Case File #linko
S Tier TierLinko Build Guide
Linko is an Anima Sub-DPS who deals damage through Synced Strikes while supporting from off-field. She builds and spends Modulation, chooses an ally to Sync with, and repeatedly triggers Follow-up attacks as teammates cycle skills. She provides strong off-field pressure with very little field time and adds bonuses to Hexed and Follow-up-focused teams.
Strengths
- Excellent off-field Sub-DPS with Synced Strikes and Follow-up damage.
- Needs very little field time, making her easy to slot into quickswap rotations.
- Synergizes well with Hexed and Follow-up teams.
- Can reduce enemy resistance to the chosen Sync partner's attribute.
- High personal damage once CRIT stats are balanced.
Weaknesses
- Relies on proper Modulation buildup and Sync partner selection.
- Wants her Signature Arc for maximum Synced Strike damage.
- Speedy Hedgehog support build sacrifices a notable amount of personal damage.
- Needs CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, and Anima DMG gear to reach her damage ceiling.
- Must swap out after setup and trust the Main DPS to carry field time.
Best Arcs
Golden Record: Increases ATK by 24%. Increases the wearer's Support Skill Crit DMG by 66%. Dealing DMG with a triggered Support Skill increases Ultimate Crit DMG by 22% for 3s, up to 3 stacks. Resets duration when triggered again.
Jawbreaker's Candy: Increases the wearer's DMG by 22%. Increases this effect to 28% against enemies with HP below 50%.
Headless Rider: Increases Lakshana DMG by 15%. Increases the wearer's Redirect Skill and Ultimate DMG by 10% for 10s after casting Ultimate. Increases the wearer's Redirect Skill DMG by 5% per cast while active, up to 2 stacks.
Best Cartridge
Epic (2): Anima DMG +10%. Legendary (4): Increases wearer's CRIT DMG by 8% when a nearby enemy takes Anima DMG from the Team, up to 7 stacks. Each stack lasts 10s. Effect remains active when the character is off-field.
Best Main Stat: Anima DMG Bonus
- Prioritize CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG to improve Linko's direct damage.
- Universal DMG% and ATK% are viable supplemental stats.
- Anima DMG% gives the most consistent increase for her off-field Synced Strikes.
- ATK remains a fine filler stat.
Module Layout
Required Modules
Bonus: Type III (+8% CRIT Rate)
Total Bonus: +32% CRIT Rate
Substat Priority
- This layout activates Fireflies and the Forest's 4-piece effect.
- It also uses as many Type III Modules as possible for Linko's bonus Module effect.
- Anima DMG% gives the most consistent damage increase for her off-field Synced Strike hits.
- Aim for CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG first, then Universal DMG% and ATK%.
Best Teams
Linko slots best into Zankou's Hexed team, where she deals outstanding off-field damage without cutting into Zankou's field time. Their Anima and Incantation pairing gives easy Hexed access, and Hexed's replicated damage counts as Follow-up damage, benefiting Linko's Follow-up buffs and Synced Strikes.
Zankou
Main DPS
Handles on-field damage and enables Hexed with Linko.
Linko
Sub-DPS
Provides off-field Synced Strikes and Follow-up damage.
Sakiri
Support
ATK buffs benefit both Zankou and Linko, and Incantation keeps Hexed easy to trigger.
Iroi
Support (Flex)
Flex slot: Iroi provides healing and comfort; Daffodill is the offensive alternative.
Alternatives
Open with Sakiri's buffs and reaction setup before swapping Linko in.
Build Modulation with Linko's Basic Attacks, then use Full-Frequency Pulse and Sync with Zankou.
Use Linko's Oversync after buffs are active, chain Synced Strikes, then swap back to Zankou.
Use Iroi if you need healing; use Daffodill if you want more damage and Break.
- Hexed's replicated damage is Follow-up damage and can benefit from Linko's Follow-up DMG buffs.
- Sakiri's ATK buffs support both Zankou and Linko.
- Daffodill is the aggressive support choice, while Iroi makes the rotation more comfortable.
Nanally is another excellent Main DPS to pair with Linko because much of her damage revolves around the Follow-up mechanic. This lets Nanally make direct use of Linko's buffs while Linko contributes Synced Strikes from off-field. Their shared Anima type also makes reaction setup convenient.
Nanally
Main DPS
Follow-up-focused Main DPS who directly benefits from Linko's buffs.
Linko
Sub-DPS
Provides off-field Synced Strikes and Follow-up support.
Zero
Sub-DPS
Fast Cycle generation helps the team trigger Blossom more consistently.
Adler
Support (Flex)
Comfort and survivability support; Sakiri is the offensive alternative.
Alternatives
Keep Nanally on-field for most of the rotation while Linko contributes from off-field.
Sync Linko with Nanally so the Synced Strike reduces resistance to Nanally's damage type.
Use Zero's fast Cycle generation to trigger Blossom more often.
Swap Linko in when Full-Frequency Pulse or Oversync is ready, then return to Nanally.
- Nanally's Follow-up damage makes direct use of Linko's buffs.
- Shared Anima typing makes reaction setup more convenient.
- Adler is a dependable comfort replacement for Sakiri.
Skill Priority
Full-Frequency Pulse (Redirect Skill)
Level last. It spends Modulation and calls in a Synced Strike, but most of its value comes from enabling Linko's other mechanics rather than its own damage multiplier.
Poltergeist CQC (Basic Attack)
Level next because it is her primary way to build Modulation before triggering stronger Synced Strikes. Its subskills also improve Xiaozhen's off-field attacks.
Spectral Cross (Support Skill)
Prioritize Linko's Support Skill first because every Synced Strike's damage multiplier scales directly with its level. It is the centerpiece of her kit and provides the biggest overall damage boost per rotation.
Oversync (Ultimate)
Second priority. Oversync creates Linko's main burst window with a Resonance Field, letting her chain Synced Strikes with up to three teammates before finishing with a powerful Anima burst.
Awakening Priority
The World Answers
Linko's strongest Awakening. It gives all Synced Strikes an additional 25% CRIT Rate, and Synced Strikes performed by teammates provide a Charge effect, making coordinated attacks more consistent and giving the team extra support value.
Starlit Whispers
During Oversync's Resonance Field, this adds an extra AoE Anima hit whenever a Synced Strike triggers. That hit can consume a Hit 'Em Here! mark and trigger another Synced Strike, pushing out even more Follow-up damage.
Friendly Haunting
A simple but reliable damage increase that raises the multiplier of the Anima burst at the end of Oversync by 30%. It does not change Linko's playstyle, but her Ultimate hits hard every rotation.
Love, Loud and Clear
Synced Strikes triggered by Full-Frequency Pulse can activate Esper Cycle effects, enabling reactions faster. If the selected teammate cannot react with Linko, the Synced Strike instead gains 50% increased damage.
Across the Airwaves
Refreshes Full-Frequency Pulse whenever Linko casts her Ultimate, making it easier to fit another Redirect Skill into her burst sequence. It is more of a rotation comfort improvement.
All Frequencies Live
Reduces the interval between Spectral Rush's attacks while Linko is off-field, letting Xiaozhen attack and apply Hit 'Em Here! marks more often. The improvement is modest compared to her other Awakenings.
How to Play
Linko is a low-field-time Sub-DPS. Build Modulation with Basic Attacks, use Full-Frequency Pulse to Sync with your Main DPS, then cast Oversync after team buffs are active to chain Synced Strikes. Swap out after her setup so the Main DPS can take the field.
Rotations
- 1Sakiri Skill / Ultimate → Daffodill Skill or Iroi Skill → Swap to Linko → Basic Attack until Modulation is near full → Full-Frequency Pulse → Select Zankou/Nanally for Synced Strike → Trigger Linko's Oversync → Activate Synced Strikes with available teammates → Finish Oversync Burst → Swap to Zankou/Nanally → Perform Zankou/Nanally's main damage rotation → Repeat
Tips
- Build Modulation with Basic Attacks before casting Full-Frequency Pulse for maximum Synced Strike value.
- Choose your Main DPS as the Sync partner so Linko reduces enemy resistance to their attribute.
- Cast Oversync after your team's buffs are active so every Synced Strike benefits.
- Linko does not need to stay on-field; let the Main DPS use field time after her setup.
- Refresh teammates' supportive effects before swapping Linko back in.