Subaki

• Preferred IV: +ATK / -HP or -RES
• Weapon: Slaying Lance (+SPD) / Slaying Lance (+DEF)
• Assist: Reposition
• Special: Bonfire
• Passive A: Fury / Fortress Def / Spd Def Bond / Atk Def Bond
• Passive B: Chill Spd / Renewal / Swordbreaker
• Passive C: Threaten Def / Goad Fliers
• Sacred Seal: Atk + 3 / Spd +3 / Def + 3

Subaki’s rather interesting stat spread means that he can easily discard the Quick Riposte B slot that makes him somewhat infamous as a skill fodder unit.  His speed is high enough that, once invested in, he can reliably achieve doubles in Player Phase and deny doubles to his opponent during Enemy Phase- he is often capable of doubling in turn without needing Quick Riposte.

This set enhances his naturally-high stats (Spd and Def) to make up for his poor Attack, assuring doubles on his opponent where he will proc Bonfire to confirm a KO.

To accomplish this, he needs to equip a Slaying Lance and increase his speed enough to assure a double, which can be tricky on units such as Ayra, Mia, and Soleil. This can be done through his A slot and forges, but is particularly helped along with Chill Spd in his B slot, which reduces his fastest opponent’s Speed by 7. This allows Subaki to spend more of his build focusing on improving his poor Attack stat.  Finding the balance between Speed and Attack is key in ensuring his effectiveness on the battlefield.

Fury is generally taken because it boosts all of Subaki’s stats, which benefits him in particular due to wanting to increase Attack/Speed/Defense all at the same time to run this build.  The Bond skills are good alternatives that can increase his desired stats even further, however it’s not always feasible to coordinate an adjacent partner for Subaki when he’s attacking during Player Phase.  Fortress Defense is the last option, which increases Bonfire damage and tankiness during both phases at the price of reducing his already poor Attack value.

If not running Chill Spd, then Renewal or Swordbreaker can both work in his B slot. Renewal helps Subaki to heal off his Fury damage and maintain his tankiness throughout long skirmishes, whereas Swordbreaker allows him to more effectively shut down the fast swords in the meta.

His C slot is best suited for Threaten Defense, which helps him do more damage despite his low Attack stat. This can be replaced by emblem-appropriate buffs where necessary.

• Preferred IV: +ATK or +DEF / -HP or -RES
• Weapon: Slaying Lance (+DEF) / Sapphire Lance
• Assist: Reposition
• Special: Bonfire / Ignis
• Passive A: Atk Def Bond / Steady Stance
• Passive B: Quick Riposte / Renewal
• Passive C: Threaten Atk / Goad Fliers
• Sacred Seal: Close Defense / Def + 3 / Quick Riposte

This Subaki takes up some of his default kit and works during the Enemy Phase. In this particular build, we’re letting go of his Speed stat- it’s high enough to generally avoid doubles, and Quick Riposte negates the need for it to be high enough to double himself. In return, his Attack and Defense require serious attention, both to be a functional physical tank and to strike back with some kind of force.

Bonfire is still preferred as his special due to his ability to negate doubles because Ignis will only proc on his second attack if his opponent attacks him twice. While this is possible, particularly with units such as Ayra, Mia, and Slaying Sword Soleil (so if you’re using Subaki to counter them, you’ll want to spring for Ignis), it’s not as effective for general use.

Atk Def bond is a fantastic A slot for a defensive Subaki because it enhances his best stat and his stat in need of most enhancement. In addition, it is rather simple to set up an adjacent partner with flier teams, particularly for baiting units in the Enemy Phase. If it’s too much, Steady Stance is always a good fallback and will increase his Defense by a static +6 at all times.

With an Attack IV, this set brings Subaki’s Defense up to 50, which is generally enough to take 0 damage from red units and limited damage from blues, while also increasing his Bonfire proc to 25.

He keeps Quick Riposte here in order to maintain his ability to double in Enemy Phase, though he can pick up Renewal instead for more sustain- if this is the case, he may want to pick up Quick Riposte through his Seal slot instead.

For a cheaper build, you can feel free to leave him with his default Sapphire Lance- this ensures that he’ll completely wall off all physical red units, which can be very helpful in Arena Assault.

Threaten Attack serves to make him take even less damage in engagements. This Subaki may not win the battle outright, but he generally achieves his victory through war of attrition.