Should You Pull: Shining and Angelina Banner

This is another EN original banner from our friends at Yostar, also suspiciously known as the, "Hey, Wait, Don't Two Of These Operators Have Swimsuit Skins?" Banner.

The Ninth Standard Pool Banner features 6-Star Operators Shining and Angelina on rateup. This means there is a 2% chance of pulling a 6-Star Operator and, if a 6-Star is pulled, there is a 25% chance it will be Shining, 25% chance it will be Angelina, and 50% chance of it being a different 6-star Operator.

5-Star Operators on rateup are Ptilopsis, Sora, and Istina.

Shining

• Generates shields for even more protection on allies.
• Passively and actively boosts DEF, great for Defenders and frontliners.

• Not as effective versus Arts enemies; shields only block Physical damage, and buffs only DEF.
• Utility Medics become more useful as teams require less healing to survive.

Angelina

• High Range and Damage AoE Arts Slows that also aids Shift Operators.  Can act as an AoE Caster replacement.
• Universal healing/second when skills inactive.

• Doesn't attack when S2/S3 are not active.
• Requires E2 to get the most benefit from her.

Ptilopsis

• SP Charge is always useful.
• Great range and healing with S2

• Long CD on S2.

Sora

• Unique Attack Buff.
• Can AoE freeze enemies for more breathing room.

• Can't Attack; range limits positioning

Istina

• Can attack and slow up to 3 enemies with S2 at large range.
• Cheaper than AoE Casters.

• Damage is lower than AoE Casters.
• Extremely low DEF (And Talent DEF Penalty) means she needs more protection.

But Really, Should I Pull?

Maybe - Pull on this banner if you want Operators commonly used in challenge clears and special setups.  Or if you want Shining or Sora so you can actually use their Summer Skins.  We all know the real reason people will pull :)

Sora and Ptilopsis are probably the most universally usable due to their general utility.  Angelina functions as an AoE utility Caster and is exceptional in quests that ban Casters.  Shining can provide extreme value when it comes to team survivability in more challenging content, but otherwise suffers from being redundant when other medics can potentially offer more utility in most situations.  Istina isn't terrible as a Slow Supporter, but cannot substitute for Angelina due to lower damage, targets, and utility.  If you have no stronger slow support, she will still be useful, though.

Concealing a dark past as a tide turning combatant, the modest SHINING (Finger) now serves as a Defense-centric Medic at Rhodes Island. Shining provides excellent value in keeping Operators alive through her combination of healing, Defense Buffs, and shields that provide more Defense Buffs for extreme effective HP. Unfortunately, she becomes simply another healer against Arts enemies (albeit having the highest attack for ST medics). This specialization typically means universal utility Medics like Warfarin will be more useful more often.

Angelina's actual part time job is being a long range AoE Caster for up to 25 seconds at a time.  Meanwhile, her universal healthcare healing helps Operators stabilize during her downtime as well.  Angelina's unique blend of utility makes her a premium pick for Challenge Quests where Casters are banned in addition to general use.  Unfortunately, Angelina is unable to multitask with her S2 or S3 active; she will not attack when her skills are down.  Although she is very worth getting, do note she hits her power spike after heavy investment in E2 and skill levels.  Thus, she is not as recommended for Doctors without more well rounded rosters.  

Note: This skin is not yet available on EN.

Second verse, same as the first. Ptilopsis is still one of the strongest medics on account of her SP charging utility, and that hasn't changed since the last time she was on banner a month or so ago. Most people will recommend having either her or Warfarin (who was also recently available), but having the option of both is nice, too. Definitely worth pulling.

Note: This skin is not yet available in EN.

Sora will not only captivate the hearts of Commanders and enemies alike with her S1's stasis, but her attack buff and passive healing can really bring good vibes onto the field. These unique traits make her indispensable for enabling special comps and making those sweet youtube montages, so definitely pull for her if you're interested in that. For Idol fans, Sora also rocks bona-fide Idol heritage: her Voice Actor is known for voicing Freyja Wion from Macross Delta. Live Start~!

Bookworm Bear Istina can slow up to 3 targets in a large radius around her. As a Slow Supporter, she does an admirable job, gaining range, slow utility, and lower cost than an AoE Caster at the cost of lower damage. While her offensive abilities are mitigated slightly by her Talent, the Defense demerit also makes her extra susceptible to enemy fire. While she cannot fulfill the same role as Angelina, Istina will work well for strategies that require consistent slowing.

Note: Istina (sadly) has no skin, even on CN.  Pray for our Aoi Yuuki Ursus.