When is using DC, too much?
I used to hate on it because you sacrifice potential stats for an A-slot, but then I actually used it and found out you're just very flexible with it. In most modes, it means you can just throw your guy in there and not have to worry about thinking too much. And with Armours, it gives them a lot of flexibility since they're a sitting duck if they lack range (without Armour March/Boots). Don't know if it's even worth giving Lissa Steady Breath, and let alone any other A-slot.
Answers
First off, you could balance a team so one unit deals with ranged/mixed targets and another one is a pure wall.
I mean, it's hard to wall for two ranges and mixed at the same time. Especially if you have to pick between close and distant def seals
Take Garon for example. You could go for lightning breath. But what do you do with his A and seal? If you want a wall, you could go for SS4. But you'd need a res refine and distant defence to take on mages. Which will only reach around 40 res, 34 against dragons. On a unit that will be doubled. And his melee def will also reach only the low fourties.
Now what if you buckle down on the melee range?
Now you can add water breath+res refine+ss4+close def all together for a 18/14 boost against melee
Enough to reach above 50 def unmerged and take on lance units and probably even blue dragons.
This isn't the first time I've complained about this, but 'what about lightning breath' tires me out and is a big reason I don't use dragons that much.
I think that if a unit as at least one good defensive stat (Def/Res), DC provides utility. For example, I have a +10 Felicia that I consider my go-to counter against ranged units (even brave bows with team support). However, Eir and Nino are a pain for her to deal with. Then I gave DC to Marth (a decision that took me at least a few months because I was not really convinced). Now he just one-shots both of these threats for my team.
Just recently I gave FCorrin DC. I also hesitated a bit because I had already inherited and refined Lighting Breath for her. DC now allows me to run either Dark or Light Breath to their full potential. So in my mind it is all about what the unit will bring to the team if DC is inherited.
If you don't get your stats from the A-slot, you get them another way.
I mean, if you're going to hate DC because you're giving up extra stats, why not hate on Stout Tomahawk because you're giving up an infinite guard on both phases?
Or on Raijinto, or Ragnell, or Alondite, because their wielders could be using Heart's Blade or safeguard or barrier blade?
