Gawain (Light)/Strategy

Ratings

Gawain (Light)
	Edit rating Role: Attacker Gains additional effects on his skills when he is under 25% HP. Powerful autos through a combination of Guaranteed TAGuaranteed triple attack regardless of Triple Attack Lowered debuffs Duration: 2 turns, 50% Bonus Light DMGDeals bonus light DMG for one-foe one-ally attacks Strength: 50%, Double StrikeAttacks twice each turn , and passive boost to normal attack damage. Unique partywide ATK boost based on how low his HP is.

Site	RatingThe character's overall rating out of 10.	GrindingThe character's general efficiency in repeatedly clearing menial content with an emphasis on real-time speed. GW Max Grade: SS KG Max Grade: SS	Full AutoThe character's general performance in Full Auto parties. GW Max Grade: SS KG Max Grade: SS	High DifficultyThe character's capability relative to the game's most difficult content. GW Max Grade: SS KG Max Grade: SS	Last Update
GameWith	9.5	A	A	B	2022-08-01
Kamigame	9.0	A	A	C	2023-02-03

Overview

Gawain is an attacker whose kit revolves around reaching low HP, then healing back up so he can continue using his skills. His main feature is his powerful normal attacks, which are augmented by his passive boost to normal attack damage, Guaranteed TAGuaranteed triple attack regardless of Triple Attack Lowered debuffs
, 50% Bonus Light DMGDeals bonus light DMG for one-foe one-ally attacks
Strength: 50%, and Double StrikeAttacks twice each turn
.

Strengths

Works well in battles against hard-hitting foes that deal lots of damage.
Lowers his own HP via OnslaughtGain JammedATK is greatly boosted based on how low HP is
Strength: 30%-90%Duration: 8 turns, 50% Bonus Light DMGDeals bonus light DMG for one-foe one-ally attacks
Strength: 50%Duration: 1 turn , and Double StrikeAttacks twice each turn
Duration: 1 turn .
(Consumes 40% of max HP.) to kickstart Knight's ResolutionStarts battle with Lethal Attack Dodged (1 time)Can withstand lethal DMG (Leaves 1 HP / Can't be removed)
Duration: Indefinite.
Big boost to all allies' ATKUnique modifier based on how low Gawain's HP is. and get closer to 25% HP for his other skills' additional effects.
Heals back via PuncturePuncture:
400% Light damage to a foe (Damage cap: ~630,000).
Inflict 10% Light DEF Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)DEF is lowered for light DMG (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds.
Restore caster's HP (Healing cap: 2000).
(When below 25% HP: Activates twice.)
At level 90:
(When below 25% HP: Skill changes to Perforate.)
Perforate:
3-hit, 400% Light damage to a foe (Damage cap: ~700,000 per hit).
Inflict 10% ATK Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)ATK is lowered (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds, 10% DEF Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)DEF is lowered (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds, and 10% Light DEF Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)DEF is lowered for light DMG (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds.
Restore caster's HP (Healing cap: 4000).
Gain 10% UpliftedCharge bar is boosted on every turn
Strength: 10%Duration: 3 turns and Dispel Cancel (1 time)Effects that remove buffs will be nullified (1 time)
Duration: Indefinite. so he can continuously use Onslaught.
His powerful normal attacks increase the effectiveness of Bonus Light DMGDeals bonus light DMG for one-foe one-ally attacks
.

Weaknesses

Difficult to keep him under 25% HP thanks to PuncturePuncture:
400% Light damage to a foe (Damage cap: ~630,000).
Inflict 10% Light DEF Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)DEF is lowered for light DMG (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds.
Restore caster's HP (Healing cap: 2000).
(When below 25% HP: Activates twice.)
At level 90:
(When below 25% HP: Skill changes to Perforate.)
Perforate:
3-hit, 400% Light damage to a foe (Damage cap: ~700,000 per hit).
Inflict 10% ATK Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)ATK is lowered (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds, 10% DEF Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)DEF is lowered (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds, and 10% Light DEF Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)DEF is lowered for light DMG (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds.
Restore caster's HP (Healing cap: 4000).
Gain 10% UpliftedCharge bar is boosted on every turn
Strength: 10%Duration: 3 turns and Dispel Cancel (1 time)Effects that remove buffs will be nullified (1 time)
Duration: Indefinite. and its auto-activations via charge attack.
Reduced charge bar gain lowers his charge attack rate.
Lacks debuff mitigation when most Dark foes spam debuffs.
Vulnerable against multiple hits enemy's attack while at low HP.
Contradicts Light Stamina build, such as Eden and Mittron's Bow.
He often needs heal support to keep using his OnslaughtGain JammedATK is greatly boosted based on how low HP is
Strength: 30%-90%Duration: 8 turns, 50% Bonus Light DMGDeals bonus light DMG for one-foe one-ally attacks
Strength: 50%Duration: 1 turn , and Double StrikeAttacks twice each turn
Duration: 1 turn .
(Consumes 40% of max HP.), as heals via PuncturePuncture:
400% Light damage to a foe (Damage cap: ~630,000).
Inflict 10% Light DEF Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)DEF is lowered for light DMG (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds.
Restore caster's HP (Healing cap: 2000).
(When below 25% HP: Activates twice.)
At level 90:
(When below 25% HP: Skill changes to Perforate.)
Perforate:
3-hit, 400% Light damage to a foe (Damage cap: ~700,000 per hit).
Inflict 10% ATK Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)ATK is lowered (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds, 10% DEF Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)DEF is lowered (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds, and 10% Light DEF Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)DEF is lowered for light DMG (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds.
Restore caster's HP (Healing cap: 4000).
Gain 10% UpliftedCharge bar is boosted on every turn
Strength: 10%Duration: 3 turns and Dispel Cancel (1 time)Effects that remove buffs will be nullified (1 time)
Duration: Indefinite. will eventually reach their cap in high HP setups common in Light parties due to Majesty from Luminiera Sword Omega and other weapons.
Generally more of an outlier in Light teams, where characters with Stamina-based effects, defensive buffs and/or healing skills are common, and options for an Enmity-based setup are rather limited.
His final uncap and associated improvements do a lot to mitigate his drawbacks, though at the same time it also doubles down on the low HP requirements.

How to Play

PuncturePuncture:
400% Light damage to a foe (Damage cap: ~630,000).
Inflict 10% Light DEF Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)DEF is lowered for light DMG (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds.
Restore caster's HP (Healing cap: 2000).
(When below 25% HP: Activates twice.)
At level 90:
(When below 25% HP: Skill changes to Perforate.)
Perforate:
3-hit, 400% Light damage to a foe (Damage cap: ~700,000 per hit).
Inflict 10% ATK Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)ATK is lowered (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds, 10% DEF Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)DEF is lowered (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds, and 10% Light DEF Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)DEF is lowered for light DMG (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds.
Restore caster's HP (Healing cap: 4000).
Gain 10% UpliftedCharge bar is boosted on every turn
Strength: 10%Duration: 3 turns and Dispel Cancel (1 time)Effects that remove buffs will be nullified (1 time)
Duration: Indefinite.: Use this skill first to get 10% Light DEF Down (Stackable / Max: 30%)DEF is lowered for light DMG (Stackable)
Strength: 10% (Max: 30%)Duration: 180 seconds; since you're at full HP (unless the enemy has an opening trigger), its heal doesn't matter. Afterwards, due to its auto-activations on charge attack, you don't need to use this skill unless you need its healing.
OnslaughtGain JammedATK is greatly boosted based on how low HP is
Strength: 30%-90%Duration: 8 turns, 50% Bonus Light DMGDeals bonus light DMG for one-foe one-ally attacks
Strength: 50%Duration: 1 turn , and Double StrikeAttacks twice each turn
Duration: 1 turn .
(Consumes 40% of max HP.): Use it whenever it comes off cooldown, unless you're going to charge attack that turn. Its 40% HP cost helps lower Gawain's HP, while Puncture activations will typically recover enough HP to reuse the skill by the time it comes off cooldown.
OvercomeGain Guaranteed TAGuaranteed triple attack regardless of Triple Attack Lowered debuffs
Duration: 2 turns and 50% / 50% Critical Hit Rate UpAttacks made with elemental superiority have a chance to deal boosted DMG
Strength: 50% chance of dealing 50% more damage.Duration: 2 turns.
(When below 25% HP: Also gain Shield (3000)Next ATK received will be ineffective for a fixed amount
Strength: 3000Duration: Indefinite and Unchallenged (2 times)Next DMG received will be ineffective
Duration: Indefinite.): Ideally used with Onslaught to make the most of 50% Bonus Light DMGDeals bonus light DMG for one-foe one-ally attacks
Strength: 50% and Double StrikeAttacks twice each turn
. This combination is particularly effective when Gawain is under 25% HP, as he will also gain an additional Bonus Light DMG effect (or other benefits at level 95) from Freed of Restraint25% hit to charge bar gain.
AmplifySeraphic multiplier normal attack damage by 10%.
When below 25% HP: 20% Bonus Light DMG effect.
At level 95:
20% Bonus Light DMG effect no longer requires being below 25% HP.
When below 25% HP:
Effect increased to 20% amplified normal attack damage, 40% Bonus Light DMG effect, and debuff immunity..

Synergy

Characters

Jeanne d'Arc (Grand): Partywide Guaranteed TAGuaranteed triple attack regardless of Triple Attack Lowered debuffs
Duration: 1 turn makes up for the 5-turn downtime on OvercomeGain Guaranteed TAGuaranteed triple attack regardless of Triple Attack Lowered debuffs
Duration: 2 turns and 50% / 50% Critical Hit Rate UpAttacks made with elemental superiority have a chance to deal boosted DMG
Strength: 50% chance of dealing 50% more damage.Duration: 2 turns.
(When below 25% HP: Also gain Shield (3000)Next ATK received will be ineffective for a fixed amount
Strength: 3000Duration: Indefinite and Unchallenged (2 times)Next DMG received will be ineffective
Duration: Indefinite.). Robe de la Pucelle1-turn cut to skill standby and cooldown for Eternal Divinity upon triple attack.
10% Bonus Light DMG effect to Light allies' triple attacks.'s Bonus Light DMG effect on TA works with Gawain's Bonus Light DMG effects, greatly increasing his damage output. Furthermore, Divine SentenceDMG taken is supplemented (Can't be removed)
Local status effect's Supplemental Damage activates for each Bonus DMG effect, further boosting his damage.
Noa (Grand): Noa's partywide 30% Charge Bar Gain UpCharge bar gain is boosted
Strength: 30% and 30% DA UpDouble attack rate is boosted
Strength: 30% helps mitigate Gawain's lower charge bar gain and boosts his double attack rate while OvercomeGain Guaranteed TAGuaranteed triple attack regardless of Triple Attack Lowered debuffs
Duration: 2 turns and 50% / 50% Critical Hit Rate UpAttacks made with elemental superiority have a chance to deal boosted DMG
Strength: 50% chance of dealing 50% more damage.Duration: 2 turns.
(When below 25% HP: Also gain Shield (3000)Next ATK received will be ineffective for a fixed amount
Strength: 3000Duration: Indefinite and Unchallenged (2 times)Next DMG received will be ineffective
Duration: Indefinite.) is on cooldown. If Gawain needs to recover his HP in a bind, Noa can grant Instant ChargeInstantly sets Charge Bar to 100%
Unaffected by Charge Bar Gain status effects.
No effect when afflicted with Shorted debuffs or when Charge Bar is above 100%. to let him auto-activate Puncture.
Vira (Grand): Besides being another source of Guaranteed TAGuaranteed triple attack regardless of Triple Attack Lowered debuffs
Duration: 1 turn , her Aegis MergeAegis Merge is active (Ends when there are no Bits or after 3 turns / Can't be removed / Can't be extended)
keeps him safe from most harm while he fights at low HP.
Geisenborger: One of the most notable other Light characters that also works well for Enmity setups, while also keeping Gawain safe.
Other characters that draw attacks to them, such as Kumbhira, are also very useful for similar reasons.