Theorylytics

Bunraku

Used by Koumei

Ability4
Energy25

Bunraku

Wield your foe’s fate threads like the strings of marionettes. Koumei’s dice determine how many Status Effects foes in front of Koumei will suffer. A roll of triple sixes causes further Status Effects over time and extends Bunraku to enemies behind Koumei.

Introduced in Update 37.0 (2024-10-02)

Ability stats

Strength
  • See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
Duration
  • See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
Range
  • See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
Misc
  • Wield your foe’s fate threads like the strings of marionettes.

Info

  • Bunraku is Koumei’s ability 4.
  • Wield your foe’s fate threads like the strings of marionettes.
  • Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Kumihimo, Omikuji — instead of casting it in isolation.
  • Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.

Tips & Tricks

  • Read the battlefield first — cast Bunraku when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
  • Pair Bunraku with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
  • On Steel Path, confirm whether Bunraku still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
  • If you never press 4, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Koumei.

Ability dossier · Bunraku

Verified 2026-07-22

Synergies

  • BunrakuKumihimo

    Use Bunraku to set up Kumihimo, or follow Kumihimo with Bunraku while enemies are vulnerable.

  • BunrakuOmikuji

    Use Bunraku to set up Omikuji, or follow Omikuji with Bunraku while enemies are vulnerable.

  • BunrakuOmamori

    Use Bunraku to set up Omamori, or follow Omamori with Bunraku while enemies are vulnerable.

Mod Scaling

Strength

Strength matters if Bunraku scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.

Duration

Extends how long Bunraku’s effect lasts.

Range

Range is usually dumpable on Bunraku unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.

Efficiency

Bunraku costs energy each cast — Efficiency (or strong regen) keeps the loop comfortable on long missions.

Priority

Stack the stats that actually move this ability’s needle, then Efficiency for uptime.

Mission Use Cases

MissionHow to Use It
Steel Path Survival / Defense / DisruptionTest whether Bunraku still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled.
Mobile Defense / ExcavationUse Bunraku to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition.
Exterminate / Capture Speed RunsCast Bunraku only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles.
Spy / Rescue / Quiet RoutesIf Bunraku is loud or forces combat, save it for after the vault; if it’s stealth-friendly, use it to stay safe.

Comparisons

  • VS

    Vs similar tools on other frames — Bunraku is tuned for Koumei’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.

Other Koumei abilities