Awakened Shin JiaInformation and Guide

Summary

Awakened Shin Jia (AJia) is a 5 cost supporter who provides a combination of offensive and defensive buffs for your team. She costs more than your average supporter, but in turn provides a wide spread of utility and more potent buffs than would be found on other supporters.

By micromanaging AJia’s kit mechanics, AJia can provide the largest ATK and CRIT buffs from a single unit in the game. On top of that, she also provides consistent shielding and some healing. This makes her extremely prevalent across all PVE content, and also gives her a niche in PVP. 

PVE Review

AJia provides a plethora of buffs, including the strongest damage buffs in the game. This makes her a core character in almost any PVE content. Her consistent uptime on her high ATK/ CRIT buffs are appreciated everywhere, and her ultimate skill is a massive enabler for burst damage set ups. AJia’s ultimate skill reapplies the buffs granted by her special skill, allowing you to double up on AJia’s special skill buffs. Notably, she is a mainstay buffer in the Danger Close used in competitive comps across most bosses, though she doesn’t see as much use as before due to changes in the meta environment of the game mode.

AJia’s barrier mechanic is distinct from other supporters who apply barriers in that the shield from her special skill is applied multiple times over the duration of her special, providing consistent protection for her backline and herself.

AJia is a strong ASSR but she inherits all the problems inherent to being a supporter. She is a powerful force multiplier but if the damage is lacking, her buffs won’t make a difference. Ultimately, there is a limit to what supporters can accomplish individually.

PVP Review

AJia periodically sees use in PVP as a buffer, providing a combination of defensive and offensive buffs. Issues inherent to buffer supporters prevent AJia from seeing more widespread use, but in spite of the archetype’s awkward position in the PVP environment she is still able to muscle her way into relevance thanks to the sheer amount of utility in her kit.

AJia’s buffs provide good value to the team and can help shore up stat differences between you and your opponent, provided you are granted the opportunity to play her. Notably, AJia can be used to increase the lethality of certain ultimates (e.g. Replacer Queen) by timing her buff application with the ultimate cast to deal significantly more burst damage than is otherwise achievable. AJia’s high cost can be awkward to work around, especially when she herself doesn’t apply any pressure. Thankfully, AJia’s innate tankiness and safe range make her relatively easier to manage compared to other backline supporters. 

Generally speaking, there is a noticeable lack of support buffers in PVP compared to PVE. This is due to the fact many support buffers need time to ramp up their buffs, whereas damage dealers are able to immediately apply pressure and contribute value. It is difficult to find the time to deploy supporters when your opponent is actively trying to kill your stuff. 

As a long range backline supporter, AJia can be difficult to deal with. Contrasting backline damage dealers who sacrifice tank stats for damage, AJia forgoes damage for the tank stats (Anti-X DMG RES%) on a proper support CDR set. It isn’t worth allocating resources towards targeted counterplay against an opponent’s AJia. Ultimately, AJia should be treated as an accessory to her team.