NTE Hotori Guide: Time-Stop Sub-DPS Skills & Teams

Neverness to Everness (NTE) officially launched in China on April 23, 2026, and is set for a global multi-platform release on April 29. During the public beta, the most anticipated character alongside the first-phase limited Nanally is the “Watcher of Time”—the second-phase limited character, Hotori. She is the mysterious owner of the “Eibon” antique shop in Hethereau. Elegant and composed, she wields the anomaly power to freeze the world. This guide provides a full analysis of Hotori’s skill mechanics, best Arcdisks, Cassette configurations, and team recommendations to help you master this unique Sub-DPS.

NTE Public Beta Preview Visual — NTE Global Public Beta officially begins on April 29 (Source: Bahamut GNN, ©Hotta Studio)

Character Profile

Hotori is the second-phase limited S-rank character in NTE Version 1.0 and one of the most unique Sub-DPS units currently in the game. Her Cosmos-attribute skills center on time manipulation, creating “Time Stop” windows for massive burst damage.

Item	Details
Rarity	S-Rank (Limited)
Element	Cosmos
Arcdisk Type	Solid
Role	Sub-DPS / Support DPS
Weapon	Umbrella (Normal) → Katana (Post-Ultimate)
Faction	Eibon Antique Shop Owner
Banner Type	Version 1.0 Phase 2 Limited
Skill Priority	Ultimate ＞ Active Skill ＞ Normal Attack ＞ Support Skill

Hotori Character Art — Hotori — Owner of Eibon Antique Shop, Time Manipulator (Source: LDShop, ©Hotta Studio)

Core Mechanism: Non-closed Clock & Time Stop

Hotori’s entire combat system revolves around the “Non-closed Clock” energy system. Understanding this is key to mastering her.

Non-closed Clock Energy System

Upon entering the field, Hotori displays a “Non-closed Clock.” Its hand rotates clockwise over time, accumulating energy up to a cap of 120. Players can consume 60 energy to cast the Active Skill “Present Replay” or wait for a full charge to trigger the powerful Ultimate “World’s Tide.” When skills are cast, the clock hand moves backward—a unique mechanic that sets her apart from other characters.

Key Features of World’s Tide (Time Stop)

After activating “World’s Tide,” Hotori draws a katana from her umbrella handle, and time in the scene nearly stops for approximately 5 seconds. Key mechanics include:

Dungeon Timer Sync Pause: The challenge timer in dungeons also stops during Time Stop, giving Hotori immense strategic value in time-limited content.
No Character Swapping: Only Hotori can act during Time Stop; plan teammate skill recordings beforehand.
Skill Replay: Any teammate skills recorded by “Present Replay” will automatically replay once during Time Stop.
Time Control Immunity: Hotori clears and becomes immune to all time-related crowd control effects during this period.
10-Hit Finisher: Reaching a 10-hit combo with the katana triggers a final blow and ends the Time Stop.

Hotori Time Stop Skill Showcase — Hotori enters Katana form during “World’s Tide” with stunning visual effects (Source: Bahamut GNN, ©Hotta Studio)

Skill Breakdown

Normal Attack: Misty Moon Style

Hotori performs up to 5 consecutive strikes with her umbrella, dealing Cosmos damage. In normal form, holding the attack triggers “Ripple Wave,” a forward dash dealing 4 hits of Cosmos damage. A successful parry counter deals 1 hit of Cosmos damage and reduces the enemy’s Break value.

Active Skill: Present Replay

No Cooldown, consumes 60 energy. Deals 7 hits of Cosmos damage to surrounding enemies and records Support or Transfer skills used by teammates within the next 5 seconds (up to 3 skills, max 1 per character). The clock hand moves backward during casting, and Awakening traits can recover consumed energy. New recordings overwrite old ones.

Ultimate: World’s Tide

No Cooldown, No Energy Cost, triggers when the Non-closed Clock is full. Deals 10 hits of Cosmos damage before Hotori draws her katana and enters Time Stop. During Time Stop, katana hits build a combo; at 10 hits, a Finisher DMG is triggered, ending the state. Recorded skills from “Present Replay” are replayed immediately upon activation.

Support Skill: Shopkeeper’s Authority

When off-field, Hotori throws her umbrella to deal 1 hit of Cosmos damage. While situational, it helps maintain energy accumulation rhythm.

NTE Hethereau Combat Screenshot — Combat in Hethereau; Hotori’s skills look spectacular in the urban environment (Source: Bahamut GNN, ©Hotta Studio)

Best Arcdisk Recommendations

BLOW UP THE CROWD (Signature S-Rank)

Hotori’s signature Arcdisk and her absolute best choice. When leaving the field, it grants the active character a 14% ATK bonus. Each hit dealt stacks 3.2% ATK (up to 4 stacks). While on field, it increases Mental DMG by 20%, and basic attacks stack 3.2% DMG (up to 10 stacks). It perfectly matches her output rhythm.

READY-READY (A-Rank Alternative)

A high-quality alternative. Grants ATK +30%. After using a Transfer or Ultimate skill, Basic Attack and Parry Counter damage increase by 30% (up to 2 stacks). Holding two specific runes activates “Commander’s Tally,” increasing damage against BOSSes by 20% for 10 seconds.

Arcdisk Name	Type	Core Effect	Recommendation
BLOW UP THE CROWD	Limited S-Rank	Off-field ATK buff; On-field Mental DMG +20%	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best)
READY-READY	A-Rank	ATK +30%; Post-Ult DMG +30%; BOSS DMG +20%	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Recommended)

NTE Arcdisk System — The Arcdisk system interface; S-rank disks provide significant boosts (Source: Bahamut GNN, ©Hotta Studio)

Best Cassette Recommendations

Hotori’s best setup is the Lost Radiance 4-piece set, supplemented by the THEA’S NIGHT TAVERN 2-piece set. The former ignores 25% of enemy DEF after an Ultimate, fitting her Time Stop burst perfectly. The latter provides HP and healing bonuses, supporting her utility as a Sub-DPS.

Set Name	Pieces	Set Effect
Lost Radiance	2-pc	Cosmos DMG +10%
Lost Radiance	4-pc	Ignore 25% DEF for 20s after Ultimate
THEA’S NIGHT TAVERN	2-pc	HP +10% (Supports healing needs)

Main Stat Priority: ATK% / Cosmos DMG% / Crit Rate or Crit DMG
Sub-stat Priority: Crit DMG > Crit Rate > ATK% > Energy Recharge

NTE Open World Exploration — Hethereau open world; a well-built Hotori is a core force for exploration and combat (Source: Bahamut GNN, ©Hotta Studio)

Best Team Compositions

Blossom Team — Top Choice

Currently the highest-rated team for Hotori. With Nanally as the Main DPS, Hotori stacks damage during Time Stop while providing healing and ATK buffs. Mint and Zero handle off-field support and elemental reactions. This allows Nanally’s Blossom effects to stack continuously for massive damage.

Character	Role	Main Responsibility	Acquisition
Nanally	Main DPS	Core damage, high burst, triggers Blossom stacks	1.0 Phase 1 Limited
Hotori	Sub-DPS	Time Stop, healing, ATK buffs, sustains Blossom stacks	1.0 Phase 2 Limited
Mint	Support	Off-field buffs and utility	Standard / Event
Zero	Reaction Support	Triggers elemental reactions to amplify team output	Standard

NTE Team Combat — Multi-character combat; proper synergy maximizes Hotori’s contribution (Source: Bahamut GNN, ©Hotta Studio)

Awakening Priority

Hotori’s Awakening priority is: A6 > A5 > A1 > A2 > A4 > A3. A6’s DEF penetration during Time Stop offers the largest damage increase. A5 is excellent for Boss fights as it boosts team damage against single targets.

Awakening	Name	Effect	Priority
A1	Prosperity	+12% DMG per recorded skill during Time Stop (Max 36%)	3rd
A2	Distant Memory	Time Stop DMG +20%	4th
A3	Fleeting Gaze	Recover energy after Present Replay (60s CD)	Lowest
A4	Scattered Relics	Gain 10 energy per enemy defeated (Max 3 times)	5th
A5	All-Seeing Eye	Team DMG +15% against single targets	2nd
A6	Time Takes All	Ignore 30% DEF during Time Stop — Maximize burst	★Top Priority

NTE Awakening System — Awakening interface; A6’s 30% DEF ignore is her core damage boost (Source: Bahamut GNN, ©Hotta Studio)

Resonance Analysis

Hotori has two Resonance effects triggered at 3 and 6 Awakenings.

Resonance Name	Awakenings	Effect
Eternity Shattered	3	Skill levels +1 for Normal, Active, and Ultimate
The Ultimate Treasure	6	Team ATK +10% while Hotori is alive

The 6-Awakening Resonance is a practical passive buff, but for most players, focusing on reaching A6 for the DEF penetration is the more realistic goal.

Should You Pull for Hotori?

As the second limited character of NTE 1.0, Hotori holds a unique position. Here is why she is worth it:

Unique Timer Pause: She is the only character who can stop the dungeon timer, making her irreplaceable in high-difficulty timed challenges.
Three-in-One Utility: She provides healing, ATK buffs, and Cosmos damage, offering high value in a single slot.
Nanally’s Best Partner: If you have Nanally, Hotori is the best Sub-DPS to maximize the Blossom team’s potential.
Top-Tier Visuals: “World’s Tide” is arguably the most visually stunning skill in the game.

Final Verdict: Highly recommended for Nanally owners. Even without Nanally, her ability to pause the dungeon timer makes her a top-tier pull for endgame content.

NTE Character Lineup — NTE 1.0 character roster; Hotori is the standout limited character of the second phase (Source: Bahamut GNN, ©Hotta Studio)

Editor’s View

Hotori is one of the most impressive designs in Version 1.0. Her mechanics redefine the Sub-DPS role—pausing the dungeon timer fundamentally changes how players approach high-difficulty content. She is beginner-friendly but offers a high ceiling for those who time her Time Stop perfectly. If Nanally is the strongest Main DPS for early game, Hotori is the specialist who elevates the entire team’s performance to its peak.