E2S1 (Hysilens sig) Swan, E2S5 (Solitary Healing) Hysilens, E0S5 (Tutorial) Kafka, E0S5 (Shared Feeling) Lingsha

Changes (full kit in comments)

- Basic ATK regenerates 30 energy

- Skill gives Ashen Roast on adjacent targets

- Ultimate detonates all Burn effects at 90% strength

- Zone gives 30 ult vuln and 4% debuff amplification per Ashen Roast stack

- Ashen Roast also stacks whenever it deals DMG

- Ashen Roast DMG increased to 180 + 60 x Ashen Roast stacks

- Ashen Roast heals all allies when dealing DMG based on the DMG dealt

- E1 increased to 60 dmg%

- E2 changed to cause Ashen Roast to deal DMG twice

- E4 additionally decreases enemy atk by 2% per Ashen Roast stack and allows ult to detonate all types of DoT

- E6 increases max Ashen Roast to 10 and increases debuff amplification to 5% per stack

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Debuff amplification would be a new type of debuff, doing exactly what it sounds like it does. Any debuff on the enemy with a number attached to it gets increased by whatever percent, including vuln, def shred, res shred, and DoT mv. Debuff amplification can't affect other sources of debuff amplification, and in the case of Ashen Roast specifically, it can't affect debuffs given by Ashen Roast (mv, vuln, e4 atk reduction, e6 res shred)

Generally the goal was to push Jiaoqiu to be used with other Nihility units, which would obviously push him towards Acheron and DoT. On teams with low amounts of debuffs, he's fine enough, but in teams that spam debuffs, he gives a lot of amp. If you have any questions about a change, feel free to ask.

Just imagine the vuln cap gets removed or increased to some absurd amount like 1000% or smth

Kafka Alternative

Physical / Nihility

Basic ATK (Single Target)

• Regular basic atk

Skill (Bounce)

• Deals Physical DMG equal to 30% of KA’s ATK to one designated enemy and additionally deals 4 more instances of damage, each dealing Physical DMG equal to 30% of KA’s ATK to one random enemy target.

Ultimate (Single Target) (110 Energy)

• Reduces one designated enemy’s All-Type RES by 15% at an 80% base chance. Then, deals Physical DMG equal to 300% of KA’s ATK to the target. Finally, causes all DoT effects on the target to immediately produce DMG equal to 200% of their original DMG.

Talent

• All of KA’s attacks have an 80% base chance to inflict “Fancy Bleed” for 2 turns. Enemies inflicted with “Fancy Bleed” will take Physical DoT equal to 10% of their Max HP, up to 80% of KA’s ATK at the beginning of each turn for each stack. “Fancy Bleed” can stack up to 5 times and is considered as a Bleed.

A2

• After KA uses their skill, if the primary target is in the "Fancy Bleed" state, causes all DoT effects on the target to produce DMG equal to 90% of their original DMG. This effect repeats once for every stack of “Fancy Bleed” on the target above 1.

A4

• Whenever KA uses an attack, they regenerate 5 additional Energy.

A6

• For every 12% of KA’s Effect Hit Rate exceeding 60%, increases their ATK by 40%, up to 200%.

Sig LC

• Increases the holder’s Effect Hit Rate by 40%. While the holder’s Effect Hit Rate exceeds 100%, their Energy Regeneration Rate increases by 20% and whenever the holder uses their Ultimate, they recover 1 Skill Point.

E1

• While KA is on the field, whenever an enemy receives DoT, they additionally receive 1 instance of True DMG equal to 25% of the original DMG.

E2

• Every stack of “Fancy Bleed” on an enemy target increases their DMG received by 6%.

E3

• Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.

E4

• Whenever an enemy target enters combat or whenever “Fancy Bleed” produces DMG, inflict 1 stack of “Fancy Bleed” on the target for 2 turns. For every stack of “Fancy Bleed” inflicted on an enemy target, reduce their ATK by 10%, up to 60%.

E5

• Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10. Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.

E6

• The number of instances of DMG dealt by KA’s skill and the maximum stacks of “Fancy Bleed” both increase by 3. The effect from A2 takes place on every enemy hit at least once in this instance of KA's skill.

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So the idea here was to make a situational sidegrade to Kafka as a detonator, focusing more on single target rather than AoE and sub-dps rather than amp. Instead of running Eagle, they're intended to be run on Prisoner at 160 speed, with A6 making sure that they can still sub dps well even while running spd boots and eregen rope. A4 makes sure they can keep up a 2t ult rotation with eregen rope + sig or tutorial. For eidolons, E1 and E2 are self-explanatory and uninteresting, E4 is meant to push dual detonator more, and E6 is where I threw out any attempt at balance and had fun making bullshit.

Kafka Alternative

Physical / Nihility

Basic ATK (Single Target)

• Regular basic atk

Skill (Bounce)

• Deals Physical DMG equal to 30% of KA’s ATK to one designated enemy and additionally deals 4 more instances of damage, each dealing Physical DMG equal to 30% of KA’s ATK to one random enemy target.

Ultimate (Single Target) (110 Energy)

• Reduces one designated enemy’s All-Type RES by 15% at an 80% base chance. Then, deals Physical DMG equal to 300% of KA’s ATK to the target. Finally, causes all DoT effects on the target to immediately produce DMG equal to 200% of their original DMG.

Talent

• All of KA’s attacks have an 80% base chance to inflict “Fancy Bleed” for 2 turns. Enemies inflicted with “Fancy Bleed” will take Physical DoT equal to 10% of their Max HP, up to 80% of KA’s ATK at the beginning of each turn for each stack. “Fancy Bleed” can stack up to 5 times and is considered as a Bleed.

A2

• After KA uses their skill, if the primary target is in the "Fancy Bleed" state, causes all DoT effects on the target to produce DMG equal to 90% of their original DMG. This effect repeats once for every stack of “Fancy Bleed” on the target above 1.

A4

• Whenever KA uses an attack, they regenerate 5 additional Energy.

A6

• For every 12% of KA’s Effect Hit Rate exceeding 60%, increases their ATK by 40%, up to 200%.

Sig LC

• Increases the holder’s Effect Hit Rate by 40%. While the holder’s Effect Hit Rate exceeds 100%, their Energy Regeneration Rate increases by 20% and whenever the holder uses their Ultimate, they recover 1 Skill Point.

E1

• While KA is on the field, whenever an enemy receives DoT, they additionally receive 1 instance of True DMG equal to 25% of the original DMG.

E2

• Every stack of “Fancy Bleed” on an enemy target increases their DMG received by 6%.

E3

• Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.

E4

• Whenever an enemy target enters combat or whenever “Fancy Bleed” produces DMG, inflict 1 stack of “Fancy Bleed” on the target for 2 turns. For every stack of “Fancy Bleed” inflicted on an enemy target, reduce their ATK by 10%, up to 60%.

E5

• Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10. Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.

E6

• The number of instances of DMG dealt by KA’s skill and the maximum stacks of “Fancy Bleed” both increase by 3. The effect from A2 takes place on every enemy hit at least once in this instance of KA's skill.

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So the idea here was to make a situational sidegrade to Kafka as a detonator, focusing more on single target rather than AoE and sub-dps rather than amp. Instead of running Eagle, they're intended to be run on Prisoner at 160 speed, with A6 making sure that they can still sub dps well even while running spd boots and eregen rope. A4 makes sure they can keep up a 2t ult rotation with eregen rope + sig or tutorial. For eidolons, E1 and E2 are self-explanatory and uninteresting, E4 is meant to push dual detonator more, and E6 is where I threw out any attempt at balance and had fun making bullshit.

So I'm ngl, I meant to make a theory on this back in 4.0, but I never managed to get around to it. Whoops. ANYWAYS, so the Portraits of the Aeons as they're called in the achievements. The painting lying around the vault in the World's End Tavern. I'd like to share my theories on each of their meanings. But first, there's an important question to answer: What are they even depicting to begin with? To answer this, I'll begin with the first two portraits I'd like to discuss.

The format for each portrait will be as follows:

>Frame X - Path
Image
"Quote"

>Frame 1 - Elation
Mirror
"Know Thyself"

>Frame 4 - Erudition
Trash Can
"Too much wisdom leads to sorrow."

The reason that these two portraits are important is because they lead me to believe that the portraits represent Aha's own opinions on the Aeons and their respective paths. Frame 1 could be argued to show a part of The Elation's meaning, a kind of self-awareness, and that's a valid interpretation. However, looking at Frame 4, the best explanation does seem to be that it stems from Aha's experiences, the memories of THEIR birth. Remember, THEY almost fell into The Nihility before choosing to laugh. With this context, Frame 1 takes on both its philosophical meaning and a very literal one in that Aha is The Elation.

>Frame 2 - Preservation
The beetle that everyone hates in CW
"You can take Acheron's blade head-on? Even Zephyro can't take Acheron's blade head-on. You're more badass than Zephyro."

>Frame 10 - Reality
Real life Astral Express
"An exceptionally exquisite artwork, with a level of detail that seems to transcend the limits of this universe. Many fools who merely gazed at this painting descended into madness, muttering incessantly: 'Grand Fair District Forest Street Forest Road No.'"

I think these two tie into how Aha and the path of Elation in general tend to break the fourth wall. Obviously Reality is, well, Reality, and Preservation I really can't see an explanation for except Aha shitposting, which again ties into the fourth wall breaking. If someone else has an idea, please let me know.

>Frame 3 - Abundance
Tree
"May life be eternal and prosperity flourish."

Now this one is interesting. I could see a couple possible explanations, maybe even multiple at the same time. For one, it's possible that The Elation and The Abundance simply have high "compatibility" with each other. Look at Evanescia or the Joy Ascendants (who also seem to have a bit of The Harmony, I really need to make a theory on that). It might also possible that Aha and Yaoshi have similar goals, to spread joy and life? Idk about the second one. One way or another, it seems like Aha is on good terms with Yaoshi, or at least doesn't dislike THEM.

>Frame 5 - Destruction
Clock tower
"From the moment THEY rang out, your day was doomed."

What does the clock tower represent? The Tower in tarot cards, representing destruction and chaos? Perhaps bells tolling for the dead? Either way, Aha seems fairly certain that Nanook isn't good news, which is understandable. This portrait seems pretty straightforward, but that only makes me more suspicious that I missed something.

>Frame 6 - Harmony
Gun
"If a gun appears in the first act, it must be fired by the third."

Another interesting one. For one, note that Ena, who Aha was on very good terms with, is one of the faces of The Harmony. The Harmony is also arguably the most unassuming of the known paths of Finality. However, come back to the Joy Ascendants for a moment. After it splits, its forms are labelled with Prelude and Finale. And remember, music terms also come up in Stellaron!Cocolia, and we learned in 3.8 that Stellarons are associated with The Harmony. And the Joy Ascendants also share the theme of many being one that we see with The Family and Tribbie, with all of them being a part of Shuhu. I think that there's a lot going on between The Elation and The Harmony that we haven't seen yet, and whatever Aha's plans are will likely involve Xipe somehow.

Also this is obviously a reference to Chekhov's Gun. Just to be clear.

>Frame 7 - Trailblaze
Mostly blank
"A future yet untilled"

Yet another interesting one, extremely so in this case. Akivili is of course, missing. And the image seems to reflect this, being fairly blank. But the quote actually seems to suggest the opposite, that Akivili's true legacy will come later on. I think that this is further evidence that Aha believes that we'll take on the mantle of Trailblaze. The future being "untilled" suggests that not only will The Trailblaze return to glory, but it won't be Akivili to do it, who's already shown THEIR face, but people who haven't yet fully entered into Aeonic politics. As in, the Astral Express. Combined with Aha's actions so far, THEY seem very convinced that we're the second coming of The Trailblaze.

>Frame 8 - Hunt
Bullseye
"If you shoot first and then draw the bullseye around the arrow, you'll never miss, right?"

This also kinda ties into me thinking that Aha is on good terms with Yaoshi. THEY... Don't exactly seem to have a high opinion of Lan. Why this is, I can't say, Aha just doesn't seem to like THEM. As for what Aha's trying to say, I think there are a few possibilities. Maybe Aha's criticizing Lan's reckless Lux Arrows, how they destroy indiscriminately yet claim perfect accuracy. Maybe THEY think Lan is ultimately aimless, claiming purpose where there is none. I honestly don't know how to interpret this one other than "Aha doesn't like Lan very much".

>Frame 9 - Remembrance
Chalk outline
"Truth is the daughter of Memory."

This one's interesting in that I have no idea what to make of it. On the surface, Aha just seems to be saying that the "truth" isn't as reliable as we think, which makes enough sense. But my question is, why is Aha saying this? I think that this might be hinting that a "truth" we take for granted is actually a falsehood that Aha knows the reality of. And note the chalk outline, signifying a corpse. Perhaps it's referring to the Bloodstained Games and what happened on that day. Perhaps it means the Swarm Disaster and one or multiple of the three Aeons that disappeared as a result. Maybe it's even referring to Akivili and THEIR legacy. Or maybe there's something completely different to it that we don't know yet. I don't know, but to me, this seems to be hinting that one of our fundamental truths that we take for granted is actually wrong, misremembered by history, or fabricated.

That's all of my thoughts on each of the portraits. I do genuinely think that there is meaning to each of them in some way or another that we don't know yet. Except Preservation, I have no idea how to interpret it except as a joke. If there's any symbolism I missed or any other potential theories on what they mean, please let me know. I think these portraits are very interesting as a piece of potential foreshadowing and would like more perspectives on them.

So I've seen a lot of people asking which light cone to use on which character or telling me to use a setup that would be worse than what I already have, so I've decided to make a PSA analyzing all the important factors in choosing which light cone to use. I'll mostly be analyzing S1 Reforged Remembrance (RR) and S1 Why Does the Ocean Sing (WDtOS), but S5 Eyes of the Prey (EotP) will also be mentioned. I don't own Those Many Springs, so I can't speak on it.

#Important Assumptions

• This analysis regards a Triple DoT team using Hysilens and Black Swan. 4th slot is assumed to be some sustain or another.
• E1+ Black Swan is owned. If Black Swan is E0, always put Why Does the Ocean Sing on Hysilens if you own it.

Note: I'm of the opinion that unless you have E0 Black Swan or E6 Hysilens, there's no objective right answer to who should carry what light cone. It varies greatly depending on the situation. My real recommendation is to try things out both ways and see what feels better in a given scenario. This is just to give a general idea of what will most likely work out best.

With all that being said, onto some notable factors to consider.

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1. RR and EotP are selfish light cones. WDtOS is a team-oriented light cone. At a glance, you usually want a selfish light cone on whoever deals more damage, although you should still consider everything else. Do not rely on this as the only factor. People seemingly relying on this as the only factor is a large part of the reason I'm making this post. Just don't, please.

2. Between EotP and WDtOS, EotP offers better (as in any) self-buffing, but WDtOS offers higher base ATK. So it might be worth it to put WDtOS on the character dealing more damage just for the higher ATK, though I'm not sure how the math works out.

3. Between EotP and RR, RR is obviously better. Really you want to have WDtOS if possible, but if you only have EotP and RR, just put RR on whoever does more damage with no further questions asked.

4. At E0 Hysilens, Black Swan tends to deal more damage. At E1 Hysilens, they're about even. At E2 Hysilens, Black Swan tends to deal more damage again. This only applies in a vacuum and ignores factors like weakness, matchup, or builds, but works as a rule of thumb.

5. Obviously, weakness is important to consider. If a boss has 40% Wind RES (not naming names here), unless you have E6 Black Swan, Hysilens is probably gonna deal more damage.

6. Black Swan overcaps on DEF Ignore with RR. Everyone knows this, but to reiterate, Black Swan won't be able to get the full benefit out of the DEF Ignore from RR, so it'll tend to lean towards Hysilens.

7. RR offers ATK%, but WDtOS has a higher base ATK. The more ATK% you have on a character, the smaller the difference will be between RR and WDtOS for their personal damage. As an example, my Black Swan only has 24 more ATK on RR than with WDtOS. With Huohuo, the difference drops to 3. So if your Black Swan has a lot of ATK%, the difference in benefit from DEF Ignore could become a more important factor.

8. Black Swan is able to instantly max out the buffs from WDtOS while Hysilens needs 2-5 hits to do so. Usually this won't matter much, but if you're in a really low attack count situation (say, Sparxicon without DHPT), this can be worth considering.

9. In general, Black Swan is usually stronger against low-HP fast-respawning mobs (think PF or Lygus), but against tankier enemies, they'll even out more. This is especially true if you have E2 Black Swan.

10. Black Swan is better at dealing with AoE while Hysilens is better at ST. This is because Black Swan fully scales off of her applied DoT while Hysilens scales a lot off of her zone procs, so Black Swan is at her best when the 120% detonation from Kafka's ult is at full strength, but over 60% of Hysilens' damage is unaffected by it. Conversely, when Kafka's follow-ups are a significant portion of the detonations against one enemy, Hysilens cares a lot less about the weaker detonations than Black Swan.

11. If you test things out and the results go against what you'd assume, trust the results. Results in practice are always more reliable than results on paper because they can fully account for differences in build, matchup, or other factors. Just be sure to do multiple runs to make sure the results are consistent and not just a one-off.

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Again, I really think that the best way to find the best lc setup is to go out and test things out yourself. But if you're short on time or if you're deciding what to test first, hopefully this guide can help you out.