Arknights: Should You Pull? Great Axe and Pen Nib: Gavial the Invincible

:Note:

• New operators [Pozyomka], [Cantabile] will permanently join the [Standard Headhunting] pool after the banner ends
• New operator [Gavial the Invincible] is a limited operator, and won’t join any [Standard Headhunting].

YES.

All three of these Operators are extraordinarily powerful. Pozyomka has DPS coming out of her ears, with Gavialter less impressive but still very worthwhile, and Cantabile is the first Vanguard to challenge the Bagpipe + Flagbearer Vanguard combo that has reigned supreme for so long.

The only reason you might not want to pull on this banner is if you’re saving up specifically for upcoming units like Mlynar or the Omertosa (full name omitted for spoilers). However, even in those cases, this banner is still worth a few pulls. All three of the units here are well worth having, whereas there are some less-powerful units diluting the upcoming banners.

Remember: you should not pull on this banner just because Gavialter is limited. This IS an excellent banner, but you should still be aware of what these Operators do and whether you really want them before you make your final decision.

AoE/ Centurion Guard

+ Usual archetype strengths: Attacks a number of enemies equal to her Block count

+ Gets stronger the more enemies she is currently Blocking (E1 Talent)

+ S2 expands her attack range and Pulls enemies into her so she can Block them sooner and get her E1 Talent buff; also has a high ATK buff and great cycling

+ S3 increases her damage and Block count (remember, Block count affects the number of enemies she can attack and the buff from her E1 Talent)

+ S3 also “delays” half the damage she takes, making her much more survivable for the duration

= Has self-sustain with S1 if needed, but S1 is otherwise inferior to S2 and S3

- Usual archetype weaknesses: Needs to be E2-promoted (for Block-3) before she can unleash her full power

- Has to choose between expanded ATK range and higher ATK on S2, or increased Block count and survivability on S3

Close-Range/ Heavyshooter Sniper

+ Can deploy a “Typewriter” that essentially doubles her damage output (E0 Talent)

+ “Typewriter” does not take up a unit slot and cannot be attacked by enemies, making it both safe and easy to deploy

+ “Typewriter” reduces enemy DEF (E2 Talent)

+ S1 has very high consistent DPS

+ S2 reduces the redeployment time of the “Typewriter” and has incredible burst DPS while the “Typewriter” is active

+ S3 is one of the highest burst damage Skills currently available in Arknights

- “Typewriter” is not permanent and must be redeployed throughout the battle

- “Typewriter” must be deployed on a ranged tile, so on some maps there will not be a good spot to place it (especially when trying to aim S2/ S3 at a single target)

Agent Vanguard

+ Usual archetype strengths: A ground-deployed Vanguard with ranged attacks and a (slightly) increased attack range; faster redeployment time

+ Talent gives ATK while Blocking or ASPD when not Blocking

+ S1 triggers when deployed; for a short duration, Cantabile has greatly increased ATK and gains DP with every attack she makes

+ S2 increases Cantabile’s ATK and ASPD, gives her Camouflage, and causes each of her attacks to generate DP

+ S2 uses the ammo system, so the attacks can be made at any time and still generate DP

- Low DEF

- S1 cannot be reactivated without withdrawing and redeploying Cantabile

- S2’s Camouflage is cancelled if Cantabile starts Blocking an enemy

Gavial the Invincible shows us what happens when Gavial goes back to her roots as a skull-shattering, crown-slaying mercenary captain. Armed with a single-bladed axe and a way-too-many-bladed chainsaw, Gavial the Invincible scoffs at minor inconveniences like “pain” and “death,” soldiering on through overwhelming odds to cut hordes of enemies down to size.

Pozyomka is an odd choice for a representative of the Durin people. She went out to buy a typewriter, she accidentally came back with an automatic crossbow, and now she’s apparently out murdering the enemies of Rhodes Island by the truckload. At least she’s building good public relations with Rhodes Island.

Cantabile is reluctant to use her talents for violence, but she has decided that Rhodes Island is a cause worth fighting for. Her unique abilities have materialized as a brand-new Vanguard archetype: the Agent, who attacks at range, redeploys quickly, and generates DP when attacking enemies.