Nouvelle Y'Shtola ! Elle est en card of the week, mais j'ai une analyse un poil plus longue :
Time for a small analysis for this new Y'Shtola!
Y'Shtola is one of my favorite character in the whole franchise. We finally got the Heavensward outfit too!
She's a 4CP 8k power with 3 effects.
First, it's a Vincent-L effect, meaning she can't break from non-damaging source. Exact opposite of the opus 5 legendary one
Second one is getting Brave when a condition is met, which is 3 Scion other than her.
Last one is she can deal 8K to a forward when she attacks if you control 5+ other scions.
Obviously she can't be played without scions, there are superior options for a 4CP forward.
She's on curve at 8K, meaning you don't lose much value by just putting her on the field.
Being able to handle standard break effect means you can get around Mateus, Odin, Edea, Zalera..., lots of special abilities (Vincent L, Edea, etc). It also prevent executes (Opus 4 Orlando for instance) It does not help against Lightning or Fire, elements that deal direct damage. Does not prevent Power reduction (Water or wind). All in all, this is a bonus effect that does not warrant a spot in a deck, but it's always nice to have this.
I won't discuss the second effect. You will want to get to 5+ scions, so Y'Shtola will probably always be Brave if you play her accordingly. I personnally don't always like this effect because it opens up Al-Cid combos, but that's personal.
8K damage is a lot. You can destroy tons of forward with this kind of blast. For instance, you can break the main forwards on some really played decks. Locke, Setzer, Genesis Rinoa, and The Emperor, even after a Larg buff. You can get to Celes/Vayne without buffs, for Ice. Every piece of Al-Cid combos dies from it. If you get Illua's protection, she's dead too. You get every Elemental Warrior of light (Arc, Luneth, Ingus, Refia), and unboosted Wol, Cloud of Darkness, Zemus, Amon... Almost everything can die off a 8K blast.
The drawback there is the condition to play it. You need 5 other scions to get there. Is it possible ?
If you want to play scion, you'll go Lightning/Earth. This means 3 backups (Minfillia, Alphinaud, Alisaie) and 4 forwards (Thancred, Yda, Papalymo, Urianger).
To get the backups, Louisoix can help to get the twins. As a 3CP backup, it helps to expand quickly your backline. A Turn 1 Alphinaud + Monk, followed by Turn 2 Louisoix- Alisaie sets you for a great start (such as a Hasted Thancred/Y'Shtola, or even going on with Yda+Papalymo). Getting to 2/3 Scion backup is pretty doable. Maybe more will come to in this opus (Tataru when?)
What's good about the twins is that they helps to get value from Y'Sthola. Alisaie gives her Haste, which is straight up strong to get value ASAP from her. And if you can proc the 8K blast, that's even more value. Playing a Haste/Brave forward and deal 8K in the same turn, for 4CP ? This is a huge tempo swing if this happens.
Alphinaud's effect is sometimes lackluster. Sure. But if 2K Damage is small, added to Y'Shtola 8K, you can destroy pretty much every forward your opponent will play
All of it comes down to the fact to be able to get 2-3 forward on the field at the same time. Papalymo is squishy. Yda should be strong given the deck. Urianger is barely a CIP effect, and has no body. Thancred can be sticky.
If the meta sees lots of soft or hard removal, you might not see her effect easily. What might save her is the low cost of the Scions forward and her somewhat protection from removal, meaning, with haste, you should be able to setup a situation where you get the damage.
FFXIV Scions deck are aggressive and based on Yda's strength. This will not change. But Y'Shtola is a trong addition to this, giving a little bit of removal and stickyness to the archetype. But won't be played outside of it, sadly.
