Ultimate F2P Encore Build Guide: Echo Weapons, Teams & Rotations ~ HaploGamingChef

If you’re building Encore in Wuthering Waves, you’ve got a powerhouse on your hands. She’s not only the best free-to-play standard banner DPS, but also scales incredibly well in both hyper carry and quick swap teams. With Lupa's release around the corner, Encore’s potential will only increase. Whether you're just unlocking her or optimizing your late-game team, this guide breaks down everything you need—Echo sets, weapon rankings, skill rotations, and best team setups—to maximize your Encore.

Let’s get into how to build the strongest Encore F2P build for Wuthering Waves in 2025.

Encore’s Kit Breakdown: How Her Skills Work

Encore deals Fusion damage across her entire kit and becomes significantly stronger when her Ultimate is active. Here's how her core abilities function:

Basic Attacks: A four-hit combo dealing Fusion damage. After the fourth hit, she gains access to an enhanced attack for more damage. You can cancel this using a dash or skill.
Heavy Attack: Uses stamina to charge and unleash a Fusion damage strike. You can swap-cancel this during the charge—Encore will still finish the attack.
Dodge Counter: Time your dodge and retaliate to trigger her third basic attack instantly with added Fusion damage.
Skill: Two charges. Press once for initial Fusion damage; a white ring will appear, signaling a follow-up opportunity. Press again for additional damage. The first cast can be swap-cancelled, but you must return to Encore to activate the second hit.
Ultimate: Enhances Encore’s entire kit for 10 seconds, boosting all her abilities. Most of her peak DPS output comes from this window, so managing timing and positioning is key.

Encore’s Forte Mechanic Explained

Encore’s Forte Gauge can store up to 40 stacks, gained through basic attacks, skills, ultimates, and intros. Once full, you unlock a powerful Charged Heavy Attack, which deals significant Fusion damage and gains 70% damage reduction during the charge animation.

Key notes:

Charge Attack can end her Ultimate, so only use it when your buff is about to expire.
A visual indicator: flickering sheep on her Forte UI signals the end of her Ultimate.

This ability also works outside of her Ultimate, but the output is lower. Always plan your rotation so you use this finisher when it counts.

Encore Skill Priority: What to Level First

To get the most damage out of Encore, focus on leveling these abilities in order of importance based on your team style:

🔹 For Hyper Carry Setup:

Ultimate – Most of Encore’s damage comes from this 10-second burst.
Forte (Charged Heavy Attack) – Big damage finisher, especially when timed right.
Skill – Crucial for both damage and generating Forte stacks.
Intro Skill – Useful but expensive to upgrade (weekly boss mats).
Basic Attacks – Least priority, especially if you're only using them during her Ultimate.

🔹 For Quick Swap Teams:

Prioritize Skill first.
Then Ultimate, since her uptime is lower.
Follow same priority for remaining abilities.

Best Encore Weapons: F2P & 5-Star Options

Encore scales with crit rate, crit damage, and Fusion damage. Here's the breakdown of best-in-slot and F2P-friendly weapons:

🔹 Top 5-Star Choices:

Stringmaster (Encore Signature)
- +Crit Rate, +Fusion DMG, +ATK%
- Best in slot, especially for consistent damage.
Judge’s Weapon
- +72% Crit Damage, +12% ATK
- Boosts Encore’s base attack string—great synergy.
Karella’s Weapon
- Comparable to Judge’s, but loses buff on swap—not ideal for quick swap builds.
Pistil (P-Weapon)
- Solid choice if you own it; +Crit Rate with general scaling.
Standard 5-Star Rectifier
- Decent fallback, good for players saving resources.

🔹 Best 4-Star / F2P Weapons:

Battle Pass Rectifier (R5)
- Excellent for F2P builds; Crit Rate and consistent damage.
Fusion Creation
- Good secondary if you lack access to BP weapons.
Gingaw Keeper
- Usable, but less optimal—use only if you have no better option.

➡️ Weapon Tip: If resources are limited, prioritize 5-star guns or swords first, as they provide better long-term account value.

Best Echo Sets for Encore: Fusion Damage Focus

Encore thrives on Fusion damage multipliers, so Echo selection can significantly affect her overall DPS. Here's what works best:

🔹 Best-in-Slot Echo Set: Molten Rift (4-piece)

Set Bonus: +40% Fusion DMG
Combo with Infernal Rider (2-piece): +12% ATK and +12% Fusion DMG
Total Buff: 52% Fusion Damage

🔹 How to Use:

Hit enemy with the third strike of Infernal Rider Echo to activate the bonus.
Typically used right before swapping Encore in, to catch the buff on her Intro.

🔹 Nightmare Echo Set (Alt Option)

12% Fusion Damage Bonus
Easier to use, as it activates on equip, not on skill hit.
Great for players who prefer simpler rotations and swap-cancel flexibility.

🔹 New Echo Set (Fusion Support Oriented)

2-piece: +10% Fusion DMG
5-piece:
- +15% Fusion DMG to whole team after casting Ultimate
- +20% Ultimate DMG for the wearer

⚠️ Note: This is not ideal for Encore’s personal DPS, since her damage centers around basic attacks. It's better used on Fusion support characters like Lupa.

Encore Main & Sub Stats: What to Prioritize

To maximize Encore’s effectiveness, aim for the following:

🔹 Main Stat Goals

Four-Cost Echo: Fusion DMG / Crit Rate
Three-Cost Echo: Fusion DMG or ATK%
One-Cost Echo: ATK%

🔹 Substat Priority

Crit Damage (aim for 240%)
Crit Rate (aim for 70%)
Flat ATK and ATK%
Energy Regen (ERH): Target 120%
Basic Attack DMG (only if in longer Encore field time)

🛠️ Total Stat Goal Recommendations:

Attack: ~1900
Crit Rate: 70%
Crit Damage: 240%

ERH: 120%

Encore Team Compositions: Hyper Carry vs Quick Swap

Encore is versatile and works in both Hyper Carry and Quick Swap setups. Here are optimal team builds for each playstyle:

🔹 Hyper Carry Teams (Encore stays on field)

Encore + Sanhua + Brand / Baizhi / Rover (Healer)
Encore takes the spotlight while Sanhua provides buffs and energy.
Choose a healer or defensive support based on survivability needs.

🔹 Quick Swap Teams (rotate frequently)

Encore + Chixia / Jiyan + Rover / Yangyang
Ideal for players who prefer fast transitions.
Works best with characters that have long skill animations (e.g. Jianxin, Taoqi, Mortefi).

🔹 Fusion Team with Lupa (Future-Proof)

Encore + Lupa + Healer (Baizhi / Verina)
Lupa’s Echo set buffs team Fusion damage, synergizing with Encore’s kit.
Best used when Lupa is fully built.

🔹 New Player-Friendly

Encore + Yangyang + Sanhua or Baizhi
Easy to build, good crowd control and utility.

Encore’s Sequences: Are They Worth It?

Encore functions well without sequences, but here’s a breakdown for players who want more from her kit:

Sequence	Effect
S1	Basic attacks grant +3% Fusion DMG, stacks up to 4 (12% total)
S2	Generates 10 energy via basic or second skill hit (once per 10s)
S3	+40% multiplier on Charged Heavy Attack
S4	Her Ultimate-activated Forte gives the whole team +20% Fusion DMG for 30s
S5	+35% Skill DMG
S6	Each damage tick during Ultimate adds +5% ATK (up to 25%)

💡 Verdict: Not necessary, but S1, S3, and S4 are excellent upgrades. Full investment can offer ~30% total DPS boost, but Encore still performs exceptionally at S0.

Encore Rotations: Maximize Her Damage

Encore’s output depends heavily on how well you manage her Ultimate window and Forte stacks. Start with the Beginner Rotation, then progress to the Advanced one once you’re comfortable.

🔹 Beginner Rotation

Swap in using Intro Skill (optional)
Cast Ultimate
Perform Enhanced Basic Attacks (4-hit combo)
Use Skill, then continue basic attacks
Repeat Skill if charged, continue combo
As the Ultimate ends, use Charged Heavy Attack
Swap out

➡️ Simple and effective for new Encore users.

🔹 Advanced Rotation (Cancel Optimization)

Swap in → Intro Skill
Cast Ultimate
Perform 4-hit combo, cancel 4th with Skill
Continue combo, cancel with Dash
Use Second Skill, continue attacking
End with Charged Heavy Attack (if Forte full)
Swap out

🧠 Pro Tips:

Watch for the white circle cue to know when to cancel attacks.
Track sheep icons to know when her Ultimate is ending.

✅ Final Thoughts: Is Encore Worth Building?

Encore is one of the strongest F2P standard banner DPS units in Wuthering Waves, and her value increases significantly when paired with Fusion support characters like Lupa. She's easy to build around, benefits from a clear Echo and weapon path, and is viable in multiple team archetypes.

You don’t need high sequences or premium gear to make her shine. If you’re looking for a free-to-play damage dealer who scales well and plays fluidly, Encore is an excellent long-term investment.

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Ultimate F2P Encore Build Guide: Echo Weapons, Teams & Rotations