The Honkai: Star Rail 2.0 update is just around the corner, and with it comes the return of two fan-favorite characters: Jing Yuan and Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae (often called DHIL). If you missed the elegant Imbibitor Lunae during his debut and are weighing whether he’s still a top-tier pull in 2026, you’ve come to the right place.

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Right off the bat, the short answer is yes, he remains a monstrous damage dealer. But the long answer? A bit more nuanced. Let’s break it down without the fluff.

The Elephant in the Room: Skill Point Hunger

Dan Heng IL’s kit has always been a double-edged sword. His enhanced basic attacks can be charged up three times, consuming Skill Points with each tier, and the fully charged Panna’s Radiance Leap eats a staggering 3 SP. For a long time, this made teambuilding feel like solving a puzzle while blindfolded. Supports had to be basic-attack bots, and even then, you’d often find yourself starved for resources mid-battle.

But 2026 has been kind to him. Enter Sparkle, the ingenious support released earlier this year. She directly feeds Skill Points to the team, practically erasing DHIL’s biggest weakness. With Sparkle in the lineup, he can fire off massive AoE blasts turn after turn without breaking a sweat. In fact, this duo has skyrocketed in the MoC (Memory of Chaos) usage charts, often rivaling the once-untouchable Jingliu teams.

If you are planning to invest in Dan Heng IL, you almost need Sparkle to unlock his true ceiling. This can be a tall order for free-to-play players, but if you’ve been saving Stellar Jade or got lucky on Sparkle’s banner, the pairing transforms him into an S+ tier hypercarry.

The E2 Power Spike – Vertical Investment Done Right

Eidolons are usually “nice to have,” but for DHIL, E2 is a game-changer. Right after using his Ultimate, he immediately gains an extra turn and a free reverse scale stack. In practice, this lets him nuke a boss, refund half of his SP cost, and then do it all over again before the enemy blinks. If you already have him at E0 or E1, chasing E2 is one of the most impactful vertical investments you can make for your account in 2026. It literally rewrites his rotation.

Dan Heng IL vs. Dr. Ratio: The Imaginary Showdown

With Dr. Ratio being given out for free not too long ago, many players wonder if pulling for another Imaginary DPS is redundant. Let’s compare them honestly:

Aspect Dan Heng IL Dr. Ratio
Damage Ceiling Higher AoE burst, especially with E2+Sparkle Extremely high single-target, can 0-cycle bosses
Ease of Use Requires strict SP management unless paired with Sparkle Easier to pilot, needs debuff teammates
Cost Limited 5-star, expensive to max Free at E0, highly accessible
Content Coverage Dominates multi-target and blast scenarios Shreds single-target; surprisingly decent in 2-3 enemy fights

Dr. Ratio is no slouch. With the right relics and supports, he can clear MoC 12 in under a cycle. But DHIL still outpaces him in raw damage when both are heavily invested. The real question is whether that gap is worth up to 180 warps. For most efficient-minded players, the answer leans towards no, especially if you already lack coverage in other elements. A shiny new quantum or lightning DPS might serve you better.

A Quick Look at His Kit 🐉

For those who love the dragon aesthetic, his abilities are a spectacle. Here’s a refresher:

  • Basic Attack – Lotus: A standard single-target Imaginary poke.

  • Skill – Unrestrained: Enhances basic attack without consuming SP. Can be chained up to 3 times.

  • Enhanced Basics: The real stars. Ranging from a 3-hit combo (Instant Brilliance) to the devastating 7-hit Panna’s Radiance Leap that also buffs his crit DMG through the Roar effect.

  • Ultimate – Cleansing of the World: Deals large Imaginary damage and grants Reverse Scale stacks, which act as SP substitutes.

  • Technique – From the Abyss to the Sky: Starts the next battle with a free Reverse Scale stack, letting you frontload damage.

His kit encourages a slow buildup into a dopamine-filled nuclear turn. Pairing him with energy batteries like Tingyun or the aforementioned Sparkle just amplifies the fun.

Final Verdict 🌟

Pull for Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae if:

  • You adore his character and voice acting.

  • You already have Sparkle, or plan to get her.

  • You want a vertically invested E2 monster.

  • You lack a strong Imaginary DPS and have the resources.

Skip if:

  • You’re satisfied with Dr. Ratio’s performance.

  • You’re saving for upcoming new characters with fresh mechanics.

  • You find SP micromanagement tedious.

At the end of the day, Honkai: Star Rail is a game that respects personal taste. No amount of meta-chasing beats the joy of using a character you genuinely love. If the moon-chasing Vidyadhara speaks to your soul, don’t let anyone stop you. But if you’re on the fence and value efficiency, a different-element DPS might be the smarter long-term play. Happy warping!