In the world of Fate/Grand Order, few Servants command the same combination of elegance and raw destructive power as Lancer Minamoto no Raikou. Known for her motherly demeanor and her unshakable resolve in battle, this version of Raikou appears during the Summer events, wielding a lance instead of her more familiar Berserker class. When facing the Advanced Quest (AQ) featuring Lancer Minamoto no Raikou, Masters must prepare for a battle that is as mechanically demanding as it is visually stunning. Understanding her skills, mechanics, and how to counter her effectively is key to success in this challenge.
Overview of Lancer Minamoto no Raikou
Background and Lore
Minamoto no Raikou is one of the most iconic figures in Japanese folklore, famous for slaying demons and commanding the legendary Four Heavenly Kings. In Fate/Grand Order, she takes on various forms, with her Lancer version emerging during summer events. As a Lancer, Raikou trades her Berserker madness for agility, precision, and a beach-themed arsenal that hides her lethal efficiency beneath a festive appearance.
Combat Role and Strengths
Lancer Raikou is a powerful AoE attacker, well-suited for wave-clearing and challenging quests. In the context of her AQ, she plays the role of a boss Servant with increased stats, enhanced mechanics, and unique AI behavior. She can deal massive damage quickly, making her a dangerous threat if not handled properly.
Details of the Lancer Raikou AQ Encounter
Enemy Stats and Setup
The AQ featuring Lancer Minamoto no Raikou usually includes the following attributes:
- Class: Lancer
- HP: Ranges between 300,000600,000 depending on difficulty
- Break Bars: Typically 2 or 3, with unique break effects
- Special Buffs: Often includes Critical Rate Up, NP Damage Up, and Guts
It’s important to note that Raikou tends to focus on aggressive turns, often using skills that boost her NP gain and critical performance. If left unchecked, she can easily wipe a party in a few turns.
Break Bar Effects
Each time one of Raikou’s break bars is destroyed, she may trigger a special mechanic such as:
- Charging her NP by one or more bars
- Increasing her Critical Strength significantly
- Applying defensive debuffs to your entire party
Proper timing when breaking bars is essential. It’s best to delay break turns if your team isn’t prepared to survive the consequences. Use invincibility, damage cuts, or taunts wisely to offset her retaliation.
Recommended Servants and Strategies
Team Composition
When preparing for the AQ, players should bring Servants who can handle high single-target damage, provide sustain, and mitigate her critical-heavy nature. Here are some highly recommended allies:
- Tamamo no Mae: Great for Arts teams. Reduces cooldowns and heals consistently.
- Mash Kyrielight: Excellent defensive support with taunts and NP damage mitigation.
- Merlin: Buster support with healing, invincibility, and NP charge.
- Euryale: A budget-friendly anti-male, but not viable here since Raikou is female. Use single-target Sabers instead.
- Musashi or Okita: Strong Saber DPS to counter Raikou’s Lancer typing.
Craft Essences (CEs)
CE selection can dramatically change the outcome of this AQ. Here are ideal types:
- Starting NP gauge: For quick NP launches (e.g., Kaleidoscope, Imaginary Element)
- NP Damage Up: For your main DPS (e.g., The Black Grail, Holy Night Supper)
- Survivability CEs: Such as Iron-Willed Training or Volumen Hydrargyrum
Skill Breakdown and Threat Analysis
Lancer Raikou’s Skills
In most AQ setups, Lancer Raikou uses a combination of her in-game skills, possibly upgraded with higher cooldowns and stronger effects:
- Mad Piercing: Increases her critical star gather rate and boosts critical damage
- Summer Mother’s Mercy: Removes debuffs and heals herself
- Seaside Rampage: Charges NP gauge and increases Buster performance
These skills make her a burst threat. If she crits a caster or support with her Buster card after buffing, she may eliminate them instantly. Counter this by controlling her crit chance and using taunt tanks like Georgios or d’Eon.
Noble Phantasm: ‘Great Genji Catfish Strike’
Raikou’s NP is an AoE Buster attack that deals heavy damage. Combined with her buffs, it can wipe unprotected teams. Prepare with:
- Evade or Invincibility
- NP drain or gauge control (e.g., Sanzang or BB)
- Damage cut skills like Mash’s NP or Guts effects
Tactics for Managing the Battle
Turn-by-Turn Prioritization
At the start, focus on stabilizing the team. Set up defensive buffs, generate NP, and avoid triggering the first break bar until your skills are ready. After breaking each bar:
- Use hard defenses like Invincibility or Taunt
- Charge NP quickly and aim for burst turns
- Time cooldowns around her NP and crit buffs
Managing Critical Threat
Raikou’s crit potential is devastating, especially with buffs. To reduce risk:
- Apply crit down debuffs with Servants like Hans Christian Andersen
- Use targetable defense buffs or redirect damage with Taunt
- Remove her buffs with Servants like Medea or BB
Alternative Approaches and Farming Setup
Looping and Speed Clear
For advanced players with strong setups, it is possible to clear the AQ quickly using NP loops. Arts and Buster loops using Servants like Spishtar, Arjuna Alter, or Morgan with supports (Castoria, Merlin, Oberon) can burst through her HP before she becomes a major threat.
Budget Strategies
If you’re low on high-rarity Servants, consider a more drawn-out battle using 3-star Sabers and defensive supports. Prioritize NP charging, buff removal, and sustain. Servants like Bedivere or Hozoin Inshun can provide consistent damage if protected well.
Facing Lancer Minamoto no Raikou in an Advanced Quest is a formidable but rewarding experience. Her blend of power, charm, and strategic challenge makes her AQ battle a memorable fight in Fate/Grand Order. Whether you’re a lore fan or a competitive Master aiming for full clears, understanding her mechanics and preparing a well-rounded team is essential. Stay alert, manage her break effects wisely, and ensure you bring the right class counters. With careful planning and a bit of luck, even the most fearsome summer warrior can be brought down.