Spiral Knights - Swords and Armor choices

Swords and Armor choices

4 replies [Last post]

Thu, 01/22/2015 - 17:23

Rothni-Halias

Even though the gunner update has added some very powerful new weapons, I want to stick with swords and bombs as a backup in case they get nerfed. I'm currently going for the Blackened Crest (and then the Crest of Almire) as a shield and am still narrowing down which bomb to get (A damage-focused bomb with some kind of lasting AoE attack.).

In the meantime I need to craft a better four-star sword, armor, and helmet. I'm lost here. I've got no idea what to get aside from the fact that normal damage/protection isn't viable on its own in the long term.

Thu, 01/22/2015 - 20:05

Bopp

obligatory

The answer to the question "What 4-star items should I get?" is "Whichever ones lead to the 5-star items that you want." You want to plan in terms of 5-star items, because that's where everything ends up. You don't want to get trapped in an alchemy tree that doesn't go anywhere (such as Winmillion).

My detailed sword guide is written for people in your situation. It covers basic concepts, choosing swords, choosing guns and bombs to go with swords, choosing armor to go with swords, etc. Maybe it will help.

To address your specific questions, we need to know:

* What are your immediate goals? To complete the rank missions?

* How many weapon slots do you use? 2? 3? 4? With how many swords, how many guns, how many bombs?

* Are you feeling adventurous? Are you a skilled player, playing on a strong Internet connection and computer? Do you like taking risks? Or do you want to be a little more careful than that?

Thu, 01/22/2015 - 20:12

Nertgvv

Yeah...

Depends on what your planning on playing for most of the time.
If you playing arcade: Probably a Brandish series for the specific level. For bomb..... if you want a lasting AoE bomb there is only 1: Haze bombs. If you want a bomb that CAN do alot of damage if used PROPERLY (Ive tried I suck with it) use Shocking Salt Bomb or one of the shards. If you want a balanced one, go for Nitronome, or DBB (Dark Briar Barrage) as its more Party-Friendly

If your playing Vanaduke: Shivermist. Best for vanaduke, or Electron Vortex, but through personal experience, Shivy is better. Sword is best the Voltedge or Glacius, but most elemental swords will be fine. Warmaster Rocket Hammer is actually not suck a good choice as you'll probably dash into fire or something. Plus, best to have a Blitz, but for the sake of the bomb rule.... don't. (I have three wep slots, I use combuster (sorry only sword I have) with shivy and blitz)

If your playing Lockdown: Flourish type (or Barbarous Thorn Blade), a Sealed Sword series, or the Warmaster with preferably a Blaster type, but... bombs. Ok. Best for Lockdown is Shivy, Voltaic Tempest, or Stagger Storm. And then its your choice of shield and skill :)

If your gonna play career: Get a bunch of swords to 4-star and get ONE to 5-star that deals elemental. Get a bomb thats..... your choice actually. Well.... stocking up on 4* stuff isn't hard, I have like 10 of them. They dn't do much difference from the 5* though. Just heat it abit and leave it (unless you want to get 5*).

PERSONAL OPINION
Extra statement: If you have a brother play with him. My brother and I own alot because he is a swordsman and I am a gunner. (No I dont use new gunslinger armor I use Seerus mask plus Chaos.) I have a whole arsenal of guns and I learn to switch them up properly. Still.... I still use swords for the sake of my Obsidian Edge and all my swords for lockdown/Vana.

-Nertgvv

Fri, 01/23/2015 - 15:05

Rothni-Halias

@Bopp

* What are your immediate goals? To complete the rank missions?
My immediate goals are to clear the Hall of Heroes 6-2 four-star barrier so I can do other missions. I want to go on a path that will lead me towards viable and useful five-star weapons and equipment.

* How many weapon slots do you use? 2? 3? 4? With how many swords, how many guns, how many bombs?
I use two weapon slots. The three-star gun Super Blaster and the three-star sword Tempered Calibur. I use the four-star Heavy Plate Shield but also have the Swiftstrike Buckler shield.

* Are you feeling adventurous? Are you a skilled player, playing on a strong Internet connection and computer? Do you like taking risks? Or do you want to be a little more careful than that?
I would say I'm a skilled player and that I have a good enough internet connection. I don't think there's any particular strategy that's too risky.

Fri, 01/23/2015 - 16:10

Bopp

great

So you are definitely in the target audience for my sword guide linked above.

If you want to use two swords, then consider Combuster/Voltedge and Final Flourish/Barbarous Thorn Blade. Acheron is also extremely powerful, but many of the monsters in the later missions resist shadow damage.

If you want to keep pairing a sword with a gun, then see the "Mixing Weapon Types" section of my guide. For Firestorm Citadel, Combuster with Blitz Needle is a great combination. Another good pairing is Storm/Nova Driver with Final Flourish/Barbarous Thorn Blade.

If you want to use a sword and a bomb, and you play in a party, then Combuster with Shivermist Buster is also a good combination for Firestorm Citadel. But you need a shadow or piercing weapon for most other situations. Combuster with Dark Briar Barrage handles almost everything in the game.

You are not afraid of risk, so consider Chaos Cloak and Cowl. The status penalties are pretty bad. So consider getting just one piece of Chaos, and pair it with one piece of Vog Cub, Skolver, or Shadowsun.

Use Swiftstrike Buckler if it works for you. But you still need a 5-star shield, just for clearance. Upgrading to Volcanic Plate Shield is a fine idea. It works very well against Lord Vanaduke.

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Swords and Armor choices