Hey there, fellow Proxy! As someone who's been running Nicole as a core part of my team since launch, I can tell you she's so much more than just the first Support character you get. Even in 2026, with all the new Agents and fancy banners, my trusty leader of the Cunning Hares still has a permanent spot in my squads for tough challenges. Her unique blend of Ether damage and team-wide buffing is a recipe for success that never gets old. I've spent countless hours optimizing her, and I'm here to share everything I've learned about crafting her perfect build.

Let's talk about her heart and soul: her weapon. The absolute best W-Engine for Nicole is, without a doubt, The Vault. This iconic weapon was practically made for her. Every time she unleashes her EX Special, a Chain Attack, or her Ultimate—which all deal that sweet Ether damage—your entire squad's damage gets a juicy 15% boost for a few seconds. On top of that, her Energy regeneration gets a nice little kick. It's the perfect tool to amplify her role as a damage-boosting supporter.

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Now, I know what you're thinking—pulling an A-Rank weapon can be a pain. Believe me, I've been there! If you're still hunting for The Vault, don't worry. A fantastic and much more accessible alternative is the Reverb-Mark III. This reliable workhorse increases your team's ATK by 8% after Nicole uses her big moves. It's a solid, no-fuss option that will serve you incredibly well through the entire early and mid-game while you save up your pulls.

Alright, weapons are covered. Next up, the gear that truly defines a build: the Drive Discs. After years of testing, the consensus is rock solid. You want to run a 4-piece set of Swing Jazz combined with a 2-piece set of Chaotic Metal. This combo is pure magic for Nicole.

The Chaotic Metal set is a no-brainer for any Ether-focused character, giving a straight 10% damage boost to all her Ether attacks. The real star for her support role, though, is Swing Jazz. After she triggers a Chain Attack or Ultimate, everyone on your team hits 15% harder for 12 seconds. It synchronizes perfectly with her weapon effects and passive abilities, creating these beautiful windows of massive team-wide damage amplification.

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So, where do you get these amazing Discs? You'll need to progress through the main story until the Drive Disc system unlocks. Once it does, head to the Scott Outpost and look for Roland. The key mission is "Monster and Weirdo" in the Routine Cleanup operations. Both the Chaotic Metal and Swing Jazz sets can drop as rewards from this same mission. A word of advice from my own grinding sessions: be patient. You'll likely need to run this mission several times to collect all six pieces you need, as they drop for specific equipment slots. Think of it as a rite of passage for every dedicated Nicole main!

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A powerful build needs a powerful team to support. Nicole truly shines when she's with her found family. The ideal, most synergistic team for her is, unsurprisingly, the full Cunning Hares squad: Nicole, Anby, and Billy Kid. This isn't just for lore reasons! Nicole's passive ability, 'Hare of Many Caves,' gives her a massive 25% Ether Damage increase when she applies her Core Passive debuff while teammates of the same Faction or Attribute are present. Anby and Billy, being fellow Hares, trigger this effortlessly.

While top-tier Ether DPS like Zhu Yuan are fantastic partners, the original Hares trio is reliable, accessible, and their kits flow together perfectly. Anby sets up stuns and control, Billy unleashes raw assault, and Nicole sits in the middle, buffing them both and dealing consistent damage herself. It's a classic, effective composition that has cleared the hardest content the game has thrown at us.

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To summarize the ultimate 2026 Nicole build:

  • Weapon (W-Engine): The Vault (Best-in-Slot) / Reverb-Mark III (Excellent Alternative)

  • Drive Discs: 4-Piece Swing Jazz + 2-Piece Chaotic Metal

  • Core Team: Anby & Billy Kid (Cunning Hares synergy)

  • Playstyle: Rotate her in to use EX Specials and Ultimates to trigger team buffs, then swap to your main DPS to capitalize on the damage windows.

Building Nicole isn't about chasing the flashiest new unit; it's about mastering a foundation. She teaches you the importance of support, timing, and team synergy. When you equip her with The Vault, deck her out in Swing Jazz and Chaotic Metal, and pair her with her fellow Hares, you're not just using a character—you're commanding a well-oiled machine that can tackle anything in New Eridu. Now get out there and show them what the Cunning Hares can do!