Changelog

2020/3/12 Added Lin You (MS)

2020/3/11 Initial Release

Overview

High Mercury's Trial: Master is one of the more different master trials compared to its expert level. As a result, many players expecting a similar fight go into it not understanding what to do.

My hopes with this guide is to give people an idea of how to do some of the trickier parts of the fight and some tips for better damage rotations to clear before the death loop.

Adventurers

[dl adv="wedding_elisanne"] Wedding Elisanne

Elisanne is responsible for baiting the stomps and lunges but also provides DPS, healing, and an earlier break.

Name Description Optimal

DPS AC-011 Garland / [dl d="vayu"] Vayu

[dl wp="mega_friends"] Mega Friends

[dl wp="queen_of_the_blue_seas"] Queen of the Blue Seas



This is Elisanne's highest DPS build. Mega Friends provides Elisanne with both skill damage and force strike damage in one print, which alleviates not having a second slot for another DPS print. Stunner [dl d="zephyr"] Zephyr

[dl wp="mega_friends"] Mega Friends

[dl wp="queen_of_the_blue_seas"] Queen of the Blue Seas



Because High Mercury has 99% resistance against stun, Zephyr can stun her once in the fight to skip one of her moves (usually Tidal Call #2).



While this is not a required build, having one is recommended for inexperienced parties or public rooms due to their lower damage and slower breaks. Non-Limited AC-011 Garland / [dl d="vayu"] Vayu

[dl wp="the_shining_overlord"] The Shining Overlord

[dl wp="queen_of_the_blue_seas"] Queen of the Blue Seas



If you do not have Mega Friends, The Shining Overlord is a good substitute because it gives +40% skill damage and Dragon Claws can be activated at least twice throughout the fight.

[dl adv="lin_you"] Lin You (Mana Spiral)

Lin You provides high damage and baits High Mercury's stomps and lunges. However, beware of Lin You randomly sleeping High Mercury! It may make you forget what happens next after she wakes up.

Name Description Optimal

DPS [dl d="long_long"] Long Long

[dl wp="the_wyrmclan_duo"] The Wyrmclan Duo

[dl wp="primal_crisis"] Primal Crisis



Because Lin You has extra HP from her mana spiral, she can now live through the initial blast with two DPS wyrmprints. Note that you need at least 3066 HP with a def co-ability to survive, meaning lesser invested Lin Yous may not live through the blast. Budget

DPS [dl d="long_long"] Long Long

[dl wp="the_wyrmclan_duo"] The Wyrmclan Duo

[dl wp="queen_of_the_blue_seas"] Queen of the Blue Seas



This is the same build as above but for players who cannot live through the initial blast with two DPS wyrmprints. Alternative

DPS [dl d="vayu"] Vayu

[dl wp="the_wyrmclan_duo"] The Wyrmclan Duo

[dl wp="primal_crisis"] Primal Crisis



With Lin You's mana spiral, Vayu will do worse than Long Long but will still be serviceable.

[dl adv="victor"] Victor

Victor provides DPS by keeping up bleed stacks and buffs everyone with knockback immunity at critical moments of the fight.

Name Description Optimal

DPS [dl d="vayu"] Vayu

[dl wp="resounding_rendition"] Resounding Rendition

[dl wp="queen_of_the_blue_seas"] Queen of the Blue Seas



This is Victor's highest DPS build.

[dl adv="noelle"] Noelle

Noelle acts as the buffer and the ranged baiter in this composition. While she can clear comfortably with less investment than the DPSers, she has the most responsibility, making her role the most difficult.

Name Description Optimal

Buffer [dl d="freyja"] Freyja

[dl wp="a_dogs_day"] A Dog's Day

[dl wp="queen_of_the_blue_seas"] Queen of the Blue Seas



Noelle wants to use as many S1s as possible to buff her DPSers while she is baiting the Homing Balls and Spits. Freyja can be used to energize the team and tank Homing Bubbles. Budget Freyja [dl d="freyja"] Freyja (non-MUB)

[dl wp="a_dogs_day"] A Dog's Day

[dl wp="queen_of_the_blue_seas"] Queen of the Blue Seas



If you have Freyja but not at MUB, you may still be able to use her on Noelle with her optimal wyrmprints depending on your augments and Halidom buildings. Budget [dl d="high_midgardsormr"] High Midgardsormr / [dl d="garuda"] Garuda / [dl d="stribog"] Stribog / [dl d="mini_mids"] Mini Mids

[dl wp="a_dogs_day"] A Dog's Day

[dl wp="queen_of_the_blue_seas"] Queen of the Blue Seas



Because Noelle is a buffer, she can get away with more budget dragons without severely hurting the team's damage. However, because she is missing Freyja's heals, some parts of the fight may be more dangerous such as when dealing with the rats.



If Noelle is running High Midgardsormr, she can choose to not dragon tank the second Homing Bubble and use it to stun-cancel Tidal Call #2 in place of Zephyr if she knows the timing.

Team Composition

4 DPS Team

[dl adv="wedding_elisanne"] Wedding Elisanne

[dl adv="lin_you"] Lin You (Flex Spot)

[dl adv="victor"] Victor

[dl adv="noelle"] Noelle

This is the most popular composition in both pre-mades and public rooms. The composition works well because every character provides something useful to the others:

Elisanne baits and inflicts def down on High Mercury. She also provides heals for the main DPSers to allow tanking of the Aqua Spheres which eases Noelle's Homing Bubble baiting. The flex spot can be filled by Lin You, another Elisanne, or any other wind character. Victor provides good DPS but is also responsible for giving everyone knockback immunity in critical moments such as the Aqua Spheres or Bursting Bubbles. Noelle constantly buffs her team and is in charge of most of the menial work such as popping all of the Bursting Bubbles or baiting the spits and Homing Bubbles.

Moveset

This moveset describes the most popular strategy, which is the 4 DPS one.

High Mercury: Master (WEli PoV) by Woobles

High Mercury: Master (Victor PoV) by Woobles

High Mercury: Master (Noelle PoV) by Woobles

Phase 1

The first phase is where you will be introduced to most of the fight's mechanics.

Moves Target

Iframeable? Strategy Tidal Explosion All

No As opposed to its Standard and Expert difficulties, everyone will be required to use [dl wp="queen_of_the_blue_seas"] Queen of the Blue Seas to tank the initial blast.



[dl adv="wedding_elisanne"] Elisanne - Opener

Elisanne's optimal attack combo before the blast is C3 -> FS up-left -> C5 to prevent knockback. Sword C4 gives super armor, so there is no need to hold force strike.



[dl adv="victor"] Victor - Opener

Victor's optimal attack combo before the blast is C5 -> hold force strike to prevent knockback. If the Victor is not hosting, he will have to move a couple steps forward before starting his C5 opener.

Stomp / Lunge Closest / Closest

Yes [dl adv="wedding_elisanne"][dl adv="lin_you"] Melee baiter Bait the stomp and lunge towards to top-left just like in Standard and Expert High Mercury. She will be sitting in this area for most of the fight. Tail Whip Behind

Yes Iframe or stay out of range. [dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Best Regards (#2) If your rotations are optimal, you can have your 2nd S1 by this Tail Whip as shown in this video. Spit x2 Farthest

Yes [dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Ranged baiter Iframe the spits or dodge them similar to how it's shown in this video.



[dl adv="victor"] Victor - Lethal Stratagem (optimal)

It is recommended for Victor to use his S2 here to cut down on one of his C5 endlags while the spits are happening. The buff will last until the Bursting Bubbles, preventing knockback from improperly bursted bubbles, while also giving you enough time to build S2 for the next Aqua Spheres. However, if your skill rotations are behind, disregard S2 and focus on getting your Phase 3 S1 before the Bursting Bubbles to give everyone a shield. Tidal Call #1 Map-wide

No The Two Patterns of Tidal Call

There are two patterns of Tidal Call that require different movements into the safe zones:



1. Bottom Openings (video)

2. Top Opening (video)



When to start moving into a safe zone

The Tidal Call's hitboxes and sound do not end at the same time. The hitboxes disappear before the sound deafens; therefore, you can start moving into a safe zone earlier than you think.



CUE: A commonly used cue to start moving into the safe zone is when High Mercury lowers her head. Bursting Bubbles Map-wide

Yes [dl adv="victor"] Victor - Steel Formation (Phase III)

Victor should have used his Phase 3 S1 by this point to give everyone a shield to block the Bursting Bubbles.



[dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Pop bubbles Burst the bubbles outward and away from your DPSers using your force strikes.



Depending on which Tidal Call pattern you had, the position you want to burst the bubbles may differ:



1. Tidal Call Bottom Bursting (video)

2. Tidal Call Top Bursting (video)



Bubble burst direction depending on position:

The Noelle faces are the spots that are safe and where you want to burst the bubbles outward from. Stomp / Lunge / Tail Whip Closest / Closest / Behind

Yes [dl adv="wedding_elisanne"][dl adv="lin_you"] Melee baiter Again, bait the stomp and lunge towards to top-left. Keeping her in this area will be helpful during the Aqua Spheres. Spit x2 Farthest

Yes [dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Ranged baiter Iframe the spits or dodge them. [dl adv="victor"] Victor - Lethal Stratagem (optimal) If you successfully S2ed during the first set of spits, you will most likely have another S2 ready. Use it as soon as you can for the upcoming Aqua Spheres and to start building up your third S2. Aqua Spheres Map-wide

No [dl adv="victor"] Victor - Lethal Stratagem

Victor should have used S2 before this point to give everyone knockback immunity. This will allow the Elisannes to tank the Spheres without getting knocked-back.



[dl adv="wedding_elisanne"][dl adv="lin_you"] Tank Aqua Spheres

One DPSer should tank the top-left sphere to make it easier for Noelle to bait the Homing Bubble that comes after, and the other should tank the top-right bubble to reduce the risk of the first tanker tanking both and dying.



The Victor can choose to tank one sphere, but because he has HP conditional passives, this is not recommended. Homing Bubble Farthest

No [dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Ranged baiter The Homing Bubble will appear as the Aqua Spheres roll through the map. Noelle's job is to run away from this bubble while maneuvering around the Spheres.



How to maneuver around the Spheres with the Bubble

As you bait the Bubble, Spheres of Salvation will be summoned, which can be used to avoid getting hit by the Homing Bubble.



Lead the Bubble to the bottom, around any Spheres in your way, and then to the 3rd or 4th Sphere of Salvation. It is possible to hit High Mercury from the 4th Sphere if you are sitting in the edge of it. If your Elisannes tanked the top-left Sphere, this process should be a little easier.



There are 3 patterns of Aqua Spheres that differ in how they should be maneuvered around:



1. Left Aqua Spheres (video)

2. Right Aqua Spheres (video)

3. Left and Right Aqua Spheres (video)



NOTE: Ideally an Elisanne tanks the top-left sphere to make the maneuvering easier than it looks in the videos.

Phase 1: Waterfalls

Moves Target

Iframeable? Strategy Spheres of Salvation None

No Just like in its Standard and Expert difficulties, these are the safety bubbles that prevent any damage taken as long as you are in them.



The bubble order from left to right should ideally be:

1. [dl adv="wedding_elisanne"] Elisanne with Zephyr

2. [dl adv="victor"] Victor

3. [dl adv="wedding_elisanne"] Elisanne without Zephyr

4. [dl adv="noelle"] Noelle







If neither Elisanne is using Zephyr, one of them should use a directional sticker to clarify which Sphere she is choosing. Otherwise, try to get a feel for which way the other Elisanne may be going such as by watching her positioning or direction of force strikes.



Warning: DPSers should not enter these Spheres until after the spits to avoid popping the bubbles. Spit x2 Farthest

No [dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Keep using Best Regards!

Since Noelle is sitting in a Sphere at this point, there is nothing to iframe. Keep using your S1s! Waterfall Map-wide

No Unlike its Standard and Expert difficulties, you should be using the Spheres to block the Waterfall damage. You do not want to dragon tank this one because there is a second waterfall shortly after. Summon Help None

No [dl adv="wedding_elisanne"][dl adv="lin_you"][dl adv="victor"] DPSers - Clear rats

High Mercury will summon a group of rats that will attempt to pop your Spheres. Because Noelles and Elisannes with Zephyr want to save their dragons, the rats need to be cleared. Be careful as there is a spit that occurs while you are clearing the rats.



Ideally, the Victor should uses his S3 here to clear the rats alone, but if damage is lacking, the Elisannes can help.



[dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Clear rats

Noelle can use her S3 to knockback the rats in case the DPSers aren't clearing them. Be careful of your positioning, however, since her S3 steps forward and can cause you to move outside the safety bubble. Spit Farthest

Yes [dl adv="wedding_elisanne"][dl adv="lin_you"][dl adv="victor"] DPSers - Iframe the spit

While the Victor (and Elisannes) are attempting to clear the rats, High Mercury will spit towards Noelle who sits in the 4th Sphere. Make sure to time your skill to iframe the spit and clear the rats at the same time. Waterfall Map-wide

No [dl adv="wedding_elisanne"][dl adv="lin_you"][dl adv="victor"] DPSers not using Zephyr - Dragon tank

You may dragon tank this waterfall. If you are a Noelle or Elisanne using Zephyr, you should not be dragon tanking this.



Shapeshifting will also help knockback the rats to prevent your Noelle's or Elisanne's bubbles from popping.

Phase 2

Moves Target

Iframeable? Strategy Homing Bubble Farthest

No [dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Ranged baiter & Dragon tank

Right after the waterfall, High Mercury will send a Homing Bubble. Make sure to be in position.



It is common for Noelles to leave her Sphere of Salvation and dragon tank this Bubble so she can continue to S1. Stomp / Lunge / Tail Whip Closest / Closest / Behind

Yes [dl adv="wedding_elisanne"][dl adv="lin_you"] Melee baiter As usual, bait the stomp and lunge towards to top-left.



[dl adv="victor"] Victor - Lethal Stratagem

Use your S2 around this time to prepare for the Bursting Bubbles and Tidal Call #2. Be sure to use it from the top left to avoid stealing bait. Bursting Bubbles Map-wide

Yes [dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Pop bubbles

As soon as the Bursting Bubbles are summoned, pop the bubbles located in the safety zones of Tidal Call to make those spots safer.



[dl adv="victor"] Victor - Lethal Stratagem (cont.)

You should have used your S2 by now or else your team risks getting knocked away by the Bubbles and into the Tidal Call that happens right after. Tidal Call #2 Map-wide

No Dodge these like you usually do.



[dl adv="wedding_elisanne"] Elisanne with Zephyr - Stun

If you are using Zephyr, you may choose to attempt to stun this Tidal Call to make the next sequence of events a little less dangerous.



CUE: The cue to use your skill is when the Bursting Bubble text box disappears. Spit x2 Farthest

Yes [dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Ranged baiter

Be ready to bait and iframe these spits. These come right after the Tidal Call.



[dl adv="wedding_elisanne"][dl adv="lin_you"][dl adv="victor"] DPSers - Iframe or dodge spits

Be careful! The spits come right after the Tidal Call, so unalert players may accidentally die. Either iframe the spits or try to get behind High Mercury as quickly as possible. Aqua Spheres Map-wide

No [dl adv="victor"] Victor - Lethal Stratagem

Right as the Aqua Spheres are called, use your S2 to help your Elisanne tank the Aqua Spheres and the Bursting Bubbles that come later.



[dl adv="wedding_elisanne"][dl adv="lin_you"] Tank Aqua Spheres

Similar to before, tank the top-left sphere to allow your Noelle to manuever through the Spheres.



[dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Prepare to bait

Run through the opening at the top that one of the Elisannes made for you, and get ready to iframe the spit that comes next with shapeshift or a skill.



Depending on whether you iframe the spit with shapeshift or with a skill, you will have to do different things.



If you iframe the spit with shapeshift, the next sequence of events can be seen in this video. Spit Farthest

Yes [dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Iframe with shapeshift

Shapeshift here to dodge the spit. You will use your dragon to tank the Homing Bubble that comes after.



OR



[dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Iframe with skill

If you do not have enough dragon gauge at this point, you may have to simply iframe the spit with a skill. Homing Bubble Farthest

No [dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Dragon tank

If you shapeshifted, use your dragon skill and tank the Homing Bubble to get rid of it.



OR



[dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Run with the Homing Bubble

If you used a skill to iframe, run around with the Homing Bubble and hope no one pops the Bursting Bubbles towards you. Bursting Bubbles Map-wide

Yes [dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Pop bubbles

If you dragon tanked the Homing Bubble, burst the bubbles outward and away from your DPSers.



OR



[dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Dodge bubbles

If you did not dragon tank the Homing Bubble, try to avoid getting hit by Bursting Bubbles while running away from the Homing Bubble.



At this point of the fight, dragon meter is no longer a high priority. Stomp / Lunge / Tail Whip Closest / Closest / Behind

Yes [dl adv="wedding_elisanne"][dl adv="lin_you"] Melee baiter As usual, bait the stomp and lunge towards to top-left.

Phase 2: Waterfalls

Refer to "Phase 1: Waterfalls" as the moveset and role responsibilities are mostly the same.

If you break during the Tail Whip or any time during Phase 2: Waterfalls, you will skip immediately to Phase 3 (Death Loop).

Phase 3 (Death Loop)

Moves Target

Iframeable? Strategy Stomp / Lunge / Tail Whip Closest / Closest / Behind

No [dl adv="wedding_elisanne"][dl adv="lin_you"][dl adv="victor"] Closest

Right after the waterfall, there will be a Stomp and Lunge, so try to already be in position to bait this to the top-left. Tidal Call #3+ Map-wide

No Aqua Spheres Map-wide

No [dl adv="victor"] Victor - Lethal Stratagem

Ideally, the Victor S2s before this to tank the Spheres and the Bursting Bubbles that come after, but with how hectic the death loop gets, it may not be possible. Bursting Bubbles Map-wide

Yes [dl adv="wedding_elisanne"][dl adv="lin_you"][dl adv="victor"][dl adv="noelle"] All

Since your Victor may not have his S2 up, it may be safer to simply pop the top-left bubble and iframe its bubbles where High Mercury is sitting. Aqueous Prison Farthest

No There are three ways to deal with breaking Prison in time:



1. Damage Bruteforce

[dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Grab prison

Grab the Prison, hug High Mercury, and hope your teammates break you out before the spits.



2. Imprison Melee DPS

[dl adv="wedding_elisanne"][dl adv="victor"] Melee DPS - Grab prison

Move out, grab the prison, and hug High Mercury.



[dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Avoid prison

Hug High Mercury and let one of your melee DPSers get imprisoned. Then move far and away from the Prison to bait the spits.



3. Imprison Noelle; Victor baits spits.

[dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Grab prison

Grab the prison and hug High Mercury.



[dl adv="victor"] Victor - Bait spits

Force strike far and away from the imprisoned Noelle and iframe the first spit with S1 and dodge the second spit with a force strike behind High Mercury. The S1 will help break the prison at a distance. Spit x2 Farthest

No [dl adv="noelle"] Noelle - Ranged baiter

If you are doing the 1st or 2nd strategy, Noelle will be baiting the spits.



[dl adv="victor"] Victor - Ranged baiter

If you are doing the 3rd strategy, Victor will be baiting the spits. Loop to the start of Phase 3.

After the first iteration, mHMC will start buffing herself with defense up after every tail swipe.

Known Issues