The Ultimate Guide to Thelema & Her S-Class Battlesuit: Mad Pleasure: Shadowbringer in Honkai Impact 3rd

Thelema, wielding the S-Class Battlesuit "Mad Pleasure: Shadowbringer", dominates as a mechanical Ice DPS specializing in agile chain-blade combat and battlefield control. Her kit synergizes burst damage with team-wide buffs, making her a cornerstone of Ice teams—yet her value hinges on strategic investment. Below, we break down her mechanics, gear, teams, and playstyle for maximum impact.  

⚔️ Core Mechanics & Skill Breakdown  

1. "Feast" Energy System:  

   - Thelema generates "Feast" stacks (max 6) via normal attacks, specials, and weapon skills. At full stacks, dodge + attack triggers "Ecstasy", dealing massive Ice DMG.  

   - Tip: Prioritize attacks that rapidly fill Feast (e.g., 3rd normal attack sequence, aerial dive).  

2. Chain-Blade Flexibility:  

   - Ground Combos: Tap ATK for 3-hit slashes; hold ATK for upward launches.  

   - Aerial Mobility: Hold ATK mid-air to dive downward, staggering foes. Both modes restore Feast.  

3. Ultimate: "Chainbound Revelry":  

   - Traps enemies in a blade cage, dealing AoE Ice DMG + resetting all Feast. Each Feast stack consumed during Ecstasy boosts its DMG by 20%. Use after building Feast for nuke potential.  

4. Star Ring Synergy:  

   - As leader, activates "Wheel of Fate": For each "Stellar Traveler" ally (e.g., Seele, Hare), the team gains unique buffs. During "Star Burst," off-field allies deploy as "Shadow Servants," while Thelema gains "Phantom Waltz" (summons clones for extra hits).  

🛡️ Optimal Gear: Non-Negotiable Investments  

1. Weapon: Night Banquet Rose 

   - Why essential?:  

     - Boosts team/self DMG + extends Ultimate timestop by 3s.  

     - Reduces Ult SP cost by 50 for first use.  

     - No substitute—alternatives cripple DPS[^4].  

   - Priority: Unlock → upgrade to "Night Banquet Rose: Resolve".  

2. Stigmata: Pardofelis' "Perfumed Frostwork"

   - Set Effect:  

     - 2-Pc: Ice DMG + 30%.  

     - 3-Pc: Triggering Ecstasy/Ult boosts team Total DMG by 40% (key for support hybrid).  

   - Farm via Foundry—avoid mix-matching.  

👥 Team Comps: Synergy Over Meta  

While "Mad Pleasure" excels in "Shadow Team", her niche is fading vs. newer Quantum/QTE comps. Viable setups:  

| Role          | Recommended Characters          | Notes                                  |  

|---------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------------|  

| Support   | Sushang, Bronya      | SP/energy batteries; shields/heals    |  

| Sub-DPS   | Herrscher of Reason (Ice)       | Burst during Thelema’s timestop       |  

| Leader    | Thelema (Self)                  | Mandatory for Star Ring activation    |  

Avoid: Redundant Ice DPS (e.g., Nyx). Focus on energy funneling to spam her Ult.  

🎯 Advanced Playstyle Tips  

1. Energy Economy:  

   - Her dodge refills Star Ring energy—abuse this to enable 2nd Star Bursts without 2S Sushang. Time dodges vs. multi-hit attacks (e.g., Husk Emperor).  

2. Timestop Tactics:  

   - Weapon/Ult timestops freeze enemy actions/regeneration (e.g., countering Yae’s shield regen). Use to:  

     - Reset cooldowns.  

     - Land full Feast→Ecstasy combos.  

     - Swap to supports for setup[^4].  

3. Rotation Template:  

   Feast x6 → Ecstasy → Ultimate → Star Burst → [Sub-DPS] → Repeat  

⚠️ Should You Pull? (2025 Perspective)  

- Yes if:  

  - You lack Ice DPS options.  

  - Running Shadow Team (still viable for Nirvana).  

  - Can afford Night Banquet Rose + Perfumed Frostwork.  

- No if:  

  - Prioritizing Quantum/QTE meta (e.g., "Disordered Spacetime" teams).  

  - F2P—wait for War Treasury/BP release (expected soon).