Honkai Star Rail‘s got you confused, right? You’ve got two Preservation powerhouses and no idea which one to slot into your team. Should you go with the veteran Aventurine or embrace the newer Dan Heng Permansor Terrae? Let’s settle this debate once and for all with real gameplay insights.
Table of Contents
Honkai Star Rail Preservation Character Showdown
Both characters might look similar on paper, but there’s a significant difference in how they function. Understanding these distinctions will help you build the ultimate support for your DPS units.

Aspect | Dan Heng Permansor Terrae | Aventurine |
---|---|---|
Release Version | Version 3.6 (Recent) | Version 2.1 |
Primary Buff | ATK buff for teammates | Crit damage boost on single target |
Shield Scaling | ATK-based (unique!) | DEF-based |
Team Flexibility | Works with most ATK-scaling DPS | Best with follow-up characters |
Meta Compatibility | Thrives with current DPS roster | Situational, depends on team comp |
Availability | Free for all players at release | Must be pulled |
Why Dan Heng Permansor Terrae Takes the Crown
Dan Heng Permansor Terrae is the fourth Preservation character in Honkai Star Rail, arriving after Aventurine in version 3.6. But being newer doesn’t automatically make him better—right? Well, in this case, it actually does. Here’s why.
ATK Scaling is the Game Changer: Unlike every other Preservation unit that scales with DEF, Permansor Terrae’s shield strength scales with ATK, making him compatible with most current meta-defining characters that rely on ATK scaling. This flexibility is absolutely crucial when building endgame teams.
Bondmate Buff Dominance: While Aventurine focuses on crit damage against a single target, Permansor Terrae grants an ATK buff to one teammate. This might sound subtle, but in practice? It’s a game-changer. Most meta characters like The Herta, Anaxa, Phainon, and Archer scale with ATK, making Permansor Terrae the obvious choice for boosting their damage potential.
Endgame Powerhouse: With new endgame activities featuring enemies with massive HP pools, having a support character with damage-dealing capabilities is essential. Permansor Terrae grants a strong shield and buffs an ally’s ATK, making him useful in most endgame compositions.

When Aventurine Still Shines
Don’t write off Aventurine just yet! He’s still a solid Preservation character in specific scenarios.
Aventurine has excellent synergy with follow-up characters, making him perfect for teams built around them. If you’re running FUA (Follow-Up Attack) teams with characters like Jade, Feixiao, or Topaz, Aventurine remains competitive. He’s also viable in Acheron-focused compositions where crit damage scaling matters more.
However, here’s the catch: FUA teams aren’t dominating the current meta. This significantly lowers Aventurine’s pick rate among competitive players.
Team Composition Tips for Maximum Effectiveness
For Permansor Terrae Teams: Pair him with ATK-scaling DPS units like Archer, The Herta, or other current meta DPS. His shield and ATK buff create a synergistic powerhouse combination. Check out TechnoSports for detailed Honkai Star Rail tier lists to identify compatible DPS characters.
For Aventurine Teams: Focus on follow-up attack teams or characters that heavily benefit from crit damage. He’s still excellent—just more niche.
The Free Character Advantage
Here’s the kicker: every Trailblazer received Dan Heng Permansor Terrae for free upon his release. This means you can use him immediately without spending Stellar Jades on pulls. For casual farming and endgame activities, he’s the obvious choice.
Final Verdict: Who Should You Use?
Go with Dan Heng Permansor Terrae for maximum flexibility and current meta relevance. He’s free, powerful, and works with almost every DPS character in your roster.
Choose Aventurine only if you’re specifically committed to follow-up attack teams or just love his character design.
The choice is yours, Trailblazer! Need more Honkai Star Rail strategy guides? Explore TechnoSports for exclusive HSR builds and team comps.
Happy gaming, and may your shields hold strong! 🛡️
FAQs
Q1: Should I skip Aventurine’s banner if I have Dan Heng Permansor Terrae?
A: Absolutely! Since Permansor Terrae is free and works with most current meta DPS characters, investing in Aventurine is optional. Only pull for Aventurine if you specifically want to build FUA teams or already have a strong fondness for his design and playstyle. The meta shifts constantly in Honkai Star Rail, but Permansor Terrae’s ATK scaling makes him future-proof for most team compositions. Save your Stellar Jades for limited-time DPS characters instead!
Q2: Can I use both Permansor Terrae and Aventurine in Spiral Abyss runs?
A: Yes, you can! Honkai Star Rail’s endgame typically requires two separate teams for Spiral Abyss-equivalent content (like Pure Fiction). Having both Preservation characters allows you to support two different DPS units simultaneously. This is actually ideal if you’re running multiple team compositions. However, building one well is better than building both mediocrely—prioritize maxing out Permansor Terrae first, then build Aventurine if you have spare resources!