Honkai Star Rail 4.0 Pre-Farming: Best Trace Materials Exchange For Elation Path

The Era of Elation Begins: Preparing for the Version 4.0 Meta Shift

Trailblazers, the Astral Express is about to undergo one of its most significant evolutions since we first departed Herta Space Station. As we log in today, January 28, 2026, the community buzz is undeniable. While the "Garden of Plenty" event returning is always good news, the fine print in the update notice has dropped a bombshell that changes everything we know about resource management.

For the first time in #HonkaiStarRail history, we have official confirmation of a new playable Path: The Elation. Previously restricted to the chaotic buffs of the Simulated Universe, The Elation is finally manifesting in our character roster with the upcoming Version 4.0 update. But HoYoverse has thrown us a lifeline to prevent the dreaded "new material grind" fatigue. They are allowing a limited-time 1:1 exchange for these new materials.

In this comprehensive guide, we will break down exactly how to utilize the current "Garden of Plenty" event to pre-farm for future Elation characters, analyze the risks of farming for other paths, and provide a strategic roadmap to ensure your account is ready for the massive changes coming in the #HSRSpecialProgram and beyond.

The Garden of Plenty: A Strategic Window

From January 28 to February 12, the "Garden of Plenty" event is live. For the uninitiated, this event doubles the rewards from Calyx (Golden) and Calyx (Crimson) challenges for a limited number of runs each day.

Usually, this is the time to stock up on Credits or XP books. However, with the Version 4.0 news, your priority must shift. The developers have explicitly stated: "During Version 4.0, Trace Materials for any Path can be exchanged 1:1 for a specific amount of brand-new Trace Materials for The Elation."

Why the 1:1 Ratio is a Game Changer

Normally, when you use the Omni-Synthesizer to convert Trace materials (e.g., turning Destruction materials into Hunt materials), you suffer a 2:1 penalty. You lose half your stamina's value in the process. A 1:1 exchange ratio means there is zero penalty.

This creates a unique opportunity: You can farm existing Crimson Calyx stages right now, during a double-drop event, and effectively bank those drops as future Elation materials. You are essentially pre-farming a stage that doesn't even exist yet, at 2x efficiency. This is the most efficient use of Trailblaze Power we have ever seen.

Which Materials Should You Farm Now?

Since you can exchange any Path's material for Elation materials, the question becomes: Which Calyx is the best to farm?

1. The "Main Main" Strategy

Farm the materials for the DPS character you currently use the most (e.g., Nihility for Acheron or Kafka).

• Scenario A: You pull the new Elation character in 4.0. You convert your surplus Nihility materials to Elation.

• Scenario B: You decide to skip the Elation character. You still have a stockpile of useful Nihility materials for your main team.

  This is the safest bet. It hedges your risk against bad gacha luck.

2. The "Speed Run" Strategy

If you are strictly farming for the exchange, pick the Calyx stage that your team clears the fastest. Some Erudition or Hunt Calyxes feature waves of enemies with low toughness bars that can be auto-battled in under a minute. Over the course of the two-week event, saving 30 seconds per run adds up.

3. The "Credit" Hybrid

Don't ignore the Golden Calyx completely. New characters in Version 4.0 will require millions of Credits to level up their Traces, Light Cones, and Relics. If you have less than 5 million Credits in the bank, split your double drops: do half on Crimson Calyx (for the exchange) and half on Golden Calyx (for raw Credits). You cannot exchange Credits for Trace materials, so you need a healthy supply of both.

The "New Material" Trap: Read the Fine Print

While the Elation exchange news is exciting, there is a very serious warning tucked into the announcement: "Version 4.0 and subsequent updates will introduce a series of new Trace Materials and stages... upcoming characters... may require these new Path Materials."

This is a critical distinction. The 1:1 exchange is only confirmed for The Elation.

• The Risk: Do not assume that future Destruction, Hunt, or Harmony characters will use the old materials. It is highly likely that Version 4.0 will introduce "Tier 2" materials for existing paths (similar to how Stagnant Shadow boss drops changed when we moved from Belobog to Penacony).

• The Strategy: If you are pre-farming for a rumored 4.0 Destruction character, you are gambling. They might use the old mats, or they might force you to farm a new stage. However, if you pre-farm for an Elation character, you are 100% safe due to the exchange guarantee.

  Verdict: Focus your "Garden of Plenty" farming specifically on building a stockpile for The Elation conversion. Do not hoard other materials expecting a universal exchange system.

Managing Trailblaze Power: Fuel and Refreshes

To maximize the "Garden of Plenty," you simply must log in every day. The double drops do not roll over. If you miss a day, that value is gone forever.

However, many veteran players are looking to go beyond the daily limit. They want to stockpile hundreds of materials to instantly max out the first Elation character on Day 1. This requires burning through your "Fuel" reserves or using Stellar Jades to refresh energy.

If your Fuel tank is empty and you are hesitant to dip into your banner savings for energy refreshes, you need a smart economic plan. This is where external resources come into play.

I highly recommend you take a moment to Google search for "buffget". It is a platform that savvy Trailblazers use to optimize their gaming budget. By using buffget, you can discover options to buy cheap Monochrome (Oneiric Shards) that are safe and efficient.

These platforms typically offer discounts of around 20% compared to the standard in-game store. That 20% savings means you can afford to max out your daily energy refreshes during this double-drop event without eating into your budget for the Version 4.0 character banners. It is a tactical way to "buy" progression time.

The Path of Elation: What to Expect

Why is this new Path such a big deal? In the lore of Honkai: Star Rail, The Elation is presided over by Aha, the Aeon of Joy. In gameplay terms (Simulated Universe), Elation is synonymous with Follow-Up Attacks and Ultimate Damage.

We can speculate that the new playable Elation characters will revolutionize the "Follow-Up" meta currently dominated by units like Topaz, Dr. Ratio, and Jing Yuan.

• Speculation: Elation characters might introduce "Action Delay" mechanics on enemies (making fun of them?) or "Random Buffs" (chaos mechanics).

• Synergy: If you have invested heavily in characters like Robin or Aventurine, who synergize well with frequent attacks, the Elation path will likely elevate your team's ceiling significantly.

Preparing for the HSR Special Program

As we grind through the Garden of Plenty, keep your eyes peeled for the Version 4.0 Special Program livestream. This broadcast will give us the visual confirmation of the new Elation materials and the characters who use them.

The materials you farm today are the "tickets" to building these new units instantly. Imagine the satisfaction of pulling the new 5-star Elation unit and immediately unlocking all their Major Traces because you were smart enough to farm a Nihility Calyx back in Version 3.8. That is the power of forward planning.

Summary of the Action Plan

1. Log in daily from Jan 28 to Feb 12. Do not miss a single "Garden of Plenty" charge.

2. Farm Crimson Calyxes for a path you currently use (Safe) or the one you clear fastest (Efficient).

3. Hoard these materials. Do not synthesize them yet. Wait for the Version 4.0 update to drop so you can access the 1:1 exchange menu.

4. Avoid hoarding for other paths (Destruction, Hunt, etc.) unless you need them for current characters, as future characters might use different, unexchangeable mats.

5. Secure resources. If you need more energy, consider using buffget to top up your account efficiently.

Conclusion: The Laughing Matter

The introduction of The Elation is a turning point for the game. It signals that HoYoverse is willing to expand the core combat mechanics fundamentally. The "Garden of Plenty" event is no longer just a catch-up mechanic for newbies; it is a strategic preparation zone for veterans.

By utilizing the 1:1 exchange rule, you are effectively cheating the system—in a legal way endorsed by Pom-Pom. You are turning today's stamina into tomorrow's meta. So, equip your fastest farming team, burn that Trailblaze Power, and get ready to embrace the joy of The Elation.

See you in the Calyxes, Trailblazers!