Spiral Knights - CTR Based FSC Setup

CTR Based FSC Setup

6 replies [Last post]

Mon, 05/21/2012 - 17:11

Milkywai

So I found that a CTR based setup would fit my current playstyle best, so I made some thoughts and came up with this setup:

Helmet: Perfect Mask of Seerus (elemental low)
Body: Chaos Cloak (no UV yet)
Shield: Barbarous Thorn Shield (no UV yet)

Weapons:
Voltedge (CTR low)
Shivermist (CTR med)
Blitzneedle (CTR low)
Polaris (Deamon low or so)

Trinkets:
Elite Sword Focus Module
Elite Trueshot Module

I haven't actually made the Chaos Cloak yet, will make that tomorrow, because I figured this would probably be the easiest way to get to CTR max with my Blitzneedle AND Voltedge at the same time. It also brings my shiver to CTR Ultra which should make me able to have 3 bombs down at the same time to reduce vanadukes movement to a minimum if i should end up with shiver duty.

The Goal would be to have great dps vs groups to speed up the overall time of the run (not talking about doing fsc as quick as possible but as quick as possible while killing almost all zombies and collecting the heat/crowns) CTR max will probably help alot in the mask phases also as I seem to miss some bullets of my second blitzcharge due to the mask reigniting.
Barbarous Thorn Shield is my shield of Choice to boost the damage from my Voltedge charge by 15%, I prefer it over the swiftstrike, because I rather combine CTR with damage as I obviously benefit from ASI and CTR at the same time (does ASI help me moving faster after let's say a blitz charge? In that case It would be an option for me, but I'd probably still go with the BTS)

The Sword Focus Module could probably also be replaced by another Elite Trueshot Module, which would give an significant boost to dps vs vana since at least monster armor seems to be flat up to some point.

Opinions and constructive criticism are welcome :)

Mon, 05/21/2012 - 19:18

Tenkii

Alternatively, full chaos set

I use Chaos Set + Swiftstrike on vana runs, so I have +med CTR, +med damage, +high ASI for all weapons

My "staple" weapons are:
Nova Driver
Blitz Needle (CTR Med)
Electron Vortex

And I switch out these weapons as a 4th (they're not really needed, but give some variety to the runs - or sometimes i just carry something I'm heating up):
Neutralizer (CTR Low)/Sudaruska (CTR Med)/Iron Slug/Divine Avenger (ASI high)

I usually either use one of each or two Elite Slash+Trueshot, so I've been leaning towards max damage Guns.

My reasoning for my equipment choice is the same as yours - killing mobs and vanaduke quicker (while having fun, which explains my 'hipster equips').

ASI does indeed help you move faster after gun charge. Not too long ago, I found that ASI max made my lvl10 neutralizer (total CTR: High) shoot charge bullets at the same rate as a no-ASI and CTR:Max - all because I was able to move and charge so much earlier after each charge shot.

With just my setup, if I am not the one throwing water, I can usually get 1.5-2 charges in on the mask phase.

So, my context stated, here's my criticism:
Shivermist kind of feels like a wasted slot. Its main use is safety (it tends to slow down fights against regular mobs since they tend to get frozen spread apart). If you're the one using shiver on Vanaduke, it kind of throws away your gun boosts.
As an alternative, Electron Vortex will speed up handling mobs significantly quicker, since it pulls monsters so much closer together, and you can probably get 2 charges on trapped monsters (especially if they get shocked) using Voltedge.

Also, choosing between Swiftstrike and Thorn shield, that will be your personal preference whether you wanna focus more on killing mobs or vanaduke faster. I have to make this choice as well, since I can go either Max Sword, VH Sword/Gun, or Max Gun damage, depending on trinkets. Swords will definitely kill mobs faster, and this is extra devastating if you switch to Vortex, but guns are more convenient for Vanaduke. In your case, Thorn Shield will help you deal with mobs quicker (since it seems Voltedge is your mob weapon), while Swiftstrike will help you deal with Vanaduke... and arguably some mobs, depending on how you use Voltedge.

Mon, 05/21/2012 - 18:41

Tom-Awsm

"does ASI help me moving faster after let's say a blitz charge?"

Absolutely. I always run FSC with a swiftstrike unless I'm a pure bomber. ASI high on both swords and guns trumps the sword dmg med of BTS any day. But BTS is still a close second, and personal preference plays a big part.

Regarding the trinket issue, I usually take a second trueshot over a ctr trinket even if I go as a swordie (unless doing a swords only run). Though I have pondered which is more time-saving, it's hard to say for sure. The second trueshot helps on trojans too though, so I guess you'll just have to figure out what you rather want for yourself.

Your loadout seems pretty solid. I always liked having CTR max in FSC myself, so I get why you're building a loadout focusing on that.

Mon, 05/21/2012 - 18:57

Milkywai

thanks for these first

thanks for these first opinions, I'll definately try out the swiftstrike it's questionable anyway if the medium damage increase helps too much at taking down mobs when pretty much using only the charge, I think I'll do some testing :)

and for the shiver: i only have 3 weapon slots atm and dont feel like really needing the 4th so i usually dont have it with me and just take it with me when doing fsc with a less experienced party or someone having lags and noone else has a shiver with him. Just thought I'd add it in as I use it in fsc from time to time.

I happened to do some runs with electron vortex users and I'm really amazed by the speed at which you can clear pretty much any arena just having someone vortex and the rest spam their sword charge attacks, the dark briar barrage also seems to do some solid dps when it comes to monster groups when playing as bomber, downside would be the explosion animation which makes me a bit blind for zombie swipes, but I guess I'll catch that once i get used to it :)

Mon, 05/21/2012 - 20:49

Imperialstriker

DBB's explosion is alot better than Nitro's. Trust me.

Mon, 05/21/2012 - 23:29

Fehzor

I use your armor setup,

I use your armor setup, although I use different weapons.

I use either blitz or shiver, so as to fit my parties needs. My blitz has CTR low UV to make it CTR max, and my shiver has a CTR high UV, so it is also maxed.

Then, if I'm using a shiver, I bring a gun for DPS. My choice for this is usually an alchemer, or if my party is a bunch of swordies/bombers with only blitzes, valiance on occasion.

If I'm using blitz, I bring a sword or a bomb or anything for DPS/slagging. This is usually glacius, DA, striker, or irontech destroyer on occasion, but I use whatever here.

If I'm the "slag person", then I'll bring my currently 4* plague needle so as to help deal damage. Said plague needle has an ASI med UV on it, and is fit for poisoning the Duke mid slagging for extra damage. Then, I'll bring a sword or an alchemer to kill the slags with.

For my shield, I either use swiftstrike buckler, as this is simply put, the best shield in the game, or I use my crest of almire, as this will let me avoid that annoying slag jump thing, and if I'm bombing, I don't really need the ASI so much. Its also nice to be able to tank ceiling on the Duke parts.

Then I go do FSC, and depending on how motivated I am to actually kill the enemies, I either die a ton, or not at all.

Sat, 05/26/2012 - 14:58

Trapzter

lol. i nearly use the same

lol. i nearly use the same loadout o.O

Helmet: Perfect Mask of Seerus
Body: Chaos Cloak
Shield: swiftstrike buckler (shadow med)

Weapons:
Voltedge (CTR med)
Shivermist (CTR low)
Blitzneedle (CTR low, asi med, dmg ud low)
Polaris (Deamon low)

Trinkets:
Elite slash Module
Elite Trueshot Module

Search

CTR Based FSC Setup