The Seriousness of Breakfast (S5)
Increases the wearer's DMG by 24%. For every defeated enemy, the wearer's ATK increases by 8%, stacking up to 3 times.
The Seriousness of Breakfast is a free Light Cone that can be obtained through various means, such as purchasing with Lucent Afterglow or Echo of War drops. Players can also secure one copy by completing a hidden task aboard the Herta Space Station. Though not the top choice for The Herta, it serves as a reliable option for those new to the game who are still building their arsenal. This Light Cone provides straightforward damage boosts, acting as a solid placeholder until a more potent alternative is acquired.
The Day The Cosmos Fell (S5)
Increases the wearer's ATK by 24%. When the wearer uses an attack and affects no fewer than 2 enemies with a corresponding Weakness, the wearer's CRIT DMG increases by 40% for 2 turns.
The Day The Cosmos Fell is another accessible Light Cone, available through Lucent Afterglow or Echo of War drops. A free copy can be earned by collecting all Origami Birds in Golden Hour. This Light Cone edges out The Seriousness of Breakfast in performance, but its effectiveness hinges on maintaining the conditional CRIT DMG buff. If players struggle to consistently meet these conditions, its utility can drop. Still, it remains a viable option for The Herta until a more suitable Light Cone is found.
Eternal Calculus (S5)
Increases the wearer's ATK by 12%. After using an attack, for each enemy target hit, additionally increases ATK by 8%. This effect can stack 5 times and lasts until the next attack. If there are 3 or more enemy targets hit, this unit's SPD increases by 16%, lasting for 1 turn.
Eternal Calculus, purchasable from Herta's Store with Herta Bonds, is a free 5-star Light Cone. It offers a notable ATK% boost, but its performance varies with the number of targets hit, making it less effective in battles with fewer enemies. Despite this, when fully utilized, Eternal Calculus stands as a strong choice. The 16% SPD increase at S5 can help in reaching specific SPD breakpoints in combat. Like other free options, it serves well as a temporary solution for The Herta until a superior Light Cone is obtained.
Yet Hope Is Priceless (S1)
Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 16%. While the wearer is in battle, for every 20% CRIT DMG that exceeds 120%, the DMG dealt by follow-up attack increases by 12%. This effect can stack up to 4 times. When the battle starts or after the wearer uses their Basic ATK, enables Ultimate or the DMG dealt by follow-up attack to ignore 20% of the target's DEF, lasting for 2 turns.
Jade's signature Light Cone, Yet Hope Is Priceless, provides a valuable 16% CRIT Rate increase at S1, making it a decent choice for The Herta. However, she cannot fully leverage the Follow-Up Attack buffs, relegating this Light Cone to a stat stick role. The 20% DEF penetration for the Ultimate is beneficial if used early in battle, but it's not a consistent effect as The Herta typically avoids Basic ATKs. Players should not target this Light Cone specifically for The Herta, as free alternatives offer similar performance. If already owned, it might be better suited for another character that can maximize its effects.
Geniuses' Repose (S5)
Increases the wearer's ATK by 32%. When the wearer defeats an enemy, the wearer's CRIT DMG increases by 48% for 3 turns.
Geniuses' Repose, obtainable from the standard Stellar Warp, is a formidable 4-star Light Cone. It offers a significant 32% ATK increase and a 48% CRIT DMG boost at S5. The Herta can easily maintain the CRIT DMG buff by defeating enemies, as the effect lasts for three turns. However, its effectiveness may wane in extended battles against single boss targets without regular summons to refresh the buff.
An Instant Before A Gaze (S1)
Increases the wearer's CRIT DMG by 36%. When the wearer uses their Ultimate, the wearer's Ultimate DMG increases based on their Max Energy; Ultimate DMG increases by 0.36% per point of Energy, up to 180 Energy.
Argenti's signature Light Cone, An Instant Before A Gaze, is a solid choice for The Herta. At S1, it provides a 36% increase to CRIT DMG and a 64.8% boost to Ultimate DMG. While the Ultimate buff is advantageous, The Herta would benefit more from Skill DMG or general DMG, slightly diminishing its value. Players should only utilize this Light Cone if they already possess it, as pulling specifically for The Herta is not recommended.
Before Dawn (S1)
Increases the wearer's CRIT DMG by 36%. Increases the wearer's Skill and Ultimate DMG by 18%. After the wearer uses their Skill or Ultimate, they gain Somnus Corpus. Upon triggering a follow-up attack, Somnus Corpus will be consumed and the follow-up attack DMG increases by 48%.
Before Dawn, Jing Yuan's signature Light Cone, is a strong choice for The Herta. Though she cannot benefit from the Follow-Up Attack buff, the Light Cone's unconditional stats align well with her kit. At S1, it grants a significant 36% CRIT DMG increase and an 18% boost to both Skill and Ultimate DMG. While The Herta might prefer more CRIT Rate, the additional CRIT DMG is still highly valuable.
Today Is Another Peaceful Day (S5)
After entering battle, increases the wearer's DMG based on their Max Energy. DMG increases by 0.4% per point of Energy, up to 160 Energy.
Today Is Another Peaceful Day is an exceptional 4-star Light Cone that offers a substantial and unconditional damage boost. The Herta's high 220 Energy cost for her Ultimate maximizes the Light Cone's effect, providing a total 64% damage increase at S5. Additionally, it boasts the highest base ATK among current 4-star Erudition Light Cones, making it the best option for F2P and low-spending players. Some might even consider it a more consistent choice than other options on the list.
Night on the Milky Way (S1)
For every enemy on the field, increases the wearer's ATK by 9%, up to 5 stacks. When an enemy is inflicted with Weakness Break, the DMG dealt by the wearer increases by 30% for 1 turn.
Night on the Milky Way, obtainable from the standard Stellar Warp, is a strong 5-star Light Cone. It can perform exceptionally well for The Herta if its effects are consistently maintained. With a potential 45% ATK boost at S1, it requires five enemies on the field to sustain those stacks. Its effectiveness drops as the number of targets decreases, and players must ensure at least one enemy suffers a Weakness Break to activate the damage buff. Though its consistency might lag behind some other Light Cones, Night on the Milky Way remains a potent choice, especially for Pure Fiction.
Into the Unreachable Veil (S1)
Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 12%. When the wearer uses their Ultimate, increases DMG dealt by the wearer's Skill and Ultimate by 60%, lasting for 3 turns. After the wearer uses their Ultimate, if this Ultimate consumed 140 or more Energy, recovers 1 Skill Point.
The Herta's signature Light Cone, Into the Unreachable Veil, stands unrivaled as her best-in-slot option. It offers a significant boost to CRIT Rate and a substantial damage increase to both her Skill and Ultimate. Additionally, it recovers a Skill Point each time The Herta uses her Ultimate, making it exceptionally effective for SP-heavy teams. With a base ATK of 635, it also boasts the highest ATK stat among all current Erudition Light Cones. Its value extends to many other Erudition characters, even those unable to meet the Energy requirement for the Skill Point.
GuidesThe Herta is a powerful 5-star Ice Erudition unit in Honkai: Star Rail, known for her impressive self-buffs and damage multipliers. As a damage dealer, she seeks the classic trifecta of CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, and ATK, along with general damage boosts from her Light Cones. Given The Herta's kit provides a generous 80% CRIT DMG buff, she typically prioritizes Light Cones that enhance her CRIT Rate. Additionally, increases to her Skill and Ultimate output are crucial due to her Interpretation mechanic, with a particular emphasis on the former.
While the combination of CRIT Rate and Skill DMG increases is rare outside her signature Light Cone, The Herta still has numerous viable options within the Erudition Path. Many of these Light Cones, both limited and free, offer valuable stats and perform closely to each other in effectiveness. Below are the best Light Cone options for The Herta in Honkai: Star Rail.
