So I really hate mask phase in vana. I am wondering if the volcanic pepper box is better than blitz due to normal damage type, even with the lowered damage in exchange for fire. Or if you guys have any suggestions to make mask phase go faster?
Thanks
Blitz is still better.. you could try using Maskeraith's Deadly Shadow Cloak to abuse the double charge trick by having it run out while you're firing a blitz charge. Might need some level of ctr on it though.
Or if you're in a team, Disintegration Ray (Seraphynx) works well if you set it off right before the mask phase starts (even enough time to water it and get a blitz off too)
or the old school way is to throw a poison vial at it first.
I've a friend who has both a lvl 10 blitz and VP, he confirmed that since the GU, the VP does indeed do more dmg to the mask... but with only like 5-10 dmg/charged shot, so around 100 dmg more than a blitz's charge.
But since vana is slighty weak vs pierc dmg, the blitz does the most dmg to him.
On solo, you can easily two-shot the mask with a full blitz charge (with a couple +gun dmg). Water it, charge+shoot, get another water, charge+shoot. Poison/Disentegration ray help in case you don't land every bullet or if you are in a party.
Would say.. the most important part is keep the fire down with right precision and timing throwing water.
Then any weapons will do the job, even they're sucky.
Here are some pointers for how you should handle the mask:
Do fiery weapons re-ignite the mask?
No. Combuster charges do not.
Why not use the Iron Slug? Not only can you fire from range and still do tremendous damage (500 x 3 or 4 with Damage Max), but you can even land another charge in, dealing around 3000-4000 damage.
The Volcanic Pepperbox vs. Blitz Needle - I have yet to try that out. Remember that the Pepperbox deals less neutral damage than the Blitz Needle since the former has a status, Fire.
Just go for Slug. Much safer.