Nilou vs Aino
Bloom specialist vs. Hydro claymore carry
TL;DR — Quick Pick
Pick Nilou if…
- When running the gold-standard Bloom composition
- When you want to deal damage while barely being on field
- When you have the Key of Khaj-Nisut
Pick Aino if…
- When you want a Hydro carry who stays on field to swing a sword
- When you need to break shields or mine with a Claymore
- When playing with Nod-Krai regional bonuses
Nilou is a specialized reaction engine, while Aino is a direct damage carry. Nilou's team output in her niche is significantly higher, but Aino offers more traditional flexibility in how she can be played.
At a Glance
Strengths & Weaknesses
Nilou
- Dance of Haftkarsvar deals Hydro damage to nearby opponents, using Normal Attacks and Elemental Skills allowing you to.
- Dance of Abzendegi: Distant Dreams, Listening Spring deals AoE Hydro damage applying Hydro as well as an effect called Lingering Aeon, which deals.
- Natural fit for Hydro Support slots without forcing a weird team shape.
- Needs honest Energy Recharge or a battery friend before the kit feels smooth.
- Ceiling teams lean on limited partners, so a bare roster won't show the brochure damage.
Aino
- Musecatcher deals AoE Hydro DMG to nearby opponents.
- Precision Hydronic Cooler cally fire water balls at nearby opponents, dealing Hydro DMG.
- Gives Support coverage that shows up in both Abyss and Theater when built.
- Needs honest Energy Recharge or a battery friend before the kit feels smooth.
- Constellation breakpoints matter more than the C0 kit advertises.
Shared Team Members
With Nilou
Kokomi provides Hydro Resonance and the massive healing necessary for Nilou to survive her own Bountiful Core explosions. Her Jellyfish also provides consistent off-field Hydro application to keep the Bloom reaction chain going.
With Aino
Kokomi offers Aloy reliable off-field Hydro application for Freeze or Electro-Charged setups, along with high-quality healing. Her presence allows Aloy to focus on her damage output without worrying about her HP during sustained combat.
Best Builds (Signature)
Weapon
Key of Khaj-Nisut
Artifacts
Tenacity of the Millelith
Sands
ATK%
Goblet
DMG%
Circlet
CRIT Rate
Substats
CRIT Rate/DMG > ATK% > ER%
Weapon
Favonius Greatsword
Artifacts
Silken Moon's Serenade
Sands
Elemental Mastery / Energy Recharge
Goblet
Elemental Mastery
Circlet
Elemental Mastery / CRIT Rate W/ Favonius
Substats
Energy Recharge to requirements > Elemental Mastery > CRIT Rate (Favonius)
Who Should You Pull?
- When running the gold-standard Bloom composition
- When you want to deal damage while barely being on field
- When you have the Key of Khaj-Nisut
- When you want a Hydro carry who stays on field to swing a sword
- When you need to break shields or mine with a Claymore
- When playing with Nod-Krai regional bonuses