Guide
How the kit works
Start with the level-two Charged Attack from Card Force Translocation (NA). Its Prop Arrow deals Pyro damage and summons a Grin-Malkin Hat on hit. If Lyney has more than 60% HP when he fires, the shot consumes HP and grants one Prop Surplus stack, up to five. This HP cost cannot take him below 60% of Max HP.
The hat taunts nearby opponents and fires a Pyrotechnic Strike when destroyed or when its duration ends. Normally, only one hat can exist at a time. When a Prop Arrow consumes HP, Perilous Performance makes its hat restore 3 Energy to Lyney on hit and increases its damage by 80% of his ATK.
Use Wondrous Trick: Miracle Parade to move as a Grin-Malkin Cat. It damages each nearby opponent at most once while moving. When it ends, it deals area Pyro damage, summons a hat and grants one Prop Surplus stack. You can cancel the cat form yourself.
Use Bewildering Lights to clear your stacks for increased area damage and restore HP based on Max HP. If a hat is present, the skill also detonates it for area damage equal to a Pyrotechnic Strike; that hat damage counts as Charged Attack damage. Conclusive Ovation increases Lyney's damage against enemies affected by Pyro by 60%, plus 20% per other Pyro teammate, up to 100%.
Build and why
Four pieces of Marechaussee Hunter are the first choice. The two-piece bonus raises Normal and Charged Attack damage by 15%. The four-piece bonus grants 12% CRIT Rate for 5 seconds when HP rises or falls, up to three stacks. Lyney's shots and healing can both change his HP, so account for that CRIT Rate when choosing artifacts.
Vermillion Hereafter is another option: two pieces give 18% ATK, and four pieces grant ATK after an Elemental Burst, with further increases when HP falls. Its effect ends when Lyney leaves the field. Four pieces of Lavawalker give 35% more damage against enemies affected by Pyro, matching the condition Lyney already wants for his passive.
Use ATK Percentage on the sands and Pyro DMG Bonus on the goblet. Choose CRIT DMG or CRIT Rate on the circlet, depending on your other stats. For substats, look for CRIT DMG, CRIT Rate, ATK Percentage and Energy Recharge, in that order, while accounting for the set bonus.
The First Great Magic is the leading weapon: it increases Charged Attack damage and gives ATK for party members who share Lyney's element. Aqua Simulacra is next, increasing damage when opponents are nearby. Scion of the Blazing Sun is a four-star option whose Sunfire Arrow makes the affected enemy take more Charged Attack damage from Lyney.
Leveling priority
A good leveling order is Card Force Translocation (NA) first, then Bewildering Lights, followed by Wondrous Trick: Miracle Parade. The first talent covers the Prop Arrow and hat damage you use while aiming. The skill is next because it turns stacks into area damage; the Burst also deals damage and creates a hat.
For ascension, prepare 168 Rainbow Rose, 46 Emperor's Resolution and 420,000 Mora. You also need Agnidus Agate Sliver, Agnidus Agate Fragment, Agnidus Agate Chunk and Agnidus Agate Gemstone, plus Recruit's Insignia, Sergeant's Insignia and Lieutenant's Insignia.
Talents use Teachings of Equity, Guide to Equity and Philosophies of Equity, along with the same three Insignia materials and Primordial Greenbloom. Raising all talents to their maximum also takes 3 Crown of Insight and 4,957,500 Mora.
Constellations worth it
Loquacious Cajoling is the standout upgrade. While Lyney is on the field, it gives 20% CRIT DMG every 2 seconds, up to three stacks. Switching him out removes the stacks, so he needs time on the field to build them again.
Whimsical Wonders is worth considering for its extra hats and Prop Surplus stack. It allows two hats at once; its effect that summons two hats and grants an extra stack from a Prop Arrow can occur once every 15 seconds. Well-Versed, Well-Rehearsed is another option: a Pyro Charged Attack reduces the target's Pyro RES by 20% for 6 seconds.
Teams
Lyney gives the team on-field Pyro damage rather than a party-wide buff. His own healing helps him manage the HP spent on shots, but a teammate who heals can help keep him above the threshold for gaining stacks.
Common mistakes
Don't assume every hat will stay on the field until you use Bewildering Lights. It can be destroyed or expire and fire its strike. Also remember that, without the first constellation, only one hat can exist at once.
Don't ignore the Pyro condition when choosing targets or teammates. Conclusive Ovation needs the enemy to be affected by Pyro. When building, remember the CRIT Rate from Marechaussee Hunter before deciding how much more to seek on artifacts.
