In Echocalypse (or Echocalypse: Scarlet Covenant), the permanent S-rank pool includes six characters: Sakiri, Baizhang, Hathor, Padia, Daffodil, and Gu Yuan, alongside the first rate-up character, Nanari. Since the character roster is currently limited, you can pull Nanari without worrying about 'off-banner' results, but for permanent characters, there are limited ways to guarantee the one you want, making the choice difficult.

To help you decide who to pick with the guaranteed selector earned after 50 permanent pulls, let’s examine the characteristics of each permanent S-rank character. To give you the conclusion upfront: based on early player evaluations, Daffodil and Sakiri are the top-ranked recommendations..

※ As the game has just launched, character evaluations are subject to change.

■ Before recommending permanent S-ranks... how should you use the selector?

In Echocalypse, there is no 'off-banner' mechanic—meaning you won't pull a non-target character when pulling for a rate-up character. While this is a player-friendly system that guarantees the featured character, it has one drawback: you cannot obtain permanent S-rank characters from rate-up banners.

In other words, you must pull on the permanent banner to obtain these characters. While you can acquire permanent recruitment tickets through gameplay, they are limited, so you need a plan. Most importantly, you should consider the selector provided after 50 pulls.

If you already have your heart set on a specific character, feel free to use the selector as soon as you hit 50 pulls. However, players who have experienced the Chinese server generally agree: 'Since you get a fair amount of permanent recruitment tickets, try pulling 2–3 S-rank characters first, then use the selector to fill in the gaps.'.

Echocalypse relies on attribute-based cycles and team compositions, and since the current character pool is small, expanding your roster is crucial. If you use your selector immediately upon hitting 50 pulls, you might find yourself struggling to complete your team later.

■ Top-tier Main Attribute Supporter 'Sakiri' - The #1 pick if you pull Nanari

Position: Supporter, Buffer

Field Style = Off-field

Key Features = Buffs, Crowd Control (Mob grouping)

Sakiri is currently one of the most highly valued permanent S-ranks because she is the perfect partner for Nanari, the first rate-up character. She is an easy-to-use 'click-and-forget' buffer. Since Nanari’s 'Spirit' attribute synergizes well with the 'Main' attribute, Sakiri’s ability to trigger 'Hex' is highly effective. Because the game’s core revolves around Esper cycles based on attribute synergy, Sakiri is essentially Nanari’s best partner.

Her base kit provides an attack buff to the entire party and can apply defense reduction to enemies. You can fill the remaining slots with Haniel and Daffodil for extra attack buffs, or Hathor and the Evaluator to recover Ult energy.

However, you don't have to pull Sakiri just because you have Nanari. The A-rank character 'Adler' shares the same Main attribute and can serve as a substitute.

■ Main Attribute Main DPS 'Baizhang' - Must be paired with Dark-attribute Daffodil

Position: Main DPS

Field Style = On-field

Key Features = Uses Gold/Sin/Axis commands for single-target, AoE, and survival

Baizhang is one of the few viable on-field main DPS characters currently available, alongside Nanari and the free character Cheese. Her unique command-based combat cycle is satisfying to play. However, her passive 'Scorch Enhancement' requires a Dark-attribute character in addition to her own Main attribute. Since there are no alternatives to the permanent S-rank Daffodil for the Dark attribute, you absolutely need Daffodil for this team.

Therefore, if you want to build a Baizhang-centric team, do not pick her immediately. Pull for either Baizhang or Daffodil on the permanent banner first, then use the selector to get the one you are missing..

Because Baizhang is the centerpiece of her team, she has few substitutes. If you enjoy her combat style and can pair her with Daffodil, she is worth the investment.

■ Inherit-attribute Nuker 'Hathor' - Low party cost, potential synergy with Hotori

Position: Nuker

Field Style = Off-field

Key Features = Simple 'stack-and-nuke' structure, glide capability

Hathor is a character who stays off-field, enters when stacks are ready to use her Ultimate, and delivers a triple-hit nuke. While her playstyle is very simple, her performance ceiling is currently considered somewhat underwhelming.

However, she enables 'low-effort' team compositions, so she is useful if you happen to pull her. Hathor is an Inherit-attribute character, so she primarily synergizes with Soul and Light attributes. For Soul, you have the top-tier A-rank buffer Haniel (who is free). For Light, the free max-limit-break Cheese serves as a main DPS, making for an easy team build.

The protagonist (Evaluator) is also Light-attribute, allowing for flexible sub-positioning even without Cheese. Additionally, Hotori, who is expected to be a late-version 1 rate-up, is also Light-attribute, offering future potential.

■ Soul-attribute Tank 'Padia' - The most ambiguous position currently

Position: Tank

Field Style = Off-field

Key Features = Survival-focused supporter who takes damage for the team

Padia is currently the most awkwardly positioned Esper and the least popular among permanent characters. This isn't because she lacks performance, but because there is no high-difficulty content in the early stages of the game. Since you don't really need a dedicated survival supporter to clear current content, Padia’s focus on defense over offense makes her less desirable.

The existence of the A-rank buffer Haniel also lowers Padia's value. Haniel is free, provides attack buffs, and shares the same attribute as Padia, meaning they compete for the same slot in Esper cycles.

She might be worth preparing for future high-difficulty content or if you simply like her, but otherwise, she is a lackluster choice.

■ Dark-attribute Nuker/Breaker 'Daffodil' - Essential if you need Dark-attribute

Position: Nuker, Breaker

Field Style = Off-field

Key Features = Excels at building 'Collapse' (Break/Groggy) gauge, currently the only Dark-attribute character

You don't need to overthink whether to pull Daffodil. Whether you use Nanari or Baizhang, if you plan to build a team that triggers an Esper cycle including the Dark attribute, Daffodil is your only option. Currently, there are no other Dark-attribute characters.

While you can build teams without Dark-attribute for Nanari, Baizhang requires Daffodil. If you want to build a Baizhang main DPS team, you must get Daffodil. As mentioned with Baizhang, pull one first and use the selector for the other.

■ Spirit-attribute Nuker 'Gu Yuan' - Paired with the free max-limit-break 'Cheese'

Position: Debuff Nuker

Field Style = Off-field

Key Features = Debuff-based nuker who applies debuffs and 'cashes out' damage with an Ultimate

Gu Yuan is a Spirit-attribute sub-DPS, sharing the same attribute as Nanari. Since current meta teams often avoid stacking multiple characters of the same attribute, there is little reason to use Gu Yuan and Nanari together..

Gu Yuan’s primary partner is currently the main DPS and free max-limit-break character, Cheese. Gu Yuan applies debuffs, then Cheese enters to deal on-field damage while stacking those debuffs, after which Gu Yuan returns to deal 'settlement' damage with her Ultimate before exiting.

While she is expected to synergize well with the upcoming Light-attribute character Hotori, she is a somewhat ambiguous choice for your first permanent S-rank. Cheese isn't available immediately at the start of the game, and Hotori hasn't been released yet, making it difficult to build a team around Gu Yuan at launch. I recommend picking her only when your roster is already well-established and you have the luxury to incorporate her later.