Nova isn’t just another character in Honkai: Star Rail. She’s the first 5-star Fire Erudite, and according to leaks, she’s expected to arrive in patch 4.4. Insiders have already dubbed her a “powered up” banner, but as usual, she won’t return on schedule for at least a couple of patches. So if you’re looking to stock up on materials early, now’s the time to check out the leaked data from honeyhunterworld. It covers everything from Ascension to Traces and Eidolons. Beta data is fickle, though, and the numbers may be changed by the release. But the basic outline is already clear.
Let’s get straight to the point: what can Nova do? Her basic attack, “Ignite the First Guiding Star,” deals Fire damage equal to 50% of her attack power to a single enemy. It’s a small thing, but it makes her other skills more interesting—especially the combination of “Satellite Protocol” and “Navigator’s Signal.” Everything is still in beta, so don’t be surprised if the numbers fluctuate after the official patch. However, fans are already building their builds.
Table of Contents
Resources for Nova Ascension in Honkai Star Rail
To max out Nova, be prepared for a long hunt for resources. The main components are Radiant Ledge and Enlightened Awl, but Fancy Wax and Dream Steel are also essential. The general list looks like this: 15 Fancy Wax, 15 Dream Steel, 15 Enlightened Awl, 65 Radiant Ledges, and 308,000 credits. The breakdown by level is as follows:
-
Level 20: 5 Wax + 4,000 credits → bonus – standard Exploration Pass.
-
Level 30: 10 Wax + 8,000 credits.
-
40th: 6 steel + 3 protrusions + 16,000 credits → another skip.
-
50th: 9 steel + 7 protrusions + 40,000 credits.
-
60th: 6 awls + 20 protrusions + 80,000 credits → another skip.
-
70th: 9 awls + 35 protrusions + 160,000 credits.
Total – 308,000. And that’s just the ascension. Admittedly, it’s not the cheapest leveling, but for a 5-star Erudite, it’s common. Just remember that this is a beta, and even the names of the materials may change in the final release.
Nova’s Footprints leveling materials and skill costs
But the Footprints will require a serious arsenal. In addition to the familiar wax, steel, and awl, Cosmic Sand, Galaxy Frame, Celestial Globe, and even Imprints of Fate are used. A full set for all abilities: 8 Imprints, 12 Defeated Flow Restraints, 18 Celestial Globes, 41 Fancy Wax, 56 Dream Steel, 58 Enlightened Awls, 69 Galaxy Frames, 139 Cosmic Sand, and 3 million credits. Yes, three million is no joke. And that’s not even counting the buffs from Eidolons. If you don’t plan on donating, be prepared to farm for weeks.
Is Nova’s Eidolon Constellation Overview worth it?
It all depends on your budget and your desire to unlock their full potential. The first Eidolon (E1), “That Which We Tread Is Mastery,” increases the number of bonus damage procs from the Talent and makes it easier to trigger the Support Skill. The boost is already noticeable. E2, “Colors We Never Touch,” grants a second charge of the Support Skill and increases the damage of your Ultimate and Skill by 30%—plus, it recharges at the start of the turn. A powerful boost.
E3 and E5 simply increase skill levels—the standard story. E4, “Let No Hand…,” gives the entire team increased penetration of all types, and Nova herself gets an additional 10%. But E6, “Our Oath—Sail to the Stars,” is a real killer: it increases Fiery Penetration by 20% and expands the Source Energy meter to six. Activating the Support Skill increases damage by 75%, and Nova stores energy for the devastating “Hyperluminal Particle Beam” attack. If you accumulate six units, the additional Fire damage to all enemies will be 160% of the attack. This is already top-tier damage dealer level.
In short, if you’re willing to invest in Nova, the Eidolons are worth it, especially at higher levels. But even in a base, without duplicates, she looks like a solid character for any sweep. Wait for the official release, check the data, and in the meantime, save up your credits and resources.
Nova vs. Himeko: Who’s Stronger in Honkai Star Rail
At first glance, it might seem like the HoYoverse developers simply copied an old heroine: we have another five-star Erudite character with a Fire damage type. But the devil, as usual, is in the details. While the classic Himeko is relentlessly focused on penetrating enemy weaknesses and spamming her “Victory Dash” bonus attacks, Nova (Himeko • Nova) is in a completely different league. She summons a massive mech, the “Starblazer,” onto the battlefield, simultaneously distributing massive buffs to the entire party. The difference in gameplay is colossal. Apparently, this isn’t just an alternative, but a full-fledged evolution of the class.
Nova vs. Himeko Base Stats
Numbers often speak louder than descriptions, and here they favor the newcomer. The base attack of both fiery ladies is identical—exactly 102. However, from here on out, important differences arise that directly impact survivability and rotation speed in Memory of Chaos.
-
Health: Nova now has 153 base HP versus the original’s 143, making her slightly less vulnerable to accidental boss one-shots.
-
Speed: The new version has 98 Speed, while the old version had 96. These extra two units are critical for setting up a proper turn cycle.
-
Ultimate Cost: Nova’s Ultimate requires a hefty 150 Energy, while Himeko’s costs 120. Yes, it takes longer to build up, but the mech’s final damage more than makes up for it.
Starblazer Mech Mechanics and Nova’s Skill Breakdown
Good old Himeko has been the recognized queen of Pure Fiction mode for years, where hordes of weak mobs are devastated by her automatic spinning attacks. She thrives in simple setups with any character capable of quickly breaking shields. Nova, on the other hand, is designed for more subtle and deep tactical play. Her skill doesn’t just deal burst damage; it also functions as a powerful support: it restores the so-called “Support Skill” and increases the entire team’s attack potential by 30%. Moreover, her personal territory and summonable fur turn the heroine into a universal soldier, equally effective against waves of trash and in battles with single dense bosses.
Who to use in Honkai Star Rail: Choosing the Best DPS
Choosing a favorite depends solely on your current roster. Himeko is appealing in its simplicity—give her standard relics, press a few buttons, and start clearing virtual floors. Nova is a character that requires much more planning, but she rewards risks with colossal damage. Estimates suggest that her hybrid mechanics deliver approximately 30% more total damage to the team.
Furthermore, the newcomer demonstrates phenomenal synergy when paired with Resurrection and Dan Heng, unlocking the full potential of the Star Rail team. If you need flexible DPS for any type of dungeon, choose Nova. The older version is only worth keeping if you’ve already filled the main boss-killing role and need a specialized specialist for clearing smaller enemies.
