Honkai Star Rail Pure Fiction Stage 4: 40k Himeko Herta Guide

Understanding Stage 4 Mechanics and Scoring

Pure Fiction Stage 4 offers four point thresholds: 30k, 40k, 50k, and 60k. The current rotation (Nov 24, 2025 - Jan 5, 2026) features ice-weak enemies perfect for Fire and Ice Erudition characters.

Grit Value System:

• Each DoT applied adds 2 Grit Value (max 100)
• At 100 Grit, Surging Grit activates: enemies take 50% increased damage, deal 35% reduced damage, gain 50% SPD
• Current DoTs instantly deal 100% original damage when Surging Grit triggers
• Makes DoT strategies exceptionally powerful

The 40k threshold requires 8-10 total cycles (4-5 per node). You earn 5 energy per enemy defeated, enabling faster ultimates when prioritizing multi-target elimination.

For roster optimization, honkai star rail oneiric shard top up through BitTopup provides fast, secure access to premium characters with competitive pricing.

Enemy Mechanics:

• Enemies start with 1 Echo Enigma stack (Wind Shear DoT), max 10 stacks lasting 3 turns
• Cinnabar Inscription: +3% damage received per stack
• Torn Fabric: +10% Weakness Break Efficiency per stack during Surging Grit
• Exposition buff: DoTs ignore 20% RES during Surging Grit, +1% DoT damage per enemy DoT (max 99 stacks)

Why Himeko + Herta Dominates Stage 4

This pairing creates a self-sustaining damage loop:

Himeko's Kit:

• Victory Rush: Accumulates charges (max 3), triggers 140% ATK AoE follow-up when full
• Activates on enemy breaks
• Skill (Lv10): 200% ATK single target + 90% adjacent
• Ultimate: 230% ATK AoE

Herta's Kit:

• Talent triggers AoE when any enemy drops to ≤50% HP
• Skill (Lv10): 100% ATK + 20% bonus if enemy HP >50%
• Ultimate: 180% ATK AoE
• Follow-ups don't consume skill points

Synergy Loop:

Himeko breaks ice-weak enemies → triggers follow-up → reduces HP → Herta talent activates → more AoE damage → charges ultimates via 5 energy per defeat → repeat

Speed Breakpoints:

• 135 SPD: Act before most enemies
• 143 SPD: +1 turn every 3 cycles
• 160 SPD: Maximum turn frequency

Optimal Himeko Build

Base Stats (Lv80): 1047 HP, 756 ATK, 436 DEF, 96 SPD

Relic Set: Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters 4pc

• +12% damage to debuffed enemies
• +12% bonus when your SPD > enemy SPD

Main Stats:

• Body: CRIT Rate/DMG
• Feet: SPD
• Sphere: Fire DMG%
• Rope: ATK% or Break Effect

Target Stats:

• CRIT Rate: 60-70%
• CRIT DMG: 120-140%
• Break Effect: 150-200%
• SPD: 135+ (143 or 160 optimal)

Light Cones (Priority Order):

1. Before Dawn - Best damage ceiling via CRIT DMG
2. Night on the Milky Way - ATK% + energy regen
3. Eternal Calculus (4★) - ATK% + post-defeat damage

Substat Priority: CRIT Rate to 60% → CRIT DMG → Break Effect → SPD

Optimal Herta Build

Base Stats (Lv80): 952 HP, 582 ATK, 396 DEF, 100 SPD

Relic Set: Hunter of Glacial Forest 4pc

• +25% CRIT DMG
• Additional bonuses vs frozen/Ice-weak enemies

Main Stats:

• Body: CRIT Rate
• Feet: SPD or ATK%
• Sphere: Ice DMG%
• Rope: ATK%

Target Stats:

• CRIT Rate: 60%
• CRIT DMG: 100%
• SPD: 134+ (143 optimal)

Light Cones (Priority Order):

1. Night on the Milky Way - ATK% + energy regen
2. Before Dawn - CRIT DMG bonuses
3. Eternal Calculus (4★) - ATK% + post-defeat damage

Substat Priority: CRIT Rate to 60% → CRIT DMG → ATK% → SPD

For character upgrades, buy hsr shards cheap at BitTopup with fast delivery and secure transactions.

Team Compositions

Premium: Himeko - Herta - Robin - Aventurine

• Robin: Action advance, ATK%, CRIT DMG buffs
• Aventurine: Shields, CRIT DMG buffs, skill point positive

Budget: Himeko - Herta - Asta - Gallagher

• Asta: Fire DMG%, ATK%, SPD buffs
• Gallagher: Break Effect synergy, healing

Harmony Support Options:

Asta (4★):

• Fire DMG% and ATK% buffs
• Ultimate grants team SPD
• Skill point neutral/positive

Ruan Mei:

• Weakness Break Efficiency, RES PEN, Break Effect buffs
• Ultimate delays enemy actions post-break
• Perfect for Break Effect Himeko builds

Tingyun (4★):

• Single-target ATK% buffs
• Energy regeneration
• Skill point neutral

Sustain Options:

Aventurine:

• Auto shields, follow-up damage
• CRIT DMG buffs (signature LC)
• Skill point positive

Huohuo:

• Energy regen, ATK% buffs
• Cleanse for Wind Shear DoTs
• Skill point neutral

Luocha:

• Auto healing triggers
• Skill point positive
• Minimal player input

F2P Alternative: Himeko - Herta - Asta - March 7th (Preservation)

Blessing Selection Strategy

Top Priority:

• AoE damage amplification
• Follow-up attack damage
• Break Effect bonuses
• Energy regeneration

Avoid:

• Single-target damage
• Defensive blessings (with proper sustain)
• DoT-specific (limited synergy for this team)

Choose percentage-based increases over flat bonuses for better scaling.

Battle Rotation for 40k Points

Wave 1 - Resource Building (2 cycles):

1. Support buffs first (Asta Skill/Robin Skill/Ruan Mei Skill)
2. Himeko uses Skills to build Victory Rush charges
3. Herta uses Basic Attacks until enemies drop <50% HP
4. Sustain uses Basic Attacks unless emergency healing needed
5. Target low-HP enemies for 5 energy per defeat
6. End with 2-3 Victory Rush charges, 60-80% ultimate energy

Wave 2 - Ultimate Window (1-2 cycles):

1. Let enemies act 1-2 times to build Echo Enigma stacks
2. Support ultimates first (Robin → Ruan Mei → Asta)
3. Himeko ultimate (230% ATK AoE)
4. Herta ultimate (180% ATK AoE)
5. Follow-ups cascade as enemies break and drop <50% HP
6. Build Grit Value to 80-90 for Wave 3

Wave 3 - Boss Execution (2-3 cycles):

1. Enter with ultimates ready, 80-90 Grit Value
2. Apply support buffs
3. Trigger Surging Grit (DoTs or enemy defeats)
4. Unleash ultimates during 50% damage buff window
5. Focus breaks on Cocolia (Node 1) or eliminate Zandar adds (Node 2)
6. Maintain aggression with Himeko Skills for Victory Rush

Skill Point Management:

• Himeko: Skills when Victory Rush not maxed
• Herta: Skills only vs enemies >50% HP, otherwise talent triggers
• Supports: Basic Attacks unless buff refresh needed
• Maintain 2-3 points entering Wave 2

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overusing Herta Skills in Wave 1:

• Her talent triggers automatically when enemies drop <50% HP
• Save skill points for Himeko and Wave 2/3

Poor Ultimate Timing:

• Don't cast in Wave 1 (low HP enemies, fewer stacks)
• Wait for Wave 2 or early Wave 3 when Echo Enigma stacks accumulate
• Time with Surging Grit for 50% damage buff

Ignoring Break Effect:

• Torn Fabric grants +10% Weakness Break Efficiency per stack during Surging Grit
• Himeko's 150-200% Break Effect enables consistent breaks
• More Victory Rush triggers compensate for slightly lower CRIT DMG

When to Reset:

• Multiple consecutive CRIT failures in Wave 1
• Poor blessing offerings (no AoE/follow-up/Break Effect options)
• Consistent enemy targeting bypassing sustain

Advanced Tips

Speed Tuning:

• Supports: 145-150 SPD (act first)
• Himeko: 135-143 SPD
• Herta: 134-143 SPD
• Ensures buffs active before DPS rotations

Weakness Break Timing:

• Coordinate breaks across multiple enemies simultaneously
• Triggers multiple Himeko follow-ups
• Delays all broken enemies' actions
• Ruan Mei ultimate amplifies delay (2-3 turns before enemies act)

Damage Benchmarks:

• Wave 1: 2 cycles
• Wave 2: 1-2 cycles
• Wave 3: 2-3 cycles
• Himeko Victory Rush: 15k-20k per follow-up vs ice-weak enemies
• Herta talent triggers: 4-6 per wave

Alternative Teams Without Himeko/Herta

Without Himeko:

• Serval - Herta - Tingyun - Gallagher (all 4★)
• Serval provides Lightning AoE + DoT
• Achieves 30k-35k points, requires stronger investment for 40k

Without Herta:

• Himeko - Topaz - Ruan Mei - Aventurine
• Topaz follow-ups trigger Himeko Victory Rush
• Strong vs bosses, weaker in multi-target waves

Other Fire DPS:

• Guinaifen: Fire DoT + DEF reduction, synergizes with Grit mechanics
• Hook: Single-target Fire, lacks AoE coverage

FAQ

How many cycles for 40k points? 8-10 total cycles (4-5 per node). Premium teams achieve 7-8 cycles with strong investment.

Best Himeko light cone? Before Dawn (highest damage) > Night on the Milky Way (energy regen) > Eternal Calculus (4★ accessible).

Best supports for Himeko-Herta? Robin (premium), Ruan Mei (Break Effect focus), Asta (best 4★). Sustain: Aventurine > Huohuo > Luocha.

Can F2P reach 40k? Yes. Himeko - Herta - Asta - Gallagher achieves 40k with proper relics and execution (9-10 cycles).

Himeko stat priorities? 60-70% CRIT Rate, 120-140% CRIT DMG, 150-200% Break Effect, 135+ SPD.

How does Grit work? Each DoT adds 2 Grit Value. At 100, Surging Grit activates: enemies take 50% more damage, current DoTs deal 100% damage instantly. Time activation for Wave 3 bosses to maximize damage.