Tharja

• Preferred IV: +Spd or +Atk / -HP or -DEF or -RES

• Weapon: Tharja’s Hex (+Eff)

• Assist: Reposition / Draw Back

• Special: Glimmer / Draconic Aura

• Passive A: Fury 4 / Fury 3

• Passive B: Desperation

• Passive C: Joint Hone Spd

• Sacred Seal: Darting Blow

The tried and true standard Bladetome kit yet again serves its purpose for Tharja. Tharja’s Hex’s debuffing capabilities further boosts Tharja’s offenses by providing her an indirect +4 Speed boost during combat. A Speed Asset is ideal for any Blademage, further increasing their doubling potential. Reposition is typically the go-to Assist skill providing the most map control, though Draw Back functions similarly and is a budget option.

Thanks to Tharja’s Hex effectively providing Tharja with +4 Def/Res during combat, along with the stat boost from Fury, Tharja should be able to withstand blows from all but the most powerful blue opponents. After a single combat, Tharja should easily reach Desperation range with the help of Fury. Little more needs to be said about the Fury/Desperation combo for Blademages. It’s easy to use and extremely effective, with no exception for Tharja.

Joint Hone Spd boosts Tharja’s most important stat by 5, so long as she’s adjacent to an ally, while also providing team support. Odd or Even Atk Wave are both acceptable options for C Skills to make Tharja self-sufficient, though typically it’s more useful to consider team options and provide applicable team support with C Slot Skills. Skills such as Tactic, Hone, or Fortify skills all should be considered when building a team with Tharja.

Darting Blow is the clear winner for Blademages, granting them a whopping +6 Speed when initiating combat, synergizing perfectly with Desperation. With a Speed Asset, Fury 3, Darting Blow seal, and Tharja’s Hex, Tharja has effectively 50 Speed on initiation, doubling any target that is not running follow-up prevention skills.

The set rounds out with Glimmer, providing an ample boost to Tharja’s bladetome power. Tharja’s Hex does not come with the typical Bladetome penalty of a -1 Special Charge, so Special options such as Draconic Aura also work well.

• Preferred IV: +ATK or +SPD or +RES or +DEF / -HP

• Weapon: Tharja’s Hex (+Eff)

• Assist: Reposition

• Special: Blue Flame / Glimmer

• Passive A: Close Counter

• Passive B: Quick Riposte / Mystic Boost

• Passive C: Joint Hone Spd

• Sacred Seal: Close Def / Atk/Def Bond

Tharja’s workable mixed bulk boosted by Tharja’s Hex allows her to fill a solid mixed tank role that few red mages can take advantage of. With Tharja’s Hex effectively boosting Tharja’s Speed, Defense, and Resistance by 4, she can become quite difficult to take down. Her high Speed will prevent most doubles, especially when boosted by Speed buffs and spurs.

Because of Anathema’s unique debilitating effect, Tharja can run almost any Asset and perform effectively well with it. A Speed Asset further ensures that Tharja will block enemy doubles, while a Defense or Resistance Asset can be taken should Tharja need to fill a specific role on a carefully crafted team. Because of this, HP is the ideal Flaw.

Close Counter is the A skill of choice, allowing Tharja to stand up to most threats thanks to her incredible Speed. As Tharja’s Hex is a bladetome, Tharja should always be buffed by supporting units, able to withstand even the most brutal attacks from red and green opponents, and then retaliate with incredible damage.

Quick Riposte is set in the B skill to ensure Tharja doubles her attackers. Though with her incredible Speed, Quick Riposte may not be required, opening up sustain options such as Renewal and Mystic Boost. Reposition is the Assist of choice, allowing Tharja to safely move her allies around the battlefield.

Joint Hone Spd increases Tharja’s Speed, her teammate’s Speed, and her Bladetome damage, making it the perfect self-sustaining skill for almost any build. Other options include Hone, Fortify, and Tactic skills for team support.

Blue Flame, while expensive, is an exceptional special for Close Counter Tharja, and synergizes extremely well with Sacred Seals such as Atk/Def Bond or Atk/Spd Bond. As Blue Flame is a 3 turn Special, it’s typically easy to get off. Due to the mechanics of Tharja’s Hex, Tharja herself doesn’t actually gain any direct boost to her Defense or Resistance from her weapon during combat, ruling out options such as Iceberg and Bonfire. Glimmer is a workable, budget option that’s guaranteed to fire every combat when running Quick Riposte, and will bring a considerable damage boost when Tharja’s Hex has been fully buffed.