LEVELING UP GUIDE
ATHENA THE GLADIATOR BUILD
Last updated on August 31st, 2025
LEVELING UP
Level 1 to 32
Versatile • Aspis
PLAYSTYLE
Athena’s Aspis ability allows her to absorb tons of incoming fire by bringing up her shield, and throw it back for an incredible amount of damage. If you want to live your fantasy as a Greek Goddess wielding a gun in one hand, and a shield in another, this leveling-up guide will take you through the necessary steps to ensure survival and high damage output in the early game.
SOLO
Athena is a powerful character, and she can hold her ground easily in solo. She also has multiple skills that provide her with assistance. Most of her skills directly influence her Aspis potential which makes her a stronger character the more she levels up. While her full potential is unlocked around level 50, at this part of the game she’s still one of the strongest characters, but you’ll definitely have to make liberal use of her Aspis ability.
COOP
Athena is also a great character to have on the team thanks to her damage potential, as well as support capability. She can block incoming damage, and even provide health regeneration thanks to the Vanguard skill. Additionally, she can revive fallen allies with her action skill and even taunt enemies to directly attack her, giving teammates some breathing room, and opportunities to concentrate fire on specific enemies. Her Aspis continues to influence her usefulness in solo and co-op.
SKILLS
Level 0 – 3: Unlock Kinetic Aspis
Level 3 – 8: 5 Points in Ephodos
While Aspis is active, Athena gains 20% gun damage and 20% movement speed.
Level 8 – 9: 1 Point in Maelstrom
Dealing Fire or Shock damage stacks Maelstorm, which increases elemental damage with each stack. Maximum stacks can be 999, and elemental damage is boosted by 0.4% per stack.
Level 9 – 10: 1 Point in Hold the Line
Aspis‘ duration is increased by 1.1 seconds.
Level 10 – 14: 4 Points in Vanguard
While Aspis is active Athena and her team regenerate health.
Level 14 – 15: 1 Point in Prismatic Aegis
Aspis can now absorb multiple elements.
Level 15 – 16: 1 Point in Clear!
Throwing Aspis can now revive an Ally. Gun damage during FFYL is also increased by 40%.
Level 16 – 21: 5 Points in United Front
Increase shield capacity by 20%, and 20% of the damage received to Aspis will now recharge your and your allies’ shields.
Level 21 – 26: 5 Points in Prepare for Glory
Activating Aspis taunts nearby enemies to attack you, and you get a Prepare for Glory stack for each enemy that attacks Aspis. Each stack boosts gun damage by 10% and lasts for 5 seconds.
Level 26 – 27: 1 Point in Wrath of the Goddess
Throwing Aspis now ricochets between 4 targets.
Level 27 – 31: 4 Points in Storm Weaving
Swapping weapons activates Storm Weaving for 9 seconds during which the fire rate is increased by 30%, and status effect chance is increased to 100%.
Level 31 – 32: 1 Point in Gathering Tempest
Magazine size is increased by 8% and reload speed is increased by 5%.
