Honkai: Star Rail’s Dan Heng is a mysterious character. As part of the Astral Express Crew, he embarks on journeys with March 7th, Himeko, Welt Yang, and the Trailblazer to explore planets and seal the Stellaron that’s bringing ruin to these worlds. He also wields a spear called a Cloud-Piercer to fight against enemies. Compared to his crewmates,Dan Hengis more quiet and reserved, and usually spends his time alone in the Astral Express' archive room until he’s asked to go on a mission with his fellow Trailblazers.
As players go throughHonkai: Star Rail’s story, Dan Heng would later reveal that he used to live in the Xianzhou Luofu, but was exiled for a still-unknown reason. His in-game character lore explained that he hopped aboard the Astral Express after jumping from one ship to another within Xianzhou. There’s still much about Dan Heng’s story that players have yet to find out, but the reveal of newfive-star character Imbibitor Lunaecould be the biggest hint about his true identity.
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Uncovering Dan Heng’s True Form as Imbibitor Lunae
Honkai: Star Railintroduced Imbibitor Lunae as the High Elder of the Luofu, bearer of the Azure Dragon’s legacy and the guardian of the Ambrosial Arbor. He is a five-star Imaginary-type character following the Path of Destruction. He appears to be Dan Heng’s “dragon form,” and potentially has stronger abilities than what he’s initially shown in the game. Based on someHonkai: Star Railgameplay leaks, Imbibitor Lunae was rumored to have a companion dragon as well.
According toHonkai: Star Rail’s in-game lore, Dan Heng had to hide his true identity after being exiled from the Xianzhou. It was also hinted that he was trying to escape a man with “beastly eyes,” who was believed to be theStellaron Hunter Blade, before being recruited by Himeko to become the Astral Express' guard and archiver.
As of writing, Dan Heng and Blade’s relationship is still unclear. When the Astral Express Crew arrived at theXianzhou Luofu, Dan Heng had a nightmare where Blade seemed to be hunting him. Despite initially staying behind because he wasn’t allowed to step foot on the Luofu, he immediately left to follow his crewmates when he realized that Blade was in the same location. Some players theorized that Dan Heng as Imbibitor Lunae gave Blade a fruit from the Ambrosial Arbor, which possibly granted him immortality and self-healing abilities. This could also be the reason why Dan Heng was exiled and wanted to escape his home to avoid apprehension.
The main story ofHonkai: Star Railis expected to continue in Version 1.2, where both Kafka and Blade will be the five-star banner units. It’s possible that Imbibitor Lunae could finally make his appearance in this chapter of the Xianzhou story, especially since he’s rumored to be thebanner character for Version 1.3, along with Fu Xuan. Perhaps this could provide further explanation on Imbibitor Lunae’s past as the High Elder of Luofu and guardian of the Ambrosial Arbor, and how he reverted into his “human form” in an attempt to escape Blade. Plus, it would give players a better look at the dragon species inHonkai: Star Rail, which also includes Bailu, the High Priestess of the Vidyadhara.
This raises questions forHonkai: Star Rail’s future storyline, as fans are wondering if Imbibitor Lunae will take up his role as High Elder once again once Blade has been defeated and whether Dan Heng stay with the Astral Express Crew once his identity as Imbibitor Lunae has been revealed. There’s still so much that players will found out in future updates, but it will be exciting to see howHonkai: Star Railfleshes out Dan Heng’s story and the role it will play in the game’s universe going forward.
Honkai: Star Railis available now for PC and mobile devices. PS4 and PS5 versions are in development.
