Shi Assoc. South Section 5

At a Glance

An Identity that grows stronger at low HP. Deliberately lose HP through enemy hits and self-damage, then strike with enhanced S3 Flashing Strike; at higher Uptie, it gains area coverage below 50% HP.

Core Mechanics

• Stronger at lower HP: S1 Extreme Edge and S2 Flying Sword gain Skill Power below a certain HP (+1 below 25% at lower Uptie, +2 below 50% at higher Uptie). S3 gains +2 Skill Power below 25% HP at lower Uptie, and +1 Attack Weight (multi-target) below 50% HP at higher Uptie.
• S3 Flashing Strike's self-damage and damage bonus: Before the attacks of Coins Ⅰ and Ⅱ, he loses 5 HP each, and that Coin gains +50% damage. Its damage is high even without meeting the bonus conditions. However, he loses 10 HP in total, so using it at low HP can make him fall.
• Adjusting HP with Counter: The Defense skill Counter costs him 5 HP on use and gains +50% damage with 3 or more Poise Count (both Uptie Ⅳ). It is a way to bring his HP down to the bonus threshold.
• Poise (Uptie Ⅳ): S1 grants 3 Poise Count on use, and S2 grants 3 Poise. S3 gains +2 Skill Power at 10 or more Poise Count.
• Combat passive — Respiration (3 Wrath Resonance; unlocked at Uptie Ⅱ): +10% damage if he took damage from an attack that turn. Pairs well with Counter.

How to Use

While his HP is high, fight normally with S1 and S2 to build Poise. Meanwhile, bring his HP down to the bonus threshold (below 50% at higher Uptie) through hits and Counter's self-damage, then cut through with the multi-target S3. His Stagger Thresholds are front-loaded at 80%/60%, so he staggers easily early on, but past them there are no later thresholds, so he can hold out at high HP. Combined with Counter, he excels at holding the line in long fights and against stronger opponents. While lowering his HP, be careful not to get knocked out at once by attacks hitting his Sin weaknesses. Counter's self-damage, Poise, the 50% HP condition, and S3's multi-target were added or replaced at Uptie Ⅳ. At Uptie Ⅲ or below, the condition is below 25% HP and S3 is his only self-damage, so this playstyle hardly works.

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  Telepole: S1 is Lust, S2 is Wrath, and S3 is Envy, supplying all three required affinities through skills.