You may have noticed the Path of Elation theme in this one, so you won’t be surprised to learn that your own character (on the same path) is also joining the team in 4.2. There’s a new weapon that starts off as a glow stick but can transform into a lightblade as you deal damage, and, yes, gain Certified Banger.

It can also turn into nunchucks, which delivers a unique flurry of attacks on all enemies surrounding the character, dealing multiple instances of damage. You can also use it to cheer for a teammate, hyping them up.

Version 4.2 Warp Events will bring back six characters. The first half will see reruns of The Dahlia, Castorice, and Firefly. The second half will give you another shot at unlocking Tribbie, Sunday, and Feixiao. What’s more, four of the game’s characters will be buffed in this update, so you may want to reconsider putting them them back on your team. They are Firefly, Huohuo, Seele, and Welt.

As part of the same update, you can expect the debut of the Cosmic Data Roaming event, which goes live alongside the anniversary celebrations. The event lets you live the life of a streamer.

Currency Wars is getting a big expansion, too. Likewise, the Cosmicon Collective is getting its version 2.0 update, adding new decks, dice as well as a new team challenge game mode.

As for the big third anniversary celebration, it will kick off in-game on April 26, bringing back Festive Gifts. The event will only be available during these celebrations, and it will once again be gifting players who log in regularly a total of 20 pulls.

You’ll also be able to a select a blessing card from a companion of your choice to receive a special gift of 1,600 Stellar Jades. The same celebrations will also see the return of Huohuo, and Robin, as part of the Stellar Convergence store. You’ll have the chance to exchange your Golden Companion Spirit for any companion you like in the store, too. This being a new year for Honkai: Star Rail, the top-up double bonus is resetting, meaning anyone who tops up their wallet will get a hefty bonus.

Elsewhere, you’ll find new items in the Gift of Stardust Store, including a new outfit for Castorice. Between the time 4.2 launches and when the celebrations begin, you’ll be able to try your luck in Aha’s Chosen: Spreading Elation Everywhere, an online event where you can leave a message for a chance to win various prizes.