Fire Emblem: Three Houses »The DLC for Cindered Shadows opens with A Skirmish in the Abyss, where the character we already know and love for the first time. It's quite the battle, and a great way to open up the DLC, but it will only be your tactical abilities to the test.
A skirmish in the Abyss strategy guide
Your team will consist of your main character, Dimitri, Claude, Edelgard, Linhardt, Ashe and Hilda. You will face a range of different enemies, including the Ashen Wolves, which are made up of Balthus, Hapi, Constance, and Yuri.
Combat takes place in an underground dungeon, so angles can be limited, and it's important to use it to your advantage. You can channel enemies through narrow hallways, allowing your tough frontline to absorb damage.
In the first section, you face off against Balthus and his troops. Balthus is a tough foe, and he hits hard. It's a good idea to reattach him to Claude, as he has trouble landing hits on an air unit. Edelgard and Hilda can be used to absorb the charge from the right side of the room, while your main character Byleth walks up to Balthus and helps Claudius put him away. Make sure to keep Ashe and Lindhardt out of any melee combat, as they will end easily, but are essential in the later stages of the mission.
Lindhardt's healing will keep your team alive, and Ashe's arrows can strike enemies while he's completely safe, allowing him to choose which enemies your other characters have fought.
There's only one way to go after this initial fight, so head down the hallway on your right, but keep Ashe in the main room. Put Dimitri and Claude in front and let Edelgard and Byleth stay behind them.
Hapi, one of the Ashen Wolves, will summon a giant creeper, then retreat to a small, locked room. Ashe can punch her from her position in the main room, so take him out while Dimitri and Claude take care of the Giant Crawler. Keep Byleth and Edelgard back, because when you move too far down the hall you will be ambushed, but Byleth and Edelgard can easily cope with these two attackers.
Use Lindhardt's Concoctions and Heals to keep everyone's health full, as it can get a bit hectic from here. You have to tease Constance and her flyers carefully, otherwise you will have to treat Constance and Yuri together. Use Edelgard, Claude and Dimitri as the front line to absorb the load of the leaflets, then cut them all. Constance will charge you, and you need to deal with her as quickly as possible. She can perform a powerful attack that can kill any character she hits. Once Constance is down, you want to prioritize the two launchers in her party, as they can do massive damage.
Edelgard's Gambit is a great option here, as the Yuri party should be pretty close to each other, and you can affect them all at the same time. Just focus all of your damage on the remaining units and the battle should be over.
