Dodge-tank build

You need both evasion and counter damage

Put someone who can evade and kill on counters in front, testing against two or three enemies first. If enemies survive, their pressure remains next turn.

Start with Catania, Ludia, or Loretta. Even on Normal, check forecasts against actual equipment and enemies. Jester and Leda need different setups. Noctula remains disputed and is not a default low-investment choice.

Build Catania’s gauntlet damage first in Part 1#

Stage	Class and training	Weapons and reasoning
Beginner, recommended from level 5	Gladiator requires Sword/Axe/Gauntlet D in one discipline, Renown 1, Beginner permit; prioritize Gauntlet	An editorial bridge into Specialty gauntlet classes based on the class table; use currently available light weapons and finish weakened enemies with the team if Strength is low
Specialty, recommended level 20	Pugilist: Gauntlet C, Renown 4, Specialty permit; build gauntlet accuracy and damage first	Builds Strength and Speed together; carry gauntlets and healing items. Attack, Get Back mastery grants Avoid +10 during Combat Art engagements, not permanently throughout enemy phase
After recommended level 35	Check Ranger eligibility: Sword or Bow B, Renown 8, Advanced permit; remain Pugilist if not unlocked	Ranger is optional, offering bows against fliers and an opportunity to train Sword. Do not force the change by level if Leda’s performance unlock conditions are incomplete

Fast characters lacking Strength can use Brigand or another damage-building class first. Starting as a flier does not mean they should only build Speed forever. Brigand requires Sword or Axe C, Renown 4, and recommended level 20. This is an alternative Strength branch, not another route you must fully train alongside gauntlets.

At level 35, Catania’s Avoid condition requires actual Attack Speed at least 8 above the enemy’s. Ludia must be able to follow up, and her initiating Attack Speed +3 does not apply on enemy phase. Loretta needs full HP for her full extra Avoid; below half HP, the old value is even less applicable. Their recruitment timing and damage differ; see their character pages for training costs.

Train final-class requirements and sword mastery in Part 2#

For physical routes, build Sword toward S for Part 3 Divine-class mastery. If planning War Monk, also prepare White Magic D and Gauntlet B. Use training if the current class cannot wield swords; simply having held a sword does not automatically raise Sword to S. Carry ranged options allowed by the current class, keep healing within reach, and avoid immediately sending the unit out alone.

Magic is a separate route. Try it only with Catania or Loretta: Beginner Diviner, recommended level 5 with Black or White Magic D and Renown 1, then Shaman, recommended level 20 with Black Magic C and Renown 4. Stay in Shaman at level 35 to preserve Speed. Ludia should not copy this. Early spell uses are scarce, so have the team help with finishing blows until the Specialty tier becomes smoother. Use Levin Sword or Salamander when requirements are met; low Magic still reduces damage.

Separate mastery classes from combat weapons in Part 3#

First obtain The Blade’s Divine Insight for Speed +10 and The Eternal’s Divine Might for Strength +10. Sword S meets both weapon requirements, but you still need the Demonic Swordguard and Scales of Judgement from Heaven’s Crown Temple in Part 3 Section 4, with 100% exam success. Each Divine qualification has one holder at a time; return it after mastery rather than assuming everyone can hold it together.

Keep an available class if Divine masteries are not ready. Healing maintains Loretta’s full HP. An adjacent affinity-5 flying-class ally can grant 10 Avoid; Myrmidon/Dancer-class allies grant 5. Blessings provide temporary help: Kalla for Avoid, or the relevant Jurah level against effectiveness. Choose one at a time, prioritizing ability conditions and the current forecast.

Separate 97 personal Avoid from enemy Hit −5#

A corrected Catania example uses Celestial Trooper, actual Attack Speed 60, the level-35 Attack Speed-gap condition met, and Swords Lv. 5 equipped. Assuming Weight does not reduce Attack Speed: 60+20+10+7 class flying Avoid = 97 fixed personal Avoid. Charm Mask has a chance to reduce enemy Hit and weighs 5; it cannot be added directly to fixed Avoid.

Distraction+ is an equipped skill, not a combat art. Catania learns it at Authority B. It uses a skill slot and lowers adjacent enemies’ Hit by 5. A mage two tiles away or a ranged archer outside adjacency gets no penalty. Her own Avoid remains 97. Only adjacent enemies lose 5 Hit, so you cannot universally count this as 102 Avoid.

Flying does not directly receive forest/jungle Avoid. Dismount and recheck the ground forecast if needed, while also recalculating mount stats and effectiveness.

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Noctula’s disputed Avoid role and engagement limits#

Noctula’s evasion potential is disputed. One assessment finds her Speed and evasion reliability insufficient. Another sees potential in her skills and gauntlet classes but still calls for replay testing. There is no completed comparison under the same conditions.

Avoid does not guarantee taking no damage. Clear mages and anti-flier archers first, then test within reach of two or three enemies. An enemy at range 3 gives no clearing benefit if you cannot counter. Check Luck and magical evasion, guaranteed hits, and area attacks separately. A physical forecast only applies to the corresponding attack.