Spiral Knights - FSC: The Shadow Challenge

FSC: The Shadow Challenge

61 replies [Last post]

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 12:38

Wolfe-Knight

With the new buff the Acheron got people have been in a uproar (and rightfully so) since it makes a lot of other weapon obsolete. While spouting its damage numbers may be all fine and good we need more drastic measures for OOO to see how wrong they were. Thus I propose the FSC: The Shadow Challenge. (this has nothing to do with Shadow Firestorm Citadel if anyone was wondering)

The FSC: The Shadow Challenge is really quite a simple idea, albeit crazy, use only shadow weapons on FSC (the most run level full of shadow resistant enemies). Video proof of how the Acheron handles enemies resistant to its damage type will prove once and for all how bad the buff was. I am recruiting 3 others to join me on my quest. Once I have found my 3 partners we will set a date and time for the challenge. If there are more than 3 people who want to do this challenge feel free to make groups an post videos (I will edit all links of the videos into the OP with names of the knights). Defeating Vana is definitely not required but defeating him will definitely be worth the watch.

Items for the challenge:
-Acheron (not optional, you must have this to partake in the challenge)
-Any other shadow weapon (you are not allowed to bring anything that is not shadow as that will defeat the purpose)
-Screencap software (I do not have anything to record or upload with at this time)
-A mic (this helps a lot with organizing, though it is not required and I will not pick based on this)

Some of you might ask if this is even viable and I have tested it with 2 guild mates on elite. We only ran the first 2 floors but even then we saw that it was indeed viable (although trojans are a bit more annoying). We all had a good laugh the first time we dropped a breaker and charge our Acherons into the vortex, never did I think those grey little numbers would be useful.

Participant list:
-Wolfe-Knight (disqualified, broken pc)
-Theirillusion (solo) Video
-Abcdz
-Jzthree
-Owao (solo) Video
-Red-Galaxy (guild run)
-Enfeebler (solo) Video
-Asteroia (solo) Video

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 12:44

Sgt-Brownie

Meanwhile the Blitz is still

Meanwhile the Blitz is still sitting on its lofty chair as "Most OP Weapon in the Game"...

Not saying that I don't like my CTR VH Blitz, but still.

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 12:53

Wolfe-Knight

Wolfe-knight applauds

Blitz may be great against slags, but so is the Acheron (not as great but youi get my point). Blitz can handle neutral and effective monsters quite well, but when it comes to things like slimes it doesnt do so well. The Acheron handles everything well, even resistant enemies which is just wrong.

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 12:58

Zeddy

I've been basically doing this since Wednesday, heating up blackhawks and whatnot. Quite doable,

Have fun taking down the fifth phase of Vanaduke with half a sword.

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 13:02

Khamsin

@Zeddy

Have fun taking down the fifth phase of Vanaduke with half a sword.

This is by far the biggest problem to doing this, since vanaduke has shadow immunity, so you'll have severely reduced damage and can only use swords against him.

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 13:07

Wolfe-Knight

Wolfe-knight applauds

That is the reason why I said defeating vana is not required, just because of that immunity. A viable tactic is to use the carbine and quills, might not do that much but its better than trying to hit Vana with a piece of paper.

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 13:09

Khamsin

@wolfe-knight

If your pet has to be attuned to shadow, he'd still be immune to quills and carbine.

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 13:11

Wolfe-Knight

Wolfe-knight applauds

@Khamsin

Elite iron harness, I go for the different types on my pets. The damage straight of the quills is not bad, and you only need to break them (reason why I use carbine, fast firing).

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 13:15

Khamsin

Isn't that cheating tho? Then you aren't using all-shadow.

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 13:21

Wolfe-Knight

Wolfe-knight applauds

I... uh... nevermind that tactic then, wasn't thinking of my own rules >_<.

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 14:21

#10

Traevelliath

I coulda sworn I've seen someone do something like this... I remember seeing a screenshot with 4 players holding Acherons and Blackhawks at the loot room at the end of FSC (this was was before the UI update I believe).

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 14:56

#11

Qwote

@Traevelliath

I believe that was when AP and Sentenza had split damage.

also rip split damage rss

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 14:58

#12

Traevelliath

No I specifically remember it wasn't...

I'll dig up the screenshot eventually

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 15:09

#13

Sgt-Brownie

@Wolfe-Knight

I can decimate a T3 slime/light construct in 2-3 charge shots by myself in a party of 2.

You sir are clearly underestimating the oppressive power that is the Blitz Needle.

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 15:36

#14

Wolfe-Knight

Wolfe-knight applauds

@Sgt-Brownie

I didnt say it was impossible, just that it wouldnt go well. You can kill them in a few charges of coarse, through enough damage at something and eventualy it will die. What I was talking about is that Acheron can do the same thing, in the same or few charges. We now have 2 blitz class weapons, this is not good OOO.

On topic, I have added a participant list, I am still looking for others willing to join.

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 16:16

#15

Grimranger

Well, Acheron is better against CiV/Levi then undead.

meanwhile, acheron + obsidian crusher charge = faster then most stuff anyway lol

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 16:38

#16

Theirillusion

Challenge accepted, sign me up. I'll upload a solo video of this.

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 16:43

#17

Wolfe-Knight

Wolfe-knight applauds

@Theirillusion

Added you to the list under solo, I hope to see the video soon.

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 17:07

#18

Abcdz

He Wolfe-Knight, you posted on my thread. I can join because I have the obsidian edge, sentenza, and Acheron

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 17:26

#19

Wolfe-Knight

Wolfe-knight applauds

Alright, I will try to find 2 others before we start making plans. I am also wondering do you have any means to record and upload to youtube?

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 20:08

#20

Clown-Nine

I volunteer

Fun fact, I used to FSC with my SNB because it was the only sword I had.
Equipment:
Chaos Cloak-has Fire med, so no fire weakness
Skolver cap- Shadow high

This'll leave me with DMG VH and CTR Med which is plenty fine for me, I'll just have to avoid getting hit.

Acheron-fiend medmed for those Trojans :p
Shadow Driver
Swiftstrike shield

Fun stuff.

Edit: I don't have screen cap equipment and I really don't want to re download. I will if no one else though.

Sun, 10/27/2013 - 00:15

#21

No-Thanks

hmm

uhh..how to say this..no bitrate limit..1hour 35 minute video..full hd..high graphics..ummm

3 days upload time >.<'

Sun, 10/27/2013 - 05:56

#22

Clown-Nine

Oh, forgot to add I may use 1

Oh, forgot to add I may use 1 penta and a Sword focus module for that CTR VH

Mon, 10/28/2013 - 01:38

#23

Qwao

EDIT: Yes you can actually kill vana if you have the patience. I don't, and my connection is not helping either.

I have no idea why anyone would say this is not viable at all.

I won't mind doing it.

Now to clear up some hard disk space so I can actually record something.

EDIT: I'll solo and see how it goes.
EDIT2: Video's a-rendering! Should be up by tomorrow.

Sun, 10/27/2013 - 07:16

#24

Hrpb

^_^

I actually have been using the Edge on all my vana runs since the update. Its works like a venom Veilor but with a little more crowd control, because of the pushback the explosions make.Rather than bringing my VV, i bring the edge.It works like a support type Sword because of the Strong Poison,Best to be paired with a party bringing DAs and Brandish Variants.after someone puts a Vortex down, i hit them first with the edge, then they DA charge.Massive Carnage. I also love my ctr low that i got, better than nothing ^_^

Sun, 10/27/2013 - 09:22

#25

Theirillusion

Vanaduke is strong to shadow, elemental, weak to piercing. And on the last phase, Vanaduke is immune to all shadow damage. Although the normal damage from split damage weapons still do some damage.

TL;DR You need Acheron, Gran Faust or Obsidian edge to even have a chance to finish the run.

Sun, 10/27/2013 - 15:41

#26

No-Thanks

immune to shadow dmg?!

gee no wonder my umbra driver didnt do any damage

2311 minutes left

Mon, 10/28/2013 - 12:16

#27

Clown-Nine

Are you still doing this?

Mon, 10/28/2013 - 12:20

#28

Wolfe-Knight

Wolfe-knight applauds

Yes I am, just a waiting on a few others to join up. So far no one in the first group has anything to record with so that is what im waiting on.

Tue, 10/29/2013 - 06:08

#29

Qwao

It's owao, not qwao...

Anyway here is the link.

Tue, 10/29/2013 - 07:06

#30

Red-Galaxy

You know what i might do the

You know what i might do the challenge. Ill just bring my acheron and obsidion carbine and bring a few guildies along so count me in.

Tue, 10/29/2013 - 07:11

#31

Qwao

No offense or anything but the only challenge in this is defeating vana using Gran Faust, Acheron or Obsidian Edge. The zomgs are... in all honesty, pathetic.

I'm curious if Shocking Salt Bomb can still inflict shock on Vana even if he's immune to the actual damage. Because if that can well... Let's see who is willing to spend hours defeating him with shock ticks.

Alternatively, wait for Winter Grave and kill him with damage from Freeze thaw? Provided status procs still occur.

If it does, this challenge just became worthless...

Sort of.

Tue, 10/29/2013 - 07:21

#32

Red-Galaxy

@qwao

Ill just use my carbine for switches and everything else acheron, and who even owns a shocking salt bomb anyways?
Btw can we use our battle sprites even if they dont have shadow harnesses?

Tue, 10/29/2013 - 07:28

#33

Khamsin

@Red-Galaxy

who even owns a shocking salt bomb anyways?

Zeddy probably. I personally own an SSS, tried it out, love the style of shard bombs, just wish they did legitimate damage.

Tue, 10/29/2013 - 07:35

#34

Qwao

and who even owns a shocking salt bomb anyways

This statement makes me feel proud for owning Iron Slug and Volcanic Pepperbox.

All things aside though...

Battle Sprites? Wait you mean that little red thing that took 80% of my resources and yet is a little bugger that doesn't work on EU and I have barely any use for?

Oh wait, I don't have a Maskeraith or Seraphynx.

Tue, 10/29/2013 - 07:45

#35

Wolfe-Knight

Wolfe-knight applauds

@Qwao

Sorry about the typo, I keep forgetting people sometimes use different characters for the forums.

@Red-Galaxy

Added you to the list as a guild run. If the sprites effects are non-combative (cloak, shield, etc) the harness does not matter. you are really only suppose to see grey numbers during this challenge.

Tue, 10/29/2013 - 07:49

#36

Raunwynn

Acheron hits beasts harder

Acheron hits beasts harder than BTB.

Tue, 10/29/2013 - 19:20

#37

No-Thanks

video

nvm me talking weird stuff in the video xD

P.S. "Acheron hits beasts harder than BTB." is wayyy more convincing than these videos

Tue, 10/29/2013 - 23:30

#38

Zeddy

You can bet I own a shocking salt bomb. I owned it back when it was the worst shard bomb and I still own it now that it's the best one.

Wed, 10/30/2013 - 02:41

#39

Enfeebler

I decided to give it a try

I decided to give it a try too:
The Shadow Challenge
I'm too impatient and gave up during P5 so I speeded it up with SoLs :<

Wed, 10/30/2013 - 04:01

#40

Shamanalah

my 2 cents

I don't know what's the point of this Thread or Challenge to be honest... I've ran challenge of proto FSC... and did Vana with a brandish/frost gun a lot of time... it ain't hard... it's just time consuming...

The Acheron needed a buff... why?

Cause Obsdian Edge would do more damage and would render Acheron completely useless... That's why Acheron had a slight buff, which makes you rethink about taking Voltedge and Glacius over Acheron... At least I know if I have to deal with a lot of diff types of mobs, Acheron will do just fine on most of them....

IMO the Acheron gives a reason for non-status brandish sword... Combuster, Glacius, Voltedge and now Obsidian Crusher has all status dmg... but not Acheron...

Like any buff/nerf/tweak there is some testing to be done, but after running Apo sigils run and fighting those souls, Acheron is just perfect, about 5-10% more dmg than a regular brandish (single swing)

Wed, 10/30/2013 - 04:09

#41

Zeddy

@Shamanala

I concur that Acheron is balanced compared to the other Brandishes. (The difference in raw damage is 8%, btw.)

However, it's not balanced compared to the following list of weapons:

Everything on this page.
Everything on this page, except Blitz Needle.
Everything on this page, unless it's a Brandish.
Cautery Sword.
Everything on this page.

Brandishes have always been overpowered monsters. By buffing Acheron instead of nerfing all the other Brandishes, OOO are showing how little they care that their game effectively has 3 or 4 weapons worth a damn while the rest remains rubbish in comparison.

Wed, 10/30/2013 - 04:24

#42

Enfeebler

@Shamanala

"I don't know what's the point of this Thread or Challenge to be honest... I've ran challenge of proto FSC... and did Vana with a brandish/frost gun a lot of time... it ain't hard... it's just time consuming..."

I've seen much worse threads than this and no one said it's pointless/worthless/silly etc. Yes, people have been running through FSC with shadow weapons only for long, long time but I don't see any reason not to gather people here to do it again or attempt it for the first time. Just because you've done this and other stuff before doesn't mean that rest of community can't have fun and organise a run like Shadow only FSC.

About Obsidian Edge vs. buffed Acheron, in full party overall damage output will be higher anyway, thanks to poison. Solo - Acheron wins, but still poison status has other bonuses outside mobs' defense nerf. I'd be more concerned about balance between different crafting lines (Autogun vs. Magnus line for example, etc.) like Zeddy said.

It went a bit off the main topic so I'll end here...

Wed, 10/30/2013 - 09:04

#43

Wolfe-Knight

Wolfe-knight applauds

@Shamanala

The point, more or less, is to show that is not only how strong the Acheron has gotten but to also have some fun at the same time. Challenges like this turn the never-ending grind at the FSC into something new. You can not stop people from running FSC, but you can make them think of other unique ways to play it instead. A video also shows people much better than words what is possible, it also makes you think what other fun "challenges" there are (A challenge does not have to be challenging, as seen here).

Now if you excuse me I need to go kill JK with my BTB and Callahan.

Wed, 10/30/2013 - 09:38

#44

Raunwynn

Acheron hits constructs

Acheron hits constructs harder than Fang of Vog.

Mon, 11/04/2013 - 07:43

#45

No-Thanks

i dont mean to be an annoyance but..

"Asterola" is Asteroia spelled correctly >.<'

with a i

Wed, 10/30/2013 - 19:22

#46

Sonosuke

@Raunwynn

The fang of vog is weaker than most other elemental weapons, so it's not really new.

Wed, 10/30/2013 - 19:49

#47

Wolfe-Knight

Wolfe-knight applauds

@No-Thanks

Oops, I always seem to spell names wrong, first qwao now you.

Side note: Fluffy is one of my favourite comedians, got to meet him in toronto last year (I mean really met him,we talked), best spent money ever.

Wed, 10/30/2013 - 20:31

#48

No-Thanks

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWW

i feel great reading that :D
that joke was totally worth it

Thu, 10/31/2013 - 09:37

#49

Inferno-Forum

I have done this before the acheron buff and it felt like was just 10 minutes longer than normal FSC. Sadly, I have no proof of this act.

Sat, 11/02/2013 - 19:29

#50

Abcdz

Count your ABC's

So when we doin this Wolfe-Knight?

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FSC: The Shadow Challenge