Ellen
A bursty Ice Attack carry who manages Flash Freeze to unleash extremely high-damage Ice Dash Attacks inside the Stun window.
Tier S · Attack · Ice. BiS: Deep Sea Visitor. A bursty Ice Attack carry who manages Flash Freeze to unleash extremely high-damage Ice Dash Attacks inside the Stun window.
Best W-Engines
Recommended Drive Discs
Polar Metal buffs Basic/Dash Attacks and adds more when enemies are Frozen/Shattered; 2pc 
Woodpecker Electro for CRIT Rate.
Puffer Electro for CRIT DMG once your CRIT Rate hits the threshold.4: CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG · 5: Ice DMG · 6: ATK%
Prioritize CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG > ATK% > PEN
Skill priority: Basic Attack > Special/Dash (Dodge) > Core > Assist > Chain
Still worth building if she's your main Ice DPS: her burst inside the Stun window is huge and easy to play. Newer Attack agents have caught up to her damage ceiling, but paired with Astra/
Dialyn, Ellen still holds firm at the top. Her weaknesses are her dependence on a Stunner and her need for a Freeze setup to be optimal.
Level 60 targets: the community recommends Crit Rate 80% / Crit DMG 130% with everything else poured into ATK; because Ellen's Core Skill self-grants up to ~14.4% Crit Rate, disc slot 4 usually prioritizes a Crit DMG main. per-mindscape table (Lv60): beginner CR 60% / CD 100% / ATK 2,200; M0 WITHOUT signature CR 70%+ / CD 120% / ATK 2,500; M0 WITH signature CR 65-80% / CD 160% / ATK 2,500.cross-check: ATK 2,700+ / CR 75%+ / CD 120%+. Substat priority: Crit Rate/Crit DMG > ATK% > PEN (only stack PEN when running M6).
1) OPENER: send Lycaon in to Stun and build Daze, then swap to Soukaku/Astra to layer ATK/Ice/Crit buffs. 2) ENTER STUN WINDOW: swap to Ellen. 3) Double-tap dodge to enter the 'Arctic Ambush' Dash Attack state (遊狩) — this loads Flash Freeze Charges; after a Perfect Dodge you get Quick Charge which shortens the charge time. 4) COMBO: basic attacks to build Charges → enhanced basic chains into EX Special (Flash Freeze Trimming / Sharknami) → spend the charged Swift Scissors to CONSUME Flash Freeze Charges for her heaviest Ice hit inside the stun window. 5) ULTIMATE 'Endless Winter': open/extend the burst window, then repeat from step 2. Tip: hold the charged hit for the stun/freeze moment so no multiplier is wasted.
'Chill of the North' (★★★): Arctic Ambush Dash Attacks gain extra Flash Freeze Charges — quick scissors give 3, charged give 6; each Charge consumed grants +2% Crit Rate (up to 6 stacks = +12% for 15s). The single most important economy breakpoint: it nearly solves her Charge hunger and self-feeds Crit. NOTE: secure her signature Deep Sea Visitor BEFORE buying mindscapes.
'Predator of the Arctic Ocean' (★★★): her 3rd basic chains directly into EX Special (smoother combo, less execution), and using EX Special grants +20% Crit DMG per Flash Freeze Charge to that attack (max 60%). The biggest single damage jump among her early mindscapes. The IDEAL STOP for most players: M2 both smooths the rotation and raises her ceiling hard (the community agree M1-M2, signature first).
'Zero Overtime': all skills +2 levels. A flat numbers bump with no gameplay change — low value, just a stepping stone to M4.
'Tireless Cold Current' (★★): whenever a teammate Freezes or Breaks/Stuns an enemy, Ellen auto-gains 6 Flash Freeze Charges and 4 Energy (once per 10s). Team-dependent value — in mono-ice with Lycaon/Soukaku it's very smooth, so Ellen enters the stun window already loaded to burst.
'Full Night's Sleep': all skills +2 levels again. Still just flat numbers, a bridge to M6 — low value.
'The Feast Begins' (★★): EX Special / Chain / Quick Charge grant +20% PEN Ratio (6s) and stack a 'Feast' buff; at 3 stacks the charged scissors consume all stacks for a +250% damage boost. A big whale-tier jump — most players stop at M2; only those with spare resources aim straight for M6 (M3-M5 in between are filler).
- Top single-target burst in the stun window: her charged Swift Scissors dump massive Ice damage, making her one of the fastest boss-clearers when paired with a Stunner.
- Best-in-class mobility with generous i-frames: very fast Dash/dodge, easy to slip behind enemies and avoid hits, hard-to-punish combos.
- Self-sufficient economy: Flash Freeze Charges refill via Dash + Perfect Dodge (Quick Charge), almost never Energy-starved — easy to pick up, consistent output even for newer players.
- Anchor of the classic mono-ice comp from F2P to premium: works from free Soukaku/Lycaon up to premium Astra Yao/Lycaon setups.
- Reliant on a Stunner + Freeze/Break setup: needs Lycaon (or another Stunner) to open the window to reach her ceiling; short stun-duration enemies make it hard to finish her combo.
- Short buff durations with long attack motions can drop her buffs if you're slow — the optimal damage window is fairly tight and takes practice.
- Newer Attackers/Anomaly units (Miyabi, Evelyn, Hugo…) have caught up in ceiling and convenience; still top-tier but no longer the singular pick she was at launch.
Excellent in Shiyu Defense: single-target burst teams (mono-ice Lycaon/Soukaku, or quick-swap Astra Yao/Lycaon) — her charged bursts melt one side fast in the stun window. Astra keeps her top-tier; comfortably clears for full rewards even as newer Attackers match her ceiling.
Also strong in Deadly Assault: Sharknami/EX Special have reach to clear groups, and mono-ice Lycaon/Soukaku is stable. Slightly weaker on high-HP fights needing long loops or on pure-Anomaly scoring — but still full-clears when a Stunner opens the window.
Basic Attack2
Basic Attack: Saw Teeth Trimming
Press to activate:Unleashes up to 3 attacks, dealing Physical DMG. Press repeatedly or hold during the 3rd attack to extend the skill duration.
Basic Attack: Flash Freeze Trimming
While Flash Freeze is in effect, press to activate:Launch up to 3 attacks at enemies in front, dealing Ice DMG. Each attack consumes 1 point of Flash Freeze Charge.Press repeatedly or hold during the 3rd attack to extend the skill duration.
Dodge7
Dodge: Vortex
Press to activate: A rapid dash dodge. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. When Perfect Dodge is triggered, Ellen gains the Quick Charge effect, reducing the charge time of Dash Attack: Arctic Ambush, lasting up to 5 seconds or until it triggers.
Dash: Roaming Hunt
Hold or double-press to activate:Enter the Roaming state, allowing dashing movement. In the Roaming state, drag the to control Ellen's direction, and release to stop.Ellen is invulnerable for a brief time after activation.
Dash Attack: Arctic Ambush
While in the Roaming state, press to activate:Delivers a spinning slash to enemies before opening her scissors for a Swift Scissors strike, dealing Ice DMG.Gain 1 point of Flash Freeze Charge when the Swift Scissors strike hits.While in the Roaming state, hold to activate:Perform a spinning slash against the enemy, then pull apart the scissors to unleash a Charged Scissors strike, dealing massive Ice DMG.Gain 3 points of Flash Freeze Charge when the Charged Scissors strike hits. If the enemy is Frozen, it always triggers Shatter.Anti-Interrupt level is increased while charging the skill, and DMG taken is reduced by 40%.Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Flash Freeze
When Ellen has Flash Freeze Charges, the Flash Freeze effect is activated. Once Flash Freeze activates, Basic Attacks and Dash Attacks expend Flash Freeze Charges, dealing massive Ice DMG.Ellen can have up to a maximum of 6 Flash Freeze Charges.
Dash Attack: Monstrous Wave
Press during a dodge to activate: Launches a dashing slash attack at enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG.
Dash Attack: Cold Snap
While Flash Freeze is in effect, press during a dodge to activate:Launches a dashing slash attack at enemies in front, dealing Ice DMG.Consumes 1 point of Flash Freeze Charge.
Dodge Counter: Reef Rock
Press during a Perfect Dodge to activate:Rapidly move through enemies with open scissors for a cutting strike, dealing Ice DMG.Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Assist3
Quick Assist: Shark Sentinel
When the active character is launched, press to activate:Speedily move through the enemy with open scissors for a cutting strike, dealing Ice DMG.Character is invulnerable while using this skill. When the character on the field is launched, drag the and press to activate:Enter the Roaming state, enabling dashing movement. While in the Roaming state, use the to change directions and release to stop.Character is invulnerable briefly when triggering the skill. Upon triggering a Quick Assist, Ellen gains the Quick Charge effect, shortening the charging time of Dash Attack: Arctic Ambush, lasting up to 5s or until it triggers once.
Defensive Assist: Wavefront Impact
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: Shark Cruiser
Press after a Defensive Assist to activate:Charge and slash enemies in front, dealing Ice DMG. Press repeatedly or hold during the attack to extend the skill duration.Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Special Attack3
Special Attack: Drift
Press to activate:Use a quick tail sweep attack in front, dealing Ice DMG. Anti-Interrupt level is increased while using this skill.
EX Special Attack: Tail Swipe
When Ellen has enough Energy, press to activate:Perform a forceful tail whip attack that deals massive Ice DMG. Gain 1 Flash Freeze Charge upon striking an enemy.Character is invulnerable while using this skill.After executing the move, you can directly follow up with the 3rd-hit of a Basic Attack.
EX Special Attack: Sharknami
With enough Energy and after activating EX Special Attack: Tail Swipe, press to activate:Perform a series of powerful slashes ahead that deal massive Ice DMG.Gain 1 Flash Freeze Charge upon striking an enemy. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.After executing the move, you can directly follow up with the 3rd-hit of a Basic Attack.
Chain Attack2
Chain Attack: Avalanche
When a Chain Attack is triggered, select the character to activate:Crash down from above and unleash an ice storm, dealing massive Ice DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Ultimate: Endless Winter
When Decibel Rating is at Maximum, press to activate:Crash down from above and unleash an ice storm before a powerful scissor strike, dealing massive Ice DMG.Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Core Skill2
Core Passive: Sharp-Toothed
When Ellen launches a Charged Scissors strike during Dash Attack: Arctic Ambush, or consumes a Flash Freeze Charge to activate Basic Attack: Flash Freeze Trimming, the skill's CRIT DMG is increased by 50%.
Additional Ability: Rising Storm
When another character in your squad shares the same Attribute or Faction:When Ellen deals Ice DMG, subsequent Ice DMG increases by 3% for 10s. This effect can stack up to 10 times, and repeated triggers reset the duration.
How to read this build page
Every Agent build page has 4 parts: a stat table by level, W-Engine/Drive Disc suggestions, a Mindscape roadmap, and recommended teams. Read them in that order — stats tell you "what you need", gear tells you "where to get it", Mindscape tells you "is it worth pulling", teams tell you "who to pair with". The section below explains how to read each part, and it applies the same way to every character on the site.
How to read the stat table and level
The stat table shows values at the ascension breakpoints (usually the final one, e.g. Lv60) — these are BASE stats with no gear added, useful for comparing Agents or checking whether you've ascended far enough. CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG are shown separately because they set the damage ceiling once Drive Disc substats stack on top. If your real stats are lower than the table, you likely haven't fully ascended or leveled yet — it's not a build mistake.
Why the W-Engine and Drive Disc picks make sense
Most Agents have a "signature" W-Engine designed for their exact role, plus a few cheaper standard-banner substitutes. Missing the signature isn't a dead end — most Agents keep most of their power with a well-matched substitute, just short by some amount of total damage.
- Drive Disc sets (2pc + 4pc) are picked for the set effect that fits that Agent's playstyle (mono-element, Anomaly, stun, and so on).
- Substats follow a priority that changes by role: Attack-type Agents usually chase CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG before ATK%; Anomaly-type Agents add Anomaly Proficiency to that mix; Stun/Support roles often value survivability or energy stats over pure CRIT.
These weights differ per character — follow the exact substat priority table above rather than applying one formula to every role.
Is Mindscape worth chasing
General rule: M0 (no duplicates) already clears the game's hardest content, even for S-rank Agents. Mindscape is a duplicate-fueled upgrade system, and each level costs more resources for a smaller power gain. For most Agents, the best value stop is usually M1–M2 (where some key effects unlock), while M6 is almost always for players chasing the absolute ceiling, not a requirement. Check the Mindscape section in the table above for that specific Agent's numbers.
Skill priority by role
There's no single order for every Agent, but the general pattern by role is:
- Attack: level the main damage skill first (Basic or Special Attack depending on kit), Dash/Dodge last.
- Stun: prioritize whichever skill builds Daze/Stun fastest, since the stun window is where the whole team dumps damage.
- Support: prioritize buff or energy-generating skills over personal damage — this role's value comes from lifting the whole team.
- Anomaly: prioritize the skill that stacks anomaly buildup, since most of the damage comes from the triggered effect, not the direct hit.
Always level the Core Skill steadily alongside the rest — it's a baseline stat that affects the whole rotation, not just one move.
Where to dig deeper
This section only teaches you how to read the page — for deeper comparisons, use the dedicated tools:
- Tier list to see where this Agent stands against the full roster.
- Teams for full in-game comps, including Bangboo and rotation order.
- Disc score to check how your current gear scores against the benchmark.
What is the best W-Engine for Ellen?
Ellen performs best with Deep Sea Visitor. See alternatives and required stats in the Gear section above.
Is Ellen worth pulling?
Still worth building if she's your main Ice DPS: her burst inside the Stun window is huge and easy to play. Newer Attack agents have caught up to her damage ceiling, but paired with Astra/Dialyn, Ellen still holds firm at the top. Her weaknesses are her dependence on a Stunner and her need for a Freeze setup to be optimal.
What is the best team for Ellen?
Ellen works best in the Quick-swap Astra team. Full members and rotation are in the Teams section.
Understand the mechanics behind this
Teams→
Drive Disc Scorer→