Dan Heng is one of the first characters players receive in Honkai Star Rail — a cold, reserved spear-wielder who serves as the Astral Express’s guard and carries a past he rarely speaks of. Available for free from the very start of the game, he is a solid single-target Wind Hunt DPS with a rare RES PEN mechanic in his kit. In patch 4.3, he remains a reliable early-to-mid game carry and a useful option in Wind-weak content with the right investment. This Dan Heng build guide covers everything — best Light Cones, Relics, stat priorities, team compositions, and Eidolons — to get the most out of him in the current patch.

Table of Contents

TL;DR – Dan Heng Build Summary (4.3)

Dan Heng is a 4-star Wind Hunt single-target DPS who applies Slow on CRIT Skill hits and deals amplified Ultimate damage against Slowed enemies
Best Light Cone: In the Night (5-star BiS) or Swordplay (4-star best F2P)
Best Relic Set: Eagle of Twilight Line (4-piece) or Scholar Lost in Erudition (4-piece)
Best Planar Ornament: Space Sealing Station or Inert Salsotto
Target stats: CRIT Rate 60%+, CRIT DMG 140%+, SPD 134+, ATK 2,000+
Best team: Dan Heng, Bronya/Sunday, Tingyun, Sustain
His Talent provides Wind RES PEN when an ally uses an ability on him — one of the few free sources of RES PEN in the game
Trace priority: Skill > Ultimate > Talent > Basic ATK

Who Is Dan Heng in Honkai Star Rail?

Dan Heng is a 4-star character following the Path of the Hunt with the Wind element. He is one of the three starting characters on the Astral Express — a guard who wields the Cloud-Piercer spear with cold precision. He joined the Express to escape his past, though the extent of that past is revealed slowly across the main story. His alter-ego, Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae, is his true Vidyadhara form from that history.

On the battlefield, Dan Heng is a focused single-target damage dealer built around one clear loop: apply Slow with a CRIT Skill hit, then fire an amplified Ultimate against the Slowed enemy for bonus damage. His Talent provides a unique Wind RES PEN buff whenever an ally uses an ability on him — a passive penetration bonus that reduces the enemy’s resistance to his attacks and is rare at his rarity. He is naturally fast with a 110 base SPD, making him one of the quicker 4-star DPS characters available.

Prydwen’s review is straightforward: Dan Heng is strong in the early game and remains a solid option throughout with sufficient investment, but his purely single-target nature and reliance on allies to trigger his Talent limit his ceiling in late-game multi-target content.

Dan Heng Skills and Abilities

Basic ATK – Cloudlancer Art: North Wind

Deals Wind DMG to a single target equal to a percentage of Dan Heng’s ATK. A clean filler action used when conserving Skill Points. The A6 Trace gives his Basic ATK a +40% DMG bonus against Slowed enemies, meaning it is not entirely wasted when the Slow condition is active. Generates 20 Energy.

Skill – Cloudlancer Art: Torrent

Deals Wind DMG to a single target equal to up to 260% ATK at max Trace level. On a CRIT Hit, there is a 100% base chance to reduce the target’s SPD by 12% for 2 turns, applying Slow. This is Dan Heng’s primary action and the foundation of his damage loop. The CRIT requirement for Slow means building sufficient CRIT Rate is critical — missing CRIT means missing Slow, which means a weaker Ultimate. Generates 30 Energy. Costs 1 SP.

Ultimate – Ethereal Dream

Deals Wind DMG to a single target equal to up to 288% ATK at max Trace level. If the enemy is currently Slowed, the Ultimate’s DMG multiplier increases by a further 72% — bringing the total to 360% ATK against a Slowed target. The conditional bonus is substantial and is why the Slow from his Skill is so important to maintain. Costs only 100 Energy, making his Ultimate very accessible and cyclable. At E4, defeating an enemy with the Ultimate advances his next action by 100%.

Talent – Superiority of Reach

When Dan Heng is targeted by an ally’s ability (any Skill, Ultimate, or support ability directed at him), his next attack gains Wind RES PEN equal to a percentage based on Trace level, up to 36% at max. This RES PEN activates once and then goes on a 2-turn cooldown before it can trigger again. Wind RES PEN is extremely valuable — it bypasses the enemy’s Wind resistance entirely on that hit, significantly amplifying the damage of whatever attack fires next. The limitation is that Dan Heng cannot trigger this himself; a support, healer, or buffer must use an ability on him to activate it.

Technique – Splitting Spearhead

After using the Technique, Dan Heng’s ATK increases by 40% for 3 turns at the start of the next battle. Always use this before entering combat — the free ATK buff on the first 3 turns boosts both his Skill damage and Ultimate damage during the critical opening window of each fight.

Major Traces

Hidden Dragon (A2): When Dan Heng’s current HP is 50% or lower, reduces the chance of enemies targeting him. A defensive quality-of-life trace that partially protects him in situations where the team is under pressure. In practice, his low HP pool means this can activate occasionally in difficult content
Faster Than Light (A4): After launching any attack, there is a 50% fixed chance to increase Dan Heng’s SPD by 20% for 2 turns. This proc is random but fires frequently over the course of a fight, giving him additional turns during activation windows. Combined with his already-high 110 base SPD, an active A4 proc makes Dan Heng one of the fastest 4-star DPS characters in the game
High Gale (A6): Basic ATK deals 40% more DMG to Slowed enemies. This makes Basic ATK a meaningful filler option when the target is Slowed and Dan Heng needs to preserve SP — instead of being a pure placeholder, it contributes a meaningful hit against Slowed targets. Also applies when Slow is maintained by allies rather than Dan Heng himself

Dan Heng Best Light Cones (4.3)

1. In the Night (Best in Slot – 5-Star)

The best Light Cone for Dan Heng according to Prydwen’s calculations and Pocket Tactics. It provides +18% CRIT Rate, increases Basic ATK and Skill DMG by 6% for each 10 SPD above 100 (up to 6 stacks), and boosts CRIT DMG by the same amount per stack for Ultimate damage. Dan Heng’s 110 base SPD and A4 Trace’s random SPD boost mean he consistently reaches high stack counts, making both parts of this cone active throughout the fight. An exceptional synergy with his naturally high speed. Obtainable from the Light Cone Event Warp.

2. Swordplay (4-Star – Best F2P Option)

The community-favoured 4-star option for Dan Heng. It stacks DMG% each time the wearer hits the same target, up to 5 stacks for +40% DMG total. Since Dan Heng always focuses the same single target, maintaining max stacks is trivial — every turn adds another stack without any special effort. At S5 this cone delivers genuinely competitive damage and is a strong choice for players who want to maximise free-to-play performance. Prydwen assumes all 5 stacks are maintained in their calculations.

3. Cruising in the Stellar Sea (5-Star F2P from Herta’s Store)

Available for free using Undying Embers from the Simulated Universe. Provides CRIT Rate and, after defeating an enemy, increases ATK by 20% and regenerates 8 Energy. The CRIT Rate directly helps meet the 60%+ threshold needed for reliable Slow application via the Skill. A worthwhile investment of Herta Store currency for players without better options.

4. Only Silence Remains (4-Star)

Provides ATK% and, when 2 or fewer enemies are on the field, increases CRIT Rate by 16%. Dan Heng’s single-target design means the 2-enemy threshold is often met in boss fights and focused combat scenarios. A clean 4-star option that covers both ATK and CRIT Rate needs.

5. Darting Arrow (3-Star Budget)

After defeating an enemy, ATK increases by 24–48% for 3 turns. A 3-star budget fallback for early-game players who lack 4-star alternatives. The conditional requires kills to activate, which is workable in story content but less reliable in boss fights. Replace as soon as a better option is available.

Dan Heng Best Relic Sets (4.3)

Eagle of Twilight Line (4-Piece) – Classic Best in Slot

The Wind-focused relic set and Dan Heng’s most recommended option by Prydwen and multiple sources. The 2-piece gives +10% Wind DMG. The 4-piece advances Dan Heng’s action forward by 25% after he uses his Ultimate. Combined with his high base SPD, the action advance means Dan Heng acts again very quickly after every Ultimate — critical for maintaining his Slow loop since he can re-apply Slow before it expires and chain back into another powered-up Ultimate. The action advance compounds with A4’s SPD bonus and E4’s kill advance for extremely fast cycling in favourable matchups.

Scholar Lost in Erudition (4-Piece) – Strong Alternative

Lootbar.gg and other sources identify this as a competitive alternative. The 2-piece gives +8% CRIT Rate. The 4-piece increases Skill and Ultimate DMG by 20% and adds a further +8% CRIT Rate after using the Ultimate. Both are Dan Heng’s primary damage actions. The CRIT Rate from both the 2-piece and post-Ultimate bonus is particularly valuable for ensuring reliable Slow application from the Skill’s CRIT requirement. Use this set if your Scholar pieces have better substats than your Eagle pieces, or if you need the CRIT Rate support more than the action advance.

Eagle of Twilight Line (2) + Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters (2)

A transitional 2+2 combination providing +10% Wind DMG and +12% DMG against debuffed enemies. Slow counts as a debuff, making the Pioneer 2-piece bonus active whenever Slow is applied. A clean bridge setup while farming for a complete 4-piece set.

Dan Heng Best Planar Ornaments (4.3)

Space Sealing Station (Best Reliable Option)

The most accessible and reliable Planar Ornament for Dan Heng. It provides +12% ATK and, when SPD reaches 120 or higher, grants an additional +12% ATK. Dan Heng’s 110 base SPD means SPD boots easily push him past 120, activating the full +24% ATK bonus consistently. Both sources of ATK directly scale his Skill, Basic ATK, and Ultimate damage. A clean option with no complex conditional requirements.

Inert Salsotto (CRIT Alternative)

Provides +8% CRIT Rate and, when CRIT Rate reaches 50% or higher, increases Ultimate and Follow-Up DMG by 15%. The 15% Ultimate DMG bonus applies to Dan Heng’s most powerful attack and is always active in a properly built Dan Heng who maintains 50%+ CRIT Rate. A strong choice when the CRIT Rate bonus is needed to reach the 60% threshold more comfortably.

Firmament Frontline: Glamoth (High SPD Build)

Provides ATK% with a large DMG% bonus at 135 or 160 SPD. Dan Heng’s A4 Trace SPD proc and In the Night’s stacking can push him past 135 in some turns. Use this specifically in builds targeting very high SPD where the conditional DMG% bonus activates consistently. Less reliable than Space Sealing Station for most builds.

Dan Heng Best Stats and Substats (4.3)

Main Stats

Body: CRIT Rate (most important — required for reliable Slow application via Skill)
Boots: SPD (reach 134+ for tight rotation; high SPD feeds In the Night stacks and A4 Trace)
Planar Sphere (Orb): Wind DMG Boost
Link Rope: ATK%

Substat Priority

CRIT Rate (aim for 60%+ — below this, Slow misses too often and the Ultimate loses its bonus multiplier)
CRIT DMG (aim for 140%+)
ATK% and Flat ATK
SPD (reach 134 at minimum; higher SPD feeds In the Night stacks)

The single most important stat for Dan Heng is CRIT Rate. His Skill only applies Slow on a CRIT Hit — which means every point of CRIT Rate below 60% is a meaningful chance per Skill use that his core mechanic simply does not activate. Without Slow, his Ultimate loses the +72% DMG multiplier bonus, dramatically reducing his output. Build CRIT Rate as the absolute first priority from gear and do not neglect it for CRIT DMG stacking until you hit 60%+. His minor traces provide +22.4% Wind DMG and +18% ATK, giving him a solid damage floor from traces alone.

Dan Heng Best Team Compositions (4.3)

Best Standard Team: Dan Heng, Bronya/Sunday, Tingyun, Sustain

Dan Heng’s strongest accessible team setup. Bronya is his best classic support — her action advance lets Dan Heng take an extra turn immediately after using his Skill, allowing him to use his Ultimate on the same enemy before Slow expires. She also provides ATK% and DMG% buffs and, crucially, her Skill targets Dan Heng directly — activating his Talent’s Wind RES PEN on the very next attack. Sunday works similarly: his action advance targets a single ally and fires the RES PEN Talent. Tingyun adds ATK% buffs and Energy Regeneration, helping Dan Heng cycle his Ultimate for consistent Slowed Ultimate damage. A sustain in the fourth slot — Luocha, Gallagher, or Huohuo — rounds out the team.

Speed Team: Dan Heng, Asta, Tingyun, Gallagher

Asta provides SPD buffs and ATK% bonuses that compound beautifully with Dan Heng’s A4 Trace and In the Night’s SPD-stacking mechanic. High SPD means Dan Heng takes more turns, applies Slow more frequently, and gets more powered Ultimate windows. Tingyun adds Energy Regeneration and ATK. Gallagher sustains. An accessible team that leans into Dan Heng’s speed-focused identity.

Wind Weak Exploit: Dan Heng, Bronya, Pela, Natasha/Gallagher

For Wind-weak endgame content, Dan Heng’s Wind DMG output is maximised by Bronya‘s buffs, Pela‘s DEF shred (a third debuff that also feeds Pioneer Diver’s threshold if used), and a sustain. A clean and accessible early-to-mid game setup that covers Wind-weak content effectively without requiring any limited 5-star units.

Early Game: Dan Heng, March 7th, Asta, Natasha

The classic early-game team many players use before acquiring limited characters. March 7th provides shields and Freezes, Asta buffs ATK and SPD, Natasha heals, and Dan Heng deals single-target damage. A reliable setup for story progression and Simulated Universe runs.

Characters Who Synergise With Dan Heng

Bronya – Best support; action advance activates Talent RES PEN and lets him chain Skill into Ultimate before Slow expires
Sunday – Action advance support; his Skill targeting Dan Heng activates the Talent bonus
Tingyun – ATK% buff and Energy Regen; best 4-star support for Dan Heng
Asta – SPD and ATK buffs that feed In the Night stacks and A4 procs
Pela – Free DEF shred; her Skill targets Dan Heng directly, activating the Talent RES PEN
Welt – Applies additional Slow and debuffs; extra Slow sources ensure the Ultimate bonus is more consistently available
Luocha – SP-positive healer whose Skill targets Dan Heng directly to activate Talent RES PEN
Silver Wolf – Can implant Wind Weakness and apply DEF shred; ensures Dan Heng’s attacks always hit a Weakness
Huohuo – Energy regen plus Skill targeting Dan Heng activates Talent; a strong premium sustain option

Dan Heng Eidolons – Are They Worth It?

Dan Heng is a free character obtainable from the beginning of the game, and picks up Eidolons naturally over time from standard banner pulls and featured rate-ups. His Eidolons are meaningful quality-of-life upgrades.

E1 – The Higher You Fly, the Harder You Fall

When the target enemy’s current HP is greater than or equal to 50% of their Max HP, CRIT Rate increases by 12%. This is a very clean upgrade for the early phases of every fight — when enemies are above half HP, Dan Heng effectively has +12% CRIT Rate, significantly improving his Slow application reliability. Since the opening burst window is when consistent Slow matters most, E1 directly addresses his biggest inconsistency. A strong E1.

E2 – Quell the Venom Octet, Quench the Vice O’Flame

Reduces the Talent’s cooldown by 1 turn (from 2 turns to 1 turn). The Talent’s Wind RES PEN can now trigger every turn rather than every other turn — as long as an ally uses an ability on Dan Heng once per turn, he benefits from RES PEN on every single attack. In teams where Bronya or a healer uses an ability on him regularly, this is a near-permanent RES PEN upgrade and a meaningful DPS increase.

E4 – Roaring Dragon and Soaring Sun

When Dan Heng uses his Ultimate to defeat an enemy, his next action is advanced forward by 100%. In multi-wave content or fights where he can kill enemies with his Ultimate, this is effectively a free extra turn per kill — letting him immediately re-apply Slow on the next target without waiting. Very satisfying in wave-based content.

E6 – The Troubled Soul Lies in Wait

The Slow state triggered by the Skill reduces the enemy’s SPD by an extra 8% (on top of the base 12%, for a total of 20% SPD reduction). A stronger Slow means more disruption of enemy action timing and a more significant delay in their turns. A clean E6 for a fully committed Dan Heng player.

Recommended stopping point: E2. E0 Dan Heng is a solid early-game DPS. E1 fixes his Slow reliability against high-HP targets. E2 turns his RES PEN into a near-permanent benefit. Both are worth having and come naturally from standard banner accumulation over time.

Dan Heng Rotation Guide

Dan Heng’s rotation is clean and straightforward:

Use the Technique before combat — the +40% ATK for 3 turns is a free burst window at battle start
Have a support use an ability on Dan Heng before he acts — this activates the Talent’s Wind RES PEN for his first Skill hit
Use the Skill on the priority target. The Talent RES PEN applies to this hit. On a CRIT, the target is Slowed
If running Bronya or Sunday: accept their action advance and immediately use the Ultimate on the Slowed target for the full +72% DMG multiplier bonus
After the Ultimate, have a support target Dan Heng again to reload the Talent RES PEN for the next Skill hit. The A2 trace’s Skill → Ultimate action advance makes this rotation tight and repeatable
Use Basic ATK when conserving SP for the team. Against Slowed enemies, the A6 Trace’s +40% Basic ATK bonus makes this meaningful damage rather than pure filler
Cycle the Ultimate whenever 100 Energy is reached — the low cost means this happens frequently with Tingyun’s Energy Regen support

The golden rule for Dan Heng: always have Slow active before using Ultimate. Without Slow, his Ultimate loses 72% ATK multiplier — that is a massive loss per cast. Prioritise landing CRIT Skill hits above all else, and build enough CRIT Rate that missing the Slow condition is rare.

Dan Heng Ascension Materials

Credits: 246,400
Ascension materials: Extinguished Core, Glimmering Core, Squirming Core (from Antimatter Legion enemies) and Storm Eye (Stagnant Shadow)
Trace materials: Key of Insight, Key of Wisdom, Key of Knowledge (from Bud of the Hunt Calyx), and Guardian’s Lament (from Echo of War)
Boss material: Storm Eye from the Stagnant Shadow domain

Is Dan Heng Worth Using in Patch 4.3?

Dan Heng is a reliable and accessible DPS option in 4.3 — particularly for newer players, returning players, and anyone who needs a free Wind DPS without access to limited characters. He is strong in the early game and holds up in mid-game content with proper relic investment. Prydwen notes he is one of the first characters players gain access to and is well-designed for that early experience against the many Lightning and Wind-weak enemies in Belobog and beyond.

The honest late-game picture: he cannot compete with limited 5-star Hunt DPS characters in Memory of Chaos at the highest difficulty. His purely single-target kit is a real limitation in multi-target stages, and his inability to self-trigger his Talent makes him dependent on specific team compositions. But in solo-target boss fights with Wind weakness, he punches above his weight class for a 4-star free character — especially with In the Night and Eagle of Twilight Line.

If you are building from a free roster or exploring Wind-weak content, Dan Heng is absolutely worth investing in. For veterans with access to Feixiao or other premium Hunt DPS characters, he serves best as a content-specific option or a solid second team filler.

Looking for more character guides? Check out builds for Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae, Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae, Bronya, Tingyun, and Silver Wolf for more characters relevant to Dan Heng’s best teams.

For the official Version 4.3 patch notes, visit the official Honkai: Star Rail website.