The catch is that many of these awards can be irretrievably missed. Skip the 7-day entry series, don't look at the Ahi Chosen One web event or ignore the April 26 email and you will imperceptibly lose 10 - 15 cool points that you can't get back. In this guide, we'll analyze all the sources of awards, mark their expiration dates, and make a step-by-step plan for each day.
How many free spins will F2P players actually get on the 3rd anniversary of HSR?
30 spins can be obtained directly from sources timed to the anniversary. Here is the full layout:
| Source | Award | Equivalent in Star Neferite |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Gifts (entry into the game within 7 days) | 20 special star passes | Equivalent to 3,000 ML |
| Anniversary Letter of April 26 | 1,600 Star Jade | 10 jumps. |
| Web-event "Akhi's Chosen" | Up to 800 Star Jade | ~ 5 jumps |
| Web-event "Annual Report of the Pioneer" | Up to 800 Star Jade | ~ 5 jumps |
| Promocodes (3 active prior to version 4.2) | 300 NOs each = 900 NOs total | ~ 6 jumps |
| The "Space Data Roaming" event | Free 4-star Light Cone + Other | — |
Entrance event "Holiday Gifts" It requires 7 п о р о д а н и е According to community observations, this is the biggest trap for F2P players during the anniversary. You get 1 Special Pass and Fuel daily, which brings a total of 20 passes per week.
In addition to the awards directly related to the anniversary, passive sources operating throughout patch 4.2 significantly increase the total number:
- Daily Tasks: 60 Star Jade per day → 1,800 ZN in 30 days (12 steepstakes)
- Virtual Universe (Weekly): 40 - 60 ZN per week
- The Hall of Forgetfulness/Pure FictionUp to 100 NZ per weekly pass
- The Apocalyptic Shadow: 100 + ZN weekly during active patch cycles
Conservative rating for F2P (anniversary awards + passive income for 30 days, partial completion of endgame content): ~ 80 cool.Optimistic scenario (full passage, all web events, all promotional codes): 120 + twist For the entire patch. The 30 cool figure that you can find in other sources only refers to the anniversary event period, not the entire patch.
What exclusive awards are available only during the 3rd anniversary of the HSR?
The main exclusive-free choice of 5-star characterThe possibility to choose between Х о ho (5) Abundance, wind doctor) or З а р я н к о й (5) Harmony, Physical Buffer). Community sources confirm that this will be possible thanks to the token The Golden Spirit of a Companionwhich can be picked up from in-game mail or event store after update 4.2. Steps to get:
- Log in after Update 4.2.
- Remove the token from the in-game mail or event interface
- Use it in the in-game store to select a character.
Whom to choose? In my experience, it depends entirely on what your squad is missing. Hoho is a more reliable choice if you don't have a stable support character (heller)-she's one of the best healers in the game and is suitable for almost any line-up. Charger is a stronger choice if you're all right with survival and you're using squads based on bonus attacks, or want to enhance the Harmony/Joy meta, Don't choose Zaryanka just because she's a "meta"-the dead squad doesn't pass anything.
Other time-limited exclusives:
- Anniversary profile frame Web Events and Entry Stages
- Space roaming dataFree 4-star Light Cone of Joy Path "Tomorrow together." - Take it away, even if you don't need it right now, as Joy squads play a key role in meta 4.2.
- Fuel × 10 Letter dated April 26 to restore energy development
⚠️ Don't miss: Ahi's Chosen One and the Pioneer Annual Report web events are available outside the game client. Players who only log in to the game will miss them completely-up to 1,600 ZN (about 10 cool), which will remain unclaimed.
How does the 3rd anniversary of HSR compare to the awards of previous years?
3rd anniversary is noticeably more generous 2ndprimarily thanks to the addition of a free 5-star character and an expanded pool of jade in web events.
| Category of awards | 1st anniversary | 2nd anniversary | 3rd Anniversary (4.2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Entrance Pass | ~10 | ~15 | 20 |
| Anniversary Letter (Star Jade) | ~800 | ~ 1 200 | 1 600 |
| Free choice of 5-star character | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ (Hoho/Zaryanka) |
| Web event (star jade) | ~400 | ~800 | ~ 1 600 |
| Free 4 star light cone | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
After studying the awards structure for both previous anniversaries, I noticed that HoYoverse adds at least one new award category every year. On the 2nd anniversary there was a memorable challenge; on the 3rd-choosing a 5-star character and expanding web events. This pattern is important for setting expectations: if you are a returning player and remember the 2nd anniversary as "good", then the 3rd is a real step forward.
Community sentiment before 4.2 was cautiously optimistic, and the confirmed awards generally met expectations. No additional data beyond those listed here, and past anniversary leaks have historically coincided with official announcements.
How to get the most free awards for the 3rd anniversary of HSR in step?
Day 1 (April 22-Patch release)
This is the mistake I see most often: players enter the game, see the anniversary banner and spend the accumulated jade on the first day without waiting for rewards for the intermediate missions of the event. Instead:
- Take all the mail - Check out the patch's release gifts and any pre-accrued anniversary awards
- Start the 7-day entry series - The first day counts, don't miss it.
- Go to Web Events ("Ahi Chosen One","Pioneer Annual Report") via HoYoVerse events page-bookmark them.
- Activate 3 active promo codes Total amount of 900 NOs
- Take the "Golden Spirit of a Companion" token. Make a decision about Hoho or Zaryanka
Daily checklist (April 22-May 21)
- Perform daily tasks (60 NPs)
- Collect the entrance reward (Special Pass + Fuel)
- Move on Active Event Missions
- Spend the Energy of Mastering-Prioritize Double Reward Events
- Check the stages of web events for new jade awards
Weekly checklist
- Virtual Universe: Full Passing (40 - 60 SN)
- Hall of Forgetfulness/Pure Fiction: 3 stars on all floors (up to 100 SN)
- Apocalyptic Shadow: Full Passage (100 + SN)
- Check the update of events missions
Special Day: 26 April
This is the most important day to enter the game. It is on this date that the letter will arrive with a letter from the player. 1 600 ML and Fuel x 10Enter the game even if you can't play-just open the game and pick up the mail takes 2 minutes, which is equivalent to ~ 10 spins.
Final Week
- Check the progress of all event missions-complete everything you didn't have time before the deadline expires
- Spend your remaining mastering energy on current event content
- Make sure all stages of web events are passed and rewards are withdrawn.
- Make a decision about spending twists based on the total amount of jade
Which HSR 3rd anniversary banner should F2P players spend cool on?
Spin the Silver Wolf character banner (r. 999) if you need the Way of Nothingness character/deffer - The community considers it a priority goal of banner 4.2 for the Meta Joy squads. But the honest approach for F2P is easier than it seems:
Step 1: Assess your team. If you picked up Zaryanka or Hoho with a token, your needs change. Charyanka occupies the Harmony slot, Hoho-support slot. Don't knock the character out for the same role.
Step 2: Check out the guarantor. If you already have 60 + spins in the guarantor counter before the anniversary, it makes sense to spin at the beginning of the event-chances are you will get the character before the mid-event mission awards arrive. If you have 0 - 30 spins, wait until you accumulate at least 40 - 50 spins in jade.
Step 3: Don't touch the Light Cones banners if you're F2P. The cone banner has a separate guarantor and a 75% chance of losing 50/50 on the standard cone. The ratio of jade costs to value here is extremely disadvantageous. "Tomorrow together." from Space Data Roaming is your cone for Joy, use it.
Step 4: Copy it if nothing works. In version 4.2, the Silver Wolf appears with it. Е в а н е с и я For Joy squads. If none of them fit into your current squad or style of play, saving jade for 4.3 is a perfectly reasonable strategy. F2P players who skip unnecessary banners always feel better than those who spin "just in case".
If you plan to replenish the supply of jade to guarantee to knock out the character before the end of the anniversary, it is worth paying attention to. Best prices for Honkai: Star Rail. - The bonus for the first replenishment is reset after the update 4.2, which makes this period one of the most profitable for the economical players.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many free spins can F2P players get on HSR's 3rd anniversary? 30 cool comes directly from anniversary sources (20 Special Entrance Pass +1,600 ZN from April 26 letter). Including web events, promo codes and passive weekly sources for the entire patch 4.2, the real result is 80 - 120 + cool depending on the success in endgame content.
Does Honkai: Star Rail give you a free 5-star character for the 3rd anniversary? Yes, sources confirm the free choice of a 5-star character with the Golden Spirit of a Companion token, which can be exchanged for Hoho or Zarianka. Pick up the token from the mail after the 4.2 update and exchange it in the in-game store. This is the first time HSR offers a free 5-star character on the anniversary.
When does the 3rd anniversary of HSR begin and end? The anniversary date is April 26, when a special award letter will arrive. The entire patch lasts about 6 weeks; the end dates of specific events depend on their type-web events like "Ahi's Chosen" usually end earlier than the patch itself, so give them priority.
How do you collect all the awards of the anniversary before they end? Log in to web events ("Ahi Favorites","Pioneer Annual Report") through the official HoYoverse event page-they are not in the game client. For in-game events, check the event tab daily and perform pre-missions, as some late stages are blocked until the previous ones are completed. If rewards do not appear, check the login to the account and server region settings.
Is it worth buying an Express Supply Pass for the 3rd anniversary for frugal gamblers? A supply pass gives about 95 spins per patch for about $10 per month, which is the best value for money in the game. If you're going to spend on something, it's the best option. The 3rd anniversary is a particularly good time to activate it, as the first replenishment bonus drops with output 4.2. giving additional Oneuric Shards. Pure F2P players can skip-free rewards are enough to stay competitive. Buy Star Jade for Honkai: Star Rail cheapThe combination of replenishment and bonus renewal is the most profitable moment of the year.
How does the 3rd anniversary of HSR compare to the 2nd anniversary for free awards? Definitely better. The 3rd anniversary adds 5 more Special Pass (20 vs.~ 15), increases the reward in the letter from ~ 1,200 to 1,600 ZN, introduces the first-ever free choice of 5-star character, and doubles the jade pool in web events. HoYoverse improves rewards every year-the 3rd anniversary is by far the most valuable for F2P players.
Is the 3rd anniversary of HSR the best time to play F2P players?
The combination of 30 cool anniversaries, a free 5-star character (Hoho or Zaryanka), 1,600 ZN from the April 26 letter and extended web event awards makes version 4.2 the most generous period for F2P players in HSR history.
Returned Players: enter the game at least April 26. Pick up the letter, get a 5-star character and start a 7-day entry series. Even with minimal activity, you will get 30 + cool.
Active F2P PlayersFollow your daily checklist from day one, participate in all stages of web events, go through endgame modes weekly, and save jade until you accumulate at least 40 - 50 cool shots before spending them on a banner. Don't let the excitement of the anniversary push you into spending on the first day that you will regret later.
The rewards are waiting. The only way to miss them is not to go into the game.
