Guide
How the kit works
Start with Revelation: Uncreated Light. It deals AoE Pyro DMG, gives nearby party members Grace of Kenosis to increase their ATK, and creates a Shield of Blazing Light. The shield's absorption depends on Nicole's ATK, and it absorbs Pyro DMG at 250% effectiveness.
Methexis lets Nicole observe other active party members for 20 seconds after the Skill. Once an observed character has spent 3 seconds on the field, Grace of Kenosis becomes Guidance of Theosis, adding 300 ATK. A Hexerei character gets the upgrade immediately. When a character other than Nicole leaves the field, their Guidance of Theosis reverts to Grace of Kenosis.
Use Revelation: Ladder of Divine Ascent to deal AoE Pyro DMG and enter Silent Contemplation. Nearby active party members can then summon an Arcane Projection by hitting an opponent. Its coordinated attack deals AoE Elemental DMG matching that character's element, scales with their ATK and counts as their damage. It can trigger once every 3 seconds, up to four times per entry into the mode.
Philokalia upgrades Nicole's own Grace of Kenosis to Guidance of Theosis for 8 seconds when nearby active party members deal Elemental DMG. Allegoria (NA) has up to three Pyro Normal Attacks; its Charged Attack costs Stamina and deals AoE Pyro DMG. Use these when Nicole needs to attack on the field, though her support kit does not require her to stay there.
Outside combat in Teyvat, Nepsis changes her Charged Attack into Emissarial Guidance if you have obtained the region's Treasure Compass. It calls nearby Seelie and produces a similar effect to the compass. It has a 5-second cooldown and does not work in Domains, Trounce Domains or the Spiral Abyss.
Build and why
Use four pieces of Celestial Gift. Its two-piece bonus gives 20% Energy Recharge. After Nicole completes Witch's Homework, using her Skill gives nearby party members a 20% Pyro DMG Bonus for 20 seconds. With Hexerei: Secret Rite active, the set instead grants 40% bonuses for both Nicole's element and the active character's element; matching elements do not stack.
For alternatives, four pieces of Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City give a 12% Elemental DMG Bonus for the elements involved when Nicole triggers a reaction related to Pyro. Four pieces of Noblesse Oblige raise the party's ATK by 20% for 12 seconds after her Burst. Its ATK effect does not stack with another copy of the set.
Choose ATK Percentage or Energy Recharge on the sands, and ATK Percentage on both the goblet and circlet. Among substats, look for ATK Percentage first, then Energy Recharge and ATK. Nicole's ATK supports her shield and the Hexerei: Secret Rite bonus, while Energy Recharge helps her use her Burst.
Angelos' Heptades is the first weapon to consider. It increases ATK by 12%, and creating a shield gives the active character a DMG bonus based on Nicole's ATK, up to 26%. Shield creation also restores 14 Energy, once every 14 seconds. Starcaller's Watch is another option: after Nicole creates a shield, the active character deals 28% increased DMG to nearby opponents. Skyward Atlas instead offers Nicole a 12% Elemental DMG Bonus and an attack triggered by Normal Attack hits.
Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers is a support alternative. When Nicole switches out, the incoming character gains 24% ATK for 10 seconds; the effect can occur once every 20 seconds. Plan the switch so the character you want to strengthen receives it.
Leveling priority
A useful leveling order is Elemental Skill first, Elemental Burst second and Normal Attack last. The Skill supplies the ATK effect and shield used by her support setup. The Burst adds coordinated attacks, but those projections scale with the corresponding teammate's ATK rather than Nicole's.
For ascension, collect Mora, Pine Amber, Agnidus Agate Sliver, Agnidus Agate Fragment, Agnidus Agate Chunk, Agnidus Agate Gemstone, Tattered Warrant, Immaculate Warrant, Frost-Etched Warrant and Remnant of the Dreadwing.
Skill upgrades use Mora, Teachings of Elysium, Guide to Elysium, Philosophies of Elysium, the three Warrant materials and Counterfeit Resin. Crown of Insight is needed to take skills to their maximum level.
Constellations worth it
C2 is the standout upgrade: Grace of Kenosis gives an additional 300 ATK, while Guidance of Theosis reduces nearby opponents' Elemental RES by 25% for the corresponding character's element. The RES reduction does not stack for the same element. Using the Skill also grants a Shield of Blazing Light to nearby active party members.
C6 is worth considering for its easier buff upkeep. When Nicole's Grace of Kenosis becomes Guidance of Theosis, nearby party members' effects upgrade too and no longer revert. Characters with Guidance of Theosis also ignore 40% of opponents' DEF when dealing damage.
C4 is another substantial option: upgrading Grace of Kenosis grants Pathfinder's Blessing for 20 seconds. It increases several kinds of attack and skill damage by 70% of Nicole's ATK, for up to eight instances. Hits on multiple opponents consume an instance for each opponent.
C1 adds a separate coordinated attack once every 6 seconds. C3 and C5 raise the Skill and Burst levels respectively; they can be skipped if you are content with the base kit. None of these upgrades is needed to use Nicole's shield or her base coordinated attacks.
Teams
Bring an active damage dealer who uses ATK and can hit opponents during Silent Contemplation. The projections use that character's element and ATK, so Nicole is not limited to supporting Pyro damage. Her shield gives the team protection, but her own kit does not provide healing.
Common mistakes
Do not switch a non-Hexerei damage dealer out immediately if you want their Guidance of Theosis. They need 3 seconds on the field to receive it, and without C6 the effect reverts when they leave.
Do not expect every hit to trigger an Arcane Projection. Silent Contemplation allows one trigger every 3 seconds and up to four per activation. Remember that the projection uses the active character's ATK, not Nicole's.
Do not build only Energy Recharge at the expense of ATK without considering the shield and Hexerei bonus. Also check that Nicole has completed Witch's Homework before relying on the four-piece Celestial Gift effect, and bring another Hexerei character if you want its upgraded version.
