Star Rail 3.6: How Good Is Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae?

Honkai: Star Rail version 3.6, "Back to Earth in Evernight," launches around October 2025, bringing fresh content including the highly anticipated Evernight and a revamped Dan Heng in his new form: Permansor Terrae. As a 5-star Physical character on the Path of Preservation, Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae (often abbreviated as DHPT or SP2) stands out not just for his shielding prowess but because he's obtainable for free through in-game events. This makes him an accessible powerhouse for both new and veteran players. But how good is he really? And is his signature Light Cone worth your Stellar Jades? Drawing from recent leaks and beta insights, this article dives into his kit, optimal builds, team synergies, and overall value to help you decide.

DHPT's Kit: A Summon-Based Shielder with Bondmate Synergy

DHPT's playstyle centers on designating a "Bondmate" ally to summon "Souldragon," a memosprite that provides frequent shields, debuff cleanses, and action advances. His kit scales primarily with ATK for shields and damage, making him a tanky sustainer who buffs a key DPS while protecting the team. Here's a comprehensive breakdown based on leaks.

Basic Attack: Aegis Vitae

• Deals Physical DMG equal to 50%–100% of DHPT's ATK to a single enemy (levels 1–10).
• Low priority for traces; it's filler for energy or when not shielding.

Skill: Terra Omnibus

• Designates one ally as "Bondmate" (overrides previous) and shields all allies for 18%–30% of DHPT's ATK + 240–400, lasting 3 turns. Shields stack up to 300% of base value.
• Core to his support role, enabling Souldragon summon via Talent. Costs 1 Skill Point but auto-triggers at battle start via Technique.

Ultimate: A Dragon's Zenith Knows No Rue (Energy Cost: 140)

• Deals Physical DMG equal to 180%–300% of DHPT's ATK to all enemies.
• Shields all allies for 18%–30% of DHPT's ATK + 240–400 (stacks to 300%).
• Enhances Souldragon: Triggers a Follow-up Attack on Souldragon's turn, dealing Physical DMG (48%–80% ATK) + Additional DMG of Bondmate's Type (48%–80% of Bondmate's ATK) to all enemies. Lasts 2 Souldragon actions; can be extended via Eidolons.

Talent: Of Virtue, Forms Unfold

• Summons Souldragon (SPD 165) when Bondmate is designated.
• On Souldragon's turn: Dispels 1 debuff from all allies and shields them for 9%–15% of DHPT's ATK + 120–200 (stacks to 300%).
• Souldragon vanishes if DHPT or Bondmate is downed. Bondmate attacks regen 5–6 Energy for DHPT and advance Souldragon's action by 15%.

Technique: Earthrend

• Gains Bondmate status and Dazes enemies in an area for 10s (prevents attacks).
• Transfers Bondmate on character switch. Auto-uses Skill on Bondmate at battle start without SP cost—perfect for setup.

Bonus Traces

• Empyreanity: Skill boosts Bondmate's ATK by 9%–15% of DHPT's ATK.
• Sylvanity: Advances DHPT's action by 40% at battle start.
• Sublimity: On Souldragon action, extra shield (3%–5% ATK + 60–100) to lowest-shield ally; enhanced Souldragon deals extra Bondmate-Type DMG (24%–40% of Bondmate's ATK) to highest-HP enemy.

Stat Boosts: +28% ATK, +22.5% DEF, +5 SPD. Traces prioritize Skill, Ultimate, and Talent (★★★★★); Basic low (★★☆☆☆).

Eidolons: Elevating His Sustain Game

DHPT is solid at E0 as a free unit, but Eidolons add burst and utility:

1. Shed Scales of Old: Ultimate recovers 1 SP; boosts Bondmate's All-Type RES PEN by 10%–18% for 3 turns.
2. Watch Trails to Blaze: +2 Ultimate enhancements; 100% Souldragon action advance post-Ult; enhanced Follow-ups gain +80% multipliers and extra hit on highest-HP foe.
3. Bear Weight of Worlds: Ultimate +2 (max 15), Basic +1 (max 10).
4. By Oath, This Vessel Is I: Bondmate ignores 7.2%–12% enemy DEF on hits.
5. The Path of Permanence Sweeps Far: Skill/Talent +2 (max 15).
6. One Dream to Enfold All Wilds: Enemies take +12%–20% more DMG with Bondmate present; Ultimate triggers extra Bondmate-Type DMG (198%–330% of Bondmate's ATK) to all.

E1 and E2 are high-value for SP economy and damage amps; E6 turns him into a team-wide debuffer.

Signature Light Cone: Though Worlds Apart – Worth the Pull?

This 5-star Preservation Light Cone is DHPT's BiS:

• Stats (Lv. 80): 1058 HP, 582 ATK, 463 DEF.
• Passive (New Scale, S1): +14.4%–24% ATK. +18%–30% Shield strength. Ultimate heals all allies for 6%–10% of wearer's ATK and grants "Redoubt" (3 turns): +14.4%–24% DMG, +7.2%–12% extra if summons present.
• It synergizes perfectly, boosting his ATK-scaling shields, providing heal utility, and amping team DMG—especially in summon teams like with Evernight.
• Alternatives: Trend of the Universal Market (4-star): Taunt chance + Burn on hit. Day One of My New Life (4-star): +DEF and +DMG RES for low-HP allies. Battle Pass LCs like Concert for Two offer ATK boosts but lack his sig's uniqueness.
• Verdict: If you're building DHPT as your main sustainer, the sig is worth pulling—it's a 20-30% uplift in shielding and team DMG, future-proof for Preservation. However, as a free character, F2P options like Trend suffice for most content. Skip if saving for DPS banners; his kit shines without it.

Optimal Builds and Teams

Relics and Planar Ornaments

• Best Relic Set: 4-Pc Sacerdos' Relived Ordeal (leaks suggest +6% SPD on 2-Pc, CRIT value to Skill target on 4-Pc)—ideal for Bondmate buffs, but beta-dependent. Alternatives: 4-Pc Musketeer of Wild Wheat (+ATK/SPD) or mixes for ATK focus.
• Planar Ornaments: 2-Pc Lushaka, the Sunless Abyss (+Imaginary DMG, but adapt for Physical) or new 3.7 sets for energy/SPD.
• Main Stats: Body – ATK% or DEF%; Feet – SPD (aim 134+ for hyperspeed); Sphere – Physical DMG or ATK%; Rope – Energy Regen (Ult uptime) or ATK%.
• Substats: ATK% > SPD > DEF% > Effect RES.
• Community notes: Sacerdos shines in SP-positive teams; double ATK 2-Pc for SP-hungry comps like DoT.

Ascension and Trace Materials

• Boss Material: New 3.6 boss drops (e.g., Shadowed by Night equivalents).
• Common: Dream Collection x65, etc. (pre-farm Preservation mats).
• Traces: Tracks of Destiny x8, Borehole Disaster x12, etc. Easy farm as free unit.

Best Teams

DHPT excels in protecting high-damage Bondmates, especially in summon or Follow-up setups. His shields stack frequently, and Souldragon cleanses debuffs. Expanded with leak-based comps for broader coverage.

His teams are versatile, scaling with more Preservation or summon units in future patches.

Pros, Cons, and Meta Impact

Strengths

• Free Accessibility: No pulls needed—perfect for F2P accounts needing a top-tier shielder.
• Frequent Sustain: Stacking shields (up to 300%) and debuff cleanses rival Aventurine or Fu Xuan.
• Bondmate Buffs: ATK amps, RES PEN (via E1), and DEF ignore make him a DPS enabler.
• Summon Synergy: Souldragon's actions tie into 3.6's Remembrance theme, pairing well with Evernight.
• High Viability: Leaks show him clearing endgame like Apocalyptic Shadow; energy regen ensures Ult uptime.

Weaknesses

• SP Consumption: Skill-heavy without E1; hyperspeed builds help but limit flex.
• Team Dependency: Needs active Bondmate attackers; weak in stall comps.
• Limited LC Options: Sig is premium; F2P alts are decent but not optimal.
• Niche Physical: Less universal than Quantum/Imaginary sustainers.

In the 3.6 meta, DHPT elevates Preservation to must-have status, especially for free. He's "strong" per leaks—outshining Gepard in shield frequency and adding offense via Bondmate. Community hype calls him a "game-changer" for sustain, though SP issues temper expectations without investments.

Final Verdict: How Good Is DHPT, and Should You Pull His Light Cone?

As a free 5-star, Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae is highly recommended—he's a meta-defining shielder with excellent sustain and buffs, rivaling paid units like Aventurine in versatility. Grab him via events for instant team upgrades, especially if you lack Preservation options. He's "good" to "great" at E0, shining in Bondmate-focused comps.

For the Light Cone, pull if investing heavily in him or Preservation teams—it's his BiS for max shields and DMG amps. Otherwise, skip; F2P alts work fine, and save for DPS like Evernight. With 3.6's focus on summons, DHPT feels essential for long-term play. Trailblaze on!