HSR Returning Player Checklist: What to Do First, In Order
30-second answer: Returning to HSR? Do things in this order: (1) log in and claim the Starlit Homecoming comeback rewards (the main condition is 14+ consecutive days away — four requirements apply in total, see Step 1) plus every active redemption code; (2) clear limited-time events first — they don't require story progress; (3) push the main story; (4) spend your Trailblaze Power (240 regenerates per day) on one team only; (5) check your pity — it never resets over time — before deciding what to pull. Follow the order and you'll be caught up within days, no restart needed.
Step 1: Claim Starlit Homecoming Rewards and Redeem Codes
Starlit Homecoming is a permanent event built specifically for returning players — it activates automatically when you log back in, as long as you qualify. There are four requirements: Trailblaze Level 10 or higher, the Jarilo-VI mission 'Long Wait for the Blade's Edge' completed, at least 14 consecutive days without logging in, and at least 40 days since your last Starlit Homecoming. Rewards include Stellar 
Jade, Fuel, leveling materials, and a selector box with a free 4-star Light Cone of your choice. Even better: if you've been gone 90 days or longer, the event unlocks a bonus tier — including a selector that grants a full set of max-level 5-star Relics with fitting main stats for one character you own. One catch: that Relic selector can only be claimed once per major version cycle — if you already claimed it this cycle, another 90-day break won't grant a second one. The longer you were away, the fatter the welcome package, so a long break is actually an advantage here. While you're at it, open GameVika's Codes page and redeem every active code in one sitting — codes expire fast, and they're the easiest free jade you'll pick up on day one of your comeback.
| Time away | Comeback rewards |
|---|---|
| 14+ days | Jade, fuel, upgrade materials, a 4★ Light Cone selector |
| 90+ days | Plus a full max-level 5★ Relic set selector (once per major cycle) |
Step 2: Clear Limited-Time Events First — No Story Required
A lot of returning players assume events are locked behind story progress — they aren't. HSR lets you play every limited-time event regardless of where you are in the main quest: the game simply drops you in. And events are by far the densest source of Stellar Jade and materials per hour spent — a few evenings of event clearing nets you jade that would take a week of normal farming. Since events have deadlines and the story will wait forever, the correct order is always: events first, story second. In practice: open the in-game event screen, start with whatever expires soonest, and prioritize rewards that include jade and pull tickets. The one caveat: events sometimes reference characters or plot points you haven't reached yet, meaning light spoilers. If you care deeply about the story, consider pushing the main quest first and circling back to events — just make sure you beat the deadline.
Step 3: Push the Main Story to Unlock New Systems and Regions
Once events are cleared, your long-term project is the Trailblaze Missions — the main story. For a returning player, story isn't just cutscenes: each major chapter typically unlocks a whole new region to explore, new game modes, and at certain points even a new Path for the Trailblazer — effectively a free extra 'character' you can slot into teams. On top of that, main quest jade plus the chests and puzzles scattered across each new map add up to a huge one-time resource haul. Don't try to binge it all in a week. A comfortable rhythm: burn your Trailblaze Power first each day, then read story with whatever time is left — you stay unblocked without feeling swamped. And if you've forgotten the entire plot, the game has a built-in journey recap you can read; don't let 'I remember nothing' trick you into restarting. Your old account, with its built characters and progress, is always worth more than a fresh one.
Step 4: Trailblaze Power Regens 240 a Day — Spend It on One Team Only
Trailblaze Power is your farming stamina: it regenerates 1 point every 6 minutes, which works out to 240 per day. Once the bar is full, new points trickle into a reserve that refills far slower — so leaving it capped for days is genuinely wasted resources. The more important question, though, is where to spend it. The classic returning-player mistake is spreading investment thin: a little EXP here, a few Traces there, and you end up with ten half-built characters who can't clear anything. The fix: pick ONE four-person team you'll actually use (step 6 below covers how), then funnel every point of Trailblaze Power into those four — Trace materials, character EXP, ascension, and only then Relic farming. One well-built team beats ten mediocre ones. Returning-player bonus: Starlit Homecoming typically grants double-drop chances on material stages — spend your Trailblaze Power while that buff is active and every point of stamina is worth twice as much.
Step 5: Check Your Pity Before You Pull
The best news for any returning player: pity never decays. Take a year off and every pull you banked on the character banner is still there, carried over to whatever banner of the same type is running now. The invariant rules: character banners guarantee a 5-star within 90 pulls, Light Cone banners within 80; when a character-banner 5-star drops, it's a 50% chance to be the featured unit — lose that 50/50 and your next 5-star is guaranteed to be featured. Worst case, the featured character costs 180 pulls. So before spending anything, open your in-game Warp history, count where your pity sits, and only then decide. As for who to pull — new characters are generally the safer bet for returnees than reruns, because rerun units often lean on older teammates you may not own. Check GameVika's Banner Schedule to see what's coming, and cross-reference the Tier List to see who's actually worth your jade — don't dump your whole wallet on the first banner you see.
| Banner type | 5★ guarantee | Mechanic |
|---|---|---|
| Character | Up to 90 pulls | 50% for the featured unit; lose it and the next 5★ is guaranteed (180 pulls worst case) |
| Light Cone | Up to 80 pulls | Pity carries between same-type banners and never expires |
Step 6: Build One Solid Team, Then Tackle the Permanent Content
Every HSR team follows one invariant formula: 1 main damage dealer, 1–2 supports (damage buffs or enemy control), and 1 sustain (healer or shielder). As a returning player, start from the strongest 5-star you already own and build the rest of the team around them. No guesswork needed: open GameVika's Teams page, look up your core character, and you'll get proven team frames complete with budget 4-star substitutes; pair that with the Tier List to see which characters in your roster deserve investment first. Once that team stands, circle back to the permanent content: Simulated Universe and its variant modes are a massive one-time vault of Stellar Jade and your source of Planar Ornament relics. These modes launched long ago, so with today's character power they're far more forgiving than when you left. Clear this loop and you're officially caught up — from here it's just the daily rhythm: spend Trailblaze Power, do your dailies, and wait for the next event.
Main DPSThe character carrying the main damage 
Support (1-2)Buffs damage or controls enemies 
SustainHeals or shields the team FAQ
How long do I need to be gone to count as a returning player and get comeback rewards?
Starlit Homecoming activates when you meet four conditions: Trailblaze Level 10+, the Jarilo-VI mission 'Long Wait for the Blade's Edge' completed, 14+ consecutive days without logging in, and 40+ days since your last Starlit Homecoming. Being away 90+ days unlocks an extra reward tier, including a selector granting a full max-level 5-star Relic set for a character you own — note, though, that this selector can only be claimed once per major version cycle; if you've already claimed it in the current cycle, it won't appear again.
Does my old pity still count after months away?
Yes, fully. Pity never resets over time and carries over between banners of the same type: character banners guarantee a 5-star within 90 pulls, Light Cone banners within 80, and losing the 50/50 guarantees the featured character on your next 5-star. Open your in-game Warp history to count your banked pity before deciding to pull.
I'm back with exactly one guarantee saved up — should I pull now or keep saving?
Don't pull on impulse. Look at which role your roster is missing — returnees most often lack sustain and support units — and prioritize the character who fills that hole. New characters are usually safer than reruns, since reruns often depend on older teammates you may not own. Check GameVika's Banner Schedule and Tier List before committing.
Where do I enter an invite code in the comeback event, and what does it give?
Inside the Starlit Homecoming event screen there's a field to enter another player's invite code; both you and the inviter earn extra Stellar Jade. Note this is different from regular redemption codes — those go in your account settings menu, and you can find every active one on GameVika's Codes page.
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