/bd2g/ FAQ - May 2024

Original by u/Eri374.
===============BD2 FAQ===============
[RESETS]
Q : When is the daily reset?
 A : 00:00 (UTC)
Q : When does the PvP season end?
 A : Every Sunday, 15:00 (UTC)
Q : When does Fiend Hunter / Tower of Pride end?
  A : 15:00 (UTC) on the last day before maintenance/patch

[SANITY/ENERGY]
Q : How does the sanity/energy in this game work?
 A : BD2 has no sanity system. All content can be played without limitation.
     The closest BD2 has are daily tokens that are used to obtain extra resources or queue for pvp matches.
     A "resource stage" needs to be cleaned manually only once ever, you can dispatch to it & get all rewards after (No replays).

	Every day you get:
	60 Rice (extra crafting materials, gold and/or EXP for characters)
	60 Torches (crystals for the potential system)
	40 Blood Cocktails (pvp badges)

Unused daily tokens disappear.
Tokens obtained as rewards don't expire, and can be used anytime.
TIP: If you need gold or EXP, be sure to dispatch to that stage only on days with ^ 2x bonus active.

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[SPENDING / SHOPS]
Q : What is the best value if I just want to support the game?
 A : Monthly Dia Packages (2>1) > One-time Dash Packages > Weekly Pickup Pack 1 > The rest.

Q : Do I buy the Premium Pass for 1000 Dia?
 A : Yes - once you reached LV17. 600 Dias cashback from finishing the base pass + 16 rolls from the premium rewards = 14 rolls profit, and a bunch of Pub Scrolls on top. You can buy it with your Free Diamonds, so no p2w involved.
  TIP: Since buying premium gives +3 levels, we only buy it once we've hit LV17. That way it finishes the pass for us and we skip the increased EXP requirements for lv17-20.

Q : What do I buy from the in-game shops?
A :
  [EVENT SHOP]
  3x Tears of Goddess >> UR equipment + 27 upgrade tokens (all in one go) > Draw Tickets > Ancient Crystals > Refining Crystals > rest as needed.
  [GOLD THREAD SHOP]
  The Monthly Upgrade Selector (1600)
  The random costume (also 1600) can sometimes also be worth it, like when it's a buffer or chain/dmg amplification unit.
  Maybe you can sometimes afford to buy some Tears, but as a f2p you'll mostly be working hard to afford the monthly selector.
  [POWDER OF HOPE SHOP]
  Whichever COSTUME(s) you like, nothing else. Ask in /bd2g/ if not sure.
  [MIRROR WARS SHOP]
  The Monthly Costume. You can easily afford it if you afk queue your daily 40 pvp matches.
  You can also grab a bonus 1 UR Gear Ticket every month if your win rate is good or you use the Wiggle strategy.
  (Wiggle Strat = put solo Wiggle on def -> lose everything -> you queue into weaker enemies on attack = more wins = more tokens)

  [EVIL CASTLE SHOP]
  4* Skill Books as needed, then 3* contracts and/or 4* Rank-Up Stars.
  TIP: The devs implied that 5* costumes may come to the Evil Castle shop with the roguelike tower and shop revamp, so holding onto ~20-30k Evil Castle coins may be good.

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[(RE)ROLLING]
Q : Who do I take from the Infinite Reroll?
 A :  The Infinite Reroll isn't really a big deal. Pick a 5* unit you like the looks of, or one of these if you want to play it a bit more safe:

	Celia (PvE + Utility)
	Eleaneer or Hooded Justia (PvP)
	Niche picks: Elise (if you plan to +3 her), Seir (solid low investment tank qt).

As for equipment, the guides cream themselves over Kry's UR EX, but I wouldn't waste hours on it since it's still rng how fast you'll get him. If you get Kry's UR EX nice - if not, Wiggle's UR EX or even Justia's SR EX will do just as fine.
	Note that you can NOT get 5* unit UR equipment - only 3* and 4* unit.

Q : How does "True Reroll" work?
 A : New players use the initial 20-30 free tickets they get somewhere in Story Pack 1 to see if they can get the banner target.
     You get it in those 20-30 rolls you keep, otherwise you try a different account.
     This is only sorta worth it if you're starting during limited banners, or rerun banners of core units like Diana.
     In the end everyone's luck eventually evens out to the same 1.5% rate.

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[COSTUMES]
Q : How does the costume system work?
 A : Characters in BD2 can use various costumes (skills) in the battle. Each costume allows them to use that costume's skill.
	The more costumes a character has, the more skills they can use in the battle.
	Costumes can be upgraded with dupes ("Designs") up to +5, and via their [POTENTIAL] (growth system).
	TIP: There is a monthly item in the Gold Thread Shop to upgrade any 1 owned non-limited costume of choice by 1 level.

Q : Do I need to farm exp for an each costume?
 A : Costumes don't need any exp, they're just skills.

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[BANNERS & ROLLING]
TIP: In BD2 you get a FREE DAILY DRAW on every active banner. Daily draws can't be saved, so use them before the daily reset!

Q : How do the banners work? Can spark or pity be saved for the next banner?
 A : BD2 Banners are split into 2 groups : costume banners and weapon banners. You can't get any weapons from costume banners and vice versa.

     For an each pull you get 1 [Draw Point] which you can exchange for the banner's target (you need 200).
     Draw points can't be carried over to another banner. Unused draw points are converted into [Powder of Hope] once a banner ends.
     One copy of that banner costume (and others) can be bought with 200 powders after the banner has ended.
	 There are no weapons in the powder shop.
     TIP: Draw Points can also be converted into powders manually, without waiting until the end of the banner.

   [Pity]
   Pity is 10 draws for a guaranteed 4* costume/weapon (or higher), and 100 draws for a guaranteed 5* costume or UR weapon.
   Pity is shared between all the banners and doesn't reset when a banner ends.
   Pity counters for costumes and weapons are split.
   [Cashback]
   The first 4 times that you acquire a copy of an ongoing costume banner's target, you'll receive 10 Draw Tickets (rolls) cashback.
   You can use these to keep rolling, or save them for other banners.
   If you acquire a costume outside of its banner, you'll be able to claim the rewards the next time that banner is active.

Q : Do I Roll or Save?
 A : As a new player: roll - in moderation.
     If you see a banner that you like, go for it.
     If none of the current banners catch your fancy, slap some units in the Select Draw banner (see the bottom of this post), and roll on it until you have a +5 Arines (3*), which will be your biggest buff carry as a new player.
     Banners for good units get rerun every 3 to 5 months (until they release more op ones to replace them).
     Either way, it is never bad to hold onto SOME rolls and not go completely broke.
     TIP: Never roll on weapon banners (whale bait).

Q : What are good banners?
 A : Buffers, units with access to 3x3 tile AoEs, and limited units are always safe investments (unless Summer Justia).
	If you're not sure, ask in /bd2g/.

Q : When / What are limited banners?
 A : Limited banners often feature strong, meta-defining units that shape certain aspects of the game (eg PvP) for months to come. While not a necessity to have, they are a great boost to your account.

Limited banners are run during the summer/winter events, but may also appear on other special occasions (eg the collab in May/June).
Limited costumes cannot be acquired outside of their banners, and cannot be leveled up via the monthly gold thread selector.

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[PUB RECRUITMENT]
TIP: Recruitment Contracts are one of the rarest resources in the game. Saving your 3* and 4* Contracts and trading them into 5* Contracts (Shop>Items) is one of the best plays you can do. You'll automatically get +5 on all your 3* and 4* units from banners.

Q : Which 5* do I recruit from the pub first?
 A :
      1 - Diana (SP10) - Daily dispatch ability for dias (cash shop currency)/rice, and your #1 core unit for endgame PvE.
      2 - Liatris (SP8) - Strong 3x3 AOE that'll help you clear mob packs easily, sprint ability for faster traveling.
      3 - Olstein (SP4) - Main gold generator for new(er) players via daily dispatch. Also offers survival in PvE via AoE silence.
      4 - Celia (%) - Main chain builder (damage enabler) for endgame PvE content like Fiend Hunts. Also a debuff queen with a great field skill. She can appear in the pub at any time.
      5 - Rou (SP4) - Dodge tank + long knockback with insane damage, cute cat, and the game's mascot.

TIP: After you recruited Diana and Liatriss, try always keep a spare 5* Recruitment Contract on you. That way, if a new scroll 5* unit drops you can recruit her to get 10 Draw Tickets.

      6 - If you choose Eleaneer, Elise, or Seir from the infinite reroll, you will be able to get another copy of them from the pub.
      7 - Whoever you like.

[FORCING 5*]
  Each pub unit will only show up in the pub once. You can refresh the units with dias, but that is not recommended (rotation is 2h).
  The 5* that can show up at the pub are: Alec, Anastasia, Angelica, Celia*, Eleaneer*, Elise*, Helena*, Lecliss, Rafina*, Refithea, Seir*
  So, if you want some of these & have lot of powders but no good costumes to spend it on, you could recruit some 3* (or maybe even 4*) pub characters to clear out the pool, and increase the chance that a preferred 5* characters appears.

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[CRAFTING]
Q : How do I level the crafting ability?
 A : Craft a -lot- of any of these items (N-grade): Mercenary Circlet, Mercenary Gloves, Mercenary Bracelet, Mercenary Necklace.
     Crafting anything else will require some farming.

Q : Where do I get crafting materials?
 A : Use Lathel [SEARCH] ability in Story Packs 7-8 (copper, gold) & Story Pack 9 (wood) daily.
	This includes any inns, pubs, shops in that story pack's town.
	TIP: If you have Celia, use her [Absorb] skill after activating Lathel's [Search] to instantly clear a battle map.
         The effect persists until you change to a different story pack, where you'll need to activate [Search] again.

	HUNTING GROUNDS (Daily Rice)
	If you need yet more crafting mats, you can use your daily rice on the Hunting Grounds for SP7 "Lizard Man Altar" (copper/gold) & SP9 "Mountain Keeper's Shelter" (wood).
	New players can make do with SP2 (Abandoned Mine) HG > SP 7/9 HG on Normal Mode until you can clear them on Very hard.

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[SELECTED DRAW]
* The Selected Draw is mainly for completely fresh/new players and whales or veterans. It can be a way to acquire a few good units early on, if none of the current banners appeal to you, but it is not recommended to go all-in on this banner because the best way to build a character will always be through his or her own banner (or in the case of Diana, recruiting her from the pub > elevating her over time with the monthly gold thread shop selectors).
* If you are a new player: Toss some rolls at it until you have a +5 Arines.
* If you are not a new player: It is something you can toss a ticket or 20 at if none of the current/upcoming banners catch your fancy, if you feel lucky, or if there's some units that you -really- want.

Q : Who do I put into the Selected Draw?
 A : Buffers are your biggest damage enablers, followed by supporters and element-specific DPS.
     Recommended units and their upgrade level (dupes) below.

[BUFFERS]
Slot #1: Diana (core elemental damage buffer). You get a copy from the SP10 pub, but you'll want her at +2 minimum.
Slot #2: *Medical Club Teresse (very strong omni buffer + healer) +2/+4/+5
Slot #3: Homunculus Lathel / HLathel (bis phys buffer) +2 (or +3 if pvp)

*B-Helena (bis magic buffer) is not there because she needs +5 (and ideally 3/3 tears) to be usable.
It recommended to get B-Helena when her banner is being rerun instead. Elpis will do until then.

Slots #4-5-6: Whoever you like. Recommended units are marked with a *

[SUPPORTS] - CHAIN BUILDERS & DAMAGE ENABLERS
(pve/pvp) *Zenith (Damage amplification, chain builder) +0/+3 (get both damage potentials)
(pve) *Game Club Rafina (core damage enabler for phys teams, works like a second Diana in phys teams) +2/+4
(pve) *Descendant Celia (#1 chain builder, debuffer, utility). An additional chain costume for Celia. Her witch costume is in the pub.
(pve) *White Blessing Refithea (all-round chain/elemental damage buffer) +0/+1 (or +5 if no +5 Diana yet)
(pve) Pirate Queen Rubia (chain builder with bonus AoE DEF shred)

[DPS] - DAMAGE UNITS
RECOMMENDED: (Maid) Liatriss and PP Angelica can be used in all content, even if their element isn't stronger.
For the rest, here are the bis DPS costumes of each element:

FIRE: Maid Liatriss (phys) & Loen (magic)
   Maid Lia can pull insane numbers in all content, and her setup costume is recruitable from the pub.
   Loen (bis) offers the highest damage in the game, but only has one costume at the time of writing while Lia has 3.
WIND: Vanguard Gray (phys) & Dalvi (magic)
   VG Gray (Phys) has great damage vs magic mobs & dubs as a chain builder. Works at +0 since all his damage comes from VG's potentials.
   Dalvi (Magic) is very newbie friendly, as she functions with just one costume.
WATER: Sylvia/Rafina (phys) & Roxy (limited)(magic)
   Sylvia (bis) is the strongest water unit, but needs 2 or ideally all 3 costumes to function + dupes/pots.
   High-investment, but amazing returns as a reflect tank with DR who will cheese a LOT of PvE content for you.
   Rafina (phys)(Steel Engine) can be recruited in the pub. She has a way lower damage ceiling than Sylvia, but at +2/+3 with her damage potential she'll do decent enough.
   Roxy (magic) is a collab limited unit. Usable to good in PvE, but many probably missed her.
LIGHT: Ventana/Yuri (phys) & Angelica (magic)
   Ventana (bis) is a single target boss/taunt nuker, great for dark fiend hunts and VH packs, but she needs Zenith in most cases.
   Idol Yuri is a line nuker who also can do somewhat okay in pvp
   Angelica (Pool Party) is a great costume that will do a lot of work for you in all content.
DARK: Eleaneer (phys) & Bunny Eclipse (limited)(magic)
   B-Idol Eleaneer, once teared, becomes an insane dps costume. Good damage, silence, and -20% def shred. Good in pve and pvp.
   Bunny Eclipse is in the top2 pvp units, and in pve she's great as battery and damage dealer.

[TANKS] - PARTY SURVIVAL
Tanks are mainly used in pvp. In PvE, dodging attacks is cheaper and offers better survival since you can just reset the fight if you don't dodge the nuke.

(pve/pvp) *White Cat Rou (dodge tank, best knockback in the game, cute cat) +1/+3
  Tanks are mainly used in pvp. In PvE, dodging attacks is cheaper and offers better survival since you can just reset the fight if you don't dodge the nuke. Rou can be recruited from the pub, but at +3 her kick will be very strong and cheap.
(pve/pvp) Anti-Dystopia Diana (energy shield for the party without needing to slot in a separate shielder)
(pve) Seir (unkillable tank/SP battery/taunter in pve with potentials) +0
(pvp) Red Hat Rou (very energy shield for party+crit rate) +3~+5
(pvp) Android Lecliss (reflect tank) +3~+5
(pvp) Void Granhildr (can shine in some pve situations, but mainly known as the #1 pvp tank) +3~+5

     And of course, you can acquire extra copies of the unit(s) you choose from the Infinite Reroll!