Spiral Knights - Best first set of 5*?

Best first set of 5*?

9 replies [Last post]

Thu, 09/11/2014 - 15:43

Crisping

Hello everyone on SK forums, I have been debating lately on which path I should take on my second character, but I need some opinions from other people just to make sure i'm not doing something stupid :P. First off, as a sword, would Cold Iron vanquisher be ideal for a first sword? Its very cheap because I'm given the 3* recipe and all I would need is the Carver recipe and the Vanquisher after. ( Plus, the Undead High damage bonus would be nice at Vana runs) Second, the armor. This is what I've been having trouble with most. I was thinking of just going the basic Azure Guardian armor since its cheap and fast (recipes are given from missions). The rest of the build will be decided based on both the sword and armor. In summary, i'm looking for a fast 5* build that can get into Vana runs right after all missions are complete! I look forward to seeing what you guys say!

-Crisping

Thu, 09/11/2014 - 16:32

Poopsie

First let me ask this question...

Chaos set, irritating set or wonderful op set?
First sword usually brandish line (element damage type for FSC)

Thu, 09/11/2014 - 17:26

Bopp

obligatory

This is your second knight? How far along is your first knight? I don't want to waste your time telling you stuff you already know.

It might also help us if you told us why you were making a second knight. Is it to farm Firestorm Citadel? Why not just farm it with your first knight?

CIV is one of the worst swords. Elemental swords do far more damage against the undead in FSC than CIV does. Azure Guardian is one of the worst armors. It has no status protection, which is more important than damage protection. The damage against which it does protect is normal (useful) and piercing (not very useful compared to elemental or shadow, especially in FSC).

Yes, CIV and Azure Guardian are slightly cheaper than other items, because you get a lot of the recipes for free. The key word here is "slightly". You save the recipe cost, but you still have to spend orbs, materials, crafting costs, and fire crystals. In the end, you're saving a very small fraction of the total cost, and you end up with some of the worst items in the game.

My recommendation is that you spend slightly more, and get items that are much better, that you will actually want to use for a while. To learn what those might be, try reading my detailed sword guide.

Thu, 09/11/2014 - 17:36

Crisping

Second account because Im sick of my main account

The main reason I'm starting a second account is because my main account isn't "legit". A few years back when I didn't care about earning things I spent lots of money for 5* gear. I'm making this account so I can have a truly earned account. Regardless the main account is a Vanguard and has some earned items. The main problem is that I would like a sword that all around good for everything. It would be used at Vana as well as Jelly and maybe Rom twins (not likely). I would also like a nice gun as well to suit these needs.

Thu, 09/11/2014 - 18:54

Holy-Nightmare

Grey Owlite makes for a good

Grey Owlite makes for a good first 5star set it isn't very offensive but has the defenses to be forgiving of mistakes.

For weapons you can get
Ele sword DA or Brandish
Shadow sword GF or Acheron
Peirce sword Final flourish is easier to make

Ele gun polaris or Nova driver (Argent Peacemaker is ok)
Shadow gun Umbra driver or sentenza
Pierce gun Blitz needle (Callahan is good after you get blitz)

Bombs generally include Voltaic tempest, or Shivermist buster

Thu, 09/11/2014 - 20:28

Bopp

sword and gun

The main problem is that I would like a sword that all around good for everything. It would be used at Vana as well as Jelly and maybe Rom twins (not likely).

Combuster or Voltedge. Glacius and Divine Avenger would also be fine. I usually use Combuster in Firestorm Citadel. The reasons are discussed in my sword guide (and countless threads).

I would also like a nice gun as well to suit these needs.

Keep in mind that there is an "impending" gunner update that will alter the balance of guns. That said, the most popular gun for Vanaduke is Blitz Needle. You could also use it against the gremlins in Ironclaw Munitions Factory. It would be terrible for the Royal Jelly Palace, but Combuster/Voltedge handles everything there anyway.

If you're willing to get three weapons, not just two, then consider Combuster, Acheron, and Blitz Needle. These (and Warmaster Rocket Hammer and Voltedge, and maybe a couple of others) are the most overpowered weapons in the game, and together they can handle just about everything.

Tue, 09/16/2014 - 15:04

Cheshireccat

My suggestions:

If your only concern is farming FSC:
> Vog Cub Cap
> Chaos Cloak
Otherwise you might want to mix and match to cover more damage types
> Vog Cub Cap
> Dread Skelly Armor
If you REALLY feel like covering all of your bases at once you could try this (but this will not be quite as effective)
> Divine Veil
> Skolver Coat

Weapons:
> Combuster
> Strike Needle
Both are used in a wide variety of situations as well as FSC
Strike Needle at 4*10heat has the same damage as a 5*7heat Blitz Needle. I would not recommend going up to Blitz because Blitz needs CTR--you'll have a really hard time heating a Blitz to 5*10. Strike's damage is still good and you get an achievable CTR Med from heating.
Also, this saves you 3 orbs and a recipe.

If you're willing to consider a third weapon, round out your damage types thusly:
> Acheron
(/agree Bopp)

Shield:
> Owlite
> Swiftstrike
Owlite is one of the best all-round shields in the game. It's very useful against Vana and it's what I gift to any friend who is starting the game.
Swiftstrike is for people who are all offense and don't use their shield. This is a play style decision.
Also, Swiftstrike saves you 6 orbs and two recipes.

Tue, 09/16/2014 - 13:54

Holy-Nightmare

Exceptions to 4 > 5

As Cheshire pointed out 4star weapons at lvl 10 have more power than a freshly alched 5star of the same line; However; there are some exceptions, These include other factors such as increased perks (blackhawk/sentenza), radius (bombs), and extra projectiles/etc (Divine avenger lvl1 won't hit as hard on the combo as an avenger at lvl10 but the charge can bring down Roarmulus with ease and makes Slag crowd control very easy. When you craft up any brandish you get more and bigger explosions on the charge. Alchemers at 5star get 2 more projectiles on the charge and they can bounce more.

Antiguas
Alchemers
Bombs (all)
Brandishes
Snarble Barbs
Divine avenger (but not Fausts)

Tue, 09/16/2014 - 15:08

Cheshireccat

@Holy

I agree to your notes.

Of my gear suggestions, Strike is the only one I would recommend not heating. As you say, all of the other items gain beneficial changes to their attack styles at 5*.

Tue, 09/16/2014 - 16:23

Holy-Nightmare

@ Cheshireccat

Indeed, unless you plan on making a fully leveled blitz a high priority don't go for it (plague needle is ok because it's a showoff weapon).

Blasters, caliburs, magnus, troika, Faust, etc are all weapons that are better to keep at 4 stars (until you get to the point where you can easily reach radiant depth on a regular basis).

Venom strikers are good at 4 star but the flinch of the WHB charge is very useful, able to shut down turret monsters for a fairly long time in battle, allowing your teammates to take out key enemies (flinching rocket puppy so teammate can kill that mender without getting blasted.)

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Best first set of 5*?