| Boon | + Spd | Bane | - Res |
|---|
Skill Set
Hero Build Overview/Explanation
The Stance™ (AR Offense)
Weapon: Devil Axe (+Eff)
Assist: Reposition
Special: Noontime
A Slot: Distant Counter
B Slot: Close Call 3 / Repel 3
C Slot: Atk Smoke 3 / Spd Smoke 3 / Pulse Smoke 3
Sacred Seal: Phantom Speed / Swift Stance 2 / Darting Stance 3
This build focuses on shutting down the large variety of ranged threats and AoE specials in Aether Raids during the Light Season. With the combination of Close Call / Repel, Phantom Speed and Eir / Peony's blessings, Barst will take significantly reduced damage from most, if not all foes in the mode. While under this combination of effects, as well as his weapon (and potential Brave Lucina support) he can do the following:
Completely shrug off fully-buffed Ophelia and even one shot HER in return.
Survive fully buffed RED bladetome units such as Tharja with little support. (Though Brave Lucina support trivializes the encounter with this build.)
Make an absolute joke out of most ranged units that either aren't pre-charged, or have Fire/Windsweeping capabilities.
Running Noontime on this set allows for some pretty consistent healing with either Infantry Rush or Brave Lucina support, while also adding a good bit of extra damage if you ever happen to fall into Devil Axe's wrath effect range. Coupling the wrath damage with his solid attack as well as potential buffs will usually result in enough healing to tank the next few units.
Close Call / Repel are the main crux of the set however, providing a potential (albeit usually hit) 40% damage reduction based on how much faster you are than your opponent. Outside of combat however, Devil Axe's Fury 4 effect will not slow down AoE damage, but in combat it will. Phantom Speed will "increase" your speed both inside and out of combat thanks to its synergy with Close Call and Repel, which can drastically reduce incoming damage from pretty much all sources, bar Poison Strike, Savage Blow, and bolt effects from Towers / Traps.
Atk Smoke / Spd Smoke both provide similar effects but in different ways, with Atk Smoke directly cutting the foes damage output, while Spd Smoke triggers Close Call, or enhances its effect.
If the Phantom Spd 3 seal has not been invested in, and I don't blame you if it hasn't been prior, then the Darting Stance 3 and Swift Stance 2 seals fill similar roles. Darting Stance 3 granting a bigger boost to Close Call's damage reduction than Swift Stance 2 at the cost of potential Res.
