While Blue raids are just weird, Red raids are difficult for an entirely different reason. Instead of wacky mechanics, Red raids test a player’s adaptability and team building by requiring different tools.

Hieronymus in particular will require players to give up a spot on their team for dedicated healer. Here we’ll have a bit of a rundown on the mechanics of Hieronymus and some students that are useful against him.

Core Mechanics

The Hieronymus fight mechanics revolve entirely around healing. The first thing players will see when they enter the arena is a green lantern. When healed, this lantern applies a permanent debuff to Hieronymus which increases the damage he takes.

Applying this buff is crucial for high speed runs.

Eventually, Hieronymus will enter a second phase. This second phase changes the map and now there will be a red lantern. Healing the red lantern will interrupt Hieronymus’ abilities. This is crucial for interrupting “Pain in the Desert” when his ATG gauge is full.

Lastly, Hieronymus will cast “Urgata” and apply a debuff that will explode with damage on a target. This debuff goes away if the target is brought to 100% HP before it explodes.

Our Team Suggestion

Strikers

• Shimoe Koharu: The “Queen” of Hieronymus raids. Koharu allows you to use a Striker slot as a healer instead of one of your Special slots. The reason this is good is because like most raids, the fastest way to kill Hieronymus is the tried and true “stack buffs on a big single-target damage dealer” strat which relies on Special students with buffs.
• Shirasu Azusa: Of course to do the strat, you need someone to stack the buffs on. When it comes to Explosive damage, few can compete with Azusa’s single target burst. Not only can she apply a defense debuff, but she also does bonus damage to enemies with debuffs. To top it off, her EX ability does MASSIVE single target damage.
• Hayase Yuuka: Frankly, any tank can work here; especially if you’re not pushing Insane difficulty. But if you’re gonna bring in a tank, you may as well have one that does Explosive damage.
• Sunaookami Shiroko: You could put anyone here but we recommend Shiroko because her EX ability is cheap and easy to cycle through for more Azusa specials.

Special

• Amau Ako: We’re sure you’re sick of seeing her, but Ako still stands out as a big buffer that can dramatically increase damage with some lucky crits.
• Akeboshi Himari: Himari’s buff to EX recovery is always good to have.

Substitutions

• Amami Nodoka (Hot Spring) (Replaces Koharu and Himari): Nodoka is a great healer for Hieronymus, the only problem is she takes up a Support spot. If you don’t have Koharu you’re going to need to replace one of your buffers and stick someone else on your Striker team.
• Kozeki Ui (Replaces Shiroko): Ui is a good replacement for Shiroko, her EX ability further buffs your damage dealer while reducing the cost of their next 2 EX abilities.
• Izayoi Nonomi (Swimsuit) (Replaces Azusa): We can’t fathom a world where you have Swimsuit Nonomi and not Azusa, but if that describes you then she makes a good replacement.
• Asagao Hanae (Replaces Koharu and Himari): Another good Special healer if you don’t have Nodoka, less than ideal but she does the job.
• Aikiyo Fuuka (New Year) (Replaces Ako): Half Ui, Half Ako, New Year Fuuka is the best of both worlds with EX cost reduction and a crit buff in one convenient package.