Ayer/Strategy

Strengths

•  Blood StrifeBoost to Ayer's double attack rate and damage cap based on how low HP is.
  At level 90:
  Also boosts Ayer's triple attack rate based on how low HP is. and 50% Bonus Earth DMGDeals bonus earth DMG for one-foe one-ally attacks
  Strength: 50%Duration: 6 turns (from his Charge Attack) enable him to go beyond the native damage cap, and is able to lower his own HP to activate his support skill.
• Doesn't require many skills;  Guilty BreakGain Guilty BreakATK is greatly boosted based on how low HP is
  Strength: 40% - 120%Duration: 8 turns, greatly boosting ATK as HP decreases. (Uses 25% of max HP)
  At level 55:
  Effect enhanced. is basically all you need.
• Both his auto attacks and his Charge Attack hit hard, making him a solid offensive character.
• After 5★,  Beat the WallMassive Earth damage to a foe.
  Gain 50% Bonus Earth DMGDeals bonus earth DMG for one-foe one-ally attacks
  Strength: 50%Duration: 5.5 turnsApplied during the attack phase.
  On the next turn, it'll have 5 turns remaining. and Guaranteed TAGuaranteed triple attack regardless of Triple Attack Lowered debuffs
  Duration: 1.5 turnsApplied during the attack phase.
  On the next turn, it'll have 1 turn remaining.. also provides Guaranteed TAGuaranteed triple attack regardless of Triple Attack Lowered debuffs
  Duration: 1.5 turnsApplied during the attack phase.
  On the next turn, it'll have 1 turn remaining., maximizing his auto damage for a turn.

Weaknesses

• A glass cannon who may not have the survivability needed for more difficult content, especially before his 5★ uncap.
• Guilty BreakATK is greatly boosted based on how low HP is
  lasts 8 turns, so in content that goes beyond that, he needs to have more than 25% HP to reuse  Guilty BreakGain Guilty BreakATK is greatly boosted based on how low HP is
  Strength: 40% - 120%Duration: 8 turns, greatly boosting ATK as HP decreases. (Uses 25% of max HP)
  At level 55:
  Effect enhanced..
•  Jolt CounterGain Jolt CounterCan't attack, but can counter (Charge bar doesn't rise. 10% of charge bar used every turn.)
  .
  While Jolt Counter is active: Can't attack. Charge bar doesn't rise. Dodge one-ally attacks and counter up to 2 times per turn. Costs 10% charge bar each turn. (Ends on recast or when charge bar is 0.)
  At level 75:
  Counter increased up to 3 times per turn.
  At level 95:
  Jolt CounterCan't attack, but can counter (Charge bar doesn't rise. 10% of charge bar used every turn.)
  upgraded to Jolt Counter IIDodges and counters one-ally attacks (Can't use charge attacks / Consumes 10% of charge bar every turn / Can't be removed)
  . (Can now use one-foe one-ally attacks and gain charge bar while Jolt Counter II is active.)
  Also gain Charge Bar +30%Instantly boosts Charge Bar by 30%
  Strength: 30% upon cast. is a useless skill before Level 95, and even after that, may not be particularly useful if you want to maintain his 50% Bonus Earth DMGDeals bonus earth DMG for one-foe one-ally attacks
  Strength: 50%Duration: 6 turns. (The skill prevents him from using his C.A., which provides the bonus damage buff.)
• Innate boost to multiattack isn't very reliable, especially when he's above 20% HP.
  • Even after 5★, Guaranteed TAGuaranteed triple attack regardless of Triple Attack Lowered debuffs
    Duration: 1.5 turnsApplied during the attack phase.
    On the next turn, it'll have 1 turn remaining. lasts for a mere single turn, which is not extremely helpful.

Characters

Ayer's ability to enable his enmity at any time allows him to work with support characters without being hindered by their healing.

• Jessica (Yukata) profits from Ayer's rare ability to easily achieve red hp level thanks to her  Unforgettable SummerWhen an ally is below 25% HP:
  Guaranteed triple attacks and 50% boost to healing specsHealing and healing cap. which guarantees triple attacks for Jessica. The increased healing specs as well as ability to re-cast her party-wide healing skill at the end of turn with low to no downtime help to maintain whole party's HP level, which also makes recasting  Guilty BreakGain Guilty BreakATK is greatly boosted based on how low HP is
  Strength: 40% - 120%Duration: 8 turns, greatly boosting ATK as HP decreases. (Uses 25% of max HP)
  At level 55:
  Effect enhanced. later on much easier. On top of that, ShieldNext ATK received will be ineffective for a fixed amount
  will certainly prove useful in protecting Ayer shall he end his 2nd skill to use Charge Attack or if he was about to get targeted by multi-hit foe's attack. Jessica's 30% Bonus Earth DMGDeals bonus earth DMG for one-foe one-ally attacks
  Strength: 30% that comes with the shield also stacks with Ayer's Bonus DMG, increasing his DPS.
• De La Fille (Earth):  Serenity ShimmerAll allies gain RefreshHP is restored on every turn
  Strength: 10% of max HP (Healing cap: 300)Duration: 10 turns, Shield (1000)Next ATK received will be ineffective for a fixed amount
  Strength: 1000Duration: 10 turns, and 20% Earth ATK UpEarth ATK is boosted
  Strength: 20%Duration: 10 turns.
  At level 55:
  Effect enhanced. provides a party-wide shield, protecting Ayer from a certain amount of damage.  Inspire LightHeal 45% of an ally's HP (Healing cap: 2500) and grant Jewel GlitzATK is boosted / DEF is boosted /
  Double attack rate is boosted / Triple attack rate is boosted
  Strength: 50% ATK Up, 50% DEF Up, 80% DA Up, and 30% TA UpMultiplier: NormalSpecial buff. can heal him from the brink of death, or to replenish his HP to use  Guilty BreakGain Guilty BreakATK is greatly boosted based on how low HP is
  Strength: 40% - 120%Duration: 8 turns, greatly boosting ATK as HP decreases. (Uses 25% of max HP)
  At level 55:
  Effect enhanced. again.
• Yggdrasil, Cagliostro, and Yaia are healers with strong defense buffs; Cagliostro and Yaia ideally want to be at 5★ themselves.
• Alexiel:  Uncrossable RealmAll allies gain 70% DMG CutTaking 70% less DMG
  Duration: 1 turn Damage Cut reducing damage taken for all elements.
  Warning! Does not work for Plain Damage!. and  Nibelung Silt250% Earth damage to all foes (Damage cap: ~630,000).
  All allies gain VeilDebuffs will be nullified (1 time)
  Duration: Indefinite"Veil" is an unofficial name used by the wiki for this status effect. Its actual in-game name is "Immune." and Unchallenged (1 time)Next DMG received will be ineffective
  Duration: Indefinite. drastically reduce the damage Ayer takes, and VeilDebuffs will be nullified (1 time)
  "Veil" is an unofficial name used by the wiki for this status effect. Its actual in-game name is "Immune." provides some much-needed protection from debuffs.
• Alexiel (Summer):  Uncrossable WatersRemove all debuffs from Alexiel.
  Gain Uncrossable WatersReceives all attacks in place of allies (Includes all-foe all-ally attacks) / DEF and debuff resistance are boosted / Elemental DMG from foes turns into water DMG / Water DMG taken is capped at 1500 per hit / Ends when no Mirror Blades are deployed (Can't be removed)
  Duration: Up to 3 turns. (Consumes 1 Mirror-BladeATK and DEF are boosted / Restores HP when 3 or more Mirror-Blades are deployed (Max: 5 / Can't be removed)
  every turn. Ends when no Mirror-BladeATK and DEF are boosted / Restores HP when 3 or more Mirror-Blades are deployed (Max: 5 / Can't be removed)
  are deployed / Max: 3 turns),  Hildebrand400% Earth damage to all foes (Damage cap: ~630,000).
  All allies gain Mirror-Blade BarrierDEF is boosted (Stackable / Can't be removed)
  Strength: 9% (Max: 45%)Duration: Indefinite (Stackable / Max: 5).
  Deploy 1 Mirror-BladeATK and DEF are boosted / Restores HP when 3 or more Mirror-Blades are deployed (Max: 5 / Can't be removed)
  Duration: Indefinite. and  Nibelung SandInflict 20% Water ATK DownWater ATK is lowered
  Strength: 20%Base Accuracy: 100%Duration: 180 seconds and GravitySpecial attack max charge turn is extended
  Base Accuracy: 100%Duration: 180 seconds on all foes.
  When 1 Mirror-BladeATK and DEF are boosted / Restores HP when 3 or more Mirror-Blades are deployed (Max: 5 / Can't be removed)
  is consumed: Also inflict Accuracy LoweredAttacks and special attacks have a chance to miss
  Base Accuracy: 100%Duration: 2 turnsLocal status effect. all serve to protect the party from taking damage, which Ayer greatly benefits from.
• Sara can defend Ayer with a combination of her damage cuts, SubstituteReceives foe attack in place of an ally
  (Excludes all-foe all-ally attacks)
  , and her personal massive DEF boost. She also shares his Melee proficiency for an Ultima Claw or Hollowsky Axe team, to boost their multiattack rate.
• Magisa (Holiday)'s  SerenadeAll Earth allies gain Wasteland CrestEarth magic is amplified (Max: 5 / Can't be removed)
  Duration: Indefinite, Mirror Image (1 time)Next one-to-one attack received will be ineffective
  (Effect removed on next all-foe all-ally attack)
  Duration: Indefinite, 70% / 30% ArmoredChance of lowering DMG taken
  Strength: 70% chance of taking 30% less damage.Duration: 3 turns, and RefreshHP is restored on every turn
  Strength: 5% of max HP (Healing cap: 500)Duration: 3 turns. can help to keep Ayer alive with Mirror Image (1 time)Next one-to-one attack received will be ineffective
  (Effect removed on next all-foe all-ally attack)
  Duration: Indefinite, 70% / 30% ArmoredChance of lowering DMG taken
  Strength: 70% chance of taking 30% less damage.Duration: 3 turns, and RefreshHP is restored on every turn
  Strength: 5% of max HP (Healing cap: 500)Duration: 3 turns.
• Medusa has good uptime of 20% Water CutWater DMG is cut 20%
  Duration: 5 turnsWater Damage Cut. with  Mighty EyeEarth allies gain Wasteland CrestEarth magic is amplified (Max: 5 / Can't be removed)
  Duration: Indefinite.
  All allies gain 20% Earth ATK UpEarth ATK is boosted
  Strength: 20%Duration: 5 turns and 20% Water CutWater DMG is cut 20%
  Duration: 5 turnsWater Damage Cut.. and also shares weapon proficiency with Ayer.
• Mahira provides a multiattack buff through Zeal of the FeatherATK is boosted / DEF is boosted /
  Triple attack rate is boosted / Double attack rate is boosted /
  C.A. DMG Cap Boosted (Can't be removed)
  , and her 20% Bonus Earth DMGDeals bonus earth DMG for one-foe one-ally attacks
  Strength: 20%Duration: 3 turns stacks with Ayer's 50% Bonus Earth DMGDeals bonus earth DMG for one-foe one-ally attacks
  Strength: 50%Duration: 6 turns to boost his damage even further.
• Cain (Grand) is another utility character who provides a multiattack buff for Ayer. Unlike Mahira, however, his 20% Bonus Earth DMGDeals bonus earth DMG for one-foe one-ally attacks
  Strength: 20%Duration: 2.5 turnsApplied during the attack phase.
  On the next turn, it'll have 2 turns remaining. does not stack with Ayer's—because Cain's is weaker, he should be placed before Ayer so that Ayer's stronger buff won't be overwritten.
• Eugen (Grand), Melleau, Razia, Rosetta (Summer), Soriz (SSR), Vaseraga (Earth), Zeta and Vaseraga (Halloween) and Yggdrasil can all boost their Hostility, taking heat away from Ayer.
• Dante and Freiheit can grant Ayer 80% / 20% ArmoredChance of lowering DMG taken
  Strength: 80% chance of taking 20% less damage.Duration: 2.5 turnsApplied during the attack phase.
  On the next turn, it'll have 2 turns remaining., 25% Earth ATK UpEarth ATK is boosted
  Strength: 25%Duration: 2.5 turnsApplied during the attack phase.
  On the next turn, it'll have 2 turns remaining., and heal him while also being a strong auto-attacker that shares Melee proficiency with Ayer.
• Threo can lower her own HP with  Ground ZeroConsumes 99% of caster's current HP to deal plain damage to all foes (Damage cap: ~820,000).
  Damage dealt is based on HP consumed.
  Gain Shield (3000)Next ATK received will be ineffective for a fixed amount
  Strength: 3000Duration: Indefinite.
  At level 95:
  Also inflict 25% Earth DEF DownDEF is lowered for earth DMG
  Strength: 25%Base Accuracy: ≥100%Duration: 180 seconds.
  Damage cap increased to ~1,230,000., making her another strong enmity attacker to use with Ayer if your grid is built around using enmity.
• Caim's  The Hanged Man ReversedWhen Sub Ally: When all equipped weapons are different, 20% boost to Earth allies' ATKPerpetuity modifier, 50% boost to DEF, and 10% boost to damage cap. from the backline not only boosts Ayer's attack and damage cap, but also gives him more defense.
• Lobelia: Although Ayer does not have good synergy with Lobelia, on account of not using many skills, it is worth noting that Ayer can be used to bring Lobelia or other Evokers out from the backline. Upgrading  ProvokeYou want a shot at me? Go ahead! Take it!
  (Gain Hostility UpMore likely to be attacked (Can't be removed)
  Duration: 2 turns. Take a lethal hit without being knocked out if Ayer has 1% of his max HP or more.)
  At level 100:
  I swing my fists to protect others!
  (Gain SubstituteReceives foe attack in place of an ally
  (Excludes all-foe all-ally attacks)
  Duration: 2 turns [instead of Hostility UpMore likely to be attacked (Can't be removed)
  Duration: 2 turns] and Dauntless Spirit (1 time)Can withstand lethal DMG (Leaves 1 HP / Can't be removed)
  Duration: 2 turns.) by doing Ayer's level 100 Fate Episode could make this more difficult because of Dauntless SpiritCan withstand lethal DMG (Leaves 1 HP / Can't be removed)
  Duration: 2 turns, so some people choose not to do so.

Weapons

• Stratomizer and Solomon's Axe are strong enmity weapons for Ayer in a Titan grid.
• Ancient Bandages, Ayer's own weapon, provides both enmity and garrison, allowing Ayer to stay healthy and strong at low HP.
• Mettle is another good weapon with a garrison skill.
• Nibelung Messer and Godsworn Edge are Magna options for enmity, but are often not used since there are stronger grid options.
• Hollowsky Axe and Ultima Claw are both weapons that Ayer can make use of with his Melee proficiency.
• HP-boosting weapons such as Nibelung Klinge, Yggdrasil Dewbranch Omega, True Judgement Lyre, Mirror-Blade Shard and Yahata's Naginata.
• Parashu and Carnwenhan are both Gold Moon weapons with big HP-boosting skills.
• Weapons with defensive charge attacks like Autumn's Transformation, Last Sahrivar, and Six-Ruin Fist Terra.
• Draconic Bow provides increased defense if you are not using a Dark Opus Weapon.

Summons

• Titan can provide Lethal Attack Dodged (1 time)Can withstand lethal DMG (Leaves 1 HP)
  Duration: 1 turn and 50% / 20% ArmoredChance of lowering DMG taken
  Strength: 50% chance of taking 20% less damage.Duration: 3 turns on call, which can serve to keep Ayer alive.
• Godsworn Alexiel, Athena (Summon), Gilgamesh, and Aquamarine Carbuncle all have useful damage cuts.
• The Tower (SSR) and Mammoth are summons with HP-boosting subauras.
• Tiamat Omega and Garuda grant Mirror ImageNext one-to-one attack received will be ineffective
  (Effect removed on next all-foe all-ally attack)
  on call.
• Gorilla grants GorillaATK is greatly boosted based on how high HP is /
  Chance of lowering DMG taken /
  Inner gorilla is unleashed. Ooh-Ahh-Ahh!
  (Can't be removed)
  , equivalent to 60% / 30% ArmoredChance of lowering DMG taken
  Strength: 60% chance of taking 30% less damage.. Also a strong boost to Ayer's auto attacks when used with BananaThe nutritional abundance of bananas bestows a Bonus Earth DMG effect while your inner gorilla is unleashed (Can't be removed)
  , even if he relies more on JammedATK is greatly boosted based on how low HP is
  than StrengthATK is greatly boosted based on how high HP is
  .