So, you just wished on the banner and pulled Lyney, Fontaine's dazzling magician, right? Welcome to the club! As a fellow player who's been maining him since his release, I can tell you he's an absolute blast to play. His single-target Pyro damage is nothing short of spectacular. But let's be real, the real magic begins after you get him. Raising a new five-star character to their full potential is a journey. It's all about gathering those precious materials. Remember the grind for your first main DPS? It feels like that every time, but with Lyney, I found the process to be surprisingly... manageable? Let me share everything I learned from taking my own Lyney from level 1 to a fully crowned powerhouse.

First things first, let's talk ascension. You need to get him to level 90 to unlock his true power. The good news? Unlike some characters tied to brand-new regions, some of Lyney's materials are classics you might already have stockpiled. The core ones you'll need are:

  • Agnidus Agate stones (Pyro gemstones)

  • Rainbow Roses (Fontaine's local specialty)

  • Fatui Insignias (Recruit's, Sergeant's, Lieutenant's)

  • Emperor's Resolution (from the Emperor of Fire and Iron world boss)

Here’s the complete breakdown of what you need for each ascension phase:

Ascension Phase Max Level Mora Agnidus Agate Rainbow Roses Fatui Insignias Emperor's Resolution
1 40 20,000 Sliver x1 3 Recruit's x3 -
2 50 40,000 Fragment x3 10 Recruit's x15 2
3 60 60,000 Fragment x6 20 Sergeant's x12 4
4 70 80,000 Chunk x3 30 Sergeant's x18 8
5 80 100,000 Chunk x6 45 Lieutenant's x12 12
6 90 120,000 Gemstone x6 60 Lieutenant's x24 20

Now, the trickiest part for many was finding that world boss, the Emperor of Fire and Iron. I remember swimming around aimlessly for a bit! He's not on your map by default. You need to dive into the waters south of the Court of Fontaine and head for the Elton Trench. Look for the area littered with sunken ships and Armored Crabs. On the seafloor, you'll spot a cave entrance. Swim down through it, and you'll emerge in his hidden arena. Defeating him is the only way to get those Emperor's Resolution drops.

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But ascension is only half the battle, right? You also need a mountain of Mora and EXP books to actually level him up. To take Lyney from level 1 to 90, you're looking at roughly:

  • Mora: ~1.6 million

  • Hero's Wit: 414 (or a combination equivalent to 8,280,000 EXP)

I always recommend using Hero's Wit for efficiency, but if you're swimming in Adventurer's Experience, feel free to mix and match!

Alright, with Lyney at level 90, it's time for the real endgame: talents. This is where his damage truly skyrockets. As a main DPS, you'll want to level all three of his talents, but priority should be Normal Attack >= Elemental Skill > Elemental Burst. The materials are a mix of Fontaine books and items from a Sumeru boss. Here’s the cost to crown a single talent to level 10:

Talent Level Mora Talent Books (Equity) Fatui Insignias Weekly Boss Material
2 12,500 Teachings x3 Recruit's x6 -
3 17,500 Guide x2 Sergeant's x3 -
4 25,000 Guide x4 Sergeant's x4 -
5 30,000 Guide x6 Sergeant's x6 -
6 37,500 Guide x9 Sergeant's x9 -
7 120,000 Philosophies x4 Lieutenant's x4 Primordial Greenbloom x1
8 260,000 Philosophies x6 Lieutenant's x6 Primordial Greenbloom x1
9 450,000 Philosophies x12 Lieutenant's x9 Primordial Greenbloom x2
10 700,000 Philosophies x18 Lieutenant's x12 Primordial Greenbloom x2

Pro Tip: Farm the Fontaine Talent Domain (Pale Forgotten Glory) on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the Equity books.

The weekly boss material, Primordial Greenbloom, comes from the Realm of Beginnings domain in Sumeru. You need to challenge the Guardian of Apep's Oasis (the Dragon boss) at level 70 or higher. It's one of three possible drops, so you might need a few weeks of farming. Isn't RNG just wonderful?

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To summarize the total investment for a fully built Lyney (Level 90, 9/9/9 talents):

  • Mora: ~7 Million+ (for ascension, levels, and talents)

  • Agnidus Agate Gemstone: 6

  • Rainbow Roses: 168 (for ascension)

  • Fatui Insignias: A lot! (18 Recruit's, 66 Sergeant's, 93 Lieutenant's for ascension and 3x talents)

  • Emperor's Resolution: 46

  • Talent Books: 9 Teachings, 63 Guides, 114 Philosophies of Equity

  • Primordial Greenbloom: 12 (3 per talent to level 9)

It seems like a lot, and it is. But trust me, once you see those big, colorful numbers from his Prop Arrow and the spectacle of his Grin-Malkin Hat, every bit of farming feels worth it. He's a character that rewards precise play and investment. So, grab your diving gear for the boss, mark those Rainbow Rose routes on your map, and get ready to build one of Fontaine's most entertaining and powerful performers. The show is about to begin!