So I've been playing this game for quite a long time, and I have quite the mismatched arsenal at my disposal, but I'd really like to fill in the gaps and then maybe someday tackle Vanaduke and not feel entirely worthless. Things have changed significantly since I started working on my original Vanaduke set - the Argent Peacemaker used to be the go-to weapon but that has apparently changed over the year or so. I was called a dumb@$% for using an Ash of Agni in a random clockworks adventure ... those used to be pretty useful?? I DON'T EVEN KNOW ANYMORE
SO ANYWAY I'm just after general advice, more stuff to get, suggestions, what have you. I am not against throwing down money for new 5* stuff so that's whatever. Having longterm goals is good, right?!
My general loadout:
Vog Set, Elite Strike Modules, Snarby Shield
Divine Avenger (ASI Med), Acheron (Jelly Med), Blitz Needle, Shivermist Buster (CTR High)/Ash of Agni (CTR Med)
I have at my disposal:
Dread Venom Striker (Undead Low), Argent Peacemaker, DLC Weapons,
Dread Skelly Helmet/Shield, Skolver Set, Volcanic Salamander Set
Working on:
Voltaic Tempest (have 4*), Polaris (have 4* (for solo use)), Combuster (have 3*), Furious Flamberge (have 3*)
Anyway any sort of guidance would be lovely. And advice for a loadout for Vanaduke? :D I've beaten him once before and I can solo him up to stage four, but I need a bit of practice and equipment work before I really want to go in with random groups. ;_; And general advice for other late game activities like Shadow Lairs or Danger Missions? I want to be a bit less self-conscious about joining randoms!
Well, you have a lot of good equipment.
Your swords are great so far. Definitely get a piercing sword. You might consider Final Flourish or Barbarous Thorn Blade over Furious Flamberge. Combuster is awesome, but if you already have DA and WRH then it's hardly necessary. See my sword guide if you like.
Your guns are fine, although you should really give some alchemers a chance at some point.
All of your bombs are great (but don't bring Ash of Agni into FSC :). Get a vortex bomb at some point; they're fun. Give a damage bomb (Nitronome, Dark Briar Barrage, etc.) a chance at some point.
Most parties do Vanaduke using one Shivermist Buster and at least one Blitz Needle. Carrying both makes you more versatile in parties. Although you can solo Vanaduke like that, many people instead use a mobile gun such as Polaris or Argent. They don't do awesome damage, but it doesn't matter; you just circle him, wearing him down, while the Slag Guards charge behind you. Your armor is fine for FSC. If you find yourself dying a lot, then consider getting a more defensive shield, such as Grey Owlite, Volcanic Plate, or Crest of Almire (if you already have the tokens). But improved tactics are what is going to save you in there.
Shadow Lairs "require" specialized armor. See the wiki page "Shadow Lair" for some info. Legion of Almire is undead; bring normal+shadow armor, an elemental weapon, Blitz Needle, a crowd-control bomb. Compound 42 benefits from normal+piercing+elemental+poison+fire armor, shadow weapons, and a crowd-control bomb. Heart of Ice benefits from normal+shadow+freeze armor and piercing weapons including Blitz Needle.