Arbalest (Butcher's Circus)

Combat Skills
(All buffs and debuffs last for 3 rounds unless otherwise specified.)

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Using an Arbalest
The Arbalest has various similarities to the Musketeer, but several skills have been modified to differentiate the two. Most notably, the Arbalest's Illuminating Flare is the one that erases Marks, Stuns, Dazes and Debuffs while the Musketeer's Skeet Shot provides Stress relief. Battlefield Bandage no longer improves healing received, but can cure Bleed to compensate. Suppressing Fire is separated from Smokescreen in that it can stress out enemy back ranks and reduce their Stress infliction efficacy, which makes her a good choice for countering Stress teams.

Due to the improved healing numbers on Battlefield Bandage and the reduced importance of healing in this game mode, some teams can use the Arbalest as the sole healer, taking a support role. Bandage and Flare are definite musts for keeping the party in shape and countering enemy Marks and Stuns. While the Arbalest still suffers from getting pulled forward, Bola can be employed to help reposition her and disrupt the enemy front lines.

Trinkets to improve accuracy and damage are best employed. Things like the Eagle Eye Talisman for combat effectiveness and Silver Syringe to improve Battle Bandage are recommended, and can be replaced with the Piercing Quarrel and Medic Fullplate respectively once unlocked. The Stabilizing Tiller is for specialized Mark teams as it greatly improves the Arbalest's efficiency against any Marked targets.

Fighting an Arbalest
If you're using a Mark team, be aware if the enemy Arbalest has Illuminating Flare as that can erase your Marks and force you to waste turns re-marking. Her Battlefield Bandage makes her almost as big a target as a Vestal, but bursting down troublesome targets can force the Arbalest to forgo attacking in order to keep someone out of Death's Door.

If you can, drag the Arbalest forward. This will shut down most of her functionality, including Bandage. Although she will commonly have Bola to return to position, this means she's effectively wasted a turn that could have gone into attacking or healing. If you can, you could try repositioning your party such that the person most under threat is at the very front of the formation where the Arbalest cannot reach, leaving the opponent with one less Deathblow opportunity.