🔥 Ace E6 Definitive Build Guide
Complete breakdown of Ace evolution levels, Astral trait synergy, DOT stacking mechanics, and the optimal "Upgrade 2 Sweet Spot" strategy.
TL;DR - Quick Build Summary
Best Setup:
- • E6 or E4 minimum
- • Astral trait (277 pity)
- • Master Ninja Hat equipment
- • Upgrade 2 sweet spot
Key Synergies:
- • Kapachi for +50% damage taken debuff
- • Miku for buff potency
- • Speedwagon for economy
- • Fortune card in VR for 6 Ace placements
Evolution Level Breakdown
Base Ace
Cost: Free- Full screen AoE attack
- Burn damage (60% of attack as DOT)
- Bypasses armor
- 3 placement limit
Usable but significantly weaker than evolved forms.
Evolved Ace
Cost: ~500 Gems + Materials- All E0 effects
- Extra burn damage to armored enemies
- Improved base stats
Good stopping point for mid-game. Armor burn is useful.
Ace Spade
Cost: ~1,500 Gems + Rare Materials✓ RECOMMENDED- All E2 effects
- +30% DOT damage multiplier (×1.3)
- Enhanced burn tick damage
Major power spike. DOT multiplier stacks with everything.
Ace of Spades
Cost: ~3,000+ Gems + Legendary Materials✓ RECOMMENDED- All E4 effects
- DOT coefficient: 60% → 100%
- Burn damage now equals full attack damage
- Maximum DPS potential unlocked
Best in slot for DOT builds. Required for Ragna/VR meta.
Astral Trait: Why It's Game-Changing
Astral Trait
+20% Affliction Duration, -20% Cooldown, +50% Range, DOT Stacking
⭐ Core Mechanic: DOT Stacking
Without Astral, each attack refreshes the burn duration. With Astral, each attack adds a new layer that stacks.
❌ Without Astral
Attack 1 → 1 stack → Attack 2 → Still 1 stack (refreshed)✓ With Astral
Attack 1 → 1 stack → Attack 2 → 2 stacks → ... → N stacksAcquisition
At 75 tickets/day, reaching 277 pity takes ~4 days of farming Featured Challenges.
The "Upgrade 2 Sweet Spot" Paradox
Best Upgrade Level: Upgrade 2
Cost: ~6,000 Gold | This seems counterintuitive, but it's mathematically optimal for Astral builds.
Why Not Upgrade Higher?
With Astral trait, the "Upgrade 2 Paradox" applies: Higher upgrades increase damage but decrease attack speed. With Astral's DOT stacking, attack speed is MORE valuable than damage. At Upgrade 2, you get good base damage with fast enough attack speed to build maximum stacks. Going higher (Upgrade 6+) actually REDUCES total DPS because slower attacks = fewer stacks.
Best Equipment & Relics
🥷 Equipment Priority
Master Ninja Hat
Every 5 hits: +20% DOT for 10s
Perfect synergy with fast attack speed
Master Ninja Coat
+10% Dark Fire, +5% Base Damage
Complete the set for extra stats
💎 Relic Priority
DOT Damage Relic
Direct multiplier on burn ticks
Damage Relic
Affects both direct and DOT damage
Cooldown Relic
Faster attacks = more DOT stacks with Astral
🎯 Trait Comparison
Astral
0.36% (Pity: 277)DOT stacking is game-changing. Each attack adds a new burn layer instead of refreshing.
Ruler
0.1%+100% damage, but One Placement limit. Good for burst, bad for sustained.
Wizard
2%+35% damage, +15% range. Easier to get, solid value.
📍 Where to Use Ace
✓ Best Modes
- • Ragna Raid — T0 main DPS with Astral
- • Virtual Realm — Fortune card = 6 Aces
- • Featured Challenge — Excels at sustained DPS
- • Infinite Mode — AoE clears waves easily
⚠️ Less Optimal
- • Story Mode — Overkill for most content
- • Short Fights — Needs time to build stacks
- • Solo Burst — Ruler Ace better for burst