Primal Lord Crystal Beetle
Guide Overview
The Crystal Beetle is the 3rd Primal Lord, released as a part of the first season, Song of Strife. It is located in the Crimson Highlands, unlocked during Chapter 3.
Depending on your account progress you will find different teams more effective.
Avoid ranged dps who struggle to bypass the high dodge stat of the Crystal Beetle.
Prioritise shielders to prevent losing HP from the Beetle's attacks, helping to not be stunned by the Beetle's knockup.
The current highest DPS unit is Korin, as his true damage and meele attacks are able to effectively damage the boss.
Always prioritise your strongest units incases where the optimum would result in a weaker team - alive units are better than dead ones!
This guide was written on patch version v1.1.15, the latest character released was Ulmus.
Skills
Ultimate
Flies into the sky, becoming Invincible while hurling a magic projectile at each enemy, dealing 80% damage to the target and adjacent targets.
Skill 1
Casts a spell that enhances the scales on the wings and back at 10/30/50/70s into a battle, increasing Dodge by 100 for 15s
Skill 2
Summons a 3 tile wide spike that extends forward, dealing 60% damage to enemies hit. If enemies lose HP from this damage, they will also be knocked into the air and stunned for 2s.
Skill 3
Spreads an enchanted mist across the battlefield, fueling the magic obsession of those within. Increases the Haste of allies and enemies within the mist by 60 and their magic damage by 100%. Allies and enemies also recover 50 Energy per second while in the mist.
Team Suggestions
🐋Meta Team
The meta team features Phraesto - the latest Hypogean unit released during the Song of Strife season.
The Phraesto illusion aids in the survivability of Koko and adds general health to the board.
Smokey is placed to the side and not behind the main Phraesto in order to avoid the knockup, maximising uptime.
Evocation is the recommended artefact for this team, providing extra shields and damage.
🍝 No Pesto
If you didn't go all in for Phraesto as a high spender, or built Scarlita over Reinier, the following team can be used.
Korin and Scarlita act as primary and secondary DPS, both providing valuable shields to the team.
Thoran linked to Korin adds extra survivability, while also adding debuffs to the boss.
Evocation is the recommended artefact for this team, providing extra shields and damage.
🔀 I only have Reinier
The following team can be used if you only own Reinier, at M+ minimum.
Korin acts as the sole DPS to the team, with Thoran and Reinier providing buffs.
Evocation is the recommended artefact for this team, providing extra shields and damage.
🙅No Cel/Hypo
If you don't have any Cel/Hypos built, the fallback strategy relies on the Starshard spell to boost damage.
Rowan is added to boost energy gain, helping to activate Starshard.
This strategy is effective for F2P players, who might find themselves around the 300-350 reso level.
Character Alternatives
Korin vs Vala
When the boss is under 50% HP, Vala can be used instead of Korin if she is of higher ascension/investment. However, as she doesn't provide shielding she lacks survivability and often can result in lower team damage due to an early defeat.
Players can try replacing Scarlita in the "No Pesto" team with Vala under 50% HP for min-max damage
Korin vs Odie
Odie can be used in the "No Cel/Hypo" team instead of Korin if he is of higher ascension/investment. While ranged, his quick cycle magic ultimate can combine well with the Starshard artefact but note he does not do much damage himself.
Thoran
Thoran can be replaced by other tanks, such as Antandra, or by more sustain characters such as Hewynn.
In the case of Hewynn, it is suggested to have her atleast ascended to M+ so she gains CC immunity during her ultimate.
Smokey
Can be switched out for any other healer if they are higher ascension/investment.
Koko
Her ultimate offers high value in this fight, providing damage reduction alongside shields (M+). If your Koko is below M+, Lucius could be a good option for extra shielding
Credits
Written by Bae 💛
Thanks to those who helped collaborate on this guide 🙏
inSeas0n
Zeeebo - F2P team guide - Meta team guide