Overview

MG36 is a truly unfortunate MG. MICA tried to do something new, and it says something that, since her release, they did not try anything so unusual again until AK-Alfa in the most recent CN batch, and Alfa dials back the oddity from MG36 considerably. 

At a quick glance, MG36 is a second volley MG with subpar Damage and amazing Accuracy. A closer inspection reveals that MG36 pairs these less than desirable traits with some strange Skill effects and some odd Tiles, that buff more than just SGs. Because these are somewhat tied together, we’ll address them together. 

Like a large swathe of MGs, MG36’s Shadow Viel Skill features a long ICD of 8 seconds prevents her from gaining any boosts during the first volley, which can be critical in most MG heavy engagements. In terms of Skill effects, MG36 receives a flat Damage buff, and then buffs based upon the Dolls on her tiles, either Accuracy (AR), Reload speed(!!!) (SMG), or extra rounds in her Magazine (SG). While these sound interesting, utilizing them to their fullest is extremely difficult. AR’s shouldn’t be placed in the middle or front columns, and the Accuracy buff is the least useful, given MG36’s good base Accuracy. SMG’s, meanwhile don’t get much benefit from her Damage and Accuracy Tiles, but may be placed on them without committing a grievous team building faux pas, and MG36’s reload will be shortened by a stacking 25% per SMG on her Tiles. A nifty effect with somewhat dubious actual value, thanks to the otherwise lacking synergy between MG36 and AR/SMG formations. Finally, SGs grant an extra round in the Magazin per SG, which will improve MG36’s rather mediocre magazine for follow up volleys, but does nothing for the all-important first volley. As a final twist, every Doll on her Tiles takes 20% less incoming damage only when MG36 reloads. Again, this effect sounds useful on paper, but in truth synergizes rather poorly with actual gameplay. SGs, as a rule, want to ablate as much incoming Damage via Armor as possible, and minimum Damage per hit is 1, regardless of Armor or Skill effects. SMGs meanwhile don’t mind this bonus but reduce her reload time, and thus, diminish their own ability to utilize it. Also trying to control MG reload timing is difficult at best without an excessive amount of in-battle control, leaving this 20% incoming Damage cut in the lurch most of the time. 

Given that MGs have fallen out of favor in current content, including the upcoming Isomer event, MG36 would need to rely upon her unique Skill to stand out, and there is no existing or upcoming content where her unique combination of abilities stands out from the crowd. Indeed, her Skill can be seen as a detriment to her usage, relegating MG36 to a collection finisher, instead of a potent combat unit.