What happens when Hoyoverse decides to break the gacha game internet in half? You get exactly what just happened: Honkai Star Rail Version 4.3 has officially announced its second collaboration with Fate/stay night, and this time, they are bringing the King of Heroes himself to the Astral Express.
Version 4.3, titled The Lethe Below the Living, launches on June 1, 2026. While the update continues the ongoing Planarcadia storyline and introduces a brand new 5-star character in Mortenax Blade, the real headline is the return of the Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works crossover featuring Saber, Rin Tohsaka, and Gilgamesh. If you thought the first collaboration was massive, this sequel is shaping up to completely overshadow it.
The Fate Stay Night Characters Coming to Honkai Star Rail
The biggest news is the playable debut of Saber as a 5-star Destruction character wielding Wind element attacks. According to the official announcement from HoYoLAB, Saber will hit the banner starting July 11 at 12:00 server time. This is a significant addition because Destruction characters in Honkai Star Rail serve as the main damage dealers, and Saber has historically been one of the most powerful Servants in the Fate franchise.
But Saber is not coming alone. The collaboration also brings back two fan-favorite characters from the first Fate crossover:
- Rin Tohsaka returns as a playable character. The magus from Fuyuki City has always been one of the most beloved characters in the Fate series, and her inclusion in the previous collaboration was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from players.
- Gilgamesh makes his comeback. The Archer-class Servant and self-proclaimed King of Heroes is arguably the most iconic character in the entire Fate universe. His presence alone has sent the community into a frenzy.
Mortenax Blade: The New 5-Star Fire Character
Ahead of the Fate characters, Mortenax Blade arrives as the banner headliner on June 1. This 5-star Fire Nihility character is part of the main Planarcadia storyline and represents a significant power spike for Fire team compositions.
Nihility characters in Honkai Star Rail typically apply powerful damage-over-time effects or debuffs that can devastate enemies over extended fights. With Mortenax Blade bringing Fire Nihility to the table, players who invested in Fire teams featuring characters like Himeko, Luka, and Guinaifen are about to see their lineups completely revitalized.
Why This Collaboration Matters More Than You Think
This is not just another gacha game crossover. The partnership between Honkai Star Rail and Fate/stay night represents something much bigger: the merging of two of the most influential franchises in modern anime and gaming.
TYPE-MOON, the creator of the Fate series including Fate/stay night, Fate/Grand Order, and Tsukihime, has built one of the most expansive and beloved universes in Japanese pop culture. Meanwhile, HoYoverse has dominated the gacha game space with Honkai Star Rail, Genshin Impact, and Zenless Zone Zero, consistently pushing the boundaries of what mobile and cross-platform games can deliver.
When these two titans collaborate, it is not just a marketing stunt. It is a cultural event. The first Honkai Star Rail x Fate/stay night collaboration generated massive engagement across social media, with fans of both franchises crossing over in unprecedented numbers. This second round is expected to hit even harder.
What to Expect in Version 4.3
The Lethe Below the Living update will bring a comprehensive content refresh beyond the character banners. Players can expect:
- New Planarcadia storyline missions continuing the main narrative
- Mortenax Blade as the featured 5-star Fire Nihility character on the first phase banner
- The Fate/stay night collaboration event with limited-time story content and rewards
- Saber as the collaboration 5-star Destruction Wind character launching July 11
- Returning collaboration characters Rin Tohsaka and Gilgamesh on rerun banners
- New Light Cones themed around both Honkai Star Rail and Fate/stay night characters
Should You Save Your Stellar Jades?
Absolutely. With Mortenax Blade arriving first on June 1 and Saber following on July 11, this update spans nearly six weeks of must-pull characters. If you are a fan of either franchise, this is the kind of banner lineup that defines an entire year of gameplay.
The Fate/stay night collaboration characters are typically limited-time only. Once the event ends, there is no guarantee when they will return. If you have been saving your Stellar Jades, now is the time to plan your pulls carefully.
For more on how gaming collaborations are reshaping the industry, check out our analysis on how video games are reshaping pop culture in 2026. And if you are looking for other must-play titles this season, our review of 007 First Light might surprise you.
What Do You Think?
Are you pulling for Saber, or are you saving for Mortenax Blade? Is this the best gacha game collaboration of 2026, or does something else take the crown? Drop your thoughts in the comments and tell us which Fate character you most want to see join the Astral Express next.
