How to get Frost Heron
Clear Zodiac Trials on Nightmare. Open Play → Create Lobby, choose Zodiac Trials and select Nightmare before starting. This is a raid drop rather than an Arsenal summon. Use the Nightmare Zodiac Trials route; Arsenal pity does not unlock this unit.
Follow the Zodiac Trials route and inspect Nightmare Rewards before starting. The Artifact pool has separate drops and pity.
Base skills and the awakened window
| Input | Move | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Passive | PvE basic-attack protection | The first half of each M1 swing protects you from hits. The recovery and gaps still need movement or a parry. |
| Skill 1 | Glacier Ambush | Slash forward and create an ice field that shatters and launches enemies as you vanish. |
| Skill 2 | Frostbite Rush | Dash in a loop toward your aim, cutting through enemies before an ice blast launches them. |
| Skill 3 | Skyfall Blade | Two aimed cuts lead into a sword throw and a heavy downward slam. |
| Ultimate | Winter’s Requiem | A draw cut creates a forward frost vortex and a nearby launching explosion, then opens a 25-second awakened state. |
| Awakened Skill 1 | Thousand Snowfall | Replaces Glacier Ambush with a blinking sword flurry. |
| Awakened Skill 2 | Frostflake Bloom | Replaces Frostbite Rush with a wide fan-shaped sword sweep. |
- Move the pack in front of you before Glacier Ambush. Aim the looping rush through the enemies instead of away from them.
- Save Skyfall Blade or the ultimate for a boss recovery or posture break. Basic-attack protection does not cover every frame of those casts.
- After Winter’s Requiem, watch the awakened timer. Your first two inputs now use the replacement moves, so practice both versions in Training.
- Set Potential on Frost Heron, then select her again in Artifacts. A partner’s path does not activate the effect on her own equipment.
Frost Heron is S for her complete main-weapon kit, launches and timed transformation. Keep a developed Ye-0, Shadow Monarch or other working main for the Nightmare farm. Getting this drop gives you another build to develop; it does not erase the progress on the old one.
Strengths and trade-offs
What works well
- PvE protection during the first half of each basic-attack swing.
- Launches and moving sword attacks help control ordinary enemies.
- The ultimate adds a timed second set of attacks.
Keep in mind
- Nightmare Zodiac Trials is the unlock route; extra Arsenal spins do not target this unit.
- The passive does not cover a full attack animation or every gap between casts.
- Long casts and the forward ultimate still need a safe opening and correct aim.
Awakening and progression
Winter’s Requiem opens the awakened state. Glacier Ambush becomes Thousand Snowfall and Frostbite Rush becomes Frostflake Bloom for the 25-second window.
See how Evolution works or look up material drop locations.
Partners and build choices
Use the pair finder to select a partner and open both weapon guides. The in-game Combination panel shows the pair’s bonus.
For Trait and accessory suggestions, see the build guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which character is Frost Heron?+
Frost Heron is also searched as Ayaka. You can use either name in the weapon database.
Is Frost Heron worth investing in?+
Keep your developed main for the Nightmare farm. After the drop, learn the base and awakened inputs in Training, then equip Artifacts that match the Potential path on Frost Heron herself.
How do I unlock the full Frost Heron kit?+
Winter’s Requiem opens the awakened state. Glacier Ambush becomes Thousand Snowfall and Frostbite Rush becomes Frostflake Bloom for the 25-second window.