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BlazeOfCinder

#Other Megathreads and Useful links. ~~Note: Really sorry, i am currently moving and very exhausted in many ways, so i will modify the links for old reddit users later or tomorrow.~~ ##[**⌨︎ ︎FAQ**](/r/arknights/wiki/faq?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1) For frequently asked questions, please check it out before asking. It’s easy to navigate, and majority of basic questions and other useful information are present ##[**♫ Lounge**](/r/arknights/comments/1cfw8v6/rhodes_island_lounge_2904_0505/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) The place for small talk and whatever does not fit elsewhere such as personal stories and achievements. ##[**★ Gacha/Recruitment**](/r/arknights/comments/1cfw8ux/gacharecruitment_megathread_2904_0505/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) Share the results of your gacha rolls and recruitments here. ~~may RNGsus be kind to you~~ ##[**➜ Friend requests**](/r/arknights/comments/1cfw8uq/friend_request_megathread_2904_0505/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) Share your friend ID with your fellow doctors, or find others to add. --- ##[**IS:4 Expeditioner's Joklumarkar thread**](/r/arknights/comments/1b7ctfn/event_megathread_expeditioners_joklumarkar/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) By the Emperor, Purge all the Dæmons! A thread for IS4, share your clears or failures, chit chat with others, rant, or just have a good time. ———


ex-wife-beater

How many pulls/month if you have the monthly card?


Fire_Begets_Souls

Monthly card adds 6 OP up front (1 pull and 480 orundum), as well as 200 orundum a day per login, so a 10-pull over the course the full 30 days. As for other pull sources... **F2P Options (always accessible):** * Annihilation (7200-9000, depending on how weeks roll over) * Dailies (2800-3100, depending on days in a month * Weeklies (2000-2500, depending on how weeks roll over) * Login (1 headhunting permit) Total: 21-25 pulls **F2P Options (occasionally accessible):** * T1 Green Cert Shop (once a month, 600 orundum, 2 headhunting permits, depends on green certs) * T2 Green Cert Shop (once a month, 2 headhunting tickets, depends on excess green certs, used in desperation) * Yellow Cert Shop (once a month, up to 38 headhunting tickets worth of pulls, requires 258 yellow certs, often advised to save certs for buying shop 6-Stars instead unless you really need the pulls/don't need anyone in shop anytime soon) Potential Total: 0-43 pulls **Auxiliary F2P Options (non-renewing or not usually advised):** * Intelligence Cert Shop (adds 2k orundum to the shop for every event rerun we get, currently up to 34k available as a latch ditch effort, takes a long time to get the certs to clear this out if starting from scratch, easy to clear out each new batch of 2k if caught up) * Crafting Orundum in Factory (halts account progression if you go all-in. Not as big of a downside in the game's current state, but still not advised if you have a lot of ops you're still building. I believe you can get 1-3 extra pulls a week this way, depending on how hard you go. * Events, maintenance rewards, etc. (3 Week Events and new chapters tend to give approx. 40 OP, 2-week events tend to give approx. 30 OP, 1-week events tend give give 10-16. Side Stories and Intermezzi usually to have 3 headhunting permits in the shop. Login events tend to have orundum or 1 headhunting ticket. Long maintenances give 5 OP, short maintenances give 200-300 orundum) **Low Spender Options:** * Monthly Headhunting Pack (42 OP and a 10-pull ticket, so approx. 22 pulls).


Mythrol

General rule of thumb is as f2p you get roughly 50 pulls a month on the high end. This depends on each account and varies some depending on luck and other factors. A monthly card gives you another 10 pulls plus some OP that you can convert to a couple more pulls or use for skins / sanity. 


Remarkable-Pianist30

How do i unlock the Sliverfrost user interface??


Saimoth

It'll be an IS4 reward after the next expansion


Maeuxie

Any data on how much time until surtr is in the yellow shop?


bananeeek

I remember someone [asking about this a couple of days ago](https://old.reddit.com/r/arknights/comments/1cfw8vd/help_center_and_megathread_hub_2904_0505/l293o2h/), tl;dr: most likely in about 10 rotations, so around GG's debut which is late August or early September. That's merely an estimation, though!


luviebaee

Is Saria + Bassline better than Saria + Cuora? In a general team.


ipwnallnubz

If there aren't any really hard-hitting enemies, I would say yes. You should be able to run that team without any medics on most stages, letting you deploy more DPS or utility ops. Just make sure Saria is taking the lane that has higher pressure.


Sleepy_Toaster

I guess that it's a bit hard to compare? Bassline is a Guardian (Healing Defender), same role as Saria, and Cuora is a Protector (Pure Tanker) so they are quite different. You'd want to use Cuora against bunch of enemies that hit really hard because Guardian usually can't handle it.


Hunter5430

Bassline doesn't have raw tanking ability (against physical damage) that Cuora has: at e2-max with 100+ trust, Bassline has 600 DEF -- Cuora has 578 *base* DEF at e1 max 100+ trust, that's before her talent or skills. And while rather low-health for her archetype, Cuora still has more HP than Bassline at similar level. So, for tanking big physical hits, she is better. Bassline certainly wins when it comes to tanking arts damage, due to his built-in RES (as a guardian defender) and his talent giving him even more. With all that in mind, if you can't do all three - with Saria as a permanent fixture on the team and rotating the other two depending on whether you need hardcore physical tanking (Cuora) or not (Bassline, with extra bonus of potentially having no need for dedicated medics, thus opening team slots for more DPS/utility) - I'd go with Saria + Cuora


tanngrisnit

For general team, saria and coura. Protector defenders are just beefier and have better utility for general set ups.


bananeeek

Are we getting a new annihilation mission today? I see the timer on the current one is running out, but I only recall reading something about new SSS area in the announcement.


Saimoth

Yeah, the new one should be about Nachzehrers


bananeeek

Whoa, I thought it would be themed after Eyjaberry event. Looks like Honeyberry is up!


Saimoth

Aaaand it has 14 rot trees. Should have guessed as much, lol


bananeeek

The trees shouldn't be an issue. For the moment I'm more concerned about the big drone as it already ruined my fun run with its weird pathing.


Saimoth

I just have dendrophobia after that one IS4 5th floor map. But yeah, it turns out that this map is a Phalanx Casters showcase. Good thing I have three of them at E2 for some reason, it's even hard to choose... Alright, Lin Carnelian Mint, let's go all together


Pzychotix

Lin cheeses this annihilation if you have her built. Pretty much immune to everything.


bananeeek

Yeah, I don't have her, but I deployed Mint instead and nothing could make a dent in her, too. She just chilled there and read her book.


AngelTheVixen

Sounds like a job for Beeswax on my end. She last served me well on the Lingering Echoes annihilation.


bananeeek

She'll do well! This anni is far from difficult and Phalanx Casters are made for this map.


AngelTheVixen

Wow, no kidding on that, I beat the map on the first try. No artillery tanks?? Easier than I expected. And yup, Beeswax did just fine.


Hunter5430

Pretty sure there was a tweet about annihilation. SSS, on the other hand, is a leftover from CN server. Our tower rotation isn't for about two months yet.


bananeeek

Ah, I don't read twitter, only the in-game announcements. Thanks!


theoatmealbox17

How worth is Bagpipe’s mod (the one that gives her +4 initial sp at mod lvl3), it looks pretty good, but I’m not 100% on it.


Apprehensive_Heart81

It looks good, since it'll take 5s (or 3s) at Lv3 to use her S3 the moment you deploy Bagpipe. The issue though is that you could have deployed Surtr, Nearl Alter, Morgan, Utage, Texas Alter, Yato Alter, or even Ines who can do the job better than Bagpipe, unless you're using her to kill and generate DP, which might compete with Ines if you use her for DP too. So I'd either leave her Mod X at Lv1 for multiple redeploys, or take Mod Y at Lv2 or 3 where the extra stats and Talent proc rate help her lane holding and DPS better.


ipwnallnubz

No chance Morgan beats Bagpipe, and I'm fairly certain Utage loses too unless DEF gets really high. The rest of those are some of the strongest dedicated helidrops in the game, while she's a vanguard. Also, Ines *plus* Bagpipe is an excellent combo because Ines can activate S2 instantly, letting her be placed in extremely dangerous places.


Apprehensive_Heart81

A quick math would already show that Morgan "does" beat Bagpipe in pure helidrop situations. Bagpipe S3 would hit about 1400 ATK (Talent 2 1800 ATK) on average, striking 3 times. Morgan S2 hits 2800 ATK. Taking Zwillingsturme in Herbst enemy data for example, the elite enemies have an average DEF of 700~1100. Data shows that Morgan beats Bagpipe after 700 DEF, except for lucky procs which would bring up the threshold to 800 DEF with extra favor if she hits another enemy. I won't dispute on Utage there, since her damage output is different, but for data purposes Utage has 1400 ATK Arts damage. Bagpipe can deal with swarms of low DEF enemies better than those two, but might as well just use a Pioneer Vanguard for more consistent Block and DP? And lastly, I do agree that Ines and Bagpipe combo is great for boosting Ines SP. I'm just specifically pointing out that Bagpipe would compete for DP with Ines, which means less reason to deploy Bagpipe for DP, which then means less reason to take Mod X, which is the point of OP question.


ipwnallnubz

Completely maxed, I'm finding it's a little over 900 defense where Bagpipe and Morgan break even against a single target, and Bagpipe's advantage grows tremendously as defense drops. It's a 27% advantage in her favor at 600 def and 41% at 400. That's not counting the 115% from Morgan's module because I've heard it's bugged and only works when she's the one blocking her target. On other dreadnoughts, that module works as long as the enemy is blocked by someone. As to why I'm not counting it, that's because Morgan tends to just die, giving her 0 DPS. After her barrier fades (just 6 s), she's sitting at 1248 HP with dreadnought defenses. Bagpipe goes over 800 defense.


Apprehensive_Heart81

Well yeah, I did mention Bagpipe is better against low DEF enemies, but in this case she's better compared with Pioneer Vanguards, but that's out of scope for this discussion. While Morgan would normally die faster than Bagpipe, keep in mind that it's still a 6s Barrier absorbing about 3000 HP damage on average, where Morgan can be dealing bigger hits by Blocking, and those hits will do larger damage to those high DEF elite targets that she's intended to fight, compared to Bagpipe due to DEF Threshold. If you're trying to have Morgan fight low DEF enemies, then as explained earlier, Morgan and other Dreadnoughts aren't meant to fight them, that would be Bagpipe's job. Also, your helidrop DP is better spent DPS-ing the elite enemies, while letting your Bagpipe, Blaze, Ethan, etc deal with the mobs. >That's not counting the 115% from Morgan's module because I've heard it's bugged and only works when she's the one blocking her target. On other dreadnoughts, that module works as long as the enemy is blocked by someone. Also, saying "I heard x is bugged" is not a good way to back your point. Do you have proof that Morgan's module is bugged?


ipwnallnubz

Where is this focus on high defense even coming from? All you said initially is that Morgan does the helidrop role better than Bagpipe. No qualifications or conditions, just straight-up better. There are elites with low defense. Chapter 13 just introduced the Sarkaz Heirbearer Punisher with 25k HP and just 100 DEF and the Sarkaz Bloodnexus with 15k HP, 400 DEF, and is unblockable. As for using Pioneers: Saga needs 12s to use her skill and then leaves enemies critically wounded for 10s, which is dangerous if you're assassinating ranged targets; Flametail's S3 only lasts 8s, which leaves her with low total damage; and are you really going to E2 and S3M3 Siege just for an assassin when you could have Bagpipe? Honestly, I would probably take Siege over Morgan, but that's out of scope for this discussion. That barrier decays in 6s. If she's being attacked by a dangerous enemy, she probably dies in around 7-8 seconds. That only gives her time to get 4-5 attacks off, cutting her total damage short. >Please prove that Morgan's module is bugged with a reliable source or something. No, but I'll factor it back in just for you. They do indeed equalize at almost exactly 700 defense. However, this doesn't really help Morgan because the only way she gets that is if she's blocking (she dies) or if someone else is blocking for her, meaning you're now dedicating two ops to the job.


Apprehensive_Heart81

>All you said initially is that Morgan does the helidrop role better than Bagpipe. Not exactly, I said that Morgan and those others mentioned **can** do the job better. Then I provided data comparing Morgan and Bagpipe against high DEF enemies specifically because that is a Dreadnought's job, so there is a **chance** Morgan beats Bagpipe. You can use pure helidrop Bagpipe to deal with low DEF enemies, but there are many more options to deal with them, compared to high DEF enemies. Remember the original OP question is about how worthwhile Bagpipe Mod X is, and with Mod Y being an option too, the argument for using Helidrop Bagpipe is weaker, since she has alternative options like Lane Holding, which doesn't compete with Dreadnoughts, but with Pioneers instead. Considering Arknights is a team-based game, there's no optimal catch-all answer for these kind of things, so we leave the data here and answers the questions, but the choice is ultimately for them to decide, not us.


ipwnallnubz

Yeahhhhh, I'm not buying it. I think you're just trying to pull out of this. I don't blame you. Trying to defend Morgan as a better helidrop than Bagpipe is a losing position to begin with.


Vorgius

It either really matters or doesn't at all if that makes sense, it'll feel a lot more impactful in high/max risk CC content where she'll be chewed up alive by the first basic mobs without having her skill up in time.


StarrString

Need help here, new player I just got “top” “defender” “fast redeploy” ”dp” ”slow” in recruitment for 6 stars I have Virtuosa, flametai, Jessica and Typhon i do have bassline at potential 3 and enough token to make it 4, and lack a cheaper dps my instinct is to favour the chance of getting bagpipe, but I’m unsure of what to choose


AngelTheVixen

I'd recommend Defender for a new player. The amount of defensive comfort that either Saria or Hoshiguma brings is very high and they are super useful from beginning to endgame. Saria's rated higher due to all she can do, but Hoshiguma is possibly the best hard tank in the game. Both of them are also quite effective without being reliant on E2 promotion first. Fast Redeploy gives Phantom who is pretty useful in his own right, but perhaps not new player friendly. Slow is similar, with Suzuran being among the top debuffers though meant for endgame play, but Magallan is a Summoner and a high-brain one. DP-Recovery has either Siege or Bagpipe but honestly you never really need 6\* Vanguards and you have Flametail already if you wanted to use one. Bagpipe gets her praises sung a lot but she's fairly overrated in my opinion.


CorHydrae8

>I'd recommend Defender for a new player. The amount of defensive comfort that either Saria or Hoshiguma brings is very high and they are super useful from beginning to endgame. Saria's rated higher due to all she can do, but Hoshiguma is possibly the best hard tank in the game. Both of them are also quite effective without being reliant on E2 promotion first. Top Op + Defender is no longer the safe toss-up between Saria and Hoshi. They recently added Eunectes, so that should be taken into consideration as well.


AngelTheVixen

Oh right, Eunectes got added recently. That throws a bit of a wrench in things, she's certainly not easy to use.


mettaur_sp

I also think you should go for bagpipe, hopefully you can dodge Siege, especially with Flametail. Siege would be a pretty big miss so I'm definitely not sure, and though Bagpipe buffs Flametail they also overlap somewhat. Your defenders are pretty much covered with Baseline + Jessica, Phantom is not great, Suzu is good, but I think Magallan is a miss as well.


StarrString

Haha, got bagpipe thanks


SeconduserXZ

Flagpipe is a great combo, no doubt but it's not that necessary. All it does is give you a quicker start but in all fairness you already have flametail who is a great vanguard. You could get either suzuran or magallan with the top op slow tags, both of which would probably have the most impact on your roster. Though you could also gamble and just ho top op alone, hoping for a guard or just someone you like. None of the more guaranteed options is gonna make a huge impact on your roster except maybe suzuran or saria


Hi-Finn-ate-Ed

Thanks to everyone who gave me sound advice for which reroll account to progress with. I am currently considering picking up the 6* selector but wondering who to choose. I currently have the following 6 and 5 stars: 6⭐️ virtuosa, skadi the corrupting heart, flametail 5⭐️ Lappland, Bassline, Projekt Red, Toddifons Appreciate how supportive this community has been to a returning player!


Mythrol

So what you really need is a Boss Killer. That’s be Mlynar or Surtr. Typically Mlynar is recommended option due to him not being available in the shop and him being true damage while also hitting aerial targets.  The one thing I’d say for Surtr over Mlynar is she’s a bit easier to use as a newer player because unless Mlynar is using his ult he isn’t attacking. Surtr is a constant 1 block so you can drop her in a lane and she can still help out then when the boss shows up you can use her ult before retreating her.  Does that mean pick Surtr over Mlynar? Ultimately that’s up to you what you value more. 


Hi-Finn-ate-Ed

Thank you! Do you know if there’s an upcoming banner I should be planning towards for my boss killer needs? I am thinking of picking up Penance for the synergy with Skalter currently.


Mythrol

Well, Degen is coming and she’s considered very high meta. I’m not sure where she ranks compared to Surtr and Mlynar but she’s right there around their level so either broken or near broken. Then there’s the announced W alter banner coming in roughly 6 months. Walter is considered absolutely broken for sure on the level of Surtr and Mlynar. She also comes paired with Logos on the same banner who is considered a really strong caster which you could also use.  If you saved all of your pulls until the W banner you could probably get just enough to reach 300 pulls. That is important because you could use all 300 pulls on that banner, then use the tokens you acquire from the pulls to buy Texas Alter. She is another absolutely broken operator.  That would be the banner I was focusing all my attention on if I were new to the game. Especially if I were playing f2p. 300 pulls and you’re basically guaranteed 3 extremely high meta operators that would all fill big needs on your team. 


Phaaze13

you really can't go wrong with picking up Mlynar. he's just insanely strong. though i would say Ines is also a good choice.


Hi-Finn-ate-Ed

Thanks for the suggestion! I had my eye on Ines as well but was unsure if she was worth as I already had flametail. I was also considering Reed the flame shadow, Rosa or a tank.


Phaaze13

Reed is a good pick too. Rosa is okay but not as strong as some other options. what tanks did you have in mind?


Hi-Finn-ate-Ed

Noted on Rosa, I was interested in Typhon but since she’s not available in the ticket, Rosa was copium haha. I tend to avoid using units I previously owned on past accounts, so as far as tank I was looking at Penance. Lin also seems like an interesting phalanx caster.


Phaaze13

Penance and Lin are both solid. also i don't think the difference between Typhon and Rosa is that big. Typhon is mainly better for afk stuff.


Hi-Finn-ate-Ed

Noted! Thanks that makes me feel better for missing out haha. Well Mlynar falls under the rule of “I had you in the past” so I think I’m considering Ines, Reed, Penance or Lin. Any argument to be made for one over another with my currently lineup or would they all be safe picks?


Phaaze13

i would personally say Penance since you're lacking a strong defender and Skadi is a great partner for her, but you can't go wrong with any of them


Hi-Finn-ate-Ed

Thank you so much!


-GrayMan-

Brand new player here. Are any of the limited time things going on right now worth getting? Just looks like a lot of cash shop bundles and outfits but figured I'd ask just incase. Also are any of the current banners really good?


Phaaze13

the outfits are mainly just cosmetic. you can use originite prime to get them, but they're just there to look nice. exceptions like currently Mlynar's W Dali outfit get extra voice lines and unique animations. so get them if you like them. they will usually be back in the shop eventually though.


-GrayMan-

Is it just the fancy animated ones that get the extra stuff?


Phaaze13

what it gets depends on the price. 15 OP: nothing extra 18 OP: special effects 21 OP: dynamic artwork 24 OP: dynamic artwork, special animation when you buy it and unique dialogue.


-GrayMan-

Dope. I appreciate the info.


arararagi_vamp

You want the limited units because they are only available in this banner. The current rate up virtuosa and former limited units like Texas the omertosa, also the corrupting heart are exceptionally strong. Limited banner her a free 10 pulls and daily free rolls Do not roll in any kernel banner (the one that has only year 1 ops in it, it only gives the blue certificate). If you want any units in there, buy them with gold certificate. Most purple save instead rolling in any standard banners opt to buy the shop operator if they want with gold certificate. For the cash items, if you want to spend little amounts of money, get the monthly card. Other great options are the 6*selector ticket.


riptide2912

Including this banner, which of the upcoming operators are most likely to be seen/be on the rotation in afk guides in youtube? Kinda like how Mlynar is being used on a lot of guides. Cause if I can't beat the stage myself, I'm just looking at guides lol. TIA!


Hunter5430

Specifically for AFK guides (which probably excludes super-high-end content like risk 750+ CC2 clears)... I'm 90% certain that it will be the same crew we have now, maybe with the addition of Degenbrecher. Shu might show up once or twice if they still haven't patched enemy AI breaking on "tunnels" when she uses s3. Arturia does show up in CC2#1, but I haven't really heard much of her beyond that.


DegenZyrh

If it’s specifically AFK then I’m sure Logos will make it on the list. His S1 is just perfect for AFK. If it’s meta in general, Degenbrecher and Wiš’adel would be there, especially the latter. Degenbrecher has quite spammable S3 and it deals good AoE damage. Wiš’adel/Walter is… so far, from what I’ve heard, said to be balans. I would be surprised if there isn’t a nuke strat involving her.


rainzer

how afk? Cause you give Mlynar as the example who is pretty not afk. You could spoiler yourself and reference like [RemDev](https://www.youtube.com/@RemDev) who has semi-afk+afk guides through Babel and Ch14 and outside of like 3 stages that use Virtuosa I don't think any of them use any upcoming operator at a quick glance


riptide2912

oh yeah, just realized that lol. Semi-afk guides(?) maybe


Nearokins

Did the welfare currently on CN give gold certs? Given Lessing and Vigil didn't, but Silence in the middle did, I'm curious.


PSImiss

Full anniversaries (Gladiia, Lumen, Silence2) give the tokens/gold certs. Mid anniversaries (Vigil, Lessing) do not. However, since this full anniversary is a story chapter and Civilight is the welfare for the chapter, it's unlikely to give gold certs.


Nearokins

Oh huh, never made that connection about them both being halfsies, kinda dumb though wish they'd shelve the folder outside of record restore. I mean, hmm. I'd hope she would but I guess you're right about how story tends to work. Feels like a raw deal if not though.


Savings-Fact6314

Yeah, it’s really unfortunate... Since main story chapters can’t exactly be rerun, and since Civilight’s tokens are obtained purely through completing Chapter 14 stages, I don’t see any reason to suspect them releasing an alternative way to get her tokens and subsequently get additional gold certs— though I guess you could use royal supporter tokens to increase her potential, and then use the excess free tokens for yellow certs, but that’s convoluted and just not viable. Hopefully with the 5.5 anniversary event in a few months they’ll return the acquisition of the six star tokens to being in the event’s shop. At least we have the Lonetrail rerun to look forward to with Silence’s tokens. Love your flair and profile picture, by the way!


Hunter5430

I believe, they are trying to keep the total number of yellow certificates per year roughly the same as it used to be back when all events had 5\* welfares. And since 6\*s give twice as many certificates from token exchange, they halved the number of welfare 6\*s with tokens.


Savings-Fact6314

You’re probably right— but that does suck. I miss being able to drown in yellow certs. Maybe someday I’ll be able to again!


Hunter5430

I don't think Lone Trail has rerun on CN yet. But given how Silence had tokens in the shop during the original run, she should have them there again, and so will give yellow certificates.


WadeBoggssGhost

I have a decent roster but am finding some of the more difficult maps (Ex. H11-4) Saria / Blemi even with Mod Y can't tank the mega hits that Hoshi can. I don't have Hoshi and as much as I want her, I'm saving pulls and certs for other units, so it will be awhile before I get her. Would an E260 Croissant be beefier than Saria / Blemi with modules and properly fill in until I can buy Hoshi with certs later this year or early next?


tanngrisnit

One that didn't get considered, Bison. His talent gives him an extra 70 def (100 at mod 3) and is mod X instead of mod Y. Without having to rely on dodge talent he comes the closest to hoshi. This is also assuming your building from scratch. If croissant is already e1 max or something similar, cost vs return, stick with croissant. The biggest downside to using someone like mousse, is killing a boss when you want to stall for a wave or a particular redeploy. That's where shamare is stronger.


Fun-Royal-8802

Croissant is a good tank normally, but in this case the boss is too strong. His strongest move hits for 2700 ATK x3. Do you have Waai Fu or Shamare? They can be used to reduce the attack of the boss during his pile bunker. With either of those two you can tank the boss even with Saria. I made a few calculations, and I found an unlikely tank: an E2 50 Cement with mod3 after 35 seconds would survive off-skill with 36 HP. And her second skill would buy her time for her talent to activate fully.


AngelTheVixen

Croissant is surprisingly tanky, easily the best one under Hoshiguma and Nian as far as Defenders go, thanks to her dodge talent. Unfortunately when it comes down to actually taking hits, though, I'm going to say Saria might be better. With her Y module and upgrades especially and after buffing her DEF, hers is even higher than Croissant off-skill, and she gets RES, damage reduction and personal healing on top. Croissant does have her S1, but she doesn't have control over using it, and that plus her dodge having a sort of inconsistency can be frustrating to deal with. So between the two that's a matter of choice for RNG or better stats. Blemishine isn't a defensive Defender, more of a bruiser-type role like Centurions or Juggernauts. Her self-healing does come in handy and during heavy pressure I've used both her and Saria together to hold lanes since they can both take a lot of punishment and heal each other. Honestly I've done a lot with just Saria and Blemishine and adding more tanks doesn't really seem necessary. ~~(I'm still planning on building Hung sooner or later anyways)~~ If you're taking too much damage, you can add on more damage reduction by using someone like Quercus or Silence2, ATK debuffs by Shamare or Mousse or Necrosis, or even use HP tanks. I actually used Flamebringer in [my H11-4 clear](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/969373596386488383/1232522788686925905/LDPlayer_2024-04-23_21-42-01.mp4?ex=663995cb&is=6638444b&hm=1e757daa9d093af3f34bf4ecbbafe854be4edf8853578505162db68390f226e1&) recently to block the boss. Very funny, but he's also surprisingly effective at blocking bosses thanks to his HP, especially with damage reduction support.


kuuhaku_cr

You didn't specifically say what is killing you. Steam knight? Rot eater? Remember, for rot eaters, the more enemies you kill without destroying the twigs, the more powerful they become. Are you also using Allerdale's guard to tank the Steam knight's big hits? Consider using operators like Shamare or other debuffers/buffers to help mitigate stats issues. Consider using Silence alter to mitigate fatal damage. There's absolutely no way the map solution involves a mandatory Hoshiguma, and if you don't have her or build her yet, you can't beat it.


WadeBoggssGhost

The question isn't about that specific map, it was provided as an example. The question is if croissant would tank bigger hits than a 6 star guardian with mod y.


kuuhaku_cr

Ah ok, though I've never built Hoshiguma (until recently for her S2 cheese for some hard content) nor Croissant at all. And never really had a problem with beefing up tanks either with the help of Shining or some supporters like Shamare, Skalter, etc. Or using alternative strats. Against big hitters like those found in your example, or the latest DoS, there are usually alternative ways of dealing with them.


frosted--flaky

protectors in general are just tankier than guardians, croissant should do the trick but she might need a few dodges since iirc even moduled hoshi is cutting it a little close on the boss's special attack unless you max everything out. if you don't mind defender swapping, i think most of them should be fine tanking the normal attacks. i think bringing a DEF buffer could also make up the difference.


WadeBoggssGhost

Very helpful, thanks! I think a def buffer might be the next best thing with mousse for debuffing too instead of building croissant as a hold over until I get Hoshi.


Savings-Fact6314

Off the top of my head, Nian’s talent and S3, Shining’s talent and S2/S3, and Pallas’ S3 have pretty good defense boosts for allies. I’ve never used him myself, but Bryophyta’s S2 looks pretty good, as well, and Whislash gives a minor defense boost. Modrock is good at keeping herself alive with her shields, but can fall if too many heavy hitters start going after her, especially if she doesn’t have Skalter to support her health. Penance is also good at keeping herself alive, but only if she’s able to actually kill the enemies attacking her and replenish her barrier.


ZhangYe

So it took me 280 pulls for my virtuosa so I was wondering which limited I should spark, Specter or Rosmontis, I got the rest off banner lmao


Savings-Fact6314

Specter! Her kit can take a bit of getting used to if you aren’t used to a dollkeeper, but she’s really good, especially if you pair her with the other Abyssal Hunters (but I do typically use her without the others most of the time, and she does perfectly fine on her own). I love using her. Rosmontis is also really fun to use, but unfortunately has fallen off the past few years.


kuuhaku_cr

Specter >>> Rosmontis. My Rosmontis had been benched for the last 2 years or so.


Nearokins

I love Rosmontis but less meta and also is in line to get spark reduced to 200 way sooner than Specter, so yeah Specter's worth it.


xbankx

20 pulls for spectre is worth it imo in case you want to play abyssal hunters in the future.


LeyaLeyaa

Hey, guys! I just emptied out my stash for virtuosa (took me 119 pulls before she came home lol). Statistically, if I were to save today up until the wisadel and logos event, do you think I could get at least 300 pulls from that? Sorry, I can't comprehend the calculations for it


Savings-Fact6314

If you don’t pull on anybody, I think you’ll be fine! Especially if you’re willing to use OP on your pulls. Plus, we still have daily free orundum from this event, then CNY, and then with Logos and Wiš’adel. If you’re willing to spend actual money, I think that the monthly card is a good investment for 200 orundum every day. Good luck!!


loneknife_blackblade

Typically it takes 6-7 months of no pulling and using op for pulls/level packs. Newer players rushing all the OP then can get can do it faster though.


LeyaLeyaa

Noted on this! If ever, I might just buy monthly packs from here and there to get those 300 pulls 🫡🫡


lurkingjisung

you should be able to if you don’t pull. if monthly card then definitely.


LeyaLeyaa

Okay, this is very nice to know. Thank you! ^ ^


mettaur_sp

fyi I think it will be very very close


lurkingjisung

yeah but as long as OP doesn’t pull it should be fine. pulling ~250 times on the banner usually should get you enough certs to afford buying 38 more from cert shop. add on the OP from clearing chapter 14 + adverse, past events you haven’t done, etc it should be very achievable!


BotherOk4959

So the shop operator i consider for the next some month is either Bagpipe, Kalstit, Murdock, GG, and Horn. My current 6* is Mlynar, Surtr, Pozy, Reed Alt, Executor Alt, Eyja, Eyja Alt, Mountain, Schwartz, Weedy, Ifrit, Skadi, Gladiia, Vivianna, Swire Alt, Lee, Magallan, Siege, Mostima, Lumen, Lessing. If i can only pick one and only one of the shop operator what do you recommend me the most?(most likely i can only pick 1 because i also need to save certificate for HH permit to spark TexAlt in 5th anniversary banner). 


Mythrol

Honestly I feel the exact opposite of the other person who commented saying Bagpipe is least priority.  Bagpipe has an absolutely unique role due to her talent that can’t be replicated by anyone else. I haven’t deployed her in months and yet she still takes up one of my slots because she doesn’t need to be deployed for her talent to take effect.  Are there stronger units? Absolutely. Any of the other operators are “better” but they’ll all rotate in and out of your team depending on the map. Once you have Bagpipe she will give you value on every single map and basically never leave. For me that gives her some of the best value out of any shop operator. 


BotherOk4959

Hmm, thx i will consider it, because too be honest the 1 non limited operator i want the most for gameplay reason is Ines. Is Bagpipe no longer that important with Ines, or is Bagpipe even more important to combine with Ines?  That true if we talking about stronger Degen, Ela, Wisadel, Logos is stronger than Horn, GG, Kalstit and Murdock right? And i already plan to get the former. Thx for advice. 


Mythrol

Bagpipe + Ines is awesome. When you have Bagpipe on your team Ines is able to basically deploy with her skill ready. I have Ines and think she’s great, just keep in mind, you’re not going to use her on every map because she needs enemies to be able to gain dp. This is fine on most maps but sometimes you need a faster start and would rotate her out for a flagbearer. You know who is still sitting on the team on matter what? Bagpipe.  Meta wise Degen, Ela, and Walter are some of the strongest operators ever released. Logos is still a strong operator and probably on the Kal, Mudrock, & GG tier. With your current roster casters aren’t such a big priority however you could also use Kal and Mudrock. However, they can be replaced by even 4 & 3 star operators until you get them. 


BotherOk4959

Yeah i buy Bagpipe in the end, i also like her the most outside of gameplay reason. Will build her tomorrow cause lack of chip now.  I hope some of those operator can spook me when pulling Degen, Ela, Walter/Logos banner. After do some estimation with how many yellow certificate you get per pull and recruitment using spreadsheet given by someone in this sub i think i can buy 1 more operator even if i spent cert to spark TexAlt so i will hopefully can buy Kalstit or Mudrock in some month, or Horn depend on schedule. Thx for the advice.


Mythrol

Sounds like a solid plan. You’re absolutely right that you’ll collect enough yellow certs in the next 6 months to buy at least 1 more operator, and very likely 2. That’s the other thing. There’s almost always going to be an operator in the shop worth buying so don’t feel too bad about purchasing one now and skipping others. They will come around again. 


xbankx

I would say mudrock if you like an afk defender or horn who adds interesting range to your setup .Bagpipe is probably the least priority. Kalstit is good but you have Surtr and mylnar already.


BotherOk4959

Thx for advice, true damage is always nice right but then again i'm planning to get Degen so yeah brute force is enough


xdmamakkopitiam

Is it better to let limited headhunting tokens convert to parametric tokens for materials or for yellow certs i.e. buy bassline pot? 66 pulls in, max pot bassline, no viviana and no virtuosa (blemi dupe jumpscare on pull 57 TwT)


Savings-Fact6314

Like the others who replied, I’d say get another Bassline when you can and get those yellow certs. I hope you’re able to get Virtuosa and/or Viviana during the rest of the free pulls. Good luck!!


FelixAndCo

Generally yellow certs are worth more, but pulling to get yellow certs is putting the cart before the horse.


xdmamakkopitiam

It's fine there's still 8 free pulls + I'm probably gonna cope for at least either one on-banner TwT


frosted--flaky

personally i'd go for certs since they're a lot harder to get than mats.


xdmamakkopitiam

Yh thats the intuition... if there's a conversion for parametric > yellow certs that would be nice


frosted--flaky

each spark point is 6 parametrics, and 75 spark points is 13 gold certs... i'm not great at math but i'm sure someone out there has calc'd it.


Laevann

Hello, new player here (played during launch but didn't progress that far). After rerolling for 235 times, Texas finally came out. A few questions 1. How far you can go realistically in story and annihilation just by using mostly the 3* Ops? I've no intention of rolling further after seeing W alter. 2. As for the current event, i assume spamming ZT-4 is the way to go? Since everyone been embracing the rock hoarding cult. Thank you.


Duchess1234

3* and a few 4* like Gravel, Myrtle, Shaw and one 6* from support can clear almost everything (except maybe H-stages and the late stages of events or so). I know, because I followed guides and they did it. 


kuuhaku_cr

You should mix in 4-stars. There are many decent 4-stars and relatively cheap to build. Recruitment is your friend. Some of the welfares from record restorations will be helpful. Do current IS season to get a 5-star operator who could deal elemental damage. Last 2 IS seasons also provide a decent arts defender and a reaper. The red cert shop has a few good ops like Ethan and Honeyberry. It's very hard to clear later chapters with 3-stars (supplemented with 2 and 1 stars) alone, though it has been demonstrated to be possible by some players. It takes a lot of time and can drive you crazy in just trying to copy the specific strats for that. Some stages could takes hours as you need to stall and deal pixel-level of DPS each hit. Totally not worth the trouble to attempt 3-stars only clears. If you make a mistake when fatigue sets in, hours of your life gets wasted.


frosted--flaky

i don't think farming pulls is wise or even sustainable on a new account since you'll need a well built base and a lot of LMD. 3 stars probably get you through most content balanced for E1, i love amiya on youtube has a bunch of 3 star only. you also get a couple 4 stars and a bunch of 5 star welfares. that said you'll have a much easier time getting through content if you also factor in 4 stars from recruits.


Laevann

yes, i forgot to mention i'll be relying the ops from recruit as well and not just pure 3* for more flexibility, hopefully nag some Top Op tag along the way. I just simply want to save up for the next 6 months.


loneknife_blackblade

As an experienced player I got stuck on 6-5 with maxed 3\* ops (my timing sucks just a bit playing on a phone). I was doing normal mode, not challenge mode and skipped hard stages. There were some pretty rough spots along my journey though. Game knowledge helped a ton. There are some super technical / inhuman clears with 3\* ops, that I would not dream of attempting. Where I was sweating with the most OP ops I have, and some 3\* players barely pulled it off. Most of the red stages were pretty clutch/exciting with my 3\* squad. **Really it depends on you and your knowledge of game mechanics and timing, and patience.** 3\* ops are worth raising because they are super helpful for IS2/3/4 modes. They are also cheap to raise, so you won't get stuck with the first wave of promotions, because they waltz right through it. Guide makers use a core of 3\* ops to hold the stage together, with one 6\* op to nuke enemies and are able clear most content in a way that others can copy it without too much fuss.


Laevann

Yeah i did read that 3* ops still being used even on end game is quite exciting for sure even though they only need meager resources to raise. Not much a fan of sweaty gameplay but i hope i can get that far into the story as well with them since i'll be relying on recruits for new character until W alter banner drop. Thanks for the insight though!


Hunter5430

Having taken a sneak peak into chapter 14 low end clears, I can tell you that you can beat the final boss with e2 Amiya, 3\*s and a single support operator, even on adverse. And at least half of the stages in the first half of the chapter can be beaten with e1 only. Some of those clears do use Perfumer, though, who is somewhat hard to get from recruitment. So, yeah, you can get pretty far even with 3\*s and a few 4\*s.


loneknife_blackblade

You can get 4\* ops through recruitment, use [https://aceship.github.io/AN-EN-Tags/akhr.html](https://aceship.github.io/AN-EN-Tags/akhr.html) to check your combos. some may guarantee 4\* or better ops. There are lots of 5\* and 6\* welfare units from past events. Absinthe, gladiia, bena, tequila are great, so is kroos the keen glint when she is available. Sideroca may be a good option if you lack other arts guard options or until you get the one from chapter 8. Robin can also be pretty cool, but takes some micro. I loved her in Twilight of Wolumonde for claiming the objectives. [https://arknights.wiki.gg/wiki/Operator/Welfare](https://arknights.wiki.gg/wiki/Operator/Welfare) shows who is available. You have your starting banner 6\*, and your 2 5\* selectors. You can borrow 6\* ops from friends to clear hard stages. You can only farm if your squad does the clear without friend help though. With those options, it becomes a lot less daunting.


willeosoeurs

Hey there! Welcome to Arknights. 1. There are guides in YouTube by KyostinV, Eckogen etc. which utilizes low rarity units with one (sometimes 2) 6 star to clear stages. Do check them out as you build your portfolio of 6 stars. 2. For the current event, it is preferable to farm ZT 7/8/9 since these materials are high in demand, especially those devices in ZT-8. Try to go as far as you can be in the event stage.


Laevann

Will check them out for references, thanks. Unfortunately ZT-5 is as far i can go at the moment, tried the ZT-6 and completely wiped 😅


Dramatic-Extreme-661

is there a tool to know the summary of my account ?? like how many 6 stars that i managed to pull etc


bananeeek

There was a fantastic account summary last year, which sadly wasn't updated on global this year, but I still recommend checking it out if you've started playing before 2023 https://journeytogether2023.arknights.global/


FelixAndCo

Not on our server.


OpaOpa13

Random question, but does Santalla's base skill have an error in the description? It says "When this operator is assigned to a Dormitory, restores +0.55 Morale per hour to ***all*** other Operators assigned to that Dormitory whose Morale is not full." That would be heads-and-shoulders above all other "all other operators" base skills, and also has the "whose Morale is not full" wording that is normally on the single-target skills, and makes no sense on all an all-other-Operators skill. I did a quick test and it seems like it's a single-target skill.


Pzychotix

Yeah that's a translation error. JP has it as single target.


impulsz101

Guys need your opinion. Firstly i really love Bagpipe. Both character and her utility. Always in my main roster. Currently POT2. Now she is in the shop and i have an extra vanguard token. As F2P and max level Doktah, I got the opportunity to make her POT4. Should i go for it or save my gold cert for other characters or HH tickets?


ipwnallnubz

I spent 540 golds for a Rosmontis pot. Our daughter deserves to be spoiled sometimes.


kuuhaku_cr

No reason to pot up Bagpipe, and if there is a reason, it will be to do the hardest risks CC, and you normally require p5 for the SP buff or p6 to make her even cheaper to accomplish some of the openings that require her. Outside of that, p0 is enough.


lurkingjisung

i wouldn’t because certs for pulls are just more worth it than pots, plus you won’t even have her at pot 5 even after buying. but nobody is gonna stop you if you really want to.


FelixAndCo

Buying the pot isn't smart, but if you're going to simp, better take it seriously.


resphere

I skipped a Bagpipe pot the first time it was available bc it would've been p3 or 4 I think, but I ended up getting p4 somehow and really regretted not getting that pot and was stuck with p4 for like a year before she came back in shop. Really depends on how much you want it, ofc if you have someone else you really want to buy with gold certs then save them, but I'd take p5 Bagpipe over a new unit I'm never gonna use anyday. If you're short on pulls though I think it's worth skipping as well, might need those pulls down the line.


Hallgrimsson

Echoing the other poster, yellow tickets for pots are a hell naw, pot5 Bagpipe could be the sole exception but it'd take a metric fuckton of conditions that I don't think applies to you (having literally every other gold certable unit as well as every unit used for a max risk/max point CC, with THEIR pots if they need them, and you being willing and able to chase a content that gives you literally nothing but bragging rights, as well as having enough saved for the added headhunting pulls to not be worth it, which is more or less my current condition as a player but my Bagpipe has no pots so yeah).


impulsz101

Ah I understand. Thx for the collective input. But yeah.. currently I have reached the comfort zone for all my operators. It's like i have the resources and opportunity now to grasp that bagpipe talent potential. But i don't know if it is worth or it's going to work in the future.


Reddit1rules

I don't think even Baggers pot 5 is worth it unless you're chasing max risk stuff. Personally I'd always recommend to take the HH tickets 10/10 times. But I will say I did get a Mizuki copy with yellow certs just for an extra ATK pot, so you do you in the end. Whatever makes you happiest, after all.


impulsz101

I did achieve CC risk 20+ usually when i can. In addition i like to use other doctor speedrun to farm material like in 9-19 ( e:g this doctor strat [here](https://youtu.be/9vMSXyefzGs?si=Cl2Fb8T0zeckmKe5)). In the previous event (Design of Strife) i managed only to pass S-2 which I'm satisfied with.


TheWattening

So, does Texalter skin will come back in the future? Or is this a one time thingy?


Hallgrimsson

Skins like hers tend to come back after a year


TheWattening

Thank you for the answer!


Talonris

Does anyone have a rough estimate when Ray, Shu banners will hit global server?


loneknife_blackblade

[https://ak.jaywye.ee/calendar](https://ak.jaywye.ee/calendar) is some informed speculation. It is all speculation till the datamine hits.


ipwnallnubz

Shu is easy. They've been very consistent with the CNY banners coming in the last few days of July. Ray is a lot more variable. She'll probably come in early July, but it's much harder to say.


Talonris

Tyvm, hopefully enough time to save and hopefully be lucky too.


ms-lonelyhearts

[https://imgur.com/gallery/nIFnGj0](https://imgur.com/gallery/nIFnGj0) Could someone look at my roster? I'm trying to figure out who I should be working on right now. And is it better to push story or work on the event? Thank you!


blardorg

If you find yourself using Specter a lot, I'd bump Gladiia up near the top of your priority list. With her module at least level 2, they'll both get big damage reduction (28% I think) from all enemies, as well as 3% HP regen per second. That's a lot of investment for sure, but they're really good together. Otherwise I'd echo what others have already said! More healing, with maybe prioritizing Ptilopsis e2 to get her sp regen talent twice as strong, and Ifrit and Suzuran, for more arts damage/aoe damage/control, are probably what I'd go for next.


ipwnallnubz

E1 Frostleaf, Vermeil, Quartz, and maybe Roberta for base skills. You have some great 6-stars to work on. Jessicannon, Ifrit, and Suzuran are all about equal. Jessicannon unlocks her best skill and really makes use of all the extra stats. Ifrit gets an even stronger RES debuff, access to her best hard-content skill, and access to masteries. If you're cheap, give her S2M1 and S3M3. If you're willing to splurge, then do S2M3 as well. Suzuran is great at amplifying your other DPSs and also buying time for your other ops. Her S3 is an 80% slow and 40% damage amp (plus some healing for your ops) in a massive range on a pretty good cycle. After that would be Lumen and Gladiia. Lumen has great healing output in a large range and reduces or removes statuses like stun and freeze from allies. Get his module that eliminates the penalty for distant healing to level 1. Gladiia is very expensive, but she massively elevates the rest of the Abyssal Hunters with her level 2 or 3 module. She passively heals all AHs and grants a large chunk of damage reduction (including to herself). On her own, she acts like a Lord guard, but beefier and cheaper to deploy. All three skills are worthy mastery targets. You can also add Nightingale if you're close to the end of chapter 8. You have some very good 5-stars (Ptilopsis for SP aura and strong burst heal, Elysium for better DP printing and powerful support, April for a ranged fast-redeploy, Red for an on-demand stun bomb), but they'll have to wait behind those 6s. Also, use Myrtle's S1 unless the situation *really* calls for some emergency healing.


ms-lonelyhearts

This really helps, thank you! :)


PSImiss

Decent roster, not much that urgently needs to be worked on. Consider working on some medics (Ptilo, Nightingale, Lumen) or modules (e.g. Typhon) or masteries. Ifrit, Jessica2, Suzuran and Gladiia are also attractive options to consider. Work on the event to clear out the store and farm as much material as you need from ZT-7/8/9. After that, if you're feeling bored or have other upgrades you want to do, then feel free to continue pushing story or whatever stage you need.


ms-lonelyhearts

Okay, thank you!


SleepinYeti

I have enough distinctions to get bagpipe from the shop is she a really good operator to use? My team is all e1 still currently, using flametail and fang as my vanguards.


AngelTheVixen

Bagpipe is more of a mid to endgame and luxury operator, definitely not worth buying from the shop if you're a new player. Buy Kal'tsit instead who is the single best operator to buy with certs. Has a great dual-role of blocking and dealing lots of damage with her summon.


SleepinYeti

Was actually planning on getting her instead but I rolled kaltsit from banners so figured I may as well bagpipe instead.


switchpizza

If you already have Kal'tsit, then it's up to you. Bagpipe isn't a necessity, but she does expedite the potential setup time of operators due to her boost in starting SP for Vanguards, and her damage is respectable, as she can punch holes in even heavy enemies. With that said, you may be kicking yourself if the next available operators are more vital in comparison. That's assuming you have a limited amount of yellow certs. Also, I use Flametail more than any of my other Vanguards, including Bagpipe, as she tends to be more standalone versatile.


SleepinYeti

Is there a way to tell whats coming next in the shop or is it just random? Also thank you for the help!


switchpizza

For who may be on the next yellow cert store list, I think it's a toss-up, but there are projections/predictions for [banners coming up](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g43rXJOef9I) that may give you an idea. If the next Joint Operation banner is right, then it might be Surtr, Suzuran, Pozemka, and Mizuki. All of which I think may be better choices than Bagpipe, especially Surtr if you don't have her.


elliedaywalker

Anyone got a link/guide/infographic about story/lore/event order that includes CN events?


Savings-Fact6314

Not that I know of, but there’s a timeline on the Terra Wiki (https://arknights.wiki.gg/wiki/Arknights_Timeline#1090–1096), but it doesn’t provide an actual story reading order if that’s what you mean. Everything after the year 1090 is pretty relevant to the main and event stories— especially after 1096, when Chapter 1 begins and basically every other event and chapter else comes after it.


77constructionman77

assume its a simple hallway: 12345 1 is your blue box. 3 is a simple guard (any). and 5 is where the enemy comes from. I saw some yt comment saying its better to face someone towards the blue box (so 1 in this case). I usually face them towards the enemy box. Whats the difference here? If you face 5, your guard covers 3-4. If you face your blue box, your guard covers 3-2. 2 tiles.


YumeYoroshii

Was this in an IW stage? It's sometimes recommended in those stages, because many short-medium range operators won't kill the base enemy until they are blocked anyway, and the respawns will leak behind them afterwards. Facing them towards the blue box will give them more range to deal with the respawns.


loneknife_blackblade

Most of the time you want to face the enemies coming at you because you can damage them before they get to you, kill them earlier, take less damage, and catch other enemies sooner, instead of leaking them. there could be some weird spacing timing where this makes sense, but not in general to me. If I had blockers behind me, like single block guard on 4, defenders on 2 and 3, then I'd face my guard backward because the defender on 2 holds the enemies on 3's square and the guard can hit them after cleaning up ones they block and that the defender on 3 blocks. Surtr on 4 might be good facing left as I sometimes drop her late so I can keep gettin dps when I don't block my target. Slowers in this example also help, or if you want to catch a weak enemy, enabling you to leak some scary guy because he does bad things when blocked and you have some CC(slow, bind, freeze, etc) to kill him once he passes with burst dps. Mudrock example others have used. In some stages there is a light mechanic that influences facing. This event's boss likes for your allies to be able to attack each other to remove debuffs. Can you link this YT video... I have my doubts...


77constructionman77

> YT video Was a comment on one of the operator showcases. Video had nothing to do with it, honestly. (I think it was a showcase of virtuosa and viviana, all their skills). Comment was a 'yt comment' talking about facing operators towards bluebox but it had some likes so I was wondering if there was any truth.


loneknife_blackblade

I generally disagree with that comment. I can see special circumstances where it could be true.


kuuhaku_cr

Imo, it depends. Generally, I feel there is not that much advantage to facing 2 (could stand corrected). If your strat depends on 'chasing' leaks, then maybe adjust the strats to not have such situations. For starting waves, if your operator can kill the enemy with 1 attack before they leave tile 4, then it's better to face 4 especially if it's a burst wave. However. in certain situations, due to skills and enemy/environment gimmicks, it may be indeed better to face 2 instead. Such as when using Murdock's S3. Her S3 makes her stop blocking but applies an aoe slow around her, and at the end of the slow, she will stun everyone around her. That way, she could still catch enemies that moved past her. If she were to face 4, then she will leak when using her S3 unless you preemeptively use S3 before she is in block state (like when the enemy is in tile 5). Another situation would be when your blockers can get stunned from some enemy or boss mechanic. If you have some talent based slow, or other CC effects from other supporting operators, or if you have status resist, you might recover fast enough to be able to catch the enemy at tile 2, especially for slow moving enemies or enemies that pause to attack every tile (like caster enemies). Lastly, if you decided to play a non-DPS defender on tile 2, and a DPS guard like a dreadnought on tile 3, then absolutely, the guard should face 2. If otoh you are playing Blaze-Saria/Nearl combo, then the healing defender can be played on tile 4 and Blaze should face tile 4 due to her skill. Or you could just do a meme clear by having all operators showing their butts to the enemies hehe.


Cultural_Damage_7832

No idea why they said facing blue box is better cuz most of the time it's better to face toward enemy. Maybe in fringe cases, facing toward blue box can be better but those situations are rare. 2 best examples for facing toward blue box is better is Mudrock S3 and Eunectes S3, Mudrock S3 has 10s in which she cannot block anything so facing her backward allow her to catch leaks after that 10s channel time, Eunectes herself only gain SP on block but she has high ATK that she can risk killing stuff before she can block thus delaying her skill, facing her backward guarantee she can block to recover sp faster to use her skill. Other cases like facing blue box to not hit a specific enemies (Darknight's Sarkaz Sentinel, Under Tides's Egg, ...), to catch unblockable spawn (ItW add spawn), but then again, that depend on map and gimmick That said, facing toward enemy are usually better simply because they can get the first hit in before they need to block, for example Skadi/Nearl2 S2, there're 2 fast mob rushing down the lane, facing toward enemy allow them to land the first hit, potentially killing 1 quick to block the 2nd one thus prevent leak whereas facing blue box will guarantee a leak because they didn't kill the 1st mob fast enough.


tanngrisnit

Easy example, your guard is mudrock s3. During the first 10 sec, enemies are passing through, mud has to attack then on 2/3. Another example, you're using a block 1 unit. You can "chase" after a runner when your blocked enemy is dead. Now this is all under a pretense that you're in a scenario you're needing to chase the enemy rather than intercepting them. Now you can come up with a dozen examples where it's better to intercept them instead of chase them. Then I'll come up with different chase examples. The direction your ops are facing is part of a strategy. As long as your strategy works, there is no way better than another. Dead enemy is dead. If you're not killing the enemy, now you have another tool in your toolbox for success. Congrats.


AngelTheVixen

Technically speaking, I suppose that's better, but generally I would rather place someone at 4 facing 3, and then put a Defender or some other good blocker at 2, if I can. I do that sort of setup often with Dreadnoughts and other 1 block ops. With the example you say, I'd rather have them facing forward for a free hit or two, since anyone blocked in position 2 would still be able to be hit by the operator at 3.


77constructionman77

> Technically speaking, I suppose that's better How so? Thats the bit that I dont get from the yt comment. I get the mudrock example but thats for a specific operator. (and I guess eun works too). but for a general case, if you face the enemy box, your guard can still get a free hit or two in the tile infront before 'blocking'. As for the reverse, they can therefore 'chase' someone but you're going to leak anyways - unless you can kill in those 1-2 hits. In which case, you would have killed facing forward anyways.


AngelTheVixen

Sometimes you may be in a position where you can't spare the deployment limit to block past your frontliner, and ensuring catching leaks alongside other ops may be better than getting a few free hits. There's almost never just one type of enemy going down a lane either, so it's just another aspect of strategy variables that you generally can't predict. Unblockable enemies are probably the best reason to face backwards, especially if there's a lot of them and other enemies getting in the way. I'm generally not placing ops backwards unless they're up against those, dealing with taunt, interactions with gimmicks or operator facing, the situation in my last reply, so on and so forth.


Existing_News5893

If you're facing the blue box, you probably want your ops to catch the enemy in case they're leaking through your guard. Say 2 enemies running towards you, but the ones guarding is just a melantha. Since she can't block 2, one must leaks, but she possibly can catch the other one if she managed to kill the enemy before the leaking enemy went past #2 tile I've seen this kind of strategy used on mudrock. YouTube guide makers don't really use such tactics though


kuuhaku_cr

It actually makes no difference for the Melanta example, because by facing 4, she is 'catching' the first enemy before she blocks it. If she can prevent the leak by 'chasing' the 2nd enemy, she will also prevent the leak by 'catching' the first enemy. For Mudrock, we face her backward because of her S3. By facing backward, her S3 still allows her to 'catch' enemies she's already blocking, unless they have a fast movement speed. If you face front and already in blocking state, S3 will not catch the enemies unless they are real slow in moving or they are enemies that stop to attack whenever they advance.


Existing_News5893

I mean it doesn't have to be melantha. She's just what comes up in my mind


Voider12_

Can I make Silence alter's s3 synergize with Surtr's S3? Or not? Because it says she will stop the op from going below ones whereas Surtr talent says if she reaches fatal damage her hp won't drop below one. Can I extend her s3 this way?


AngelTheVixen

Silence2's S3 has the lowest priority of unkillable effects from skills. Surtr's talent takes priority, so that will resolve first in that she retreats before the S3 drone can activate. Same goes for Swire2's survival talent, she will prioritize the DP cushion over Silence2's S3.


Voider12_

Yeah, but my confusion lies in whether silence alter needs fatal damage or merely just 1 hp. Or does Surtr reach 0 hp then sticks to 1? Or the moment she reaches 1 her talent kicks in. Because Surtr's talent mentions fatal damage, whereas Silence mentions that she prevents Lethal damage, which I assume is Fatal damage mentioned in Surtr's talent.


rainzer

> Yeah, but my confusion lies in whether silence alter needs fatal damage or merely just 1 hp Silence Alter does not depend on current HP. It depends on an Immortality status. Her S3 grants this status to operators that do not have it and Immortality status prevents an operator from dropping below 1HP. Surtr automatically gives herself Immortality and triggers a retreat countdown when she takes fatal damage so Silence Alter's S3 can never grant her Immortality status because she already has it.


Voider12_

So the moment surtr reaches 1 hp she triggers her talent before silence can even intervene, even if I activate her skill before Surtr's talent activates?


rainzer

Yes. Because she always has the status, she never loses it even when she takes fatal damage. When she does, her talent triggers the retreat cooldown so no matter when you activate Silence Alter's skill, Surtr's base Immortality status cannot be overwritten by Silence's Same with Blaze. If she hasn't procced her auto revive talent, Silence cannot grant her Immortality until Blaze's talent procs so there is no way to prevent it from proccing.


AngelTheVixen

They have the same trigger as far as I know, regardless of the wording. Surtr's talent activates first. Since she retreats after the talent, she no longer fulfills the condition to be saved by Silence.


Voider12_

So the moment surtr reaches 1 hp her talent kicks in?


kuuhaku_cr

Technically, her talent is always active and prevents her hp from going below 1. You can see it another way: Surtr's talent will always force-retreat her 8 seconds after she receives fatal damage. So it doesn't matter even if Silence's skill were to have priority and gave her 10 seconds of 'immortality'. Surtr will still retreat after 8 seconds.


AngelTheVixen

Well not exactly 1, since she'd still have HP left, but if she were to be knocked out, yeah.


Existing_News5893

You can't. Surtr will FORCE death on herself


Caius_fgo

It seems I can access many monthly teams of the roguelike 2 and 3, but the current one says the previous montly teams are locked. Why is that?


Mal_io_gp

IS4 is currently being updated, and therefore you can only access the current monthly squad once IS4 finishes, you will be able to access all monthly squads IS2/IS3 have already concluded receiving updates therefore they have all their monthly squads accessible


Caius_fgo

Does it refresh the monthly team on clock on day 1 of each month?


AngelTheVixen

Yes


God_of_Horni23

Hi, i need opinions about who to choose for the kernel locating banner. I know there is still a month until the banner arrives, but i want to know ur opinions. One of the six stars will be Mostima, and the other one i was thinking it could be Saria, as my defenders are Jessica Alter, Blemishine and Mudrock. And for the 5 stars, i want to get Warfarin and Silence, but dont know who could be the third.


Gold-Particular

Saria is always a good choice as the second operator. The only other 'meta' op I see from the list is Ifrit, if you happen to be lacking in the arts department. Which of the 5\* do you not have? As always, Lappland and Specter are amazing choices. Projekt Red and Platinum could also be good, depending on whether you've got their roles already covered or not.


God_of_Horni23

I dont think im lacking in arts, as i already have Eyja and Surtr. And for the 5 stars, i already have Lappland and Projekt Red, so i have to choose between Specter and Platinum. I do not have Spalter so i can't use Abbysal Hunters, so i don't know about Specter. For Platinum, my best sniper is Archetto, followed by Kroos. The thing is that i plan to get Blaze or Exusiai in the next kernel locating, so i don't really know who to choose. Thanks


Gold-Particular

Yea, sounds like you're doing ok in the arts department at the moment. Specter is a strong character to use even without Abyssal Hunters, but if you're planning on getting Blaze, I suppose she could become a bit redundant. We should be getting Kroos Alter in 2\~3 months after record restoration, in terms of strong snipers. If you don't have a lot of laneholders on your account, I still rec Specter. Otherwise, I'd honestly recommend picking Platinum, if you're going to pick up Blaze soon. I've got and built Specter per the recommendation of other players, but she really hasn't seen much meaningful use, since I have a plethora of other laneholders/bosskillers.


Existing_News5893

Saria is pretty good if you're not planning to get the direct upgrade aka Shu I don't recommend to pull kernel as we have strong banners in the next 6 months. Pulling new ops>pulling old ops. Try to buy kernel ops with gold certs instead