Clara Best Build and Skill Tree Guide

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

Clara's Tier & Basic Info

	Rarity	Legendary
	Role	Defender
	Faction	The Union Drifter Discipline

Movement Stats

Clara's Tier

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

User Score

Review & How to Get

Clara Pros and Strength

Clara's Character Overview

Specializes in Granting Shields

Clara grants [Reassuring Shield]s, a Shield-buff that blocks both physical and magical damage, to herself and her allies. This significantly increases party's durability. Single characters who can grant both physical and magical shields are extremely rare, making her a valuable asset, from beginner to high-difficulty content.

Shields Scale Off of HP

The amount of shielding increases according to Clara's Max HP. By focusing on HP in Gear and Engravings, you functionally increase both Clara's durability and the amount of Shield she grants.

Absorbs Single-Target Attacks

By using [I'll Protect You All!], she can pull allies to her location and also protect them from single-target attacks if they're within 3 tiles of Clara. Unlike characters who passively use Assisting Cover, Clara needs to activate this mechanic with a Skill. Even though it has a turn limit, her high durability due to her Shields makes her an excellent tank.

No Self-Heals

Clara does not have her own means of recovery, so she is vulnerable without Shields. Aim to have consistent uptime on her Shields, or increase her HP to make her Shields harder to break.

Counterattacks Surrounding Enemies

Clara's trait reflects damage to surrounding enemies based on her Max HP whenever she is attacked while she has shields. Because Clara gains Shields from her Reaction, if the enemy's damage is low, it's possible to counter and defeat them while generating Shields.

Conditionally Deals Decent DMG

With [Knight - Lead the Charge!], Clara boosts her ATK in exchange for DEF, and the effects of [Shield Up - Steadfast Defense] changes, greatly boosting her Crits. Although conditional, Clara can exhibit extremely high attack DMG, which allows her to pivot in stages with troublesome Seekers or in short battles.

Additional Damage Based on Shields

[Knight - Lead the Charge!] and her Basic Attack can deal additional damage based on Clara's Shields, so having a large amount of Shields before attacking increases your damage dealt.

Cooperates with Allies

Clara needs to cooperate with her allies to grant them Shields. Although she has the movement skill [Knight - Fearless Forward!] and [I'll Protect You All!] which can pull allies, her own Movement is low, so have other Characters coordinate with Clara or assist her movement to maximize her potential.

Star Level Up Priority & Recommended Stars for Clara

Aim to Reach 3★ → 4★ → 5★

Star Level Up Priority	Recommended Star Level
	3★ → 4★ → 5★

We recommend prioritizing 3★, where you gain the ability to recover NRG upon obtaining a Shield, and then upgrading to 4★, where the CD of the Shield granting effects at the start of an action is reduced from 2 to 1. At 5★, you gain effects such as damage reduction when a Shield is broken and a debuff removal effect at the start of an action, so upgrade further if you want to place greater emphasis on durability.

Best Builds for Clara

Shielding & Guarding Build

Basic Attack								Reaction								Ascension
Shield Bash								Absolute Steadfast Heavy Armor								Valiant Vanguard
Skill
I'll Protect You All!								Knight - Fearless Forward!								Shield Up - Steadfast Defense
Weapon								Trinket								Tarot
Lance - Lead the Charge								Wild Spice Vial								The Fool's Naivety

This is a build focused on protecting allies from single-target attacks by generating Shields for your party, and providing Assisting Cover through the Sacrificial Shield buff. Make use of the two Skills, [I'll Protect You All!] and [Knight - Fearless Forward!], to fight alongside your allies.

Attacker Build

Basic Attack								Reaction								Ascension
Shield Bash								Absolute Steadfast Heavy Armor								Valiant Vanguard
Skill
Knight - Lead the Charge!								Knight - Fearless Forward!								Shield Up - Steadfast Defense
Weapon								Trinket								Tarot
Lance - Lead the Charge								Shield of Justice								The Fool's Naivety

This build prioritizes self-buffing Shields and Attack performance rather than support. It boasts impressive burst damage for a Defender, making it a recommended build for taking down troublesome Seekers or for exploration and similar content.

Priority Skills

Skill	Priority and Details
Shield Up - Steadfast Defense	★★★★★ A Skill that instantly grants a Shield, making it the top priority for your build. If using Clara as an Attacker, it consumes all NRG but also grants Critical Enhancement in addition to the Shield.
I'll Protect You All!	★★★★★ A Skill that gathers nearby allies to Clara's position and grants them a Shield. Prioritize this skill when using the Assisting Cover build.
Knight - Fearless Forward!	★★★★★ An easy-to-use Movement skill thanks to its Instant activation. Since Clara wants to stay near allies but has low Move, pair this Skill with [I'll Protect You All!] to reposition toward allies.
Absolute Steadfast Heavy Armor	★★★★★ An excellent Reaction that grants Block, Preempt, and Shield when attacked. Prioritize including this in your build.
Knight - Lead the Charge!	★★★★ An essential Skill for the Attacker build. It grants a buff that increases DMG output while also dealing bonus damage based on the Physical Shields, so try to maximize your Physical Shield before attacking.
Shield Bash	★★★★ A Basic Attack that deals bonus damage based on Physical Shields. Since it tends to deal high damage, generally use this Basic Attack.

Skill	Priority and Details
Dispelling Strike	★★★ A Basic Attack that dispels buffs. It can be useful in certain stages, so include it in your formation when buff dispelling is needed.
Knight's Faith	★★★ From 3-stars onward, it recovers NRG when a Shield is obtained. Include it in your build if you can't provide NRG Recovery support at 2-stars or below.
Co-Defense	★★ If you want to maximize Clara's DEF in the Assisting Cover build, use this instead of [Knight - Fearless Forward!].
United Courage	★★ A Leader's Aura that greatly strengthens Characters of the Drifter Faction. While the effect itself is excellent, priority is low since there are more essential Skills for each build. Try to have other Characters equip a Leader's Aura instead.
Attack Command	★ While the effect activates easily, Clara's role is fundamentally to increase durability, so build priority is low.
NRG Recovery	★ It is an option to include when NRG is absolutely necessary, such as at 2-stars or below, but generally, use [Absolute Steadfast Heavy Armor] instead.
Knockback Combo	★ Including this in stages where fall kills are possible, but typically other characters with higher movement are preferred for fall kills.

Recommended Gear, Tarots, & Engravings

Recommended Weapons for Clara

Lance - Lead the Charge

Pendant Halberd

The Silent Guard

The best-in-slot is the Spear Lance Lead the Charge which is Clara's signature weapon that increases HP and the amount of Shields granted. You should also equip Weapons that increase HP and Weapons that increase Movement.

Recommended Trinkets for Clara

Wild Spice Vial

Crystal Burst Armor

Fafnir the Scarlet Armor

The most recommended is the Wild Spice Vial, which increases HP and the Shields granted via Class Skill. Others recommended include Crystal Burst Armor for increasing HP, Fafnir for increasing Movement, and Shield of Justice for increasing stats.

Recommended Tarots for Clara

The Fool's Naivety

Guide of Stars

Silence of The Hermit

The Fool is most recommended for the great HP boost. Alternatives include Stars which increases the amount of Shield granted, and Hermit which greatly reduces damage taken.

Recommended Engravings for Clara

Resonance	Effect
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 Wand	After using a [basic attack], [skill], [strike back], or [assisting attack], gains 1 random [Level 2 Attribute Buff].
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%)

Pentacle + Pentacle makes it easy to raise HP through the Engravings' own effects. Other good options include Wand + Wand for gaining buffs, and Wand + Cup for reducing CD & NRG to 0. On stages where incoming damage is concentrated on either physical or magical, Pentacle + Cup and Pentacle + Wand are also viable choices.

Clara Skill Unlock Priorities

Recommended Skill Set

* Tap a skill to view its details below.

Normal Valiant Vanguard	RK13	Unique
Knight's Faith	RK11	Knockback Combo
Dispelling Strike	RK9	Shield Bash
United Courage	RK7	Knight - Lead the Charge!
Absolute Steadfast Heavy Armor	RK5	NRG Recovery
I'll Protect You All!	RK3	Knight - Fearless Forward!
Co-Defense	RK1	Attack Command

RK7's Skill increases HP, which is important for Clara, so we recommend the left Skill, but if you want to build an Attacker build, take the right Skill.

Skill Details

Co-Defense	Cost: - CD: -
(Passive) For each ally within a 2-tile radius of the character, DEF increases by 10%, up to 40%.

Attack Command	Cost: - CD: -
(Aura) Increases ATK by 12% for other allies within 2 tiles around the character.

I'll Protect You All!	Cost: 4 CD: 3
(Support) Teleports allies within 5 tiles of the character to the character's side, then grants all allies within 3 tiles of the character 2 stacks of Reassuring Shield; if the target has no Reassuring Shield, additionally gains 2 stacks; if the target belongs to the Union or Drifter, additionally recovers 1 NRG; then the character gains Sacrificial Guardian. All effects last for 2 turns.

Knight - Fearless Forward!	Cost: 1 CD: 2
(Physical DMG) Instant Selects any tile within a cross-shaped range of 3 tiles from the character and performs Charge, dealing single-target DMG equal to 25% of the character's HP to the closest 3 enemies within a 1-tile radius of the target location and inflicting Intimidation for 2 turns. ✦ After attacking, the character gains 2 stacks of Reassuring Shield for 2 turns.

Absolute Steadfast Heavy Armor	Cost: - CD: -
(Reaction) Gains Block and can block physical AoE attacks. When attacked from any direction, has a 100% chance to trigger Block. Before being attacked, performs Preempt and gains 3 stacks of Reassuring Shield for 2 turns. Can be triggered up to 2 times per round.

NRG Recovery	Cost: - CD: -
(Reaction) When hit by an active attack, the DMG taken is decreased by 8%. Upon receiving an active attack, additionally recovers 1 NRG.

United Courage	Cost: - CD: -
(Leader's Aura) For all Drifter allies in battle, increases ATK by 15% and DEF by 30%; when having shield, increases DMG by 10% and reduces DMG taken by 10%.

Knight - Lead the Charge!	Cost: 3 CD: 3
(Physical DMG) Before attacking, gains Lead the Charge! for 2 turns. A single-target attack that deals 190% DMG to the target, plus additional DMG equal to 110% of Physical Shield Value. After attacking, removes all Shields from the character. ✦ When having Lead the Charge!, this skill switches to Shield Up - Defensive Counter.

Dispelling Strike	Cost: - CD: -
(Basic Attack) Deals 50% physical DMG 2 times and dispels 2 buffs on the target.

Shield Bash	Cost: - CD: -
(Basic Attack) Single-target attack. Deals 100% physical DMG, plus additional physical DMG equal to 35% of physical shield value.

Knight's Faith	Cost: - CD: -
(Passive) Gains Toughness. At the end of the turn, additionally recovers 1 NRG; when defeating the target, additionally recovers 1 NRG. Can be triggered up to 1 time per round.

Knockback Combo	Cost: 3 CD: 0
(Physical DMG) Single-target attack. Deals 30% DMG. Then, performs Pursuit and deals DMG equal to 200% of the character's P.DEF, up to 150% of P.ATK. Knocks the target back by 2 tiles.

Valiant Vanguard	Cost: - CD: -
(Passive) Level 3 Effect When there are 2 or more enemies within 2 tiles of the character, DMG is increased by 12% and DMG taken is reduced by 12%.

Clara's Trait & Skills

Clara's Trait

Trait

Max Effect

[Dazzling Courage] ✦ When having Shield and being attacked, or when the character's Shield Value decreases after actively attacking, deals additional physical DMG equal to 25% of the character's HP to 3 random enemies within 3 tiles of the character. Can be triggered up to 4 times per round. ✦ When any ally's Reassuring Shield is destroyed, Clara grants them DMG Reduction III for 2 turns. ✦ Increases HP by 25%. When the character gains Shield, recovers 1 NRG. ✦ At the start of the turn, grants all allies within 3 tiles of the character 2 stacks of Reassuring Shield; on the first turn, the character gains an additional 2 stacks for 2 turns; then dispels 2 debuffs from allies within range. ✦ Gains an aura: all allies within 3 tiles of the character have their magical DMG taken reduced by 20%.

Stars Unlocked	Effect
	✦ When having Shield and being attacked, or when the character's Shield Value decreases after actively attacking, deals additional physical DMG equal to 25% of the character's HP to 3 random enemies within 3 tiles of the character. Can be triggered up to 3 times per round. ✦ Increases HP by 15%. When the character gains Shield, recovers 1 NRG. ✦ At the start of the turn, grants all allies within 3 tiles of the character 2 stacks of Reassuring Shield for 2 turns. ✦ Gains an aura: all allies within 3 tiles of the character have their magical DMG taken reduced by 20%.
	✦ When having Shield and being attacked, or when the character's Shield Value decreases after actively attacking, deals additional physical DMG equal to 25% of the character's HP to 3 random enemies within 3 tiles of the character. Can be triggered up to 3 times per round. ✦ Increases HP by 10%. When the character gains Shield, recovers 1 NRG. ✦ At the start of the turn, grants all allies within 3 tiles of the character 2 stacks of Reassuring Shield for 2 turns. This effect has a 2-turn CD. ✦ Gains an aura: all allies within 3 tiles of the character have their magical DMG taken reduced by 20%.
	✦ When having Shield and being attacked, or when the character's Shield Value decreases after actively attacking, deals additional physical DMG equal to 25% of the character's HP to 3 random enemies within 3 tiles of the character. Can be triggered up to 3 times per round. ✦ Increases HP by 5%. ✦ At the start of the turn, grants all allies within 3 tiles of the character 2 stacks of Reassuring Shield for 2 turns. This effect has a 2-turn CD. ✦ Gains an aura: all allies within 3 tiles of the character have their magical DMG taken reduced by 20%.
	✦ When having Shield and being attacked, or when the character's Shield Value decreases after actively attacking, deals additional physical DMG equal to 25% of the character's HP to 3 random enemies within 3 tiles of the character. Can be triggered up to 3 times per round. ✦ Increases HP by 5%. ✦ At the start of the turn, grants all allies within 3 tiles of the character 2 stacks of Reassuring Shield for 2 turns. This effect has a 2-turn CD.

Clara's Base Skills

Skill	Range
Slash
[Basic Attack] Cost: - / CD: - (Basic Attack) Deals 100% Physical DMG.
Shield Up - Steadfast Defense
[Skill] Cost: 2 / CD: 1 (Support) Instant Gains 6 stacks of Reassuring Shield for 2 turns; when having Sacrificial Guardian, additionally gains 3 stacks. ✦ When having Lead the Charge!, this skill switches to Shield Up - Full Advance.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK1

Skill	Range
Co-Defense	-
[Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Passive) For each ally within a 2-tile radius of the character, DEF increases by 10%, up to 40%.
Attack Command	-
[Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Aura) Increases ATK by 12% for other allies within 2 tiles around the character.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK3

Skill	Range
I'll Protect You All!
[Skill] Cost: 4 / CD: 3 (Support) Teleports allies within 5 tiles of the character to the character's side, then grants all allies within 3 tiles of the character 2 stacks of Reassuring Shield; if the target has no Reassuring Shield, additionally gains 2 stacks; if the target belongs to the Union or Drifter, additionally recovers 1 NRG; then the character gains Sacrificial Guardian. All effects last for 2 turns.
Knight - Fearless Forward!
[Skill] Cost: 1 / CD: 2 (Physical DMG) Instant Selects any tile within a cross-shaped range of 3 tiles from the character and performs Charge, dealing single-target DMG equal to 25% of the character's HP to the closest 3 enemies within a 1-tile radius of the target location and inflicting Intimidation for 2 turns. ✦ After attacking, the character gains 2 stacks of Reassuring Shield for 2 turns.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK5

Skill	Range
Absolute Steadfast Heavy Armor	-
[Reaction] Cost: - / CD: - (Reaction) Gains Block and can block physical AoE attacks. When attacked from any direction, has a 100% chance to trigger Block. Before being attacked, performs Preempt and gains 3 stacks of Reassuring Shield for 2 turns. Can be triggered up to 2 times per round.
NRG Recovery	-
[Reaction] Cost: - / CD: - (Reaction) When hit by an active attack, the DMG taken is decreased by 8%. Upon receiving an active attack, additionally recovers 1 NRG.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK7

Skill	Range
United Courage	-
[Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Leader's Aura) For all Drifter allies in battle, increases ATK by 15% and DEF by 30%; when having shield, increases DMG by 10% and reduces DMG taken by 10%.
Knight - Lead the Charge!
[Skill] Cost: 3 / CD: 3 (Physical DMG) Before attacking, gains Lead the Charge! for 2 turns. A single-target attack that deals 190% DMG to the target, plus additional DMG equal to 110% of Physical Shield Value. After attacking, removes all Shields from the character. ✦ When having Lead the Charge!, this skill switches to Shield Up - Defensive Counter.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK9

Skill	Range
Dispelling Strike
[Basic Attack] Cost: - / CD: - (Basic Attack) Deals 50% physical DMG 2 times and dispels 2 buffs on the target.
Shield Bash
[Basic Attack] Cost: - / CD: - (Basic Attack) Single-target attack. Deals 100% physical DMG, plus additional physical DMG equal to 35% of physical shield value.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK11

Skill	Range
Knight's Faith	-
[Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Passive) Gains Toughness. At the end of the turn, additionally recovers 1 NRG; when defeating the target, additionally recovers 1 NRG. Can be triggered up to 1 time per round.
Knockback Combo
[Skill] Cost: 3 / CD: 0 (Physical DMG) Single-target attack. Deals 30% DMG. Then, performs Pursuit and deals DMG equal to 200% of the character's P.DEF, up to 150% of P.ATK. Knocks the target back by 2 tiles.

Skills That Can Be Learned at RK13

Skill	Range
Valiant Vanguard	-
[Ascension Skill] Cost: - / CD: - (Passive) Level 3 Effect When there are 2 or more enemies within 2 tiles of the character, DMG is increased by 12% and DMG taken is reduced by 12%.

Weapons That Clara Can Equip

List of Weapons

Double-Sided Halberd	Pendant Halberd	Doomsday Scythe
Skeleton Spear	Nameless Staff	The Silent Guard
Cornucopia Spear	Army-breaking Spear	Spear of the Breaking Storm
Lance - Lead the Charge	Sharp Spear	Guardian Spear
Armor-piercing Spear	Pointy Spear	Defensive Spear
Spear

Clara's Voice Actor & Release Date

Clara Voice Actor

Released on Friday, May 1

Clara was released on Friday, May 1. Since the character is added to the standard banner, they can still be obtained even after the limited-time banner ends.

Clara's Skin

Initial	Ascended

▲ Unlock Ascended Skin when character reaches Star Level 5.

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