Alexei Best Build and Skill Tree Guide

Build and skill tree guide for Alexei in Sword of Convallaria (SoC). See the best gear (weapon/trinket/tarot), skin, tier, and review here!

Alexei's Tier & Basic Info

	Rarity	Legendary
	Role	Defender
	Faction	Drifter Aggression

Movement Stats

Alexei's Tier

Overall Rating			Reroll Rating
▶ Character Tier List			▶ Reroll Tier List
Single-Target Rating			Multi-Target Rating

User Score

Review & How to Get

Alexei Pros and Strength

Alexei's Character Overview

Unkillable Bruiser

Alexei's Trait affords him 1 turn of immortality whenever his hp is reduced to 0. This ability cannot be dispelled, and effectively allows Alexei to safely tank any attack in the entire game, as long as this ability is off cooldown.

Pro Tip!	Once you've upgraded Alexei to 5★, his 1 turn of immortality becomes 2 turns of immortality. This affords Alexei more time on the battlefield, and gives you 1 extra turn to heal him before his immortality wears off. If you plan on playing Alexei, we highly suggest pushing him to 5★.

Berserker Playstyle

Alexei's Trait coupled with the skills RK 1 [Fight to the Death] and RK 7 [Goredrinker] means Alexei is most comfortable when he is surrounded by enemies and taking damage. Try to position your Alexei in such a way that your allies are close enough to punish any enemies who are focusing on him.

Strike Back Specialist

As a frontliner, Alexei excels at taking attacks and dealing them back to the attackers. RK 11 [Counterattack Storm] combined with RK 5 [Brutebear Counter] and either [Curse] or [Wild Howl] allows Alexei to debuff and damage enemies as he is tanking their attacks.

Star Level Up Priority & Recommended Stars for Alexei

Aim to Reach 3★ → 5★

Star Level Up Priority	Recommended Star Level
	3★ → 5★

At 3-stars, Alexei gains the [Fortitude] effect, which makes him immune to the effects of [Injured] and [Dying]. At 5-stars, his [Unlimited Resolve] lasts for 2 turns. These upgrades significantly enhance his strengths, so if you're planning to include Alexei in your main team, aiming for 5-stars should be your long-term goal.

Best Builds for Alexei

Strike Back Build

Basic Attack								Reaction								Ascension
Frenzied Slash								Brutebear Counter								Path of Swift Support
Skill
Counterattack Storm								Anger of Icefield								Goredrinker
Weapon								Trinket								Tarot
Brutal Axe								Crystal Burst Armor								Destruction of The Tower

This build maximizes Alexei's signature [Strike Back]s by enhancing his off-turn DMG and granting him [Life Steal] through [Goredrinker] and the Tower Tarot. Note that because we focused on [Strike Back]s, having Alexei attack during his turn will not result in as much DMG as having him perform a counter attack.

Priority Skills

Skill	Priority and Details
Brutebear Counter	★★★★★ This Reaction is essential for any [Strike Back] build. Just keep in mind that it won't trigger if you're attacked from behind, so pay close attention to Alexei's positioning.
Goredrinker	★★★★★ This powerful passive greatly increases Alexei's damage and gives him [Life Steal] when taking hits. It boosts both offense and defense, so it's a top-priority pick.
Frenzied Slash	★★★★★ An outstanding Basic Attack that deals solid damage and restores energy when finishing off enemies. Highly recommended for general use.
Counterattack Storm	★★★★★ This Skill boosts the number of [Strike Back]s, their range, and damage. Since it directly improves Alexei’s overall performance, it’s a high-priority Skill.
Whirlwind Axe	★★★★ This AoE Skill is very easy to use and has no cooldown, although it consumes a lot of energy. Great for AoE-focused strategies or when trying to reduce the cooldown of [Unlimited Resolve].
Wind Howl	★★★★ Despite its long 5-turn cooldown, this Skill inflicts powerful Move and ATK debuffs in a wide area. The -30% ATK debuff is especially useful for keeping your team alive. Note: its damage is low since it scales off Alexei's M. Atk stat.
Anger of Icefield	★★★★ This movement skill helps Alexei close the gap, which is vital for his playstyle, despite a 4-turn cooldown. It also generates frosty tiles that can hinder enemies—but be careful, as these affect your allies too.

Skill	Priority and Details
Fight to the Death	★★ This passive gives a massive ATK and DEF boost when Alexei is [Dying]. Good for stages where you can reliably stay low on HP.
Leg Slam	★★ Use this Skill when you need Knockback. Thanks to [Unlimited Resolve], you can charge into enemy groups and go for fall kills against annoying enemies.
Curse	★★ This Reaction applies [Vulnerable] to enemies when you're hit. It's great for increasing your entire party’s damage output. Use it when you don’t have another character that can apply a similar debuff.
Burning Bridges	★ Good option if you're aiming for strong single-target damage.
Ice Attack (Melee)	★ This Basic Attack is situational. In most cases, you'll want to equip a [Frenzied Slash] over this one.
Guard	★ This Reaction protects allies from P.ATK, but only once per turn. Consider slotting it if you're dealing with difficult mechanics or gimmicks in high-difficulty stages.

Recommended Gear, Tarots, & Engravings

Recommended Weapons for Alexei

Brutal Axe

Tuning Hammer

Hollow Axe

Since Alexei relies on taking hits before counterattacking, the [Berserker’s Axe] is his most recommended weapon. Other strong options include the [Feast Axe], which restores a large amount of HP upon defeating an enemy—enhancing his sustain—and the [Hollow Greataxe], which boosts both attack and defense, making it a well-rounded choice for his frontline role.

Recommended Trinkets for Alexei

Crystal Burst Armor

Evergreen Pendent

Maverick's Cloak

For Alexei, the [Crystal Burst Armor] is a top pick, since it boosts [Strike Back] damage and makes the most of his reactive playstyle. Since he often dives into the enemy frontlines alone, the [Maverick’s Cloak] is another great fit—it gives a solid stat boost when you're standing out on the field, where Alexei usually is.

Recommended Tarots for Alexei

Destruction of The Tower

Silence of The Hermit

Temptation of The Devil

The [Tower], which boosts counterattack damage, is the most recommended.

Recommended Engravings for Alexei

Resonance	Effect
Wand Wand	After using a [basic attack], [skill], [strike back], or [assisting attack], gains 1 random [Level 2 Attribute Buff].
Pentacle Pentacle	When [Injured], increases DMG by 5% and decreases the DMG taken by 5%. When [Dying], increases DMG by an additional 10% and decreases the DMG taken by an additional 10%.
Wand Cup	At the end of the turn, there is a 50% chance to gain [Engraving Resonance]. Effect: When using an [active skill] next time, refunds the NRG consumed and resets the CD. The skill effect has a CD of 4 turns. (Does not trigger in real-time combat. The effect changes to increasing HP, ATK and DEF by 5%)

[Wand+Wand], which grants many buffs, and [Wand+Cup], which pairs well with long-cooldown Skills, are especially recommended.

Alexei Skill Unlock Priorities

Recommended Skill Set

* Tap a skill to view its details below.

Normal Path of Swift Support	RK13	Unique
Guard	RK11	Counterattack Storm
Ice Attack	RK9	Frenzied Slash
Goredrinker	RK7	Anger of Icefield
Curse	RK5	Brutebear Counter
Wild Howl	RK3	Burning Bridges
Fight to the Death	RK1	Leg Slam

This is a Skill build that specializes in [Strike Back]. You can deal damage with ranged [Strike Back]s while making use of the Trait, Unlimited Resolve. If you have enough Castalia, you can also unlock the right-side RK7 Skill [Anger of Icefield] to supplement Alexei's low movement range.

Skill Details

Fight to the Death	Cost: - CD: -
(Passive) When Dying, increases ATK and DEF by 20%.

Leg Slam	Cost: 2 CD: 2
(Physical DMG) Deals 120% DMG, knocks the target back by 2 tiles, and inflicts ▽ Move I for 1 turn.

Wild Howl	Cost: 1 CD: 5
(Passive) Alexei deals DMG equal to 40% of his M.ATK and inflicts ▽ Move II and ▽ ATK III to all enemies within a 3-tile radius of him, lasting for 2 turns.

Burning Bridges	Cost: 3 CD: 2
(Physical DMG) Single-target attack. Deals 150% DMG. Before attacking, gains Offensive Stance for 2 turns.

Curse	Cost: - CD: -
(Reaction) When hit by an active attack, the DMG taken is decreased by 8%. Upon receiving an active attack, inflicts Vulnerable II on the attacker for 2 turns.

Brutebear Counter	Cost: - CD: -
(Reaction) Performs a Strike Back when hit by an active attack from the front or side, dealing 70% physical DMG to the attacker. The effect can be activated up to 2 times per round.

Goredrinker	Cost: - CD: -
(Passive) After being attacked, gains Goredrinker for 2 turns.

Anger of Icefield	Cost: 2 CD: 4
(Physical DMG) Alexei selects 1 enemy within a cross-shaped range to charge at, deals 50% DMG, and inflicts Stunned for 1 turn. Additionally, he deals 50% Ice AoE DMG to all enemies within 2 tiles around the target. After attacking, he gains Warrior of Frost for 2 turns.

Ice Attack	Cost: - CD: -
(Basic Attack) Deals 100% physical DMG and inflicts ▽ Move I on Healthy targets, lasting for 1 turn.

Frenzied Slash	Cost: - CD: -
(Basic Attack) Deals 110% DMG. If the target is defeated, the character recovers 1 NRG.

Guard	Cost: - CD: -
(Passive) Takes physical attacks for all other allies within a 2-tile radius of the character. When triggered, DEF is increased by 20%. Can be activated up to 1 time per round.

Counterattack Storm	Cost: 2 CD: 5
(Support) The character's Strike Back Range is increased by 2 tiles. When performing a Strike Back, physical DMG is increased by 85%, and the character gains 1 Strike Back Count and Counterattack. This effect lasts for 2 turns.

Path of Swift Support	Cost: - CD: -
(Passive) Level 3 Effect Increases ATK by 5%; increases the character’s DMG outside the turn by 20%.

Alexei's Trait & Skills

Alexei's Trait

Trait	Max Effect
	[Brutebear Blood] Alexei becomes immune to ✗Resolve. His ATK is increased by 20% and he ignores the effects of Frosty tiles. Alexei possesses Unlimited Resolve until the start of the next 2 turns, dispelling 2 debuffs and gains Toughness. His Trait attribute bonuses double. This effect has a CD of 7 turns and cannot be dispelled or immunized.

Stars Unlocked	Effect
	Alexei becomes immune to ✗Resolve. His ATK is increased by 20% and he ignores the effects of Frosty tiles. Alexei possesses Unlimited Resolve until the start of the next turn, dispelling 2 debuffs and gains Toughness. His Trait attribute bonuses double. This effect has a CD of 7 turns and cannot be dispelled or immunized.
	Alexei becomes immune to ✗Resolve. His ATK is increased by 15% and he ignores the effects of Frosty tiles. Alexei possesses Unlimited Resolve until the start of the next turn, dispelling 2 debuffs and gains Toughness. His Trait attribute bonuses double. This effect has a CD of 7 turns and cannot be dispelled or immunized.
	Alexei becomes immune to ✗Resolve. His ATK is increased by 15% and he ignores the effects of Frosty tiles. Alexei possesses Unlimited Resolve until the start of the next turn, his Trait attribute bonuses double. This effect has a CD of 7 turns and cannot be dispelled or immunized.
	Alexei becomes immune to ✗Resolve. His ATK is increased by 10% and he ignores the effects of Frosty tiles. Alexei possesses Unlimited Resolve until the start of the next turn, his Trait attribute bonuses double. This effect has a CD of 7 turns and cannot be dispelled or immunized.

Alexei's Base Skills

Skill	Range
Slash
[Basic Attack] Cost: - / CD: - (Basic Attack) Deals 100% Physical DMG.
Whirlwind Axe
[Skill] Cost: 3 / CD: 0 (Physical DMG) Alexei deals 90% DMG to all enemies within 2 tiles around himself. Every enemy defeated by this skill reduces the CD of the Trait effect by 1 turn.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK1

Skill	Range
Fight to the Death	-
[Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Passive) When Dying, increases ATK and DEF by 20%.
Leg Slam
[Skill] Cost: 2 / CD: 2 (Physical DMG) Deals 120% DMG, knocks the target back by 2 tiles, and inflicts ▽ Move I for 1 turn.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK3

Skill	Range
Wild Howl
[Skill] Cost: 1 / CD: 5 (Passive) Alexei deals DMG equal to 40% of his M.ATK and inflicts ▽ Move II and ▽ ATK III to all enemies within a 3-tile radius of him, lasting for 2 turns.
Burning Bridges
[Skill] Cost: 3 / CD: 2 (Physical DMG) Single-target attack. Deals 150% DMG. Before attacking, gains Offensive Stance for 2 turns.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK5

Skill	Range
Curse	-
[Reaction] Cost: - / CD: - (Reaction) When hit by an active attack, the DMG taken is decreased by 8%. Upon receiving an active attack, inflicts Vulnerable II on the attacker for 2 turns.
Brutebear Counter	-
[Reaction] Cost: - / CD: - (Reaction) Performs a Strike Back when hit by an active attack from the front or side, dealing 70% physical DMG to the attacker. The effect can be activated up to 2 times per round.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK7

Skill	Range
Goredrinker	-
[Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Passive) After being attacked, gains Goredrinker for 2 turns.
Anger of Icefield
[Skill] Cost: 2 / CD: 4 (Physical DMG) Alexei selects 1 enemy within a cross-shaped range to charge at, deals 50% DMG, and inflicts Stunned for 1 turn. Additionally, he deals 50% Ice AoE DMG to all enemies within 2 tiles around the target. After attacking, he gains Warrior of Frost for 2 turns.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK9

Skill	Range
Ice Attack
[Basic Attack] Cost: - / CD: - (Basic Attack) Deals 100% physical DMG and inflicts ▽ Move I on Healthy targets, lasting for 1 turn.
Frenzied Slash
[Basic Attack] Cost: - / CD: - (Basic Attack) Deals 110% DMG. If the target is defeated, the character recovers 1 NRG.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK11

Skill	Range
Guard	-
[Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Passive) Takes physical attacks for all other allies within a 2-tile radius of the character. When triggered, DEF is increased by 20%. Can be activated up to 1 time per round.
Counterattack Storm
[Skill] Cost: 2 / CD: 5 (Support) The character's Strike Back Range is increased by 2 tiles. When performing a Strike Back, physical DMG is increased by 85%, and the character gains 1 Strike Back Count and Counterattack. This effect lasts for 2 turns.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK13

Skill	Range
Path of Swift Support	-
[Ascension Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Passive) Level 3 Effect Increases ATK by 5%; increases the character’s DMG outside the turn by 20%.

Weapons That Alexei Can Equip

List of Weapons

Brutal Axe	Hollow Axe	Denial Hammer
Feast Axe	Tuning Hammer	Cornucopia Axe
Gale Sword	'Barbecue' Hammer	Hammer Dragon Rise
Great Company on the Journey	Surtr the Darkfire Axe	Formidable Axe
Antimagic Axe	Balanced Heavy Axe	Battle-Hardened Axe
Heavy Iron Axe	Iron Axe

Alexei's Voice Actor

Alexei Voice Actor

Alexei's Skin

Initial	Ascended

▲ Unlock Ascended Skin when character reaches Star Level 5.

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