Ross

Preferred IV: +RES / -HP

• As this build is intended for usage in Aether Raids, increasing Ross’s overall magical bulk is ideal. Ideally Ross would get some merges to eliminate his Flaw, but -HP is the next best scenario.

Weapon: Slaying Axe (+Res)

• A Slaying Axe allows Ross to activate Noontime after every enemy attack, which greatly increases his longevity. The +Res refine is ideal for helping him survive heavy magical damage, particularly from AoE Specials which check visible Resistance stats.

Assist: Reposition

Special: Noontime

• Noontime’s low cooldown makes it an ideal choice for Aether Raids, as combining it with a Slaying Axe allows Ross to heal himself on counterattacks.

Passive A: Distant Counter

• Being able to counter ranged threats is vitally important in Aether Raids, where the majority of huge threats are ranged.

Passive B: Null C-Disrupt / Null Follow-Up

• Both Null C-Disrupt and Null Follow-Up are incredibly powerful skills that allow infantry units to completely shut down otherwise dangerous threats. The choice between the two is entirely up to player preference and availability.

Passive C: Pulse Smoke / Atk Smoke

• Pulse Smoke is an incredibly powerful skill as it can single-handedly shut down Infantry Pulse-based defense teams in Aether Raids.

• If Pulse Smoke is unavailable, then Atk Smoke is a good budget option for increasing Ross’s overall survivability.

Sacred Seal: Swift Stance / Atk Smoke / Quick Riposte

• Swift Stance is a fantastic Seal, as Speed and Resistance are both key stats that Ross needs, particularly for Aether Raids.

• Atk Smoke is a decent alternative if not using it as a C skill.

• Quick Riposte isn’t particularly necessary with the right team support, but can be useful to help Ross secure doubles against faster enemies.

Preferred IV: +ATK or +SPD / -HP

• Ross is primarily geared toward offense, so maximizing his powerful Attack stat will support his damage output.

• Alternatively, Ross can focus on increasing his Speed for more traditional offensive sets, though generally there are other units who are better at this.

Weapon: Brave Axe+ / Firesweep Axe+

• Ross’s base Brave Axe is a fantastic way to leverage his Attack stat for maximum damage. This can also be replaced by niche weapons like Slaying Hammer to allow Ross to excel against particular enemies as well.

• Firesweep Axe is a decent option for Ross if he goes for maximum Speed investment.

Assist: Reposition

Special: Luna / Moonbow

• Since this set works primarily by getting Ross to double his opponent (either via Brave Axe or naturally with Speed), Luna is ideal to activate his Special every other combat.

• Moonbow is also an acceptable alternative if utilizing the Quickened Pulse Seal or the Heavy Blade Seal with a Firesweep Axe.

Passive A: Death Blow (3 or 4) / Swift Sparrow (2 or 3)

• Ross needs to maximize his offensive stats, making skills like Death Blow or Swift Sparrow ideal choices. There are many other alternative A skills that can also work here, as long as they boost his offensive stats.

Passive B: Lull Spd/Def / Lull Atk/Def / Null Follow-Up / Hit and Run

• Lull Spd/Def or Lull Atk/Def are both good options for increasing Ross’s damage output, regardless of weapon.

• Null Follow-Up is a good option if utilizing a Firesweep Axe, as it ensures that Ross can double his opponent as long as he has enough Speed to naturally double.

• Finally, Hit and Run is a decent budget option that helps keep Ross safe after attacking by pulling him back a space.

Passive C: Even Atk Wave / Threaten Def / Flexible

• Ross’s C slot isn’t particularly important for this build, but a self-buff like Even Atk Wave or a debuff like his base Threaten Def can help supplement his damage output.

Sacred Seal: Sturdy Blow / Darting Blow / Heavy Blade / Quickened Pulse

• Sturdy Blow works best with a Brave Axe to maximize Ross’s damage output.

• If using a Firesweep Axe, then Darting Blow, Heavy Blade, and Quickened Pulse are all good Seal options to either help ensure he can double his opponent or make it easier for him to activate his Special. Using either Heavy Blade or Quickened Pulse can allow Ross to easily activate Moonbow.