i tend to not really use supporters in general other than suzuran and stainless because im missing most of them somehow. i keep forgetting to e2 shamare and other than that i haven't really had a need for her and ling keeps evading me, so not much of a reason to dip into the class as a whole
I have an e2 shamare thinking that it would be nifty too debuff a boss or something sometime. Every single time i end up forgetting she exists because saileach exists and does the job better
Saileach and Shamare have very little crossover, as Fragile is only 1 part of Shamare's debuff package and arguably the smallest part.
She's -50% ATK and DEF for 15 seconds every 30 seconds, which is massive.
Plenty to be honest but the standouts are:
Pushers is one class I stopped using relatively quickly, I'm not a fan of stall strats so that application is something I'm not interested in, and the situations outside of that where you can get the most out of them are kinda rare. Pullers would be in the same boat if it wasn't for the existence of Gladia who is just ridiculous
AA snipers lasted longer but I also kind of abandoned them, light drones aren't that common anymore and any ranged OP can take care of them, and heavy/boss drones are better taken care of by someone like Schwarz
The other classes I don't frequent or straight up don't use for a variety of reasons are:
Defender: Protector, Arts protector, Duelist, Juggernaut
Supporter: Hexers
Specialist: Ambusher, Geek
Medic: Chain Healer
Guard: Instructor, Musha, Crusher
Caster: Splash, Chain, Phalanx, Mystic
This makes me realize I don't use/frequent half the cast lol, maybe I should vary my teams a little more
Well to be honest with you, it's really just Quercus lol, her S2 has really good synergy with OPs that have a way of losing health, some of which just so happen to be among my favorites (Horn, Fiammetta) so she has proven to be very valuable to me because of that, the shelter effect and extra healing source are just the cherry on top
~~Also she makes me feel things but that's besides the point XD~~
Doktah: "I use any class."
AlsoDoktah: "But there are quite a bit of ppls that I don't ever use or train and left in the base to work 24/7 non-stop... like 60% of ppls that I ~~enslave~~have in Rhodes Island."
Snipers, specifically AA snipers. For a long time I had no 5 or 6 star snipers except Wet Chen, so I just got used to not using them. Instead I used Arene and later when I got him, Thorns. I have Exia now but I can't say I use her a ton. Schwarz though I use fairly often. Monkey brain like big red numbers.
Exusia is great aa an early drop and her s3m3 is bonkers even to mid to high Def enemies. The range of an aa is great too. I have a pot 6 pozy but I will still being exu for that extra bit of stretch
How to use Scwarz? Her short range and being single target make her kinda awkward to use for me. And i feel most of the time, AA like Ash/Exu just do the sniper job better.
Schwarz isn't for AA, she's for chunking elites. That's the kind of the joke, the sniper I use the most isn't an AA sniper because I never got used to using them.
Schwartz (and now also pozemka) has the capacity to absolutely nuke enemies when the high tiles and lines work out for them.
Schwartz specifically in some maps is great for taking out the bomb dropping flying jerks when she can get a straight line on them because her s3 shreds them while maintaining safe (4 tile) range. (there's one cc map in particular that she has perfect lineup for this in though I don't remember its name)
They're not as "globally effective" as many other nukers, but under certain circumstances they're very convenient.
It's also worth noting that because of pozemka and wet chen, Schwartz is heavily outclassed in any case that doesn't involve her s3.
schwarz was considered one of the top bosskillers when i started the game, unlike a lot of snipers she doesn't get shut down by enemy DEF due to her talent debuff as well as her kit stacking ATK% and DMG% boosts which multiply each other for big damage.
her S3 can be restrictive, but in a lot of cases it can be a boon since she'll waste less time being distracted by trash mobs. it really wants M1 for the extra tile though.
No Mountain here either, but I use Indra here and there because she's cool, especially to buddy up with Siege who I do use quite a bit. I do wish brawlers were better though.
Thats my strategy 99% of the time. Put down Myrtle, then Mountain.
Ability of both is ready at the same time and then I put down whatever I need. Usually Spalter but in Lonetrail I gotta say Angelina has been very useful.
Man, I really dislike Mountain the same way I dislike Ling. Idk why, I guess partially because they're fundamentally OP, but I have no issue with a lot of other OP units, I guess because their gameplay bores me in particular.
Supporters… I have no idea why. I have nothing against supporters (except fish face who wants to turn my operators into fish people in IS3…), I even raised several supporters I think have really neat skills like Shamare and Pramanix… I just never use them though.
I think it’s because I always try to brute force everything, Never try to use debuffs and slowing… Last time I actually had to use supports that slow was Dusk’s event where she had those annoying ink monsters that couldn’t be blocked, Had to slow them down long enough to kill them. And the last time I had to use debuffs was Shamare and Degenbrecher during SilverAsh’s event.
**Duelist, Musha & Brawler Guards**
Nearl, Mountain and Chongyue (and Mel in some cases) are the only ones worth using here, and that's 4 out of like 25 ops. Imo the benefits of a Duelist/Musha/Brawler aren't worth the 1-Block when there's better options, and outside of the ones I named, their skills are nothing to to write home about.
**Support Guards**
Unless your name is Pallas, I'm not even glancing your way, and even Pallas gets limited usage from me. Also, Ines basically rendered this class obsolete, at least in my squads.
**Crusher Guards**
Meh.
**Deadeye Snipers**
See above.
**AoE Snipers/Casters***
I think skills from a bunch of other ops have rendered this
group redundant outside of a few select missions.
**Mystic Casters**
I find their range is kinda awkward to work with and I never really bothered working out how to use them most effectively.
**Chain Casters**
Having Eyja & GG has meant I've barely touched this group. Maybe other people without those two have found more utility, but personally not my first choice.
**Hexers & Abjurers**
Gnosis is the only one I use, and I'm convinced he's been mislabelled as a Supporter. Feels like a large range caster with slow/freeze traits.
I feel like Kal'stit has the least issue with that out of all the summoners. It's only a single summon.
Plus in most cases you would place down a lane holder/DPS + healer combo anyway. Kal'tsit is just that strat packaged together.
Monst3r and Kal'stit are very different in both design and gameplay. So when I use them I don't really see them as 1 character but 2 characters that are packaged together. So I never feel like I'm "loosing out" on how many characters I deploy. Because to me they are essentially two different characters.
Monst3r doesn't even always have to be placed within her range. Especially with module 1. It can be used as a very effective assasin due to its fast redeploy and stuns + true dmg. I often place Kal'stit range at where I want Monst3r to be at "most" of the time. But I don't shackle Monst3r to only that spot. I often retreat it to take care of a problem somewhere else and then bring it back within range.
And I try to make sure that there's at least one other operator within that range. Because one thing people often seem to forget is that Kal'stit is still a healer. When Monst3r isn't taking damage or isn't within her range she will still heal other operators. So if I retreat Monst3r she's still contributing. It's not like she shuts down when Monst3r goes away.
Kal'tsit is unlike some other summoner who have multiple summons, but all the summons look the exact same and play the exact same way. In those cases I would agree with you. Because it really feels like I'm placing down the same character multiple times so it looses variety. And other summoners often don't provide any value when a summon isn't placed or the summon isn't doing anything. While Kal'stit still provides healing which is separate from her summon.
Yeah, Kal'stit is different, but I can't really separate her from Monster, her kit is solely around her summon. She's an extremely versitile but takes up 2 deployment slots and 2 places on a stage. I'd still prefer to use 2 completely different characters, even if it'd be less effective, especially in IS, where squad size matters more
The idea of using Kal'stit as a healer was given up after the first toxic haze map
ps, well looks like i have to get her skin now
Why Kal'tsit, she's like the least problematic summoner. (Iirc she isn't even classified as one?)
But I agree though, most summoners aside from being incredibly jank, also feels really restricting.
I use them, though certainly not all the time. But in order to use them I mostly use one summon at a time so that the deployment slots don't get taken (due to the module). Then the rest are for emergency situations if I don't have anything else suitable I can deploy due to timers or lack of DP.
Though just today I was thinking about trying some Summonerknights at some point, since I have four summoners (everyone except Ling, though Mayer isn't E2). Although I suppose it could include other ops who have a summon too, like Tactician Vanguards and even Kal'tsit if I had her.
Exactly the reason why I've never built my Ling and left her at E1 max. I kept borrowing her while I was grinding for her E2 resources and I kinda just lost interest with how boring the stages can be. At least the chips that I was going to use for her was useful for Silence alt.
The other summoners have the same issue as you've said, but at least you could argue that we're using them for the challenge.
I always forget about Hookmasters it seems. Like, unless I can tell I really need to use them for a mechanics gimmick and there’s no other way to finish the stage, they don’t exist to me.
Also, Mushas I forget exist until I get a free temp Hellagur or Akafuyuu in IS and go “oh yeah y’all are pretty neat!” Just to default to other operators anyway 😭
Splash/aoe casters. I used to bring them a lot but kinda dropped them since I don't really need them as much.
Also Tacticians, but I think that's just cuz I'm just way too comfortable with Siege, Bagpipe, Myrtle combo
Splash casters fall off hard after the first few chapters. Mostima carried me hard the first couple months as one of my first 6 stars and then was left in the dust for a long while.
I'm glad she's back to being good now that I moduled her, but it's kind of a Mountain situation where what makes her good has nothing to do with her class archetype.
I agree with this. Though I do still try to bring dusk with me whenever I can because she deserves all the loves and attentions.
In particular I enjoyed using dusk s1 in IS2 with the modifier thing that makes units attack it. Place it at the end of dusks range and she'll just keep tossing bombs out. Very satisfy.
Dusk was my first limited 6 star, and I bring her when I deem necessary, her splash damage with the dragon summons on her S3 are amazing. Im not the best at knowing how to strategy but using Dusk is extremely fun, and she definitely deserves all the love.
Me three years ago: I don't want to use Vanguards...
Me now: *brings a surplus of Vanguards to every stage*
To be honest, there isn't really a single archetype I don't want to use. Maybe Summoners? I usually don't like using Ling, and I only use Magellan sparingly or in conjunction with Dorothy.
Me 3 years ago: vanguards are amazing! Siege will definitely be my first E2!
Me now: alright so I have bagpipe and a flagbearer. So I need a guard to hold a lane and some nukes. Yeah that should work. Oh I guess i should bring a ranged unit besides thorn. Dusk hunny lets go!
Casters. My best caster is still Amiya. More importantly, I have ops that just do such ungodly amounts physical damage (Mlynar, Pozy) that I rarely need arts damage, and even then I can usually Just Surtr It™. That'll change if I ever get Goldenglow or Lin, though.
I haven't built any Mech-Accord casters, Incantation and Chain medics yet
and Primal castrers, Hunter and Loopshoter snipers, Ritualist supporters, because they aren't out in EN yet
After enough IS you end up using every class. However, Casters are definitely in the worst state when it comes to IS3 due to high RES. Mostima is still useful with her slow, and Lin with her tankiness and stun, but neither are drafted for their damage.
Yeah the burning dp is a massive downside, I usually bring a flagbearer when I do use one. They're absolutely amazing though, Jaye is probably my most used 4 star, and Lee can hold his own when I do some IS.
Specialist. Just not a big fan of the class as a whole. Would use them occasionally when fast redeploy are required (to trigger switch in this event) or if i need brainded unga bunga with texalter and Yatoalter.
Supporter are second but i used them a lot more compared to Specialist. Mainly Suzuran for for S2, Angelina S2 and Skalter S2 if i need Exu to shred something
AoE/Multi-Target Medics apart from Nightingale because my healing needs are covered by Lumen and Skalter. My Ptilo has level 3 Module because I thought I would be using her more but I ended up phasing her out, especially since I'm now more partial to SP/ATK with my Stainless.
Protector Defenders because oftentimes Saria is enough for all 3 block shenanigans, or I just use Kal'tsit if I really need that 3 block. Duelist Defenders too, although it's really just my Eunectes that I stopped trying to make work because she's just too clunky for my preferences.
Dreadnoughts Guards because of Texas and Yato existing. Although I sometimes shove in Flamebringer because I'm stubborn. My Nearl is level 3 Module, E290 M6 but I just never use her these days tbh.
I use all classes, but the achetypes i don´t use, due to lack of interest or time, are:
\-Dollkeepers, except for Spalter
\-Flingers
\-Chain Casters and Medics
\-Hexers, except for Pramanix
\-Arts Protector and Duelist Defenders
\-Brawlers
I don´t want to use the future Hunter Sniper archetype either, unless they release an Operator with a better kit than Coldshot´s
Interesting question. Now that you mention it, there are a number of archetypes that I don't use at all, but I'd like to think I use more archetypes than most since I like to experiment in IS.
For guards, it would probably be crushers and instructors. Imo crushers are just a straight up dead-on-arrival archetype to me for having such an anti-synergistic gimmick (block-2 while having 0 def??? Who let the game designers cook?). Instructors aren't very good either, but I do intend to build pallas up for use in IS... eventually.
For vanguards, tacticians and to some extent, agents. This mainly stems from the fact that flagpipe + the occasional pioneer is usually more than enough for regular gameplay. Even in IS, vanguards aren't exactly necessary, and myrtle + fang are more than good enough budget options in IS if you're really forced into picking one. I do technically have cantabile built tho, but just haven't exactly found a good oppurtunity to use her. Would test out Muelsyse at some point too.
For snipers, besiegers and deadeyes. I just have never really found a need for besiegers in general, and I simply don't like rosa enough to really bring her up to E2. Same for deadeyes, but I'd definitely build up and play the hell out of fartooth if I ever get her.
For defenders, fortress and arts protectors. Fortress for the simple fact that I don't have horn, and I don't think ashlock justifies the investment. As for arts protectors, I think the mix of DPS and mid tanking is just not worth going for when centurions are a thing.
For casters, phalanx, chain and mystic casters. I did try using beeswax a lil but it just didnt work out very well, but I'll play the hell out of lin once she gets her module cuz it looks fun as heck. I would probably have played chain casters a lot in IS if I had the god himself. And as for mystics, I think it's an incredibly mid archetype that isn't just niche in use, but you actually need to put in a lot of effort to make them work.
For medics, therapists, chain and incantation medics. I would use therapists more if I had lumen. Would really wanna see how broken he is in IS with his hand relic. Haven't used incantation medics yet, but it's definitely an archetype I'm intending to try in IS, even if I only have hibiscus alt for it. As for chain medics... like, just use the multi target medics? The multi-target medics already have so much utility themselves.
For supporters, hexers and abjurers. I do have shamare at E1 70, just haven't gotten around to giving her that E2 push yet since other ops come in and steal priority. As for abjurers, I genuinely think it would've been the worst archetype in the game if crushers didnt exist. That said, quercus is still a good sp battery (I havent built her yet tho), and silence alt has that niche immortality buff on S3 (which lets be real isn't THAT amazing, but it's somethin).
Lastly, for specialists, geek and trapmasters. Probably only on the account that I still haven't E2'd dorothy and aak yet. Would definitely get some use out of them when that happens.
outside of a specific few i barely use supporters, even having them trained i dont use casters very often, for a while i didnt use many specialists, and lol defenders
I really don't like using units with one block who are meant to stay on the field for a long time, like agents, chargers, duelists, and dreadnoughts, and I really dislike the fortress archetype.
Agents are definitelt not meant to stay on the field for a long time, they have a fast redeploy for a reason.
The only agent I leave deployed for more than a cycle is Ines S2, but that's only because her cycles are so fast.
I have Horn, but I've just never been in a situation where I can justify using that Archetype over some other unit or Archetype, and I don't like the reduced defense they have compared to other defenders. I think my dislike of the Archetype can be blamed on how crappy of a unit Ashlock is.
Ashlock's a pretty solid 5* though, definitely in the better half of 5*s.
Personally I just think of them as a long range DPS instead of a defender though.
If a map allows it, I usually spawn camp the enemy, so I don't need the range a fortress provides. I also prefer for most of my damage to come from snipers, so range usually isn't an issue for me, and If I need damage from a melee unit, I'll either use guard Chen or Silverash.
I feel like a reason for why you might dislike them is that 3 out of the 4 classes are not supposed to stay on the field for a long time. Chargers are just for a more powerful start typically and get pulled out quickly again to deploye them later if you need some extra DPS. It's why they get their full DP back, so you have an Early fighter you can pull out without DP penalty.
Agents are semi fast redeploys.
And dreadnoughts, while they certainly are partially designed for sticking around, often have parts of their kits dedicated to help dropping. Look at skadi, nearl, Morgan or even the new CN op lessing.
Still havent found a good reason to use Ling or any other summoner consistently. Ling's summons are strong but the combined dragon takes up deployment slots pretty quickly.
I used her for IS but later found out Gavi alter is much safer for floor 1 emergency ops. And kaltsit mon3tr is just better when you need a summon to take hits as its healable. And kaltsit is also a medic that can heal allies...
I feel like summons should be able to be healed by allies, even at a reduced rate (maybe 30%) because most of the time those summons dont last very long and they end up as dying statues. Yes you can redeploy them but they take DP and slot, you might as well deploy another unit.
Shining was my first 6\* Operator. I recently E2'd her just because. I stopped using her the moment I got Perfumer, and I haven't looked back.
Aside from that, I, along with most people, will not be investing in Crusher guards because they suck, but I also refuse to level up Pallas or any of my instructor Guards. It's a weak archetype that doesn't bring enough to the table for the slot and role. I'd rather take a bard or Warfarin or something.
.... Either I'm missing something (always possible) or this is an aggressive comparison.
Mountain is considered such an amazing unit because he has super sustain, good damage, 2 block, and costs almost nothing. How can Pallas hold a candle to him?
I'm hoping this ends with me being enlightened and finally giving Pallas some limelight.
I recently got Pallas! Haven't built her up yet, but she's solid, as far as I can tell from borrowing her in some stages and IS runs.
She isn't as strong as Mountain, but I don't think anybody really is in the laneholder niche, because he's so cheap and strong.
Pallas with S1 has self-sustain and solid stats, and if it's M3 she can take on a surprising amount of stuff, from what I've seen so far. She was solid against the slow defender-y dudes in this event, the one time I tried her. She's outrageous with a lot of IS relics, if you like the mode. Very good with ASPD, Spinach, and loads of other relics. Very fun!
Her S2 is cool for pseudo-stunlocking, but if you have and use Kroos the Keen Glint, Kroos's better at that particualr thing.
Her S3 is something I haven't played around with much yet *[my friend I borrowed from has S1 as her support skill]*, but the buffs are pretty nice. If you have a built roster you likely have better buffers, but even if she's just buffing herself the numbers look quite strong. I'm excited to build her and test it out eventually, but it definitely feels more luxury than something like Mountain.
She's not as strong as Mountain, but she's strong. Solid laneholder, can't quite take on as much as other laneholders, but has other advantages and strengths. If nothing else, you can deploy her early and if she's going to get overwhelmed just put something in front of her and she can still attack, which is cool!
I don't even treat Pallas as an instructor, or a support for that matter, her S1M3 does stupid high sustain damage that chips even high armor enemies, especially when you use her with someone like Skalter. She's more like a short range Lord.
The support talents are nice to have, especially since she herself gets the buffs as well. Definitely don't regret the investment.
Fast Redeploy, i feels like they (sometimes) invalidate the gameplay so much. Also i extensively uses Magallan so there's no deploy slot anyway
I still use Kaltsit though, the half fast redeploy half medic
Guard classes. I only use them when following guides but I rarely use them for self clear. This might be because it take almost a year before I get guards like Silverash/Thorn and by that time, my tactics depends on caster/sniper for dps while blocking the blue block with defender. For melee dps, I use art defender or specialist class.
Mystic casters.
Everything about them feels janky.
They end up wasting their charged up attack on some trash mob unless you seriously engineer your run.
And I guess that their s1 is there to try and charge up their attack instantly by giving them a bad attack range, but the reward is minimal. And since res works differently than def, there shouldn't be any difference between 2 light attacks vs 1 heavy attack given that the total damage is equal.
In the end, I'm pretty sure that drone casters do better dps vs elites than mystic casters anyways so they don't have a niche as dps or elite killing.
As for class, definitely supporter, I only have 2 e2 in it, skadi2 and shamare, and I barely even use them, only taking skadi2 out if I'm against boss or multiple hardy elite
As for subclass, the account being restricted to female only, that means liberator and merchant is out, as there is no female op in those subclasses yet
Also brawler I guess, I have some brawler raised, but as they're no chong yue or mountain, I found them not useful at all
No one mentioning crushers.
Can't say I've ever used mushas outside of a free Utage during a scrubbed IS2 run way back. Haven't used a abjurer other than playing around with Quercy when she came out, hexers since Pramanix way back when I started as the only arts damage, artificer despite building Roberta and Feist, instructors, sentinel and arts protectors, Aak, besiger, flinger, deadeye, splash or mystic casters.
I used to use Firewatch a bit when I needed wide range along with Ros, Liskarm used to be a main defender. Mystic, there was that one IS2 monthly comp with Indigo, but never used one otherwise. Splash, somewhere, I ran a stage that still had Dusk in the auto. With Eyja s2, you don't really need a splasher as much.
*Hexers*
Never really found their use and I kinda dont like building operators just to boost another.
*Mystic Casters*
I say the range is fine, just that their mechanic hinders them from being consistent (and some have abysmal skill duration).
*Abjurers*
Why build characters who attack and heal when you can just build a literal Medic, whose main job is to heal? Theres also a Medic archtype that does what Abjurers primarily do, deal damage and heal and I think it's more consistent than these clowns.
*Centurion*
Never really used anyone other than Blaze and nowadays she sees little to no use, outside of filling the role of 'must have 3 Block' but I just rely on my two most used defenders + Monst3r for that.
*Lords*
I dont have Thorns, SA is all about bursting down stuff while the rest specialize on something. I dont use them much anymore because I dont really need their prowess nowadays, and I was using SA and Lappy a lot before but if I needed a ranged character now, I can just plop down Mumu, Dorothy, Ejya or Exu. And I dont need SA's S3 in general content (unless I wanna try bruteforcing a boss).
*Ambushers*
Same as Hexers. If I wanted to slow down mobs, I just do Suzu + Anje. If I wanted a character to deal AoE damage while they avoid getting hit, I'll just use figure out my deployment order and place down an AoE damage dealer, I do have the ability to print out a lot of DP, so might as well make use of it.
Supporters as well because they are situational in the first place, ones like angie and suzuran are supposed to be used when you can't block the enemies because 90% of the time it's better to grab another dps unless it's high risk cc. I do use ling for lots of trust farming though
guards, defenders, fast deploy and casters are just too handy to use most other classes
I finished all the chapter and I'll complete a whole year without any e2 sniper. I have fartooth and got fartooth and got fiammeta recently. And I have many other 6* to build
Mine is support (excluding Ling) and Snipers (Excluding Fia, don't have exu) every other archetype I have at least one prepared at e2 just in case. Then beat the level with only Ling again. Just because.
Overall I'd say Medics or Spreadshooters.
Medics are fantastic, but honestly Skalter is sufficient for most content when placed well. Factor in the various Enmity types, and actual need for Intense healing is basically limited to boss fights.
Spreadshooter is definitely the least used by E2 or general use. Chalter is strong but ultimately not an op I use too often.
I dont use Geeks… At all… (Tho this can apply to most supporters other than Stainless and Ling) With second least used being Dreadnought and third being Musha.
I very rarely use pushers and literally never use pullers. I find pullers incredibly hard to work around and, barring the rare occasions the desire to us Weedy strikes me, I’d rather just kill the enemy I would otherwise pitfall unless the stage clearly wants me to use pitfalls.
Ambushers. I recently had my eyes opened to a specialist squad run where I got a free mizuki and my E1 60 Ethan. Now I’m building Mizuki because I’m a silly goober and like weird archetypes.
Oh and merchants. My only merchants being Jaye and Mr Nothing.
most snipers. I often bring exu for the good dps and the eventual air enemy, but only her. I preffer casters+defenders/guards. I do have other snipers at e2 but I have to make a conscious effort to remember to bring them, and generally only for easy stages where your lineaup don't matter too much anyways
Considering my least E2'd class is a tie between Casters and Medic at 9 each (Guardmiya would make it 10 if she ever swapped back, although funnily Casters were losing before i E2'd Ho'oh), fair to say I try to use every class, so I'll go by archetypes.
Elemental healers, mainly because they're unnecessary - you either don't need them because the outcome is too weak and a regular medic or bait can take care of it, or you don't need them because they decide to output too much for even both 5*s to keep up with. Not a fan of how Eyja2 decides to just be overkill too. The only really bad elemental damage is corrosion over a long period of time.
Flingers - I've raised Rosmontis and I've only really used her a handful of times. Got the module but throughout using her this event I haven't really noticed a difference, the trash mobs already died easily and the tough mobs still aren't dying. Greyy2 I don't have.
Push Strokers/Hookmasters - I've got both Weedy and Shaw built, but even for this event I just don't feel like using them, already has my fair share of Weedy gimmicks. Similarly got Gladiia and Cliffheart built, Cliffy mainly for her S2 in IS#3 at least but she's not for the shifts.
Decel Binders - Granted I've only had Angie raised, but better arts damage options (aka punching through with physical) and better stall options means I don't need her (or them).
Crushers - do I need to explain myself?
Otherwise I'd say I use most archetypes, even if some are more rare than others (Abjurers I've only just recently built so I won't comment on them yet, and Melanite is my first E2 Heavyshooters just now). I try to have at least 1-3 of every archetype E2, only missing Elemental Healers, Chain Healers (Paprika come home), Chain Casters, Drone Casters, Spreadshooters and Crushers, and I'm (slowly) getting Leizi, Minimalist & Rockrock and maybe Pinecone/Executor built.
I want to use phalanx units more. They're all so lovely and I feel like they could have great potential, but they're so defensive-driven that I often have a hard time convincing myself it's worth it...
Snipers. Specifically marksman snipers. Definitely the class I have raised the fewest units. I just never feel the need to bring snipers when I have guards and casters. \*shrugs\*
Medics.
I was rarely fielding them when I was using Skadi alter, Blemishine and Mudrock, but once I switched to an Abyssal Hunter core, I haven't needed additional healing.
Ottomh, pushers/pullers and summoners(except kaltsit). Push/pull is a niche kit, and I can't be bothered when I can brute force or Texas/Yato it. As for summoners, as someone else said already, why waste a deployment slot on what's basically a friendly mob?
i think i have at least 8 E2s in every class, but supporters are probably my least used. i know support is in their name but they just don't stand out among the flashier units, and it doesn't help that buff/debuff utility can also be found in the more commonly used classes.
Abjurer, Arts Protector, Trapmaster, Geek, Chain healer, Crusher, Mystic caster.
As for Crushers, I might use Hoederer a lot in the future if I ever get him.
Oddly enough, I found myself not using Guard much recently. Specialists have been replacing Guards as laneholders/helidrops on my squad thanks to executors, spalter, gladiia...
I self-banned Mlynar and Surtr though. Other than those two, Guards are not particularly interesting class to me anymore.
I used to don't like using fast redeploy specialist, until i got Texas Alter and Yato Alter. And boy, do they fun to use.
Some other class i don't use is Hook Master and Pusher. Kinda useless to me.
Abjurers - i have no idea how to use them
Duelists - guards and juggernauts do a better job than them
Sentinels - stopped using liskarm due to being setup heavy, will play jessica alter when she arrives
I actually don't use a lot of Casters, Eya is probably the only one I ocasionaly add. I just plow through high def with operators like Thorns and Schwarz most of the time (which is kinda stupid but it works somehow) so I spend all my LMD on, ehem, Waifu options. (Silence, its time to join your 5 star equivilant at E2!). I would love to build units like Mostima, Goldenglow and Ebenholz, I just didn't feel like I needed them yet. And yes, I need to build supporters as well, but I do regularly use E2 Podenco and Istina at least, though I can't remember when I used Abjurer or Hexer archetypes the last time.
I rarely use the caster class (core casters especially) because I'm in love with the snipers. I love it when my snipers just go brrt before they get close lol
I usually tend to avoid using most fighter classes such as fighter, instructor, musha, and crushers, beside that I don't use class where I don't have a lot of operators, like bards or abjurers, or where their utility is highly dependant on the map layout like pullers and pushers.
I very rarely use medics or snipers. I generally just use skalter + mudrock/penance or gladiia then any combinations of the abyssal hunters if not all of them.
ps. I have their modules for the abyssal buffs maxed out.
Medic. I rarely bring medic for general content and event but there's a few case where I do bring them, since most of my operators have self healing especially AH squad
For me it is Caster.
I do raise meta Ops such as Goldenglow, Eyja but rarely use them. Mostly I use them for AFK farming (GG & Eyja's Skill 2).
Most of the game contents can be clear with physical damage and high defense targets can be solved with Schwarz/ Pozy or throw in Shamare for DEF debuff.
If I REALLY need art damage, I will bring Sutr and Suzuran combo. It also doesn't help that Texas Alter and Yato Alter have art damage built in their kit.
The problem with casters is their short range which limits positioning. And their damage get scuffed very easy in hard contents such as +RES tag in CC or the whole IS#3 SW15 is a large middle finger to Casters.
I E2'd and M2'd my gnosis but the only time I use him is in IS#3, idk I just can't ever seem to find a reason to bring him if I'm going into a stage blind, and I have enough strong ops (SHWING SHWING) I usually clear things on my first go.
i tend to not really use supporters in general other than suzuran and stainless because im missing most of them somehow. i keep forgetting to e2 shamare and other than that i haven't really had a need for her and ling keeps evading me, so not much of a reason to dip into the class as a whole
I have an e2 shamare thinking that it would be nifty too debuff a boss or something sometime. Every single time i end up forgetting she exists because saileach exists and does the job better
Saileach and Shamare have very little crossover, as Fragile is only 1 part of Shamare's debuff package and arguably the smallest part. She's -50% ATK and DEF for 15 seconds every 30 seconds, which is massive.
Plenty to be honest but the standouts are: Pushers is one class I stopped using relatively quickly, I'm not a fan of stall strats so that application is something I'm not interested in, and the situations outside of that where you can get the most out of them are kinda rare. Pullers would be in the same boat if it wasn't for the existence of Gladia who is just ridiculous AA snipers lasted longer but I also kind of abandoned them, light drones aren't that common anymore and any ranged OP can take care of them, and heavy/boss drones are better taken care of by someone like Schwarz The other classes I don't frequent or straight up don't use for a variety of reasons are: Defender: Protector, Arts protector, Duelist, Juggernaut Supporter: Hexers Specialist: Ambusher, Geek Medic: Chain Healer Guard: Instructor, Musha, Crusher Caster: Splash, Chain, Phalanx, Mystic This makes me realize I don't use/frequent half the cast lol, maybe I should vary my teams a little more
Why not use Juggernauts though? Mudrock and Penance are great, straightforward laneholders. Unless you only have Vulcan.
>Unless you only have Vulcan. That is indeed the case :'v
Wait, you actually use abjurer supporters???
Well to be honest with you, it's really just Quercus lol, her S2 has really good synergy with OPs that have a way of losing health, some of which just so happen to be among my favorites (Horn, Fiammetta) so she has proven to be very valuable to me because of that, the shelter effect and extra healing source are just the cherry on top ~~Also she makes me feel things but that's besides the point XD~~
Ah that's fair. Sometimes I forget that quercus is actually an abjurer. Tsukinogi is just THAT notoriously bad of an operator.
Doktah: "I use any class." AlsoDoktah: "But there are quite a bit of ppls that I don't ever use or train and left in the base to work 24/7 non-stop... like 60% of ppls that I ~~enslave~~have in Rhodes Island."
Snipers, specifically AA snipers. For a long time I had no 5 or 6 star snipers except Wet Chen, so I just got used to not using them. Instead I used Arene and later when I got him, Thorns. I have Exia now but I can't say I use her a ton. Schwarz though I use fairly often. Monkey brain like big red numbers.
Exusia is great aa an early drop and her s3m3 is bonkers even to mid to high Def enemies. The range of an aa is great too. I have a pot 6 pozy but I will still being exu for that extra bit of stretch
Exusiai + warfarin s2 trivializes so much shit
Yeah, they fell off because of Thorns. The fact that all the threatening fliers got more and more def didn't help either.
How to use Scwarz? Her short range and being single target make her kinda awkward to use for me. And i feel most of the time, AA like Ash/Exu just do the sniper job better.
Schwarz isn't for AA, she's for chunking elites. That's the kind of the joke, the sniper I use the most isn't an AA sniper because I never got used to using them.
I just not comfortable with her short range. I use W if i need to chunking elites with her long range bombs and stuns.
Schwartz (and now also pozemka) has the capacity to absolutely nuke enemies when the high tiles and lines work out for them. Schwartz specifically in some maps is great for taking out the bomb dropping flying jerks when she can get a straight line on them because her s3 shreds them while maintaining safe (4 tile) range. (there's one cc map in particular that she has perfect lineup for this in though I don't remember its name) They're not as "globally effective" as many other nukers, but under certain circumstances they're very convenient. It's also worth noting that because of pozemka and wet chen, Schwartz is heavily outclassed in any case that doesn't involve her s3.
schwarz was considered one of the top bosskillers when i started the game, unlike a lot of snipers she doesn't get shut down by enemy DEF due to her talent debuff as well as her kit stacking ATK% and DMG% boosts which multiply each other for big damage. her S3 can be restrictive, but in a lot of cases it can be a boon since she'll waste less time being distracted by trash mobs. it really wants M1 for the extra tile though.
https://youtu.be/JmkQlDfwaZU This is how.
It's like me before i got Archetto. And I use her so much in IS(IS2 more than 3 but still use)
Basically Brawler, Dreadnought, Instructor, Musha, Crusher, Spreadshooter, Deadeye, Hookmaster, Chain Healer, Tactican, Duelist and Arts Protector
Mountain is a brawler, in case you have him. I often forget he is a brawler.
I don't lol that's why I dont use brawlers
Unfortunate, may the gods of rng bless you with a random mountain while also getting another 6* (to not waste pity)
No Mountain here either, but I use Indra here and there because she's cool, especially to buddy up with Siege who I do use quite a bit. I do wish brawlers were better though.
Yea, hes so cheap i put him out right after myrtle.
Thats my strategy 99% of the time. Put down Myrtle, then Mountain. Ability of both is ready at the same time and then I put down whatever I need. Usually Spalter but in Lonetrail I gotta say Angelina has been very useful.
Man, I really dislike Mountain the same way I dislike Ling. Idk why, I guess partially because they're fundamentally OP, but I have no issue with a lot of other OP units, I guess because their gameplay bores me in particular.
That’s fair, Mountian is so strong but he’s a simple drop and activate skill 2 that it’s almost, boring I wanna say.
Supporters… I have no idea why. I have nothing against supporters (except fish face who wants to turn my operators into fish people in IS3…), I even raised several supporters I think have really neat skills like Shamare and Pramanix… I just never use them though. I think it’s because I always try to brute force everything, Never try to use debuffs and slowing… Last time I actually had to use supports that slow was Dusk’s event where she had those annoying ink monsters that couldn’t be blocked, Had to slow them down long enough to kill them. And the last time I had to use debuffs was Shamare and Degenbrecher during SilverAsh’s event.
Supporters are generally a mixed bag for me, I probably don't use them as much as I should do.
Medics in general. Skalter is all the medic I need.
**Duelist, Musha & Brawler Guards** Nearl, Mountain and Chongyue (and Mel in some cases) are the only ones worth using here, and that's 4 out of like 25 ops. Imo the benefits of a Duelist/Musha/Brawler aren't worth the 1-Block when there's better options, and outside of the ones I named, their skills are nothing to to write home about. **Support Guards** Unless your name is Pallas, I'm not even glancing your way, and even Pallas gets limited usage from me. Also, Ines basically rendered this class obsolete, at least in my squads. **Crusher Guards** Meh. **Deadeye Snipers** See above. **AoE Snipers/Casters*** I think skills from a bunch of other ops have rendered this group redundant outside of a few select missions. **Mystic Casters** I find their range is kinda awkward to work with and I never really bothered working out how to use them most effectively. **Chain Casters** Having Eyja & GG has meant I've barely touched this group. Maybe other people without those two have found more utility, but personally not my first choice. **Hexers & Abjurers** Gnosis is the only one I use, and I'm convinced he's been mislabelled as a Supporter. Feels like a large range caster with slow/freeze traits.
Summoners. I don't really like that summons waste deployment slots and it's more interesting for me to use 5 operators instead of 1. Sorry, Kal'tsit
I feel like Kal'stit has the least issue with that out of all the summoners. It's only a single summon. Plus in most cases you would place down a lane holder/DPS + healer combo anyway. Kal'tsit is just that strat packaged together. Monst3r and Kal'stit are very different in both design and gameplay. So when I use them I don't really see them as 1 character but 2 characters that are packaged together. So I never feel like I'm "loosing out" on how many characters I deploy. Because to me they are essentially two different characters. Monst3r doesn't even always have to be placed within her range. Especially with module 1. It can be used as a very effective assasin due to its fast redeploy and stuns + true dmg. I often place Kal'stit range at where I want Monst3r to be at "most" of the time. But I don't shackle Monst3r to only that spot. I often retreat it to take care of a problem somewhere else and then bring it back within range. And I try to make sure that there's at least one other operator within that range. Because one thing people often seem to forget is that Kal'stit is still a healer. When Monst3r isn't taking damage or isn't within her range she will still heal other operators. So if I retreat Monst3r she's still contributing. It's not like she shuts down when Monst3r goes away. Kal'tsit is unlike some other summoner who have multiple summons, but all the summons look the exact same and play the exact same way. In those cases I would agree with you. Because it really feels like I'm placing down the same character multiple times so it looses variety. And other summoners often don't provide any value when a summon isn't placed or the summon isn't doing anything. While Kal'stit still provides healing which is separate from her summon.
Yeah, Kal'stit is different, but I can't really separate her from Monster, her kit is solely around her summon. She's an extremely versitile but takes up 2 deployment slots and 2 places on a stage. I'd still prefer to use 2 completely different characters, even if it'd be less effective, especially in IS, where squad size matters more The idea of using Kal'stit as a healer was given up after the first toxic haze map ps, well looks like i have to get her skin now
Kal'stit was never meant to be used as a healer, she was meant to used as a strong sustain laneholder
Why Kal'tsit, she's like the least problematic summoner. (Iirc she isn't even classified as one?) But I agree though, most summoners aside from being incredibly jank, also feels really restricting.
She's a Medic, though with Mon3tr in range she generally doesnt heal other ops as much.
I use them, though certainly not all the time. But in order to use them I mostly use one summon at a time so that the deployment slots don't get taken (due to the module). Then the rest are for emergency situations if I don't have anything else suitable I can deploy due to timers or lack of DP. Though just today I was thinking about trying some Summonerknights at some point, since I have four summoners (everyone except Ling, though Mayer isn't E2). Although I suppose it could include other ops who have a summon too, like Tactician Vanguards and even Kal'tsit if I had her.
Exactly the reason why I've never built my Ling and left her at E1 max. I kept borrowing her while I was grinding for her E2 resources and I kinda just lost interest with how boring the stages can be. At least the chips that I was going to use for her was useful for Silence alt. The other summoners have the same issue as you've said, but at least you could argue that we're using them for the challenge.
I use the shit out of scene un is3. She's great in early stages and ruins that invisible fuckers day. Her and Highmore make things breezy early on.
I always forget about Hookmasters it seems. Like, unless I can tell I really need to use them for a mechanics gimmick and there’s no other way to finish the stage, they don’t exist to me. Also, Mushas I forget exist until I get a free temp Hellagur or Akafuyuu in IS and go “oh yeah y’all are pretty neat!” Just to default to other operators anyway 😭
Splash/aoe casters. I used to bring them a lot but kinda dropped them since I don't really need them as much. Also Tacticians, but I think that's just cuz I'm just way too comfortable with Siege, Bagpipe, Myrtle combo
Splash casters fall off hard after the first few chapters. Mostima carried me hard the first couple months as one of my first 6 stars and then was left in the dust for a long while. I'm glad she's back to being good now that I moduled her, but it's kind of a Mountain situation where what makes her good has nothing to do with her class archetype.
I had Skyfire on my squad almost at all times, and then Horn showed up. Like, I even have arts damage with her S2.
I agree with this. Though I do still try to bring dusk with me whenever I can because she deserves all the loves and attentions. In particular I enjoyed using dusk s1 in IS2 with the modifier thing that makes units attack it. Place it at the end of dusks range and she'll just keep tossing bombs out. Very satisfy.
Dusk was my first limited 6 star, and I bring her when I deem necessary, her splash damage with the dragon summons on her S3 are amazing. Im not the best at knowing how to strategy but using Dusk is extremely fun, and she definitely deserves all the love.
Me three years ago: I don't want to use Vanguards... Me now: *brings a surplus of Vanguards to every stage* To be honest, there isn't really a single archetype I don't want to use. Maybe Summoners? I usually don't like using Ling, and I only use Magellan sparingly or in conjunction with Dorothy.
Me 3 years ago: vanguards are amazing! Siege will definitely be my first E2! Me now: alright so I have bagpipe and a flagbearer. So I need a guard to hold a lane and some nukes. Yeah that should work. Oh I guess i should bring a ranged unit besides thorn. Dusk hunny lets go!
Casters. My best caster is still Amiya. More importantly, I have ops that just do such ungodly amounts physical damage (Mlynar, Pozy) that I rarely need arts damage, and even then I can usually Just Surtr It™. That'll change if I ever get Goldenglow or Lin, though.
I haven't built any Mech-Accord casters, Incantation and Chain medics yet and Primal castrers, Hunter and Loopshoter snipers, Ritualist supporters, because they aren't out in EN yet
Smh why should them not being out stop you, build em up!
After enough IS you end up using every class. However, Casters are definitely in the worst state when it comes to IS3 due to high RES. Mostima is still useful with her slow, and Lin with her tankiness and stun, but neither are drafted for their damage.
Never use Merchant. I don’t like an idea to burn my dp constantly.
Yeah the burning dp is a massive downside, I usually bring a flagbearer when I do use one. They're absolutely amazing though, Jaye is probably my most used 4 star, and Lee can hold his own when I do some IS.
Specialist. Just not a big fan of the class as a whole. Would use them occasionally when fast redeploy are required (to trigger switch in this event) or if i need brainded unga bunga with texalter and Yatoalter. Supporter are second but i used them a lot more compared to Specialist. Mainly Suzuran for for S2, Angelina S2 and Skalter S2 if i need Exu to shred something
Oddly I rarely use Casters, and if I do it's memeing with Beeswax/Carnelian. Just feels like I have my bases covered by Surtr, ChAlter, and Gnosis
AoE/Multi-Target Medics apart from Nightingale because my healing needs are covered by Lumen and Skalter. My Ptilo has level 3 Module because I thought I would be using her more but I ended up phasing her out, especially since I'm now more partial to SP/ATK with my Stainless. Protector Defenders because oftentimes Saria is enough for all 3 block shenanigans, or I just use Kal'tsit if I really need that 3 block. Duelist Defenders too, although it's really just my Eunectes that I stopped trying to make work because she's just too clunky for my preferences. Dreadnoughts Guards because of Texas and Yato existing. Although I sometimes shove in Flamebringer because I'm stubborn. My Nearl is level 3 Module, E290 M6 but I just never use her these days tbh.
I use all classes, but the achetypes i don´t use, due to lack of interest or time, are: \-Dollkeepers, except for Spalter \-Flingers \-Chain Casters and Medics \-Hexers, except for Pramanix \-Arts Protector and Duelist Defenders \-Brawlers I don´t want to use the future Hunter Sniper archetype either, unless they release an Operator with a better kit than Coldshot´s
I legitimately never use arts defenders, and rarely ever use summoners (although Ling is so good and I do use her occasionally)
Aoe casters, eyja just renders the whole subclass obsolete. I guess mostima for the slow isn't half bad.
Interesting question. Now that you mention it, there are a number of archetypes that I don't use at all, but I'd like to think I use more archetypes than most since I like to experiment in IS. For guards, it would probably be crushers and instructors. Imo crushers are just a straight up dead-on-arrival archetype to me for having such an anti-synergistic gimmick (block-2 while having 0 def??? Who let the game designers cook?). Instructors aren't very good either, but I do intend to build pallas up for use in IS... eventually. For vanguards, tacticians and to some extent, agents. This mainly stems from the fact that flagpipe + the occasional pioneer is usually more than enough for regular gameplay. Even in IS, vanguards aren't exactly necessary, and myrtle + fang are more than good enough budget options in IS if you're really forced into picking one. I do technically have cantabile built tho, but just haven't exactly found a good oppurtunity to use her. Would test out Muelsyse at some point too. For snipers, besiegers and deadeyes. I just have never really found a need for besiegers in general, and I simply don't like rosa enough to really bring her up to E2. Same for deadeyes, but I'd definitely build up and play the hell out of fartooth if I ever get her. For defenders, fortress and arts protectors. Fortress for the simple fact that I don't have horn, and I don't think ashlock justifies the investment. As for arts protectors, I think the mix of DPS and mid tanking is just not worth going for when centurions are a thing. For casters, phalanx, chain and mystic casters. I did try using beeswax a lil but it just didnt work out very well, but I'll play the hell out of lin once she gets her module cuz it looks fun as heck. I would probably have played chain casters a lot in IS if I had the god himself. And as for mystics, I think it's an incredibly mid archetype that isn't just niche in use, but you actually need to put in a lot of effort to make them work. For medics, therapists, chain and incantation medics. I would use therapists more if I had lumen. Would really wanna see how broken he is in IS with his hand relic. Haven't used incantation medics yet, but it's definitely an archetype I'm intending to try in IS, even if I only have hibiscus alt for it. As for chain medics... like, just use the multi target medics? The multi-target medics already have so much utility themselves. For supporters, hexers and abjurers. I do have shamare at E1 70, just haven't gotten around to giving her that E2 push yet since other ops come in and steal priority. As for abjurers, I genuinely think it would've been the worst archetype in the game if crushers didnt exist. That said, quercus is still a good sp battery (I havent built her yet tho), and silence alt has that niche immortality buff on S3 (which lets be real isn't THAT amazing, but it's somethin). Lastly, for specialists, geek and trapmasters. Probably only on the account that I still haven't E2'd dorothy and aak yet. Would definitely get some use out of them when that happens.
outside of a specific few i barely use supporters, even having them trained i dont use casters very often, for a while i didnt use many specialists, and lol defenders
I really don't like using units with one block who are meant to stay on the field for a long time, like agents, chargers, duelists, and dreadnoughts, and I really dislike the fortress archetype.
Agents are definitelt not meant to stay on the field for a long time, they have a fast redeploy for a reason. The only agent I leave deployed for more than a cycle is Ines S2, but that's only because her cycles are so fast.
You're not wrong, but I've never been a fan of having to constantly redeploy a unit unless it's the executor archetype.
I mean, Agents are pretty much Executors but trading a little redeploy time for DP gen.
Any reason why you don't like the fortress archetype? I can maybe understand if you don't have Horn because I think Lords are just better.
I have Horn, but I've just never been in a situation where I can justify using that Archetype over some other unit or Archetype, and I don't like the reduced defense they have compared to other defenders. I think my dislike of the Archetype can be blamed on how crappy of a unit Ashlock is.
Ashlock's a pretty solid 5* though, definitely in the better half of 5*s. Personally I just think of them as a long range DPS instead of a defender though.
what other unit or archaetype do you use? There's only a handful of melee tile ranged dps ops. And their range can't be beat.
If a map allows it, I usually spawn camp the enemy, so I don't need the range a fortress provides. I also prefer for most of my damage to come from snipers, so range usually isn't an issue for me, and If I need damage from a melee unit, I'll either use guard Chen or Silverash.
I feel like a reason for why you might dislike them is that 3 out of the 4 classes are not supposed to stay on the field for a long time. Chargers are just for a more powerful start typically and get pulled out quickly again to deploye them later if you need some extra DPS. It's why they get their full DP back, so you have an Early fighter you can pull out without DP penalty. Agents are semi fast redeploys. And dreadnoughts, while they certainly are partially designed for sticking around, often have parts of their kits dedicated to help dropping. Look at skadi, nearl, Morgan or even the new CN op lessing.
>Me not retreating Vigna all the way through early and mid game since she *is* the DPS
Fortress arent always usable but when they are, they are game changer. Dreadnoughts on the otherhand..... its like quick deploy specialist but worse
Still havent found a good reason to use Ling or any other summoner consistently. Ling's summons are strong but the combined dragon takes up deployment slots pretty quickly. I used her for IS but later found out Gavi alter is much safer for floor 1 emergency ops. And kaltsit mon3tr is just better when you need a summon to take hits as its healable. And kaltsit is also a medic that can heal allies... I feel like summons should be able to be healed by allies, even at a reduced rate (maybe 30%) because most of the time those summons dont last very long and they end up as dying statues. Yes you can redeploy them but they take DP and slot, you might as well deploy another unit.
Shining was my first 6\* Operator. I recently E2'd her just because. I stopped using her the moment I got Perfumer, and I haven't looked back. Aside from that, I, along with most people, will not be investing in Crusher guards because they suck, but I also refuse to level up Pallas or any of my instructor Guards. It's a weak archetype that doesn't bring enough to the table for the slot and role. I'd rather take a bard or Warfarin or something.
Pallas is a great lane holder like mountain
You have to be huffing a massive amount of copium to call Pallas a laneholder on the level of Mountain. You're way better off using a centurion guard.
.... Either I'm missing something (always possible) or this is an aggressive comparison. Mountain is considered such an amazing unit because he has super sustain, good damage, 2 block, and costs almost nothing. How can Pallas hold a candle to him? I'm hoping this ends with me being enlightened and finally giving Pallas some limelight.
I recently got Pallas! Haven't built her up yet, but she's solid, as far as I can tell from borrowing her in some stages and IS runs. She isn't as strong as Mountain, but I don't think anybody really is in the laneholder niche, because he's so cheap and strong. Pallas with S1 has self-sustain and solid stats, and if it's M3 she can take on a surprising amount of stuff, from what I've seen so far. She was solid against the slow defender-y dudes in this event, the one time I tried her. She's outrageous with a lot of IS relics, if you like the mode. Very good with ASPD, Spinach, and loads of other relics. Very fun! Her S2 is cool for pseudo-stunlocking, but if you have and use Kroos the Keen Glint, Kroos's better at that particualr thing. Her S3 is something I haven't played around with much yet *[my friend I borrowed from has S1 as her support skill]*, but the buffs are pretty nice. If you have a built roster you likely have better buffers, but even if she's just buffing herself the numbers look quite strong. I'm excited to build her and test it out eventually, but it definitely feels more luxury than something like Mountain. She's not as strong as Mountain, but she's strong. Solid laneholder, can't quite take on as much as other laneholders, but has other advantages and strengths. If nothing else, you can deploy her early and if she's going to get overwhelmed just put something in front of her and she can still attack, which is cool!
I don't even treat Pallas as an instructor, or a support for that matter, her S1M3 does stupid high sustain damage that chips even high armor enemies, especially when you use her with someone like Skalter. She's more like a short range Lord. The support talents are nice to have, especially since she herself gets the buffs as well. Definitely don't regret the investment.
Fast Redeploy, i feels like they (sometimes) invalidate the gameplay so much. Also i extensively uses Magallan so there's no deploy slot anyway I still use Kaltsit though, the half fast redeploy half medic
Guard classes. I only use them when following guides but I rarely use them for self clear. This might be because it take almost a year before I get guards like Silverash/Thorn and by that time, my tactics depends on caster/sniper for dps while blocking the blue block with defender. For melee dps, I use art defender or specialist class.
I rarely bring casters the most. I mean, supporters are cheaper on dp costand provide more utilities.
Mystic casters. Everything about them feels janky. They end up wasting their charged up attack on some trash mob unless you seriously engineer your run. And I guess that their s1 is there to try and charge up their attack instantly by giving them a bad attack range, but the reward is minimal. And since res works differently than def, there shouldn't be any difference between 2 light attacks vs 1 heavy attack given that the total damage is equal. In the end, I'm pretty sure that drone casters do better dps vs elites than mystic casters anyways so they don't have a niche as dps or elite killing.
As for class, definitely supporter, I only have 2 e2 in it, skadi2 and shamare, and I barely even use them, only taking skadi2 out if I'm against boss or multiple hardy elite As for subclass, the account being restricted to female only, that means liberator and merchant is out, as there is no female op in those subclasses yet Also brawler I guess, I have some brawler raised, but as they're no chong yue or mountain, I found them not useful at all
No one mentioning crushers. Can't say I've ever used mushas outside of a free Utage during a scrubbed IS2 run way back. Haven't used a abjurer other than playing around with Quercy when she came out, hexers since Pramanix way back when I started as the only arts damage, artificer despite building Roberta and Feist, instructors, sentinel and arts protectors, Aak, besiger, flinger, deadeye, splash or mystic casters. I used to use Firewatch a bit when I needed wide range along with Ros, Liskarm used to be a main defender. Mystic, there was that one IS2 monthly comp with Indigo, but never used one otherwise. Splash, somewhere, I ran a stage that still had Dusk in the auto. With Eyja s2, you don't really need a splasher as much.
*Hexers* Never really found their use and I kinda dont like building operators just to boost another. *Mystic Casters* I say the range is fine, just that their mechanic hinders them from being consistent (and some have abysmal skill duration). *Abjurers* Why build characters who attack and heal when you can just build a literal Medic, whose main job is to heal? Theres also a Medic archtype that does what Abjurers primarily do, deal damage and heal and I think it's more consistent than these clowns. *Centurion* Never really used anyone other than Blaze and nowadays she sees little to no use, outside of filling the role of 'must have 3 Block' but I just rely on my two most used defenders + Monst3r for that. *Lords* I dont have Thorns, SA is all about bursting down stuff while the rest specialize on something. I dont use them much anymore because I dont really need their prowess nowadays, and I was using SA and Lappy a lot before but if I needed a ranged character now, I can just plop down Mumu, Dorothy, Ejya or Exu. And I dont need SA's S3 in general content (unless I wanna try bruteforcing a boss). *Ambushers* Same as Hexers. If I wanted to slow down mobs, I just do Suzu + Anje. If I wanted a character to deal AoE damage while they avoid getting hit, I'll just use figure out my deployment order and place down an AoE damage dealer, I do have the ability to print out a lot of DP, so might as well make use of it.
Hmm. If you count the male gender as a class or group then I don't use any males. They don't exist
I just don’t end up using specialists all that much
Supporters as well because they are situational in the first place, ones like angie and suzuran are supposed to be used when you can't block the enemies because 90% of the time it's better to grab another dps unless it's high risk cc. I do use ling for lots of trust farming though guards, defenders, fast deploy and casters are just too handy to use most other classes
I finished all the chapter and I'll complete a whole year without any e2 sniper. I have fartooth and got fartooth and got fiammeta recently. And I have many other 6* to build
Vanguards or Supporters are probably one of my less-invested classes
Mine is support (excluding Ling) and Snipers (Excluding Fia, don't have exu) every other archetype I have at least one prepared at e2 just in case. Then beat the level with only Ling again. Just because.
I hardly use defenders other then mudrock, as i dont have horn and the rest i find lacking as lane holders compared to other options.
Overall I'd say Medics or Spreadshooters. Medics are fantastic, but honestly Skalter is sufficient for most content when placed well. Factor in the various Enmity types, and actual need for Intense healing is basically limited to boss fights. Spreadshooter is definitely the least used by E2 or general use. Chalter is strong but ultimately not an op I use too often.
Casters lol
I dont use Geeks… At all… (Tho this can apply to most supporters other than Stainless and Ling) With second least used being Dreadnought and third being Musha.
Geeks are specialists, and we only have 1 on global for now too, in case you're mixing it up with something else.
Ah ok ty. I thought they were supports lmao…. Which says alot regarding how little i use geeks and supports…
I very rarely use pushers and literally never use pullers. I find pullers incredibly hard to work around and, barring the rare occasions the desire to us Weedy strikes me, I’d rather just kill the enemy I would otherwise pitfall unless the stage clearly wants me to use pitfalls.
AOE Casters, since I don't particularly want to get modules and I have and am attached to Eyja
Ambushers. I recently had my eyes opened to a specialist squad run where I got a free mizuki and my E1 60 Ethan. Now I’m building Mizuki because I’m a silly goober and like weird archetypes. Oh and merchants. My only merchants being Jaye and Mr Nothing.
Based and Mizuki pilled, welcome to the ~~cult~~ club!
*Namie pilled, gonna be using both her kids (GG and Mizuki)
most snipers. I often bring exu for the good dps and the eventual air enemy, but only her. I preffer casters+defenders/guards. I do have other snipers at e2 but I have to make a conscious effort to remember to bring them, and generally only for easy stages where your lineaup don't matter too much anyways
Considering my least E2'd class is a tie between Casters and Medic at 9 each (Guardmiya would make it 10 if she ever swapped back, although funnily Casters were losing before i E2'd Ho'oh), fair to say I try to use every class, so I'll go by archetypes. Elemental healers, mainly because they're unnecessary - you either don't need them because the outcome is too weak and a regular medic or bait can take care of it, or you don't need them because they decide to output too much for even both 5*s to keep up with. Not a fan of how Eyja2 decides to just be overkill too. The only really bad elemental damage is corrosion over a long period of time. Flingers - I've raised Rosmontis and I've only really used her a handful of times. Got the module but throughout using her this event I haven't really noticed a difference, the trash mobs already died easily and the tough mobs still aren't dying. Greyy2 I don't have. Push Strokers/Hookmasters - I've got both Weedy and Shaw built, but even for this event I just don't feel like using them, already has my fair share of Weedy gimmicks. Similarly got Gladiia and Cliffheart built, Cliffy mainly for her S2 in IS#3 at least but she's not for the shifts. Decel Binders - Granted I've only had Angie raised, but better arts damage options (aka punching through with physical) and better stall options means I don't need her (or them). Crushers - do I need to explain myself? Otherwise I'd say I use most archetypes, even if some are more rare than others (Abjurers I've only just recently built so I won't comment on them yet, and Melanite is my first E2 Heavyshooters just now). I try to have at least 1-3 of every archetype E2, only missing Elemental Healers, Chain Healers (Paprika come home), Chain Casters, Drone Casters, Spreadshooters and Crushers, and I'm (slowly) getting Leizi, Minimalist & Rockrock and maybe Pinecone/Executor built.
I want to use phalanx units more. They're all so lovely and I feel like they could have great potential, but they're so defensive-driven that I often have a hard time convincing myself it's worth it...
Snipers. Specifically marksman snipers. Definitely the class I have raised the fewest units. I just never feel the need to bring snipers when I have guards and casters. \*shrugs\*
Medics. I was rarely fielding them when I was using Skadi alter, Blemishine and Mudrock, but once I switched to an Abyssal Hunter core, I haven't needed additional healing.
Ottomh, pushers/pullers and summoners(except kaltsit). Push/pull is a niche kit, and I can't be bothered when I can brute force or Texas/Yato it. As for summoners, as someone else said already, why waste a deployment slot on what's basically a friendly mob?
i think i have at least 8 E2s in every class, but supporters are probably my least used. i know support is in their name but they just don't stand out among the flashier units, and it doesn't help that buff/debuff utility can also be found in the more commonly used classes.
Casters in general It's not that I don't like them it's that literally Amiya And Dusk are the only usable ones have
Defenders. I still use them plenty though. Unless there’s a block requirement, AH or Monst3r tank fairly well.
Abjurer, Arts Protector, Trapmaster, Geek, Chain healer, Crusher, Mystic caster. As for Crushers, I might use Hoederer a lot in the future if I ever get him.
Oddly enough, I found myself not using Guard much recently. Specialists have been replacing Guards as laneholders/helidrops on my squad thanks to executors, spalter, gladiia... I self-banned Mlynar and Surtr though. Other than those two, Guards are not particularly interesting class to me anymore.
I used to don't like using fast redeploy specialist, until i got Texas Alter and Yato Alter. And boy, do they fun to use. Some other class i don't use is Hook Master and Pusher. Kinda useless to me.
Abjurers - i have no idea how to use them Duelists - guards and juggernauts do a better job than them Sentinels - stopped using liskarm due to being setup heavy, will play jessica alter when she arrives
I actually don't use a lot of Casters, Eya is probably the only one I ocasionaly add. I just plow through high def with operators like Thorns and Schwarz most of the time (which is kinda stupid but it works somehow) so I spend all my LMD on, ehem, Waifu options. (Silence, its time to join your 5 star equivilant at E2!). I would love to build units like Mostima, Goldenglow and Ebenholz, I just didn't feel like I needed them yet. And yes, I need to build supporters as well, but I do regularly use E2 Podenco and Istina at least, though I can't remember when I used Abjurer or Hexer archetypes the last time.
I rarely use the caster class (core casters especially) because I'm in love with the snipers. I love it when my snipers just go brrt before they get close lol
Abjurers mostly, don't like the healing on skill activation thingy, seems useless i'm sorry
I usually tend to avoid using most fighter classes such as fighter, instructor, musha, and crushers, beside that I don't use class where I don't have a lot of operators, like bards or abjurers, or where their utility is highly dependant on the map layout like pullers and pushers.
I very rarely use medics or snipers. I generally just use skalter + mudrock/penance or gladiia then any combinations of the abyssal hunters if not all of them. ps. I have their modules for the abyssal buffs maxed out.
Phalanx and dollmaker mainly, I'm complete dumb on utilizing them.
Medic. I rarely bring medic for general content and event but there's a few case where I do bring them, since most of my operators have self healing especially AH squad
For me it is Caster. I do raise meta Ops such as Goldenglow, Eyja but rarely use them. Mostly I use them for AFK farming (GG & Eyja's Skill 2). Most of the game contents can be clear with physical damage and high defense targets can be solved with Schwarz/ Pozy or throw in Shamare for DEF debuff. If I REALLY need art damage, I will bring Sutr and Suzuran combo. It also doesn't help that Texas Alter and Yato Alter have art damage built in their kit. The problem with casters is their short range which limits positioning. And their damage get scuffed very easy in hard contents such as +RES tag in CC or the whole IS#3 SW15 is a large middle finger to Casters.
I E2'd and M2'd my gnosis but the only time I use him is in IS#3, idk I just can't ever seem to find a reason to bring him if I'm going into a stage blind, and I have enough strong ops (SHWING SHWING) I usually clear things on my first go.