Arena Discussion Thread (inc. Assault)

[Kuroi Tsubasa Tenshi]

It's not just sacrificing the 5-star units, though. Those skills come on a very limited set of characters, so it's also a matter of having to pull them when they don't show up all that prominently in the rerun banners. This means people would either have to be willing to spend a toooon of money chasing off-banner units or be really patient. Either way, it's going to drastically discourage people from basing their main team around Infantry Pulse (plus, Ayra and other units that benefit from Pulse also have really strong other builds that are easier to get, so people are more likely to roll with those builds instead).

Merged armors are more diverse now that they can run mixed-phase builds. It's not really all that different from running something like horse or flier spam. Dragons are the ones that are kind of forever stuck in EP Land and even then, a TA3 dragon can sometimes still wreck the colour they're strong against on PP.

[mampfoid]

@Kuroi Tsubasa Tenshi We got two free copies of a unit with IP, also Dorcas is in the regular 5* pool. 

I get much fewer Reinhardts and Lyns in Arena these days. What's the typical Flier Spam? 

[Kuroi Tsubasa Tenshi]

That assumes people are willing to trash the only two copies of the unit they can get. Practically speaking, most people will maybe sacrifice one. Yes, I know Dorcas is in the normal pool, but he doesn't get put into very many focus banners, hence why it would be exorbitantly expensive to try to off-banner pull for him because, despite the general green pool being smaller than the other colours, trying to off-banner pull is a terrible idea that only someone with thousands of dollars to casually throw around would even consider.

Rein and Lyn have issues with not scoring very well is probably why. I still see them with suboptimal sets to get them up in my range, though. Usually it's only one of them, though, coupled with high-scoring horses like Sigurd, Chrom, Ephraim or Brave Roy. Typical flier spam varies from classic braves to Firesweep spam. The odd +10 seasonal tome flier also pops up, but few people got enough copies for +10 and the tome fliers in the regular pool don't seem to be something people consider +10ing. Some real fun oddities, though, is the prominence of super armours in the upper end means that if those flier teams are used for both offense and defense, they show up sporting anti-armour stuff. It's always amusing (if a little weird) to see Cherche using her native Hammer (fully upgraded, of course) or Cordelias with Slaying Spears.

[mampfoid]

1 hour ago, Kuroi Tsubasa Tenshi said:

That assumes people are willing to trash the only two copies of the unit they can get. Practically speaking, most people will maybe sacrifice one. Yes, I know Dorcas is in the normal pool, but he doesn't get put into very many focus banners, hence why it would be exorbitantly expensive to try to off-banner pull for him because, despite the general green pool being smaller than the other colours, trying to off-banner pull is a terrible idea that only someone with thousands of dollars to casually throw around would even consider.

If it would help my main team, I would sacrifice both my Marisas and my sole Dorcas, even if I like both (Marisa even a lot). I did sacrifice my only ever Ike (Young Mercenary) to Cherche, since she is on my arena core and I wanted her to have Heavy Blade. Ike was even +ATK and I didn't level him up, I didn't collect any HM from him. This was a rare exception and it stings a little, the collectors side in me is strong and I don't assume most people would do the same. But enough people do. 

1 hour ago, Kuroi Tsubasa Tenshi said:

Rein and Lyn have issues with not scoring very well is probably why. I still see them with suboptimal sets to get them up in my range, though. Usually it's only one of them, though, coupled with high-scoring horses like Sigurd, Chrom, Ephraim or Brave Roy.

Yeah, I still see them in similar constellations (also in combination with dancers or high BST units), but not as often as in the past. It seems people get defense wins also with their favorite teams, a lot of teams I meet are original. 

My only 2 defense wins this week were given by 2 other guys with Cordelia lead (like me). Perhaps they gave it out of sympathy? 

1 hour ago, Kuroi Tsubasa Tenshi said:

Some real fun oddities, though, is the prominence of super armours in the upper end means that if those flier teams are used for both offense and defense, they show up sporting anti-armour stuff. It's always amusing (if a little weird) to see Cherche using her native Hammer (fully upgraded, of course) or Cordelias with Slaying Spears.

I don't score high enough to meet those anti-armor teams. But I've also never seen more than 1-2 Firesweep users on one team so far. The +10 tome flier teams are rare, but I've met them as well. 

[Kuroi Tsubasa Tenshi]

3 minutes ago, mampfoid said:

If it would help my main team, I would sacrifice both my Marisas and my sole Dorcas, even if I like both (Marisa even a lot). I did sacrifice my only ever Ike (Young Mercenary) to Cherche, since she is on my arena core and I wanted her to have Heavy Blade. Ike was even +ATK and I didn't level him up, I didn't collect any HM from him. This was a rare exception and it stings a little, the collectors side in me is strong and I don't assume most people would do the same. But enough people do. 

Yeah, I still see them in similar constellations (also in combination with dancers or high BST units), but not as often as in the past. It seems people get defense wins also with their favorite teams, a lot of teams I meet are original. 

My only 2 defense wins this week were given by 2 other guys with Cordelia lead (like me). Perhaps they gave it out of sympathy? 

I don't score high enough to meet those anti-armor teams. But I've also never seen more than 1-2 Firesweep users on one team so far. The +10 tome flier teams are rare, but I've met them as well. 

I'll admit the temptation to give Nowi or Tiki Steady Breath had me looking at my sole Brave Ike, but in the end, I couldn't do it. TA3 is more than functional and sometimes Brave Ike cleans up during AA, which is typically my main concern, anyway.

That is one interesting thing about whale territory that sort of peters out once people start really minmaxing for score: there's just that middle equilibrium where people are willing to throw a lot of expensive stuff at their favourite characters and still use them in Arena.

The funny part is that the ones you're fighting are probably more functional, since stuff near the top of T20 that's not armours typically have at least 2 or 3 of the team run around with Dual Rallies and Aether/Galeforce. This leads to some really dumb stuff like Rein being notably less of a threat or Firesweep that's not nearly as scary without the shorter procs. Anyone who still wants to do that kind of stuff basically has to run Bold Fighter Zelgius.

[Humanoid]

I'm the worst as using 5* SI. I end up sitting on units forever even though they'd probably be a significant boost to the units I actually use. Spares of Legendary Ike, BK, Nephenee, Amelia, Bridelyn and now Hector are good-to-premium fodder just sitting there (Also a Lancina and Gunnthra but they're not really much SI value)

And poor Cordelia is still using DB2 even though I have seven Kleins, because I reason that I'll go Firesweep LnD eventually. I've been able to do that for the best part of a year but haven't made the slightest effort to get around to it. (I reason Est will be my Brave lancer instead, logically it makes sense but I'm far too lazy to actually convert both units over)

[mampfoid]

28 minutes ago, Kuroi Tsubasa Tenshi said:

I'll admit the temptation to give Nowi or Tiki Steady Breath had me looking at my sole Brave Ike, but in the end, I couldn't do it. TA3 is more than functional and sometimes Brave Ike cleans up during AA, which is typically my main concern, anyway.

Cherches functional approach would be to stack ATK (Death Blow 3 and ATK+3 seal), but I decided to go for a Galeforce themed team. I was lucky enough to get a spare B!Ike to sacrifice to my Shiro (point slave for AA), since B!Ike is pretty unique and helpful (he solo'd half of Valters Infernal map). 

31 minutes ago, Kuroi Tsubasa Tenshi said:

The funny part is that the ones you're fighting are probably more functional, since stuff near the top of T20 that's not armours typically have at least 2 or 3 of the team run around with Dual Rallies and Aether/Galeforce. This leads to some really dumb stuff like Rein being notably less of a threat or Firesweep that's not nearly as scary without the shorter procs. Anyone who still wants to do that kind of stuff basically has to run Bold Fighter Zelgius.

I have a double Rally on Shiro to boost my score on match 1 of AA and I already feel dumb since it hampers with my fun to play. 

14 minutes ago, Humanoid said:

I'm the worst as using 5* SI. I end up sitting on units forever even though they'd probably be a significant boost to the units I actually use. Spares of Legendary Ike, BK, Nephenee, Amelia, Bridelyn and now Hector are good-to-premium fodder just sitting there (Also a Lancina and Gunnthra but they're not really much SI value)

I know that feeling, I've been waiting so long for a new healer to build a new dazzle/wazzle unit, but I think I will sit on my spare Lyn and Genny forever (Nanna was not cool enough). Also spare Celicas, Carrot!Xander, BH!Lyn, Hector, 5* Priscilla, Tana and Innes already have mushrooms grown on them. 

On the other hand I gladly sacrificed spare B!Ike to Shiro (Steady Breath + Aether), 5* BK to Myrrh (Steady Stance), 4* BK for WoM3, BH!Lyn to Elincia (Swift Sparrow), Siegbert to Cordelia (ATK Tactic), +ATK Minerva to Oscar (LnD3, regretting that one by now), 2 Hectors for DC and like mentioned before my sole Ike to Cherche (Heavy Blade). 

24 minutes ago, Humanoid said:

And poor Cordelia is still using DB2 even though I have seven Kleins, because I reason that I'll go Firesweep LnD eventually. I've been able to do that for the best part of a year but haven't made the slightest effort to get around to it. (I reason Est will be my Brave lancer instead, logically it makes sense but I'm far too lazy to actually convert both units over)

Give your Cordelia some love! Lnd3/Fury3 and Slaying Lance is the way to go. Firesweep isn't fun anyway. 

[Humanoid]

9 minutes ago, mampfoid said:

Give your Cordelia some love! Lnd3/Fury3 and Slaying Lance is the way to go. Firesweep isn't fun anyway. 

Current Cordelia is +Atk -Res but I've had a +Spd -HP one for well over a year, so I figure I'd just have two copies with different builds. Other factor is cost, I got a -atk 5* Roderick as a pitybreaker some months ago, so aside from the cost of promoting Cordelia herself, the weapon is free. That said, I do have a 5* Neutral Catria.

One reason I haven't rushed ahead to do it is that she probably gets the least amount of played time of my current A-team fliers. Five into four doesn't go and she shares a spot with F Grima who takes her spot during Earth week (others being Elincia, S Corrin and Airzura).

 

EDIT: I've been saving Nephenee's Wrath for when I get regular Lyn. Now I get her as a pitybreaker ...on my second account. +Atk -Res too, would've been perfect dammit.

Edited June 21, 2018 by Humanoid

[mampfoid]

@Humanoid Nice team, Corrin fills the blue spot very well. F!Grima is a unit I missed sadly (also never got a Cordelia that is +SPD and not -ATK). 

Btw: I found out with the new scoring considering blessings, you can't have enough strong Fliers ;-). 

18 minutes ago, Humanoid said:

EDIT: I've been saving Nephenee's Wrath for when I get regular Lyn. Now I get her as a pitybreaker ...on my second account. +Atk -Res too, would've been perfect dammit.

Ouch, I'm also Lyn- and Nephenee-less. Don't you have a Vector? 

[Humanoid]

11 minutes ago, mampfoid said:

@Humanoid Nice team, Corrin fills the blue spot very well. F!Grima is a unit I missed sadly (also never got a Cordelia that is +SPD and not -ATK). 

Btw: I found out with the new scoring considering blessings, you can't have enough strong Fliers ;-). 

Ouch, I'm also Lyn- and Nephenee-less. Don't you have a Vector? 

Got two F Grimas who I merged, she does well but my flier strategy is mostly player phase hit and run so she actually suits my playstyle less. For that reason, I tend to put Cordelia in unless I need to bait, or when the Legendary buff applies.

I've been lucky with Cordelia's natures. Those two were actually the first two I ever pulled, both near launch, and I think the only two I pulled for the entirety of 2017.

Vector has eluded me, unfortunately. All I got from his banner was two copies of his daughter. On the other hand, one was +Atk -Def and the other +Spd -Res so I can't complain all that much. Wanted Blue Lyn as well but no luck there, I'm still without any ranged armours.

 

EDIT: Some of the purists here will throttle me for it but to free up barracks space (I'm at 650 capacity) I just spent 20k feathers on a 4* promotion spree and merged a bunch of 4* units into my +10 projects. Mostly Titania and Felicia (I've merged away 5* copies of both just now), Lukas is next (+7 currently).

Edited June 21, 2018 by Humanoid

[mampfoid]

2 minutes ago, Humanoid said:

Got two F Grimas who I merged, she does well but my flier strategy is mostly player phase hit and run so she actually suits my playstyle less. For that reason, I tend to put Cordelia in unless I need to bait, or when the Legendary buff applies.

You could give Robin a second skillset, 32/35 neutral offense is not bad. 

4 minutes ago, Humanoid said:

Vector has eluded me, unfortunately. All I got from his banner was two copies of his daughter. On the other hand, one was +Atk -Def and the other +Spd -Res so I can't complain all that much. Wanted Blue Lyn as well but no luck there, I'm still without any ranged armours.

Yeah, no Vector here too, only a -ATK Lilina. To be honest I went for Roy on that banner and got one (after a lot of orbs burned). 

[Humanoid]

4 minutes ago, mampfoid said:

You could give Robin a second skillset, 32/35 neutral offense is not bad.

She's +Atk -Def so she kills stuff very well, but has trouble with the "running away" part of my strategy since Desperation means no Hit and Run. She usually doesn't have the bulk for tanking things after a first turn engagement. More commonly I just do the turn-one bait and then Desperation sweep, but not all maps are suitable for that approach.

[mampfoid]

7 minutes ago, Humanoid said:

She's +Atk -Def so she kills stuff very well, but has trouble with the "running away" part of my strategy since Desperation means no Hit and Run. She usually doesn't have the bulk for tanking things after a first turn engagement. More commonly I just do the turn-one bait and then Desperation sweep, but not all maps are suitable for that approach.

You could switch to Light/Dark Breath, to buff herself (and allies) or debuff the survivors. On the other hand, if she takes a lot of damage from the first encounter, you could beam in with WoM on Airzura. 

[Humanoid]

2 minutes ago, mampfoid said:

You could switch to Light/Dark Breath, to buff herself (and allies) or debuff the survivors. On the other hand, if she takes a lot of damage from the first encounter, you could beam in with WoM on Airzura. 

Unlike with ranged or HnR units, Dance-Reposition can't get me fully out of enemy range so it relies on her being able to kill outright still, whereas the other units have the option to chip and return to their starting positions after being danced. I'm sure it's still good enough for most situations, but it's easier and safer to do with regular Brave units such that I don't see the need to turn Grima into a grey version of them. Mixed phase units are a compromise but I'm not at the level where I need to specialise.

I suppose one major factor is my overwhelming laziness. I keep two copies of Ninian around, one for general purpose, and the other with Fortify Dragons permanently equipped (and no SI), who only ever gets used in team 7 of Arena Assault. Sure I could just try to remember to equip Fortify on my regular Ninian before my weekly AA run but naaaaah.

[mampfoid]

1 hour ago, Humanoid said:

Unlike with ranged or HnR units, Dance-Reposition can't get me fully out of enemy range so it relies on her being able to kill outright still, whereas the other units have the option to chip and return to their starting positions after being danced. I'm sure it's still good enough for most situations, but it's easier and safer to do with regular Brave units such that I don't see the need to turn Grima into a grey version of them. Mixed phase units are a compromise but I'm not at the level where I need to specialise.

So wait for the Hit&Run seal ;-) 

 

/Edit:

@Vaximillian It's your season again! Guess you won't field Tana. 

 

Edited June 21, 2018 by mampfoid

[Hilda]

god no i have to run with sharena!!! she is worse then Alfonse in terms of Arena (but better for pve)

[Vaximillian]

1 hour ago, mampfoid said:

It's your season again! Guess you won't field Tana. 

Yay, Sharena! Too bad the season of water is coming to an end, and I’m likely going back into T18 where I belong.

[Nowi's Husband]

Glad I promoted Linus, he comes with some expensive skills and a refineable prf so he's worth more than Sharena.  He will join Nowi, Fae, and Young Tiki this season.

[Stroud]

Camilla! I'm so happy. Don't need to fish this time and can play my full core team. 
 

[Ice Dragon]

I can finally field an all-green flier defense team again. It's a pity I don't have any spare copies of Hinoka to hand Camilla Hone Fliers, though, so Fortify Fliers will have to do.

I'm seriously tempted to just give all of my Lightning Breaths all of their refines (also all of my Gravities and Candlelights) so that I can actually refine all the things that use dew.

[Usana]

4 hours ago, mampfoid said:

 

Hmm. . . Rather glad I have Innes now. He will pair well with my score driver Eirika. Lets see Eirika +10, Myrrh +4, Innes, and if Fire Season Legendary Ephraim +2. Yeah that would get me in the score range to make it back into 20 fairly easily I would think. And possibly more importantly. . . SS THEMED! If not Innes I would have to run my 4*+10 Cecilia since she would be the best option out of the bonus units.

[Alexmender]

I'd prefer to use S!Cordelia come home please, the other 2 Cordelias are waiting but if I can't then Sharena it is. At least I have her decently built as an anti-red unit with TA.

[redlight]

At least I can use Cecilia. When will she get a prf though?

[Ice Dragon]

4 minutes ago, silveraura25 said:

At least I can use Cecilia. When will she get a prf though?

Aircalibur: 14 Mt, 2 Range. Effective against fliers. At the beginning of every turn, grants Special cooldown -5 to all units named Zephiel on the field.

[redlight]

12 minutes ago, Ice Dragon said:

Aircalibur: 14 Mt, 2 Range. Effective against fliers. At the beginning of every turn, grants Special cooldown -5 to all units named Zephiel on the field.

Don't forget her exclusive b skill dragon netorare. All enemy dragons become allies