Complete Build Guide • Wuthering Waves Version 2.4 (Current: 3.2) • April 2026
SS-Tier / T0 • Aero • Sword • Main DPS • 5★ Limited Banner • Dual-Form Swordmaster
Overview
Cartethyia is a 5-Star Aero Sword Main DPS introduced in Wuthering Waves Version 2.4. She is a dual-form swordmaster who shifts between her standard Cartethyia form and the enhanced Fleurdelys state, making her one of the most mechanically unique DPS characters in the game. Crucially, she scales off HP rather than ATK — a rare trait that shapes all of her echo, weapon, and substat priorities.
Her core damage loop revolves around the Aero Erosion mechanic: stacking Aero Erosion on enemies before triggering her Resonance Liberation — Blade of Howling Squall, which consumes all stacks to deal massive amplified damage (up to 5 stacks for maximum bonus). Cartethyia can apply Aero Erosion herself through her Basic Attacks, Resonance Skill, and Intro Skill — reducing (but not eliminating) her reliance on dedicated Erosion supports.
Cartethyia’s Fleurdelys state is activated by casting Resonance Liberation, which costs 50% of her Max HP. In this form she generates Conviction through combat — reaching 120 Conviction unleashes the Blade of Howling Squall finisher. Fleurdelys lasts 12 seconds. She is one of the strongest T0 main DPS options, especially in dedicated Aero Erosion teams with Ciaccona and Chisa.
▲ Cartethyia Scales from HP — Not ATK!
This is the single most important thing to understand when building Cartethyia. Because she scales from HP, not ATK:
- Use HP% on all 1-Cost echo slots (not ATK%)
- Her signature weapon Defier’s Thorn is the only sword in the game with an HP% substat — makes it uniquely valuable
- Echo set uses 44111 cost layout (not the standard 43311) since 1-Cost slots provide flat HP + HP% which is far superior to 3-Cost ATK% for her. Using 43311 instead loses approximately 7% damage output.
- Exception: Without Ciaccona, use 43311 with Aero DMG Bonus on the 3-Cost slot to compensate for the lost Aero coverage
- Target stat goals: ~50,000 HP · 70% Crit Rate · 270% Crit DMG · 115–120% Energy Regen
Strengths & Weaknesses
✓ Strengths
- ✓ Exceptional burst damage via Aero Erosion stack consumption
- ✓ Unique dual-form playstyle — Fleurdelys state adds depth and power ceiling
- ✓ HP scaling provides very high raw HP pool — built-in survivability bonus
- ✓ Can self-apply Aero Erosion — less team-locked than most nuke DPS
- ✓ 44111 echo layout gives more flexible stat allocation than 43311
- ✓ Confirmed T0 in both 3.1 and 3.2 — future-proof and not power crept
- ✓ Only DPS who can maximize both Aero DMG and Aero Erosion DMG bonuses simultaneously
✗ Weaknesses
- ✗ Best results still require Ciaccona for consistent Aero Erosion application and Aero DMG buffs
- ✗ Defier’s Thorn is the only HP% sword — weapon options are very limited without signature
- ✗ Liberation entry costs 50% Max HP — requires care with HP management
- ✗ Dual-form rotation has a moderate learning curve for new players
- ✗ Aero Erosion re-application issues in Whimpering Wastes when full waves of enemies die at once
- ✗ Requires investment in multiple 5★ units (Ciaccona, Chisa) to reach peak ceiling
The Dual-Form Kit Explained
Cartethyia’s entire kit is built around two distinct states that interact through three types of Sword Shadows, Plunging Attack recalls, and the Aero Erosion consumption finisher.
Three distinct Sword Shadow types — each from a different skill:
- Basic Attack Stage 4 → summons Sword of Divinity’s Shadow + applies 1 Aero Erosion stack
- Heavy Attack / Intro Skill → summons Sword of Discord’s Shadow
- Resonance Skill → summons Sword of Virtue’s Shadow + applies 2 Aero Erosion stacks
- Up to 1 of each Shadow type can exist at once (3 total)
- Using Plunging Attack (Mid-air Attack) recalls all active Sword Shadows — deals bonus Aero Erosion DMG scaled by type and quantity recalled
- Activated by casting Resonance Liberation — costs 50% of Max HP to transform (no HP cost if below 50% HP)
- Fleurdelys state lasts 12 seconds (Manifest state)
- Upon entering: gains buff effects based on types of Sword Shadows recalled before Liberation
- All attacks in Fleurdelys form generate Conviction and also apply/trigger Aero Erosion DMG
- Reach 120 Conviction → activate Resonance Liberation: Blade of Howling Squall
- Blade of Howling Squall consumes all Aero Erosion stacks (up to 5, boosted to 6 with Chisa)
🔥 Blade of Howling Squall — The Nuke
The entire damage identity of Cartethyia culminates in this finisher. For every stack of Aero Erosion on the enemy when this skill lands, damage is amplified — up to 5 stacks by default, 6 stacks with Chisa. This is why Ciaccona (reliable off-field Aero Erosion applicator) and Chisa (stack cap +1 and DEF shred) are so important: without pre-stacking, you lose the majority of this skill’s damage multiplier. Always ensure maximum Aero Erosion stacks are present before triggering Blade of Howling Squall.
Skill Breakdown
4-hit Aero sword combo. Stage 4 applies 1 Aero Erosion stack and summons a Sword of Divinity’s Shadow. Reach the 4th hit as efficiently as possible each rotation. Scales with Normal Attack DMG Bonus sub-stat. Contributes meaningful DPS — second priority after Forte and Liberation.
Charged attack that summons Sword of Discord’s Shadow on hit. Counts as Basic Attack DMG. Used in rotation to complete the three Shadow set before the Plunging Attack recall. Can be performed mid-air.
Launches and pulls down nearby enemies, dealing Aero DMG. Applies 2 Aero Erosion stacks and summons Sword of Virtue’s Shadow. Both counts as Basic Attack DMG. Can be used mid-air. Third skill priority for leveling — contributes a Shadow, applies Erosion, and is a key part of the rotation.
Core sustained damage skill. When Sword Shadows are present, a Plunging Attack (Mid-air Attack) recalls all of them, dealing bonus Aero Erosion DMG scaled by the number and type of Shadows recalled. Three Shadows deals enormously more than one or two — always complete all three before recalling. Max priority for leveling.
Primary nuke. Casting Liberation reduces HP by 50% to enter Fleurdelys (Manifest) form for 12s. After reaching 120 Conviction, cast Liberation again to fire Blade of Howling Squall — consumes all Aero Erosion stacks (up to 5, or 6 with Chisa). Max priority for leveling. Liberation DMG Bonus sub-stat directly improves this skill.
Intro: Applies 2 Aero Erosion stacks and summons Sword of Discord’s Shadow (like Heavy Attack). Outro: Grants team-wide buff to boost Aero DMG. Level last — both have low direct damage scaling.
Skill Leveling Priority
| Priority | Skill | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| ★★★★★ 1st | Forte Circuit | Sword Shadow Plunging recall is her highest sustained DPS source — max first |
| ★★★★★ 1st | Resonance Liberation | Blade of Howling Squall is the nuke finisher — co-equal max priority with Forte |
| ★★★★ 2nd | Normal Attack | Basic Attack multipliers (both Cartethyia and Fleurdelys modes) contribute significant DPS |
| ★★★ 3rd | Resonance Skill | Applies 2 Aero Erosion stacks and summons Sword of Virtue — rotation enabler with meaningful Erosion contribution |
| ★ Last | Intro Skill | Minimal personal damage scaling — level last |
Best Weapons
| Weapon | Rarity | Substat | Key Passive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defier’s Thorn | 5★ Sig | HP% 77.0% | +12% HP. After Intro Skill or Basic Attack: ignore 8% of target DEF. When target has ≥1 Aero Erosion stack: +20% damage taken by target. Only sword with HP% substat in the game — uniquely BiS for Cartethyia. |
| Emerald of Genesis | 5★ Standard | Crit Rate 24.3% | +12.8% Energy Regen helps Liberation uptime. Resonance Skill grants +6% ATK ×2 stacks. Best alternative without signature — Crit Rate helps offset the loss of Defier’s Thorn’s HP% stat. |
| Lumingloss | 4★ BP | Crit DMG | On Resonance Skill cast: +Basic Attack DMG and +Heavy Attack DMG for a duration. Best non-5★ option from Battle Pass. |
| Guardian Sword | 3★ F2P | HP% 30.3% | +24% Resonance Skill DMG Bonus at R5. The only F2P sword with an HP% substat — makes it the correct F2P choice over ATK-substat alternatives for an HP-scaling DPS. |
⚠ Signature Weapon Priority — Highly Recommended
Unlike most characters where the signature is optional, Defier’s Thorn is the only sword in the game with an HP% substat. Since Cartethyia scales from HP, this weapon provides a much larger relative boost than a Crit-substat sword. The +20% DMG vs Aero Erosion-stacked enemies amplifies her nuke window further. Pulling the weapon alongside Cartethyia is strongly recommended.
Best Echo Sets
◆ 44111 Echo Layout — Not 43311 (with Ciaccona)
Because Cartethyia scales from HP, 1-Cost echo slots (which provide flat HP + HP% main stat) are far more valuable than a 3-Cost ATK% echo. Using 44111 instead of 43311 results in approximately 7% more damage output. This applies when using Ciaccona, who provides sufficient Aero DMG Bonus for the team.
⚠ Without Ciaccona: Use 43311 with Aero DMG Bonus on the 3-Cost slot to compensate for the lost Aero coverage from Ciaccona’s buffs.
Windward Pilgrimage (5-PC)
2-PC: +10% Aero DMG Bonus — always active
5-PC: Hitting a target with Aero Erosion grants +10% Crit Rate and +30% Aero DMG Bonus for 10 seconds. Cartethyia constantly applies Aero Erosion, so this proc is effectively permanent in combat.
Main Echo: Reminiscence: Fleurdelys (4-Cost) — grants +10% Aero DMG Bonus (+10% more if equipped by Cartethyia or Aero Rover = 20% total)
Gusts of Welkin (2) + Sierra Gale (2)
Gusts of Welkin 2-PC: +10% Aero DMG Bonus
Both 2-set combinations give a combined Aero DMG Bonus. No Crit Rate boost compared to Windward Pilgrimage 5-PC, but serviceable while farming good substats. Pair with Reminiscence: Fleurdelys main echo for best results.
Echo Main Stats — 44111 Layout (with Ciaccona)
| Echo Slot (Cost) | Main Stat | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Cost Echo #1 (Main Echo) | Crit Rate or Crit DMG | Use Reminiscence: Fleurdelys here for its 20% Aero DMG passive. Main stat: Crit Rate if below 70%; Crit DMG if using Defier’s Thorn (which already has HP% substat) |
| 4-Cost Echo #2 | Crit Rate or Crit DMG | Whichever Crit stat you did not take in the first 4-Cost slot — maintain roughly 1:2 Crit Rate : Crit DMG ratio |
| 1-Cost Echo ×3 | HP% | HP% — not ATK%! 1-Cost echoes also provide flat HP alongside the HP% main stat, giving double HP value unique to this slot type. Critical for Cartethyia’s damage. |
Echo Sub-Stats Priority
| Sub-Stat | Priority | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crit Rate | ★★★★★ Top | Target 70% total (including 10% from Windward Pilgrimage 5-PC proc) |
| Crit DMG | ★★★★★ Top | Target 270%+. Community consensus optimal ratio: 70% Crit Rate : 270% Crit DMG |
| HP% | ★★★ Mid | Stack after Crit is balanced — target ~50,000 total HP |
| Normal/Basic Attack DMG Bonus | ★★ Situational | Boosts Basic Attack hits — take if Crit is already well-covered |
| Liberation DMG Bonus | ★★ Situational | Directly buffs Blade of Howling Squall — valuable if Crit is capped |
🎯 Target Stat Goals
Optimal Rotation
Phase 1 — Build All Three Sword Shadows & Erosion Stacks
Phase 2 — Enter Fleurdelys & Nuke
Key Rules: Always ensure enemies have maximum Aero Erosion stacks from Ciaccona / Chisa before triggering Blade of Howling Squall. Do all three Shadow-summoning actions (Intro, Resonance Skill, Basic Attack Stage 4) before the Plunging Attack recall — three Shadows deals significantly more than fewer. In Fleurdelys form, do NOT switch out — maintain the form until 120 Conviction is reached and Blade of Howling Squall fires. HP management: Because Liberation entry costs 50% HP, ensure you have a healer active or HP above 50% before casting Liberation. Note: The HP cost is waived if HP is already below 50%.
Best Team Compositions
★ Aero Erosion — BIS Team
The definitive Cartethyia team. Ciaccona applies Aero Erosion reliably off-field, Chisa raises the cap to 6 stacks and provides DEF shred — maximizing Blade of Howling Squall.
🌿 Aero + Healer Alt
Swap Chisa for Shorekeeper when healing is needed. You lose the 6th Erosion stack cap and DEF shred, but gain excellent Crit buffs and strong survivability. Still a very strong team.
⚗️ All-Rounder Alt (No Ciaccona)
Best option if you lack Ciaccona. Switch echo layout to 43311 with Aero DMG Bonus on the 3-Cost slot.
✅ F2P Budget Team
Aero Rover is fully free and increases Aero Erosion stack cap to 6 — solid synergy. Also comes with a free 5★ sword that grants +10% Aero DMG Bonus.
Resonance Chain (Sequence Nodes)
| Node | Effect | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| S1 | Blade of Howling Squall deals increased damage based on Aero Erosion stacks consumed. Enhances the nuke’s damage scaling per stack — directly amplifies her primary finisher | ★★★★ High |
| S2 | Sword Shadow Plunging Attack damage increased. Each Shadow recalled in Forte Circuit deals additional Aero DMG — more Shadows = more damage boost. Most impactful early chain. | ★★★★★ Best Early |
| S3 | Resonance Liberation skill level +4. In Fleurdelys form, Normal Attack DMG and Resonance Liberation DMG both increased — significant multiplier boost to both phases of her kit | ★★★★ High |
| S4 | Concerto Energy gained from Plunging Attack (Shadow recall) increased — improves rotation speed and allows faster Liberation cycling | ★★★ QoL |
| S5 | Forte Circuit skill level +4. Sword Shadow Plunge gains additional multiplier — directly increases 3-Shadow recall damage output | ★★★★ Good |
| S6 | Major upgrade — Blade of Howling Squall gains an additional Aero DMG hit after execution. Bonus Aero attack also triggers on each Plunging Attack recall in Fleurdelys form. Significant DPS spike. | ★★★★★ Major |
✓ Recommended Pull Order
S0R1 > S2R1 > S3R1 > S6R1 — S2 provides the most impactful early upgrade by boosting Sword Shadow recall damage. S6 is a significant late-game investment but entirely optional for clearing all endgame content at S0. All SS-tier characters including Cartethyia are complete and competitive at S0.
Should You Pull Cartethyia?
🔥 Pull If…
- ✓ You want a T0 Aero DPS with a unique, rewarding dual-form mechanic
- ✓ You already have or plan to pull Ciaccona — they are co-dependent for best results
- ✓ You enjoy burst-style DPS playstyles centered on big nuke finishers
- ✓ You can invest in her signature Defier’s Thorn — uniquely valuable due to the HP% substat
◯ Skip / Wait If…
- ✗ You don’t have Ciaccona — off-field Erosion application becomes harder without her
- ✗ You prefer simpler, standalone DPS characters that work in any team
- ✗ You are saving for Aemeath or Sigrika — weigh your account priorities before pulling on a rerun
- ✗ You lack resources for both Cartethyia and Defier’s Thorn — without the signature, weapon options are significantly weaker
The Verdict
🌪️ T0 Aero Erosion Nuke Queen — Still Meta in 3.2
Cartethyia earns her T0 / SS-Tier ranking as a high-ceiling burst DPS with one of the most satisfying finisher mechanics in Wuthering Waves — the Blade of Howling Squall consuming up to 6 Aero Erosion stacks for massive Aero nuke damage. Her dual-form system, HP scaling uniqueness, and 44111 echo layout set her apart from every other DPS in the game. She remains T0 in both 3.1 and 3.2.
What makes her worth pulling: She is the only DPS who can maximize both Aero DMG buffs and Aero Erosion DMG buffs simultaneously — making her uniquely future-proof in a meta that revolves around these mechanics. Her kit rewards preparation and loop mastery with some of the highest damage ceilings in the game.
Final Recommendation: Pull Cartethyia alongside Defier’s Thorn if possible, farm Windward Pilgrimage 5-PC with the 44111 HP% layout, target 50,000 HP · 70% Crit Rate · 270% Crit DMG · 115–120% Energy Regen, and pair with Ciaccona + Chisa for maximum output.
📚 Related Character Guides
📊 View Complete Wuthering Waves Character Tier ListLast updated: April 2026 • Version 3.2 • All corrections verified against community data and build sources.
