Ephraim

Weapon: Flame Siegmund (+Eff)

Assist: Positional Assist

Special: Galeforce / Luna

A Slot: Atk/Def Ideal / Death Blow / Atk/Def Solo

B Slot: Desperation / Lull Atk/Def

C Slot: Odd Tempest / Time's Pulse

Sacred Seal: Blade Session / Atk/Def Solo / Death Blow

• With access to Flame Siegmund's refine, OG Ephraim can afford to drop Heavy Blade from a skill slot, which drastically increases his damage per hit while granting him unconditional Special acceleration.
• Odd Tempest will activate the buff condition of Atk/Def Ideal without worrying about visible buffs being panicked or somehow used against him. The 100% HP requirement is tougher to fulfill, particularly after his first combat, but Atk/Def Ideal is still optimal as long as Ephraim is somehow buffed. Although Death Blow 4 has +1 Attack over a 1/2 condition Atk/Def Ideal, the Defense increase of Ideal grants Ephraim survivability to ensure that he will make it through the end of his combat in order to trigger a powerful Luna or refresh his turn with Galeforce.
• If running a Galeforce build, then Time's Pulse is likely a better option since this allows Ephraim to Galeforce without enemy retaliation - such as if attacking a ranged unit first. For this build, Death Blow may be a better A slot if you cannot ensure that Ephraim is buffed for his attacks.
• Desperation enables Ephraim to safely attack into an opponent after his HP has been reduced, which offers him both of his hits before enemy retaliation. This is particularly useful if you're trying to drain Ephraim's HP before his engagements to synergize with a Wings of Mercy strategy and teleport a dancer to his side to dance him after his combat is done.
• However, you can also opt for Lull Atk/Def for an extra bit of offense and survivability - though it will be less useful during repeated engagements, as Ephraim's HP will continue getting chipped as long as his opponents can survive his first hit.
• For his Seal slot, Blade Session still grants the highest Attack bonus of any seal, with +9 Atk/Spd after two allies have ended their turn. Ephraim needs to stack on as much Attack as he can get, so this is ideal for him - the additional Speed isn't wasted either, as it also allows him to double through follow-up denial on opponents who would otherwise Speed tie him (such as Myrrh or a +Spd Seiros). If Blade Session is already in use, then Atk/Def Solo or Death Blow are both also valid options.

Weapon: Flame Siegmund(+Eff)

Special: Noontime / Moonbow

Assist: Positional Assist

A Slot: Sturdy Stance 3 / Fort. Def/Res / Distant Counter

B Slot: Lull Atk/Def

C Slot: Atk Smoke / Pulse Smoke

Sacred Seal: Atk/Def Solo / Sturdy Stance

• Flame Siegmund's refine also works in the Enemy Phase as long as Ephraim meets Solo requirements, which allows him to play the role of a formidable melee tank, particularly when backed with an armored ally with Far Save.
• This build grants him +21 Attack and Defense, while debuffing his foe's Attack and Defense by -8 and nullifying any bonuses they may have to Attack and Defense. It also inflicts Guard on his opponents, as well as granting Ephraim guaranteed follow-up attacks with his accelerated cooldown.
• This allows Ephraim to respond with an 'instant' Noontime and heal himself back up for 30% of the damage he does. He can also utilize an offensive Special like Moonbow or Luna (Moonbow activates on his first hit, Luna activates on his second).