Spiral Knights - 3* armors/helms with elemental or shadow protection?

3* armors/helms with elemental or shadow protection?

4 replies [Last post]

Wed, 12/21/2011 - 23:41

Wolfkit

So, my current gameplan is to focus on swords, and only swords. As such, I am really liking the sword damage bonuses on the Wolver line of armor/helm.
However, it is not until until 5* that the Wolver line branches out into elemental/shadow protection. And as monsters start dealing elemental/shadow damage as soon as Teir 2, I've been getting murdered a lot.
And so, I'm looking for some other options in armor. Naturally, I want armor that has elemental/shadow protection. As I haven't yet found an armor on the wiki that protects against both, I'll need two pieces of armor, one for each protection. I'd also like to minimize my investment in this armor so I could maximize my time spentworking towards (eventually) having all of the three 5* sets in the Wolver line.
This is where I would like your help; in pointing me towards the lines that will get me the most bang for my buck, so to say, and a way from the lines that would take excessively large investments of my time.

I'm thinking of maybe Drake Scale and Angelic, would those be good choices?

In case it's helpful, here's my inventory: http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198044072252/inventory/#99900_55...

Thu, 12/22/2011 - 00:07

Fradow

So, first, the best solution

So, first, the best solution is to not get hit in the first place. It is definitely doable, it just takes a lot of practice.

Most people don't go for elemental/shadow protection in T2 because mobs still do at least half normal, and almost all armors have normal defense, so you are still defended against at least half of what you suffer. Plus, having a dedicated elemental/shadow protection is not going to make a big difference, but it is certainly going to cost a lot if you want to keep those armors on the same level as your main one.

Anyway, as for which armor to choose, forget about Drake Scale. No normal defense = it sucks. For elemental protection, go for Magic set, which have the best status protections (fire and shock, the most annoying) and upgrade to 5*. If you go for only one part, take the helm, as at 5* it has a bonus over the armor. This armor is very popular, because at 5*, with a normal/piercing armor, you are protected from every damage type. And with a Skolver part you have all the most important status protection.

As for the shadow protection, you have the choice between Angelic and Skelly sets. In my opinion both are not very good due to negative fire resist. And anyway, there is no reason to take shadow resitance in T2 because boss strata don't contain significant shadow damage (to not say NO shadow damage at all), and the first strata should be easy enough.

TL;DR : do a magic hood, upgrade it, forget about the rest.

Thu, 12/22/2011 - 00:15

Nicoya-Kitty

The Drake Scale line on its

The Drake Scale line on its own isn't terribly useful as it lacks normal protection. There's really only 2 viable elemental lines at 3*: Fused Demo Set and Elemental Set.

If you're planning to make a "Misc" set with all four protections, you could do worse than opting for an Elemental Hood to upgrade to a Divine Veil, and continuing your Wolver Coat into a Skolver Coat.

On the other hand, there's a few bombs that pair really well with swords such as the Electron/Graviton Vortex, or status bombs like the Shivermist Buster. If you're interested in carrying those you'll probably want to look at getting the Fused Demo Helm and upgrading it to a Volcanic Demo Helm.

As for shadow protection, there's only two lines: Angelic and Skelly. Both are sadly highly flammable so they tend to see little use in the current endgame content (firestorm citadel), save for those who opt to craft their Angelic to Fallen. That said, I've gotten great use out of my Angelic line gear, as the shadow protection and fiend damage bonus make dealing with devilites a whole lot easier.

That said, before you go branching out into crafting a variety of armor sets you might want to look at branching out with your shield first. Your shield is your second line of defence, sandwiched in between #1: dodging, and #3: armor. Picking up an elemental (Horned Owlite) or shadow (Scary Skelly) shield will make a huge difference in survivability compared to your Bristling Buckler (which is, by the way, an excellent pierce shield. Definitely keep upgrading it) when going up against shadow or elemental attacks. As a bonus, it's only one piece of gear to craft/buy instead of the two you'd need for a full armor set.

Thu, 12/22/2011 - 01:40

Wolfkit

Thanks for the help!

So, Elemental Hood, upgrade to Divine Veil. Upgrade Wolver Coat to Skolver Coat. Branch out into Owlite and Skelly shields.
Sounds like a plan!

Thu, 12/22/2011 - 06:36

Bopp

yes, Divine Veil with Skolver Coat

I echo the recommendation of an elemental shield, particularly Grey Owlite. There is a reason it's popular.

Yes, Divine Veil with Skolver Coat is the classic general-purpose armor set. (One of my characters has them and no other armor.) It's not totally convenient, because you have to get the helmet all the way to 5-star, before you get its particular kinds of protection, but at least the precursors have elemental protection (which is more important than shadow). I would add that once you get farther along in building specialized armor setups, you will start using this Divine Veil less. This is especially true, now that Arsenal stations let you change your equipment so frequently. But at least Divine Veil helps you get to that point.

To be honest, Divine Veil in this plan is serving as a stop-gap to make up for imperfect skill. Once you have better armor or better skill, you will not need it much. The cheapest way forward for you is to get your elemental shield (which you really will want) and to keep working on your skill. Only get Divine Veil if the cheapest way forward is just too frustrating.

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3* armors/helms with elemental or shadow protection?