Gau
Infographic (September 2022)
Team Synergy Notes
Tanks are Gau’s best friend, provided they don’t dodge. His counters won’t trigger if the enemy’s attack doesn't hit anyone. Just note that Gau doesn’t need a tank whatsoever unless damage output from enemies is extremely high at which point a unit/call with mitigation may be able to help with instead.
Don’t expect to bring Gau if your strategy is to employ huge delays. Gau specializes in countering and dealing damage when it’s not his turn.
Character Notes & Recommendations
Have updates or suggestions? Contact us via Reddit or Discord, find our info Behind the Scenes!Summon Board Passive selections:
Numbers listed below refer to the 7 passives to select for each Ultimate Summon Board for the character. Top is 1, bottom is 7.Shiva & Ramuh choose 1* / 5 / 7 (1 or 2, counters only go off if someone is hit)
Brothers choose 3 / 4 / 5
Odin choose 4 / 6 / 7
Bahamut choose 3 / 4 / 6
Usuals:
Ifrit 4 / 5 / 7
Leviathan, Pandemonium, Diabolos, Alexander 4 / 5 / 6
For more details and help with summons, check Summon Hub!
Sphere Recommendations
NOTE: The sphere letters below are hyperlinked to our Sphere Hub which lists all available spheres sorted by effect!A Spheres - Focus on BRV DMG & ATK completely, don’t be distracted by other stats. BRV DMG like his own is best and has a good edge over ATK, but both are great.
E Sphere - Focus ATK specifically, any of them are fine as long as they are 6 turn durations on debuff (Yuffie’s isn’t a great choice since he only imperils from EX & LD).
Note that Gau is a reasonable choice for Vanille’s sphere if you haven’t used it. This sphere is generally overhyped and it’s better utilized on other characters, but you also could argue that those characters are all heavy damage dealers that may want ATK on their E slot. Up to you!
How-To-Play Notes
Gau opens with a free skill use, letting you apply your Beast Teachings buff. Cat Scratch (S2) deals more AoE damage, Lifeshaver (S1) will heal; more info below.
After using a skill, you cannot use the other for 3T unless you EX or LD. This shouldn't be a big setback as LD is now instant for easy swapping in case you need emergency healing or you're ready to dish out more damage before an off-turn Force Time.
Note: You need his Instinct Awakening buff up for his 2nd counter to trigger so don't go too crazy with LD uses!
Landslide (LD) grants Instinct Awakening & Beast Teachings, so it by itself does everything you could need. It also allows you to easily swap which skill you want to spam as it's instant turn rate and provides a free ability use right after using it.
Lifeshaver is excellent when you need to heal the party - it’s a great skill for that. Also if enemies are queuing up for AoE all attacks. It hits pretty hard as well, but it’s single target.
Cat Scratch is your go to for AoE damage / BRV shaving.
These skills generally don’t run out since Gau is all about that off-turn damage, so you certainly can spam them if you need to charge your EX.
If all his buffs are up, Gau will trigger both his Landslide and Skill 1/2 Counters which are like weaker versions of the main skills and Landslide counter also heals + batteries party.
Beast Raid (EX) is a strong attack which is useful for reapplying his Earth Imperil, HOWEVER it will reset his normal counters so use this only if you can use a skill before the next enemy turn and avoid using it early in Force Time as you will lose out on precious damage from counters that may not be worth it!
Do pay attention to Gau’s earth imperil - it may fall off from time to time against fast enemies.
Removable Passives
(to remove if you run out of CP space)BRV Attack++ HP Attack++ Up - you will never use or need this on Gau. Never. Remove it & don’t look back.
DEF passives
Buff Speed Up for more enemy turns
Beast Teachings Attack Speed Up (only if you have enough BRV DMG boosters and ATK support)
Break Bonus Up should probably stay equipped since Gau inflicts breaks often