Tsathoggua/Strategy

(This page is for Tsathoggua's strategy guide. For the standard Tsathoggua page, click here.)

Overview

Tsathoggua, while isn't among the most recommended units in the game, is a quite decent damage soaker and zoner. With Amorphous Creature, he can keep annoying enemies busy trying to take him down while the rest of his team wipes out their allies. He's able to heal himself if his HP reaches or is close to critical levels thanks to Elder Cynokrash's self-heal, and can slow down the enemies' Charge Skill thanks to his CP decrease. Because of this, Ruler, the way his Charge Skill works and the fact he can't do big amounts of damage by himself, it could be said Tsathoggua is a team player, and one that works specially well with units with skills on movement since none of his require this to activate. Make sure he's the first one to hit who you're trying to distract so they'll focus him.

Space Traveler and King of the Dark Realm make him great to push slash and strike units to a safe distance in small maps, it situationally works against pierce units too. However, where the skill truly shines is in 3x6 maps, where the aforementioned attack types can be left completely defenseless. He's effective against all three in all situations if matched with an ally that can reliably apply FearCannot move at will, -10CP/turn for 5 turns (Debuff) to his opponents (unless you are using his 3-star, which won't be able to damage pierce units without being damaged back). While not completely effective against ranged and magic, pushing them away can minimize damage against your team. It's recommended to have him attack as late as possible since, sometimes, he can blow enemy units back at unfortunate times.

Another thing to take note of is that Immobility+12CP/turn, cannot move at will for 3 turns (Buff) is a blessing in disguise. It doesn't really impede Tsathoggua greatly thanks to him not needing to move to activate his skills, but it also helps him get his CP back up quickly to get heals and deal greater damage. It's a good idea to have another CP battery in the team besides him to get that first ult as soon as possible and then keep the self-heals rolling in.

Lastly, it's worth mentioning that while his 3-star has many of the capabilities of his 5-star, the latter is better due to better range, King of the Dark Realm and higher stats that compensate for the change in the damage multiplier and allow him to survive longer.

Highlights

Role: Zoning Tank

Pros

+ Great self-sustaining thanks to Amorphous Creature, Elder Cynokrash and Gourmet.

+ Doesn't need (or want) to move to activate any of his skills.

+ Very effective zoning at 3x6 and 5x6 maps.

Cons

- Very reliant on allies.

- While it helps his sustaining, Gourmet is ultimately a bad skill.

- Blow back can put enemies at advantage if misused.

Checks and Counters

Skill sealing units

Units like Hougen, Fenrir, Hakumen, Benten and some mobs from special quests can leave Tsathoggua defenseless if they apply BindCannot activate skills, ATK Down by 0.9x ~ 0.45x for 4 turns. CS effects still apply. (Debuff) or similar skill sealing effects on him just as Regeneration+400~800HP/turn for 4 turns (Buff) wears off or before he buffs himself. However, since Bind lasts just as long as Regeneration, this can be somewhat mitigated by having Tsathoggua proc Amorphous Creature before risking getting debuffed by the aforementioned units.

Countdown-10000~-20000HP/turn for 2 turns (Debuff) units

The most dangerous effect for Tsathoggua. By instantly reducing his HP to 1, Tsathoggua becomes incapable of carrying out his duty if he didn't activate Amorphous Creature previously, since from there on any damage he receives will result lethal. The only ways to prevent this is by going into next phase and getting the Gourmet heal (which, let's be honest, it's the worst case scenario), charging Elder Cynokrash or by having a reliable healer in your team. Be extremely wary of units with Harbinger of Death and Chernobog's Night on Bald Mountain. If you are against any of these units it's recommended to have a good skill sealer or a unit able to Cleanse.

Blow backs on big maps

This is an admittedly ironic weakness of Tsathoggua. If he were to use his Charge Skill and then got blown back multiple times in a 3x6 or bigger map, he'd get trapped down there without a way to get back up to the action on his own. Having units with Swimmer is important on these maps when facing this kind of enemies, but it's specially important for Tsathoggua to prevent this from happening.

Teambuilding Options

This section consists of user-submitted builds that may not necessarily be viable for high level quests.

The Rod's Flavor Build

Team Details
Tsathoggua 【ツァトグァ】	Jambavan 【ジャンバヴァン】	Benten 【ベンテン】	Arslan 【アルスラーン】	Protagonist 【主人公】	Purple Evil 【パープルエビル】

An overall well-rounded team for Tsath to carry his duties. Arslan's Oil Painter gives him and two allies more durability and Kingly more damage to his team, both things good for Tsathoggua, and you can constantly apply them since he's the only one that needs to move unless he gets feared or skill sealed, in which case Jamba comes into play with Destroyer of Evil. When the medicine student isn't moving, he can buff Arslan, and if possible Benten, with Spinner of Fate. Benten's Bind will help with those pesky counters while making the team even more durable by reducing the enemies' damage with it and her Charge Skill, not to mention removing annoying buffs with Flow Changer. Protag and Evil are there since additional Cleanse and debuffs might be needed in worst case scenarios since Jamba and Benten usually are in the most vulnerable positions in this comp.

The Angry Pillow Build

Team Details
Tsathoggua 【ツァトグァ】	Shirou 【シロウ】	Ibaraki 【イバラキ】	Arslan 【アルスラーン】	Protagonist 【主人公】	Purple Evil 【パープルエビル】

A more offensive rendition of the team above and probably your best option if you didn't get Benten at her event. Despite lacking proper skill seal, Shirou is better against movement-reliant units and at decreasing CP thanks to Embodiment of Terror, not to mention he synergizes better with Tsathoggua's Space Traveler and King of the Dark Realm and can serve as a CP battery. Since he can cover Jamba's cleansing duties, if you don't feel like you absolutely need Insight, you can switch Jamba out for a damage dealer like Ibaraki and wreck havoc.