Fate/Grand Order III - Protecc those Smiles

[Saambell]

Been bored grinding Caster gems, so I decided to mix it up a little. As I only need blue and red gems, I decided to make a low end team rather then bring my usual heavy hitting Riders. Marie at 32 NP 4 with Knight of Marines, Ushi at 19 NP5 with Dangerous Beast, and any support at less then level 60. Gives some FP to lower leveled players, and I still have my level 90 NP2 Ozy in the back incase somehow a crit chain goes through on someone and he needs step in to help the kids. Hasnt happened yet though so its going well. Taking longer then just slapping out a few attacks from Ozy Medb and some max level support, but its nice seeing new faces.

Using Marie makes me wonder if she has had any Rank Ups or an animation update in the future. Given how shes NP4 I should very much think of putting some Embers into her as well as maybe Ushi. So many low level low stars I have neglected due to trying to level max the various 4 and 5 stars sitting in the 70s I have. Also the back to back events and need to grind embers for Kiara and BB slowed my ability to do some maybe needed leveling for lower priority characters. Oh and a level 1 Edison is sitting near the bottom of my screen being ignored. Poor kitty.

[NeoPhoenix0]

So, on a whim, threw a couple of tickets at the banner today. CE, CE... Golden orbs.

Umu.

Not Bride!Umu, but Classic!Umu. Still, I now have an Umu.

Pardon me. I need to level the crap out of her before the event.

Congrats she was my first 4 star (I never used my tutorial antoinette. And I started in the first nerofest.) She has seen me through many a tough battle and I have even solo'd a few challenge quests for fun with her. She also just about single handedly got me through fuyuki up through most of okeanos

Also I hear she is just got another skill upgrade in JP, not that I ever complained about a 5 turn cooldown 2k heal. It was perfect for her already stacked survival kit.

[nightwyrm]

Using Marie makes me wonder if she has had any Rank Ups or an animation update in the future. Given how shes NP4 I should very much think of putting some Embers into her as well as maybe Ushi. So many low level low stars I have neglected due to trying to level max the various 4 and 5 stars sitting in the 70s I have. Also the back to back events and need to grind embers for Kiara and BB slowed my ability to do some maybe needed leveling for lower priority characters. Oh and a level 1 Edison is sitting near the bottom of my screen being ignored. Poor kitty.

Marie gets a NP rank up in a year or so, but no animation update yet.

[Saambell]

Burned more then half the QP I saved up cause I made the mistake of looking at my skills screen. Plus side is Punch Saint has her fist skill at 10 now. Also a few others got skills leveled up.
Edit: I meant first but that typo is too perfect to correct.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Big news at Sakura-con today!

CCC starts in just three days.
We're getting like 30 silver apples.

But most importantly we're getting three big QoL changes early.

Drag and select will now be a thing.
You will be able to go back from the card select screen without restarting the app, in case you missed activating a skill or something. (Huge)
And when doing FP summons (and maybe quartz summons?) you can set it up to automatically burn cards for you like the one/two star CEs and such. This does not include servants, so no worries about accidentally burning a new three star servant or some such.

[ellenate]

Big news at Sakura-con today!

CCC starts in just three days.
We're getting like 30 silver apples.

But most importantly we're getting three big QoL changes early.

Drag and select will now be a thing.
You will be able to go back from the card select screen without restarting the app, in case you missed activating a skill or something. (Huge)
And when doing FP summons (and maybe quartz summons?) you can set it up to automatically burn cards for you like the one/two star CEs and such. This does not include servants, so no worries about accidentally burning a new three star servant or some such.

Wow, we are getting the back button this early! I didn't see that coming.

[NeoPhoenix0]

why would you burn 1-2 star CEs, they are a major source of CE EXP. its not like exp CEs are available all the time.

[Saambell]

Not sure what the "drag and select" thing is, but oh goodness do I need that back button. At this time, I think besides Blackbeard and maybe Cursed Arm I have all 1 and 2 star servents NP Max, so I plan to set them to auto burn as soon as those two NPs are maxed. Also I agree, dont burn 1-2 star CEs, best source of levels for early CE gain. I auto get any good CE up to at least 20 and 90% of the time thats with FP CEs. Also, does it distinguish between Embers, Fous, and actual Servents? Cause auto burning Embers but keeping Fous and Servents would be the best/only good set up.

[ellenate]

why would you burn 1-2 star CEs, they are a major source of CE EXP. its not like exp CEs are available all the time.

maybe if you want to do multiple pulls for an event ce and don't want to be bothered with manually burning.

[Yael]

Big news at Sakura-con today!

CCC starts in just three days.
We're getting like 30 silver apples.

But most importantly we're getting three big QoL changes early.

Drag and select will now be a thing.
You will be able to go back from the card select screen without restarting the app, in case you missed activating a skill or something. (Huge)
And when doing FP summons (and maybe quartz summons?) you can set it up to automatically burn cards for you like the one/two star CEs and such. This does not include servants, so no worries about accidentally burning a new three star servant or some such.

Woah, then wasting time for 30 minutes was actually worth it!

I was watching a stream on the matter, but it was shut down by the staff of SakuraCon.

The auto-burn is on FP summon only, and you can set what kind of card is automatically burnt.

[Red Fel]

Not sure what the "drag and select" thing is

Well, here is an explanation of QoL changes. So some explanations may be in order.

1. The Back Button you already know. This also means that you'll know the distribution of crit stars before hitting the attack button.

2. Drag and Select. Basically, instead of clicking one card at a time when enhancing or selling, you can drag your finger and select multiple cards more easily.

3. Automatic Burning. You can designate by rarity (1-, 2-, and/or 3-star) and type (EXP, Fou, CE). Servants cannot be auto-burned. So, yeah, you can configure it to only burn EXP cards if you want, and save the CEs.

4. Equipped CEs can now be selected on enhance or sell screens. Previously they were grayed out, which was a nuisance because you had to figure out which formation had them equipped before you could get rid of them. Now you can select them directly. They'll be marked by an icon.

5. Interludes and Strengthening quests can now be reached directly from a Servant's profile.

6. Parties can now be copied in their entirety into a new slot. You can also completely reset a party, including name, with one click.

7. You can now filter your Receive All function in the inbox.

8. You can speed up Noble Phantasms! On an individual basis, but still.

Also:

1. Certain Servants are getting new backgrounds for their cards.

2. Certain screens will now have an adjustable icon size to accommodate more (smaller) icons.

3. Battle results screens will now tell you how much of a thing you have in your inventory when you get it as a reward.

4. An icon will now indicate the last quest you did. You know, in case you want to grind and forgot where to do so.

[Friv]

Not sure what the "drag and select" thing is, but oh goodness do I need that back button. At this time, I think besides Blackbeard and maybe Cursed Arm I have all 1 and 2 star servents NP Max, so I plan to set them to auto burn as soon as those two NPs are maxed. Also I agree, dont burn 1-2 star CEs, best source of levels for early CE gain. I auto get any good CE up to at least 20 and 90% of the time thats with FP CEs. Also, does it distinguish between Embers, Fous, and actual Servents? Cause auto burning Embers but keeping Fous and Servents would be the best/only good set up.

It looks like you can't auto-burn servants, but you can individually set CEs, Fous, and Embers to auto-burn at different levels.

[Saambell]

It looks like you can't auto-burn servants, but you can individually set CEs, Fous, and Embers to auto-burn at different levels.

Of those, only the Embers sound worth it. CEs are worth using to level better CEs, and Fous are always useful. Embers that arent gold have very little use so it feels like only one of the three are worth the function.

[Resileaf]

I feel like silver embers are the only ones I'd burn since they give mana prisms. Bronze embers don't give enough QP for it to be worth it, so I just feed those to low level servants.

[Red Fel]

I feel like silver embers are the only ones I'd burn since they give mana prisms. Bronze embers don't give enough QP for it to be worth it, so I just feed those to low level servants.

Which works right up until you don't have anymore low-level Servants. At that point, it's honestly easier to just auto-burn the embers for the pittance of QP. It may not be much, but it adds up, and honestly it beats feeling disappointed at how little they actually do when you feed them to any Servant who's been Ascended at least once.

[ellenate]

Which works right up until you don't have anymore low-level Servants. At that point, it's honestly easier to just auto-burn the embers for the pittance of QP. It may not be much, but it adds up, and honestly it beats feeling disappointed at how little they actually do when you feed them to any Servant who's been Ascended at least once.

i always do that hoping for a super success after a xp farming raid fails short of an ascension. :'D

[NeoPhoenix0]

i always do that hoping for a super success after a xp farming raid fails short of an ascension. :'D

i would feel like i missed out on a super success on the 4 star xp cards. also it takes 27 one star cards to equal a 4 star and 9 two star cards to equal a 4 star.

[Resileaf]

Which works right up until you don't have anymore low-level Servants. At that point, it's honestly easier to just auto-burn the embers for the pittance of QP. It may not be much, but it adds up, and honestly it beats feeling disappointed at how little they actually do when you feed them to any Servant who's been Ascended at least once.

Bold of you to assume I don't have low-level servants. :D

[Red Fel]

Bold of you to assume I don't have low-level servants. :D

I mean, you won't forever, right? Unless you are a True Whale and have an unending supply of new Servants to level, you have a finite number of Servants. And different events call for different Servants, so it helps to spread those levels around. Especially if you want to clear some Strengthening quests or Interludes for that sweet SQ.

Just saying. At a certain point it becomes relevant for everyone.

[Resileaf]

I mean, you won't forever, right? Unless you are a True Whale and have an unending supply of new Servants to level, you have a finite number of Servants. And different events call for different Servants, so it helps to spread those levels around. Especially if you want to clear some Strengthening quests or Interludes for that sweet SQ.

Just saying. At a certain point it becomes relevant for everyone.

Mostly I haven't played since the beginning, so I have a whole lot of low rarity servants I just haven't touched at all because I don't have the XP for them.

[ellenate]

i would feel like i missed out on a super success on the 4 star xp cards. also it takes 27 one star cards to equal a 4 star and 9 two star cards to equal a 4 star.

It's so random that i don't even anticipate getting them anymore. I've leveled vlad to 80 (or is it still at 78?) without a single great. Even with the "boost" that happens sometimes my luck is horrible.

[spectralphoenix]

My big problem with low star servants is the ascension mats - I was putting spare assassin embers into Serenity because my assassin lineup is paper-thin and suddenly she needed enough chains for a Mr T cosplay.

So for my support offerings do you folks think regular Emiya (NP2, 4/5/6) or Emiya Alter (NP1, 6/6/6) would be the better option for the event?

[Hunter Noventa]

Make sure to get you Master Missions done now, since the event starts tomorrow.

Some hints-
Most of the Fuyuki quests will get your Saber/Lancer/Archer mission, and your kill servants missions done cheap.
Mt. Etna in Rome is cheap for the Assassin/Caster mission.
Theirs in Orleans is good for the Rider/Berserker Mission.

Otherwise, be sure to save up Embers, you need to get BB to her third ascension for the upcoming event if you want to complete it, just like with Shiki. Though hopefully the even store will have universal Embers too.

And aren't we also getting an animation update for Lancerbeth?

[Red Fel]

So for my support offerings do you folks think regular Emiya (NP2, 4/5/6) or Emiya Alter (NP1, 6/6/6) would be the better option for the event?

Hmm. Tricky.

Well, let's consider. EMIYA is QAAAB, with an AoE DEF-ignoring Buster NP. Alter is QQAAB, with an ST DEF-ignoring Arts NP. They both have Magic Resistance and Independent Action, although Alter's IA is slightly better. They both have Projection, although at rank 6 EMIYA's is 32.5% versus Alter's 22.5%. They both have defense buttons, EMIYA with a 1-turn Evade with 3-turn +DEF, Alter with a 3-hit/5-turn +DEF and 3-turn Damage Cut. The third skill is the real difference, EMIYA having a crit-generator/crit-booster and Alter having a +ATK button. Notably, Alter's buff is again 3-hit/5-turn, making it slightly more flexible, but actually worth less than a standard +ATK button while chaining.

Overall? I'd look at the rest of your setup. You want a healthy mix of AoE and ST. STs like Alter are great against bosses, but AoEs are good for farming - and there will be plenty of both. Honestly, I'd suggest EMIYA over Alter for that reason - people going after bosses will probably want Gilgamesh or Archuria, rather than either EMIYA, so you'll mostly be there for farming support. So embrace that and bring EMIYA.

EDIT: By the way, for people unsure who to put in their Extra slot and who feel anxious over this apparently legendarily-difficult boss, a fun fact. Do you have Angra Mainyu? Did you know that his Bond CE grants him Guts and double damage versus Beast-type enemies? Just something to consider.

[HMS Invincible]

And here I thought maxed Mash was the superior option for extra slot.
I'm back in QP hell, which is an awful feeling. Trying to farm embers, prisms, and QP is very demoralizing.

[spectralphoenix]

Overall? I'd look at the rest of your setup. You want a healthy mix of AoE and ST. STs like Alter are great against bosses, but AoEs are good for farming - and there will be plenty of both. Honestly, I'd suggest EMIYA over Alter for that reason - people going after bosses will probably want Gilgamesh or Archuria, rather than either EMIYA, so you'll mostly be there for farming support. So embrace that and bring EMIYA.

An excellent point, thanks! The rest of my lineup tends ST except for Drake and two supports. I'll see if I can't squeeze out a few more skill ranks for EMIYA Prime today and put him in.

[Yael]

EDIT: By the way, for people unsure who to put in their Extra slot and who feel anxious over this apparently legendarily-difficult boss, a fun fact. Do you have Angra Mainyu? Did you know that his Bond CE grants him Guts and double damage versus Beast-type enemies? Just something to consider.

That Shiroface just won't drop, and I've spent just to get him around 1M FP, so it makes me sad, as I have no Avenger on my lineup.
Ah, Martha's going full jam into that Extra slot.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Same in regards to Angra.

Also, very excited for the end of maintenance. Got 400ish quartz, gonna pull until I get Passionlip (she's a cutie) and whatever is left goes to Kiara.
Anyone else rolling hard tomorrow?

[Saambell]

I'm waiting all the way until Kiara comes out, as I only have enough for 3 ten pulls through free to play saving, but have budgeted a bit of money in case. If I get Kiara and have some SQ leftover, I will be torn on putting a few rolls on Lip or Suzuka or to use it as a start to saving for Nero in the summer event. I remember my brother bought a pile of SQ for Illya then got her on the first ten roll, leaving a pile left saved and which he added to through the months to carry him through rolling for Ishtar and Enkidu. If I can have the same happen with Kiara, it would be nice. Increadably Unlikely, but nice.

[ellenate]

I'm waiting all the way until Kiara comes out, as I only have enough for 3 ten pulls through free to play saving, but have budgeted a bit of money in case.

or 30 single pulls. I only did single pulls in the beginning to prolong disappointment, but they have not failed me.

I think when it comes to luck, attempts far out weigh better odds.