UID: 17601070 [SEA]

Hello captains! Excelsior07 is here and in this article, I would like to do a review about the new valkyrie (probably a character captains have waited for a long time to be playable) in version 6.1, Li Sushang (Jade Knight).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. GAMEPLAY MECHANICS

3. NOTABLE RANKS AND SKILLS

4. EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATION

5. LINEUP RECOMMENDATION

6. HOW TO GET

7. CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION

(Li Sushang "Jade Knight" illustration)

Li Sushang is a character that was first introduced in Seven Swords visual novel, while in game she was first shown as the artwork of Shattered Sword M piece and then she appeared in Thus Spoke Apocalypse arc (chapter 26-28). Sushang was appointed by former Overseer of Schicksal, Otto Apocalypse, as the 3rd S-rank valkyrie of Schicksal, just the same like Durandal and Rita Rossweisse.

In version 6.1, Sushang becomes a playable valkyrie, wearing the battlesuit Jade Knight (JK) which is a S-rank PSY type battlesuit dealing Ice DMG. Sushang is a sub-DPS support valkyrie and categorized as fist type valkyrie, but in the actual battle she uses swords to deal with enemies. She can use the sword to deal both melee and ranged ATKs.

GAMEPLAY MECHANICS

(Sushang's entry animation)

(Sushang's idle animation)

Like I said before, despite being categorized as fist type valkyrie, Sushang uses swords to deal with enemies. Her basic ATK consists of 4 sequence ATKs in which the 1st and 4th sequences are different depends on which b-utton captains tap. When tapping ATK during 1st and 4th sequences, Sushang deals a melee sword slash. When tapping ultimate during 1st and 4th sequences, she deals ranged sword attack instead. Therefore, Sushang can be considered as a hybrid melee-ranged valkyrie, although she mostly deals ranged ATK and captains will know why soon enough.

(Sushang's basic ATK. Tap ATK during 1st and 4th sequences to cast melee sword slash)

(Sushang's basic ATK. Tap ultimate during 1st and 4th sequences to cast ranged sword attack)

(Captains can mix Sushang's ATK type. For example, tap ATK during 1st sequence for melee ATK and tap ultimate during 4th sequence for ranged ATK)

After the 4th sequence, if captains tap different b-utton, she will connect to 3rd sequence. For example, if Sushang casts 4th sequence by tapping ultimate, tapping ATK afterward allows her to connect to 3rd sequence, and vice versa. It makes Sushang’s basic ATK more effective since she doesn’t need to start over from the 1st sequence.

(The example of Sushang connecting to 3rd sequence after the 4th sequence)

Sushang is a valkyrie that deals combo ATK. She has Blade Sanction kinetic bar which is filled when she hits the enemy with basic ATK. When the kinetic is full, captains can hold ATK to make Sushang casts Wild Swords combo. Sushang enters Sword Array mode and gathers nearby enemies after casting said combo.

Sword Array mode is the essential mechanism for Sushang since she will mostly rely on this mode all the time. In Sword Array mode, Sushang summons a lot of swords on the field and she will be standing on top of one of those swords. Blade Sanction kinetic will be consumed over time as well as when Sushang attacks the enemies while in Sword Array mode. Sword Array mode will be over when Sushang runs out of Blade Sanction kinetic.

(Sushang casts WIld Swords combo when Blade Sanction is full, allowing her to enter Sword Array mode)

Sushang’s attacks during Sword Array mode are all considered as combo ATKs. Tap ATK to cast Cloud Cutter combo where Sushang can repeatedly shoot the enemy with swords while standing still on the sword. Tap evade to move Sushang from one sword to another.

(Tap ATK repeatedly to cast Cloud Cutter combo)

(Tapping evade allows Sushang to move to the other sword)

Tap ultimate to cast Bolt Slash combo where Sushang will use the swords beneath her to shoot enemies while moving to the other sword. After casting Bolt Slash combo three times, tap ATK to cast Back Wind Slash combo. Sushang will summon swords from above the enemies and then attack them. If Sushang is wielding her signature weapon, Nocturnal Stealth, she can immediately cast Back Wind Slash combo after casting active skill in Sword Array mode.

(Tap ultimate to cast Bolt Slash combo. After casting it three times, Sushang can connect to Back Wind Slash combo by tapping ATK)

(Cast Nocturnal Stealth active skill during Sword Array mode to immediately connect to Back Wind Slash)

If captains hold ATK, Sushang casts Heart Piercer combo where she uses all the swords on the field to fly and shoot the enemies with the flying swords. Casting Heart Piercer combo can trigger Time Fracture for 3s. It also consumes all Blade Sanction kinetic and ends Sword Array mode. While Sushang is casting Heart Piercer combo, captains can switch to other valkyries. This is the same mechanism like Carole’s ultimate where captains can also switch to other valkyries while Carole is casting her ultimate.

(Hold ATK to cast Heart Piercer, immediately ending the Sword Array mode)

(Captains can switch to other valkyrie while Sushang is casting Heart Piercer)

Sushang’s ultimate evasion skill has 2 charges. When it is triggered, Sushang will heal HP and recover Blade Sanction if she is not in Sword Array mode. She will also shoot swords to attack the enemy. Her ultimate evasion skill doesn’t trigger Time Fracture. After triggering ultimate evasion, she can immediately connect to 4th sequence of basic ATK. When Sushang is attacked during Sword Array mode, if she still has ultimate evasion skill charges, she can automatically trigger her ultimate evasion skill and move to the other sword.

(Sushang's ultimate evasion skill. Can connect to 4th sequence of basic ATK)

(When Sushang is attacked during Sword Array mode, auto trigger ultimate evasion skill and move her to the other sword)

Sushang's QTE is triggered by ultimate or when teammate hits the enemy with charged / combo ATK. When Sushang enters the field by QTE, she can trigger Time Fracture for 3s and reduce switch CD of preceding valkyrie by 4s. Triggering Sushang’s QTE also allows her to immediately cast Wild Swords combo to enter Sword Array mode.

(Sushang switches in by QTE. This is the example of trigger her QTE by hitting enemy with charged ATK)

Last but not least, holding ultimate will make Sushang casts her ultimate. Sushang uses Edge of Taixuan to cast Blade Eminence, a gigantic sword from the sky and drop it to the enemy, dealing huge amount of Ice DMG. As a newer S-rank, Sushang’s ultimate stops all timers.

(Sushang's ultimate summons a gigantic sword. All timers are stopped during the animation)

NOTABLE RANKS AND SKILLS

Generally, Sushang is ready to support your ice team at S0. However, as a farmable valkyrie, she will be a better support as she ranks up. Below are the notable ranks and skills of Sushang that are important for captains to remember: 

Forge Blades:

Back Wind Slash combo can also be triggered when Sushang is off field (CD 5s). To trigger it, teammate has to cast weapon active skill or hit the enemy with charged / combo ATK. The off field Back Wind Slash can apply buffs such as Turgenev’s Hunter Mark and Cezanne B which needs to be triggered by combo. However, off field Back Wind Slash can't recover SP for Sushang. In other words, any SP recovery effect in the other skill that is related to Back Wind Slash can only be triggered if Sushang manually casts the combo.

(Forge Blades skill description)

(Sushang's off field Back Wind Slash. This is the example of triggering off field Back Wind Slash by casting weapon active skill)

Expand Shadow:

If Sushang’s initial SP is below 120, increase her initial SP to 120. This skill can only be triggered once in a battle and once every 10 minutes in Open World. It's kind of similar with Eden’s skill where she continuously recovers SP per second if she’s off field and her current SP is below 100. The only difference is Sushang's skill can only be triggered once in a battle. It’s a truly important skill that allows Sushang to access ultimate faster, especially in Memorial Arena that has no starting SP like in Abyss.

(Expand Shadow skill description)

Ceaseless:

Sushang’s ultimate provides 14% Elemental Breach to Ice DMG dealers for 18s. This skill specifically mentions that only the Ice DMG dealers get the Elemental Breach status, unlike the Elemental Breach from Azure Empyrea which applies to all elements.

(Ceaseless skill description)

Attain Taixuan:

Back Wind Slash combo restores 20 SP for Sushang and provides 40% Ice DMG buff for team non burst ranged ATK for 10s. The Ice DMG buff only applies to non burst ranged ATK, which means it benefits Herrscher of Human: Ego in Human form, Silverwing: N-EX who doesn’t have burst mode, or Herrscher of Reason's charged ATK and active skill outside Bike Mode.

(Attain Taixuan skill description)

Edgeless:

Sushang is able to consume additional SP when she casts her ultimate. For every additional SP consumed (max 25 SP), she deals (number of additional SP consumed) x 10% ATK of Ice DMG and team gets (number of additional SP consumed) x 1% Ice DMG for 18s. In short, Sushang can spend 175 SP at most to cast her ultimate and team gets 25% Ice DMG buff. This skill is actually useful for HoH because she has a skill that records teammates’ SP consumption and convert it into Total DMG buff in Origin form (max 300 SP in total). With Sushang spending 150+25 SP and Pardofelis spending 125 SP, HoH can reach max DMG buff from said skill. This skill can be turned off, so in case captains need to save Sushang's SP then captains have the option turn it off in exchange of less Ice DMG buff.

(Edgeless skill description)

(HoH skill, Original Pristinity, gets benefit from Sushang's Edgeless skill)

Ceaseless:

Elemental Breach for Ice DMG dealers from Sushang’s ultimate is increased from 14% to 17%. 3% increase in Elemental Breach is big enough. For comparison, S0 AE has 14% Elemental Breach and increased to 16% at S2 rank. I think it is kind of fair to place the Elemental Breach upgrade at SS0 rank, considering Sushang is introduced as a farmable valkyrie while AE is still a gacha only valkyrie until today.

Boundless:

Sushang’s ultimate deals 100% more Ice DMG and 200% more DMG to shield. Additionally, casting ultimate grants 25% shield break DMG bonus to the team for 18s. This skill shows Sushang’s true capability: breaking enemies’ shield. Very useful against enemy with elemental shield like Yae Kasumi, HoV in abyss, and SSS Huodou in Memorial Arena.

(Boundless skill description)

Sound Arms:

While casting Back Wind Slash combo, casts 3 additional swords to deal DMG twice as many times and restores 5 SP. Aside from herself dealing more DMG, Sushang’s SP recovery is also improved with this skill.

(Sound Arms skill description)

Hone Oneself:

Team deals 10% more Ice DMG for 18s after Sushang casts Wild Swords or Heart Piercer combos. This is a new skill that grants another buff for the team. Additional 10% Ice DMG buff is always good to have, it makes captains' ice team become stronger.

(Hone Oneself skill description)

Attain Taixuan:

Team non burst ranged ATK Ice DMG buff from Back Wind Slash combo is increased from 40% to 50%. Another 10% Ice DMG buff upgrade for the ice team. Once again, this skill specifically buffs non burst ranged ATK, so burst and melee ATK won’t get benefit from this skill.

Hone Oneself:

Team Ice DMG buff from Wild Swords or Heart Piercer is increased from 10% to 20%. Again, another nice 10% Ice DMG buff upgrade.

Subdue Armies:

Every hit of Heart Piercer combo deals 2 additional DMG against shield that takes fixed DMG. This new skill is basically a hit count shield shredder. It’s just like Griseo’s skill that allows her bleeding to deal additional DMG against hit count shield. This skill is useful against against enemies like Herrscher of Sentience and hitcount version of Husk Nihilus. In my opinion, this skill is too expensive to be placed at SSS rank considering it’s not a new skill that increases either Sushang’s own DMG or team DMG.

(Subdue Armies skill description)

EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATION

WEAPON

(Sushang's signature weapon, Nocturnal Stealth)

(PRI-ARM version of Sushang's signature weapon, Nocturnal Stealth: Beam)

Sushang’s signature weapon is the fist type weapon, Nocturnal Stealth. It gives high SP recovery exclusive to Sushang and boosts team Ice DMG. The weapon also allows a smoother rotation where Sushang can immediately cast Back Wind Slash combo after casting active skill in Sword Array mode. Nocturnal Stealth also has PRI-ARM form, named Nocturnal Stealth: Beam. It provides the same effects like the normal one, but in addition it also has higher ATK stats, which means more DMG for Sushang, and Total DMG buff for the team.

Captains can read my article about Nocturnal Stealth here:

[6.1 BETA] Nocturnal Stealth and Nocturnal Stealth: Beam Quick Review

(Cosmic Duality can be used as alternative weapon)

Sushang actually needs her signature weapon, but if captains are unlucky to get it, captains can use Cosmic Duality as alternative. It also provides SP recovery, albeit lower. Cosmic Duality has team Total DMG buff but it is restricted by “Fu Hua equip bonus” which means Sushang can’t activate said buff.

STIGMATA

(Sushang's signature stigmata, Li Sushang: Shenzhou Reminiscence)

Sushang also has signature stigmata named Eternal Moon set, Li Sushang: Shenzhou Reminiscence. B piece is the core piece of Shenzhou set because it gives huge team Ice DMG buff by spending 120 or 150 SP. 2-pieces effect grants the Ice DMG taken debuff when the effect from B piece is active. Not only that, Sushang can bypass the 150 SP requirement from B piece by simply switching in by QTE. Awesome!

Captains need at least Shenzhou TB or MB to make it usable. T and B are the best 2-pieces combination because T gives team Ice DMG buff while M only gives self Total DMG taken reduction and boost self Ice DMG. As always, full set is more preferred because it further enhances Ice taken debuff from 2-pieces as well as boosting team shield break ability.

Captains can read my article about Shenzhou set here:

[6.1 BETA] Eternal Moon Set - Li Sushang: Shenzhou Reminiscence Quick Review

(Various alternative stigmata sets. Turgenev TB Mei: Beach Party M is highly recommended among them)

If captains don’t have Shenzhou set, captains can use alternative sets. The most recommended alternative set for captains to use is Turgenev TB Mei: Beach Party M. Sushang can apply Hunter Mark via her off field Back Wind Slash and her high hit count can extend the duration of Hunter Mark.

LINEUP RECOMMENDATION

(Sushang is generally best paired with Pardofelis to support the ice team)

(The example of the new ice lineup consisting of main DPS, Sushang, and Pardofelis)

Sushang will be present as supporting valkyrie in any ice team. She can support any ice DPS valkyrie like the newest Herrscher of Human: Ego. Sushang will be Pardofelis (Reverist Calico) new best friend to support the ice team. Sushang specializes in dealing high hit count as well as applying Ice DMG buff, Elemental Breach, and team shield break buff. While Pardofelis acts as SP battery and Rime Trauma specialist. She also provides both Total DMG buff to the team and Total DMG taken debuff to the enemy. Both of them contribute on dealing some DMG to the enemy as well.

(Just like what she said in one of her ultimate line, "Time to say goodbye"... or maybe not?)

Sushang is projected to replace Haxxor Bunny (HB), but that’s not always the case. In some occasions, Sushang can even be paired with HB to support the ice team. For example, if captains want to bring Starchasm Nyx in QUA weather, she will be supported by Sushang and HB because Nyx needs to time her burst mode with HB ultimate in order to spam charged ATK as many as she can (assuming HB is using Crusher Bunny 19C which has high hit count). Another example would be Saha Assaka in which Pardofelis is kind of disadvantaged since it has high freeze resistance (captains can actually bring Pardofelis and Saha Assaka can still be frozen but she needs to fill more Rime Trauma).

(When in doubt, just use all of them~)

(Support Impact 3, ice team version)

Sushang isn't just an ordinary support. She is also considered as sub-DPS since she actually can deal considerable amount of DMG and it can be higher as she ranks up. Therefore, it is possible to run triple support team consisting of Sushang, Pardofelis, and HB.

(Supporting ELF options for the ice team)

For the ELF, captains can use either Elf Elysia or Water’s Edge. Both of them gather enemy and boosts team Ice DMG, although Elf Elysia is newer and better with her ability to reset valkyrie switch CD. As always, ELFs are the last priority for captains' team, so prioritize building the valkyries before going for an ELF.

HOW TO GET

Captains can obtain Sushang by buying her character card in War Treasury. As a newly released valkyrie, Sushang has a discounted price which lasts for 3 versions. With the said discount, Sushang’s character card costs 480 Ancient Willpower and 480 Ancient Legacy. After the discount is over, Sushang’s character card will cost 640 Ancient Willpower and 640 Ancient Legacy. Captains can also buy Sushang’s fragments every week. 4 fragments can be bought per week when Sushang’s rank is below SS0, and 2 additional fragments will be added after Sushang ranks up to SS0. One fragment costs 8 Ancient Willpower and 8 Ancient Legacy.

(Sushang's fragments in War Treasury)

In addition, captains can also pull Sushang from expansion supply. One pull costs 280 crystals and captains are guaranteed to get Sushang within 100 pulls. Sushang’s signature gears, Nocturnal Stealth and Shenzhou set will also make their debut in focused supply. As usual, each piece has 50 pulls guarantee. In version 6.1, Sushang’s gears debut has a special offer where captains can pull 10 times in that supply for free. This is a good deal, so make sure captains don’t miss it!

CONCLUSION

Sushang’s arrival elevates the already balanced ice team to another level. Captains can call her as HoS / AE / FR version of ice, whatever captains prefer. The point is Sushang not only gives important and big buffs to the team, but she can also help the team to deal DMG by herself as sub-DPS. Captains can even consider using Sushang on triple support team along with Pardofelis and HB. Of course, she is just a sub-DPS support valkyrie, so she won’t even dethrone the newly released HoH. Not to mention Sushang is more viable as alternative “DPS” at higher rank. Otherwise, she is more used as support.

“Should I pull her or not?”

No, and that’s because Sushang is farmable. Well, it definitely takes time and it's not a short one but eventually everyone has the chance to rank Sushang up to SS or higher. However, if captains really want to pull because captains need her to be ranked up as soon as possible for competitive purpose or captains just love Sushang so much that captains are willing to give your everything, then it’s up to captains to decide. Sushang's signature gears are more important to pull though. Make sure captains grab at least her signature weapon, if captains can grab all of her gears then it's a lot better. Otherwise, captains can rely on alternatives which are definitely not stronger than the signature but still usable.

(Sushang's winning pose. Look at how cheerful she is)

Okay captains, we’ve reached the end of my review about Li Sushang "Jade Knight." Hopefully my article could make captains better understand about the new valkyrie and captains can decide whether captains should get her equipment or not (yup no need to pull Sushang since she is farmable). I do apologize if there is any information that I missed to include here. Have fun farming Sushang and good luck to every captains who want to her signature equipments! Excelsior07 is out and have a nice day, captains!