PA Customization#
Deep-diving on Slayers Tech Arts Customizations.
Reading Tables#
Here is an explanation of the following tables
Important
DPS values are rounded in calculations.
Potency and DPS values of PAs include RB, RBR and Class specific Critical Hit Rate multipliers.
Focus multiplier against bosses is 5 and is included in the Focus per second calculation
Rage multiplier against bosses is 3 and is included in the Rage per second calculation
More accurate and up-to-date information can be found in Frame Data.
Variation |
Potency |
Time (s) |
PP Cost |
Focus |
Rage |
Focus/s |
Rage/s |
F0 DPS |
F5 DPS |
OD DPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Actions of the Sequence |
Potency of the sequence |
Time of the sequence in seconds |
Gunblade Focus generated by the sequence |
Unleashed Rage generated by the sequence |
Gunblade Focus generated by the sequence per second |
Unleashed Rage generated by the sequence per second |
DPS at Gunblade Focus Level 0 |
DPS at Gunblade Focus Level 5 |
DPS at Gunblade Focus Overdrive |
Waving Rigel#
With the patch from 12/06/2023, the ability to customize Photon Arts and Techniques was added, along with the ability to customize the PA Waving Rigel.
The game provides us with the following options for our first customizable PA:
Customization 1 (Recommended)#
Increases Gauge Generation by 50%, increases PP cost by 20/17/14/12/10/9/8/7/6/5% depending on the level
Option 1 seems very risk-free as it only increases PP cost per use of Waving Rigel by 0.9 PP at the highest level of Customization. This option also applies to both the Stay and Move Arts version of the PA.
However, Slayer does not struggle with Gunblade Focus generation while fighting bosses. So this option is rather nice to have than a must-have, but the value of this option increases for mobbing scenarios.
Customization 2#
Increases attack range and upward movement for mWR, increases PP Cost by 15/12/9/7/5/4/3/2/1/0% depending on the level
Option 2 might have some use for mobbing but other than that, I would highly advise against it. This option will make it way harder to chain mWR together and could cause some of the PA to miss and decrease DPS of using sWR right after due to the additional time spent traveling.
Customization 3#
Shockwave activates 3 times and potency is decreased by 65% when using sWR, PP Cost increased by 30/26/22/18/15/14/13/12/11/10% depending on the level
Option 3 changes sWR to spawn 3 shock waves over time, each with 45.5 potency. This results in a total potency increase of 6.5 potency.
The first shockwave occurs at 0.05 seconds just like the regular version and then 0.5 seconds for every next shockwave. (0.05s > 0.55s > 1.05s)
These lingering shock waves can not be overlapped which means that using this version of sWR again before these hit timings have passed will cancel the remaining shock waves.
All that being said, this option could be useful when not planning on repeatedly using sWR e.g. using PB, ODF, UR or Step Counter WA right after.
Keep in mind that another risk is that those shock waves can miss entirely or miss weak points. When one of those shock waves misses the weak point then the DPS already breaks even with the regular version. Option 3 is still gonna have slightly higher Focus, Rage, PB and Down accumulation.
This option is gonna excel at minor optimization levels in specific fights.
Warning
The DPS showcased for Custom 3 sWR in the following table is not accurate or could be referred to as fake DPS since the remaining two shock-waves happen after the 0.43 seconds have already passed!
Reaping Regulus#
With the patch from 10/04/2024, the ability to customize the PA Reaping Regulus was added.
Customization 1#
Increases attack range by 50% and increases PP Cost by 20/17/14/12/10/9/8/7/6/5% depending on the level
Option 1 is pretty straightforward and brings utility for mobbing scenarios.
Customization 2#
Increases attack speed, reduces potency by 16% and increases PP Cost by 20/17/14/12/10/9/8/7/6/5% depending on the level
Option 2 results in a slight increase in performance.
Customization 3 (Recommended)#
Adds the ability to use Charged Blade after using the PA and increases PP Cost by 20/17/14/12/10/9/8/7/6/5% depending on the level
Option 3 seems to take the cake without any downsides this time. It grants utility in the form of a more accessible gap close but also provides DPS numbers similar to sFS12 when chained into Weapon Action Stage 2 and 3.
Chaining into Weapon Action Stage 2 and 3 will also make this a PP-neutral or even PP-positive option.
Charged Blade becomes available 0.13 seconds after the PA has finished.
Since Charged Blade is treated as Weapon Action Stage 1 you will also be able to counter with it which makes it pretty safe to execute.
You will want to use the variation chaining into the Weapon Action during down phases in which you are not able to fit sFS12>WA123 or during active phases whenever possible.
Warning
Timing Charged Blade correctly is important for the performance of this option, keep in mind that if the input was made too early you won’t be able to access Charged Blade anymore. The following table assumes 0.05 seconds of input delay.
More accurate and up-to-date information can be found in Frame Data.
Shifting Spica#
With the patch from 12/4/2024, the ability to customize the PA Shifting Spica was added.
Customization 1#
Potency of Slug Shot fired immediately after +7%, adds Unleashed Rage charge effect to that attack and increases PP Cost by 20/17/14/12/10/9/8/7/6/5% depending on the level
Option 1 is a decent buff to Slug Shot considering it can now build Unleashed Rage.
Customization 2 (Recommended)#
Increases attack speed for mSS, reduces potency by 11% and increases PP Cost by 20/17/14/12/10/9/8/7/6/5% depending on the level
Option 2 results in a slight increase in performance and utility in form of quicker gap closing.
Customization 3#
Option 3 can come in handy for some situations but it also gets rid of the biggest advantage that the PA brings to the table: precision.