Yes, team ELMO (Groza, Nemesis, Krolik, Colphne, Vepley) is such underwhelming, but there are some gems among those purple (or say, "SR") characters. Currently (as of 7/29/2025) there are just two characters that you must build, one character you may build, and another two you might build for some niche cases. Other than those five, we don't really see any usefulness from remaining charactrers.
(except Groza, whom can be used for one specific extreme case. But at that point you might as well just build all SR characters anyway)
That being said, NEVER run banners for SR characters. The chances are extremely slim and not guaranteed. THERE IS NO PITY SYSTEM FOR SR CHARACTERS. THERE IS A CHANCE THAT YOU MAY NOT GET SR CHARACTERS WHILE GETTING SSR CHARACTERS IN THE BANNER.
Seriously, don't, ever, run, banners, for, SR, characters.
* In this guide, we assume all SR characters are V6 *
[1] The "must" ones.
1. Sharkry
Sharkry is probably only SR character listed here that overpowers some SSR characters just by pure performance. She is considered as a critical component for the burn team. Until you either have V3R1+ Peri and/or V6 Qiuhua, Sharkry is your only viable dealer other than QJ for the burn team.
To function, Sharkry must have Thermal Feedback, and then either Deadly Allure or Idol Training Day as her Helix keys. Actually, it is okay and sometimes recommended to equip both Deadly Allure and Idol Training Day to maintain her buff all the time.
For her weapon, the best is Golden Melody. If you do not have it, Planeta or Guerno would be the choice.
Since she is a dealer, you have to give her good weapon attachments.
2. Ksenia
Ksenia is probably one of better offensive buffers with some healing capabilities. As now, she is the only character who can reliably apply buffs for both Klukai and Peritya. She is usually included for top Klukai team compositions or other teams requiring a strong attack buff.
She can put buffs, cleanse debuffs, cleanse buffs from enemies (a bit tricky), can heal, and she has ultimate which can do massive stability damage if needed. She is a very versatile character.
For her weapon, Stechkin is the best; frankly there is really no alternative. Also refinements are extremely good for Stechkin, so always get Stechkin as an lower level 30 reward from the battle pass until you get R6 Stechkin. No, Papa-Figo is hilariously bad. Not even Colphne uses it.
To function, Ksenia needs Mutual Benefit and Win-Win Partnership. Last can be anything you'd like, but I highly recommend Friendship Gift or Discount Guide.
[2] The "may" one.
1. Nemesis
For several certain team compositions, Nemesis is used for consistently applying defensive debuffs and need some more support fires.
If you build her well, she can do some damage, but... it is really waste of resources in general.
You can give her any weapons, but for damage, Samosek would be the best followed by Arcana.
To make her functional, she will need Potent Curse to be installed.
One important thing; unless a guide says otherwise, Nemesis MUST act first to apply a defensive debuff. Otherwise, any action from other characters may cause Nemesis to perform a support attack; this makes her being unable to apply her defensive debuff other than using Penetrating Casket.
Initially she was placed on "might" category, but as I see more guides and more people playing, Nemesis is being employed too frequently to be classified as "might" so she is "may" now, moreso than Cheeta at this point.
If you are F2P and do not have many character, but interested in gunsmoke, I recommend to build her well. You will find her in many F2P builds.
2. Cheeta
She is truly the "jack of all trades, master of none" character. She can deal damage, heal, buff, cleanse, and even can do AOE damage. But other than buffs, her damage potential is limited, and she will be eventually outcompeted by better characters such as V2+ YooHee.
That being said, you can use her, though she is now being outclassed by many limited characters these days.
For her weapon, there is no preference, but usually Classified Manuscript because it is easy to obtain and has an ability to cleanse enemy buffs.
There is no required Helix keys to make Cheeta functional, but usually Goldfinger is chosen to enhance her healing power.