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Herta, a formidable 5-star Ice Erudition character in Honkai: Star Rail, excels with potent self-buffs and high damage multipliers. As a damage dealer, she prioritizes CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, and ATK, alongside general damage enhancements from her Light Cones. With her kit providing an 80% CRIT DMG boost, Herta benefits most from Light Cones offering CRIT Rate. Enhancements to her Skill and Ultimate damage are also valuable due to her Interpretation mechanic, with a preference for Skill boosts.

While CRIT Rate and Skill DMG combinations are rare beyond her signature Light Cone, Herta has several effective Erudition Path options. Both limited and free Light Cones provide valuable stats and perform comparably. Below are the top Light Cone choices for Herta in Honkai: Star Rail.

The Seriousness of Breakfast (S5)

HP

ATK

DEF

846

476

396

S5 Passive

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

The Seriousness of Breakfast, a free Light Cone obtainable via Lucent Afterglow or Echo of War drops, can also be earned by completing a hidden task on the Herta Space Station. While not Herta's top choice, it serves newer players well with its simple damage boosts, acting as a reliable interim option until a superior Light Cone is acquired.

The Day The Cosmos Fell (S5)

HP

ATK

DEF

953

476

331

S5 Passive

Enhances the wearer's ATK by 24%. When an attack hits at least 2 enemies with a corresponding Weakness, the wearer's CRIT DMG increases by 40% for 2 turns.

The Day The Cosmos Fell, another free Light Cone available through Lucent Afterglow or Echo of War drops, can also be obtained by finding all Origami Birds in Golden Hour. It slightly outperforms The Seriousness of Breakfast but relies on maintaining its conditional CRIT DMG buff. If the conditions are not consistently met, its effectiveness drops, though it remains a solid temporary choice for Herta.

Eternal Calculus (S5)

HP

ATK

DEF

1058

529

396

S5 Passive

Increases the wearer's ATK by 12%. After an attack, each enemy hit further boosts ATK by 8%, stacking up to 5 times until the next attack. Hitting 3 or more enemies grants a 16% SPD increase for 1 turn.

Eternal Calculus, a free 5-star Light Cone purchasable with Herta Bonds, offers a substantial ATK boost but varies in performance based on the number of enemies hit, making it less effective against fewer targets. Its 16% SPD boost at S5 aids in reaching key SPD thresholds. This Light Cone is a strong interim option for Herta until a better alternative is secured.

Yet Hope Is Priceless (S1)

HP

ATK

DEF

952

582

529

S1 Passive

Boosts the wearer's CRIT Rate by 16%. For every 20% CRIT DMG above 120%, follow-up attack DMG increases by 12%, stacking up to 4 times. At battle start or after a Basic ATK, Ultimate or follow-up attack DMG ignores 20% of the target's DEF for 2 turns.

Jade's signature Light Cone, Yet Hope Is Priceless, provides Herta with a valuable 16% CRIT Rate boost at S1. Although she cannot leverage the follow-up attack buffs, the DEF penetration for her Ultimate is useful early in battle. However, its reliance on early Ultimate use limits its impact. This Light Cone is better suited for units that fully utilize its effects, as Herta's free options perform comparably.

Geniuses' Repose (S5)

HP

ATK

DEF

846

476

396

S5 Passive

Increases the wearer's ATK by 32%. Upon defeating an enemy, CRIT DMG increases by 48% for 3 turns.

Geniuses' Repose, a 4-star Light Cone from Stellar Warp, delivers a strong 32% ATK boost and a 48% CRIT DMG increase upon enemy defeat at S5. Herta can easily maintain the CRIT DMG buff in most scenarios due to its three-turn duration, though it struggles in prolonged single-target boss fights like Hoolay.

An Instant Before A Gaze (S1)

HP

ATK

DEF

1058

582

463

S1 Passive

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

Argenti's signature Light Cone, An Instant Before A Gaze, offers Herta a 36% CRIT DMG boost and a 64.8% Ultimate DMG increase at S1. While the Ultimate buff is beneficial, Herta would prefer Skill or general DMG boosts. This Light Cone is a solid choice if already owned, but not worth pulling specifically for her.

Before Dawn (S1)

HP

ATK

DEF

1058

582

463

S1 Passive

Increases CRIT DMG by 36%. Boosts Skill and Ultimate DMG by 18%. After using Skill or Ultimate, gains Somnus Corpus, consumed on follow-up attack for a 48% DMG boost.

Jing Yuan's signature Light Cone, Before Dawn, is a powerful choice for Herta, offering a 36% CRIT DMG boost and an 18% increase to Skill and Ultimate DMG at S1. Despite her inability to use the follow-up attack buff, the unconditional stats make this Light Cone highly effective for her kit.

Today Is Another Peaceful Day (S5)

HP

ATK

DEF

846

529

330

S5 Passive

Increases DMG based on Max Energy by 0.4% per point, up to 160 Energy.

Today Is Another Peaceful Day, a 4-star Light Cone, provides a massive 64% DMG boost at S5 due to Herta's high 220 Energy Ultimate. With the highest base ATK among 4-star Erudition Light Cones, it rivals 5-star options, making it an excellent choice for F2P and low-spending players.

Night on the Milky Way (S1)

HP

ATK

DEF

1164

582

396

S1 Passive

Increases ATK by 9% per enemy on the field, up to 5 stacks. When an enemy suffers Weakness Break, DMG increases by 30% for 1 turn.

Night on the Milky Way, a 5-star Light Cone from Stellar Warp, excels with a potential 45% ATK boost at S1 with five enemies. Its 30% DMG increase on Weakness Break is powerful but less consistent with fewer targets. It’s a top choice for Herta in multi-target scenarios like Pure Fiction.

Into the Unreachable Veil (S1)

HP

ATK

DEF

953

635

463

S1 Passive

Increases CRIT Rate by 12%. After using Ultimate, boosts Skill and Ultimate DMG by 60% for 3 turns. If Ultimate consumes 140+ Energy, recovers 1 Skill Point.

Herta's signature Light Cone, Into the Unreachable Veil, is her best-in-slot, offering a 12% CRIT Rate boost, 60% Skill and Ultimate DMG increase, and Skill Point recovery. With the highest ATK stat among Erudition Light Cones, it’s ideal for Herta and other Erudition characters.