Herta, a 5-star Ice character aligned with the Erudition path, excels as a primary damage dealer, particularly within dual-Erudition DPS compositions. Her Skill and Ultimate deliver substantial damage, making her a formidable force on the battlefield when properly optimized. This comprehensive Herta build guide provides detailed insights into maximizing her potential, including the most effective Light Cones, relic sets, and Planar Ornaments.
Additionally, we explore her Trace priority to ensure efficient use of resources and materials, allowing players to unlock her full capabilities. Whether you are building her for high-end content or general gameplay, this guide equips you with the strategies needed to elevate Herta’s performance and dominate your encounters in Honkai: Star Rail.
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Herta: Basic Introduction
Herta is a formidable 5-star Ice character on the Erudition path, designed to excel as a main DPS alongside another Erudition ally to activate her Traces. Her Skill and Ultimate deliver significant AoE damage, making her a key damage dealer in any team composition. Her Skill strikes three times, dealing one single-target hit and two AoE blasts. Her Ultimate strategically redistributes “Interpretation” stacks on all enemies, prioritizing Elite and higher-level targets. Following this, she gains a temporary ATK boost for three turns, deals AoE damage, and immediately gains a stack of “Inspiration,” which can stack twice. While active, “Inspiration” allows her to use an Enhanced Skill, consuming “Interpretation” stacks to amplify damage, with further boosts when paired with at least two Erudition characters.
For a detailed breakdown of Herta’s abilities, see: The Herta Kit.
★ Rarity: 5-star | ★ Combat Type: Ice | ★ Path: Erudition | ★ Role: DPS
Herta Trace Priority
Herta’s damage output primarily depends on her Skill and Talent, which form the core of her DPS potential. To unlock her full power, prioritize upgrading her Skill and Talent first, followed by her Ultimate. Her Basic Attack contributes minimally to her overall damage and can be upgraded last, as it is rarely utilized in combat.
Trace Priority:
Skill > Talent > Ultimate > Basic Attack
Focusing on this upgrade order ensures Herta consistently delivers maximum damage and performs optimally in Erudition-focused team compositions.
Herta Recommended Light Cones
Best Choice
Effect: Increases the wearer’s CRIT Rate by 12% / 14% / 16% / 18% / 20%. When the wearer uses their Ultimate, increases Skill and Ultimate DMG by 60% / 70% / 80% / 90% / 100% for 3 turns. If the Ultimate consumes 140 or more Energy, recover 1 Skill Point.
This Light Cone is ideal for Herta, providing a significant CRIT Rate boost, which is essential since her minor traces do not enhance CRIT. The Skill and Ultimate damage increase aligns perfectly with her primary damage sources, ensuring uptime of around 80%. Additionally, the Skill Point recovery after her Ultimate improves SP management, allowing frequent Skill and Ultimate usage.
Good Choices
a. Energy-Based DMG Boost
Effect: After entering battle, increases DMG based on Max Energy. Each point of Energy boosts DMG by 0.2% / 0.25% / 0.3% / 0.35% / 0.4% (up to 160 Energy).
This Light Cone increases Herta’s damage consistently without relying on her Ultimate. At maximum Energy, it provides slightly higher damage than her signature Light Cone (by ~4% at S5).
b. CRIT DMG & Skill/Ultimate Boost
Effect: Increases CRIT DMG by 36% / 42% / 48% / 54% / 60%, Skill and Ultimate DMG by 18% / 21% / 24% / 27% / 30%. Using Skill or Ultimate grants Somnus Corpus, which, upon a follow-up attack, increases its DMG by 48% / 56% / 64% / 72% / 80%.
This Light Cone serves as a strong stat stick, boosting CRIT DMG and enhancing Skill and Ultimate damage—Herta’s main damage sources. However, the follow-up attack bonus is wasted, as it does not synergize with her kit.
Herta Recommended Relics, Planar Ornaments & Stats Priority
Relics
For Herta, the optimal relic sets are Scholar: Lost in Erudition or Hunter of Glacial Forest.
Scholar: Lost in Erudition
- 2-Piece: Increases CRIT Rate by 8%.
- 4-Piece: Increases Skill and Ultimate DMG by 20%. After using Ultimate, increases the next Skill’s DMG by 25%.
Hunter of Glacial Forest
- 2-Piece: Increases Ice DMG by 10%.
- 4-Piece: After using Ultimate, increases CRIT DMG by 25% for 2 turns.
Planar Ornaments
The best Planar Ornaments for Herta include Izumo Gensei, Takama Divine Realm, or Rutilant Arena.
Izumo Gensei / Takama Divine Realm
- 2-Piece: Increases ATK by 12%. If at least one teammate follows the same Path, CRIT Rate increases by 12%.
Rutilant Arena
- 2-Piece: Increases CRIT Rate by 8%. When current CRIT Rate reaches 70% or higher, increases Basic Attack and Skill DMG by 20%.
Stats Priority
Main Stats:
- Body: CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG
- Feet: ATK / SPD
- Planar Sphere: ATK / Ice DMG Boost
- Link Rope: ATK
Sub-Stats:
CRIT Rate > CRIT DMG > ATK > SPD
Herta Recommended Teams
Herta excels in dual DPS Erudition teams, as her Trace significantly boosts CRIT DMG for all allies when at least two characters follow the Erudition path. Additionally, Erudition characters generate more “Interpretation” stacks than other Paths, further amplifying Herta’s damage output.
Sub DPS
For Sub DPS, prioritize Erudition characters with frequent attacks to generate energy and Interpretation stacks efficiently. Ideal options include Anaxa, Serval (ERR build), Herta, and Jade, whose follow-up attacks synergize perfectly with Herta’s kit.
Sustainers
Sustainers should combine survivability with offensive potential. Aventurine, Lingsha, and Gallagher can boost Herta’s damage via additional stacks and energy generation. Huohuo also works well, providing energy to allies and supporting Herta’s consistent Skill and Ultimate usage.
Support
Strong support characters enhance Herta’s damage through buffs and free turns. Robin grants free turns, ATK and DMG boosts, and CRIT DMG, though energy management can be a challenge in slower attack teams. Remembrance Trailblazer synergizes with Herta by providing free turns and accelerating energy generation. For F2P teams, Pela is effective due to her defense shred, Ice RES reduction at E4, and frequent attacks from high energy regeneration, complementing Herta’s self-buffs.
Recommended Team Composition
Main DPS: Herta
Sub DPS: Anaxa / Jade / Serval / Herta
Support: Tribbie / Robin / Pela / Remembrance Trailblazer
Sustain: Aventurine / Lingsha / Huohuo / Gallagher
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herta’s main role?
Herta functions as a primary DPS in Erudition teams, dealing massive AoE damage through her Skill and Ultimate while generating “Inspiration” and “Interpretation” stacks to boost her damage further.
Which Light Cone is best for Herta?
Her signature Light Cone is ideal, providing CRIT Rate and Skill/Ultimate DMG boosts, along with SP recovery. Alternatives include Energy-based or CRIT DMG-focused Light Cones depending on team composition.
What relic set should I use?
Scholar: Lost in Erudition or Hunter of Glacial Forest are optimal, prioritizing CRIT Rate, Skill/Ultimate DMG, and Ice DMG enhancements.
Which teammates work best with Herta?
Herta thrives in dual DPS Erudition teams. Frequent attackers like Anaxa, Serval, and Jade help generate Interpretation stacks, while supports like Robin, Pela, and Remembrance Trailblazer boost damage and provide free turns.
What stats should I prioritize?
Focus on CRIT Rate > CRIT DMG > ATK > SPD for sub-stats, while main stats should include CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG for Body, ATK for Link Rope, and Ice DMG/ATK for Planar Sphere.
Is Herta suitable for F2P players?
Yes, Herta can perform well in F2P teams using accessible supports like Pela and Tribbie, though some high-end Light Cones and relics enhance her full potential.
Conclusion
Herta is a powerful Erudition DPS capable of delivering massive AoE damage and providing substantial buffs to her team when paired with another Erudition character. By focusing on her Skill and Ultimate, optimizing her Light Cones, relics, and Planar Ornaments, and building the right team composition, players can unlock her full potential in both PvE and high-level content. Her reliance on Interpretation stacks and frequent energy generation makes team synergy essential, but with the right Sub DPS, Support, and Sustainer characters, Herta can consistently dominate battles.
