Understand Aino
Useful when…
- Apply Hydro with the skill’s forward throw and nearby area hit.
- Deploy the burst device for periodic Hydro damage during its 14-second duration.
- Use her Moonsign-dependent burst enhancement when the party has Ascendant Gleam.
What do her skill and burst do?
Musecatcher throws forward, dealing Hydro damage and dragging Aino along behind it; when the movement stops, it deals another Hydro hit in an area. Holding the skill enters aiming mode so you can adjust the throw direction. Its listed cooldown is 10 seconds. Her burst deploys a device that periodically fires water balls at nearby opponents for 14 seconds; the burst has a 13.5-second cooldown and costs 50 Energy.
What changes with Moonsign and Elemental Mastery?
With Moonsign: Ascendant Gleam, her burst is enhanced: the device fires water balls more frequently, and they deal area Hydro damage over a larger area. A separate passive increases Aino’s Elemental Burst damage by 50% of her Elemental Mastery. Another passive raises the party’s Moonsign by one level while Aino is in the party.
Which talents are sensible to invest in?
Prioritize the burst if you bring Aino to deploy the device for its repeated Hydro attacks, since her burst damage also receives the stated Elemental Mastery scaling. Invest in the skill if its Hydro hits and directional movement are a regular part of her use. Normal-attack investment is less directly relevant when she is used for the skill and deployed burst rather than repeated claymore attacks. Ascension is character progression; the listed track examples show that ascension and talent levels use different materials.
What should you keep in mind?
The device fires at nearby opponents, so its value depends on having targets within its range; the description does not promise that it follows Aino or targets enemies at any distance. The skill’s throw carries Aino along behind the projectile, so its direction also affects her movement. The burst enhancement specifically requires Ascendant Gleam; do not assume its increased firing frequency or larger area applies under every Moonsign.
What else does she offer?
Her detection passive displays nearby resources unique to Nod-Krai on the mini-map, which is useful while exploring that region. The same description mentions that she can alter the device’s appearance in some way but does not specify how, so treat that as an appearance feature rather than a combat effect.
Limitations and tradeoffs
- Her burst costs 50 Energy and its device lasts 14 seconds; its listed cooldown is 13.5 seconds.
- The enhanced burst’s increased firing frequency and larger area require Moonsign: Ascendant Gleam.
- Her skill’s forward throw also moves Aino, making direction relevant to positioning.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the burst’s enhanced firing rate and larger area are always active; they are specified for Moonsign: Ascendant Gleam.
- Ignoring the skill’s movement effect when choosing the projectile direction.
- Treating the resource-detection passive as a combat bonus; it displays nearby Nod-Krai resources on the mini-map.