Astral Express Log — Version 4.4
Honkai Star Rail 4.4: The Fate Collab Guide
Version 4.4 of Honkai Star Rail brings one of the most anticipated collaborations in the game's history: a full crossover with the Fate/Stay Night franchise. The update launched on July 15, 2026, and includes free characters, a second collab phase on July 24, new story content, and a wave of limited-time events. Here is everything you need to know about the Fate collab, the free characters, and how to make the most of the update.
I. The Fate/Stay Night Collaboration
The Fate collab is a two-phase event that brings iconic characters from the Fate universe into the world of Honkai Star Rail. The first phase launched on July 15, 2026, and the second phase follows on July 24. This is a limited-time collaboration — if you miss it, these characters may not return, so plan your pulls and event participation carefully.
II. Free Characters: Gilgamesh & Rin Tohsaka
The headline of the collab is that two characters are available for free through event participation:
| Character | Rarity | How to Obtain | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilgamesh | 5-Star | Free via collab event | DPS / damage dealer |
| Rin Tohsaka | 4-Star | Free via collab event | Support / sub-DPS |
Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, arrives as a powerful 5-star DPS whose kit draws on his legendary Gate of Babylon. Rin Tohsaka, the elegant mage from the Holy Grail War, joins as a 4-star support who complements a wide range of teams. Both are obtained by completing the collab event story and challenges — no gacha required.
III. New Content in 4.4
- Collab Story Chapter: A dedicated story arc bringing the Fate characters into the Astral Express narrative.
- New Event Challenges: Battle content themed around the Holy Grail War, with rewards including upgrade materials and collab-exclusive light cones.
- Second Phase (July 24): Additional collab content, likely including a second banner and more event stages.
- New Light Cones: Collab-themed light cones for the new characters.
- Quality-of-Life Updates: Standard 4.4 improvements to the Simulated Universe and endgame modes.
IV. Team Building with the New Characters
Gilgamesh DPS Teams
As a 5-star DPS, Gilgamesh wants a standard hypercarry setup: a support to buff him, a sustain to keep the team alive, and a harmony unit to amplify damage. Pair him with a strong buffer like Ruan Mei or Sparkle, and a sustain like Huohuo or Aventurine. His kit rewards building around his unique mechanics, so check his trace and relic recommendations once the update is live.
Rin Tohsaka Support Teams
Rin Tohsaka's support kit makes her a flexible slot in many teams. She works well alongside Gilgamesh in the collab team, but also slots into existing meta teams as a sub-DPS or support depending on her kit details. As a free 4-star, she is an excellent addition for F2P players looking to round out their roster.
V. Tips for Maximizing the Collab
- Start the event immediately: Free character events usually require daily participation to fully unlock rewards.
- Save your pulls: If the second phase (July 24) includes a limited banner, decide in advance whether you want to pull or save for future patches.
- Complete all challenge stages: Collab events typically offer exclusive light cones and materials that are hard to obtain elsewhere.
- Check the event shop: Spend event currency on the highest-value items first — usually the collab-exclusive light cones and character upgrade materials.