Which Starter S Character Is the Best Pick?

Which Starter S Character Is the Best Pick? [EDITED 12/06/24, CHAOS UNSNARLED PATCH]

Generally speaking, you may want to wait until you hit your first pity on the Member Recruit banner (40 pulls) before using the S-Rank Construct Pick. This is because it is more useful to have two S-Rank characters than one SS-Rank character, which you might end up with if you pull a dupe on the character you selected.

1. KAMUI TENEBRION
At S-rank, Karenina Scire offers stronger and longer Debuffs than S-rank Tenebrion. However, Tenebrion can match Scire's Debuffs at SS rank with his ultimate move. As a DPS, Tenebrion lacks crowd control and damage. Meanwhile, S/SS Scire deals stronger damage than Tenebrion. If you don't plan to upgrade Scire past S or get her signature weapon, SS Kamui Tenebrion can do the job as well, though it will be slower. However, at SS3 rank, Karenina Scire's damage will improve significantly, and she will vastly overtake Kamui Tenebrion as the main Dark Tank. For a well-invested Karenina Scire, Tenebrion is still used as a QTE support in some Pain Cage Strats.
VERDICT: RECOMMENDED TO GET


3. NANAMI PULSE
The biggest downside of Nanami Pulse is she absolutely can't deal any damage. Even after her leaps, swapping to her would result in a massive damage loss. However, although very niche and situational, she still has some usage as a QTE Tank support in Pain Cage mode. Pulse will be more relevant in the future when Watanabe Epitaph is released on Global.  Alternatively, you can use the A-rank character Bridget Ardeo which will be released on the "When Day Breaks" patch as a cheaper and stronger Fire Tank alternative.
VERDICT: RECOMMENDED TO GET


2. KARENINA EMBER
Ember has been replaced as the main Fire Attacker by Lee Hyperreal, she will no longer be used in most competitive modes. Alternatively, if you don't want to roll for Lee Hyperreal, you can use the A-rank character Lee Palefire with Max Leap as a cheaper Fire DPS alternative.
VERDICT: NOT RECOMMENDED TO GET


4. LIV LUMINANCE
Luminance has been replaced as the main Physical Support by Arisa Echo, she will no longer be used in most competitive modes.
VERDICT: NOT RECOMMENDED TO GET


5. LEE ENTROPY
Entropy has been replaced as the main Physical Attacker by Bianca Stigmata, he will no longer be used in most competitive modes.
VERDICT: NOT RECOMMENDED TO GET


TL:DR: Pick whoever you want/like. If you want a good character, Kamui Tenebrion is currently the best choice, followed by Nanami Pulse.