#in particular i think ines' brand of role compression just kind of does not do much as it normally does in IS3

[oltammefru]

Opinions on the best and worst vanguard pics in is3?

I've personally really liked Texas1 and Poncirus, but I'm curious if relicless or high waves change things

Vanguards as a DP-generating class are sort of weak in IS3 just because almost every stage has a slow opener and so they end up being unnecessary. DP generation isn't irrelevant but it's far from a necessity it is in other contexts (like IS4!)

Elysium and Cantabile are definitely the strongest imo. Elysium just provides a ton of really really useful utility in conjunction with his DP generation in a way where he is much much more useful than Myrtle. He synergies with snipers, which are incredibly good in IS3 (2nd best class after specialists), and his S2 is an incredible impactful ability, both in individual combats, as well as being really nice for things like duck/dog/bear.

(With that being said, I think while Elysium vs. Myrtle is extremely Elysium favored, making sure you hit specific hope thresholds is more important. If you get +5 hope next combat, 6stars cost 6 hope, and you're currently at 3 hope, if you take Elysium you'll be at 5 hope next combat and if you take Myrtle you'll be at 6, so you take Myrtle anyway.)

IS3 only has 2 maps that actually need DP generation, which are (at sufficiently high difficulties), the Ishar-mla fight and the Gravestone fight, and Cantabile is the best DP generator on these two specific maps (S1, place her down immediately. For gravestone specifically you have to place her on the tile 2.5 tiles right of Gravestone's spawn, otherwise she'll be in range), which is why I rate her so highly. While Ines can substitute for Cantabile in these fights somewhat (with S3), and Ines is generally better as an unit that combines DP generation, combat strength, and utility, Cantabile is far better than it really counts.

Honorable mentions:

Saileach. She does so much, and in a way that's really well-suited for IS3. Her S2 has the DP/s generation of Myrtle S1 but also heals and increases Def (I think it also works on enmity operators? Not sure about that) and it's generally her worst skill because she's just that goated. She gives your units 12 ASPD just by standing there and looking pretty. Her S3 is a mini, faster-cycle Suzuran S3 that also knocks down low-altitude hovering enemies. She's definitely only an unit you want if you have excess hope, but if you do she is phenomenally good.

Muelsyse. Her clones copy Survivor Contract/Chitinous Ripper buffs.

Vigil is definitely the worst vanguard in IS3 to no one's surprise. In my IS3 D15 relicless Lupoknights run I had the opportunity to pick Vigil while not needing the hope for anyone else and I skipped him anyway. <3