The abyss rite

The abyss rite lets you choose an experienced mercenary to attempt abyssal awakening. A candidate needs 10 abyss battles and a victory alongside the party over an abyss floor boss, then pays shards to face their shadow and its companions together with 2 allies.

Open "Abyss" from "Base" and look at "Rite candidates" to see each candidate’s requirements and shard cost. Select a mercenary to compare their current state with the branded state before starting the rite.

Consider the loss of their former racial synergy before choosing to turn a mercenary abyssal. Victory grants awakening on return; defeat refunds the shards and causes an injury lasting 2 weeks.

The base limit is 3 branded mercenaries, and the rite costs more as their number grows. Read the warning before using a perk to expand that limit, since erosion can drain awakened mercenaries’ morale and will.

What awakening changes

Potential rises by 20 (cap 125) and every stat rises by 3 (cap 25 each). As an abyssal, the mercenary takes 20% less damage and stops aging. Two abyssals in the party take 2% less damage on top of that, and three or more take 5% less.

For attack, defense, HP and speed multipliers, the mercenary keeps the larger of their old race and abyssal. They lose their old race's dodge, starting gauge and gear effect. This differs per mercenary, so check the current and branded comparison before you start.

Foes in the rite

The rite sets its foes from your highest floor at that moment, so the rite gets harder as you climb. Choose the 2 allies before the rite begins.

Lifting a brand

"Lift brand" returns a mercenary to their old race. It costs shards, lowers every stat by 3 and lowers potential by 20, though never below the potential a personal trial guarantees. Shards paid for the rite stay spent, and awakening again takes another rite.

The years of their prime keep passing during awakening. After you lift the brand, stats drop again from the next year end to match those years. A born abyssal has no brand to lift.

Marks on this screen

Sparkle and milestone star. A sparkle highlights an awakening. A star highlights a major record, such as an event involving a named hero.

Awakening and brand count. Awakening marks a mercenary transformed into an Abysskin. The rite’s brand counter shows occupied and available slots, turning crimson when full.

Before and after rite chips. Gain chips on a rite candidate preview stat and race changes after awakening. Compare the current mercenary with the branded preview before starting.

Browse all screen marks