Ellen stands out in ZZZ as an S-Rank Ice Combat Agent, renowned for her exceptional Ice damage output. Her gameplay revolves around a unique burst rotation, amplified by her ability to execute devastating EX combos in tandem with team Ultimates. Beyond bursts, Ellen maintains consistent damage against standard enemies through powerful sustained combos, securing her place as a top-tier DPS, especially in demanding endgame content like Shiyu Defense. Her signature sprinting state enhances her mobility, making her one of the fastest characters, while mastering her Flash Freeze mechanic is key to unlocking her maximum damage potential, albeit with a higher complexity compared to other agents.
Understanding Ellen’s Combat Prowess: Abilities and Mechanics
Core Combat: Basic Attack and Flash Freeze
Ellen’s Basic Attack is a fundamental 3-hit combo that forms the backbone of both her standard and burst rotations. It presents two distinct forms: a standard Physical damage variant and an enhanced Ice damage version. The enhanced form is fueled by Flash Freeze charges, requiring 3 charges for a complete 3-hit combo. In both iterations, the initial two strikes are swift and relatively weak, building up to the third, more impactful strike. This final hit is not only the primary damage source within the combo but also triggers Ellen’s signature teleportation, repositioning her behind her current target or to a new one if the initial target is defeated or moves out of range.
Roaming State and Arctic Ambush: Mobility and Charge Generation
Ellen’s agility is highlighted by her unique Roaming State, activated by holding down the Dodge button. This sprinting state allows for indefinite movement and transforms her Basic Attack into Arctic Ambush, a crucial element of her kit. Activating Arctic Ambush from Roaming State executes a scissor chop attack that generates 1 Flash Freeze charge upon hit. Alternatively, holding the Basic Attack button while in Roaming State charges Arctic Ambush, increasing its damage and yielding 3 Flash Freeze charges. While charging Arctic Ambush consumes field time, a Perfect Dodge grants the “Quick Charge” buff, significantly reducing the charge time for the next Charged Arctic Ambush from approximately 2 seconds to about 1.5 seconds, encouraging skillful dodging for optimized gameplay.
Assist Skills: Enhancing Combat Flow
Ellen’s Assist skills, including Defensive Assist, Assist Follow-Up, and Quick Assist, are standard melee attacks that deal Ice damage and can inflict Daze. Notably, her Quick Assist provides an additional benefit: beyond the standard Perfect Dodge bonus, it also grants the “Quick Charge” effect, synergizing with her Roaming State and Arctic Ambush mechanics to maintain momentum and charge generation in combat.
Special Attacks: EX Skills for Burst and Control
Ellen’s Special Attacks include one Standard Special and two EX Specials. She strategically utilizes her Standard Special sparingly, prioritizing her EX Specials for burst rotations and tactical applications within her standard combo sequences. Her first EX Special, EX1, activated with sufficient energy, delivers Ice damage in front of her, generates 1 Flash Freeze charge, and enables an immediate follow-up with the third Basic Attack. This sequence allows for rapid damage application, charge generation, and immediate charge utilization within her powerful Basic combo. Ellen’s second EX Special, EX2, is similar but boasts increased damage and the ability to inflict Daze. It requires activation immediately after EX1, offering tactical flexibility: players can choose between EX1 followed by Basic 3 or the more potent EX1 + EX2 followed by Basic 3, adapting to different combat scenarios.
Chain Attack and Ultimate: High Impact Ice Offense
Ellen’s Chain Attack and Ultimate, mirroring her Assists, deliver substantial Ice damage and Daze. However, her Chain Attack animation is longer compared to some other characters, requiring strategic timing in faster-paced combat situations.
Passives: Core Power and Elemental Amplification
Ellen’s Core Passive is a significant asset, incentivizing a near 100% Critical Hit Rate build without compromising other crucial stats. This passive grants up to a 100% Critical Damage bonus to Arctic Ambush and all Flash Freeze-enhanced attacks, including her Enhanced Basics, substantially amplifying her Ice damage potential. Her Additional Ability is equally impactful and should be prioritized for activation. It grants a stacking buff, increasing her Ice damage by 3% each time she deals Ice damage, stacking up to 10 times for 10 seconds. Easily maintained in combat, this ability effectively provides a consistent 30% boost to her Ice damage, making her a formidable Ice DPS agent in ZZZ.
Building Ellen: Optimizing for Ice DPS in ZZZ
To maximize Ellen’s potential as an Ice DPS powerhouse in ZZZ, focus on the following build priorities:
- Stat Priority: Aim for near 100% Critical Hit Rate to fully capitalize on her Core Passive, then prioritize Attack, Ice Damage Bonus, and Critical Damage.
- Warrant/Disk Recommendations: (Specific Warrant and Disk recommendations would depend on in-game itemization, but prioritize sets and stats that boost Crit Rate, Crit Damage, Attack, and Ice Damage).
- Team Compositions: Ellen excels in team compositions that support Ice damage amplification and provide opportunities for burst damage windows, synergizing well with agents that can apply debuffs or provide buffs.
- Gameplay Tips & Rotations: Master Flash Freeze charge management to maintain Enhanced Basic Attacks and utilize Arctic Ambush strategically for both mobility and charge generation. Practice executing EX combos for burst damage rotations, and leverage her mobility to reposition effectively during combat.
Conclusion: Ellen – The Complex and Rewarding Ice DPS Agent in ZZZ
Ellen is a top-tier Ice DPS character in ZZZ, distinguished by her high damage output, mobility, and complex but rewarding gameplay. Mastering her Flash Freeze mechanics, Arctic Ambush, and EX combos is crucial to unlocking her full potential. By focusing on the right stats and understanding her combat flow, players can effectively harness Ellen’s power to conquer challenging content and dominate as the Ice Queen of ZZZ combat.
