Applicable version: 4.6 "Dancing With Beasts Before the Moon Rises" (live 2026-09-28)
HSR 4.6 overview: new stage and new relic sets
Patch 4.6 adds the Corrosion Cavern stage and two cavern relic sets, one built around damage output and one around survival and effect hit rate . Relics still run as four-piece plus two-piece, and main stats set the ceiling.
Should you farm the new cavern first?
Farm it early. Current-patch endgame buffs usually line up with the new set's stat profile, which makes rolling the new set before you commit sub-stat upgrades cheaper than rebuilding an old set later .
Which set goes to whom
Farming both sets at once is tempting and usually a mistake, because the cavern drops pieces for the same slots. A mixed run leaves two half-finished builds and no working four-piece. Finish the carry set, then return for the support set with a clean inventory.
Give the damage-oriented set to your carry and the survival-oriented one to a support. Reverse that order and you will feel the damage gap on the first floor you attempt.
HSR 4.6 Apocalyptic Shadow: mechanics and buffs
Apocalyptic Shadow "Domination of Oblivion" is open from 2026-10-05 04:00 to 2026-11-16 03:59 . Both buffs revolve around break and ultimate damage, which makes the team-building plan straightforward.
Fortified Defense: break it, get cleansed
When an enemy carrying Fortified Defense has its weakness broken, the whole party loses crowd control, acts earlier, and Aha immediately gains one extra turn that counts as a fixed 10 punchline points. honkai star rail best teams lists matter less this cycle than having one dedicated breaker.
Ultimate damage +25% and elation +15%
Enemies take 25% more ultimate damage and 15% more elation damage . Short ultimate rotations and fast energy gain win here, so push your battery unit toward the front of the cycle.
HSR 4.6 Memory of Chaos: the Aha punchline rhythm
Memory of Chaos "Crossing to the Next Life" runs from the 4.6 update to 2026-11-02 03:59. The first slot in your formation receives Aha's elation technique "Elysian Vortex" , which deals 100% of that character's attribute in elation damage to every enemy.
Put the carry in slot one
The vortex scales with the character's own attribute, so slot one belongs to your main damage dealer. Park a breaker there and the buff is wasted.
Aha's extra turn each round
Round count is also why sustain cannot be skipped: the extra turn arrives every round no matter how high your damage is, and a squad that cannot survive it loses the tempo the buff exists to create.
At the start of every round Aha gains an extra turn that counts as a fixed 20 punchline points and costs none. Teams with steady punchline income can push a more aggressive ultimate rotation, but keep at least one unit that can eat that turn without dying.
HSR 4.6 team comps: three squad jobs
| Team | Setup | Buff it eats | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Break | Breaker + carry + battery | Fortified Defense cleanse plus Aha's extra turn | Best into shielded enemies |
| Elation | Carry in slot one + two supports | Elysian Vortex at 100% attribute | Needs steady punchline income |
| Balanced | Break + damage + sustain | Ultimate damage 25% | Transition build without specialists |
Building the break team
Trace order matters for breakers more than most players expect. Break efficiency changes how fast the bar fills, which is the entire cleanse chain this cycle. Damage traces on a breaker are a comfort pick; efficiency is what decides whether the chain lands before the enemy's first ultimate.
Your breaker has to cover the enemy's weakness type, or the cleanse chain dies on the first break attempt. If investment is short, finish the breaker's traces before pushing carry damage.
Building the elation team
Elation teams feed on punchline income and ultimate frequency. Slot one matters because Elysian Vortex only applies to the first character .
HSR 4.6 resource plan: stamina and the new relics
Trailblaze Power regenerates to a 240 daily cap . With a new cavern in the rotation, the farming order decides how the cycle feels.
| Priority | Item | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| High | Carry traces | Flat, reliable gain that ignores roll luck |
| High | New cavern relic set | It matches the current buff profile |
| Medium | New companion pet activities | Available this patch, not mandatory |
| Low | Old relic salvaging | Only once a better roll exists |
Do not miss the patch events
The "subdue the Devourer" event runs to 2026-11-11 06:00 and pays 18 tickets plus 500 Stellar Jade. The seven-day login check-in adds 10 Star Rail Special Passes for almost no effort.
HSR FAQ
When does 4.6 Apocalyptic Shadow end?
A: It opens 2026-10-05 04:00 and closes 2026-11-16 03:59, and the buffs only apply inside that window.
Can I clear it without a dedicated breaker?
A: You can clear slower, but you lose the cleanse and the extra turn. Slot one only receives the elation technique.
Are the new relics worth replacing my old set?
A: For the carry, yes. The new damage set matches this cycle's buffs; supports can run old pieces for now.
HSR action checklist and sources
- Sort slot one and carry traces first, then the breaker.
- Farm the new cavern for a four-piece on the carry.
- Use the Fortified Defense break to clear crowd control.
- Claim the seven-day check-in and the event rewards.
- More 4.6 team breakdowns sit in the gghubs.com guides section.