Hoyoverse has confirmed that Honkai: Star Rail version 4.6 is officially on the horizon, arriving with the playable debut of Pearl, a new Elation Ice character, alongside fresh Trailblaze Missions and a suite of new events. The update will go live on Sunday, September 27, or Saturday, September 28, depending on the player’s time zone, after a maintenance window lasting roughly five hours. Unlike the studio’s typical Tuesday or Wednesday downtime, this patch breaks from the usual rhythm, catching players off guard and prompting a flurry of questions about timing and what to expect. The following details outline exactly when the servers will close, when version 4.6 should go live, and what new content awaits returning Trailblazers.
When Will the Servers Go Dark?
Players worldwide should brace for a brief but unavoidable outage as the game transitions into its next major update. Maintenance is scheduled to begin on Sunday, September 27, with the exact kickoff time varying by region. Those on the west coast of North America can expect downtime starting at 3 p.m. PDT, while east coast players will feel the servers go offline at 6 p.m. EDT. South American players in Brazil should prepare for a 7 p.m. BRT shutdown, and players in the U.K. will experience maintenance beginning at 11 p.m. BST on the same day.
For players in other regions, the maintenance window shifts slightly into the following day. Western Europe will see servers close at 12 a.m. CEST on Monday, September 28, while Japan’s players will face downtime at 7 a.m. JST. Meanwhile, players on the east coast of Australia should expect the servers to go down at 8 a.m. AEST. The maintenance is expected to last approximately five hours, though Hoyoverse has cautioned that the actual duration may fluctuate depending on how smoothly the update proceeds.
Make sure to burn your fuel before maintenance starts, if you want to, but keep in mind that a new battle pass will start once the new patch goes live, so you may want to hold on to some of it.
Hoyoverse
The studio’s own guidance carries an important practical warning for dedicated players. Because a fresh battle pass will activate the moment version 4.6 goes live, players are advised to conserve their in-game currency rather than spending it all during the current cycle. This is especially relevant given that the maintenance schedule is running later than usual, meaning players have a longer-than-typical window to plan their resource allocation before the update drops.
What Time Does Version 4.6 Go Live?
Once maintenance concludes, the game should return with version 4.6 fully loaded and ready to play. The live times mirror the maintenance schedule, with servers coming back online in the evening for North American players and rolling into the early hours for European and Asian audiences. West coast players should expect the update to go live at 8 p.m. PDT, while east coast players will see it arrive at 11 p.m. EDT.
Players in Brazil can anticipate access at 12 a.m. BRT on Monday, September 28, and U.K. players should expect the patch to be live by 4 a.m. BST. Western European players will gain access at 5 a.m. CEST, while Japan’s players will be able to dive into the new content at 12 p.m. JST. Players on the east coast of Australia should expect version 4.6 to go live at 1 p.m. AEST. As with the maintenance window, Hoyoverse notes that servers may come up slightly early or late depending on the progress of the update, though the developer has a strong track record of adhering closely to its published schedules.
What’s New in Version 4.6?
The centerpiece of version 4.6 is Pearl, the only new playable character making her debut in this update. As an IPC member who ran Planarcadia, Pearl brings a distinctive Elation Ice kit to the roster. Her kit is designed to support the team, helping to block damage while buffing a specific character on the player’s squad, making her a valuable addition for players looking to strengthen their lineups.
Beyond the new character, the update continues the ongoing Trailblaze Missions, pushing the story forward with new chapters and developments. As is standard for the game, version 4.6 will also feature a set of new events that players can complete to earn Stellar Jade and other valuable rewards. These events provide a familiar incentive loop, encouraging players to log in regularly and engage with the fresh content throughout the update cycle.
Visually, the update brings new outfits for Evanescia and Hyacine, allowing players to refresh their existing characters with fresh cosmetic options. The patch also introduces Astral Imagea, a new breed of pet-like creatures that add a layer of collectible depth to the game’s companion system. Together, these additions round out a substantial update that balances new narrative content, roster expansion, and the cosmetic and collectible elements players have come to expect from Honkai: Star Rail.
Looking Ahead
With the maintenance window and live times now firmly established, players can begin planning their approach to version 4.6. Those eager to experience Pearl’s debut and the new story content will want to ensure they are prepared for the five-hour downtime, while resource-conscious players should hold onto their fuel and battle pass currency until the update goes live. As always, Hoyoverse’s official channels will provide the definitive maintenance and release times closer to the launch date, so players are encouraged to stay tuned for any final adjustments. Version 4.6 promises to be a meaningful step forward for the game, delivering new characters, story progression, and rewards to keep the Trailblazer community engaged well into the next cycle.
For more information on the game and its latest updates, visit the official Honkai: Star Rail page.
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