Currently, in the ongoing story arc, both Dan Heng and the Trailblazer are the only members of the Astral Express who have descended into Amphoreus. While the game’s spotlight has been on the Remembrance Trailblazer, Version 3.1 is set to introduce more Chrysos Heirs, including Tribbie and Mydei. Amidst these upcoming character releases, leaks suggest that Dan Heng’s new form could be directly tied to Amphoreus, making him a crucial addition to the evolving storyline.

Dan Heng’s New Form Could Be a 5-Star Character

A Limited Banner-Only Unit?

The latest leak, reportedly from Uncle Hellgirl, suggests that Dan Heng’s new form will be a 5-star unit. While initial rumors were unclear about whether this form would be an upgrade to his existing 4-star kit or a separate character, the new information strongly indicates that this version of Dan Heng will be an independent unit—similar to Imbibitor Lunae.

If the leak is accurate, players will likely have to pull for him via limited banners, making him a premium unit. This would mean that Dan Heng (Preservation) will not be an interchangeable character Path, like March 7th (Hunt) vs. March 7th (Preservation). Instead, he may only be available during specific banner rotations, reinforcing the idea that his new form will be a sought-after meta-defining character.

Dan Heng’s New Kit: Fire & Preservation – A Much-Needed Shielder?

Path & Combat Role Leaked

Alongside his rarity, the leak also suggests that Dan Heng’s combat attributes have been revealed:

• Element: Fire
• Path: Preservation

If true, this would position Dan Heng (Preservation) as a shielder, a role that Honkai: Star Rail desperately needs more of. Typically, Preservation characters specialize in mitigating damage for allies by generating shields or absorbing attacks themselves.

Currently, Fu Xuan is an exception to this rule—she does not provide shields but instead redistributes and mitigates damage. This raises speculation about whether Dan Heng will function as a traditional shielder or if he might introduce a new defensive mechanic.

Dan Heng’s Possible New Design – A Dragon-Themed Warrior?

Hints from the Chrysos Heirs Trailer

Long before this leak, speculation about Dan Heng’s new form had already begun. During the Chrysos Heirs teaser, a particular silhouetted figure stood out—holding a flame in their hands and seemingly wearing dragon-themed armor, including a helm and gauntlet with spiked fingertips.

Many fans immediately speculated that this mysterious figure could be Dan Heng, and recent leaks seem to support that theory. If his new Preservation form is indeed fire-based, it would align with this flame-wielding silhouette from the trailer.

Why Honkai: Star Rail Desperately Needs More Shielders

Preservation Characters Are Critically Lacking

Despite being a vital role in Honkai: Star Rail, Preservation characters are severely underrepresented compared to other Paths:

• Preservation: 5 playable characters
• Abundance: 7 playable characters
• Hunt, Erudition, and Destruction: Nearly double the roster of Preservation

Shielders are crucial for teams that rely on HP loss mechanics, such as Blade and Jingliu, as they allow these characters to lower their HP for damage boosts while still being protected from external attacks.

With rumors suggesting that both Mydei and Castorice will have HP-draining mechanics, a new, reliable shielder could be a game-changer for future team compositions.

Current Shielding Options Are Limited

While Aventurine remains the best universal 5-star shielder, Gepard and Fire Trailblazer have become less optimal in the current meta. March 7th (Preservation) has also struggled to keep up with evolving game mechanics, making her less viable in high-difficulty content.

Final Thoughts: Is Dan Heng (Preservation) the Missing Piece in the Meta?

If the leaks about Dan Heng’s new form turn out to be true, he could become one of the most important Preservation units in the game. His Fire element would give him strong synergy with existing characters, and his 5-star rarity suggests he will have a powerful and versatile kit.

While we still don’t know his exact abilities, this leak alone has sparked massive excitement among players who have been waiting for more Preservation characters. Whether he functions as a traditional shielder or introduces a new defensive playstyle, his release could significantly impact team-building strategies.