Understand Diona
Useful when…
- Use held Icy Paws when you want the stronger, longer shield produced by multiple hits.
- Use Signature Mix when characters can benefit from its healing field and continued Cryo damage.
- Use her shield’s movement-speed and stamina benefits when moving or fighting while protected.
Shield effects and press versus hold
Icy Paws fires Cryo projectiles and forms a shield on hit. Shield absorption scales with Diona’s Max HP, while duration scales with the number of paws that hit. Press fires two paws; hold makes her dash back and fire five, and the held version’s shield gets a 75% damage absorption bonus. The shield also has a 250% Cryo damage absorption bonus and briefly applies Cryo to the active character when it forms. Its cooldown is six seconds on press and 15 seconds on hold. Holding therefore trades a longer cooldown for more chances to hit, a longer hit-based duration, and the stated absorption bonus. Characters protected by the shield gain 10% movement speed and use 10% less stamina.
Healing and field use
Signature Mix throws a cold brew that deals area Cryo damage and creates Drunken Mist. The field deals continuous Cryo damage and continuously restores HP to characters inside it. Its listed duration is 12 seconds, cooldown is 20 seconds, and Energy cost is 80. Drunkards’ Farce additionally lowers the ATK of opponents entering the area by 10% for 15 seconds. The field is most useful when characters can remain in its area to receive healing; its area Cryo damage and the ATK reduction apply to opponents within or entering that area as described. Diona’s regular bow attacks have five shots in the normal sequence, and a fully charged aimed shot deals Cryo damage, but her supplied support effects come from her skill and burst.
Talent investment
Prioritize Icy Paws when the shield’s absorption and duration are the main reason to bring Diona. Prioritize Signature Mix when you need its field damage and healing. Normal Attack levels are a lower priority if you mainly use her for those two abilities, because her normal and aimed attacks are separate from the shield and healing functions. The upgrade tracks list each combat talent up to level 10; the level 9-to-10 example costs 700,000 Mora, 16 Philosophies of Freedom, 12 Weathered Arrowheads, two Shard of a Foul Legacy, and one Crown of Insight. Ascension is a separate progression track, reaching stage 6.
Limitations and comparison
The shield’s duration depends on hits, so a held cast does not guarantee the longest shield if too few paws connect. Signature Mix costs 80 Energy and its healing is tied to characters being in the field.
Limitations and tradeoffs
- The held shield has a 15-second cooldown compared with six seconds for press.
- Shield duration depends on how many Icy Paws hit; the larger held volley is not a guarantee that every projectile connects.
- Signature Mix costs 80 Energy and its healing field rewards staying within its area.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the shield duration is fixed; it scales with the number of paws that hit.
- Using hold without accounting for its 15-second cooldown when press is available again in six seconds.
- Expecting Signature Mix’s healing to follow a character outside its area.