Nessus
Overview
Self-sacrificing archer who fuels her power through blood magic. Boiling Blood unlocks extreme Attack Speed buffs, turning Nessus into a whirlwind of attacks. Pyreforged Lance's health-drain scaling creates unique hybrid playstyles.
Abilities
Boiling Blood
Consumes 45% of current HP to gain [Attack Boost] and [Life Conversion].
⚡ Pyreforged Lance
Each Basic Attack consumes 5% of current health and deals additional physical damage equal to 11% of lost Health.
🔐 Heart of Ambition
Increases own Life Steal by 15%.
Talent: Wild Acceleration
When HP is low, accumulates Rage. When Rage is full, enters [Wild] status. While in [Wild] status, Attack Speed increases by 90%.
Level Enhancements
⭐ Level 2
When casting [Boiling Blood], grants [Fervor] to self
⭐ Level 3
Attack is increased by 12%
⭐ Level 4
When possessing both [Morale] and [Fervor], enters [Grace] status. While in [Grace], Life Steal increases by 20%
Our Take on Nessus
Nessus is an SR Archer who turns her own HP into damage. Boiling Blood consumes 45% of her current HP for [Attack Boost] and [Life Conversion], and Pyreforged Lance makes every basic attack spend 5% of current HP to add physical damage equal to 11% of lost Health. Low HP also builds Rage, and in [Wild] her Attack Speed rises by 90%.
Strengths
- +Pyreforged Lance's bonus grows as her HP falls, since it scales on lost Health, so her damage rises during a fight.
- +[Wild] adds 90% Attack Speed, which multiplies how often Pyreforged Lance and her Life Steal apply.
- +Heart of Ambition gives 15% Life Steal, and at talent level 4 [Grace] adds another 20%.
Weaknesses
- −Her kit drains her own HP on Boiling Blood and every basic attack, so without healing or enough Life Steal she can wear herself down.
- −Talent level 2 gives her [Fervor], but nothing in her kit grants [Morale], so the level 4 [Grace] bonus needs a teammate.
- −The text does not explain what [Life Conversion] does or how low her HP must be before Rage builds.
How to Play Nessus
Nessus stays in the back row as an Archer, but she plays like a bruiser in how she manages HP. Cast Boiling Blood early to drop her HP, start Rage building and gain [Attack Boost]; from there her basic attacks do the work. Talent level 2 is important because it adds [Fervor] to Boiling Blood, and level 4 then turns [Morale] from a teammate into [Grace] and 20% more Life Steal. Pair her with a healer, since her damage relies on staying at low HP without dying.
Good Teammates
- Flora (SR) – Flora's Showtime grants [Morale] at talent level 2, completing Nessus's [Grace] alongside her own [Fervor], and In Bloom heals 50% more while Nessus is in [Wild].
- Chiron (SR) – Chiron's All or Nothing grants [Morale] and heals the target, and his Hero Mentor gives [Wild] allies 25% Attack Speed on top of Nessus's 90%.
- Melina (SSR) – Melina's Arcane Blessing gives [Morale] to an ally, prioritizing Sanctum Glory units, and Nessus is Sanctum Glory.
Keywords in brackets are explained in the status effect glossary.
Should You Invest?
Nessus is an SR rated T4 on this site. Her design rewards a coordinated [Morale] and healing setup, which makes her demanding for a low-tier unit. Most players should invest elsewhere first unless they enjoy building around her HP-for-damage loop.
Nessus FAQ
- Does Nessus hurt herself?
- Yes. Boiling Blood consumes 45% of her current HP, and Pyreforged Lance makes every basic attack consume 5% of current HP. Life Steal from Heart of Ambition (15%) and [Grace] (20%) offsets this.
- How does Nessus reach [Grace]?
- At talent level 4 she enters [Grace] with both [Morale] and [Fervor]. Talent level 2 gives her [Fervor] from Boiling Blood; [Morale] has to come from an ally such as Flora, Chiron or Melina.