Shannan

Preferred IVs: +ATK / -HP

This build aims to optimize Shannan’s performance as a defensive nuke -- a role he can carry out incredibly well thanks to his access to a stellar base Attack stat on top of the various boosts Balmung provides in the Enemy Phase. Accordingly, a +ATK IV is his ideal choice to heighten his raw damage output as much as possible.

Weapon: Balmung

• Balmung benefits this build’s defensive playstyle perfectly, making him entirely impervious to penalties in the Enemy Phase (as well as when his foe is at full health at the start of combat). This makes for an extremely valuable quality given the increasing commonality of debuffs in enemy team compositions, allowing him to consistently remain at peak performance; the extra stats it provides are just a cherry-on-top. 

Assist: Reposition / Flexible

Special: Glimmer / Imperial Astra / Moonbow / Miracle

• Specials with a short cooldown are preferred here to ensure Shannan’s ability to utilize them frequently. Glimmer is ideal as it possesses rather strong synergy with this build’s focus on heightening his firepower, though Imperial Astra is a good alternative should one desire a more consistent damage boost. Moonbow can also be taken to help solidify Shannan’s performance against bulkier opponents. 

• Miracle makes for a worthwhile consideration to make here as well to grant Shannan some much-needed survivability since even with Vantage, taking damage isn’t always avoidable. However, taking Miracle may leave his damage output somewhat lacking if approached without adequate preparation, so providing him with a good amount of team support will prove vital in ensuring his success. 

Passive A: Distant Counter

• Distant Counter is a phenomenal A slot skill that is wholly necessary for this build to function properly, providing Shannan with the coveted ability to counterattack against ranged opponents; while relatively simple, this effect translates into a huge boost to Shannan’s overall versatility and allows him to handle a greater number of threats than otherwise possible. 

Passive B: Vantage 

• Vantage is another irreplaceable (but much more readily available) component of this build that allows the young prince to quickly shut down several foes consecutively without incurring further damage, making him incredibly effective at defensive play. That being said, one should still take caution as this skill is not without its flaws; opponents equipped with the Hardy Bearing seal or skills like the Hoshidan Summer weapons can negate the entirety of its potency.

Passive C: Pulse Smoke / Def Smoke / Savage Blow / Flexible

• Smoke skills complement this defensive nature and bolster Shannan’s performance notably when attempting to engage multiple opponents in a single Enemy Phase. Pulse Smoke is particularly strong when utilizing him in Aether Raids Offense as this quickly neuters the effectiveness of teams centered around quick or instant Special activations, such as Infantry Pulse set-ups. 

• Def Smoke is another good option for directly increased damage output. On a budget, Savage Blow may be taken to serve a similar purpose and directly diminish his opponents’ health, though its effectiveness compared to Def Smoke is generally inferior. 

Sacred Seal: Fierce Stance / Brazen Atk/Res / Brazen Atk/Def / Brazen Atk/Spd

• The Fierce Stance seal is a simple, but powerful choice that further supplements Shannan’s Attack stat with no other prerequisite conditions other than simply being attacked. 

• In exchange for losing out on Fierce Stance’s consistency, any of the Brazen seals that boost Attack currently available may be taken to enhance his combat prowess at lower levels of HP.

Preferred IVs: +SPD / -HP

While this build once again places an emphasis on Shannan’s performance in the Enemy Phase (similarly to the first), it focuses more on his ability to directly take on sustained offensive pressure through Speed-stacking to fully exploit the effects of skills like Repel and Close Call, as well as consistently avoid enemy follow-up attacks. Thus, a +SPD IV is Shannan’s optimal choice for the purposes of this build. 

Weapon: Balmung

Assist: Reposition / Flexible

Special: Noontime / Sol

• A healing Special is highly recommended to further build upon Shannan’s survivability, though Balmung’s lack of a built-in Slaying effect does hinder their effectiveness somewhat. If providing some form of accelerated cooldown support (namely via Brave Lucina’s refined Geirskögul or Infantry Breath), Noontime is ideal as it will then activate on every counterattack -- otherwise, Sol should be taken to not waste Special charges. 

Passive A: Distant Counter / Steady Posture 

• Distant Counter is recommended once more to boost Shannan’s versatility and widen the breadth of threats he can take on in the Enemy Phase. If unavailable, his native Steady Posture makes a decent alternative for its built-in Guard effect and simultaneous boost to his Speed and Defense upon being attacked, though this will limit his overall applicability immensely. 

Passive B: Repel / Close Call

• Repel and Close Call are the centerpiece of this build, and for good reason. Aside from their minor movement-based effects (which will typically be a nonfactor given this build’s defensive playstyle), these skills also grant Shannan a substantial enemy damage reduction (including damage incurred from AoE Specials) based on the difference between his Speed stat and his opponent’s. 

• At maximum potency (which requires that he have a ten-point Speed advantage), Shannan can reduce incoming damage by a significant 40% and easily take the brunt of most sources of sustained offensive pressure; this allows him to shine as a defensive tank. 

Passive C: Pulse Smoke / Atk Smoke / Spd Smoke / Flexible

Sacred Seal: Swift Stance / Darting Stance 

• In accordance with this build’s intended playstyle, seals that increase his Speed in the Enemy Phase are ideal. Swift Stance is arguably his best option due to its concurrent boost to his Resistance (another key stat), but Darting Stance is a strong contender as well.