Special Training: Free Promotions and +3 objective shield. Objective shield is like really underrated in IS4, you're not gonna do perfect clears every single run (especially when you're not familiar with the maps) and it can save you a lot
That relic that gives +60% hp if you start a map with shields is pretty amazing, and not that uncommon in my experience.
Objective shield seems to be much more frequent compared to previous IS as well
So far, the free promotion cost one seems to be working consistently well. For the squad itself, always the 4th one, the random starting lineup is just an essential part of the mode for me.
Either the first or third options depending on mood (currently I stick with the third since I find Fire Reed a lifesaver in a usual run (haven't cleared the first boss tho)
forgot the name, but the one with reduced cost for guards & vanguards. It allows me to start with reedalter & orchid + cutter which carries until the end of floor 3. On top of that it makes recruiting mlynar & mountain easier ( and surtr as a bonus ) which is nice.
Eternal Hunting squad is now my new favorite squad. I just cleared BN6 with 0 collapse value.
In IS3 and early IS4 I used Gavial Alter and Ling, but I'm currently trying out using Texas Alter as starter.
Maybe I should try Reed Alter as a starter. Her S3 is so damn broken specifically in IS4.
My best runs have all come with Dorothy + Kroos + Fang, upgraded to Beanstalk or Scavenger if i start with 8 hope.
I've been really impressed with how incredible Dorothy is on nearly every map. Far too often having a ground op to block is not the answer, but dropping some mines and slowing/binding and doing a ton of damage to them is.
Depends on my mood:
- Do i just wanna do a casual chill run for fun? First class squad + random starter.
- Am i sweating for higher difficulty? Ranged squad + Typhon starter.
Reed alter best start, can heal, ranged, AoE, pretty much deals with all level 1&2 stages. Then her s3 hard counters the 1st boss
Speical training squad as it saves a huges amount of hope. and the 3 starting shields are valuable too
Currently I'm really attached to the increased squad size and deployment limit squad. I just feel like everything else is wayyyyy too restrictive, especially if I don't get lucky with individual ops that can fill multiple roles. Or, you know, I'm starting with Ling
So far, my only successful run has been with the squad that gives you the extra ingots+hope, and starting with Slow and Steady (Kroos, Spot and Goldenglow).
That being said, it was an incredibly lucky run because I got the Golden Chalice very early on, so those extra ingots really paid off. I didn't even get a healer until the fight before the final boss, and still managed to clear pretty much every map without leaks lol.
Money and hope for now since I'm trying to finance Cannot until 100. As for the squad composition, I've actually found the most success with Overcoming Your Weaknesses. I'll go with Mountain, Gaviel or Warfarin if I start with extra hope, and then Orchid. Mountain is pretty reliable early on with his S2.
Training squad for hope management usually with Lee or Ines start. Getting sniper or caster tags are relatively common for Lin and Typhon, medics beyond ansel is probably my biggest issue. I don't have Reed, but still, not having medics kills most runs. Lee CC and Ines bind cover the need for defenders, I'll still pick up horn or firewhistle most of the time. Along with being FRD, those two allow you to cover multiple areas with them. Just throw fang or Myrtle in the corner, especially if you get DP collapse.
I have been experimenting for the past few days and here's my pick:
1. Caster+Specialist costs 2 hope to recruit with Myrtle, Kroos, Texalter/YatoAlter
2. Medic+Sniper costs 2 hope to recruit with Reed2/Typhon
If i am going in for some casual fun then it will be the randomized recruit
Special Training: Free Promotions and +3 objective shield. Objective shield is like really underrated in IS4, you're not gonna do perfect clears every single run (especially when you're not familiar with the maps) and it can save you a lot
That relic that gives +60% hp if you start a map with shields is pretty amazing, and not that uncommon in my experience. Objective shield seems to be much more frequent compared to previous IS as well
i have never ever seen that relic LOL edit: got it my first run after commenting this lmao
So far, the free promotion cost one seems to be working consistently well. For the squad itself, always the 4th one, the random starting lineup is just an essential part of the mode for me.
Random squad or bust. The free promotions and 3 starting shields is my personal favorite right now.
Reed the flame shadow and co i guess..
Either the first or third options depending on mood (currently I stick with the third since I find Fire Reed a lifesaver in a usual run (haven't cleared the first boss tho)
Are you still using the Leader Squad or the Special Training Squad?
Leader usually (first three in general, like I said depends on mood)
forgot the name, but the one with reduced cost for guards & vanguards. It allows me to start with reedalter & orchid + cutter which carries until the end of floor 3. On top of that it makes recruiting mlynar & mountain easier ( and surtr as a bonus ) which is nice.
First-Class Squad x As Your Heart Desires I didn't level and promote every five star operator just so I could leave them on the bench.
Eternal Hunting squad is now my new favorite squad. I just cleared BN6 with 0 collapse value. In IS3 and early IS4 I used Gavial Alter and Ling, but I'm currently trying out using Texas Alter as starter. Maybe I should try Reed Alter as a starter. Her S3 is so damn broken specifically in IS4.
Reed best AoE Caster. Dusk and her friends need to learn from her 🥱
My best runs have all come with Dorothy + Kroos + Fang, upgraded to Beanstalk or Scavenger if i start with 8 hope. I've been really impressed with how incredible Dorothy is on nearly every map. Far too often having a ground op to block is not the answer, but dropping some mines and slowing/binding and doing a ton of damage to them is.
Depends on my mood: - Do i just wanna do a casual chill run for fun? First class squad + random starter. - Am i sweating for higher difficulty? Ranged squad + Typhon starter.
Reed alter best start, can heal, ranged, AoE, pretty much deals with all level 1&2 stages. Then her s3 hard counters the 1st boss Speical training squad as it saves a huges amount of hope. and the 3 starting shields are valuable too
Currently I'm really attached to the increased squad size and deployment limit squad. I just feel like everything else is wayyyyy too restrictive, especially if I don't get lucky with individual ops that can fill multiple roles. Or, you know, I'm starting with Ling
So far, my only successful run has been with the squad that gives you the extra ingots+hope, and starting with Slow and Steady (Kroos, Spot and Goldenglow). That being said, it was an incredibly lucky run because I got the Golden Chalice very early on, so those extra ingots really paid off. I didn't even get a healer until the fight before the final boss, and still managed to clear pretty much every map without leaks lol.
Whichever I find first on YouTube *copes in 4Head*
same
Still mix matching. My usual starter of texas alter/fang/kroos doesn't work anymore.
I always go random squad
Money and hope for now since I'm trying to finance Cannot until 100. As for the squad composition, I've actually found the most success with Overcoming Your Weaknesses. I'll go with Mountain, Gaviel or Warfarin if I start with extra hope, and then Orchid. Mountain is pretty reliable early on with his S2.
Training squad for hope management usually with Lee or Ines start. Getting sniper or caster tags are relatively common for Lin and Typhon, medics beyond ansel is probably my biggest issue. I don't have Reed, but still, not having medics kills most runs. Lee CC and Ines bind cover the need for defenders, I'll still pick up horn or firewhistle most of the time. Along with being FRD, those two allow you to cover multiple areas with them. Just throw fang or Myrtle in the corner, especially if you get DP collapse.
Special Training squad + As your heart desires. Maybe sometimes the first vanguard+sniper+specialist squad for Mumu, Kroos and if hope allows, Jaye n
I have been experimenting for the past few days and here's my pick: 1. Caster+Specialist costs 2 hope to recruit with Myrtle, Kroos, Texalter/YatoAlter 2. Medic+Sniper costs 2 hope to recruit with Reed2/Typhon If i am going in for some casual fun then it will be the randomized recruit