The 1.3.6 update for The First Descendant introduces two new melee weapons, namely the Shadow and the Deus Ex Manus swords. Out of the two, the Shadow Sword is more balanced and offers a better approach for first-time melee users. If you haven’t figured out the right augment for the Shadow Sword, then keep reading to know the best Shadow Sword build.
Best Shadow Sword Build in The First Descendant
The Shadow Sword is great for agile characters, as it provides faster movement speed coupled with rapid attacks. The sword uses Impact Rounds ammo type and offers the Shadow Slash unique ability. While pressing the Special Attack button, the sword charges up. Releasing the button makes you dash forward using Shadow Dash and deal multiple slashing hits to all nearby targets using Shadow Slash. The more the attack is charged, the higher the damage and dash distance get.
Enhancing the unique ability of the Shadow Sword will not change any of its stats, but will decrease the cooldown time of the special attack. Now, let’s take a look at the best Modules, Cores, and Weapon Readjustments for the Shadow Sword.
Best Shadow Sword Weapon Modules
- Penetration Enhancement/ Better Insight
- Toxic Enhancement
- Hardened Reinforcement
- Veil Analyzer
- Sword Dance
- Expand Impact Magazine
- Increased Range
- Poison Priority
- Exquisite Sword
- Faster Attack Speed
Faster Attack Speed will increase the slash speed, while Exquisite Sword increases melee damage and also increases Consecutive Attack Chance. Poison Priority is an elemental modifier, and using Increased Range alongside this module will help with the loss of range from Poison Priority. Expand Impact Magazine will increase magazine capacity for the Shadow Sword, which is a requirement since the sword requires ammunition.
Sword Dance, while it does increase Critical Hit Rate, does not decrease the attack speed. Hence, this module is superior to other modules that might decrease the attack speed. Veil Analyzer and Hardened Reinforcement help improve damage output, while Toxic Enhancement improves Poison elemental damage. Penetration Enhancement offers better piercing damage output, but you could switch it out with Better Insight if you prefer to work on your Critical Hit Rate.
Best Shadow Sword Weapon Cores and Readjustments
- Melee Weapon ATK Core
- Toxic ATK Core
- Consecutive Attack Damage Core
- Consecutive Attack Damage Core
- Consecutive Attack Chance Core
Over here, the main focus is going to be on the Shadow Sword’s attack damage and chance. Allocating two cores for Consecutive Attack Damage and one for Attack Chance will increase the damage multiplier. Toxic Attack works on the already existing poison attribute for the sword, while the Melee Weapon Attack core helps amplify the damage stats even further.
As for Readjustments or sub-stats, continue to add Melee Weapon Toxic ATK, Melee Weapon Critical Hit Rate, Consecutive Attack Damage, and Consecutive Attack Chance. Since Crit Rate doesn’t make a huge difference on the Shadow Sword, your main focus should be on improving the attack stats with additional poison damage.
In short, while working on the Shadow Sword’s build, focus on improving the weapon’s attack and damage stats to optimize damage output. With this build, nearly every character will benefit more from the high attack patterns, improved critical hit chance, and elemental damage. For more The First Descendants character build guides, check out our guides on Ines Build & Best Loadout, Ultimate Lepic Build Guide, and Best Hailey Build.
