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Best Cartethyia Build Guide 2026

Complete build guide for the Aero Sword DPS
Aero Main DPS Sword SS-Tier
Updated: June 2026 Version: 2.4+ Reading time: 7 min

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1. Character Overview

Cartethyia is a 5-Star Aero Sword DPS and the Blessed Maiden of Rinascita. She is the first character in Wuthering Waves whose abilities scale off HP rather than ATK, making her build uniquely different from traditional DPS characters. Her kit revolves around the Aero Erosion mechanic and a dual-form system — switching between her standard Cartethyia form and the enhanced Fleurdelys state.

Why Build Cartethyia?

Role in Team

Primary on-field DPS. She controls the battlefield by applying Aero Erosion stacks in Cartethyia form, then transforms into Fleurdelys for devastating burst windows. Her Outro Skill amplifies Aero DMG for the next character, making her an excellent team anchor.

2. Best Build

Weapons

BEST IN SLOT

Defier's Thorn

5-Star | HP% Substat

Signature weapon. Max HP +12%. 15s after casting Intro Skill or Basic Attack, ignore 8% target DEF while dealing damage. If target has at least 1 stack of Aero Erosion, DMG is amplified by 20%. Perfect synergy with her kit.
ALT 5-Star

Red Spring

5-Star | Crit Rate Substat

ATK +12%. When dealing Basic Attack DMG, gain 10% Basic Attack DMG Bonus for 14s (stacks up to 3). When Concerto Energy is consumed, gain 40% Basic Attack DMG Bonus for 10s. Good stat stick with Crit Rate.
ALT 5-Star

Blazing Brilliance

5-Star | Crit DMG Substat

ATK +12%. Gains 1 stack of Searing Feather on dealing damage (0.5s cooldown), +5 stacks on Resonance Skill cast. Each stack gives 4% Resonance Skill DMG Bonus (max 14 stacks, removed after 12s at max). Good for Skill-focused builds.
ALT 5-Star

Emerald of Genesis

5-Star | Energy Regen Substat

Energy Regen +12.8%. When Resonance Skill is used, ATK +6% (stacks up to 2, lasts 10s). Good for faster Liberation uptime and consistent energy generation.
F2P

Guardian Sword

3-Star | HP% Substat

Best budget option for F2P players. The HP% substat directly benefits Cartethyia's HP-scaling kit. Resonance Skill DMG Bonus +12%. Despite being 3-star, it outperforms many 4-star swords for her.

Echoes (Sonata Effects)

Best Set: 5-piece Windward Pilgrimage (increases Aero DMG and Crit Rate when hitting Aero Erosion targets)

Alternative: 5-piece Gusts of Welkin (team-wide Aero DMG buff, but weaker for personal DPS)

SlotMain EchoMain Stat Priority
Cost 4Reminiscence: FleurdelysCrit Rate% or Crit DMG%
Cost 4Reminiscence: Fleurdelys (2nd)Crit Rate% or Crit DMG%
Cost 1Any Windward Pilgrimage EchoHP%
Cost 1Any Windward Pilgrimage EchoHP%
Cost 1Any Windward Pilgrimage EchoHP%

Substats Priority

Crit Rate% > Crit DMG% > HP% > HP (flat) > Energy Regen% > Resonance Liberation DMG%

Aim for 70:270 crit ratio (70% Crit Rate / 270% Crit DMG) to maximize her critical damage. Note that you'll need double crit substats and high crit rolls to achieve this, so patience is key when farming echoes.

Target Stats

Max HP48,000 - 50,000+
Crit Rate60% - 70%
Crit DMG250% - 270%
Energy Regen115% - 120%

Cartethyia needs ~50,000 HP for optimal damage output. Every 7% HP equals roughly 1,000 HP. With C1 providing 23% HP and 2,000 flat HP, reaching this range is relatively easy.

3. Skill Analysis

Normal Attack: Incarnation Priority: ★★★★☆

Performs up to 4 consecutive Aero DMG attacks. The 4th attack deals increased damage and applies 1 stack of Aero Erosion. In Fleurdelys form, Basic Attack is replaced with Basic Attack - Fleurdelys (up to 5 consecutive attacks, dealing Aero DMG and restoring Conviction).

Second priority after Forte Circuit. Most of Cartethyia mode's multipliers are here. The 4-hit combo is essential for applying Erosion stacks and summoning Divine Swords.

Resonance Skill: Sword of Virtue Priority: ★★★☆☆

Cartethyia form: Dash forward dealing Aero DMG and applying 2 stacks of Aero Erosion. Summons one of the three Divine Swords.

Fleurdelys form: Replaced by Sword to Answer Waves' Call — summons a force field to pull in nearby targets, dealing Aero DMG and restoring Conviction. Can be followed by May Tempest Break the Tides for a giant Sword Shadow strike.

Important for Erosion application and sword summoning. In Fleurdelys form, use it to group enemies together before your burst combo.

Resonance Liberation: Blade of Howling Squall Priority: ★★★★☆

Consumes all Aero Erosion stacks to unleash a massive Aero explosion. Each stack consumed increases damage by 20% and removes the stack. Transforms Cartethyia into Fleurdelys for 12s (Manifest state).

Second Liberation (Fleurdelys): Deals great damage in a straight line in front of her, restoring 50% of her HP.

The transformation mechanic is core to her gameplay. Always build Erosion stacks before casting Liberation. The second Liberation in Fleurdelys form is her highest damage instance.

Forte Circuit: Tempest Priority: ★★★★★ (HIGHEST)

Cartethyia's core mechanic. Accumulates Conviction through attacks in Fleurdelys form. At 120 Conviction, enables the second Resonance Liberation. All three Divine Swords must be summoned (via Basic Attack and Resonance Skill) to maximize damage.

HIGHEST priority to level. Most of Cartethyia's damage is dealt while in Fleurdelys mode, and the majority of that damage comes from her Forte Circuit. This is the heart of her kit.

Intro Skill: Sword of Discord Priority: ★★☆☆☆

Deals Aero DMG when switching into Cartethyia. Applies 2 stacks of Aero Erosion and summons Sword of Discord (first Divine Sword).

Always try to switch to Cartethyia with Intro Skill active to start her combo immediately with 2 Erosion stacks and the first sword summoned.

Skill Level Priority

Forte Circuit > Normal Attack > Resonance Skill > Resonance Liberation > Intro Skill

4. Team Compositions

Cartethyia thrives in teams that can maintain Aero Erosion on enemies and provide buffs for her Fleurdelys form. The more Erosion stacks, the higher her Liberation damage.

Best-in-Slot Team (Ciaccona Core)

Cartethyia (DPS) Ciaccona (Sub-DPS/Support) Chisa (Sub-DPS)

Ciaccona is the ideal partner — she applies Aero Erosion off-field and provides 24% Aero DMG Bonus via Solo Concert. Chisa builds Erosion stacks and increases max Erosion stacks to 6 via her Outro. This team covers all content comfortably.

High Damage Alternative

Cartethyia (DPS) Aalto (Sub-DPS) Shorekeeper (Heal/Support)

Aalto provides consistent Aero Erosion application. Shorekeeper offers healing, buffs, and Rejuvenating Glow resonance. Strong damage output with excellent survivability for endgame content.

F2P Friendly Team

Cartethyia (DPS) Aero Rover (Sub-DPS/Heal) Baizhi (Heal)

Aero Rover at RC6 provides healing and good damage. Their Outro increases max Aero Erosion stacks to 6. Baizhi is a free 4-star healer. Budget but effective for all content without gacha investment.

Rotation Tips (Best-in-Slot Team)

  1. Start with Chisa — cast Resonance Skill, then Basic Attack string up to Death Snip, followed by Thread Withdrawn.
  2. Cast her Liberation to fill Forte bar. With Forte full, enter Chainsaw Mode with Resonance Skill and perform full Sawring combo.
  3. Finish with Sawring - Eradication, then switch to next Resonator. Her Outro increases max Aero Erosion stacks to 6.
  4. Switch to Ciaccona via Intro — she generates 1 Musical Essence and inflicts 1 Erosion stack. Follow with 2 Basic Attacks for another Essence and Solo Concert (24% Aero DMG Bonus to team).
  5. Build Ciaccona's Forte and Resonance Energy. Once full, cast Heavy Attack to group enemies, then Liberation and switch to Cartethyia.
  6. Cartethyia enters — Intro applies 2 Erosion stacks and summons Sword of Discord. Cast 3 Basic Attacks for another Erosion stack and Sword of Divinity.
  7. Cast Resonance Skill for two more Erosion stacks and Sword of Virtue. With all three swords on-field, plunge attack to recall them and transform into Fleurdelys with Liberation.
  8. Fleurdelys (Manifest state, 12s): Cast Resonance Skill to group enemies. Jump for Upward Cut, then 3 Mid-air attacks.
  9. Cast 2nd Resonance Skill to deal damage and pull enemies. Follow with 3 Basic Attacks to restore Conviction.
  10. Cast Heavy Attack, enhance it with Basic Attack immediately after. Another Basic Attack for Upward Cut.
  11. Cast second Resonance Liberation for massive damage in a straight line, restoring 50% HP. Each Erosion stack amplifies this by 20%.
  12. Finally, use Outro Skill to amplify team's Aero DMG and switch to Chisa. Repeat until all enemies are defeated.

5. Resonance Chain (Sequence Nodes)

S1
Blessed Maiden's Resolve: Max HP increased by 23% and flat HP +2,000. Makes reaching the 50,000 HP benchmark much easier.
S2
Thorned Crown: When in Fleurdelys form, Conviction generation increased by 50%. Allows faster second Liberation cycles.
S3
Divine Judgment: Resonance Liberation DMG Multiplier increased by 60%. Blade of Howling Squall damage significantly boosted.
S4
Windward Blessing: When casting second Liberation, all nearby teammates gain +25% Aero DMG Bonus for 20s. Team-wide buff.
S5
Fleurdelys Unbound: Manifest state duration extended by 4s (total 16s). More time for Fleurdelys combos.
S6
Eternal Maiden: All Aero DMG ignores 15% enemy DEF. Second Liberation consumes only half of Conviction (60 instead of 120). Transforms her into the highest Aero DPS in the game.

Worth Pulling?

S1 is the sweet spot for most players — the HP boost makes building her significantly easier. S2 excellent for faster rotations. S4 makes her a team buffer. S6 is whale territory but provides the highest DPS ceiling and most comfortable gameplay.

6. Upgrade Materials

Materials needed to ascend Cartethyia to 6✦ and level all main skills to 10:

Ascension Materials (0✦ → 6✦)

Shell Credit170,000
Elegy Tacet Core46
Fleurdelys Petal60
LF Whisperin Core4
MF Whisperin Core12
HF Whisperin Core12
FF Whisperin Core4

Elegy Tacet Core drops from Mourning Aix (Whining Aix Mire). Fleurdelys Petal can be found in Rinascita region or purchased at Shifang Pharmacy.

Skill Materials (All Main Skills to 10)

Shell Credit630,000
Waveworn Residue 2263
Waveworn Residue 23516
Waveworn Residue 23912
MF Whisperin Core3
HF Whisperin Core16
FF Whisperin Core12
Sentinel's Dagger6

Waveworn Residue drops from Eroded Ruins (Wuming Bay). Sentinel's Dagger drops from Jué (Mt. Firmament). Whisperin Cores drop from humanoid enemies.

Total Shell Credits Needed

~20.3 million Shell Credits total for full ascension + all skills. Start saving early!

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cartethyia worth building without her signature weapon? ▼
Yes, but her weapon options are limited. Defier's Thorn is significantly better than alternatives. If you don't have it, Red Spring or Emerald of Genesis work as stat sticks. For F2P players, the 3-star Guardian Sword with HP% substat is surprisingly effective and outperforms many 4-star swords for her.
What is the minimum Resonance Chain needed? ▼
S0 is viable but challenging due to HP requirements. S1 is highly recommended as it provides 23% HP and 2,000 flat HP, making the 50,000 HP benchmark much easier to reach. S2 speeds up rotations. S4 adds team buffing. S6 is whale territory but transforms her into the highest Aero DPS.
Why does Cartethyia use a 4-4-1-1-1 echo configuration instead of 4-3-3-1-1? ▼
Cartethyia is the first HP-scaling DPS in the game. 1-cost echoes are the only ones that provide flat HP, which directly increases her damage. Additionally, she gets enough Aero DMG from Ciaccona, sonata effects, main echo, and her Liberation — so she doesn't need the 3-cost Aero DMG% slots. The 4-4-1-1-1 setup maximizes Crit and HP.
How much HP does Cartethyia need? ▼
As a general benchmark, Cartethyia performs best at 65,000+ HP. Roughly, every 7% HP equals about 1,000 HP, and flat HP also contributes significantly. With S1 providing 23% HP and 2,000 flat HP, reaching this range is relatively easy. For consistent endgame performance, aim for at least 48,000-50,000 HP.
What team composition is best for F2P players? ▼
Cartethyia + Aero Rover (at RC6 for healing) + Baizhi is the best F2P team. Aero Rover's Outro increases max Aero Erosion stacks to 6, which significantly boosts Cartethyia's damage. All characters are free or farmable. Alternatively, use any Sub-DPS you have built — Cartethyia can apply Erosion independently.

Disclaimer: Build recommendations are based on official game data and community testing as of Version 2.4. Game updates may change character balance, echo sets, and optimal builds. Always verify in-game before investing rare resources. Last updated: June 2026.

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