Neverness to Everness · S-Rank · Cosmos · Solid
Hotori Team Guide
The Boss of Eibon freezes time and hits back-to-back. Hotori records her teammates' skills via Present Replay, then unleashes World's Tide — a 10-hit Time Stop burst with a ×2 Finisher — amplified by Zero's Wastelab setup, Sakiri's ATK buff, and Haniel's Damage Boost.
Overview
Quick Stats
| Rarity | S-Rank |
| Element | Cosmos |
| Arc Type | Solid |
| Role | Main DPS / Time Stop Burst |
| Playstyle | Skill (record allies) → Ultimate (Time Stop 10 hits + Finisher) |
| Energy | Non-Closed Timepiece — Hotori's personal gauge (max 120). Fills passively on field. Present Replay costs 60; World's Tide requires a full 120. |
| Rec. Arc | Marching Beyond Time (BiS) · Fluff of Fearlessness (Alt) |
| Rec. Set | Lost Radiance 4-piece |
Ratings
Strengths
- Highest single-window Cosmos burst in the current roster — 11 independent hits with CRIT
- 55% DEF ignore at BiS (A6 30% + Lost Radiance 25%) — exceptional vs high-DEF bosses
- A5 passively gives the full team +15% DMG vs single targets when Hotori is deployed
- Time Stop windows are clean and low-APM — chain 10 attacks and Finisher, then swap
- Zero is already a BiS partner for Nanally — no extra pull cost if you run both teams
- A8 (if unlocked) gives +20% ATK passively to all allies while Hotori is alive
Weaknesses
- All damage concentrated in one burst window — any interruption during Time Stop loses the Finisher
- Marching Beyond Time synergy relies on Present Replay being classified as a Redirect Skill
- Energy management (Non-Closed Timepiece) requires careful rotation timing
- Low contribution outside of the Time Stop window — rest of rotation is setup
- Overlaps with Chiz for the Cosmos main DPS slot — redundant if you own both
Gameplay — The Time Stop Engine
Hotori's damage is built entirely around the Time Stopwindow opened by World's Tide. Unlike sustained DPS, she front-loads every multiplier into a single burst sequence.
What is a damage « instance »?
In NTE, each instanceis an independent hit calculated separately: its own CRIT roll, its own application of DMG% bonuses, its own triggering of on-hit effects. World's Tide deals 10 instances during the katana phase (one per combo attack), then the Finisher at the 10th stack — a single additional instance at ×2 ratio (Passive 2: All Treasures Under Heaven doubles the Finisher ratio). Result: one Ultimate = 11 independent hits, each amplified by A1 (+24%), A2 (+20%), and A6 (30% DEF ignore) simultaneously. That stacking is why Hotori's burst window hits so hard.
The three burst layers
Present Replay (Skill) — record setup
Costs 60 Non-Closed Timepiece energy. Records ally Support and Redirect Skills cast in the next 5s. Each recorded skill grants +12% DMGduring Time Stop (A1). With Zero's and Haniel's skills recorded = +24% before the burst even starts.
World's Tide (Ultimate) — Time Stop window
10 katana hits + Finisher (×2 ratio). All 11 instances benefit from A2 (+20% DMG), A6 (30% DEF ignore), and arc bonuses simultaneously. Do not interrupt — exiting Time Stop early loses combo stacks and the Finisher.
Wastelab (Marching Beyond Time) — arc layer
If Present Replay is a Redirect Skill: Hotori enters Wastelab on Skill cast. Allies build up to 3 Wastetime stacks via their Support/Redirect Skills. World's Tide consumes all 3 for +48% CRIT DMG on Ultimate + 12% DEF Ignore for 3s. Combined with A6, total DEF ignore reaches 42% during peak — plus 25% from Lost Radiance post-Ultimate.
Key rules
- Use Skill before Ultimate — recording ally Skills must complete before casting World's Tide so A1 DMG bonus is active for all 11 hits.
- Do NOT exit Time Stop early — the Finisher only triggers at 10 combo stacks. Interrupting at 8 stacks loses the hardest-hitting instance.
- Energy timing — Non-Closed Timepiece fills passively over time on field. Plan rotations so Hotori re-enters with enough energy for Present Replay (60) before the next Ultimate.
Hotori — Skill Priority
Cast when Non-Closed Timepiece energy is fully charged. Hotori draws her katana and slows time for 10s — during this window she chains up to 10 Cosmos DMG hits (each an independent instance with its own CRIT check). At 10 combo stacks, the Finisher triggers at ×2 ratio (Passive 2). A single Ultimate window = 11 distinct Cosmos hits, all amplified by A1 (+24%), A2 (+20%) and A6 (30% DEF ignore).
Costs 60 Non-Closed Timepiece energy. Deals 7 instances of Cosmos DMG and records ally Support Skills and Redirect Skills cast within the next 5s. Each recorded skill grants +12% DMG during Time Stop (A1). Use just before the burst window so Zero's and Sakiri's skills are recorded — maximise recorded skills to stack the DMG bonus.
5 consecutive Cosmos DMG hits. Primary on-field activity between burst windows — each hit charges the Non-Closed Timepiece (Hotori's personal energy gauge). Hold to trigger Rippling Waves (4 hits in a dash), or use after a Critical Dodge for the critical riposte counterattack. Beginners: stay on field and spam Normal Attacks between rotations to charge up for the next Skill + Ultimate sequence.
1 instance of Cosmos DMG (200% base ratio) on swap-in. Lowest upgrade priority — contributes only during swap-in windows outside the main burst.
Blossom Enhancement: Vita Bud attacks do not pause during Time Stop. Keeps Blossom procs running during the burst window if Hotori is paired with a Blossom-trigger teammate.
Increases World's Tide's Finisher DMG Ratio by 100%. The Finisher is the hardest-hitting single instance in the rotation — this passive effectively doubles its contribution. Never skip this upgrade.
Upgrade order: Ultimate → Skill → Normal Attack → Chain / Passives. Ultimate directly scales all 11 hit instances — level it first. Skill scales the 7 Cosmos hits of Present Replay and enables the recording mechanic — level second.
Awakenings
Each Support Skill or Redirect Skill recorded by Present Replay grants Hotori +12% DMG during Time Stop. Recording 2 ally skills = +24% DMG free on every hit of World's Tide. This is why the rotation has Haniel and Sakiri act before Hotori — to load their skills into Present Replay before the burst.
Increases Hotori's damage by 20% during Time Stop. A flat multiplier active from the first hit to the Finisher. Combined with A1's +24%, Hotori gains +44% DMG inside the burst window before DEF ignore or arc bonuses are factored in.
Hotori ignores 30% of the target's DEF during Time Stop. DEF ignore means your damage bypasses a portion of the enemy's damage reduction — the higher the boss's DEF, the bigger the gain. Combined with Lost Radiance 4-piece (25% DEF ignore after Ultimate), total DEF ignore reaches 55% across the full burst window.
When Hotori is deployed and only 1 enemy is on the field, the entire team's damage against that target increases by 15%. Passive and unconditional in boss fights — benefits both Hotori's burst and teammates' off-field contributions during setup.
Recovers the energy spent on Present Replay after using it and completing the recording. Triggers at most once every 60s. In practice, reduces the energy cost of one Skill per rotation — tightens the loop between burst windows.
Grants +10 energy to Non-Closed Timepiece per target defeated, up to 3 times. Resets on World's Tide. Situationally useful in multi-target fights but provides no benefit against single bosses — lowest core priority.
+1 skill level to Normal Attack, Present Replay, and World's Tide. Marginal stat increase — unlock only after A1/A2/A6/A5/A3.
Grants all team members +20% ATK while Hotori is on the team and alive. Excellent passive team buff, but gated behind unlocking all previous awakenings — unlock last.
Priority order: A1 → A2 → A6 → A5 → A3 → A4. A1, A2, and A6 are mandatory — they form the core of the Time Stop multiplier stack (+44% DMG + 30% DEF ignore). A5 is passive and always active in boss content — unlock fourth. A3 tightens energy management — unlock fifth. A4 is situational (multi-target only) — unlock last.
Arc
BiS if Present Replay is classified as a Redirect Skill (in NTE, each Skill has a type — Redirect, Support, or standard. Redirect Skills trigger special arc interactions). If Present Replay is a Redirect Skill, Hotori enters Wastelab on cast, teammates build up to 3 Wastetime stacks via their Support/Redirect Skills, and World's Tide consumes all 3 for +48% CRIT DMG on Ultimate + 12% DEF Ignore for 3s (refinement 1). Combined with A6's 30% DEF ignore during Time Stop, the burst window becomes extremely powerful. If Present Replay's classification is unconfirmed in-game, use Fluff of Fearlessness as the guaranteed alternative.
+25% ATK for 10s after casting Ultimate. No condition — always active during Time Stop. Safe guaranteed alternative that requires no specific Redirect Skill classification. Use if fork_Time synergy cannot be confirmed in-game.
+30% ATK flat — highest raw ATK multiplier of any arc. Eclipse passive restores 6 Ultimate Energy per enemy defeated (up to 5 times, 300s cooldown). Strong in fights with multiple phases or adds. Less optimal than Fluff of Fearlessness in pure single-target content.
4-star budget option. Grants +20% ATK while HP is above 50% — unconditional in standard combat. Use until a 5-star arc is available — the gap to BiS is significant for endgame content.
Cassette Set & Stats
- 2-piece: Cosmos DMG +10%
- 4-piece: Ignores 25% of enemies' DEF for 20s after casting Ultimate
Both bonuses align directly with Hotori's kit. The 2-piece amplifies every Cosmos hit, and the 4-piece triggers exactly when World's Tide is cast — covering the entire 10s Time Stop window with 25% DEF ignore. Combined with A6's 30% DEF ignore during Time Stop, total DEF ignore reaches 55% at the start of the burst window.
Stat Priority
Team — Who Does What
Hotori · CosmosMain DPS
The carry. Hotori records ally skills with Present Replay, then releases World's Tide — a 10-hit Time Stop sequence capped by a ×2 Finisher. With A1+A2 active (+44% DMG), A6 (30% DEF ignore), and Lost Radiance 4-piece (25% DEF ignore), the burst window is one of the highest-concentrated Cosmos damage outputs in the roster. Stay on field for the full 10s — exiting early costs the Finisher.
Zero · CosmosRedirect + Wastelab
The Wastelab engine. Zero's Redirect Skill (Marching Beyond Time interaction) builds Wastetime stacks for Hotori's World's Tide burst — consuming 3 stacks grants +48% CRIT DMG on Ultimate and 12% DEF Ignore. His Ultimate provides off-field Cosmos DMG that also contributes to Esper Cycle procs. Zero is the same pivot as in the Nanally team — no extra pull cost if running both teams.
Sakiri · IncantationATK Buffer
The ATK anchor. Sakiri's A4 Awakening grants +30% of her Base ATK to all allies as a flat bonus — the highest unconditional team ATK buff in the current meta. Her Ultimate applies ATK buff and DEF debuff. Her Skill is recorded by Hotori's Present Replay — adding +12% DMG to the Time Stop burst via A1. Cast Sakiri first every rotation.
Haniel · PsycheDamage Boost
The damage amplifier. Haniel's Support Skill deploys an off-field Damage Boost aura that benefits Hotori's burst hits. His Support Skill is also recorded by Present Replay — the second +12% DMG stack from A1, bringing the full A1 bonus to +24% DMG during Time Stop. Operates almost entirely off-field once his skill is deployed.
Why this composition works
Each member contributes a distinct, non-overlapping layer. Sakiri's flat ATK bonus scales all of Hotori's 11 hits. Zero's Redirect Skill builds Wastetime for the arc CRIT DMG burst. Haniel's Support Skill is the second recorded skill via Present Replay — pushing A1's bonus to +24%. Zero and Sakiri carry over from the Nanally team, meaning the pull investment for this composition is minimal if you already run Nanally.
Hotori — Time Stop Burst DPS
Rotation
Sakiri — team ATK buff
Cast Ultimate to apply ATK buff + DEF debuff to the team. Then use Skill. Swap immediately. Sakiri's A4 passive grants +30% of her Base ATK to all allies as a flat bonus — active before Hotori's burst window.
Zero — Redirect Skill + Wastelab
Cast Skill (Redirect) to enter Wastelab (if fork_Time is equipped). Then cast Ultimate for additional Cosmos DMG. Swap after — each subsequent ally Support/Redirect Skill builds a Wastetime stack for Hotori's Ultimate.
Haniel — Damage Boost
Cast Support Skill (Damage Boost aura). Haniel's passive deploys off-field damage boost that persists after swap. Swap after Support Skill. This skill is also recorded by Hotori's Present Replay if cast in the recording window (+12% DMG via A1).
Hotori — Time Stop burst
Cast Skill (Present Replay — records ally Skills, 7 Cosmos hits). Then cast Ultimate immediately (World's Tide — Time Stop 10s). Chain all 10 katana attacks to reach the Finisher at max combo. Stay on field for the full 10s — interrupting Time Stop cuts the combo and loses Finisher damage.
Timing note:The ideal entry sequence is Skill → Ultimate (not Ultimate → Skill). Present Replay must complete its recording window so A1's +24% DMG bonus is locked in before World's Tide begins. Casting Ultimate first skips the recording and loses A1 entirely.
Pre-Farm Materials
- Lost Whispers
Common enemy · Ascension T1
- Obscure Whispers
Common enemy · Ascension T2
- Paradoxical Whispers
Common enemy · Ascension T3
- Confessional Flower Seed
World Boss · Ascension phases 2+
- Nestling's Longing
Skill book T1 · Skill levels 1–3
- Dove's Flutter
Skill book T2 · Skill levels 4–6
- The Olive Branch
Skill book T3 · Skill levels 7–9
Highest priority: Lost Radiance Cassette Set · CRIT Rate sub-stats · Marching Beyond Time arc (banner pull). Ascension materials (Whisper chain) drop from common enemies — farm passively during dailies. Confessional Flower Seed comes from the World Boss. Skill books (Nestling's Longing chain) come from the weekly domain.
Ascension PlannerCalculate the exact materials you needVerdict
Pull for her if…
- You want a burst DPS with a clearly defined, high-ceiling damage window (11 hits in one sequence)
- You play or plan to play Zero — his Redirect Skill is the ideal Wastelab setup for Marching Beyond Time
- Boss content is your main activity — Time Stop + 55% DEF ignore = exceptional single-target burst
- You want a Cosmos DPS that pairs naturally with Zero's existing team slot
- You enjoy high-burst, low-APM playstyle — setup is in the rotation, not in the on-field execution
- You already built Sakiri — she's ideal in Hotori's team just as she is in Nanally's
Skip if…
- You don't own or plan to pull Zero — Wastelab setup is weaker without a consistent Redirect Skill
- You prefer sustained DPS over concentrated burst windows
- You already own Chiz — both fill the same Cosmos main DPS slot with overlapping team requirements
- You can't guarantee Time Stop won't be interrupted in the content you're farming
Hotori is one of the highest peak-damage burst DPS units in NTE when the Time Stop window lands cleanly. The 11-hit sequence with 55% DEF ignore and +44% DMG multipliers produces a burst ceiling matched by very few compositions. The investment cost is moderate — A1, A2, and A6 are mandatory before the kit fully functions, and Marching Beyond Time is the optimal arc. The team shares Zero and Sakiri with the Nanally composition, making it naturally accessible if both are already built. The only execution demand is completing the full 10-hit combo without interruption — every exit from Time Stop before the Finisher is a significant DPS loss.