- Companion Protocol: Two unique states that enhance Himeko's abilities
- Verdict Protocol: Single-target focused damage with 100% damage boost
- Decimation Protocol: Multi-target focused with 100% crit damage boost
- Assist Skills: Extra abilities that can be granted to allies for damage and energy
- Team Synergy: Requires at least one Trailblaze companion character
Understanding Companion Protocol
Companion Protocol is Himeko Nova's signature mechanic, introducing new gameplay dynamics that enhance both her performance and team synergy. This mechanic consists of two distinct protocols that can be activated based on which Trailblaze companion character uses Himeko's assist skill.
Only specific Trailblaze companions can activate each protocol. Verdict requires Trailblazer, any Dan Heng, or Sunday. Decimation requires March 7th, Evernight, Welt, or Standard Himeko.
Video Highlights:
- Protocol mechanics explained in detail
- How to maximize damage with assist skills
- Team composition strategies for both protocols
- Energy management techniques
- Eidolon benefits and priorities
| Protocol Type | Activation Requirements | Primary Benefit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Trailblazer, Dan Heng variants, Sunday | 100% damage increase to Himeko | Single-target fights |
| Decimation | March 7th, Evernight, Welt, Standard Himeko | 100% crit damage increase to all allies | Multi-target fights |
Companion Protocol: Verdict
When Trailblazer, any Dan Heng variant, or Sunday use Himeko's assist skill, she enters the Companion Protocol: Verdict state, which significantly enhances her damage output.
- Increases Himeko's damage dealt by 100%
- Additionally increases her ultimate damage
- Triggers extra assist skills when teammates use their ultimates twice
- Maximum of 2 extra assist skills per battle
- Can reset count by using Himeko's ultimate
Mechanics Details:
| Effect | Description | Max Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Damage Boost | All damage dealt by Himeko Nova is increased by 100% | Permanent in state |
| Ultimate Boost | Enhanced damage for orbital annihilation pulse | Permanent in state |
| Ultimate Trigger | After allies use ultimates twice, Himeko launches an assist skill | 2 times per battle |
| Count Reset | Using Himeko's ultimate resets extra assist skill count | Once per ultimate |
Build Recommendation for Verdict:
- Relics: As Navigator Sees It (for skill and ultimate damage)
- Planar Options: Fallen Star set or Wondrous Bananaamusent Park
- Main Stats: Crit rate body (aim for 100% in battle)
- Light Cones: Into the Unreachable Veil or Night on the Milky Way
- Sub-stats: Crit rate/CDMG, ATK%, SPD
Companion Protocol: Decimation
When March 7th, Evernight, Welt, or Standard Himeko use Himeko's assist skill, she enters the Companion Protocol: Decimation state, which benefits the entire team.
- Increases all allies' crit damage by 100%
- Additionally increases crit damage dealt by skills by 100%
- Gains 1 charge for each enemy target hit by allies
- Launches assist skill automatically at 9 charges
- Maximum of 2 extra assist skills per battle
- Can reset count by using Himeko's ultimate
Energy Management System:
| Charge | Effect | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| 1-8 charges | Gains 1 charge per enemy hit | 8 charges |
| 9+ charges | Consumes all charges, launches assist skill | No cap |
| Source Energy | Additional effect with 6+ source energy | 6 cap |
| Protocol Advantage | Team Impact | Best Team Composition |
|---|---|---|
| Crit Damage Boost | Benefits all damage dealers | Multiple high-DPS characters |
| Skill Crit Boost | Enhanced skill damage | Skill-focused builds |
| Energy Generation | Faster ultimate usage | Energy-dependent teams |
| Multi-target Focus | Efficient against groups | Clearing scenarios |
Team Synergies and Compositions
Building an effective team around Himeko Nova requires careful consideration of which protocol you want to utilize and how to maximize the benefits of her assist skills.
Every Himeko Nova team must include at least one Trailblaze companion character to activate either Companion Protocol: Verdict or Decimation.
Recommended Teams for Verdict Protocol:
| Team Member | Role | Synergy Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Heng Pt | Sustain | Provides verdict protocol, healing, and ultimate damage buff |
| Sunday | Support | Crit rate, crit damage, energy, and action advance |
| Sparkle | Support | 50% action advance, crit damage, and vulnerability application |
| Tribbie | Damage | Follow-up attacks generate charges for extra assist skills |
| Mortenax Blade | Damage | Synergy with Dan Heng for ultimate damage |
Recommended Teams for Decimation Protocol:
| Team Member | Role | Synergy Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Welt | Support/Decimation Source | Decimation protocol, enemy debuffs, and damage delay |
| March 7th | Support/Decimation Source | Decimation protocol and team protection |
| Evernight | Support/Decimation Source | Decimation protocol and damage application |
| Tribbie | Damage | Frequent follow-up attacks for charge generation |
| Cerydra | Support | Double assist skills for energy and damage |
| Team Type | Strengths | Weaknesses | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verdict Team | Single-target damage, high burst | Limited multi-target capability | Boss fights, challenging single targets |
| Decimation Team | Multi-target damage, team-wide crit | Lower single-target focus | Clearing scenarios, multiple enemies |
| Balanced Team | Versatile performance | May not excel in either scenario | General content, exploration |
Eidolon and Build Optimization
Himeko Nova's Eidolons significantly enhance her capabilities, particularly in increasing the frequency and effectiveness of her assist skills and improving her damage output.
If you can only invest in one Eidolon, E2 provides the best overall improvement to damage output and assist skill frequency. If limited to between E1 and Signature, choose Signature.
Eidolon Effects:
| Eidolon Level | Effect | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| E1 | +1 extra assist skill use from protocols, reduced ultimate requirement for verdict | High |
| E2 | +1 assist skill use, non-Trailblaze companions get extra turn after assist, damage boost | Highest |
| E4 | 20% all-type resistance pen to all allies, +10% to Himeko | Medium |
| E6 | +20% resistance pen, increased source energy cap, damage effects | High |
Recommended Relic Sets:
| Relic Set | Effect | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| As Navigator Sees It | +12% ATK, skill and ultimate damage stacks | Primary choice for most builds |
| Genius of Brilliant Stars | Defense ignore and quantum weakness damage | Against quantum enemies |
| Wavestrider Captain | Energy regeneration and damage | Energy-dependent teams |
| Scholar Lost in Erudition | Skill damage and effect chance | Skill-focused builds |
| Stat Priority | Recommended Values | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crit Rate | 100% in battle | Essential for damage consistency |
| Crit DMG | 130%+ before combat | Higher values improve overall damage |
| ATK | 3500+ | Consistent damage contribution |
| SPD | Base 134, or 115 with Cerydra | Depends on team composition |
Advanced Strategies and Tips
Mastering Himeko Nova requires understanding how to effectively manage her assist skills, protocols, and energy generation to maximize her damage potential and team contribution.
You can only have one protocol active at a time. Switching companions will change the protocol, resetting any accumulated benefits.
Optimal Skill Usage:
| Skill Phase | Action | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Combat Start | Himeko's technique auto-uses skill | Recovers all assist skills |
| During Navigation Buff | Use skill to reset assist skills | Maintains assist availability |
| After Navigation Buff Expires | Use skill to refresh buff | Continues damage buff effect |
Energy Management Techniques:
Maximize Source Energy
Hold 3 source energy during Himeko's ultimate for maximum damage output from orbital annihilation pulse
Prioritize Ultimate Usage
Use ultimate when at or near 3 source energy to benefit from both beams
Reset Extra Assist Skills
Use ultimate to reset the count of extra assist skills from protocols
Generate Energy Assist
Launch assist skills to generate additional source energy during ultimate
Protocol Selection Strategy:
| Scenario | Recommended Protocol | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Single Target Boss | Verdict | 100% damage increase to Himeko |
| Multiple Targets | Decimation | 100% crit damage to all allies |
| High Crit DMG Team | Decimation | Enhances all damage dealers |
| Low Energy Team | Decimation | Charge generation for energy |
| High Ultimate Frequency | Verdict | Extra assist skill triggers |
| Common Mistake | Correct Approach | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Using both protocols in same team | Choose one and build around it | Protocols are mutually exclusive |
| Neglecting energy management | Maintain optimal source energy levels | Crucial for ultimate damage |
| Ignoring assist skill timing | Use assist skills strategically | Balances damage and energy generation |
| Forgetting to refresh navigation buff | Use skill when buff expires | Maintains damage buff uptime |
FAQ
Q: Can I have both Companion Protocol: Verdict and Decimation active at the same time?
No, you can only have one protocol active at a time. Using an assist skill from a companion that triggers the other protocol will switch Himeko to that new protocol, replacing the current one.
Q: How many times can Himeko launch extra assist skills from protocols?
Normally, Himeko can launch up to 2 extra assist skills per battle from each protocol. Using her ultimate will reset this count, allowing for more assist skills throughout the encounter.
Q: Which Trailblaze companions should I use with Himeko Nova?
For Verdict protocol, use Trailblazer, Dan Heng variants, or Sunday. For Decimation protocol, use March 7th, Evernight, Welt, or Standard Himeko. Choose based on which protocol benefits your team composition more.
Q: What's the best Eidolon to invest in for Himeko Nova?
If you can only choose one, E2 provides the best overall improvement by increasing assist skill frequency and damage. If limited between E1 and Signature, choose Signature as it provides better damage scaling.
Q: Does Himeko Nova work well in sustain-less teams?
Yes, Himeko Nova can be effective in sustain-less teams when using Decimation protocol with Welt or Verdict protocol with damage-focused supports like Sparkle or Sunday, as she doesn't require traditional healing to function effectively.