Understand Duran, Dynasty of Running Wolves
Useful when…
- A wearer whose damage includes Follow-Up ATKs, with allies who use Follow-Up ATKs to build Merit.
- A wearer who can use the five-stack CRIT DMG bonus after the team builds stacks.
How do Merit stacks work?
Each time an ally character uses a Follow-Up ATK, the wearer gains one Merit stack, up to five. Each stack increases the wearer's Follow-Up ATK damage by 5%. At five stacks, the wearer additionally gains 25% CRIT DMG.
When is it useful?
Consider it when allies can trigger Follow-Up ATKs and the wearer can benefit from Follow-Up ATK damage. The CRIT DMG bonus requires reaching five stacks, so it is not an immediate unconditional effect.
How do other Follow-Up options differ?
Inert Salsotto gives 8% CRIT Rate and, at 50% current CRIT Rate, increases Ultimate and Follow-Up ATK damage by 15%. City of Converging Stars increases the wearer's ATK after the wearer uses Follow-Up ATK and increases allies' CRIT DMG when an enemy is defeated. Duran instead accumulates Merit from allied Follow-Up ATKs and boosts the wearer's Follow-Up ATK damage per stack.
What should you avoid?
Do not assume the wearer must personally trigger the Follow-Up ATKs that build Merit: the stated trigger is an ally character using one. Conversely, the damage increase applies to the wearer's Follow-Up ATKs, not all of the wearer's damage.
Limitations and tradeoffs
- Merit stacks depend on allied Follow-Up ATK use.
- The additional 25% CRIT DMG requires five stacks.
- The per-stack damage increase applies to the wearer's Follow-Up ATKs.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the wearer must trigger the allied Follow-Up ATKs that grant Merit.
- Applying the per-stack damage increase to damage types other than the wearer's Follow-Up ATKs.
- Counting the extra CRIT DMG before five stacks.