Gray

One of my best pitybreakers is Gray. Got him from a banner long ago. I was pretty surprised that I got him on a banner where he’s not even a focus unit. His ivs is +def, -res. Not really bad for me cause he it does make him sturdy. This is how i’m gonna build Gray.
For his weapon I prefer his default zanbato. I like the bonus damage against cavalry. He can deal good amounts of damage when fighting cavalry units. And for refinement I prefer the anti cavalry refine. It will allow him to fight cavalry units while ignoring their buffs like fortify or hone buffs. Most notably hone cavalry and fortify cavalry buffs. Spur buffs are the only exception though.
For his assist skill his default swap is preferred to change places with an ally.
For his special bonfire is preferred since he has the defense to utilize it well.
For his A skill fury is preferred to give him a well rounded stat boost. Though at a cost of suffering 6 damage after combat. I used to hate this skill because I always thought the 6 damage is problematic, but now when I realize the benefits of fury’s stat boost and the fact that the 6 damage is barely a flaw makes me start liking fury now.
For the B skill swordbreaker is preferred to allow him do double sword units. This is especially useful against the infamous Ayra and Mia who are super fast. I know fury 3 and swordbreaker don’t go well together but I don’t think it ain’t bad sometimes.
For his C skill threaten spd is preferred to allow him to avoid getting doubled and to increase his chances of doubling foes. His default sword valor I only use during grinding for sp for other sword units I want to work on.
Overall I think Gray is a fun unit to have. Although his weapon may be niche I like it cause horse teams are sometimes common and this weapon does allow him to deal damage to them. And although I have many sword units that i’d use over him, he still has his uses.

[This build prefers a boon in HP or Def and a bane in Res.]

Gray becomes a speedy tank with this build, allowing him to duel melee threats and often take minimal damage, while striking back harder with Bonfire.

Weapon: Zanbato+ (+Def) is a good choice for Gray. Other weapons with Def refinements, such as Armorslayer+ or Slaying Edge+ are great as well, depending on what you plan to have Gray counter.

Assist: Reciprocal Aid lets Gray borrow HP from his allies to stay healthy in order to gain his Earth Boost bonus. Any movement skill like Reposition or his default Swap are acceptable alternatives.

Special: Bonfire or Ignis are great for Gray, since it can capitalize on his high Def to deal significant damage.

A Skill: Earth Boost 3 is a good budget option for Gray, since his HP is on the higher end, and the cavalry opponents he would usually be fighting against (using his Zanbato+) often won’t have enough HP to disable Earth Boost. Steady Stance or Steady Breath are somewhat more expensive but more reliable options.

B Skill: Renewal 3 is used here for the sake of healing up to trigger Earth Boost. However, Quick Riposte is an excellent option if Earth Boost isn’t being used.

C Skill: Atk Smoke 3 synergizes well with Gray, as it will allow him to tank stronger opponents who would run up to him.

Sacred Seal: Close Def 3 further boosts his defense against physical melee foes. An HP +5 or Def +3 seal can be used instead to improve his performance as well.

**PERFECT IVs**

W: ALT: Armorsmasher+ (+Def) | Slaying Edge+ (+Def)
Assist: ALT: Swap
Sp: ALT: Ignis | Bonfire
A: ALT: Fury 3
B: ALT: Quick Riposte 3
C: ALT: Threaten Atk 3 | Def Smoke 3 | Spur Def/Res 2
Seal: ALT: Close Def 3

The true MVP of Ram Village, Gray's base kit may be pretty bad, but since he's a Trainee type unit, his BST is insane. This build is basically if you took Nephenee, and traded some Defense for more Attack. Desperation is Budget, but if you want to, Wrath is for sure a viable option, giving you +20 to your 16 Bonfire damage. If wanted, defensive Refinery can be take as well for more Special damage and tanking, but is up to the Player's choice.

Weapon : Zanbato + (def) / Zanbato + (Cavalary) / Zanbato + (Atk) /Zanbato + (Spd)
Support : Swap
Special : Bonfire / Ignis
A : Fire Boost 3 / Earth Boos 3 / Steady Breath / Steady Stance 3
B : Vantage 3 / Quick Riposte 3
C : Infantry Pulse 3 or other things
S : Close Def 3 / Quick Riposte 3

I wanted to do a super defensive and strenght Gray build.

I prefer to play ZANBATO + (DEF) instead of the other to tank more and to do more damage with Bonfire. I prefer SWAP over Draw Back and the other, that permet Gray to repositioning him well and to easily take the front.

I prefer BONFIRE over Ignis for the cooldown of 3. BONFIRE will do great damage too with the 40 Defense of Gray.

57 HP is pretty hard too beat so FIRE BOOST will be pretty good that you defend or you attack. VANTAGE is always good and that will satifsfy you too kill the ennemy with your Gray that have 1 HP cause of VANTAGE. We use the great among of HP of our friend too use INFANTRY PULSE too help our allies. And for the last, I prefer to use the seal Close Def too be moaaaaaarrrrrrr tanky.
Final Stats (Without counting Fire Boost and Close Def) :
HP : 57
Atk : 58
Spd : 38
Def : 40
Res : 25

PS: Sorry for my bad(?) English, i'm french so excuse me and I hope you will like this build \^w^/ <3