The Aventurine banner in HSR 4.5 Phase 2 marks the return of one of the game’s most beloved Preservation units, now featuring his stylish Waveflair alternate outfit. This rerun arrives roughly three weeks after Version 4.5 launches, giving Trailblazers who missed his original run another chance to add this powerful shielder to their roster.
Whether you’re hunting for Eidolons or pulling for the first time, this guide covers release timing, kit analysis, team compositions, and the critical question: should you actually pull? Let’s roll the dice.
When Does the Phase 2 Banner Drop? Release Date and Countdown
The HSR 4.5 Phase 2 banner release date falls approximately three weeks after the initial patch launch, following HoYoverse’s standard six-week version structure that splits evenly between two phases.
Phase 1 occupies the first three weeks with new characters, then Phase 2 takes over for the remaining duration. Monitor in-game announcements and official Honkai: Star Rail social channels for the exact maintenance window, as server times can vary slightly based on last-minute adjustments.
US and Global Countdown Timing
For US players tracking the HSR 4.5 Phase 2 countdown, maintenance typically begins during early morning hours. The Asia server receives updates first, followed by Europe and then America.
Set your personal countdown for approximately 3-5 hours after announced maintenance begins. This buffer accounts for potential extensions, so you won’t need to refresh the launcher endlessly.
Aventurine Waveflair Kit and Skills: What Makes Him Top-Tier
Aventurine operates as an Imaginary-element Preservation character who scales off DEF while providing consistent damage and utility. The Waveflair designation refers to his alternate costume, not a gameplay variant – his kit remains unchanged from the original release.
Unlike traditional sustain units focusing purely on protection, this gambler brings offensive value through a unique gameplay loop:
| Ability | Name | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Skill | Blind Bet | Grants shields to all allies based on DEF, stacking with existing shields |
| Talent | Cornerstone Deluxe | Accumulates Blind Bet points when shielded allies get hit or attack, triggering follow-up attacks |
| Ultimate | Racket: Luckmaker | Massive DEF-scaling damage with Imaginary element application and debuff utility |
What separates Aventurine from other Preservation units is his self-sufficiency. He generates energy through follow-up attacks, applies crowd control, and contributes meaningful damage – all while keeping your team protected.
Talent and Trace Priority
Building Aventurine effectively requires strategic resource allocation. Focus investment according to this priority order:
| Priority | Trace | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Talent | Blind Bet mechanic is his bread and butter |
| 2nd | Ultimate | Significant damage scaling improvement |
| 3rd | Skill | Shield strength enhancement |
| 4th | Basic Attack | Lowest priority, minimal impact |
His major traces deserve full investment, particularly those enhancing follow-up attack frequency and DEF scaling. These multipliers compound significantly in extended battles.
HSR 4.5 Phase 2 Light Cone Banner: Signature Weapon Analysis
Aventurine’s signature 5-star Light Cone, “Inherently Unjust Destiny,” amplifies everything that makes this gambler powerful. It provides DEF percentage increases, boosts CRIT DMG for follow-up attacks, and improves shield durability when taking hits.
For dedicated players, this weapon represents a 25-35% improvement in follow-up attack damage compared to 4-star alternatives. That’s substantial for any investment.
Alternative Light Cone Options
Not everyone can afford the weapon banner when multiple appealing characters in Version 4.5 demand Stellar Jade. Fortunately, accessible alternatives work excellently:
| Light Cone | Rarity | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Landau’s Choice | 4-star | Solid DEF boost with damage reduction |
| Day One of My New Life | 4-star | Team-wide DEF buff after taking attacks |
| Trend of the Universal Market | 4-star | DOT application synergy for certain team compositions |
The gap between signature and 4-star options exists, but Aventurine’s base kit is strong enough that F2P players shouldn’t feel pressured into the weapon banner.
Which 4-Star Characters Are Featured in Phase 2?
Every limited banner includes three 4-star characters with boosted appearance rates. HoYoverse typically announces these closer to the actual banner date, with historical patterns suggesting a mix of established units that complement the featured 5-star’s playstyle.
Even if the lineup doesn’t excite you personally, high Eidolon 4-stars often provide substantial account value. Characters like Pela, Tingyun, or Gallagher at high Eidolon levels punch well above their rarity, rivaling or supporting 5-star performances in specific content.
Eidolons vs Signature Light Cone: Which Investment Wins?
E1 represents the best value stopping point for most players, offering meaningful CRIT DMG increases for follow-up attacks without excessive investment. Here’s the complete breakdown:
| Eidolon | Effect Summary | Value Rating |
|---|---|---|
| E1 | Increases CRIT DMG for follow-up attacks, enhances shield stacking | High – Best stopping point |
| E2 | Grants additional Blind Bet points when using Ultimate | Medium-High – Accelerates damage cycle |
| E4 | Reduces incoming damage for shielded allies | High – Massive survivability boost |
| E6 | Significantly increases follow-up attack damage multiplier | Premium – Transforms him into sub-DPS |
Investment Comparison by Spending Level
| Investment Path | Approximate Cost | Value Proposition |
|---|---|---|
| E0 + Signature LC | 160-180 pulls | Balanced damage and sustain improvement |
| E1 + 4-star LC | 160 pulls (average) | Strong damage increase, functional sustain |
| E2 + Signature LC | 300+ pulls | Premium investment, noticeable power spike |
For low-spenders, E1 with a 4-star Light Cone outperforms E0 with signature in most practical scenarios. The signature becomes more appealing once you’ve secured at least E1.
Best Team Compositions for Aventurine Waveflair
Aventurine slots naturally into follow-up attack teams, where his shield generation keeps compositions aggressive while Blind Bet stacks accumulate rapidly from constant attacking.
Premium Team Compositions
Dr. Ratio + Aventurine + Robin + Flex
Dr. Ratio’s follow-up attacks synergize perfectly with Aventurine’s mechanics while Robin amplifies all follow-up damage. The flex slot accommodates another damage dealer or support based on content needs.
Feixiao + Aventurine + Robin + Moze
This represents the current follow-up attack meta team that dominates most content through constant attacking and rapid Blind Bet stack generation.
Acheron + Aventurine + Pela/Silver Wolf + Flex
Aventurine enables aggressive debuff stacking for Acheron teams. His Imaginary element doesn’t interfere with Acheron’s requirements, offering a safer alternative to Sparkle-based compositions.
F2P-Friendly Team Alternatives
| Team Composition | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Yunli + Aventurine + Tingyun + Lynx | Double sustain for counter-attack emphasis |
| Clara + Aventurine + Topaz + Asta | Budget follow-up composition |
| March 7th (Hunt) + Aventurine + Bronya + Sustain | March’s follow-ups trigger Blind Bet consistently |
These teams handle Memory of Chaos and Pure Fiction content effectively with proper investment, though they won’t match premium compositions in speedrun scenarios.
Should You Pull for Aventurine in Version 4.5 Phase 2?
Pull priority depends heavily on your current roster. Here’s the breakdown by account situation:
| Account Type | Recommendation | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Missing premium sustain | Definitely Pull | Aventurine fills a critical role gap |
| Follow-up attack team builder | Definitely Pull | He’s the best sustain for this archetype |
| Already own Aventurine E0+ | Consider Skipping | Unless E1 significantly appeals to you |
| Fu Xuan owner | Evaluate Carefully | Different strengths, but some overlap |
| Saving for future banners | Skip | Upcoming characters may suit you better |
Comparing This Rerun to Other 4.5 Options
Version 4.5 presents a genuine dilemma. Robin with her Summeretto outfit and Hyacine occupy Phase 1, both offering exceptional value. Ashveil adds another option to consider.
Rather than asking “who’s strongest,” ask which character completes a functional team for your account. This approach prevents half-built rosters and maximizes pull efficiency across your Stellar Jade investment.
Stellar Jade Requirements: How Many Pulls Do You Need?
Budget for worst-case scenarios to prevent heartbreak. Plan your resources before the banner drops:
| Milestone | Pulls Required | Stellar Jade Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Soft Pity Begins | 74 pulls | 11,840 |
| Hard Pity (Guaranteed 5-star) | 90 pulls | 14,400 |
| Guaranteed Featured Character | 180 pulls | 28,800 |
Hope for early pulls, but plan for 160-180 pulls if you absolutely must secure Aventurine. The pity system shows no mercy to unprepared Trailblazers.
Final Verdict on This Aventurine Rerun
The Aventurine banner in Version 4.5 Phase 2 represents one of the strongest rerun opportunities in recent memory. He’s not just a sustain character – he’s a complete package that shields your team, damages enemies consistently, and generates value across virtually all content types including Pure Fiction and Memory of Chaos.
For players missing a premium Preservation unit, this banner earns an easy recommendation. Those eyeing deeper investment should target E1 first for the best balance between cost and return.
Version 4.5 demands tough choices between Robin, Hyacine, Ashveil, and this rerun. Prioritize completing one functional team over spreading resources thin. Good luck on your pulls – may your 50/50s be won and your early pities plentiful.
