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Honkai: Star Rail - The Herta\'s Best Light Cones

Author：Kristen Update：Mar 18,2025

The Herta

Ice

Erudition

5-StarGuides

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The Herta is a powerful 5-star Ice Erudition unit in Honkai: Star Rail, excelling with strong self-buffs and damage multipliers. As a damage dealer, she prioritizes CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, and ATK, along with general damage boosts from her Light Cones. Her kit's 80% CRIT DMG buff makes Light Cones that boost CRIT Rate highly desirable. Increases to Skill and Ultimate damage are also valuable due to her Interpretation mechanic, especially Skill DMG.

While the ideal combination of CRIT Rate and Skill DMG is rare outside her signature Light Cone, many viable options exist within the Erudition Path, both limited and free. These offer comparable effectiveness. Below are the best Light Cone options for The Herta in Honkai: Star Rail.

The Seriousness of Breakfast (S5)

HPATKDEF846476396S5 Passive

Increases the wearer's DMG by 24%. For every defeated enemy, the wearer's ATK increases by 8%, stacking up to 3 times.

This free Light Cone, obtainable via Lucent Afterglow, Echo of War drops, or a hidden Herta Space Station task, is a serviceable option for newer players. Its straightforward damage boosts provide a solid foundation until a better Light Cone is acquired.

The Day The Cosmos Fell (S5)

HPATKDEF953476331S5 Passive

Increases the wearer's ATK by 24%. When the wearer uses an attack and affects at least 2 enemies with a Weakness, the wearer's CRIT DMG increases by 40% for 2 turns.

Another free Light Cone (Lucent Afterglow, Echo of War, or Golden Hour Origami Birds), it offers slightly better performance than The Seriousness of Breakfast, but its effectiveness relies on consistently maintaining its conditional CRIT DMG buff. Still a viable placeholder.

Eternal Calculus (S5)

HPATKDEF1058529396S5 Passive

Increases the wearer's ATK by 12%. After using an attack, for each enemy hit, ATK increases by 8% (stacks 5 times, lasts until the next attack). Hitting 3 or more enemies grants a 16% SPD increase for 1 turn.

This free 5-star Light Cone (Herta's Store, Herta Bonds) provides a substantial ATK% boost, but its performance varies with the number of targets. Solid when its effects are fully utilized; the 16% SPD increase can be beneficial for reaching certain breakpoints. A decent placeholder.

Yet Hope Is Priceless (S1)

HPATKDEF952582529S1 Passive

Increases CRIT Rate by 16%. For every 20% CRIT DMG exceeding 120%, follow-up attack DMG increases by 12% (stacks 4 times). At battle start or after a Basic ATK/Ultimate, ignores 20% target DEF for 2 turns.

While offering a valuable 16% CRIT Rate increase, The Herta cannot fully utilize this Light Cone's follow-up attack buffs. The DEF penetration is situational. Its performance is comparable to free alternatives, making it unnecessary to specifically obtain for The Herta.

Geniuses' Repose (S5)

HPATKDEF846476396S5 Passive

Increases ATK by 32%. When defeating an enemy, CRIT DMG increases by 48% for 3 turns.

This excellent 4-star Light Cone (standard Stellar Warp) offers a significant ATK increase and a CRIT DMG boost. The CRIT DMG buff's effectiveness depends on regularly defeating enemies.

An Instant Before A Gaze (S1)

HPATKDEF1058582463S1 Passive

Increases CRIT DMG by 36%. Ultimate DMG increases by 0.36% per point of Energy (up to 180 Energy).

Provides a substantial CRIT DMG increase and an Ultimate DMG boost. However, The Herta benefits more from Skill DMG or general DMG boosts.

Before Dawn (S1)

HPATKDEF1058582463S1 Passive

Increases CRIT DMG by 36% and Skill/Ultimate DMG by 18%. After using a Skill or Ultimate, gains Somnus Corpus; consuming it increases follow-up attack DMG by 48%.

Offers excellent unconditional stats, boosting CRIT DMG and Skill/Ultimate damage. The follow-up attack buff is not utilized by The Herta.

Today Is Another Peaceful Day (S5)

HPATKDEF846529330S5 Passive

After entering battle, increases DMG by 0.4% per point of Energy (up to 160 Energy).

Provides a substantial and unconditional damage boost, easily maximized by The Herta's high Energy cost. Boasts high base ATK.

Night on the Milky Way (S1)

HPATKDEF1164582396S1 Passive

For each enemy, ATK increases by 9% (up to 5 stacks). When an enemy is inflicted with Weakness Break, DMG increases by 30% for 1 turn.

A strong 5-star option (standard Stellar Warp), its performance depends on maintaining stacks and Weakness Break.

Into the Unreachable Veil (S1)

HPATKDEF953635463S1 Passive

Increases CRIT Rate by 12%. When using an Ultimate, increases Skill and Ultimate DMG by 60% for 3 turns. If the Ultimate consumed 140+ Energy, recovers 1 Skill Point.

The Herta's best-in-slot Light Cone, offering significant Crit Rate and damage boosts to her Skill and Ultimate. Recovers a Skill Point per Ultimate use. Highest ATK among Erudition Light Cones.