Himeko Nova Guide and Best Builds

Introductions

Himeko • Nova is a 5-Star Fire character who follows the Path of Erudition. Himeko is an ATK-scaling DPS with supportive capabilities who deals high amounts of DMG from her Ultimate and Assist Skills. These Assist Skills are triggered and enhanced by having members of the Astral Express on the team.
Our Himeko Nova Build Guide will show you the best Light Cones, Relics, and Team Compositions to build a Himeko that would make Akivili proud.

Himeko Nova's Best Light Cone

The percentage numbers listed showcase the relative DPS increase when you take into account both the Light Cone Effect(s) and Cone Base Stats.

A Star That Lights the Night (S1)
133%

The wearer ignores 32.0 / 36.0 / 40.0 / 44.0 / 48.0% of the target's DEF when dealing DMG. When the wearer uses an Assist Skill, they regenerate 6.0 Energy and gain "Sail," lasting for 2 turns and stacking up to 3.0 time(s). Each stack of "Sail" increases Assist Skill DMG by 20.0 / 25.0 / 30.0 / 35.0 / 40.0%. When "Sail" reaches 3.0 stacks, each stack of "Sail" increases Ultimate DMG by 20.0 / 25.0 / 30.0 / 35.0 / 40.0%.

Himeko • Nova's signature Light Cone and her strongest overall option. It performs best in both her Verdict and Decimation stances, and is always her Best-in-Slot. Her Signature provides an abundance of buffs through DEF Ignore and DMG % for her Assist Skill and Ultimate DMG. Furthermore, Himeko gains 6 Energy when using an Assist Skill, significantly easing her Energy rotations.

While alternatives like "Night on the Milky Way" at S5 and "Into the Unreachable Veil" provide strong amplification, they fail to provide Energy, which may prove to be a vast difference in teams without Sunday. Additionally, when paired with additional sources of DEF Shred or Ignore, this Light Cone pulls out further ahead than other options.

Night on the Milky Way (S5)
118%

For every enemy on the field, increases the wearer's ATK by 9.0 / 10.5 / 12.0 / 13.5 / 15.0%, up to 5 stacks. When an enemy is inflicted with Weakness Break, the DMG dealt by the wearer increases by 30.0 / 35.0 / 40.0 / 45.0 / 50.0% for 1 turn.

Sources: Stellar Warp

Performs very well when its conditions are met. However, it requires her to Break frequently, which she is only able to achieve in multi-wave scenarios such as Pure Fiction.

Into the Unreachable Veil (S1)
117%

Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 12.0 / 14.0 / 16.0 / 18.0 / 20.0%. When the wearer uses their Ultimate, increases the wearer's Skill DMG and Ultimate DMG dealt by 60.0 / 70.0 / 80.0 / 90.0 / 100%, lasting for 3 turn(s). After the wearer uses their Ultimate, if this Ultimate consumed 140 or more Energy, recovers 1 Skill Point.

Sources: Event Warp (limited)

A strong alternative signature Light Cone belonging to The Herta, granting CRIT Rate while providing a huge Skill and Ultimate DMG % after using her Ultimate. Along with the additional SP regeneration upon Ultimate use, the Skill DMG bonus applies to her Assist Skill, meaning all of her DMG (sans her Basic ATK) is supported by this Light Cone.

Night on the Milky Way (S1)
110%

Before Dawn (S1)
108%

Increases the wearer's CRIT DMG by 36.0 / 42.0 / 48.0 / 54.0 / 60.0%. Increases DMG dealt by the wearer's Skill and Ultimate by 18.0 / 21.0 / 24.0 / 27.0 / 30.0%. After the wearer uses Skill or Ultimate, gains "Somnus Corpus." Upon triggering a Follow-Up ATK, consumes "Somnus Corpus," and increases DMG dealt by Follow-Up ATK by 48.0 / 56.0 / 64.0 / 72.0 / 80.0%.

Sources: Event Warp (limited)

A CRIT-focused alternative that provides Skill and Ultimate DMG buffs. However, a strong portion of this Light Cone's passive is dedicated to Follow-Up Attacks, which Himeko does not possess unless paired with Dan Heng. Consequently, its performance is weaker than many premium alternatives.

Today Is Another Peaceful Day (S5)
107%

After entering battle, increases the wearer's DMG based on their Max Energy. Each point of Energy increases DMG by 0.2 / 0.25 / 0.3 / 0.35 / 0.4%. A max of 160 Energy will be taken into account for this.

Sources: Nameless Glory

One of the strongest 4-Star options available to Himeko • Nova. Due to her high Max Energy, she is able to gain a large, permanent DMG% increase.

Geniuses' Repose (S5)
105%

Increases the wearer's ATK by 16.0 / 20.0 / 24.0 / 28.0 / 32.0%. When the wearer defeats an enemy, the wearer's CRIT DMG increases by 24.0 / 30.0 / 36.0 / 42.0 / 48.0% for 3 turn(s).

Sources: Stellar Warp

Provides a healthy mixture of ATK% and CRIT DMG, making it a respectable offensive option. However, its reliance on defeating enemies makes it less reliable outside of multi-wave content.

The Day The Cosmos Fell (S5)
102%

Increases the wearer's ATK by 16.0 / 18.0 / 20.0 / 22.0 / 24.0%. When the wearer uses an attack and at least 2 attacked enemies have the corresponding Weakness, the wearer's CRIT DMG increases by 20.0 / 25.0 / 30.0 / 35.0 / 40.0%, lasting for 2 turn(s).

Sources: Forgotten Hall Store

A free-to-play option that grants both ATK% and CRIT DMG when attacking enemies with Fire Weaknesses. Himeko can activate its effects reasonably well in favorable encounters.

Today Is Another Peaceful Day (S1)
100%

The Seriousness of Breakfast (S5)
100%

Increases the wearer's DMG by 12.0 / 15.0 / 18.0 / 21.0 / 24.0%. For every enemy defeated by the wearer, the wearer's ATK increases by 4.0 / 5.0 / 6.0 / 7.0 / 8.0%, stacking up to 3 time(s).

Sources: Mission Reward, Forgotten Hall Store, Echo of War

Best Relics and Planar Ornaments for Himeko Nova

Best Relics for Himeko • Nova

These are the best Relic Sets to build for Himeko • Nova.

As Navigator Isee Sees It
106%

2-Piece Set: Increases ATK by 12.0%.

4-Piece Set: When the wearer enters combat or uses Skill, their Skill and Ultimate DMG dealt increases by 18.0%, stacking up to 3 time(s). At the start of the wearer's turn or after using their Ultimate, removes 1 stack(s) of this effect.

Himeko • Nova's best performing Relic Set. Since her Assist Skills are considered Skills, she is able to maintain the set's Skill and Ultimate DMG% buffs at maximum stacks.

Genius of Brilliant Stars
97%

2-Piece Set: Increases Quantum DMG by 10.0%.

4-Piece Set: When the wearer deals DMG to the target enemy, ignores 10.0% DEF. If the target enemy has Quantum Weakness, the wearer additionally ignores 10.0% DEF.

A strong alternative that provides DEF Ignore and performs particularly well against Quantum-Weak enemies. Furthermore, when paired with her Signature Light Cone, the set performs significantly better.

Wavestrider Captain
100%

2-Piece Set: Increases CRIT DMG by 16.0%.

4-Piece Set: When the wearer becomes the target of another ally target's ability, gains 1 stack of "Help," stacking up to 2 time(s). If there are 2 stack(s) of "Help" when the wearer uses their Ultimate, consumes all "Help" to increase the wearer's ATK by 48.0% for 1 turn(s).

A good option that provides CRIT DMG and ATK% albeit a bit rarely. While it relies on ally-targeting effects to reach its full potential, therefore locking the set to Verdict stance teams, it remains a strong Relic Set option overall.

Scholar Lost in Erudition
99.1%

2-Piece Set: Increases CRIT Rate by 8.0%.

4-Piece Set: Increases DMG dealt by Skill and Ultimate by 20.0%. After using Ultimate, additionally increases the DMG dealt by the next Skill by 25.0%.

Offers bonuses that align well with Himeko's damage profile through CRIT Rate, Skill, and Ultimate DMG%. However, the 25% Skill DMG buff after using her Ultimate has rather poor uptime, reducing its effectiveness.

Best Planar Ornaments

Fallen Star Anchorage
102.6%

2-Piece Set: Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 8.0%. When entering combat, if the wearer and another teammate are both Trailblaze Companions characters, increases the wearer's CRIT DMG by 32.0%.

Himeko • Nova's strongest Planar Ornament option, offering CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG when paired with another member of the Astral Express.

The Wondrous BananAmusement Park
102.5%

2-Piece Set: Increases the wearer's CRIT DMG by 16.0%. When a target summoned by the wearer is on the field, CRIT DMG additionally increases by 32.0%.

A competitive alternative to Fallen Star Anchorage when played alongside Dan Heng • Permanor Terrae.

Sigonia, the Unclaimed Desolation
100%

2-Piece Set: Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 4.0%. When an enemy target gets defeated, the wearer's CRIT DMG increases by 4.0%, stacking up to 10 time(s).

Gains up to 40% Crit DMG the faster enemies are defeated, allowing it to surpass other options in Pure Fiction due to rapidly accumulated stacks.

Rutilant Arena
99.5%

2-Piece Set: Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 8.0%. When the wearer's current CRIT Rate reaches 70.0% or higher, DMG dealt by Basic ATK and Skill increases by 20.0%.

A decent alternative that offers CRIT Rate and Skill DMG.

Himeko Nova's Stat Priority

Body

CRIT Rate

CRIT DMG

Feet

SPD

ATK%

Planar Sphere

Fire DMG Boost

ATK%

Link Rope

ATK%

Stat Priority

CRIT Rate

CRIT DMG

SPD

ATK%

Recommended Endgame Stats for Himeko Nova

2500+

ATK

3600+

DEF

200+

SPD

111+

CRIT Rate

90%-100%

CRIT DMG

120%-160%+

When played without Sunday, in a Decimation stance, or when Remembrance Trailblazer is the sole advancer, Himeko may want higher SPD. Generally, a SPD Boot with few substats will suffice.

Traces Priority

Skills Priority

Assist Skill = Talent = Ultimate > Basic ATK

Major Traces Priority

Whither, the Last and First Men? = Hark! The Express's Pulse Roars > The Silver Rail, Hushed in Antiquity

Himeko Nova Build Comments

Himeko • Nova deals damage from her Ultimate and Assist Skill, an ability that replaces a character’s turn with her action. However, with Astral Express members, Himeko is able to perform this action and give them their turns, incentivizing playing them with her.

Additionally, when she uses her Assist Skill on certain AE members, she will trigger different effects, with each providing an additional way of triggering more Assist Skills passively.

While her Ultimate contributes meaningful damage, Assist Skills remain a major source of her overall output. Because of this, Energy Regeneration Rope main stats for her Link Rope often provide less value than ATK% main stats.

Himeko Nova's Best Teams

To learn all about Himeko • Nova's synergies and best team compositions, check our dedicated Himeko • Nova team page below:

Himeko • Nova Teams

Himeko Nova's Best Eidolons

Himeko • Nova's most impactful vertical investments are her Signature Light Cone, E1, E2, and E6. Her Signature Light Cone provides substantial personal amplification through DEF Shred, ATK%, and DMG Bonus, making it her strongest upgrade overall. E1 and E2 further improve the frequency of her Assist Skills, while E6 dramatically increases the damage of her Ultimate.
Aiming for E2S1 is the ideal stopping point for most players.
Listed below are our thoughts on Himeko • Nova's Eidolons. The following Eidolon comparisons are calculated with her Signature equipped.

Eidolon	% Diff	% Diff E0	Comment
That Which We Stride Is the Trailblaze	25%	25%	Allows Himeko • Nova to generate additional Assist Skills through her passive, making it one of her strongest early Eidolons.
The Colors We Never Strike	56%	95%	Grants non-Astral Express allies access to Extra Turns, significantly increasing Assist Skill frequency and overall team synergy by allowing her to be paired with additional supports. It should be noted that only Astral Express members are able to trigger her Stance modes, though.
We Who Are Starborn Muse Starward	4%	103%	A decent increase that primarily provides additional Trace Levels.
Let No Skyward Hand Stay Unheld	8%	119%	Increases Himeko's RES PEN, sharing it with allies.
To Cross the Cosmos and Beyond	10%	140%	A good increase that primarily provides additional Trace Levels.
Ours Is the Oath to Sail Starward	71%	412%	Himeko • Nova's strongest Eidolon, dramatically increasing the damage of her Ultimate through DMG multipliers. Furthermore, it grants her 20% All-Type RES Pen, along with 60% DMG to her Assist Skills.

Camaraderia

Guide Author

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This guide is written by camaraderia, a Honkai: Star Rail theorycrafter focused on spreadsheets, optimization, and build recommendations for all characters. He regularly maintains a comprehensive list of resources for upcoming characters and an active theorycrafting community, helping players with realistic assumptions across all investment levels.