GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE Marian and Scarlet: God Slayer Squad Guide

To build an effective campaign team around Marian and Scarlet: God Slayer in GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE, run a 1-1-3 Burst archetype that maintains a continuous 20-second Burst cooldown cycle. Because both Marian and Scarlet are Burst III attackers, your remaining slots must feature a 20-second Burst I buffer, a Burst II defensive or utility unit, and a supportive Burst III flex character.

This pairing solves the two main bottlenecks in campaign progression: Marian’s machine gun provides sustained, wide-angle suppression against dense mob waves and airborne projectiles, while Scarlet: God Slayer provides high-damage piercing burst fire to eliminate elite targets and stage bosses.

---

Standard 1-1-3 Squad Setup

Cooldown reduction (CDR) is essential for this lineup. Without a support that reduces Burst cooldowns, the squad will suffer five- to ten-second gaps between Full Burst activations, leaving your team vulnerable during high-deficit stages.

• Burst I Support: Liter is the premier Burst I choice because she pairs Burst cooldown reduction with squad-wide attack increases and active cover repair, preserving squad survivability across extended encounters.
• Burst II Utility: Crown offers substantial attack and reload speed bonuses triggered by healing. When running Crown, ensure your squad includes consistent HP restoration or cover upkeep to maintain her buffs throughout combat.

---

Free-to-Play and Early-Game Substitutions

If you lack premium support Pilgrims or top-tier standard SSRs, use accessible SR units and standard roster options to keep Burst cooldowns aligned:

Burst I Options

• N102 (SR): The primary budget option. Operates on a 20-second cooldown and provides team attack buffs alongside maximum ammunition increases, directly benefiting Marian’s sustained fire.
• Volume (SSR): Slot in if you need Burst cooldown reduction and critical rate bonuses from the Burst I position.
• Pepper (SSR): Use when incoming stage damage requires manual healing bursts, though her skill kit lacks cooldown reduction.

Burst II Options

• Centi (SSR): Excellent for campaign progression due to her rocket launcher quickly charging the Burst gauge and her recurring shields blocking lethal hits.
• Marciana (SSR): Provides steady party healing on a 20-second cooldown, freeing the flex slot from having to run a healer.
• Dolla (SSR): Supplies Burst cooldown reduction from the Burst II slot, allowing the use of attack-focused Burst I units that lack CDR.
• Anis (SR): An accessible early-game launcher unit that generates rapid Burst meter on manual fire.

Burst III Flex Options

• Privaty (SSR): Available through the Day By Day starter challenges. Her passive boosts attack and reload speed during Full Burst, while her active Burst delivers a three-second screen stun.
• Helm (SSR): Provides squad-wide life-steal healing during Full Burst, stabilizing teams on stages with heavy unavoidable damage.

---

Burst Rotation and Auto-Battle Ordering

Controlling which Burst III unit triggers Full Burst determines stage clear speed and cycle consistency:

• Scarlet: God Slayer's 10-Second Burst: Standard Full Burst lasts 10 seconds. Prioritize Scarlet’s Burst against lone bosses, elite waves, and tight DPS checks to cycle back into Full Burst as quickly as possible.
• Marian's 15-Second Burst: Marian’s Burst expands her targeting reticle and gives infinite ammunition, extending Full Burst duration to 15 seconds. While this clears large swarms and missile waves with ease, the extra five seconds delays your next rotation.
• Auto-Battle Positioning: Auto-battle activates Burst skills from left to right. Place Scarlet: God Slayer in Slot 3 and Marian in Slot 4. This ensures Scarlet initiates the first Full Burst against opening elite threats, reserving Marian’s extended window for subsequent mob waves.

---

Manual Combat Tactics

When pushing stages below the recommended Combat Power threshold, manual control is necessary to prevent squad wipes:

1. Focus High-Threat Targets: Take direct control of Scarlet: God Slayer at the start of an encounter to eliminate suicide drones, sniper units, and healer raptures before they attack.
2. Align Pierce Attacks: Position Scarlet’s aiming reticle through rows of grounded raptures to hit multiple units in a single shot.
3. Handle Interrupt Circles: When red interrupt rings appear on elite raptures or bosses, use Scarlet's pierce fire or swap to Marian's sustained machine gun fire to break the rings before the attack charges.
4. Pre-Spin Marian's Weapon: If taking direct control of Marian, begin firing right before a new wave spawns to bypass the machine gun's initial spin-up delay.