Spiral Knights - Tier 1 = easy, Tier 2 = way too hard

Tier 1 = easy, Tier 2 = way too hard

10 replies [Last post]

Thu, 10/20/2011 - 09:26

Metagenic

After playing this game for a few days, I noticed that while Tier 1 was so unbelievably easy (except for Candlestick Keep) to run through, Tier 2 was surprisingly difficult to play on despite what the dot near my minimap told me. I'd get to the second or third depth of Tier 2 and get trashed so badly that I'd always give up the run instead of wasting mist energy on pointless revivals that would just get me killed a few seconds later. Anyone have any practical advice? (I don't want to farm Tier 1 every day because not only is that very unproductive, it also makes the game boring to play after a while)

My gear (all lvl 10 and 2 stars):

cobalt helm
wolver coat
owlite shield
cryotech alchemer/blaster (I often change between the two)
calibur/cutter/snarble barb (I often change)

Thu, 10/20/2011 - 10:11

Trying

My guess is that you're going

My guess is that you're going in some stratum that has lots of shadow damage

Thu, 10/20/2011 - 11:58

Bunny-Mind

It's difficult to give advice

It's difficult to give advice with so little information as to what you're actually having trouble with. All I can say is try to play more defensively; T1 sort of gives the notion that you can substitute defense for aggressive offense and expect to come out on top, while in T2 and later being overly aggressive is more than likely going to get you killed.

Thu, 10/20/2011 - 12:00

Bunny-Mind

Whoops

Edit: removed double post

Thu, 10/20/2011 - 14:02

Bluescreenofdeath

I had the same experience. I

I had the same experience. I quickly got to where T1 was super easy, but really got my rear end handed to me (mostly by devilites) in T2. All I can say is that with T2 practice it gets much easier. Also, 2* in T2 is no problem for an experienced user, but your T2 life will be a ton easier after you upgrade to 3*.

There is an even bigger benefit to making the step up to 4* gear as well. Switch to Wolver Helm before you upgrade to 3*. What enemies are killing you in T2? For me it was devilies, so I crafted a Skelly Shield and upgraded to 4* Sinister Skelly Shield (made a world of difference). I highly recommend getting at least 3 shields. Owlite is a good start, that can be your Elemental and FSC shield down the road. Do a few more snarby runs and get yourself a Bristling Buckler to cover you for Piercing (JK runs) and a Skelly Shield for Fiend/Undead. Checking the gate map and picking the best shield for the stratum ahead can make a big difference in your run (armor and helm too if you can).

If you don't want to farm T1 party up in T2. A good party could prop you up until you get some more practice and get your gear upgraded. Biggest thing is practicing avoiding damage. In T1 you can stomp around and soak up damage like a tank all day, in T2 you can get away with leaning really heavily on your shield, but in T3 you will need to dodge damage altogether.

Thu, 10/20/2011 - 19:06

Goldtrimmer

FYI

Cobalt is not good, as status resists are not available in the set.

Heres what you should have by 3*

Dusker Set
You should get the bristling bucker
Super Blaster/Cyrotech Alchemer MKII
Striker/Tempered Calibur/Twisted Snarblebarb

Thu, 10/20/2011 - 19:42

Kreuz-Drache

Yeah, I had the same exact

Yeah, I had the same exact problem when I started T2. xD

I was all like, " Heck yeah! T2! Finally! >=D" which then becamed...(in an Egoraptor-esque voice)"Oh my God! oh wah?"

If you consider doing solo runs, I would recommend getting yourself a freezing vaporizer too.(Just...don't use it Ice Stratums...Unless of course you're against Constructs, in which case it can still do a nice bit of damage, just not freeze them. =P) It can slow down hoards as well as do some decent damage with the "thawing". The bomb is pretty nice in group runs too, but you have to be careful so you don't over kite, and end up walking into a group of monsters you've just frozen or end up trapping one of your guys into immobile monsters.

Also, doing some arenas is a really awesome way in getting yourself some crowns to buy your more expensive recipes/energy for crafting. Or even stick with T1 snarby runs for a bit. They're decent crown makers early on.

Fri, 10/21/2011 - 04:19

Balthichou

Reminds me of my story.

Reminds me of my story. Another thing to do is to play with others. While you can pretty much solo T1, even with very basic gear, soloing T2 from the very beginning is much harder. Try to join a party, it will be much easier. Later, with 3* stuff, you'll be able to solo the first T2 strata. Until then, don't go alone !

Sat, 10/22/2011 - 10:27

Broxaim

yes t2 is harder than t1, but

yes t2 is harder than t1, but that's the point of progression..
and from my experience, and .. many other people's

from t2 to t3.. is MUCH harder than from t1 to t2...

and also in spiral knights, it's more important to be defensive than offensive.

also you have to learn how to deal with different mosters

Sat, 10/22/2011 - 11:02

Skaiwalka

Going from each tier is a

Going from each tier is a challenge at first, but just because you're used to the attacks and speed in t1. Monsters attack quicker in t2 compared to t1, and things like spookat bites and firing 3 projectiles instead of 1.
Just keep running through t2 until you get used to it and it will become just as easy as t1 was.
You'll eventually get to the point where t3 is just as easy. Just takes practice and persistence.

As for gear, get a wolver cap. And if you're only running with two weapons, makes sure your sword is always the calibur line, it will take you the farthest the easiest.

Sat, 10/22/2011 - 16:55

#10

Lonner

Tiers and weapons

Just so, be aware about what weapon you're using, not all weapons wil be useful at certain parts, like having a piercing weapon on a level with mechs or using elemental weapon on gremlins or breast level. Calibur line is actually more recommended because it has all regular amount of damage to all type, unless it has a Uv damage to a type like fiends. Getting used to the tier levels is pretty easy,and like the others said, play it over and over, but not getting used to it, could be a problem.

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Tier 1 = easy, Tier 2 = way too hard