The gaming community has been absolutely buzzing about Cartethyia, the elegant Sword-Aero character in Wuthering Waves who's captured the hearts of players worldwide since the game's massive 3.0 update earlier this year. Known alternatively as Fleurdelys (which literally means 'lily flower' - quite fitting for her aesthetic), this graceful combatant has become a staple in many players' teams for her devastating aerial combos and stylish swordplay.
Essential Ascension Materials for Cartethyia in 2025
Our beloved sword-wielding heroine requires specific materials to reach her full potential, and with the recent difficulty adjustments to boss encounters in the May 2025 patch, gathering these resources has become both more challenging and rewarding.
When Irises Bloom
This mystical material, with its shimmering purple hue, is an absolute must-have for elevating Cartethyia's Forte levels. Players can obtain this boss drop by challenging the newly revamped 'Blooming Nightmare' encounter in the Ethereal Gardens region.
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Drop Rate: Approximately 1-2 per successful encounter
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Recommended Team Level: 75+
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Weekly Limit: 10 attempts (increased from 5 in the recent update)
The developers have noted that this particular material embodies the essence of Cartethyia's character, representing both beauty and deadly precision – much like the iris flower itself.
Metallic Drip
For those looking to maximize Cartethyia's Skill Tree (and honestly, who isn't?), Metallic Drip is the resource you'll be farming until your fingers go numb. This peculiar liquid metal substance is primarily found in:
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Underground Foundries (highest concentration)
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Abandoned Workshops (medium drop rate)
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Daily login rewards (occasional bonus)
Pro tip: Using characters with Mining passive abilities can increase your Metallic Drip yield by up to 15%!
Optimizing Your Cartethyia Build
As a Sword Resonator, Cartethyia shines brightest when her abilities are properly sequenced. The community has developed several popular builds, but the 'Aerial Empress' configuration has dominated the meta since the February balance patch.
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Recommended Skill Priority:
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Aerial Slash (core damage)
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Wind Cutter (mobility)
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Petal Storm (AoE control)
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Team Synergies
Cartethyia works exceptionally well with:
| Character | Synergy Type | Effectiveness Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Roveria | Elemental | ★★★★★ |
| Baizhi | Support | ★★★★☆ |
| Yunshen | Tactical | ★★★★★ |
People Also Ask
How many When Irises Bloom materials are needed for max ascension?
Players will need a total of 46 When Irises Bloom materials to fully ascend Cartethyia to her maximum Forte level. This requirement was slightly reduced from 50 in the January 2025 quality-of-life update.
Is Cartethyia worth investing in for F2P players?
Absolutely! Despite being a 5-star character, Cartethyia offers exceptional value even at lower constellation levels. Her base kit provides impressive damage output and utility, making her a solid investment for players who can't afford to chase multiple copies.
What's the best weapon for Cartethyia in the current meta?
The 'Windcaller's Edge' remains her BiS (Best in Slot) weapon, though the craftable 'Tempest Blade' from the 2.8 update serves as an excellent F2P alternative, offering about 85% of the performance.
The Future of Sword-Aero Combat
With the upcoming 'Resonance Harmony' event scheduled for August 2025, players are speculating about potential buffs or specialized equipment for Sword-Aero characters like Cartethyia. The developers have been dropping hints about 'evolutionary resonance paths' that might allow characters to transcend their current limitations.
Will Cartethyia receive new ascension materials in future updates? How might her combat style evolve as Wuthering Waves continues to expand its gameplay mechanics? Perhaps the most intriguing question is whether the relationship between her two identities – Cartethyia and Fleurdelys – will play a larger role in upcoming story content.
As the boundaries between character optimization and narrative development continue to blur in modern gacha games, one thing remains clear: mastering Cartethyia's ascension path isn't just about maximizing numbers, but about embracing the poetic duality of beauty and devastation that she so perfectly embodies in the ever-shifting world of Wuthering Waves. 🌊⚔️