Case File #skia
C TierSkia Build Guide
Lakshana frontline DPS that shines in longer on-field windows by stacking Fang Thrust and Shadow Hound Chase. High DPS when rotations keep him locked on targets, but his signature mechanic is finicky when swaps interrupt his lock.
Strengths
- Very strong sustained DPS during extended on-field windows thanks to Fang Thrust + Shadow Hound Chase
- Synergizes with Remora/Stain teams and benefits from Watch Your Heads! Arc
- Street Boxer cartridge gives built-in Lakshana DMG and Crit bonuses, amplifying his frequent Normal Attack damage
Weaknesses
- Fang Thrust requires Skia to maintain lock on a target — rotations or forced swaps can break uptime
- Damage consistency suffers if you can't reliably keep him on-field for his passive instances
- Overall placed at C-tier because other DPS have easier, more consistent rotations
Best Arcs
Ghostly Kite — after using a Redirect Skill, wearer gains +10% ATK and +10% Lakshana DMG to targets affected by Remora or Stain for 15s (doesn't stack).
Spider Knowledge Collector — gain stacks from Basic Attacks (up to 8). All stacks consumed on Ultimate to grant team ATK for 10s per stack, with a larger bonus at 8 stacks.
Best Cartridge
Epic (2): +10% Lakshana DMG. Legendary (4): +14% Crit Chance; if team triggers Remora or Stain, bonus becomes 14% for 20s.
Best Main Stat: CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG or Lakshana DMG Bonus
- If you lack CRIT Rate, prioritize CRIT Rate main stat for comfort; CRIT DMG is the next best depending on substats.
- Once crit stats are healthy, Lakshana DMG main stat becomes highest-value for min-maxing.
Module Layout
Required Modules
Bonus: Type III (+10% ATK)
Total Bonus: +40% ATK
Substat Priority
- Use the layout that activates the 4-piece Street Boxer set while maximizing the bonus Module for ATK.
- Aim for modules with the listed substats to improve Normal Attack output and crit consistency.
Best Teams
Skia functions as the Main DPS while the team applies Remora or Stain to maximize Fang Thrust and Watch Your Heads! uptime. Esper Zero triggers Remora; Sakiri provides main buffs; Fadia handles mitigation and Stain triggers.
Skia
Main DPS
Primary on-field DPS; brought in last for long uptime.
Zero
Sub-DPS
Remora trigger and secondary damage source.
Sakiri
Buffer
Main buffer; increases Skia's damage window.
Fadia
Sub-DPS/Support
Damage mitigation and Stain trigger; alternative: Jiuyuan.
Alternatives
Start supports early so Skia enters as the last member and stays on-field the longest.
Trigger Remora or Stain before swapping to Skia so his Fang Thrust benefits immediately.
Use the sample rotation (below) to ensure Fang Thrust is applied and buffed by Skill + Ultimate.
- Skia gains additional Remora instances if he locks onto an enemy that already has Remora, making Cosmos (Remora) teams particularly strong.
Skill Priority
The Pack (Ultimate)
Level third — Ultimate increases Fang Thrust damage and can be used either to start a rotation or as a burst; it consumes stacks with some Arcs.
Arrest Warrant (Support Skill)
Provides additional Lakshana DMG — useful but lower priority than core attack and skill upgrades.
Shadow Hound Chase (Skill)
Level second — provides passive interval attacks and grants stealth/Shadow Hound Chase state used to boost Fang Thrust uptime.
Arresting Art (Basic Attack)
Max first — most of Skia's damage comes from frequent, empowered Basic Attacks, so invest here first.
Awakening Priority
Unbothered Appearance
Top priority — increases damage to Fang Thrust targets while in Shadow Hound Chase; most uptime during rotations.
Resolution
Adds damage vs Tailed targets and extends Tailed by 6s (up to +40% DMG vs Tailed) — strong QOL and damage.
Solution
Straight DMG increase to Fang Thrust targets; especially good for single-target/boss damage.
Law and Order
Increases CRIT Chance in Shadow Hound Chase and gives +50% Interruption Resistance — valuable for long on-field uptime.
Process of Elimination
Boosts the auto-damage instances from Fang Thrust; useful later when your main build is set.
Social Contract
Increases enemy hitbox and slows them, making it easier for Skia to maintain hits and stay locked on.
How to Play
Have supports start rotation early and bring Skia in last. Apply Fang Thrust with a few Normal Attacks, then use Skill + Ultimate consecutively to maximize Fang Thrust damage and enter Shadow Hound Chase; remain on-field for the duration of the chase and then swap out.
Rotations
- 1 Sample Full Rotation: Fadia Skill → Sakiri Hold Skill → Sakiri Ultimate → Esper Zero Skill → Esper Zero Ultimate → Swap to Skia (Remora Trigger) → Basic Attack to trigger Fang Thrust → Skia Skill → Skia Ultimate → Normal Attacks until Shadow Hound Gnaw ends
- 2 Skia's Ultimate increases Lakshana DMG to Fang Thrust-affected enemies by 10% — use Ultimate at the start of his window to pre-buff Fang Thrust.
Tips
- Be the last character to enter the rotation so Skia gets the longest uninterrupted on-field window.
- Strike just enough to apply Fang Thrust before using Skill + Ultimate to buff it.
- Team with Cosmos/Psyche characters to apply Remora/Stain — these effects interact strongly with Skia and his best Arc.