Guide
How the kit works
Before a fight, Manifesto of Purest Virtue inflicts Daze on enemies in an area for 10 seconds. Attack a Dazed enemy to enter combat and Argenti deals Physical DMG equal to 80% of his ATK to all enemies and gains 15 Energy.
In combat, use Justice, Hereby Blooms to hit all enemies for Physical DMG equal to 120% of ATK. Fleeting Fragrance instead hits one target for 100% of ATK. His Talent, Sublime Object, gives him 3 Energy and one stack of Apotheosis for each enemy hit when he uses his Basic, Skill or Ultimate. Each stack gives 2.5% CRIT Rate, up to 10 stacks.
For In This Garden, Supreme Beauty Bestows costs 90 Energy and deals 160% of ATK to all enemies. Merit Bestowed in "My" Garden costs 180 Energy, deals 280% of ATK to all enemies, then hits random enemies six times for 95% of ATK per hit. If only one enemy remains, all six extra hits land on that enemy.
Argenti also gains an Apotheosis stack at the start of his turn and 2 Energy when an enemy enters combat. He deals 15% more damage to enemies at 50% HP or less.
Build and why
For relics, use four pieces of Scholar Lost in Erudition. The set gives 8% CRIT Rate and increases Skill and Ultimate damage by 20%. After an Ultimate, it also increases the next Skill's damage by 25%. Champion of Streetwise Boxing is an alternative: it gives Physical DMG and builds ATK when Argenti attacks or is hit.
For planar ornaments, Inert Salsotto gives 8% CRIT Rate and increases Ultimate damage by 15% once current CRIT Rate reaches 50%. Apotheosis helps reach that threshold. Sigonia, the Unclaimed Desolation is another option against groups: defeated enemies build its CRIT DMG bonus, up to 40%.
Use CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG on the body, SPD or ATK Percentage on the feet, and Physical DMG Boost on the sphere. For the rope, choose ATK Percentage or Energy Regeneration Rate. Look for CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK Percentage and SPD in substats. Account for the CRIT Rate Argenti gains from Apotheosis when balancing his build.
An Instant Before A Gaze is the first Light Cone choice: it gives CRIT DMG and increases Ultimate damage based on Max Energy. Into the Unreachable Veil gives CRIT Rate and boosts Skill and Ultimate damage after an Ultimate. Its Skill Point recovery requires at least 140 Energy spent, so the 180-Energy Ultimate qualifies. Today Is Another Peaceful Day is a four-star option that increases damage based on Max Energy.
Leveling priority
Follow the game's order: level the Ultimate first, then the Skill, Talent and Basic. The Ultimate is a major source of damage in both its 90- and 180-Energy forms. The Skill hits every enemy, while the Talent supports Energy and CRIT Rate; the Basic comes last because it hits one target.
For maximum ascension, collect 308,000 Credit, 65 Netherworld Token, 15 Extinguished Core, 15 Glimmering Core and 15 Squirming Core.
For all skills, collect 3,000,000 Credit, 8 Tracks of Destiny, 18 Key of Inspiration, 69 Key of Knowledge, 139 Key of Wisdom, 12 Regret of Infinite Ochema, 41 Extinguished Core, 56 Glimmering Core and 58 Squirming Core.
Eidolons worth it
For a damage-focused progression target, consider "Your" Resplendence: Argenti's Ultimate ignores 30% of enemy DEF. It is the last Eidolon, so reaching it also means obtaining the earlier ones.
A Lacuna in Kingdom of Aesthetics is an earlier option. It adds 4% CRIT DMG per Apotheosis stack, or 40% at the normal 10-stack limit. Agate's Humility gives 40% ATK for one turn if at least three enemies are on the field when Argenti uses his Ultimate.
Trumpet's Dedication is worth considering for faster stacks: it gives two at the start of battle and raises the stack limit by two. E3 and E5 raise skill levels rather than adding a new effect. If you are stopping before E6, you can leave them for later rather than progressing just for those level increases.
Teams
Argenti wants teammates who support his damage and keep the team alive. Tribbie is a Quantum buffer, while Huohuo is a Wind sustain option. Both appear alongside Argenti in the guide evidence.
Tingyun is a Lightning buffer to consider, and Hanya is a Physical buffer alternative. Natasha offers Physical sustain if you need another option for that slot. Pick around the enemies you face rather than assuming Argenti needs one particular teammate element.
The Herta is an Ice Erudition teammate named in the guides. You can pair her with Argenti as a second damage dealer, then use the remaining slots for support and sustain.
Common mistakes
Do not automatically wait for 180 Energy every time. The 90-Energy Ultimate can be useful when enemies are nearly defeated or you need damage immediately. On the other hand, the larger version adds six hits, which can all land on a lone target.
Do not judge CRIT Rate from the equipment screen alone when planning around Inert Salsotto. Apotheosis increases current CRIT Rate in combat, and the set checks for 50%. Balance that gain against the CRIT Rate already on your gear.
Do not forget to follow an Ultimate with a Skill when using Scholar Lost in Erudition: its extra 25% bonus applies to the next Skill. Against a single enemy, remember that the Skill hits only that one target, so it gains less from the Talent than it would against a group.
