Gray

im entering a build bc i got upset over the pool changes again
don't ask me how that correlates i'm not sure myself

weapon: safeguard+ (+def)
partially bc it's really good to make tanky people tankier, partially bc i got lene off the sword valor banner before him and that was the second time she'd pitybroken me and i'm still sick of her shit
+spd with a boon in def or +def with a boon in speed both work for refines, def refine and spd boon is better bc you get more 1 more defense and the same amount of speed but it doesn't really matter

assist: swap
i'm cheap

special: ignis
def stacking goes a long way

a: ss4
broken, boosts him to +15 def with safeguard when an enemy initiates and gives guard too. also fuck surtr

b: chill atk
i didn't know what else to put here
i'd swap it for chill spd but kliff has that so it'd be a waste since im running all my echoes characters together bc fuck color balance right?

c: threaten spd
also didn't know what to put here, but at least it's very helpful against enemies. bc the ones that survive initiating definitely aren't exclusively armors that are already slow as shit

s: darting stance
speed is fun and helpful

this gray, unmerged, beat a team of four surtrs alone,
all "unique" builds (bold, mystic boost, wary, renewal)

granted he had +6 dragonflowers and summoner support but still impressive ig

can't tank dragons or mages well but ig that's what his really poorly-built bf tobin is for
i gave him barrier blade and just ran with it bc i am a chronic dumbass

k im gonna go be depressed elsewhere now k bye

~Anti-Galehorse~ (merged +1) [WIP]

Theorycrafting in progress for niche for Gray - ended up on killing melee horses before they can Galeforce him. Would love feedback but so far:

+Atk or Def, maybe +Spd/-Res
Null!Zanbato+
Glimmer
Steady Breath / Steady Posture
Vantage / Renewal / Atk+Def Link / Null C-Disrupt
Fierce Stance / Hardy Bearing

AKA Gray tanks first hit and one-shots them back with Glimmer.

Null refine negates Hone Cavalry/Tactics/Atk Opening common on galehorses since overextend away from team spurs.

More Atk = stronger Glimmer hence Fierce Stance, maybe Fierce Breath. Team support preferred to free up seal for Hardy Bearing to deny Desperation.

B slot is in question, but Vantage deals with multiple horses in one turn, Renewal if multiple turns, and Null C-Disrupt also gives utility against Firesweep/Lunge variants.

However L!Ephraim is the biggest threat - +Atk +10 DB4 one shots Gray. This restricts team help to visible buffs (deny Flame Siegmund), but Steady Breath becomes needed over Fierce Breath to survive him or Swordhardt. Atk or Def boon matters more there, and Atk/Def Link on him or ally is needed.

Potential alternative is +Spd with Steady Posture to just hit twice in case the Galehorse has Guard. Would require Fierce Stance seal to make up for damage loss, but extra speed denies Desperation so Hardy Bearing unneeded. Team support switching to Atk/Spd Link and Def Tactic would also be slightly more accessible (thanks to Odin).

Against biggest threats, build banks too much on galehorse not having Dull Close (thankfully not meta yet), but may not still work anyway because in practice galehorses only really show up in AR, and would have ranged horses covering the same area :/

Oh right no idea for C skill. Does Panic Ploy work with Null!Zanbato?

[This build prefers a boon in HP or Def and a bane in Res.]

Gray becomes a speedy tank with this build, allowing him to duel melee threats and often take minimal damage, while striking back harder with Bonfire.

Weapon: Zanbato+ (+Def) is a good choice for Gray. Other weapons with Def refinements, such as Armorslayer+ or Slaying Edge+ are great as well, depending on what you plan to have Gray counter.

Assist: Reciprocal Aid lets Gray borrow HP from his allies to stay healthy in order to gain his Earth Boost bonus. Any movement skill like Reposition or his default Swap are acceptable alternatives.

Special: Bonfire or Ignis are great for Gray, since it can capitalize on his high Def to deal significant damage.

A Skill: Earth Boost 3 is a good budget option for Gray, since his HP is on the higher end, and the cavalry opponents he would usually be fighting against (using his Zanbato+) often won’t have enough HP to disable Earth Boost. Steady Stance or Steady Breath are somewhat more expensive but more reliable options.

B Skill: Renewal 3 is used here for the sake of healing up to trigger Earth Boost. However, Quick Riposte is an excellent option if Earth Boost isn’t being used.

C Skill: Atk Smoke 3 synergizes well with Gray, as it will allow him to tank stronger opponents who would run up to him.

Sacred Seal: Close Def 3 further boosts his defense against physical melee foes. An HP +5 or Def +3 seal can be used instead to improve his performance as well.

**PERFECT IVs**

W: ALT: Armorsmasher+ (+Def) | Slaying Edge+ (+Def)
Assist: ALT: Swap
Sp: ALT: Ignis | Bonfire
A: ALT: Fury 3
B: ALT: Quick Riposte 3
C: ALT: Threaten Atk 3 | Def Smoke 3 | Spur Def/Res 2
Seal: ALT: Close Def 3

The true MVP of Ram Village, Gray's base kit may be pretty bad, but since he's a Trainee type unit, his BST is insane. This build is basically if you took Nephenee, and traded some Defense for more Attack. Desperation is Budget, but if you want to, Wrath is for sure a viable option, giving you +20 to your 16 Bonfire damage. If wanted, defensive Refinery can be take as well for more Special damage and tanking, but is up to the Player's choice.