
Case File #hotori
S TierHotori Build Guide
Hotori is an S-tier Sub-DPS with Burst DPS capabilities. She records her teammates' Skill casts and recasts them with her Ultimate. She does not require energy for her Ultimate; instead, her Non-Closed Timepiece charges over time, letting her use her Ultimate roughly every 20 seconds (30 seconds if she uses her Skill). This makes her damage reliable and consistent, as her rotation timing is predictable.
Strengths
- Reliable, consistent burst damage with predictable Ultimate timing.
- No energy requirement; Ultimate recharges via timer.
- Records up to 3 teammate Redirect/Support Skills and recasts them, reapplying Esper Cycles.
- Time Stop can freeze enemies and timers, enabling safe damage windows.
- Strong in Blossom teams; can enable Vita Buds to attack during Time Stop.
Weaknesses
- Requires setup and timing; must record Skills within 5 seconds.
- Skill recast overwrites previous recording if used again.
- Cannot contribute to Discord application herself.
- Ultimate has a fixed recharge time and cannot be spammed.
- F2P Arc The Forgotten gives HP% substat she does not scale with.
- Needs teammates with useful Support/Redirect Skills to maximize recording.
Best Arcs

Increases ATK by 16%. When the wearer casts a Redirect Skill, enters Wastelab and clears current Wastetime. While in Wastelab, allies gain 1 stack of Wastetime each time they use a Redirect or Support Skill, up to 3 stacks. Using Ultimate in Wastelab exits it and consumes all Wastetime, increasing Ultimate CRIT DMG by 24% plus 8% per stack; consuming 3 stacks grants 12% DEF Ignore for 3s.

Deals 30% increased Cosmos DMG with the wearer's Redirect Skill and Ultimate. Increases the wearer's Cycle Intensity by 36 for 15s after casting a Redirect Skill. Resets duration when triggered again.

Increases ATK by 25% for 10s after the wearer casts an Ultimate. Effect does not stack.

Increases ATK by 20% when wearer's HP is above 50%; increases DEF by 20% when HP is below 50%.
Best Cartridge
Epic (2): Cosmos DMG +10%. Legendary (4): Ignores 25% of enemies' DEF for 20s after the wearer casts Ultimate. Effect does not stack.
Best Main Stat: Cosmos DMG Boost or CRIT Rate/DMG
- Get Cosmos DMG Boost if using Marching Beyond Time, which already provides CRIT Rate.
- Otherwise choose CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG based on your Module substats.
Module Layout
Required Modules
Bonus: Type III (+10% Cosmos DMG Bonus)
Total Bonus: +40% Cosmos DMG
Substat Priority
- Best layout activates Lost Radiance's 4-piece effect while maximizing bonus Module.
- Prioritize CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG; CRIT DMG can be prioritized if using Marching Beyond Time.
Best Teams
Hotori's best team. She empowers Vita Buds to attack even when time is stopped, while Nanally and Jiuyuan provide Blossom buffs to keep Vita Pistils hitting frozen enemies.

Hotori
Sub-DPS
Records teammate Skills and recasts them with Ultimate.

Zero
Sub-DPS
Esper Zero; additional Sub-DPS.

Nanally
Main DPS (Flex)
Can substitute Mint to create more Vita Buds.

Jiuyuan
Support (Flex)
Can substitute Sakiri for attack buffs, Crowd Control, and Scorch.
Alternatives
Use Hotori's Skill to record teammates' Support/Redirect Skills.
Let Nanally/Jiuyuan enable Blossom and Vita Bud production.
Use Hotori's Ultimate during Time Stop to burst down frozen enemies.
- Blossom teams synergize with Hotori's Time Stop, allowing Vita Buds to keep attacking.
Hotori cannot apply Discord herself, but her Ultimate burst is empowered when the enemy is Broken, which Discord teams do easily. Aurelia is the Main DPS, Sakiri supports, and Daffodill applies Nova and Scorch to activate Discord.

Hotori
Sub-DPS
Swap in during Break window for huge Ultimate burst.

Daffodill
Sub-DPS
Applies Nova and Scorch to help activate Discord.

Aurelia
Main DPS
Team's Main DPS.

Sakiri
Support
Provides support for the team.
Use Daffodill and Sakiri to apply Discord and Break the enemy.
Once Broken, swap to Hotori and use her Ultimate for burst damage.
- Discord teams can easily Break enemies, setting up Hotori's burst.
Skill Priority
Misty Moon Style (Basic Attack)
Although you won't be using Hotori's Basic Attack much, improving it will help increase her overall damage output.
Shopkeeper's Authority (Support Skill)
Level her Support Skill last to increase her damage whenever she enters the stage and uses it.
World's Tide (Ultimate)
Prioritize improving Hotori's Ultimate as this is her main source of damage.
Present Replay (Skill)
Improving Present Replay increases its damage output, so prioritize leveling this up second.
Awakening Priority
Flourish
Increases Hotori's damage during Time Stop by up to 36% based on the number of recorded Support Skills or Redirect Skills. Take this Awakening first to give a huge boost to her damage after she uses her Ultimate.
Time Takes Away
Makes Hotori ignore a portion of the enemy's DEF during Time Stop, further increasing her damage output.
All-Seeing
Increases the whole team's damage against solo targets, making it effective when taking down bosses.
Distant Memories
Gives a direct damage increase to Hotori while in Time Stop, so take this next to increase her damage output.
Scattered Relics
Provides a way to quickly charge Hotori's Skill and Ultimate whenever you defeat enemies. As this only works if facing multiple enemies, there is no need to prioritize getting this Awakening early.
Momentary Gaze
Allows you to shorten Hotori's rotation cycle by recovering the energy spent on using Present Replay, but its long cooldown makes it hard to recommend getting it early.
How to Play
Hotori's gameplay revolves around using her Skill to record teammates' Redirect/Support Skills, waiting for her Non-Closed Timepiece to charge, then swapping in to use her Ultimate. Her Ultimate recasts recorded Skills, stops time, and lets her perform a katana combo into a Finisher.
Rotations
- 1Wait for Hotori's Non-Closed Timepiece to fill up → Hotori Skill → Use Redirect or Support Skills → Wait for Non-Closed Timepiece to fill up → Apply debuffs/buffs → Swap to Hotori → Hotori Ultimate → Hotori Basic Attack Combo x2 → Hotori Finisher → Repeat.
- 2Start fights with Hotori's Skill, then quickly use your team's Redirect or Support Skills to record up to 3 Skills.
- 3Once Non-Closed Timepiece is full, apply any buffs and debuffs, swap to Hotori, use Ultimate, perform two Basic Attack combos, then Finisher.
- 4After the Finisher, swap back to your Main DPS and wait for Hotori's Non-Closed Timepiece to recharge before restarting.
Tips
- Wait for Hotori's Non-Closed Timepiece to be at least half full before starting the recording rotation.
- Use Hotori's Skill first, then immediately use up to 3 Support or Redirect Skills within 5 seconds.
- Do not recast Hotori's Skill if it already has recorded Skills, as it overwrites the previous recording.
- Continue dealing damage with your Main DPS and other Sub-DPS while the Non-Closed Timepiece charges.
- Once full, apply buffs/debuffs, swap to Hotori (ideally with Support Skill), and use Ultimate.
- During Time Stop, perform two full Basic Attack combos to fill the Finisher gauge, then use Finisher.
- Outside combat, hold Basic Attack to stop time; duration depends on Non-Closed Timepiece, up to around 12 seconds.