HSR 4.8 Banners : Astra Yao, Ellen & ZZZ Collaboration Updates

Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.8 will feature a special collaboration with Zenless Zone Zero, with Astra Yao and Ellen confirmed to join the Star Rail adventure. Their appearance in Version 4.8 is official, but HoYoverse has not confirmed whether they will use standard Character Event Warps. Their banner phases, Paths, Combat Types, kits, Light Cones, and acquisition methods are still unknown.

Honkai: Star Rail 4.8 Banner Overview

The current HSR 4.8 character and banner status is:

Character	Version 4.8	Banner Phase
Astra Yao	Confirmed	TBA
Ellen Joe	Confirmed	TBA

The Confirmed status only means that Astra Yao and Ellen will join Honkai: Star Rail in Version 4.8. It does not confirm that both characters will receive limited banners.
The Phase 1 characters, Phase 2 characters, reruns, and Light Cone Warps have not been revealed.

HSR 4.8 ZZZ Collaboration Characters

Astra Yao and Ellen are established S-Rank Agents in Zenless Zone Zero. However, their ZZZ attributes and specialties do not determine how they will function in Honkai: Star Rail.

Astra Yao

Astra Yao is a famous singer associated with the Stars of Lyra faction. She is one of the two Zenless Zone Zero characters confirmed to join Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.8.

In Zenless Zone Zero, Astra Yao is an S-Rank Ether Support Agent. Her gameplay focuses on strengthening teammates, restoring HP, and enabling allies to enter combat through Quick Assists.

Her Support specialty does not confirm that she will follow the Path of Harmony in HSR. Players should wait for her official Path, Combat Type, kit, and Light Cone before planning teams or farming equipment.

Ellen

Ellen Joe is a shark Thiren from Victoria Housekeeping Co. She works as a maid while also maintaining her life as a student.

In Zenless Zone Zero, Ellen is an S-Rank Ice Attack Agent who uses large scissors and fast attacks to deal direct damage. Her Ice attribute and Attack specialty only describe her original ZZZ version.

Ellen is confirmed to join the Star Rail adventure in Version 4.8, but her HSR gameplay information has not been disclosed. Players should not assume that she will use the Ice Combat Type or follow a damage-focused Path based only on her ZZZ kit.

HSR 4.8 Banner Schedule and Rerun Status

HoYoverse has not assigned Astra Yao or Ellen to Phase 1 or Phase 2. The official announcement also does not specify whether they will appear together, receive separate banners, or use a special collaboration acquisition format.

No Version 4.8 rerun characters have been announced. Any Phase or rerun lists circulating before an official announcement should not be treated as final.

HSR x ZZZ Collaboration Details

The Honkai: Star Rail x Zenless Zone Zero collaboration was initially announced for Winter 2026. The original announcement confirmed that characters from another world would join the cosmic adventure without identifying them.

On September 20, 2026, HoYoverse confirmed that the collaboration will arrive in Version 4.8 and named Astra Yao and Ellen as the ZZZ characters joining Star Rail.

The announcement did not reveal whether the collaboration will include a dedicated story, permanent content, limited events, free rewards, or additional characters. It also did not name any Honkai: Star Rail character who might appear in Zenless Zone Zero.

How to Prepare for Astra Yao and Ellen

If you plan to pull Astra Yao or Ellen in Version 4.8, start saving Stellar Jade and Star Rail Special Passes now. Avoid spending on characters you do not want until their banner order and acquisition methods are confirmed.

If your saved resources are still not enough when the banners arrive, you can use UUTOP Honkai: Star Rail top-up to obtain additional Oneiric Shards.

Will Ellen Be Free in Honkai: Star Rail 4.8?

Ellen is currently the more likely free character in the HSR x ZZZ collaboration, although this has not been officially confirmed.

Honkai: Star Rail previously allowed players to claim Archer for free during the Fate/UBW collaboration, and current leaks suggest that Version 4.8 may follow a similar approach with Ellen.

For now, free Ellen should be treated as a leak-based prediction. Players should wait for HoYoverse to confirm her acquisition method before excluding her from their pull plans.

HSR 4.8 Banner FAQ

Conclusion

Astra Yao and Ellen are confirmed for the Honkai: Star Rail x Zenless Zone Zero collaboration in Version 4.8, but their banner arrangements and gameplay details have not been publicly announced.

For now, Trailblazers should save Stellar Jade and wait for the official banner schedule. Ellen may be the free collaboration character, but this remains a leak-based prediction rather than a confirmed reward.

May every Trailblazer who wants Astra Yao or Ellen be ready when Version 4.8 arrives.