Nekomata
A high-crit Physical main DPS who attacks fast through Basic Attacks and Dodge Counters, and loves hitting enemies from behind.
Tier B · Attack · Physical. BiS: Steel Cushion. A high-crit Physical main DPS who attacks fast through Basic Attacks and Dodge Counters, and loves hitting enemies from behind.
Best W-Engines
Recommended Drive Discs
Fanged Metal greatly boosts damage against enemies afflicted with Assault, 2pc 
Woodpecker Electro adds CRIT Rate.
Puffer Electro raises Physical DMG.4: CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG · 5: Physical DMG · 6: ATK%
Prioritize CRIT Rate/DMG > ATK% > PEN
Skill priority: Basic Attack > Special > Dodge > Chain & Assist
Nekomata is a 1.0 Physical DPS with a low damage ceiling compared to newer units like 
Jane, 
Evelyn, and Soldier 0. Her kit depends on back-attacks and Dodge Counters, so she's fairly execution-heavy. Only invest if you like her or lack a Physical DPS; she's not a worthwhile new pull in the 3.0 meta.
Stat targets (game8.jp's table): WITHOUT the signature — Crit Rate 50% / Crit DMG 100% / ATK ~2,000; WITH the signature (Steel Cushion) — Crit Rate 70% / Crit DMG 170% / ATK ~3,000. Since most of Neko's damage comes from Basic + back-hit Dodge Counters, balance Crit Rate and Crit DMG around a ~1:2 ratio. Main stats: Slot 4 Crit Rate or Crit DMG · Slot 5 Physical DMG · Slot 6 ATK% (swap to Energy Regen if you want faster EX/Ult uptime). Substat priority (per genshinlab): Crit Rate ≈ Crit DMG ≈ ATK% > PEN > flat ATK.
1) FIELD CONTROL: open with a gather + finisher partner — Nicole's EX pulls enemies into a clump and shreds DEF, or a Stunner (Lycaon/Pulchra) builds Daze. 2) ENTER: swap to Neko, use EX Special to grab a back-position and gain Crit, then run a Basic Attack combo aimed at the enemy's back to trigger Steel Cushion's +25% back damage. 3) COUNTER: dodge on cue to fire Dodge Counters (umbrella counter) — a huge slice of Neko's crit damage. 4) STUN WINDOW: when the enemy is Stunned, unload the full Basic chain + Chain Attack + Ultimate; at M1, during Break EVERY hit counts as a back attack so you get full damage from any angle. 5) QUICK-SWAP: rotate Neko out when an off-field EX / assist is up, then loop from step 2.
The IDEAL stopping point for Nekomata (a standard/permanent agent). Attacks hitting the enemy's back ignore an extra 16% Physical RES; and while the enemy is Stunned/Break, ALL of her attacks count as back attacks. Since Neko's whole playstyle revolves around back-hits and the stun window, M1 essentially unlocks her full damage and synergizes hard with the Steel Cushion signature. Most guides recommend stopping here (per prydwen + game8).
When only one enemy is on the field and Neko is in combat, Energy Generation Rate +25%. Mostly quality-of-life: faster EX Special/Ultimate uptime in single-target boss fights, but it doesn't raise her damage ceiling — moderate value.
Basic Attack / Dodge / Assist Lv. +2. Just flat number bumps with no gameplay change — a stepping stone to M4, low value.
On casting EX Special Attack, Crit Rate +7%, stacking up to 2 times (=+14% Crit Rate). A real crit stat that eases her crit-hunger and makes hitting crit thresholds easier — decent value, but still behind M1.
Special / Chain / Ultimate Lv. +2. Still just flat numbers, a bridge to M6 — low value.
On launching a Chain Attack or Ultimate, Crit DMG +18%, stacking up to 3 times (=+54% Crit DMG); expires out of combat and reaches max stacks instantly on defeating an enemy. A big damage jump but it needs ramp-up and is mainly whale-tier — most players stop at M1.
- Mobile Physical DPS: leans on fast Basic Attacks + Dodge Counters and easily circles to the enemy's back, so she stays safe while pushing damage — safer than many stand-still attackers.
- Very cheap team cost for F2P: the classic Cunning Hares core (Neko + Anby + Nicole) is all free/A-rank agents and still clears basic content — a great starter for new players.
- Usable at M0 and a standard (permanent-pool) agent, so she's easy to own; her cheap M1 unlocks nearly her full power without deep whaling.
- Low damage ceiling in the 3.0 meta: against newer Physical DPS (Jane, Evelyn, Soldier 0-Anby, Pulchra) her total output clearly lags — only invest if you like her or lack a Physical DPS.
- Execution-heavy: relies on back-hits + Dodge Counter timing, and she can't self-generate quick-assists/dodges during the stun window, so she wants an assist-feeding support (Astra Yao fits well) to keep her core passive — harder than a point-and-shoot attacker.
- Very stat-hungry and reliant on the Steel Cushion signature: without it she loses the +25% back-damage and baseline Crit Rate, dropping her output noticeably.
In Shiyu Defense Neko can clear a single/low-target side: pair a Stunner (Lycaon/Pulchra) + an assist-feeding support (Astra Yao) to hold her Crit core in the stun window, or the F2P Neko + Anby + Nicole. She can still clear but struggles for high stars on the hardest floors since her damage ceiling trails newer DPS — good if you lack a Physical DPS, not a top pick.
In Deadly Assault against multiple high-HP foes, Neko needs Nicole/a Stunner to clump enemies so her Basic combo sweeps them, but she's single-target leaning so she's at a disadvantage; scores are fine on easier tiers, hard to compete for top on high tiers — use as a stopgap when your roster is thin.
Basic Attack2
Basic Attack: Kitty Slash
Press to activate: Unleashes up to 5 slashes, dealing Physical DMG. On the last hit, there is a 33.33% chance to repeat this hit 3 times.
Basic Attack: Crimson Blade
Hold during the first 3 hits of Nekomata's Basic Attack to activate: Slashes enemies in front and passes through them, dealing Physical DMG. Upon activation, there is a 33.33% chance to repeat this attack 3 times.
Dodge3
Dodge: Can't Touch Me-ow~
Press to activate: A rapid dodge. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Dash Attack: Over Here!
Press during a dodge to activate: Slashes enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG.
Dodge Counter: Phantom Claws
Press during a Perfect Dodge to activate: Slashes enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Assist3
Quick Assist: Cat's Paw
When the on-field character is launched, press to activate: Slashes enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Defensive Assist: Desperate Defense
When the character on field is about to be attacked, press to activate: Parries the enemy's attack, dealing massive Daze. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Assist Follow-Up: Shadow Strike
Press after a Defensive Assist to activate: Charge and slash enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Special Attack2
Special Attack: Surprise Attack
Press to activate: Unleashes a downward strike, dealing Physical DMG. Anti-Interrupt level is increased while using this skill.
EX Special Attack: Super Surprise Attack!
With enough Energy, press to activate: Unleashes a powerful falling slash that deals massive Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Chain Attack2
Chain Attack: Claw Swipe
When a Chain Attack is triggered, select the character to activate: Unleashes a powerful slash at enemies ahead in a large area, dealing massive Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Ultimate: Claw Smash
When Decibel Rating is at Maximum, press to activate: Unleashes powerful slashes at enemies ahead in a large area, dealing massive Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Core Skill2
Core Passive: Stealthy Paws
When Nekomata's Dodge Counter or Quick Assist hits an enemy, her DMG increases by 30% for 6s.*Stats shown are at Base level.
Additional Ability: Catwalk
When another character in your squad shares the same Attribute or Faction:After any character inflicts Assault, increases the DMG of Nekomata's next EX Special Attack by 35%, stacking up to 2 times.
What is the best W-Engine for Nekomata?
Nekomata performs best with Steel Cushion. See alternatives and required stats in the Gear section above.
Is Nekomata worth pulling?
Nekomata is a 1.0 Physical DPS with a low damage ceiling compared to newer units like Jane, Evelyn, and Soldier 0. Her kit depends on back-attacks and Dodge Counters, so she's fairly execution-heavy. Only invest if you like her or lack a Physical DPS; she's not a worthwhile new pull in the 3.0 meta.
What is the best team for Nekomata?
Nekomata works best in the Sly Bunny Squad team. Full members and rotation are in the Teams section.
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