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The countdown hits zero tonight. HoYoverse confirmed Version 4.3 “The Lethe Below the Living” rolls out starting May 31, 2026 for North American servers and June 1 for Asia and Europe. Maintenance windows open soon. Servers will roar back online packed with Mortenax Blade’s debut, fresh story beats on Planarcadia, and brand-new events that reward every Trailblazer who logs in.
You could almost feel the tension building since the May 22 Special Program. Fans worldwide have been counting the days — and now the hours — until Blade returns in his most explosive form yet.
Exact Honkai Star Rail 4.3 Release Times by Region
Maintenance lasts roughly five hours. Pre-install opened days ago, so most players already downloaded the bulk of the update.
Honkai Star Rail 4.3 Server Schedule
| Region | Maintenance Start | Servers Live |
|---|---|---|
| North America (PDT) | May 31, 3:00 PM | May 31, 8:00 PM |
| North America (EDT) | May 31, 6:00 PM | May 31, 11:00 PM |
| Europe (BST) | May 31, 11:00 PM | June 1, 4:00 AM |
| Europe (CEST) | June 1, 12:00 AM | June 1, 5:00 AM |
| Asia (UTC+8) | June 1, 6:00 AM | June 1, 11:00 AM |
| India (IST) | May 31, 11:30 PM | June 1, 8:30 AM |
Times can shift by up to an hour. Always check the in-game notice before you queue.
Mortenax Blade Brings the Heat — New 5-Star Fire Nihility
Blade’s long-awaited SP form arrives as Mortenax Blade, a Fire Nihility powerhouse built around HP manipulation and devastating follow-up damage. His kit shreds defenses while he burns through his own health for massive CRIT boosts in a special enhanced state. Early theorycrafters already call him a top-tier pick for Pure Fiction and Memory of Chaos.
Phase 1 banners also feature Yao Guang. Phase 2 brings reruns that fans have been begging for. Light Cone banners run alongside with powerful new options tailored to the new playstyle.
Fresh Content That Keeps You Hooked
The story pushes deeper into Planarcadia with haunting themes of memory and the Lethe river itself. Two brand-new limited-time events drop immediately:
- Pixel Plane Rumble — high-octane shooter mini-game where you upgrade your jet and blast through waves for big rewards.
- Wispae Amusement Park — route-planning puzzle that tests your strategy for huge point multipliers.
New relic sets and the usual battle pass refresh round out the package. HoYoverse even throws in 600 Stellar Jade compensation for every eligible Trailblazer (Trailblaze Level 4 and above) once servers stabilize.
Why This Patch Feels Different
Most versions follow a rigid Tuesday/Wednesday cycle. Version 4.3 breaks the pattern and lands earlier in the week — a deliberate move that gives players the full weekend to dive in after the Monday launch for most regions. The timing lines up perfectly with the recent Chinese Weibo chibi animation of young Yingxing that dropped today, May 31, sending the community into a frenzy over Blade’s past.
I still remember the exact moment the Special Program ended back in May. The screen faded on that final shot of the Lethe and the entire chat exploded. That same energy is about to flood the servers again.
How to Prepare Right Now
- Finish any remaining dailies and weeklies before maintenance hits your region.
- Claim the free pre-install rewards if you haven’t already.
- Stock up on fuel and Trailblaze Power — you’ll want every resource for the new relic domains.
- Set an alarm for your server’s live time. The first hour usually brings surprise login bonuses.
The Fire Never Dies — This Is Just the Beginning
Mortenax Blade doesn’t just join the roster. He rewrites how Nihility teams function in endgame content. Combined with the new events and story chapters, Version 4.3 delivers the kind of content spike that keeps Honkai Star Rail at the top of every “best gacha 2026” list.
Trailblazers, the galaxy waits for no one. Log in the second your servers return. The Lethe is calling — and Mortenax Blade is ready to answer with flames.
