Himeko • Nova Power-Leveling Guide

Tomorrow, Version 4.4 officially goes live. Right now, have you already farmed all the materials, prepared your Stellar Jade, and are just waiting to bring Himeko • Nova back onto the Astral Express? Or are you like me—still wondering where to spend Trailblaze Power, whether to farm relic stages, and whether the random pieces in your inventory are usable?

Don’t panic! This guide is made exactly for you. Pulling is luck, but building a character is science! Instead of scrambling after you get her, spend ten minutes now to understand her relics, ornaments, Light Cones, and teams all at once. Once you pull her, she can be ready right away—and the saved Trailblaze Power can go somewhere else. Sounds good, right?

【Relic Choices】

Best choice: the brand-new four-piece “Navigator” set (already implemented in Version 4.3)

The 2-piece set increases ATK by 12%. The 4-piece set increases Skill and Ultimate DMG by 18% when entering battle or using a Skill, stacking up to 3 times. This set perfectly matches Himeko’s damage logic—stacking through Skills and bursting with her Ultimate—making it the officially designated best-in-slot set.

Alternative options include the four-piece “Captain of the Wave-Tossed Sea” set (usable as a transition if you already have a finished Captain set) or the four-piece “Scholar Lost in Erudition” set, but her final destination is still Navigator.

【Ornament Choices】

Best choice: the new planar ornament set “Starfall Departure Point” (added in Version 4.4)

2-piece effect: increases CRIT Rate by 8%. When entering battle, if both this character and another teammate are “Trailblazing Companion” characters, CRIT DMG is additionally increased by 32%.

This ornament set is practically tailor-made for Himeko—her traces already provide 12% CRIT Rate, and with the ornament’s 8%, she gets 20% base CRIT Rate. Pair her with Astral Express crew members and she can fully enjoy the 32% CRIT DMG bonus. Alternatives include Inert Salsotto (general transitional option) or The Wondrous BananAmusement Park (requires specific teams).

【Recommended Stats】

Trace stats: 12% CRIT Rate, 8% Fire DMG, 28% ATK

Overall, she lacks CRIT Rate, so prioritize a CRIT Rate body piece.

Speed should be adjusted based on your playstyle: if you are running 134 SPD tuning or using action-advance supports, her SPD requirement will be lower. For beginners, prioritize double CRIT and ATK first, and use the main stat on boots to cover SPD if needed.

【Core Team-Building Ideas】

Himeko’s team-building core revolves around “Trailblazing Companion”—members of the Astral Express crew such as Welt, March 7th, Dan Heng, and others can trigger extra mechanics, allowing the team to take more actions and fully benefit from buffs.

Two protocol modes:

Judgment Mode: triggered by the Trailblazer, Dan Heng · Soaring Wilderness, and Sunday. Himeko gains 100% increased DMG + an additional 100% Ultimate DMG boost. Every time teammates use 2 Ultimates, she triggers 1 cost-free assist Skill.

Annihilation Mode: triggered by March 7th, Welt, and regular Himeko. The whole team gains 100% CRIT DMG + an additional 100% Skill CRIT DMG. Every 9 hits the team lands on enemies triggers 1 cost-free assist Skill.

Recommended teams:

Some players believe that SP Himeko only needs one Astral Express crew member to fully activate her relic and signature Light Cone effects. It is recommended to first ensure at least one Astral Express teammate, then expand the team based on your roster.

Her signature Light Cone provides a major boost, with a difference of over 20%. However, it is recommended to secure the E0 character first before considering the Light Cone, and Eidolons have higher priority than the Light Cone.

【Eidolon Recommendations】

Recommended progression: 00 → 10 → 20 → 21 → 61/65

E0 has a complete kit: she can clear endgame content with full stars, but her single-target damage is weak and her startup is relatively slow.

E1: lowers trigger requirements, increases assist Skill bounce count, and improves damage by about 20%.

E2 (breakpoint): assist Skill limit +1, non-Astral Express members can also gain extra turns, and the damage boost becomes an independent 130% multiplier. With her signature Light Cone, she can reliably achieve one Ultimate per action.

If you only plan to get E0, it is recommended to prioritize her signature Light Cone. For value, E2S1 (E2 + signature Light Cone) is the complete endgame setup, while F2P players can experience her basic strength with E0S1.

【Not Enough Stellar Jade? Try Kardz Top Up】

When talking about Eidolons and signature Light Cones, we have to face a real problem—not enough Stellar Jade. Version 4.4 brings Himeko + SP Robin dual banners back to back. If you also want to chase E2 or get her signature Light Cone, Express Supply Pass and Nameless Glory alone may not be enough.

If you play on the global server or TW/HK server, the official top-up process can often be complicated and pricey. In this case, finding a reliable third-party top up platform can save a lot of trouble.

You can consider Kardz. Here is a quick overview based on the price, transaction speed, security, and after-sales support that players care about most:

▲ Cheaper than official channels: there are usually many discounted packages. If you are a new user, you may also get newcomer benefits! You can follow KARDZ’s official social media or website for discount information.

▲ Fast delivery: orders are usually completed within about ten minutes after payment. I once topped up late at night and customer service replied instantly—an experience that is rare among top up platforms.

▲ Long customer service hours: coverage is now available around the clock, with a professional after-sales and customer service team ready to guide players and solve issues in time.

However, there are a few things to note:

Confirm whether you play on the global server or Taiwan server. Accounts are not shared between the two, and choosing the wrong server will prevent the top up from going through.

Do not log into the game during the recharge process, as it may cause the order to get stuck.

If it is your first time using the service, start with the smallest amount to test the process. Once everything is confirmed, you can top up a larger amount. Search “Honkai: Star Rail” directly on the official website to find the corresponding product page, or click the product below to purchase directly! Don’t wait until you are halfway through pulling to realize you lack Stellar Jade and then rush to find a channel—prepare in advance so your pulls feel much more secure.

That’s everything you need to know! Once the banner opens tomorrow, just follow this guide—use Navigator relics, Starfall Departure Point ornaments, prioritize Astral Express teammates, take the signature Light Cone if you have it, and use The Herta’s Light Cone or the Herta Store option as a transition if you don’t. E0 already has a complete kit, and E2 is the major breakpoint, but don’t overspend chasing Eidolons—pull within your means.

One last reminder: no matter how tomorrow’s pulls go, remember to plan your Trailblaze Power first. Don’t be like me in the past, pulling the character only to realize I had farmed none of the materials and froze on the spot! Wishing everyone a lucky first pull and double 5-stars in a ten-pull—those who know that pain know it well, and hopefully this time it won’t be you!