Spiral Knights - Gunner questions from a transitioning Swordy (Guns and Helm/Armor)

Gunner questions from a transitioning Swordy (Guns and Helm/Armor)

11 replies [Last post]

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 11:38

Godzy

Hello there fellow Knights!

WARNING: VERY VERY VERY LONG inquerie here, not for the weak of heart,

I'm going from "3 swords + 1 gun/bomb" into "3 guns + 1sword/bomb"

List of current gear:
Helms:
5* Justifier Hat
4* Sunset Stetson with UV MAX Curse

Armor:
5* Nameless Poncho
4* Sunset Duster

Trinkets:
Elite Trueshot Module
Elite Trueshot Module

Guns: (in alphabetical order too lol)
Argent Peacemaker
Biohazard
Blitz Needle
Polaris
Sentenza
Supernova
Valiance
Shadow Driver

Now that you see my gear and all time for questioning!

#1
Since i acquired a MAX UV on the hat but tis curse, i'm wondering whats a good craft for it? I was looking at the wiki and the only monsters that inflict curse status are the ones in SL Vana, I was debating on making it into a Shadowsun Stetson 5* Helm but then negating the negative curse resist is pointless so the question is...

What's a good 5* craft for it?

#2
I'm looking at the ups and downs of the Gunslinger sets and trinkets (including reading forums and the wiki) and notice that the combinations are
from what i can understand when i combine the GS sets + trinkets (not including the ctr trinket AND only referencing to the asi med trinket and dmg med trinket)

w/o swiftstrike buckler 3* shield
Combination A. Very High asi + Very High dmg.............................(Justifier/Nameless Pieces + 2 Elite Trueshot Module )
Combination B. Max dmg ...........................................................(Shadowsun Set + 2 Elite trushot Module)

w/ swiftstrike buckler 3* shield
Combination A. Max asi + Very High dmg.....................................(Justifier/Nameless Pieces + 2 Elite Trueshot Module )
Combination B. Max dmg + High asi.............................................(Shadowsun Set + 2 Elite Trueshot Module)

So the question is...

ASI vs DMG, Which is better for Gunners and why so?

#3
From my list of Guns, most are "okay" to me since i covered all if not most elements, but a friend of mine suggests a 5* Shadow Umbra Driver compared to my 5* Shadow+poisoning Biohazard, so the question is...

Should i get another shadow Gun OR just use what i have already(that requires me to charge shot stack+ explode with normal shot)?

Bit lengthy aye but its over!
Thanks for the read and hope to here sum words of wisdom from yall(trolls included =3)

#4
The Catalyzer Gun line, my Biohazard to be exact, how many people actually use this gun? It's effects are amazing when able to stack 3-5 charge shots at it but i notice in team play it's either the enemies die by the time i get the optimum charges on the monster so my question is...

How many people still use the Catalyzer Gun line?

/thanks
Godzy

EDIT: Forgot to add trinkets
EDIT2: Shadowsun set only for JK, the other set would be all-purpose
EDIT3: Added Questions #4
EDIT4: Updated gears acquired

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 12:00

Demonicsothe

im not a gunslinger but...

i can give a few tips from what i hear.

gunslinger sets give bonuses of either asi or gun damage. most people use trinkets to cover the other stat not provided. Then, they roll uv's for ctr, if they want.

I use a alchemer as a side arm, which i honestly am loving. I use my volt driver to take lumbers, and i dont lose out much in terms of dps. Consider adding an alchemer to your arsenal.

If you plan on gunning down wolvers, get a gun of the magnus line.

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 12:31

Godzy

*~*

@Demonic
Yea i got the trinkets covered, i can actually get the others if i really need... but trying to hear opinions of others before i do so

I'm contemplating on getting the alchemer just for the shadow damage as well

I was practicing with a Magnus but i "somewhat" kill better using my Blitz since there teleporting is predictable after awhile

thanks for the 1st input tho! gonna see what else i can hear while i heat 10 my helm/armor

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 12:38

Nordlead

I've been cursed by a

I've been cursed by a Phantom's charge attack (wiki says it is possible to back me up). I was actually shocked when it happened (and it did kill me) because I didn't know it was possible and had not happened to me previously.

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 12:44

Godzy

*~*

@Nord

Yea i read that too, but Phantoms are only in graveyards and are "manageable" for the most part so i didn't count them in, its the SL Vana one that gives me chills for sum reason since i haven't tried SL Vana yet out of all the SL's

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 12:53

Nordlead

yea, not something I'd wear

yea, not something I'd wear curse protection for, just thought I'd throw it out there.

As for Shadow Vanduke, Zombie breath isn't hard to dodge (granted I don't know how many there are in the shadow lairs) and the only real threat is probably the slag guards. Since I don't have any experience down there, it seems to me that the only real reason to have curse protection is if you have a Faust and don't want to curse yourself.

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 13:09

Icee

Justifier, not Shadowsun

I have each type of damage covered by gunslinger armor lines (Justifier, Nameless, and Deadshot) and I really like having whatever defenses I need. I use Justifier for JK, sometimes with one piece of Dusker. Stay away from Shadowsun. The damage bonus translates to only about 5% per piece, and the status weakness only makes it worse. ASI from Justifier will give you superior DPS without the weaknesses.

I would personally sell the max curse hat to someone who uses a Faust a lot. If you don't sell it, make it a Deadshot Chapeau for use in the shadow lair. The undead bonus and shadow defense will go well, and it already has curse resist, so adding Max on top of it should amplify the resistance nicely.

I also have stayed away from the swiftstrike buckler (except for just having fun in tier 2). You really want typed defense and more defense than that gives you, because there are just some projectiles you can't dodge completely (like the 12-puppy/polyp/howlitzer wave of an arena).

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 13:24

Kalaina-Elderfall

A gunner generally prefers

A gunner generally prefers damage to ASI, but not THAT much. ASI will increase your damage, and medium ASI will probably increase your damage more than low Damage does. ASI also has the advantage of making you more mobile and more defensive, which can't be overlooked.

If you use the technique of shoot and then stop one shot before the end of your clip to skip the reload, then ASI will be most noticeable there. But it won't have too much effect on two-shot-clip guns. The bigger the clip, the more ASI helps you out (this is also true if you DO reload just because you spend more time firing proportionally). I find that it's a lot harder to aim doing this than it is to use the rhythm of reloading to plan my next volley, though. You are free to shield at any time and don't have speed reduction, as well, so if you need to avoid damage then it's best. Use when needed, or always if you can pull it off.

Unlike with swords, damage vs type bonuses on guns are actually useful and are the best way to get max damage, even if it means you'll ideally need to get twice as many guns so you have one for each type of enemy. If you can manage to get a High or VH vs the primary enemy you're fighting, that will generally allow you to free up a trinket slot for a CTR or ASI boost, depending on whether you charge or not (or a Penta if you want it).

If you have enough money to play around with, then you don't have to stick to Gunslinger line armor and can instead opt for alternate armor that gives a medium vs type bonus on each piece (this includes Deadshot, which isn't really a true gunner set but is good in FSC). This allows you to swap out your trinkets accordingly.

In short, target a Max damage bonus with the full elemental type advantage at all times and you'll keep pace on damage. Afterwards, focus on ASI/CTR (and you'll have VH ASI anyway unless you're using alternate armor) depending on your needs. Two Trueshots and Nameless is a good all-rounding plan for standard gun gear, but if you want to improve upon that then it's all about tailoring your loadouts to the enemies you're fighting.

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 20:43

Godzy

*~*

Ah sum wise answers, i was waiting for these! Based on these I've decided on making a Justifier Set and a Nameless Set for now, getting a Umbra Driver just to see which has better "use" in my gameplay

@Ice
Yea, I'm planning on making a Justifier set purely for JK runs, the pierce defence should help me loads, especially since i can't wear penta hearts for the extra HP

Good call on the max curse, i guess its gonna be my SL Vana Gunner set which i will make after i first make these 2, thanks for the advice
and yes, swiftstrike shield sucks for me, 2-3hits and it breaks, I'd rather use my Omega Shell/Grey Owlite

@Kala
Yea, i'm used to always being MAX swrd dmg so i figured i could do the same to guns, i guess i was wrong lol
Yes, i'm "trying" to practice not firing the last shot and stopping to avoid reload, but i keep ending up spamming anyway, I'll have to practice it more
I was afraid you would mention UV's, but i guess that is the only logical wayt to get MAX dmg on enemies, I'll keep that in mind

Fri, 01/06/2012 - 07:16

Godzy

*~*

So was trying to make a full Justifier Set but couldn't find the recipe of the 5* armor so i ended up getting a Nameless for now
Crafted a Shadow Driver and turning it into Umbra in the next couple of days to see the real difference
Getting used to Gunning now and using Omega Shell as Shield, I like having VH asi and dmg and will update more as i progress

Fri, 01/06/2012 - 11:02

#10

Demonicsothe

not gun relevant

But perhaps several shields for different strats? Granted as a gunner in rjp, being hit should not be happening. i don't have the calculations for omega shell's massive hp compared to shield resistence. But generally, having a piercing shield in rjp, and a elemental shield in fsc should suffice.

Sat, 01/07/2012 - 04:55

#11

Godzy

*~*

Uhh i actually have a bunch of shields.... Im using omega since its purple and its defence is pretty good in my use

Search

Gunner questions from a transitioning Swordy (Guns and Helm/Armor)