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Pretender
Hephaistion
# 335
CardType
3
CardType
3
CardType
3
CardType
5
CardType
NP
4
Attribute
Alignments
Neutral Balanced
NPGainNP Gain
0.59%
NPGainNP when Attacked (%)
3%
NPGainStar Absorption
98%
NPGainStar Generation per Hit
19.8%
NPGainInstant Death Chance
17.2%
Attack
Base1,646
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Max9,879
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Lv 10011,961
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Lv 12014,044
HP
Base1,786
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Max11,168
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Lv 10013,541
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Lv 12015,915

Traits

Servant
Humanoid
Heaven or Earth
Hominidae
Brynhild's Beloved
Female
Weak to Enuma Elish

Tags

Tag Icon
Self Arts Up
Tag Icon
Self Buster Up
Tag Icon
Anti-Caster ATK Up
Tag Icon
Self NP Gauge Up
Tag Icon
Target Focus
Tag Icon
Self DEF Up
Tag Icon
Self NP Gain Up
Absorb Status Effects
Tag Icon
ST Arts NP
Tag Icon
Arts Resist Down
Tag Icon
Buster Resist Down
Tag Icon
Self NP Damage Up
SkillIcon
He Too Is Iskandar (False) A
Increase own Arts Card effectiveness (3 turns). Increase own Buster Card effectiveness (3 turns). Gain Class Affinity advantage against [Caster] class (3 turns).
Available from the start
SkillIcon
Rapid Words of Divine B
Increase own NP Gauge.
Unlocks after 1st Ascension
SkillIcon
Nameless's Blessing EX
Apply Target Focus to self (1 turn). Increase own DEF (1 turn). Increase own NP Gain (1 turn). Absorb Curse status effects from all allies except self [Demerit].
Unlocks after 3rd Ascension

Append Skills

SkillIcon
Extra Attack Boost
Increase own Extra Attack Card effectiveness.
SkillIcon
Load Magical Energy
Begin battle with NP Gauge charged.
SkillIcon
Anti-Lancer (ATK Up)
Deal extra Special ATK damage to [Lancer] class enemies.
SkillIcon
Special Attack Technique Improvement
Increase own Critical Strength.
SkillIcon
Skill Reload
When using a skill, reduce the cooldown for the skill by 1 turn for the first time the skill is used per battle (Only 1 time per skill). Lv 1-5: 1 skill Lv 6-9: 2 skills Lv10: 3 skills

Class Skills

SkillIcon
Independent Action B (EX)
Increase your Critical Strength by 12%.
SkillIcon
Diversion Tactic B
Increase your Critical Chance Resist by 10% Increase your Critical Star Drop Rate by 10%.
SkillIcon
Territory Creation EX
Increase your Arts Card effectiveness by 12%.
SkillIcon
??? (Hephaistion)
Increase your NP Strength by 10%.

Noble Phantasm

Hecatic WheelC+~A+
Deal damage to a single enemy. Decrease Arts Resist for an enemy by 10% (3 turns). Decrease Buster Resist for an enemy by 10% (3 turns).
<Overcharge>
Increase own NP Strength (1 turn) [Activates first].
Ascension
QP
x2,200,000
Skill
QP
x27,200,000
Append Skill
QP
x27,200,000
Ascension + Skill
QP
x29,400,000
Total
QP
x56,600,000

“I'm nothing more than a counterfeit who borrowed her brother's name.”

Hephaistion in life was the most beloved of Alexander the Great’s friends, a boy who remained close throughout his entire life. Then we have Hephaistion of the FGO world, a female sorceress who serves as a Single Target Arts Damage Dealer who most certainly is not Hephaistion and hates him, making her a Pretender.

Hephaistion packs a solid kit meant to charge her Noble Phantasm and then dish out large amounts of damage to enemies. First of course is her massive charging ability through Rapid Words of the Divine B which can give her instantaneous access to a Noble Phantasm regardless of her gauge. Then we have her wide versatility thanks to Pretender classing as well as He Too Is Iskandar (False) A’s boost to give her full class advantage against Casters. She also can work pretty well in taking hits for the party with her third skill Nameless's Blessing EX.

The biggest issue surrounding Hephaistion is her lack of a hard damage negation. Further, her Caster class advantage is not permanent, meaning she may eventually struggle against more durable Caster bosses. She also can be quite squishy without supports.

Hephaistion is an excellent single target damage dealer against all enemies except Riders and Assassins. All Masters would be well served by the convenience of her full gauge change, and be especially well served if they have multiple Altria Casters to support. 

🟢 Strengths

Charge Skill

Hephaistion has a charge skill of the Gods, giving her a full gauge whenever she wishes to use her Noble Phantasm, so long as it is leveled up to at least level 8. This enables her to use three Noble Phantasms with starting Gauge CEs and specific supports, or with two Castorias and an Oberon to support her.

Versatility

As a Pretender, Hephaistion already deals decent 1.5x class advantage damage against Sabers, Lancers, and Archers. Further, with her third append skill she can boost damage against Lancers to nearly the point of full class advantage. This advantage is supposed to be countered with disadvantages against Riders, Casters, and Assassins, but her first skill gives her full class advantage against Casters. With so few disadvantages, she can be used in nearly all ST situations. 

Taking Hits

Hephaistion’s third skill gives her a target focus with a defense up boost. While this could be helpful to take some hits from an enemy, it can also be used to negate an enemy’s Noble Phantasm if evade/invincibility can be provided to her by a support.

🔴 Weaknesses

No Hard Damage Negation

As mentioned above, hard defense needs to be provided to Hephaistion by a support. She cannot give it to herself, meaning she has little to no means of protecting herself. 

Poor Sustain

In longer battles, Hephaistion will show crippling weaknesses. Her Caster advantage only lasts for three turns on a six-turn cooldown, meaning that if a battle goes for a while she will deal double damage for half the time, and half damage the other half. 

General Squishiness

Hephaistion has a hard time mitigating damage. While she has a 50% Defense boost for a turn, it is tied to taking all the hits for that turn with a target focus. Otherwise, she will take all damage which outside of Casters will be at full value. She may not last long without significant support.

Level Up Skill Recommendations

MedSkillIcon
He Too Is Iskandar (False) A
Increase own Arts Card effectiveness (3 turns). Increase own Buster Card effectiveness (3 turns). Gain Class Affinity advantage against [Caster] class (3 turns).
HighSkillIcon
Rapid Words of Divine B
Increase own NP Gauge.
LowSkillIcon
Nameless's Blessing EX
Apply Target Focus to self (1 turn). Increase own DEF (1 turn). Increase own NP Gain (1 turn). Absorb Curse status effects from all allies except self [Demerit].

Hephaistion’s kit highly revolves around her second skill and its ability to charge her gauge fully. Using this at a strategic time allows her to fire off a ton of Noble Phantasms against her enemies, boosted with damage from her first skill. Typically a master will use the first skill on turn one, the third skill either turns one or two for its NP gain boost, and then the second skill on the turn with the least gauge refunded. She will require careful planning, but a recommended leveling order is 2 > 1 > 3.

  • He Too Is Iskandar (False) both acts as a way to boost up Arts and Buster damage, as well as a way to gain class advantage against Casters. Masters should cast this turn 1 to maximize her damage output. It can be left at level 9 if lacking in materials. Level this second.
  • Rapid Words of the Divine B is a straight charge skill which can boost the gauge up to 120%! In most cases, this full amount is not needed, so this can be left at level 8 where she’ll still receive a full gauge. Level this first.
  • Nameless's Blessing EX serves two functions. The first is a general tank move, taking all attention to herself and increasing her defense. This is helpful for enemy Noble Phantasm turns if she can be otherwise made invulnerable or can survive the oncoming damage. The second is a gain to her NP rate, allowing her to get a bit extra boost to her refund on a turn. It also absorbs curses from allies but that rarely sees application. This skill is useful for looping. Masters can leave this as the last skill, but should level it to max if looping with her to take full advantage of the NP gain.

🖼️ Craft Essence Recommendations

Hephaistion primarily wants a CE which boosts her damage as much as possible, making Noble Phantasm Damage Up CEs particularly effective. Without one, she can benefit with a Mixed Damage / Starting Gauge Up CE which can allow for different refund scenarios with double Castoria.

  • The Black Grail: As Hephaistion has the ability to fully charge herself, she can easily use a Black Grail to dish out a huge amount of damage on any turn of her choosing. Through supports she can actually use a Black Grail and dish out three Noble Phantasms in three turns as well. More damage is always the best. 
  • Ocean Flier / Painting Summer / New Beginnings / Golden Sumo: Boulder Tournament / Holy Night Supper: The absolute best thing to do with Hephaistion if one does not have all the best supports is to give her a starting gauge of some sort, along with boosts to her NP gain rate. CEs which boost her Arts are the best for this. 
  • Kaleidoscope / The Imaginary Element / Dragon’s Meridian: Lacking supports of any kind, it is best to get Hephaistion a starting gauge of some sort so she can fire her noble phantasm at least twice. With a support Caster Altria from a friend, there should be enough starting gauge to allow for at least two.
Analysis by: Meliran
Cost12
GrowthLinear
Instant Death Chance17.2
Damage Distribution Quick16,33,51
Damage Distribution Arts16,33,51
Damage Distribution Buster16,33,51
Damage Distribution Extra6,13,20,26,35
Damage Distribution NP10,20,30,40

Bond

Bond Lv12345678910
Bond EXP3,5008,5007,0006,0002,500272,500330,000310,000290,000286,000
What Was Entrusted to Her
What Was Entrusted to Her
When equipped on Hephaestion , Increase her own NP Damage by 30% and increase all allies' NP Gauge by 10% when she is defeated.
IllustratorMinedi Sakamoto
Seiyuu (CV)You Taichi
AKA/Alias/NicknamesHephaestion
Country/Place of OriginGreece
Release Date (JP)01/12/2022
Release Date (NA)1/10/2024

Parameters

STR
B
END
C
AGL
C
MP
A+
LUK
D
NP
B++

Valentine's CE

King's Sculpture Chocolate
King's Sculpture Chocolate

Profile Entries

Character Info

History remembers Hephaistíon as Iskandar, the King of Conquerors', most beloved confidant and retainer. This...is not that Hephaistíon. She is a mysterious mage from the Age of Gods who pledged unending loyalty to Iskandar, but at the same time hated the king and his army more than anyone else.

Profile 1

Height/Weight: 168cm, 58kg Origin: History, "Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files" Region: Macedonia Alignment: Neutral-Balanced Gender: Female Usually, you'd expect to see the real Hephaistíon summoned instead of her.

Profile 2

The younger sister of the real Hephaistíon. Iskandar's mother, Olympias, knew that her son would need both a confidant he could trust to always remain loyal, and a mage who would protect him from curses. The real Hephaistíon was the former, and this woman was the latter.

Profile 3

This woman was raised by Olympias to be not only a great mage, but Iskandar's magecraft body double, and so was never given a name of her own. This lack of a name allowed her to use magecraft to fully become Iskandar, drawing any and all curses aimed at him to herself instead. In consequence of her many deceptive traps and the many times she acted as his proxy, stories about her were apparently mixed in with later tellings of Iskandar's legends.

Profile 4

Usually, when a Servant is summoned, they retain either no memories at all of their past summonings, or at best, little more than faint trace impressions of previous summonings. But for some reason, this woman remembers everything from her last summoning. This is also why she prefers to be called Faker. He Too Is Iskandar (False): A This skill rises from her service as Iskandar's body double, and allows her to imitate both his Noble Phantasm and his skills. While the imitated skills are all one rank lower than the originals, she's also able to transform their abilities. Rapid Words of Divine: B She is a powerful mage from the Age of Gods, and is able to cast powerful, complex spells with only a single phrase. Nameless's Blessing: EX A skill unique to her, since she truly lacks a name. Enables her to draw damage directed at those she's accepted as her Master towards herself, whether it from be sword, spell, or curse. As long as she has time to plan ahead, she can also greatly reduce the damage before it reaches her.

Profile 5

[Hecatic Wheel] Rank: C+~A+ NP Type: Anti-Army Range: 2 - 100 Maximum Targets: 100 Wheel of the Demonic Heavens While she lived, Iskandar himself entrusted her with his Noble Phantasm, the Wheel of Divine Majesty. But rather than having a Divine Beast pull it, it's said she summoned a dragon made entirely from bones. While this Noble Phantasm is lower ranked compared to both the original Wheel of Divine Majesty and the Distant Bucephalus it uses, she can also use magecraft to help it turn precisely and even steer itself. She can further infuse it with her Master's magical energy to boost its rank for a brief time.

Profile 6

Unlock after clearing Revival: Lady Reines Case Files and reaching Bond Lv5

Voice Lines

Battle Start 1
Nice. I smell a battle coming.
Battle Start 2
I'll be their opponent.
Battle Start 3
My name is Hephaistíon! ...Let's just leave it at that.
Battle Start 4
I dedicate this battle to my king and older brother.
Skill 1
I hear the sound of waves.
Skill 2
O Dionysus!
Skill 3
My Mystic Eyes.
Skill 4
I have no name.
Command Card 1
Got it, got it.
Command Card 2
Leave it to me.
Command Card 3
Not bad.
Noble Phantasm Card 1
Bring forth the false name!
Noble Phantasm Card 2
O Hecate, guide me.
Noble Phantasm Card 3
Good, I'm getting warmed up!
Noble Phantasm Card 4
Ah! Give me your magical energy!
Attack 1
Zeyah!
Attack 2
Toh!
Attack 3
Seeei!
Attack 4
Zeus!
Attack 5
Aellō!
Attack 6
Come, my dragon!
Extra Attack 1
O Mystic Eyes! Come on, brace yourselves!
Extra Attack 2
Don't move! This is the end for you!
Extra Attack 3
Too slow! AALALALALALALALAI!
Extra Attack 4
Don't squirm. I'll trample you!
Noble Phantasm 1
My name is Hephaistíon!
I am the most trusted retainer of Iskandar, the King of Conquerors!
Now destroy them...Hecatic Wheel!
Noble Phantasm 2
Ah, O great King of Conquerors!
Allow me to borrow your treasure for a brief moment!
Trample them down! Hecatic Wheel!
Noble Phantasm 3
My name is a lie. My body is a shadow.
But these falsehoods are my pride. Once more, I hold these reins in my hands!
Shatter them! Hecatic Wheel!
Damage 1
Ahhhhhh!!!
Damage 2
Kngh!
Damage 3
This is...nothing...!
Damage 4
Argh!
Incapacitated 1
Sorry. I'm leaving the rest to you...!
Incapacitated 2
Oh, how I wanted to return to that battlefield...
Incapacitated 3
Brother, I shall join you...
Victory 1
I dedicate this victory to the King of Conquerors!
Victory 2
I've done a soldier's work. Satisfied?
Victory 3
I'm sure my older brother would have done it better.
Victory 4
Is the celebratory wine ready?
Level up 1
Huh. So this is that leveling up thing.
I see, so that's how it works.
Level up 2
I kind of like this. Gimme more.
Level up 3
You sure are generous.
Ascension 1
Ascension...this takes me back.
Ah, you didn't hear that. It's not worth talking about.
Ascension 2
I was originally raised to be a mage, which is why I'm so picky about how I look.
What? You want me to teach your magecraft? I'd steer clear. You're not suited for it.
Ascension 3
This armor is...I see. I didn't realize this was buried so deep within my Spirit Origin.
This is armor that was worn by soldiers who serve god, though I rarely wore it in battle...
Ah yes...but I will use this manifestation to fight for you.
Ascension 4
So this completes my Spirit Origin as a Pretender, huh?
It's a bit different from me when I was alive, but that is actually giving me a sense of accomplishment.
Fufu...you shall be rewarded for helping me to reach this state.
Prepare yourself, okay?
Bond Level 1
What? You say I look like Alexander? Well that's no surprise.
There's even a legend that Hephaistíon was also Iskandar.
Well, the circumstances are a little different for me...
Bond Level 2
I briefly mentioned this when I was summoned, but I am not the real Hephaistíon.
I am an imposter borrowing my older brother's name, which probably caused me to be assigned to this class. I'm sure there will come a time for me to tell you about it.
Bond Level 3
I guess it's about time I told you.
I was Iskandar's body double. I used magecraft techniques to take on the role, so my gender didn't matter. The name Hephaistíon is also a borrowed name.
Originally I had no name....I was a nobody.
Bond Level 4
Let me confess something to you: I actually remember things from my previous summoning. I don't know if that will happen again next time I'm summoned, but it's given me a chance to reflect on a lot of things.
Ah yes, I have come to realize that there were things I was able to do BECAUSE I was a nobody, and I've learned to be proud of myself.
It was thanks to meeting you, and also that man without a heart.
Bond Level 5
All right, you've shown me your resolve. You're coming with me! I think I'll enjoy beating up those traitors with you!
Conversation 1
I'm just sitting around here. Come on, let's get going.
Conversation 2
What do I think about our Master and Servant relationship? Long as you're giving decent orders, I'll obey. Otherwise, I'll do things my own way.
If your orders get real bad, I'll just have to void our contract.
Conversation 3
Master... Ah yes, I suppose I should call you that, but I want you to forgive me for not doing so.
No, it's not your fault. I just feel obligated to say this. I'll still get my job done, so don't worry too much about it.
Conversation 4 (Iskandar)
Lord...Iskandar...
Apologies. I ask that you not ask me to face the King of Conquerors.
Why?
Partly because I am ashamed to meet him, even if he has forgiven me.
But one day, I shall...
Conversation 5 (Zhuge Liang (El-Melloi II))
I didn't think it was true, but I see that perverse Lord is here too.
He looks pissy, as usual.
Be careful. A man like that is the sort likely to stir up trouble for the whole world.
Conversation 6 (Gray)
Gray? I didn't think she would be here in Chaldea too.
Well then, I'll put her through some training.
I've always thought she had the potential to become a good warrior.
Conversation 7 (Sima Yi (Reines))
The successor for the Department of Modern Magecraft?
Come on now, there's too many of those in Chaldea!
...You're not going to tell me the Grand Puppeteer's here too, are you!?
Conversation 8 (Alexander)
I don't believe this... I never imagined I'd ever get a chance to meet the King of Conquerors at that age...
Now hold on, Alexander! That's enough of the Protection of Zeus for now!
Conversation 9 (Oberon)
I see...so that's what the other Pretender is like...
Conversation 10 (EMIYA)
The name Emiya does ring a bell to me.
The circumstances may be different, but you were called Faker at one point too.
Conversation 11 (Melusine)
Albion? You're THAT Albion?
How is it possible for a giant labyrinth I once traveled through to turn into a Tam Lin?
Oh, I see... I guess that would make it possible...
Conversation 12 (Leonardo da Vinci, Leonardo da Vinci (Rider), Leonardo da Vinci (Ruler))
Ah, so you're Da Vinci...
No, don't worry about it.
But...yeah...
All I want to say is that I wish you good health as long as fate allows.
Likes
It's much better to have dreams and ambitions in your life. In fact, they should be the kind of things that make others burst into laughter when they hear.
So in that sense there's nothing wrong with your dream, since you talk about humanity and whatnot.
And you'll get no complaint from me, long as there's good booze around.
Dislikes
Betrayal is the one thing I will not tolerate. That includes anyone who'd double-cross their friends. In the name of Dionysus, I won't let them keep drawing breath, even if they flee to the ends of the earth.
About the Holy Grail
I do indeed have a wish to make upon the Holy Grail. I would wish to delay the time of my older brother's and my deaths.
You're wondering if there's even a point in doing that? Of course there is. That way, we would have been able to die for our king.
During an Event
Hey, looks like there's a festival or something. Let's head out.
Birthday
Your birthday!?
I can't believe you of all people've managed to survive this long. Well, I'm in a good mood right now. I'll train you thoroughly today.
Come on, we're heading to the simulator. Don't dawdle!
Summon
I've come to answer your summons. My name is Hephaistíon...
Hey! What the hell!? Why do I remember everything!? You are...
Ohhh, okay. I get it.
Just put this down to the weirdness of my class.
I am Hephaistíon, or someone pretending to be them. My class is Pretender...
But if you don't mind, I'd rather you call me Faker.
Non-Limited -Available in the general summoning pool.

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