Hope
Infographic (November 2022)
Theologica demonstrating the power of Hope FR with a few Tifa turns!
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.Odin choose 4 / 6 / 7
Bahamut choose 3 / 4 / 6
Usuals:
Ifrit, Shiva, Ramuh, Brothers 4 / 5 / 7
Leviathan, Pandemonium, Diabolos, Alexander 4 / 5 / 6
For more details and help with summons, check Summon Hub!
Additional Weapons
Aile Blanc: ATK +10%, mBRV +20% while buffed
Acquire by purchasing in the Power Token Exchange
Sphere Recommendations
NOTE: The sphere letters below are hyperlinked to our Sphere Hub which lists all available spheres sorted by effect!B Sphere - Celes, Gabranth, Kimahri, and WoL are the only spheres that are compatible with him. Gabranth is probably the best fit, so you can also use an RF if you have one lying around.
C Sphere - Any C sphere works with Hope truly, but avoid iBRV spheres since that’s not one of his primary stats. Generally ATK is the go-to option.
Note: if you are planning to pull for Ceodore, his sphere helps to balance Hope’s limited healing.
D Sphere - His own is one of the best - otherwise focus on ATK if possible!
Gameplay Notes
Note: Hope's EX+ 1/3 passive is behaving oddly. Normally it should grant 20% ATK to the party, but in a full 3 ally party, it is granting 60% ATK. The infographic reflects this and more details can be found on Rem's Reddit post. (This was addressed and made a feature so enjoy the totally intentional ATK boost.)
Press S1/S2 to fill the force gauge. Use EX or LD to pass his turn during force time. Brutal Sanction (BRV command) or Retributive Blast (HP command) are also fine filler skills for damage if EX isn't up and you're saving LD uses.
This debuff does not override resistances like element imperil. If an enemy resists Thunder, and has Hope’s imperil, Beatrix’s Thunder Slash will deal mixed weak/resist damage. More info in our Glossary page under the Enchant and Imperil section!
Hope is very easy to play, just maintain his buffs on the party, and debuffs on the enemy. His Retributive Blast is a DEF debuff but is only applied to a single target.
Last Resort (EX) charges fast. One use of Shell/Protect and one Blast will do it, or just an LD use. You may need to spam Shell sometimes to quick charge this for a 20% HP heal.
Protect All (AA) is a great skill when you know a big attack is coming, perhaps from a maxed red recast bar. Just be sure not to Shell after since you’ll burn a turn of duration.
Removable passives
(if you lack enough CP to equip important passives)BRV Attack+ Up
HP Attack+ Up
DEF passives
Shell BRV gain
If you want him to pass the turn by using S2, remove his Protect Lite
Team Synergy (& weakness stacking explanation)
S1/S2 spam into Hope's Force Ability then 5-6 more uses of S1/S2 is his most commonly seen alongside units with huge damage on turn such as Enna Kros, Cid, Strago (+Bahamut Summon), Cinque, Yda, Barret, Lulu, Prishe, Cyan LDCA ,etc at the end.
After his Force Ability, even just 4 uses of S1/S2 will set up a monstrous BT phase as the HP DMG Bonus is already high and if he's still on the field you will still see the slight gains of party having 13 buffs.
Here's a video demonstrating the "Super Nuke Strategy" thanks to Destroth. The examples shown were using other character Force Times. Hope will raise his Force HP DMG Bonus much higher, much faster for more turns of an extremely high multiplier.
Lunafreya as an ally or LDCA on the unit you want to take advantage of Hope's FR is extremely powerful if they lack a Burst.
Hope greatly benefits Magic Attackers who need their BRV DMG. Phys Attackers still work of course, but they can't take advantage of his Deshell.
His imperil stacks up to 3.5x with other weakness type effects. Use Case: Hope + Krile boosting Ultimecia's damage for example:
Ultimecia as the attacker
Hope Magic Imperil = DMG x 1.5
Krile Enchant + Imperil Thunder = DMG x 1.5 + .65 (Greater Weakness buff)
1.5 x 2.15 = 3.225 (There's a limit of 3.5)
Hope 20% BRV DMG boost from debuff (uncapped) = DMG x 1.2
Total 3.225 x 1.2 = 3.87x BRV DMG boost to all of Ultimecia's attacks (Without looking at other BRV DMG up effects)
His calls are premium alongside Edge or other units with short, extendable buff durations. They can also be used to fill up the party's buff slots so enemies can't apply their debuffs (Unless they remove buffs before applying their debuffs. Even then, hope can help by having his buffs removed instead of an important buff)