Case File #blackbird
S TierBlackbird Build Guide
Blackbird is an extremely flexible Psyche Esper who can serve as either an on-field carry or an off-field Sub-DPS/Support. Her kit applies Forsaken Feather to trigger coordinated attacks while her Ultimate shifts her into Witch of Deliverance for a high personal damage ceiling. She also provides an instant Esper Cycle and a teamwide ATK buff, giving her value even when she is not the main damage dealer. Build her for Psyche DMG%, CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, Universal DMG%, and ATK% when using her as a DPS, or add Cycle Intensity for reaction-focused support.
Strengths
- Extremely flexible Psyche Esper who can be an on-field carry or off-field Sub-DPS/Support.
- Applies Forsaken Feather to trigger coordinated attacks from off-field.
- Ultimate shifts her into Witch of Deliverance for a devastating personal damage ceiling.
- Provides instant Esper Cycle with Netherplume Rite.
- Brings a teamwide ATK buff, adding value even when not the main damage dealer.
Weaknesses
- Personal damage is heavily tied to Ultimate uptime and spending Malice during Witch of Deliverance.
- Best performance often depends on reaction teams and her signature Arc/Cartridge.
- Support builds trade away a noticeable amount of her personal damage.
- Requires careful rotation timing to avoid wasting Stain or Malice windows.
Best Arcs
Twinflight: Increases Cycle Intensity by 72. Increases the wearer's Psyche DMG by 20%. After the wearer casts an Ultimate, increases the team's CRIT DMG by 16% and the wearer's by an additional 32% for 15s.
Morphix: Increases Charge Efficiency by 18%. After the wearer casts an Ultimate, increases Team ATK by 10% for 20s. Increases Team ATK by an additional 6% if enemies are controlled by the Ultimate.
"Bopp": Increases the wearer's damage dealt by 18% for 10s after casting Support Skill. Triggers at most once every 20s.
Best Cartridge
Epic (2): Psyche DMG +10%. Legendary (4): Increases wearer's DMG by 18%. The bonus becomes 36% against units affected by Nova or Stain.
Best Main Stat: Psyche DMG Bonus
- Substats: CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, Universal DMG%, ATK%, Cycle Intensity.
- Cycle Intensity is especially useful if using Blackbird as a reaction-focused support.
Module Layout
Required Modules
Bonus: Type III (+8% CRIT Rate)
Total Bonus: +32% CRIT Rate
Substat Priority
- Best layout for Devil's Blood: Curse while fitting all four pieces for its 4-piece effect.
- Four Type III Modules give Blackbird a total of 32% bonus CRIT Rate.
- Prioritize Psyche DMG% as the main stat, then CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG, followed by Universal DMG% and ATK%.
- Cycle Intensity remains useful for reaction and support utility.
Best Teams
Blackbird excels when leading a Stain team alongside Chaos and Hathor, giving her consistent access to the reaction through their Lakshana application. Esper Zero rounds out the team with another Instant Esper Cycle, making Stain easier to trigger while keeping field time open for Blackbird.
Blackbird
Main DPS
On-field carry; uses Malice-enhanced attacks and Witch of Deliverance.
Chaos
Sub-DPS
Provides burst damage and Lakshana application for Stain.
Hathor
Sub-DPS
Lakshana application for consistent Stain triggers.
Zero
Support
Instant Esper Cycle support; helps trigger Stain without taking much field time.
Set up Chaos, Hathor, and Zero before committing to Blackbird's on-field damage.
Use Netherplume Rite to apply Forsaken Feather and instantly fill the Cycle gauge.
Trigger Stain, then bring Blackbird back in and cast Requies Animarum to enter Witch of Deliverance.
Spend Malice with Pyreflame and Flames of Deliverance before recasting Ultimate for Flammae in Unum.
- Best setup if you want Blackbird as the main on-field DPS.
- Stain lasts 20 seconds, giving her time to spend most of the window inside Witch of Deliverance.
- Chaos can provide additional burst damage, while Hathor adds another strong Lakshana option.
Blackbird also slots naturally into a Nova team featuring Lacrimosa, where she contributes immense off-field damage without taking too much time away from Lacrimosa. Her Forsaken Feather coordinated attacks continue after she swaps out, while her Psyche application gives Lacrimosa consistent access to Nova.
Lacrimosa
Main DPS
Primary on-field damage dealer; benefits from Blackbird's Psyche application for Nova.
Blackbird
Sub-DPS
Off-field coordinated attacks and Nova enabling; returns on-field for Witch of Deliverance windows.
Daffodill
Sub-DPS
Break utility; helps both Lacrimosa and Blackbird damage staggered enemies.
Sakiri
Support
Offensive support with team buffs and Scorch reaction options.
Alternatives
Use Blackbird's off-field coordinated attacks to keep damage going while Lacrimosa stays on-field.
Apply Psyche to give Lacrimosa consistent access to Nova.
Swap Blackbird back in when her Ultimate is ready to use Witch of Deliverance for a stronger personal damage window.
Use Daffodill's Break to create stagger windows for both DPS characters.
- Daffodill is the preferred third slot for Break utility.
- Sakiri is the more offensive support option, while Linko adds off-field damage without demanding much field time.
- This team lets Blackbird contribute heavily without competing with Lacrimosa for field time.
Skill Priority
Judgment Upon Me (Support Skill)
Lowest priority since most of Blackbird's damage comes from other skills. It still grants Malice and changes into Naught but Mercy during Witch of Deliverance, so a few levels are worthwhile after the rest of her kit is leveled.
Fleeting Shadow (Basic Attack)
Worth investing in because it helps Blackbird stack Malice before transforming. In Witch of Deliverance it changes into Pyreflame and follow-up attacks, increasing its value when she is used as a Main DPS.
Requies Animarum (Ultimate)
Prioritize first because it activates Witch of Deliverance, where a large portion of Blackbird's personal damage comes from. It also gives the team an ATK buff, and recasting it triggers Flammae in Unum for another burst of Psyche DMG.
Netherplume Rite (Redirect Skill)
Equally important for her rotation. It applies Forsaken Feather, immediately fills the Cycle gauge, and lets teammates trigger Forsaken Bird coordinated attacks after Blackbird leaves the field.
Awakening Priority
Renegade
Best Awakening for massively enhancing personal damage. Strengthens Flames of Deliverance and lets Flammae in Unum consume any remaining Malice when ending Witch of Deliverance, giving a noticeable early boost as a Main DPS.
Mortal Coil
Gives Blackbird a 25% Psyche DMG boost after using her Ultimate, lining up with her damage window. Forsaken Bird attacks can also restore 4 Malice outside Witch of Deliverance, helping her prepare for the next transformation.
Blind Spot
Simple and effective damage upgrade that increases the bonus from attacks consuming Malice. It directly strengthens several Witch of Deliverance attacks and is an easy third pick.
Revenant
Leans toward team utility by reducing an enemy's Psyche, Lakshana, and Chaos RES by 8% after Blackbird deals damage. Blackbird benefits from the Psyche reduction, while Nova and Stain teams use the other reductions well.
Bad Seed
Upgrades Blackbird's support role by extending her Ultimate's team ATK buff to 25 seconds and adding a teamwide DMG bonus. More valuable when she is played as a Sub-DPS or secondary buffer.
Wayward Chronicle
Mainly provides survivability and comfort with extra DEF in Witch of Deliverance, healing through Flames of Deliverance, and a stronger Netherplume Rite. Lowest priority for both builds.
How to Play
Blackbird applies Forsaken Feather for off-field coordinated attacks and transforms through her Ultimate into Witch of Deliverance for high personal damage. Set up team buffs and reactions first, use Netherplume Rite to instantly fill the Esper Cycle, then spend Malice during Witch of Deliverance before recasting Ultimate to trigger Flammae in Unum.
Rotations
- 1Chaos Doubtmark → Zero Redirect Skill → Swap to Hathor/Chaos to trigger Remora → Blackbird Basic Attacks as needed → Netherplume Rite → Swap to Chaos/Hathor to trigger Stain → Quick Skill/Attack → Swap to Blackbird → Requies Animarum → Pyreflame Full Combo → Ferrying Deathfire → Continue Malice-enhanced attacks → Flammae in Unum → Refresh Chaos/Hathor/Zero → Repeat
Tips
- Start by setting up reactions or team buffs before committing to Blackbird's on-field damage.
- Use Netherplume Rite to gain Malice, apply Forsaken Feather, and instantly fill the Cycle gauge.
- Swap out after Netherplume Rite and attack the marked enemy to trigger Forsaken Bird coordinated attacks.
- Build Malice before transforming so you can use more enhanced attacks during Witch of Deliverance.
- Spend remaining Malice before ending Witch of Deliverance, then recast Ultimate for Flammae in Unum.
- Refresh Forsaken Feather with Netherplume Rite once it is ready and repeat the setup.