N Gacha Codex
Lacrimosa vs. Hotori: Who is the Best DPS in NTE?
news 2026-06-08 · 1,732 words

Lacrimosa vs. Hotori: Who is the Best DPS in NTE?

The choice between raw, unrelenting damage and tactical utility has reached its peak following the debut of Version 1.1 in Hethereau.

Lacrimosa dominates on-field sustained DPS with her Nightmare DoT stacking in Version 1.1, while Hotori remains the queen of utility and burst windows by stopping the stage timer for 5 seconds during her Ultimate.

What Happened

What Happened

The landscape of the Neverness to Everness (NTE) meta shifted dramatically with the arrival of the Version 1.1 “Dreamwalk Corridor” update on June 3, 2026. This patch introduced Lacrimosa, a highly anticipated S-Rank Chaos character whose playstyle revolves around high-frequency elemental applications and a unique stacking debuff.

Before this update, Hotori, the featured S-Rank from Version 1.0 Phase 2, was the undisputed centerpiece of the endgame. Her ability to manipulate the flow of battle made her indispensable for clearing early-game challenges. However, the release of the Fading Reverie limited board has forced players to choose between the established “Time-Stop” dominance and the new “Nightmare” sustained damage era.

The Version 1.1 Meta Shift

In May 2026, the NTE community focused heavily on the Cosmos element, specifically leveraging Hotori’s ability to pause the stage clock. This was essential for clearing the tight DPS checks in early Anomaly Hunt missions. With Version 1.1, the focus has pivoted toward Discord and Nightmare reactions. These mechanics reward players for staying on-field and maintaining constant pressure, a niche where Lacrimosa excels far beyond her predecessors.

Lacrimosa’s Arrival in Hethereau

Lacrimosa’s debut was more than just a new banner; it was a record-breaking event. Early data from the first week of June 2026 suggests that her pull rates have eclipsed those of the launch-day characters. This is largely attributed to her Bureau of Anomaly Control affiliation and her “street goth” aesthetic, which resonated with the player base. More importantly, her kit provides a direct solution to the higher HP pools found in the new Dreamwalk Corridor endgame content.

Event / DetailLacrimosa (Version 1.1)Hotori (Version 1.0)
Release DateJune 3, 2026May 13, 2026
Banner NameFading ReverieBright Moon
Element / AttributeChaos / LiquidCosmos / Solid
Primary MechanicNightmare DoT StackingTime-Stop / Skill Replay
Signature WeaponThe Last RoseMarching Beyond Time

Key Changes

Key Changes

Comparing Lacrimosa and Hotori requires understanding how the Chaos and Cosmos elements interact with NTE’s complex Esper Cycle system. While Hotori provides safety and burst, Lacrimosa is designed to melt through enemy defenses over time.

Chaos vs. Cosmos: Elemental Roles

As a Chaos/Liquid character, Lacrimosa sits at the bottom of the Esper reaction wheel, allowing her to trigger high-value reactions like Discord (Chaos + Incantation + Psyche) and Scorch. Hotori, being a Cosmos/Solid unit, is the cornerstone of Blossom teams (Cosmos + Anima), which focus on widespread AoE damage. In Version 1.1, the raw multiplier on Discord has made Chaos characters the preferred choice for boss-killing.

Sustained DoT vs. Time-Stop Burst

Lacrimosa’s core mechanic is her Nightmare debuff. She can stack up to 10 instances of Nightmare on a single target, each dealing damage every second. These stacks have a fixed 50% Crit rate, making her damage output incredibly consistent even with mediocre gear. Her Tomato Banquet passive further enhances this by dealing 400% of her ATK as additional damage when Discord is triggered on a “Broken” enemy.

In contrast, Hotori utilizes the Non-Closed Timepiece energy system. Her Ultimate, World’s Tide, stops the stage timer for 5 seconds. During this window, she “records” the skills used by her teammates and replays them, allowing for massive burst windows that don’t count against the player in timed challenges.

The Power of Awakenings: A1 to A6 Impact

The gap between these two characters widens significantly when looking at their Awakening levels:

  • A1 Impact: Lacrimosa’s Clock Out Clemency increases her Nightmare damage ratio by 50%, a massive jump for F2P players.
  • A3 Power Spike: Her Molten Ice Cream ability allows her to trigger all 10 Nightmare stacks instantly upon landing the final hit of her basic attack combo, effectively giving her a “burst” option within her sustained rotation.
  • A6 Controversy: Lacrimosa’s Morning Spell (often called the “Instant Cycle” ability) allows her to automatically cast her support skill when switching after a Redirect Skill, bypassing the usual Cycle Rate requirements. This has sparked debate about powercreep, as it significantly streamlines the most complex part of NTE’s combat.
Stat (Level 80)Lacrimosa (Chaos)Hotori (Cosmos)
Base ATK[information unavailable][information unavailable]
Signature ArcThe Last RoseMarching Beyond Time
Arc Bonus24% Crit Rate24% Crit Rate
Reaction FocusDiscord / ScorchBlossom / Charge

Player Reactions

Player Reactions

The community response to the Lacrimosa vs. Hotori debate has been polarized, particularly on platforms like r/NevernessToEverness. While many players appreciate the raw power Lacrimosa brings to the table, others worry about the speed at which Version 1.0 characters are being overshadowed.

The ‘A6 Lacrimosa’ Controversy

On Discord and Reddit, theorycrafters have pointed out that A6 Lacrimosa completely changes the rotation of the game. By allowing for “Instant Cycles,” she removes the need for precise timing that was previously required for high-level play. Whales have begun showcasing speedruns of the Dreamwalk Corridor where an A6 Lacrimosa outperforms the classic Hotori-Zero compositions by nearly 40 seconds.

Is Hotori Still Future-Proof?

Despite the damage disparity, many veteran players argue that Hotori remains future-proof. Her time-stop mechanic is a utility that raw damage cannot replace. In content where enemies have “invulnerability phases” or “enrage timers,” being able to pause the clock for 5 seconds is a unique advantage that ensures she will remain relevant in the support or sub-DPS slot for months to come.

F2P vs. Whale Investment Value

For F2P players, Lacrimosa is currently seen as the better investment. Her Nightmare stacks provide high damage floors without requiring her signature weapon, The Last Rose. Players can comfortably use the F2P-friendly Shiny Days Arc and still clear Pink Paws Heist efficiently. Hotori, while powerful, often requires her signature Arc, Marching Beyond Time, to truly shine in the burst-DPS role.

What’s Next

What's Next

The meta is far from settled, as Version 1.1 is only the beginning of NTE’s post-launch journey. The second phase of the current patch and the upcoming Version 1.2 are already generating significant hype.

Shinku and the 1.2 Horizon

Leaks and official teasers have confirmed that Shinku, a member of C.S.U Division 2, is expected to arrive in Version 1.2. Rumors suggest she may be a new Cosmos-element competitor, potentially offering a different take on the utility-heavy role Hotori currently occupies. Furthermore, the character Chaos is scheduled for the second half of Version 1.1, and his kit is expected to synergize perfectly with Lacrimosa’s Nightmare stacking.

The Porsche 918 Spyder Event Impact

Beyond combat, the ongoing NTE x Porsche collaboration continues to be a major draw. Players are currently using their Annulith to pull for the Porsche 918 Spyder in the “Velocity Rush” mystery box event. This vehicle isn’t just for show; its superior speed and handling make it the best choice for navigating the urban landscape of Hethereau to reach Anomaly Hunt locations faster.

Potential Balance Changes for Hotori

Developers have subtly hinted at a balance pass in future updates. To prevent the “powercreep” narrative from taking over, there is speculation that older 1.0 characters like Hotori might receive adjustments to their multipliers or energy costs. This would ensure that characters released in the game’s first month remain viable options alongside the high-tuned units of the 1.1 and 1.2 eras.

Sources

Sources (10)

Comments

Loading comments…

Leave a comment

All comments are reviewed before publishing. No email needed.