Sephiria Companion Build Guide: Turn Your Squad Into an Army

The Sephiria companion build is one of the most reliable and satisfying ways to clear runs. Instead of relying on your own weapon damage, you build a squad of summoned allies that melt bosses while you focus on positioning and keeping your summons alive. This guide covers the exact setup and run order, based on a full cleared run with this build.

What you get: By the mid-game, your companions will deal the majority of your DPS. By the final boss, you can stand back while your squad—frost jellies, an electric jellyfish, a mole, and your amethyst summons—handles the fight. The build is viable on Hard difficulty, though player reports on the Steam community indicate that companion builds are one of several viable options, not a guaranteed win.

Prerequisites

Before starting a companion build run, make sure you have:

• Greatsword unlocked – This is the starting weapon for this build. It branches into the Void Summoning path.
• Turtle costume – Grants +15% artifact damage but negates 15% of weapon damage. This is the core costume for the build because it amplifies your companions' damage.
• Talent points in Crit Chance and MP Regeneration – Put 20 points into each. Crit chance feeds into companion damage later, and MP regen keeps your summons up.
• Wishing Fountain: Hide Spirit Power – This gives you Glacia, the frost jelly starter companion.
• Fruit Skewer: 100% Precision and 150% Companion – This starting buff sets up your crit and companion scaling from the first room.

If you don't have these unlocked yet, focus on unlocking the Turtle costume and the Greatsword first. The build works without maxed talents but is significantly stronger with them.

The Core Build Setup

The key synergy: Turtle costume + artifact damage amplification + companion-scaling items. Every artifact damage bonus applies to your companions, so stacking Golden Needles and other amplification items makes your squad hit far harder than your character ever could.

Step-by-Step Run Sequence

Step 1: Early Game (Woodlands)

Your first priority is getting your first companion and building early crit.

1. Pick up Charm of Aspiration early for precision. It's a cheap way to start your crit scaling.
2. Take the Ancient Anvil as your first major pickup. It evolves your weapon into a laser-based attack that works well while your companions ramp up.
3. Grab Simple Contract as soon as it appears. This boosts companion count and gives you a second companion slot.
4. Take artifact nodes whenever possible. You want to stack artifact levels on your companions as early as possible.
5. Accept the Kaleidoscope when offered. It boosts precision, which feeds into the Tactical Manual synergy later.

Early failure recovery: If you reach the first mini-boss (Goat Skeleton) without a second companion, you're still fine. Your laser weapon plus Glacia's frost damage can handle it. Don't chase companions at the expense of precision.

Step 2: First Mini-Boss and Beyond

After the Goat Skeleton, you should have enough levels to add another companion.

1. Take the extra companion when offered after the first mini-boss. This puts you at companion count 4, unlocking the first combo effect.
2. Keep building precision through Kaleidoscope and other precision items. You want precision 6+ by the mid-game.
3. Pick up Slim Cushion when you see it. This is a high-priority companion item that increases attack frequency and revive speed. It's harder to find later, so grab it early.
4. Take Shade for the bonus it provides to your artifact slots.

Step 3: Mid-Game (Library and Wasteland)

This is where the build comes online.

1. Get the Tactical Manual as your top priority. This is the single best item for the build. It makes your crit chance and crit damage contribute +30% to companions. Combined with the Turtle costume's damage amplification, this is where your DPS spikes.
2. Reach companion count 10 by picking up every companion you find. The fire jelly and other companions will appear naturally.
3. Stack Golden Needles whenever possible. Each one adds damage amplification to the artifact it's attached to. Two Golden Needles on your main companion slot can push damage amplification to 50%+.
4. Look for the second Anvil to evolve your weapon into the Amethyst Conjuration. This lets you summon amethyst minions that count toward your companion total.
5. Take Harvest tablets when offered. The spread points across your whole inventory, boosting multiple companion items at once.

Mid-game failure recovery: If you're struggling with survivability, take health upgrades from Luck Shrines. The build is ranged, so you can afford to trade some damage for HP. Don't skip inventory upgrades—you need slots to arrange your companion artifacts properly.

Step 4: Late Game (Rooted Cave and Bosses)

1. Prioritize Alfonso's Horn when it appears. This boosts evasion and companion damage. Put enchant points into it over other items.
2. Keep stacking precision to reach precision 10. This unlocks the crit damage combo effect, which is a major DPS boost since your crit contributes 120% to companions.
3. Add elemental touches if you have spare slots: Stormcloud, Ember, and Magitech. These add extra damage types that your companions can trigger.
4. Pick up the Ballista as your final summon if you find it. It's a strong companion that benefits from all your amplification.
5. Use rerolls on the last few artifact choices to try for Golden Needles or the Insignia (which boosts companion defense and chaos damage).

Late-game failure recovery: If you're missing key items, focus on what you have. The build works with just Glacia, the Tactical Manual, and a couple of Golden Needles. The extra companions are gravy, not requirements.

Recommended Artifacts and Priorities

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Ignoring Precision

Many players think companion builds don't need crit. This is wrong. The Tactical Manual converts your crit chance and crit damage into companion damage. Without precision, you're leaving 30%+ damage on the table.

Mistake 2: Chasing Elemental Damage Too Early

Focus on precision and companion items first. Elemental touches (Stormcloud, Ember, Magitech) are late-game additions. If you pick them up before your core items, you'll have a weak mid-game.

Mistake 3: Taking the Wrong Costume

The Turtle costume's weapon damage penalty looks bad on paper. But since you're not relying on weapon damage, it's strictly a buff. Other costumes don't provide the artifact damage amplification that makes this build work.

Mistake 4: Not Managing Inventory Slots

Your artifact arrangement matters. The Golden Needle applies its effect to whatever artifact it's attached to. Make sure your best amplification items are on your main companions (Glacia, then your other jellies).

Mistake 5: Forgetting to Summon Amethysts

Once you have the Amethyst Conjuration, you need to actively summon amethysts during downtime. They count toward your companion total and add DPS. If you forget, you're losing a companion slot.

Advanced Tips

Tip 1: Duplicate Golden Needles

If you find multiple Golden Needles, stack them on the same artifact slot. The damage amplification is additive, and two needles on Glacia's slot can push her damage amplification to 50% or higher.

Tip 2: Combine Binary Items

Binary items boost adjacent artifacts. You can combine two binaries to boost both your jelly companions simultaneously. This is a strong late-game arrangement.

Tip 3: Use Rerolls Wisely

You'll have more rerolls than usual with this build (from dice and precision items). Use them on artifact choices in the late game, not early. You want to fish for Golden Needles, the Insignia, or the Tactical Manual.

Tip 4: Take Health from Luck Shrines

The build is ranged, so you can afford to be a bit tankier. Health upgrades from Luck Shrines are never wasted, especially on Hard difficulty.

Tip 5: Consider the Insignia

The Insignia gives companions defense and, if placed in the same row as other companions, boosts chaos damage. It's a rare pickup, but if you see it, take it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the companion build viable on Hard mode?

Yes. Player reports on the Steam community indicate that companion builds can clear Hard mode Tier 37. One player noted that companion builds are among several viable options, alongside ice + relic and planets + minions builds. However, you need the right setup (Turtle costume, Tactical Manual) to make it work.

What if I don't have the Turtle costume?

The build is significantly weaker without it. The Turtle's +15% artifact damage is what makes companions scale. If you don't have it, consider the defense build or the planet build instead.

How many companions should I aim for?

Get to companion count 10 as fast as possible. The combo effects at higher counts provide significant damage and defense bonuses. You can reach 10 with just three actual companions plus your amethyst summons.

Can I use a different weapon?

The Greatsword's Void Summoning path is the best fit because it gives you the Amethyst Conjuration. Other weapons don't provide summoning abilities that count toward your companion total.

What's the single most important item?

The Tactical Manual. It converts your crit stats into companion damage, which is the core scaling mechanic of this build. If you see it, take it immediately.

Related Guides

• Sephiria Defense Build – A tankier alternative if you prefer survivability over summoning.
• Sephiria OP Build – The strongest overall build in the game.
• Sephiria Planet Build – Another minion-adjacent build using planets.
• Sephiria Staff Build – A magic-focused alternative.