Shams Best Build and Skill Tree Guide

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

Shams's Tier & Basic Info

	Rarity	Legendary
	Role	Breaker
	Faction	Elaman Fortitude

Movement Stats

Shams's Tier

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

User Score

Review & How to Get

Shams Pros and Strength

Shams' Character Overview

Overwhelming Single-Target DMG

Shams' performance is enhanced when gaining multiple buffs, starting with [Liberation], and under the right conditions, he can deal some of the highest single-target damage in the game. Note that he's not an easy character to use because his playstyle requires the management of buffs and unique mechanics, but if you can master him, he becomes an extremely powerful character.

Viable Strike Back Character

In addition to excelling as an attacker, Shams is also capable of using potent Strike Backs. It is also possible to be tanky while dealing significant damage, so you can expect Shams to shine as an active and reliable front-liner.

Powerful Single-Target Strike Backs

[Gladiator's Strike] is the core of the Strike Back build since it applies [The Challenger] debuff to the enemy it's used on. This causes all Strike Backs to target that enemy. Instead of striking back at each enemy who attacks Shams, use this to focus your attention and continuously Strike Back a troublesome enemy.

Requires Managing Multiple Buffs

Skills that grant [Liberation]
Trait Skill: Sigil - Full Liberation			Gathered Radiance
Skills that grant [Poised and Ready]
Dawn's Resurgence		Gathered Radiance		Solar Piercing
Skills that Apply [The Challenger]
Everburning Sun			Gladiator's Strike

Shams can enhance the performance of his main skills with [Liberation] stacks and the [Poised and Ready] buff. Whenever an enemy is afflicted with [The Challenger], Shams gains additional effects, increased damage, and reduced damage taken. It's essential to plan ahead with Skill usage and their effects while considering your party composition and the stage.

Unique Survivability Mechanic

[Sigil - Full Liberation] is automatically used to grant Shams [Liberation] stacks and a Shield, but at the same time, the [Sigil Overdraw] debuff sets his HP to 30%, and he can no longer recover above that. While this effect is active, be careful as he becomes vulnerable to Piercing DMG and DoT effects that ignore Shields.

Stars/Passives Can Reduce Drawbacks

The limited HP effect can be removed by reaching 4★ or by equipping [Imperial Blood Rite]. Once the recovery limit is removed, Shams survivability is substantially increased thanks to the Shield's effect.

Adjust Build According to Supports

Shams reaches his true potential under certain conditions, so it's important to set the stage for Shams to shine. Make it easier to access bonus effects by deploying characters like Lukamar who can grant Liberation, or by increasing Shams' ★. Depending on the availability of support and his star level, it's also important to decide which Passive Skills to equip.

Star Level Up Priority & Recommended Stars for Shams

Aim to Reach 2★ → 4★ → 5★

Star Level Up Priority	Recommended Star Level
	2★ → 4★ → 5★

As early as 2★, Shams gains a power boost since the duration of Sigil Overdraw is reduced by 1 turn. His next spike starts at 4★, which removes the HP restriction from Sigil Overdraw. Finally, at 5★, Sigil Overdraw's duration is further reduced and also increases its benefits.

Best Builds for Shams

Single-Target DPS Build

Basic Attack								Reaction								Ascension
Sandfall Breach								Sigil's Protection								Defeat-hardened
Skill
Everburning Sun								Earthshatter Blaze								Solar Piercing
Weapon								Trinket								Tarot
Undying Flames								Memory of Teeth								Verdict of Justice

This build assumes you have a solid party and uses designates Shams as one of the main attackers. Movement and a defense debuff are provided by [Earthshatter Blaze] before unleashing massive damage with [Everburning Sun].

Counterattack Build

Basic Attack								Reaction								Ascension
Sandfall Breach								Sigil's Protection								Defeat-hardened
Skill
Gladiator's Strike								Imperial Blood Rite								Solar Piercing
Weapon								Trinket								Tarot
Undying Flames								Crystal Burst Armor								Verdict of Justice

This build specializes in utilizing [Strike Back]. With [Imperial Blood Rite], your durability is greatly enhanced, allowing Shams to survive on the front lines. If you want to improve mobility, replace [Solar Piercing] with [Earthshatter Blaze]. You could also opt to use a Tower tarot if you don't have a Justice with good stat rolls.

Priority Skills

Skill	Priority and Details
Everburning Sun	★★★★★ A Skill that deals overwhelming damage under the right conditions. Be mindful of removing the [Prepared] status with the [Poised and Ready] buff, and increasing damage with 10 stacks of [Liberation].
Sigil's Protection	★★★★★ A Reaction that can significantly reduce DMG taken. Despite having conditions such as having a Shield and when actively attacked, Shams can easily utilize this ability.
Solar Piercing	★★★★★ If you can reduce the turns of [Sigil Overdraw] via Star Levels or have other characters grant [Liberation], this Passive greatly increases the opportunities for [Poised and Ready]. However, if your Star Levels are low or you can't apply [Liberation] with other characters, we recommend equipping other Passives.
Sandfall Breach	★★★★★ A Basic Attack with conditional bonus effects. These conditions are generally easy to meet with Elaman units, so you should equip this over the other attack for more damage.
Earthshatter Blaze	★★★★ A Skill that can apply a -60% DEF debuff while moving. Be careful as the attack range is a 3x2 area in front of the landing spot, so it can be hard to properly land the attack in some situations. It becomes [Instant ]with 10 stacks of [Liberation], so it's very powerful if you can maintain 10 stacks.
Gladiator's Strike	★★★★ The core Skill for a [Strike Back] build. The more [Gladiator Supreme] buffs you have, the better the performance of [Strike Back], so it's essential to be mindful about obtaining [Poised and Ready], as well as 10 stacks of [Liberation].

Skill	Priority and Details
Imperial Blood Rite	★★★ An excellent Passive that enhances a Reaction, improves [Sigil Overdraw] and increases survivability. This skill makes Shams significantly more durable, so prioritize equipping it with a [Strike Back] build.
Dawn's Resurgence	★★ A Skill that can remove the [Prepared] status from allies and self. When applied to Shams, it enables a [Re-attack], but its CD is long. If you're only thinking of strengthening Shams, you'll prefer other excellent Passives. So only equip this when it's useful to remove the [Prepared] status from other characters.
Gathered Radiance	★★ A Passive that grants [Poised and Ready] and 5 stacks of [Liberation]. If your Star Levels are low and you can't use [Sigil - Full Liberation] often, or when you can't apply [Liberation] with other characters, equipping this Skill makes using Shams more comfortable.
Liberation - Toughness	★ You're prone to becoming [Injured] due to [Sigil - Full Liberation], but the other Reaction is more effective, so use the other one in most cases.
Feverish Attack	★ You don't have many opportunities to use a Basic Attack, and the damage dealt tends to be higher with the other Basic Attack, so this has a low priority.
Desert Warrior	★ There are numerous other Passives with better effects, so this has a low build priority.
Insight	★ There are numerous other Passives with better effects, so this has a low build priority.

Recommended Gear, Tarots, & Engravings

Recommended Weapons for Shams

Undying Flames

Brutal Axe

Tuning Hammer

Equip Shams with Weapons that increase his offensive stats, such as Undying Flames. Due to [Sigil - Full Liberation], it's easy to maintain low HP, which synergizes well with Brutal Axe. However, be aware that at 4★ or higher, or when using [Imperial Blood Rite], the healing restriction from [Sigil Overdraw] is removed.

Recommended Trinkets for Shams

Memory of Teeth

Fafnir the Scarlet Armor

Crystal Burst Armor

We recommend Gear that increase stats, such as Memory of Teeth, Fafnir, and Maverick's Cloak. For Strike Back builds, Crystal Burst Armor is also an excellent choice.

Recommended Tarots for Shams

Verdict of Justice

Hierophant's Laws

Temptation of The Devil

If equipped with Undying Flames, Justice is the most recommended. If you don't have it, Gear a Tarot such as Hierophant or Devil. Also, for a Strike Back build, Tower is also an option.

Recommended Engravings for Shams

Resonance	Effect
Sword Wand	Before actively attacking, for each 1 tile traversed, increases ATK and DEF by 4%, up to 12%. The effect lasts until the start of the next turn,
Sword Cup	When actively attacking, increases the DMG by 5% and grants 15% of [Life Steal].
Wand Wand	After using a [basic attack], [skill], [strike back], or [assisting attack], gains 1 random [Level 2 Attribute Buff].

Combinations like Sword+Wand to increase stats, Wand+Wand for buffs, and Sword+Cup for Life Steal + DMG are most recommended.

Shams Skill Unlock Priorities

Recommended Skill Set

* Tap a skill to view its details below.

Normal Defeat-hardened	RK13	Unique
Desert Warrior	RK11	Insight
Sandfall Breach	RK9	Feverish Attack
Solar Piercing	RK7	Imperial Blood Rite
Liberation - Toughness	RK5	Sigil's Protection
Dawn's Resurgence	RK3	Gathered Radiance
Gladiator's Strike	RK1	Everburning Sun

For RK1, pick left for the Strike Back build, and the right for a single-target build.

Skill Details

Gladiator's Strike	Cost: 2 CD: 0
(Physical DMG) Break the Shackles Single-target attack. Deals 100% DMG. After attacking, inflicts Taunted and The Challenger on the enemy for 2 turns; the character gains Basic Resistance and 1 stack of Gladiator Supreme until the start of the next turn. ✦ When having Poised and Ready, consumes it after attacking and additionally gains 1 stack of Gladiator Supreme. ✦ When having 10 stacks of Liberation, consumes 10 stacks after attacking and additionally gains 2 stacks of Gladiator Supreme.

Everburning Sun	Cost: 2 CD: 0
(Physical DMG) Unshackle Prepares for 1 turn to deal 180% DMG to the enemy 1 tile directly in front. ✦ When preparation begins, inflicts Move III (for 1 turn), Taunted, and The Challenger on the target for 2 turns; the character gains Basic Resistance and 1 stack of Gladiator Supreme until the start of the next turn. ✦ When preparation is complete, if having 10 stacks of Liberation, consumes 10 stacks to increase skill multiplier and P.ATK by 100% when attacking.

Dawn's Resurgence	Cost: 0 CD: 3
(Support) Grants Poised and Ready to the target and the character. When cast on the character himself, the character can Re-attack.

Gathered Radiance	Cost: - CD: -
(Passive) At the end of the turn, if the 10-stack Liberation effect of Unshackle skills was not triggered this turn, gains Poised and Ready and 5 stacks of Liberation.

Liberation - Toughness	Cost: - CD: -
(Reaction) When Injured, for each stack of Liberation the character has, DEF increases by 3%.

Sigil's Protection	Cost: - CD: -
(Reaction) Reduces DMG taken and piercing DMG taken by 15%. ✦ When having Shield, additionally reduces DMG taken and piercing DMG taken by 15%. ✦ When actively attacked, further reduces DMG taken and piercing DMG taken by 15%.

Solar Piercing	Cost: - CD: -
(Passive) At the start of the turn, if having 10 or more stacks of Liberation, gains Poised and Ready. When using Sigil - Full Liberation, the character can gain Poised and Ready.

Imperial Blood Rite	Cost: - CD: -
(Passive) All effects of skill Sigil's Protection take effect regardless of conditions. ✦ Sigil Overdraw does not prevent HP recovery; if trait already has this effect, changes to: increases healing received by 30%. ✦ After casting or triggering Sigil - Full Luberation, gains Arcane Protection, Regeneration III, and Shield Regeneration III for 4 turns.

Sandfall Breach	Cost: - CD: -
(Basic Attack) Single-target attack. Deals 100% physical DMG. Against targets on Dust tiles or affected by Control, DMG is increased by 30% when attacking.

Feverish Attack	Cost: - CD: -
(Basic Attack) Deals 100% physical DMG and gains 20% Life Steal.

Desert Warrior	Cost: - CD: -
(Passive) Immune to Blind. After actively attacking, if t he target is on Soil, Sandbed, Wasteland, or Quicksand tiles, deals additional Sand Piercing DMG equal to 10% of ATK.

Insight	Cost: - CD: -
(Passive) P.ATK increases by 8%. Before attacking, dispels 1 Defense Attribute Buff from the target.

Defeat-hardened	Cost: - CD: -
(Passive) Level 3 Effect When Injured, DMG is increased by 15% and DMG taken is reduced by 15%.

Shams's Trait & Skills

Shams's Trait

Trait

Max Effect

[Immortal Sunflare] ✦ Gains Toughness and has additional skill Sigil - Full Liberation. ✦ At the start of the turn, if Liberation is less than 10 stacks and does not have Sigil Overdraw, forcibly triggers Sigil - Full Liberation effect. ✦ Increases ATK and DEF by 15%; When fighting The Challengers, additionally increases by 15%. ✦ When Sigil - Full Liberation is cast or triggered, the shield value gained increases to 70% of HP and the duration of Sigil Overdraw received is reduced by 2 turns, and it does not prevent HP recovery. ✦ When The Challengers exist in battle, increases DMG dealt by 25% and reduces DMG taken and piercing DMG taken by 25% when actively attacked; the effect continues until the start of the next turn after all The Challengers are defeated.

Stars Unlocked	Effect
	✦ Gains Toughness and has additional skill Sigil - Full Liberation. ✦ At the start of the turn, if Liberation is less than 10 stacks and does not have Sigil Overdraw, forcibly triggers Sigil - Full Liberation effect. ✦ Increases ATK and DEF by 15%; When fighting The Challengers, additionally increases by 15%. ✦ When Sigil - Full Liberation is cast or triggered, the shield value gained increases to 50% of HP and the duration of Sigil Overdraw received is reduced by 1 turn, and it does not prevent HP recovery. ✦ When The Challengers exist in battle, increases DMG dealt by 15% and reduces DMG taken and piercing DMG taken by 15% when actively attacked; the effect continues until the start of the next turn after all The Challengers are defeated.
	✦ Gains Toughness and has additional skill Sigil - Full Liberation. ✦ At the start of the turn, if Liberation is less than 10 stacks and does not have Sigil Overdraw, forcibly triggers Sigil - Full Liberation effect. ✦ Increases ATK and DEF by 10%; When fighting The Challengers, additionally increases by 10%. ✦ When Sigil - Full Liberation is cast or triggered, the shield value gained increases to 50% of HP and the duration of Sigil Overdraw received is reduced by 1 turn. ✦ When The Challengers exist in battle, increases DMG dealt by 10% and reduces DMG taken and piercing DMG taken by 10% when actively attacked; the effect continues until the start of the next turn after all The Challengers are defeated.
	✦ Gains Toughness and has additional skill Sigil - Full Liberation. ✦ At the start of the turn, if Liberation is less than 10 stacks and does not have Sigil Overdraw, forcibly triggers Sigil - Full Liberation effect. ✦ Increases ATK and DEF by 10%; When fighting The Challengers, additionally increases by 10%. ✦ When Sigil - Full Liberation is cast or triggered, the shield value gained increases to 50% of HP and the duration of Sigil Overdraw received is reduced by 1 turn.
	✦ Gains Toughness and has additional skill Sigil - Full Liberation. ✦ At the start of the turn, if Liberation is less than 10 stacks and does not have Sigil Overdraw, forcibly triggers Sigil - Full Liberation effect. ✦ Increases ATK and DEF by 5%. When fighting The Challengers, additionally increases by 5%.

Shams's Base Skills

Skill	Range
Slash
[Basic Attack] Cost: - / CD: - (Basic Attack) Deals 100% Physical DMG.
Earthshatter Blaze
[Skill] Cost: - / CD: 1回 (Physical DMG) Unshackle Jumps to the target location, then deals 60% DMG to all enemies in a 3x2 area directloy in front and inflicts ▽P.DEF III for 2 turns. If the skill only hits 1 enemy, DMG increases to 120%. This skill can be used up to 1 time per round. ✦ When having 10 stacks of Liberation, inflicts 9 stacks of Shattered Shackle on the target for 2 turns after attacking. ✦ When having 10 stacks of Liberation, has the 5-stack effect and this skill switches to Instant.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK1

Skill	Range
Gladiator's Strike
[Skill] Cost: 2 / CD: 0 (Physical DMG) Break the Shackles Single-target attack. Deals 100% DMG. After attacking, inflicts Taunted and The Challenger on the enemy for 2 turns; the character gains Basic Resistance and 1 stack of Gladiator Supreme until the start of the next turn. ✦ When having Poised and Ready, consumes it after attacking and additionally gains 1 stack of Gladiator Supreme. ✦ When having 10 stacks of Liberation, consumes 10 stacks after attacking and additionally gains 2 stacks of Gladiator Supreme.
Everburning Sun
[Skill] Cost: 2 / CD: 0 (Physical DMG) Unshackle Prepares for 1 turn to deal 180% DMG to the enemy 1 tile directly in front. ✦ When preparation begins, inflicts Move III (for 1 turn), Taunted, and The Challenger on the target for 2 turns; the character gains Basic Resistance and 1 stack of Gladiator Supreme until the start of the next turn. ✦ When preparation is complete, if having 10 stacks of Liberation, consumes 10 stacks to increase skill multiplier and P.ATK by 100% when attacking.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK3

Skill	Range
Dawn's Resurgence
[Skill] Cost: 0 / CD: 3 (Support) Grants Poised and Ready to the target and the character. When cast on the character himself, the character can Re-attack.
Gathered Radiance	-
[Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Passive) At the end of the turn, if the 10-stack Liberation effect of Unshackle skills was not triggered this turn, gains Poised and Ready and 5 stacks of Liberation.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK5

Skill	Range
Liberation - Toughness	-
[Reaction] Cost: - / CD: - (Reaction) When Injured, for each stack of Liberation the character has, DEF increases by 3%.
Sigil's Protection	-
[Reaction] Cost: - / CD: - (Reaction) Reduces DMG taken and piercing DMG taken by 15%. ✦ When having Shield, additionally reduces DMG taken and piercing DMG taken by 15%. ✦ When actively attacked, further reduces DMG taken and piercing DMG taken by 15%.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK7

Skill	Range
Solar Piercing	-
[Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Passive) At the start of the turn, if having 10 or more stacks of Liberation, gains Poised and Ready. When using Sigil - Full Liberation, the character can gain Poised and Ready.
Imperial Blood Rite	-
[Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Passive) All effects of skill Sigil's Protection take effect regardless of conditions. ✦ Sigil Overdraw does not prevent HP recovery; if trait already has this effect, changes to: increases healing received by 30%. ✦ After casting or triggering Sigil - Full Luberation, gains Arcane Protection, Regeneration III, and Shield Regeneration III for 4 turns.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK9

Skill	Range
Sandfall Breach
[Basic Attack] Cost: - / CD: - (Basic Attack) Single-target attack. Deals 100% physical DMG. Against targets on Dust tiles or affected by Control, DMG is increased by 30% when attacking.
Feverish Attack
[Basic Attack] Cost: - / CD: - (Basic Attack) Deals 100% physical DMG and gains 20% Life Steal.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK11

Skill	Range
Desert Warrior	-
[Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Passive) Immune to Blind. After actively attacking, if t he target is on Soil, Sandbed, Wasteland, or Quicksand tiles, deals additional Sand Piercing DMG equal to 10% of ATK.
Insight	-
[Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Passive) P.ATK increases by 8%. Before attacking, dispels 1 Defense Attribute Buff from the target.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK13

Skill	Range
Defeat-hardened	-
[Ascension Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Passive) Level 3 Effect When Injured, DMG is increased by 15% and DMG taken is reduced by 15%.

Weapons That Shams 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	Supreme Assault Blade
Undying Flames	Formidable Axe	Antimagic Axe
Balanced Heavy Axe	Battle-Hardened Axe	Heavy Iron Axe
Iron Axe

Shams's Voice Actor & Release Date

Shams Voice Actor

Released on Friday, April 17

Shams was released on Friday, April 17. Since the character is added to the standard banner, they can still be obtained even after the limited-time banner ends.

Shams's Skin

Initial	Ascended

▲ Unlock Ascended Skin when character reaches Star Level 5.

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Pooch Runrun	Shams