It was made clear at the start ofHonkai: Star Rail’s current story arc that most of the playable characters would be from Amphoreus. It’s not just becauseHonkai: Star Railwants to put the spotlight on the world, but it’s also because the mysterious planet is isolated from the rest of the cosmos, making it impossible for characters from different locations to show up. As of now, the majority of playable characters fromHonkai: Star RailVersion 3.0 onward have been members of the Chrysos Heirs, except for one: The Herta.
The Herta was released alongside Aglaea inHonkai: Star RailVersion 3.0’s banner, and is probably the only banner character so far who’s not an Amphoreus citizen. Many players know Herta as the 4-star character depicted as a childlike puppet that’s hanging out around the Space Station. The Herta is essentially her original form, who lives deep in the cosmos to conduct research and converses with the Aeon, Nous The Erudition. Other than that,Honkai: Star Railhasn’t explored her story further, but many believe that she might play a larger role in the current adventure.
Element and Path
Herta (4-star)
The Herta (5-star)
Ice, Path of Erudition
Herta has been around since the beginning ofHonkai: Star Rail’s story, as the Trailblazer is introduced to her after waking up in the Space Station. It was also made clear from the jump that the small girl that players interact with is merely one of many dolls that the original Herta made to keep watch of the Space Station and the Simulated Universe, and attend meetings with colleagues. Combat-wise,4-star Herta has been a mainstay in follow-up ATK teams, mostly as a DPS and/or sub-DPS alongside characters like Himeko and Jade.
It tookHonkai: Star Railnearly two years to finally launchHerta’s original form, The Herta, who essentially has the same Ice-type Erudition abilities but executed in a different manner. She’s also a great DPS unit alongside 4-star Herta and Remembrance Trailblazer, as she deals True DMG and has an enhanced version of her follow-up ATK. InHonkai: Star Rail’s story, Herta is an esteemed member of the Genius Society, alongside other bright minds like Screwllum and Ruan Mei. While her puppets are running around the Space Station, Herta has been living on the far edge of the cosmos, where she does research and attempts to converse with Nous since she’s a powerful Emanator of Erudition.
The Herta Has Been Strangely Absent from the Amphoreus Arc
As mentioned, The Herta is the only non-Amphoreus character to be released during the Amphoreus arc, but she hasn’t shown up on the Greek-inspired planet at all. It’s possible that she might play a role in a future chapter, especially since there are three Paths fettered to the planet, one of them being Erudition. Herta could be instrumental in convincing Nous to loosen their hold on Amphoreus in order to open it up to the outside universe. It’s also not unlikely for Herta to eventually enter the planet in a future chapter since it’s being teased inHonkai: Star Rail’s main story thatMarch 7th might show up in Amphoreus soon, fueling more speculation that she’ll finally get her much-awaited 5-star form.
Beyond Amphoreus,Honkai: Star Railhas an opportunity to explore stories aboutGenius Societymembers' lives, especially Herta, who’s been there since the beginning. While it’s entertaining to see her interacting with the Trailblazer during Simulated Universe runs and side quests in the Space Station, it could also be quite repetitive. Plus, with Herta’s original form now in the picture, this givesHonkai: Star Railmore reason to give her more screen time. After all, the character herself has a flair for the dramatic, so it’s only fitting for her to make a huge impact in the story sometime soon.
