“Neverness to Everness” features a diverse group of characters, each providing flashy and distinctive gameplay. These characters can work together to create powerful team combos, even if you’re choosing a free-to-play approach. While Skia isn’t obtainable as a free character in the traditional sense, the chances of pulling him for free are very high through multiple free pulls. Most players will likely add Skia to their team early on.
This is excellent news because Skia is one of the best A-Rank characters available, especially if you team him up with allies that complement his playstyle. With a good build, Skia can outperform expectations, making him a strong and influential teammate in any challenge you face.
Skia is a Lakshana-based character who excels at using Gas Arcs to boost his combat effectiveness. While he might not be the strongest fighter in raw power, a well-planned team and solid build can make him very destructive. If fully awakened through free pulls, he’s definitely worth investing in.
He focuses on landing Critical Attacks, so increasing his Critical Chance and Damage is key to maximizing his potential. Surrounding him with teammates who can cover other roles will help him shine, though he’s enjoyable to play once fully set up, even if he’s not a one-man wrecking machine.
Skia’s Esper Abilities:
- Basic Attack: Arresting Art: Fires five hits dealing Lakshana Damage, with Fang Thrust chasing up to three enemies via his shadow.
- Basic Attack: Territory Control: A plunging attack dealing Lakshana Damage, with extra damage if executed from higher falls.
- Passive: Fang Thrust: Shadows attach to nearby enemies upon breaking out, dealing damage and then returning to Skia.
- Critical Riposte: Pen to Paper: After a critical dodge, Arresting Art hits multiple nearby enemies with reduced Break Gauge.
- Skill: Shadow Hound Chase: Skia sprints into his shadow, then unleashes an AoE attack. Each target hit splits Fang Thrust into three, leading into Shadow Hound Gnaw mode.
- Ultimate: The Pack: Extends his shadow around him in all directions, then gathers it into a large AoE, dealing significant Lakshana Damage, and boosting Fang Thrust damage.
- Support Skills: Include Arrest Warrant, which deals area damage with his shadow, Suppression, which stacks Remora to enemies, and Apprehension, which boosts Fang Thrust damage after using The Pack.
Best Arc and Console for Skia:
- Top Arc: Good Boy’s Grand Adventure – increases charge efficiency, boosts team Attack after his ultimate, especially against controlled enemies.
- Secondary Arc: Watch Your Heads! – improves attack, increases Lakshana Damage against Remora and Stain inflected enemies, and enhances Critical Damage.
- Best Console: Street Boxer – provides bonus Lakshana Damage and Critical Chance, especially if Remora or Stain are inflicted.
Optimal Teams for Skia:
A team that consistently applies Remora and Stain allows Skia to maximize his damage. Including Lakshana and Psyche damage dealers like Nanally, Chiz, and Jiuyuan will help execute effective Esper Cycles, increasing overall damage output. For free-to-play setups, pairing Esper Zero, Haniel, and Mint can also work well, as Haniel offers Psyche damage, and Mint and Esper Zero help facilitate triple-cycles—though with slightly lower overall damage.
Best Awakening and Resonance Effects:
Focusing on Skia’s Awakening effects enhances his combat skills further. Fully awakening him takes time, but many players can unlock up to Level 6 early on through free rolls and events. Prioritize unlocking these effects in this order:
- Unbothered Appearance: Amplifies Fang Thrust damage when using Shadow Hound Chase, his primary attack method.
- Resolution: Upgrades his Tailed state, enhancing Fang Thrust and overall offense.
- Solution: Improves Fang Thrust damage against single targets—great for boss fights.
- Process of Elimination: Boosts overall Fang Thrust damage, providing a significant daily upgrade.
- Social Contract: Adds movement speed reduction to enemies with attached shadows, making Skia’s damage more effective by controlling enemy mobility.
- Law and Order: Raises Critical Chance and makes attacks more resilient, best saved for later stages to maximize damage.
Higher-level resonance effects, such as Cubical Survival Manual and Employee of the Month, further upgrade his skill levels and reduce enemy resistance, boosting his damage output and survivability as you continue to develop him.
