Understand Aloy
Useful when…
- Build Coil through skill hits, then use the Rushing Ice window for Cryo normal attacks.
- Use her burst for a single AoE Cryo hit with a 40-Energy cost.
- Use her skill hits for a six-second enemy ATK reduction.
- Keep her in the party to avoid startling animals that produce Fowl, Raw Meat, or Chilled Meat.
How do Freeze Bomb and Coil work?
Frozen Wilds throws a Freeze Bomb in the targeted direction. It explodes on impact and scatters Chillwater Bomblets that explode on contact or after a short delay. Each bomb or bomblet hit decreases the target's ATK for six seconds and grants Aloy a Coil stack; she can gain no more than one stack every 0.1 seconds. Coil can stack up to four. The first three stacks increase normal-attack damage by progressively larger listed amounts; at four stacks, all Coil is cleared and Aloy enters Rushing Ice. During that 10-second state, normal attacks deal additional damage and are converted to Cryo. She cannot obtain new Coil while in the state, and remaining Coil effects clear 30 seconds after she leaves combat. The skill cooldown is 20 seconds.
When is the burst or passive useful?
Prophecies of Dawn throws a Cryo-filled Power Cell and detonates it with an arrow for AoE Cryo damage. It has a 12-second cooldown and costs 40 Energy. Strong Strike increases Aloy's Cryo damage bonus by 3.5% each second while she is in Rushing Ice, up to a 35% increase; the 10-second state gives a bounded window for this effect. Combat Override activates when she receives Coil from her skill: it increases her ATK by 16% and nearby party members' ATK by 8% for 10 seconds. This is a conditional party benefit tied to skill hits, not a permanent aura. Easy Does It is exploration utility for approaching animals that produce the named meats without startling them.
What should you improve?
Prioritize the Normal Attack talent if Aloy spends time attacking during Rushing Ice, because the state specifically enhances and converts her normal attacks. Raise the Elemental Skill for its Freeze Bomb and bomblet damage when that contributes meaningfully; the skill also supplies Coil and the conditional ATK effect. Raise the burst for its AoE Cryo hit if you use it regularly. Her charged aimed shot is a separate bow mode: full charge deals Cryo damage, but the Rushing Ice conversion described here applies to normal attacks. Ascension and the three combat talents have separate costs, so invest according to which of these effects you actually use.
What can go wrong with the stack window?
The skill's bomb and bomblets need to hit opponents to apply their stated effects. Four Coil stacks immediately clear and transition to Rushing Ice, where new stacks cannot be gained. Do not expect a second stack cycle during that state. The 30-second Coil clearing rule applies after leaving combat, while the Rushing Ice state itself lasts 10 seconds. Also keep charged aimed shots distinct from the normal attacks converted by Rushing Ice: the supplied kit only states Cryo conversion for the latter.
Limitations and tradeoffs
- Her skill's stack-building effect requires hits; its cooldown is 20 seconds.
- Rushing Ice lasts 10 seconds and prevents new Coil gains while active.
- Her charged shot can deal Cryo independently, but Rushing Ice's stated conversion applies to normal attacks.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Expecting to build Coil during Rushing Ice.
- Treating all bow attacks as Cryo-converted during Rushing Ice.
- Assuming the party ATK increase persists without Aloy receiving Coil from her skill.