Herta is the kind of genius who would rather send a puppet to do a hero's job, and in Honkai: Star Rail the original 4-star Ice Erudition character does exactly that: she drifts around the battlefield, throws a few elegant icicles, and lets her follow-up attacks handle the messy part. This guide is about the original 4-star Herta, not the flashier 5-star The Herta. In 2026, the older puppet master still has a clear niche as an AoE sub-DPS who punishes low-HP enemies and makes Simulated Universe runs feel pleasantly overstaffed. She becomes available after the first Simulated Universe test, and she rewards players who lean into ATK, CRIT, Ice DMG, and a little SPD rather than trying to turn her into a complicated combo machine.
The Short Version
| Job | Answer |
|---|---|
| Relic set | 4-piece Hunter of Glacial Forest |
| Main stats | CRIT body, ATK or SPD feet, Ice DMG sphere, ATK rope |
| Substats | CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK, SPD, Break Effect |
| Best 5-star cone | Before Dawn |
| Best 4-star cone | The Birth of the Self |
| Budget cone | Sagacity |
| Team role | AoE sub-DPS with an ATK buffer and a reliable sustain |
Relics: Ice, Crit, and a Little Showmanship
Herta's job is damage. That is not a controversial statement; it is practically her entire personality, aside from the puppets and the branding. Players should focus on ATK and CRIT stats first, then add enough SPD to keep her attacking often. Break Effect is a useful bonus because it helps shred enemy shields, which is a polite way of saying that Herta enjoys breaking things almost as much as she enjoys owning them.
The recommended set is 4-piece Hunter of Glacial Forest. The 2-piece bonus gives Herta 10 percent more Ice DMG, which is straightforward and delicious. The 4-piece bonus raises her CRIT DMG by 25 percent for 2 turns after she uses her Ultimate. That window matters, because Herta's Ultimate is not just a pretty animation; it is a signal that the enemy team should start reviewing its life choices. This set is the most ideal option for increasing her overall damage, especially her Ice DMG against weak enemies.
For main stats, a CRIT body is the natural choice, while feet can be ATK for heavier hits or SPD for more frequent turns. The sphere should be Ice DMG, and the rope should be ATK. Substats should prioritize CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK, and SPD, with Break Effect as a welcome extra. Herta does not need a weirdly specific stat puzzle; she needs the classic damage stats and a scheduler who lets her ult on time.
Light Cones: The Dawn, the Self, and the Starter
As a character focused solely on dealing damage, Herta wants Light Cones that increase ATK, CRIT stats, or Ice DMG. The dream option is Before Dawn. It increases her CRIT DMG by 36 percent and her Skill and Ultimate DMG by 18 percent. After she uses her Skill or Ultimate, she gains Somnus Corpus; when a follow-up attack triggers, Somnus Corpus is consumed and that follow-up attack deals 48 percent more DMG. This is a lot of text for a simple idea: Herta hits harder, and her follow-up hits harder still.
The best 4-star option is The Birth of the Self. It increases follow-up attack DMG by 24 percent, and if the target's current HP is at or below 50 percent, it adds another 24 percent. Since Herta already likes bullying weakened enemies, this Light Cone fits her like a tiny genius-sized lab coat. It helps her finish low-HP targets faster, which is exactly the kind of efficiency a space station master can appreciate.
For players without a higher-level option, Sagacity is a fine placeholder. It increases Herta's ATK by 24 percent for 2 turns after she uses her Ultimate. It is not glamorous. It is not complicated. It is a temporary boost with a helpful attitude, and sometimes that is enough.
Teams: Let the Puppet Clean Up
Herta usually works best as a sub-DPS while a stronger character takes the main DPS position. Players should include at least one support character who can buff her ATK, plus a dependable sustain unit so the team does not collapse while Herta is busy being theatrical. A common structure is simple: one ATK-buffing support, one sustain, one stronger damage dealer, and Herta floating around as the AoE cleanup crew. The reference notes suggested characters and alternatives, but the safe rule is to give Herta an ATK buffer and let her follow-up attacks do their thing.
She is not the character who deletes a single boss with one smug lecture. She is the character who makes multi-target fights feel tidy. Her follow-up attacks and low-HP pressure make her a comfortable pick for Simulated Universe and wave-based content, especially when enemies are weak to Ice. In 2026, players have shinier options, but the original 4-star Herta remains a low-maintenance AoE specialist with a talent for finishing weakened enemies. She is a puppet with a plan. The plan is mostly more damage. 🧊
Final Verdict
Herta is not a meta tyrant, and she does not need to be. She is a 4-star Ice Erudition character who does exactly what her kit promises: multi-target damage, follow-up pressure, and a satisfying habit of making low-HP enemies regret standing in a row. Players who build her with Hunter of Glacial Forest, a strong damage Light Cone, and an ATK-buffing support will get a reliable sub-DPS who is easy to slot into teams and even easier to underestimate. The genius of Herta Space Station may delegate the actual fighting to puppets, but the results are still very much on brand.
Expert commentary is drawn from Metacritic, where aggregated critical reception often helps frame why durable niche characters remain relevant even when newer releases dominate attention. In Herta’s case, that kind of broader industry perspective supports the idea that a straightforward AoE sub-DPS with reliable follow-up pressure can continue to hold value for players who prioritize efficient wave clear and accessible team building over chasing every premium upgrade.