Linko has arrived in Neverness to Everness Version 1.3 as a new Anima sub-DPS character. Unlike characters that need to stay on the field for long periods, Linko is built around dealing damage from off-field while supporting the rest of the team.
Her kit gives her several useful tools, including Elemental Resistance reduction, improved Hex reactions, follow-up attacks, and additional damage through her ghostly companion, Shiao Jin. This makes Linko a flexible character who can fit into several different team setups.
This guide covers Linko’s abilities, best builds, Arcs, modules, Awakenings, team compositions, and how to use her effectively.
Note: The original testing was performed on an early-access server, so some numbers or mechanics may change when Linko officially releases.
Linko’s Role and Playstyle
Linko is primarily an off-field sub-DPS and support character. Her personal damage is useful, but her biggest value comes from improving the team’s overall performance through Resistance Shred and stronger Hex-related reactions.
She does not need to remain on the field for long. In fact, keeping Linko off-field is important because Shiao Jin can periodically mark enemies while she is away. Your other characters can then trigger Linko’s follow-up attack.
Her basic attacks are relatively simple and mainly help fill her Forte gauge. You generally should not spend a large amount of field time trying to maximize this gauge because the extra damage is not important enough to justify delaying your main DPS.
Linko Resonant Skill
Linko’s Resonant Skill lets you select a teammate from a small menu. The selected character then attacks the enemy through Linko’s skill.
The attack deals damage based on the selected character’s element, while also reducing the enemy’s Resistance to that element by 8% for 12 seconds. This makes the skill useful even when Linko herself is not the main damage dealer.
You can also choose Shiao Jin instead of another teammate. Shiao Jin performs an attack and applies Resistance reduction toward Linko’s own skill element.
The skill has a 12-second cooldown, generates Ultimate Energy and Cycle Gauge, and deals respectable damage. Because it provides so much utility in addition to damage, you should generally use it whenever it becomes available.
Linko’s Shiao Jin Mark
One of the most important parts of Linko’s kit is her Shiao Jin mark mechanic.
When Linko remains off-field, Shiao Jin can mark a nearby enemy every 8 seconds. If a character uses a skill against the marked target, Linko performs a Sync Attack.
This attack deals additional damage and applies Resistance Shred, giving Linko another way to contribute while staying off the field.
There is one important detail to remember. The mark requires Linko to be off-field when the eight-second interval occurs. If you keep Linko on the field at the wrong time, the mark will not be applied and you can lose that opportunity.
Because of this, try to keep Linko off-field whenever possible and activate each mark within roughly seven seconds after it appears.
Linko’s Ultimate
Linko’s Ultimate is another major part of her damage and support kit. She launches several Sync Attacks before Shiao Jin finishes the sequence with a powerful attack.
The three teammate Sync Attacks can reduce the enemy’s Resistance to their respective elements. Shiao Jin’s portion does not provide the same Resistance reduction.
Her Ultimate also creates a field that lasts for 8 seconds. During this period, Sync Attacks deal an additional instance of damage. Some support abilities that count as Sync Attacks can also trigger this bonus damage.
The final portion of Linko’s Ultimate can deal additional damage based on the number of debuffs currently affecting the enemy. It also provides some enemy grouping, which can be helpful against groups of targets.
Linko’s Passive Abilities
Linko’s first major passive improves the base Hex multiplier from 20% to 30%.
When an enemy is affected by Hex, Anima or Incantation damage against that target can trigger additional damage based on the Hex multiplier. The Cycle Intensity stat can further influence this damage depending on which character is triggering the effect.
This passive also increases follow-up attack damage against Hexed enemies by 10%, giving Linko even more value in teams that can consistently maintain Hex.
Her second major passive is tied to the Resistance Shred effects from her Skill and Ultimate.
Linko also has city-related passive effects and an exploration passive called Go No Rocket, which allows her to use the movement technique associated with her exploration gimmick.
Linko Talent Priority
Since Linko is primarily an off-field character, you should focus on the abilities that provide the most utility and damage without requiring extended field time.
The recommended priority is:
- Support Skill: Highest priority.
- Ultimate: Second priority.
- Resonant Skill: Lower priority.
- Basic Attacks: Lowest priority.
Her basic attacks are not a major part of her normal rotation, so investing heavily in them is generally unnecessary compared with her Support Skill and Ultimate.
Linko’s Recommended Rotation
Fortunately, Linko’s actual rotation is much easier than her kit might initially suggest.
A simple rotation looks like this:
- Use Linko’s Ultimate.
- Use her Resonant Skill.
- Select Shiao Jin when appropriate.
- Swap back to your main character.
- Keep Linko off-field so Shiao Jin can apply her mark.
- Have a teammate use a Skill to trigger the mark.
- Use Linko’s Skill again whenever its cooldown is ready.
- Repeat the process while maintaining Resistance Shred and Hex uptime.
Using Shiao Jin for Linko’s Skill can also make it easier to swap back to another character quickly while keeping the Resistance reduction active.
Linko Build: Best Modules and Cartridges
Linko is relatively straightforward to build because her damage benefits heavily from the usual offensive stats.
For her Cartridge setup, the recommended choice is the Fireflies and Forest set. You can build up to seven stacks, providing up to 56% Critical Damage.
For her Module layout, Linko benefits from additional Type 3 Modules. Her passive provides 8% Critical Rate for every Type 3 Module equipped, making the correct module setup particularly important.
For her additional slots, aim for:
- 2 additional Type 3 Modules.
- 1 additional Type 2 Module.
For main stats, your choice depends on the Arc you are using. If your Arc already provides Critical Rate, such as her signature Arc, prioritize:
- Anima Damage.
- Critical Damage.
- ATK%.
If your Arc does not provide Critical Rate, a Critical Rate main stat becomes a more reasonable option.
Linko Sub Stats
For Linko’s sub stats, focus on the standard offensive stats that improve her personal damage.
Prioritize:
- Critical Rate.
- Critical Damage.
- Bonus Damage.
- ATK%.
Cycle Intensity is also useful, but it is generally a lower priority for Linko. It can increase her personal Hex damage, but it should not take priority over the main offensive stats above.
Best Arcs for Linko
Linko uses Plasma-type Arcs, and her signature Arc is currently her strongest choice for personal damage.
Voice of the Voyager
Voice of the Voyager is Linko’s signature Arc and her best overall option if you want to maximize her personal damage.
It provides:
- 24% Critical Rate.
- 24% ATK.
- A large Critical Damage increase affecting much of Linko’s damage output.
The gap between her signature Arc and other options is fairly noticeable when looking specifically at Linko’s own damage.
However, the difference becomes less important when Linko is supporting powerful damage dealers such as Zonko. In those teams, the overall team damage can remain very competitive even without her signature weapon.
Fluff of Fortitude
A highly refined Fluff of Fortitude is one of the best alternatives.
At maximum refinement, it can reach around 80% of the personal damage output provided by Linko’s signature Arc, making it a strong choice if you do not want to invest in her signature weapon.
Ready
Ready, Natalie’s signature Arc, is another solid option for Linko. It falls below her signature Arc and highly refined Fluff of Fortitude, but can still provide good results.
Other Arc Options
The remaining options are generally lower in priority:
- Fluff of Fortitude at lower refinement.
- Raging Flames.
- Song of the Whale.
Overall, Linko’s signature Arc is mainly worth considering if you want to maximize her own damage. If your team already contains extremely powerful DPS characters, the upgrade may not be as important.
Linko Awakenings
Linko’s Awakenings provide several powerful improvements, with A5 standing out as one of her most valuable upgrades.
Awakening 1
A1 reduces the interval between Linko’s marks from 8 seconds to 6 seconds.
This means more opportunities to trigger Sync Attacks during a fight.
Awakening 2
A2 improves the damage of the final hit of Linko’s Ultimate.
It is useful, but it is not considered one of her most important early investments.
Awakening 3
A3 changes how Linko can use her Skill around her Ultimate. It allows her to use the Skill before the Ultimate and then use it again afterward because the Ultimate refreshes its cooldown.
Awakening 4
A4 adds another area attack while Linko’s Ultimate field is active when a Sync Strike occurs.
This provides additional damage, particularly in situations where several enemies are grouped together.
Awakening 5
A5 is one of Linko’s biggest upgrades.
When Linko selects a character with her Skill, it can trigger an Esper Cycle if that character is able to activate one. This can provide an immediate Hex reaction at the beginning of a fight or improve Hex uptime throughout combat.
It can also increase the damage of the Sync Attack when the selected character cannot perform an Esper Cycle.
Awakening 6
A6 gives Linko’s Sync Strikes 25% additional Critical Rate and improves Ultimate Energy generation for the team.
This can help the entire team access their Ultimates more frequently, making A6 particularly valuable for teams that rely heavily on Ultimate rotations.
Best Awakening Order
If you plan to invest in Linko’s Awakenings, A5 is generally the first major breakpoint to target.
A recommended order is:
- A5
- A6 or A1
- A4
- A3
- A2
Choose A6 earlier if you care more about team Energy and Ultimate frequency. A1 is the better option if you prefer more frequent Sync Attacks and easier Hex uptime.
For most players, however, Linko does not need heavy Awakening investment. Her base kit already provides substantial value.
Linko’s Resonance Effects
Linko’s Resonance effects are also quite strong.
Her first notable Resonance effect comes at Awakening 3 and provides an additional talent level alongside a 20% ATK increase for Linko.
Her sixth Resonance effect is even more impressive. It extends her Ultimate field by 5 seconds and grants the entire team 30% Anima and Incantation Damage while the field remains active.
This gives Linko a significant team-support role at high investment rather than simply increasing her own damage.
Best Linko Teams
Linko is one of the more flexible characters in Neverness to Everness because her Resistance Shred can benefit different elements.
Her strongest teams currently revolve around characters that can take advantage of her improved Hex mechanics.
Zonko + Linko Team
One of Linko’s strongest teams is built around Zonko, with characters such as Lacrosa and Securi filling the remaining positions.
A setup can look like:
- Zonko
- Linko
- Securi
- Lacrosa or Daffodil
Zonko benefits heavily from Linko’s improved Hex reaction and Resistance Shred. Securi helps maximize the damage taken from Scorch-related effects, while Lacrosa or Daffodil can help enable the necessary reaction setup.
This team does not rely heavily on traditional sustain, but its damage output can make up for the lack of defensive support.
Natalie Anima Team
Linko can also work well with Natalie in a more Anima-focused setup.
Linko provides Resistance Shred, additional personal damage, improved Hex interactions, and additional follow-up attack damage against Hexed enemies. All of these effects can increase Natalie’s overall performance.
The main weakness is that Hex uptime will not always be perfect without Linko’s A1. Even so, the team remains a useful option.
Shinku Team
Shinku is another possible teammate, although Linko does not perfectly match Shinku’s main mechanics.
Shinku relies more heavily on Rora, Blossom, and Charge mechanics, meaning Hex does not provide the same direct benefit to her damage.
Still, Linko can work as a general Anima support option, particularly for players who do not have stronger alternatives such as Natalie or Roy.
Hyper Carry Teams
One of Linko’s biggest strengths is her ability to support a wide range of main DPS characters.
Since her Resistance Shred can target different elements, she can be placed beside a powerful hyper carry and focus on increasing that character’s damage.
A general setup could include:
- Main DPS
- Linko
- Securi
- General support
Securi is particularly useful when you want to activate Hex-related effects, while characters such as Haniel and Aroy can provide additional general buffs.
Can Linko Be a Main DPS?
Yes, although this is not her intended role.
With enough buffs and investment, Linko can be played as a main DPS or hyper carry. Her Skill and Ultimate have enough damage potential to make this setup viable, especially when surrounded by strong buffers.
However, playing her this way means you may lose some of the benefits from her off-field mechanics. Linko wants to spend time away from the field so Shiao Jin can apply her mark.
Because of this, the main DPS setup is more of a fun alternative than the most efficient way to use her.
Linko Team Flexibility
The most impressive part of Linko’s kit is arguably how easily she can fit into different teams.
She does not require one specific DPS element because her Skill can reduce the Resistance of the selected character’s element. This gives her value as a generalized support for many teams.
She can also function with fewer characters on the team. When there are fewer characters available, Shiao Jin can deal somewhat more damage, giving players another option for experimenting with smaller team compositions.
Is Linko Worth Pulling?
Linko looks like a very strong addition to Neverness to Everness, especially for players who already use Zonko or other characters that can take advantage of improved Hex reactions.
Her biggest strength is not simply her personal damage. She combines several useful roles:
- Off-field sub-DPS.
- Resistance Shred support.
- Hex enhancement.
- Sync Attack support.
- Ultimate Energy generation.
- Additional team damage.
- Flexible elemental support.
This combination makes her valuable even when she is not the main source of damage.
Linko is shaping up to be one of the more interesting sub-DPS characters in Neverness to Everness Version 1.3. Her gameplay is centered around staying off-field, allowing Shiao Jin to mark enemies while Linko periodically returns to use her Skill and Ultimate.
Her Resistance Shred and improved Hex mechanics are the main reasons to use her, while her own damage gives her even more value. She is particularly strong alongside Zonko, but her universal support tools allow her to work with many other DPS characters.
The main weakness is the timing of her mark. Keeping Linko on the field at the wrong moment can cause you to miss a mark cycle, which makes her rotation slightly less forgiving. Aside from that issue, she offers a very strong combination of damage and support. For most players, Linko’s base copy is already valuable, while her Awakenings and signature Arc are better treated as optional upgrades rather than requirements.