TL;DR
- HSR 2.1 features Acheron and Aventurine as new 5-stars with Gallagher as new 4-star
- Banners split into two phases: March 27-April 17 and April 17-May 8, 2024
- Light Cone banners include signature weapons for all featured 5-star characters
- Strategic pulling requires considering team composition and resource allocation
- Rerun characters Luocha and Jingliu offer valuable alternatives for account development
The Honkai Star Rail 2.1 update represents a significant expansion of the Penacony narrative arc, introducing compelling new characters alongside highly anticipated reruns. This version continues the game’s tradition of delivering substantial content drops that reshape team building meta and strategic approaches.
Spanning from March 27 through May 8, 2024, the update divides its banner offerings into two distinct phases, allowing players to strategically allocate their Stellar Jade resources. The timing provides ample opportunity to accumulate additional pulls through new story content and events running concurrently with the banners.

Beyond the banner characters, version 2.1 introduces additional Trailblaze Missions that advance the Penacony storyline, new Simulated Universe content, and limited-time events offering substantial rewards. Understanding the banner schedule becomes crucial for players looking to maximize their account progression during this content-rich period.
The character banner structure follows HoYoverse’s established pattern of dual 5-star features per phase, complemented by three 4-star characters. This arrangement provides both diversity in pulling options and increased efficiency for building specific team compositions.
| Phase | Characters | Banner Date |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 (5-Star) | Acheron | Lightning | Nihility Luocha | Imaginary | Abundance |
March 27 – April 17 |
| Phase 1 (4-Star) | Gallagher | Fire | Abundance Pela | Ice | Nihility Dan Heng | Wind | Hunt |
March 27 – April 17 |
| Phase 2 (5-Star) | Aventurine | Imaginary | Preservation Jingliu | Ice | Destruction |
April 17 – May 8 |
| Phase 2 (4-Star) | Lynx | Quantum | Abundance Luka | Physical | Nihility Serval | Lightning | Erudition |
April 17 – May 8 |
Acheron introduces a unique Nihility playstyle that focuses on debuff stacking and damage amplification, making her particularly valuable for players lacking premium damage dealers. Her Lightning element fills a niche that complements existing roster options while offering new strategic possibilities.
Phase 2 brings Aventurine as a Preservation unit with shielding capabilities and Jingliu returning as one of the game’s premier Ice damage dealers. This combination addresses both defensive and offensive needs, appealing to players at different stages of account development.
The 4-star selections provide excellent value, particularly Gallagher as a new Abundance character who offers healing with additional utility. The inclusion of established support units like Pela and Lynx makes these banners attractive for players looking to consolidate their support roster while chasing 5-star targets.
Light Cone banners mirror the character banner structure, featuring signature weapons for the featured 5-star characters alongside curated 4-star options. These banners represent significant power spikes for specific characters but require careful consideration of resource investment.
| Phase | Light Cones | Banner Date |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 (5-Star) | Along the Passing Shore | Nihility Echoes of the Coffin | Abundance |
March 27 – April 17 |
| Phase 1 (4-Star) | Good Night and Sleep Well | Nihility Post-Op Conversation | Abundance Subscribe for More! | Hunt |
March 27 – April 17 |
| Phase 2 (5-Star) | Inherently Unjust Destiny | Preservation I Shall Be My Own Sword | Destruction |
April 17 – May 8 |
| Phase 2 (4-Star) | Concert for Two | Preservation Shared Feeling | Abundance Make the World Clamor | Erudition |
April 17 – May 8 |

Along the Passing Shore serves as Acheron’s signature Light Cone, providing substantial damage amplification that synergizes with her unique kit mechanics. Meanwhile, Inherently Unjust Destiny enhances Aventurine’s defensive capabilities while adding offensive utility to his preservation role.
The 4-star Light Cone selections offer excellent alternatives for free-to-play players. Good Night and Sleep Well remains one of the strongest 4-star Nihility options, while Shared Feeling provides valuable energy regeneration for support characters. These options ensure that even unsuccessful 5-star pulls yield useful equipment for roster development.
When considering Light Cone investment, prioritize characters you plan to use long-term in multiple team compositions. The resource cost for securing signature Light Cones is substantial, so careful planning is essential to avoid spreading resources too thin across multiple banners.
Developing an effective pulling strategy for HSR 2.1 requires assessing your current roster, available resources, and long-term account goals. The dual-phase structure provides natural decision points for evaluating your pulling results and adjusting plans accordingly.
Resource Management begins with calculating your guaranteed Stellar Jade income during the banner period. Include daily missions, events, story content, and Simulated Universe rewards in your projections. As a general guideline, free-to-play players can expect approximately 70-90 pulls per patch, while Express Supply Pass subscribers may accumulate 100-120 pulls.
Priority Recommendations vary based on account needs. Players lacking strong DPS options should prioritize Acheron or Jingliu, while those needing sustain may find more value in Aventurine or Luocha. Consider waiting until the second week of each phase to review community feedback and performance testing before committing your resources.
Common Mistakes to avoid include chasing multiple 5-stars without guaranteed pity, neglecting to consider 4-star constellations, and underestimating the value of rerun characters. Established units like Jingliu and Luocha have proven track records and may offer more consistent value than new, untested characters.
For comprehensive team building guidance beyond banner selections, consult our Class Guide to understand character synergies and optimal compositions. Additional resource management strategies can be found in our Complete Guide, while weapon optimization is covered in detail in the Weapons Unlock guide.
Action Checklist
- Calculate available Stellar Jade and pull count before banners begin
- Assess current roster gaps and prioritize characters accordingly
- Review Phase 1 results before committing to Phase 2 plans
- Set pull limits for each banner to avoid overspending
- Farm relic sets and ascension materials in advance for targeted characters
No reproduction without permission:Tsp Game Club » Honkai Star Rail 2.1 Banners: Characters and Light Cones Complete guide to Honkai Star Rail 2.1 banners with strategic pulling advice and character analysis
