I still get a little thrill every time I boot up Honkai: Star Rail in 2026 and remember the Starhunt game from the game's first major update. It was one of those events that made me feel like a proper space detective instead of just another Trailblazer punching bugs. The setup was simple: find hidden graffiti scattered across the map, interact with them, and scoop up rewards. Each piece of graffiti gave 20 Stellar Jade and 20 Always Smiling. With nine total, that's 180 Stellar Jade and 180 Always Smiling if you nab them all. That's not chump change, especially when you're scraping together pulls for the latest 2026 banner. 😎
Now, I'm not gonna sit here and pretend the hunt was a walk in the park. The graffiti were tucked into all three volumes of the map, and some of them were proper sneaky. You'd think you'd cleared an area, then bam—one was hiding behind a stack of crates or up on a ledge you never thought to check. The event gave you a unique objective, sure, but it also tested your patience. If you're the kind of player who likes a checklist, this was catnip. If you're the kind who rushes, you probably missed half of them and had to backtrack. Been there, done that.
Why Starhunt Still Slaps in 2026
Even with all the new content that's dropped since then, Starhunt remains a standout because it rewards exploration without being a total slog. You don't need to fight a boss or grind a thousand mobs. You just need eyes and a bit of curiosity. The reward structure is clean, too:
| Reward | Per Graffiti | Total for 9 Graffiti |
|---|---|---|
| Stellar Jade | 20 | 180 |
| Always Smiling | 20 | 180 |
That's 180 Stellar Jade, which is more than a single pull's worth. For free-to-play folks like me, that's a big deal. Always Smiling might not be the flashiest currency, but it adds up if you're saving for event shop goodies. In 2026, with power creep doing its thing, every bit of extra currency helps.
My Route Through All Three Volumes
I tackled the graffiti hunt in three chunks, one volume at a time. That's the sanest way to do it, honestly. If you try to bounce between volumes, you'll get lost and frustrated. Here's how I broke it down:
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Volume 1: The starter area. I thought it would be easy, but a couple of graffiti were hiding in plain sight. I had to look up—like, literally look up at walls—because the game loves verticality.
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Volume 2: This one had more nooks and crannies. I started using the in-game camera to scan corners. Some graffiti were behind environmental props that I could walk past a dozen times.
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Volume 3: The trickiest of the bunch. By this point, I was paranoid. I checked every alley, every rooftop, every weird dead-end. Two of them made me feel like a genius and an idiot at the same time. 😂
The reference guide I used called them 'Graffiti & Code Locations,' and I get why. Each piece has a code attached to it in the event menu, so you can track which ones you've found. But in practice, you don't need to memorize codes. You just need to find the graffiti, interact, and watch the rewards roll in. The codes are more like a checklist for completionists. If you're aiming for 100%, they're handy. If you're just here for the Stellar Jade, you can ignore them until the end.
Tips from a 2026 Trailblazer
I've done this event more than once—don't ask, I have a problem—so here are my no-nonsense tips:
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Use the map markers. Once you find a graffiti, mark the area. It helps you visualize what's left.
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Check vertical spaces. Rooftops, ledges, and stairwells are prime real estate for hidden graffiti.
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Don't rush. The event isn't timed in a way that punishes you for taking your time. Smell the roses, or in this case, the spray paint.
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Do it in one sitting if you can. Coming back after a week means forgetting which ones you already grabbed.
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Keep an eye on your event menu. It tracks your progress, so you know exactly how many are left.
I won't lie: there were moments when I wanted to throw my controller. One graffiti in the third volume had me running in circles for ten minutes. But when I finally found it, the little dopamine hit was worth it. That's the magic of Starhunt—it turns a simple collectible hunt into a memory.
The Bottom Line
In 2026, Honkai: Star Rail has a ton of events, banners, and endgame modes. But Starhunt holds a special place in my heart because it was part of the game's first major update. It wasn't about meta teams or perfect relics. It was about exploring, paying attention, and getting rewarded for being curious. If you're a newer player who missed it, or a veteran who skipped it, I'd say give it a shot if it ever reruns. Nine graffiti, 180 Stellar Jade, and 180 Always Smiling. That's a solid haul for a few hours of wandering.
So grab your camera, check every corner, and don't be afraid to look up. The Starhunt game might be old news to some, but for me, it's still one of the best reasons to get lost in the stars. 🌌