What"s Actually New in the Absolute Update
August 7, 2025 hit different. This update completely transforms Emma into an SSR Supporter, bumps Eunhwa up to SSR Attacker status, and gives Vesti a solid SR Attacker makeover. Here"s the kicker—they"re all Fire-elemental now, which is honestly a game-changer for squad composition flexibility.
The Tactical Upgrade Plan wasn"t just for show either. These enhanced forms were specifically designed to tackle the Rapture “Behemoth” terrorizing Chapters 33-34. (Trust me, you"ll appreciate the extra firepower when you see what that thing can do.)
Banner Timeline - Mark Your Calendars:
Emma: Tactical Upgrade - August 7 to September 4, 2025
Eunhwa: Tactical Upgrade - August 14 to September 4, 2025
Vesti: Tactical Upgrade - August 21 to September 4, 2025
Once these banners wrap up, all three become permanent additions to Ordinary Recruit, Social Point Recruit, and Mold items. Smart move by the devs, honestly. You can test-drive each character in the Union Shooting Range during their respective banner periods—definitely recommend doing this before committing resources. Speaking of which, Nikke Top Up if you"re running low on gems. You"ll want enough for at least a few decent pulls.
Emma: Tactical Upgrade - The Support Powerhouse You Didn"t Know You Needed
Emma"s transformation into an SSR Supporter is probably the most surprising of the three. Her new machine gun “Special Therapy T” dishes out consistent Fire damage, but that"s not why you"ll want her on your team.
It"s all about those formation-based amplification buffs. Emma"s support capabilities scale dramatically based on how you position your squad and which characters you pair her with. This isn"t your typical “press button, get buff” support character—she rewards players who actually think about team composition.
The positioning mechanics create multiple optimization paths, which I love seeing in character design. Teams that nail the specific positioning requirements see Emma"s support capabilities reach genuinely impressive levels. Her machine gun keeps her relevant for damage contribution too, so she"s not just sitting there looking pretty.
Her survivability enhancements make her invaluable for content that demands sustained performance over burst damage. You know those fights that drag on forever? Emma"s your girl.
Eunhwa: Tactical Upgrade - Precision Meets Power
Now this is where things get interesting. Eunhwa"s SSR Attacker form wields the sniper rifle “Perfectionist T”—and yes, the name is absolutely intentional given her personality.
The camouflage state mechanic directly impacts her firepower output. Strategic positioning becomes crucial because you"re not just placing a sniper; you"re managing stealth states for maximum damage potential. Her skills strengthen allies while providing formation-based firepower support, making her both primary damage dealer and team enhancer.
Character Development Note: Eunhwa"s advise sessions get pretty deep into her psyche. She"s genuinely concerned about weakness and improvement—classic perfectionist anxiety. The optimal dialogue choice here is “I accept that it"s a weakness and try to improve.” It resonates with her mindset perfectly. When she brings up Rapi"s changes (which she will), go with “No matter how much she changes, Rapi"s still Rapi” to strengthen your bond.
Vesti: Tactical Upgrade - SR Attacker with SSR Impact
Don"t let the SR rating fool you. Official press releases confirm Vesti: Tactical Upgrade as an SR Attacker, but her performance punches way above her weight class.
Her rocket launcher “Pure Monster T” specializes in wide-area Fire destruction. The name"s a bit on-the-nose, but when you see her Burst Skill"s expanded explosion range and True Damage capabilities, you"ll understand why they went with it. True Damage ignoring enemy defensive statistics makes her your go-to for heavily armored cleanup duty.
Character Psychology Deep Dive: Vesti"s advise sessions address her fear of being perceived as a monster. When she asks directly, the correct response is “No, not at all.” Her aggressive behavior toward Eunhwa actually stems from wanting to help the squad move forward after Rapi"s departure—it"s misguided support, not genuine hostility. Her near-suicidal attack against Behemoth demonstrates both desperation and unwavering commitment to her squadmates. Heavy stuff.
ABSOLUTE Story Event - More Than Just Recruitment Fodder
The ABSOLUTE story event kicks off after the squad completes their upgrade process and returns from the Crystal Region. Part 1 dropped August 7, 2025; Part 2 followed on August 14, 2025.
This isn"t your typical recruitment tie-in event. The story explores genuine themes of growth, adaptation, and moving forward after loss. Eunhwa"s recurring nightmares and the appearance of unknown Rapture types create real tension that goes beyond “collect new characters.”
The Absolute squad"s status as Elysion"s strongest fighting unit—complete with the finest weaponry and most extensive battlefield experience—provides crucial context for their elite capabilities. The Tactical Upgrade Plan"s success validates strategic decisions while addressing the squad"s emotional needs. Good storytelling that serves the gameplay.
Resource Management - Where to Spend Your Gems
The 21-day “NOT TACTICAL” login event hands out Eunhwa"s “Day Off” costume as a free reward. September"s Mission Pass offers Exia"s “Hacker Rabbit” costume. Free-to-play players should prioritize based on current roster gaps and available resources.
Platform Comparison for Gem Purchases (based on my research):
BitTopup: 4.8/5 user rating, competitive pricing, fast delivery, accepts cryptocurrency
Official Store: 4.5/5 rating, standard pricing, immediate delivery but limited payment options
Third-party Retailers: 4.2-4.6/5 ratings, pricing and delivery speeds vary wildly
Regional Platforms: Localized payment methods but potentially higher costs and longer processing times
For maximum bang for your buck, Buy Nikke Gems through reliable platforms. You"ll want access to all three characters during their limited availability windows.
Team Synergy - Fire Builds Just Got Real
Here"s what excites me most about this update: all three characters share Fire-elemental typing, creating genuine synergy opportunities we haven"t seen before.
Teams built around Fire-elemental damage can leverage shared buffs and equipment bonuses effectively. Emma"s formation-dependent buffs require specific positioning for maximum effectiveness—no more lazy team building. Eunhwa"s camouflage mechanics benefit from strategic sniper positioning that actually matters. Vesti"s wide explosion range works best when positioned for maximum enemy area coverage.
Emma"s support capabilities combined with Eunhwa"s precision damage and Vesti"s area coverage create multiplicative effects. This isn"t just “put Fire characters together”—it"s strategic team building with real payoffs.
What Else Got Added?
The Absolute update includes Campaign Chapters 39 and 40, Lost Sector EX11 & EX12, and Solo Raid Museum for rematching past bosses like Mother Whale and Ultra. (Finally! I"ve been wanting to revisit some of those fights.)
JINX PLAYER story event joins Archives for permanent access. Ongoing competitive modes include Union Raid, Coordinated Operation, Solo Raid Season 28, and Champion Arena Seasons 10 & 11 throughout August 2025. Plenty to keep you busy.
Quick FAQ
Q: What makes Tactical Upgrades different from regular character upgrades? They"re completely new character versions. Different rarities, elements, roles—the works. Emma becomes SSR Supporter, Eunhwa SSR Attacker, Vesti SR Attacker, all with Fire damage and unique mechanics.
Q: How does Eunhwa"s camouflage actually work? Her camouflage state directly affects firepower output. Strategic positioning becomes crucial for optimal damage enhancement—it"s not just aesthetic.
Q: What are the optimal dialogue choices for character bonds? Eunhwa responds well to understanding about improvement and weakness acceptance. Vesti needs reassurance about not being a monster. Emma appreciates validation of her growth and contributions.
Q: What permanent content does this update add? Campaign Chapters 39-40, Lost Sector EX11 & EX12, Solo Raid Museum for boss rematches, JINX PLAYER Archives addition, plus multiple competitive seasons through August 2025.
Ready to experience what the enhanced Absolute squad can do? Recharge Goddess of Victory Nikke and secure your recruitment resources for Emma, Eunhwa, and Vesti"s Tactical Upgrade forms. Trust me—you"ll want all three.
