INTRODUCTION:
Path to Nowhere (PTN) is a story driven real time tower defense game. It features exceptional character and art design, original music, innovative events and challenging gameplay. For a full review of the game check out this post. In this beginner’s guide we will cover everything you need to get started with the game. This includes: summoning, re-rolling, character attributes, crime brands, a condensed tier list, tips for early game, team building, potestas (chief skills), the MBCC facility, gameplay modes, the supply office, preparing and completing chapter 10 and tips for challenging battles.
SUMMONING:
The overall summoning rates are similar to other gacha games. The base summoning rate for an S-Rank sinner is 2%. Summon count/pity does carry over to other similar banner types. For routine arrests (summons), every 10 guarantees an A or S class sinner. The count is reset after receiving one. If no S-Rank is summoned after 50 draws the probability increases. An S-Rank is guaranteed at 80 summons. For featured banners there is a 50% to draw the unit that is featured. The overall rate of acquiring premium currency/tickets to summon is scarce so just like in most gacha games doing research on who to pull and pass on will help you make the most of your resources.
RE-ROLLING:
The re-rolling process is also similar to other games. You’ll need to use multiple login/email accounts for each re-roll. You’ll need to play through the introductory section and then collect the rewards/premium currency. Desired units from the standard pool include: Hamel (healer), Langley (ranged DPS wave clear) and Eirene (magic dps/utility). Overall it’s not completely necessary to re-roll as you gain access to some strong units for free.
CHARACTER ATTRIBUTES:
The character design in this game is phenomenal. The art direction and level of artistry on this team is stunning. The design of character skills is also carefully crafted. Each unit has a normal attack, an ultimate, 2 passives and a mania intensify (an additional passive). Characters may also have additional unique mechanics listed under their info section.
There are various ways to augment power. Power is increased through leveling up, increasing rank tier, leveling up skills, shackles (character duplicates), exclusive crime brands (unlocked at rank phase 3. These are unique mechanics for the specific sinner) and equipping regular crime brands. One unique aspect of PTN is that there are B and A ranks that are viable options to fill specific roles on a team. This is due to how units are crafted with unique mechanics. The other major influence on power is the amount of shackles (duplicates) a unit has. This can transform a unit. For example, this can turn support/utility sub DPS units into more main DPS characters. The other aspect that can transform units is reaching rank 3 and unlocking their exclusive crime brand. This is usually a unique mechanic that the character is built for and allows them to fulfill a specific role on the team.
There are 6 roles that characters can be assigned to. These include: Endura (tank), Fury (brusier: DPS with some tankiness), Umbra (rogue type, burst dps/corebreak), Reticle (ranged DPS), Arcane (magic DPS) and Catalyst (healing/support). Much of the gameplay revolves around core breaking. Destroying a specific number of cores on elites/bosses. This usually interrupts a damaging skill/effect and allows you to inflict maximum damage in return.
A balanced team will include a mix of classes. However, the classes themselves don’t always denote exactly what a team needs. Instead the roles of a basic team include: main DPS and core breakers. Many top tier units offer combinations of both DPS and some core breaking ability. Then depending on the battle a mix of: wave clearing DPS, healing/support/utility/buffs and/or a tank may or may not be needed. If really depends on the encounter.
SHOULD YOU PULL:
Shin: This character is a healer and buffer in one. She’s also part of one of the top teams that include: Summer (reforged), Moore, Eve, and Jelena. There’s a lot of buffers in the game already so it really depends if you need this type of unit and also if you want to build the team they are associated it. She’s quite versatile and can work in many different compositions and is a top support unit. The game is at a point now that there are many options so it depends on what you need for your specific setup. The other consideration is potentially saving for the 3rd anniversary unit + reruns.
Jasmine: This sinner is a new edition to the bleed team that brings it back to the forefront. Jasmine solves the main issue with the team by bring more core break and boosting life loss damage. If you are building or have built the bleed team and enjoy the playstyle, Jasmine is a core part of the team. For beginners, the bleed team and/or weak spot team are usually the most accessible teams to start with.
See special teams section for more information.
Parfait: This sinner is part of the umbra team. She works in conjunction with Graves and other umbra sinners (000 or Bai Yi as main DPS, Angel). Parfait is a core part of the team that brings a damage boost and healing to the team. If you have sinners that are part of the team and you enjoy the playstyle, Parfait is an essential component. See special teams section for more information.
[TIER LIST] (Current up to Graves):
The following tier list is created for new players. It is based on the specific elements that you will need to form a balanced team. Eventually you’ll need at least 2 teams: a physical DPS team and a magic DPS team. You’ll likely start by building your physical team first and eventually a magic team. Magic damage units are generally more rare than physical units. This tier list is based on lists from Crabbit and Jiu. If a character does not appear on this list it does not mean they are not viable. It will depend on what units you already have, the encounter, the number of shackles and how far you’ve leveled them. Many units are usable. Instead the list focuses on the characters that standout and their role giving new players options to keep in mind when planning on who to summon for and who to pass on.
Physical DPS:
000 (3 core large AOE breaker, top DPS), Deren (low energy core break, burst DPS), Mantis (lesser version of Deren), Dreya (bleed DPS carry), Bianca (weak spot DPS carry), Shrooma (high DPS for an A rank)
P. DPS WAVE CLEAR:
Nox (free unit), Lady Pearl (attack speed buffer), Langley (long range and damage amp), Donald (electro amp, potential for future electro team),Jane (one of the best A ranks)
Magic DPS:
Yingying (enables critical hits for a magic team), Shalom (top magic DPS), Vautour Bleu (low energy core breaker and burst DPS), Yao (burn DPS carry)
M. DPS WAVE CLEAR:
Hestia (AOE map wide wave clear), Lamia (A rank option for magic DPS)
Tank:
Moore (shields/buffer), Vanilla (burst DPS, pair with McQueen), Golan (weak spot tank), Levy (bleed tank), Yugu (tank for the new crit magic team)
Utility/Buffs:
LL (gives energy), Jelena (MDPS team support), Graves (Umbra team support), Cabernet (team damage amp), Owo (attack buffer), Raven (team magic buffer), Enfer (fear, single ally buffer)
Healer:
Du Ruo (heals, revives, some burst damage),Coquelic (hybrid, deals true damage, can be DPS carry with investment, heals), Hamel (considered the best healer), Ariel (A rank option)
Core Breakers:
Labyrinth, Che, Hecate (easy to build beginner friendly core breakers that can still be used in mid-late game)
[Units to Consider for Reforge]:
Summer: The main DPS carry for a new top tier team with an upcoming sinner (Shin).
Bai Yi: A potential DPS carry for the umbra team.
Nox: A unit that everyone has access to and continues to remain relevant with reforge.
[GAME CHANGING UNITS]:
These characters make a significant impact to your team and can be the difference between being able to clear or not clear certain content. Many of the game changing units can perform their role and also offer good core breaking utility. For the DPS units you will usually notice a clear difference in your overall damage output with them on the team. Some of the units are limited/anniversary only characters that you can usually only pull for once a year. Saving up for them is well worth it.
Physical DPS:
000 (zero): This was the 2nd anniversary character. She can do an area wide (3×4) 3 core break and she can be the damage carry on your physical team. A 3 core AOE break is a game changer. In later story chapters and on certain end game encounters having one sinner do a 3 core break is massive as some enemy units can recover cores if not broken in quick succession. Easily one of the most fun, powerful and useful units to have on a team.
Deren: A physical DPS carry that can do significant burst damage with their ultimate. For new players Deren can help a lot especially in campaign missions when you don’t have many other options but need burst damage and easy core breaking. Deren is a staple on most physical damage teams due to her burst damage and mobility (can move with their ultimate) as well as her low energy core break. As an older unit, she can be outperformed by new meta units; however, she still holds value for new players who are just starting out.
Nox: A fundamental unit for your early game team that is free. Nox will be part of your physical damage team for a long time. She can act as a pseudo tank as well as clear waves of enemies with her ultimate. Good wave clear early on is more rare and Nox fills this role well.
Magic DPS:
Yingying: A core unit for the new critical hit magic team. Her shackle 1 creates a large diamond AOE. A game changer that enables a magic team to do top damage.
Vautour Bleu: Can shred enemies with her ultimate and carry a team. Core break is low energy cost and can be used often. Can clear waves and do damage to bosses.
Shalom: A magic DPS carry that can do both single target damage and nuke mobs at a distance with her ultimate. Shalom is a game changing magic DPS. As good magic units are rare she is a core component on most magic teams.
Yao: This is your magic DPS boss killer and the main damage dealer of the burn team. Yao’s unique mechanic is to consume an allied sinner and in return gain a massive buff. This allows them to shred bosses. At a minimum it is recommended to build Thistle as it is Yao’s best damage support buffer.
Core Breaker:
Labyrinth: Don’t let the B-Class rank fool you. Labyrinth is a top tier core breaker. Her unique mechanic allows her to regain a charge of her ultimate if the core that is broken on the enemy is their last core. It’s a game changing mechanic that allows Labyrinth to break multiple cores on multiple enemies across the map. Even in the end game and for certain boss battles, Labyrinth is usually an important option to have or at least consider adding to a team. What makes certain fights difficult can be the ability to easily and quickly break cores and Labyrinth is one of the best in the game at their role. Her ultimate damage can also be surprising and burst weaker mobs.
Utility:
LL: Provides energy and skill damage boost. Energy is the core mechanic in this game and being able to gain more of it is a game changer. It also enables you to use other chief skills. A very powerful support unit that can transform a team.
[Underrated Units]:
These units are usually underrated in many tier lists. However, as you acquire more of their shackles they can become quite powerful and may have a spot on certain teams. They may not be a top pick when you are deciding to pull, but if you happen to acquire more of their shackles their value increases significantly.
Physical DPS:
Vanilla: With more shackles can be a top tier burst DPS that can shred bosses and outperform other top DPS characters. This is due to the addition of new crimebrands (Illusory Moon + Spawn) and support characters like L.L that can provide extra energy (and boost skill damage) to enable her to use her ultimate multiple times during a core break. Shackles make a massive difference helping Vanilla stay in corrupted form more often. On challenges that have a Vanilla specific buff she can in some cases solo that challenge. It may not be possible for all players; however, it does showcase her incredible burst potential.
Angell: With even 1 shackle can become a top DPS unit especially on maps with more cores. Many of the more challenging maps have a lot of cores. Although she breaks cores and uses cores to power up, she acts more like an AOE DPS unit than just a core breaker. She usually needs to be paired with a low cost core breaker to enable her and get her started to gain energy and continuously fire her ultimate. The AOE aspect of her ultimate is often overlooked. You can shred mobs and hit the boss at the same time.
Hybrid:
Coquelic: Deals true damage (hence can go up against any enemy). Is a hybrid DPS and healer. As you gain make shackles, she can become a main DPS carry. Her healing is often overlooked. However, some maps and challenges can deal significant team wide damage and having another healing source beyond a main healer can make those maps significantly easier. This is an aspect of Coquelic and the game that is often not talked about. She can make maps where there is heavy team wide damage much easier to play for the average player.
Wave Clear:
Hestia: One of the more underrated characters at release that is now starting to shine and find their spot on teams. Hestia’s ultimate allows her to shred mobs anywhere on the map. A powerful ability that allows her to have a spot on many different teams. As you acquire more shackles, she can become more of a DPS carry.
[SPECIAL TEAMS]:
The next list includes the special teams that exist in the game. These are combinations of characters that on their own aren’t necessarily used but as a team they form a cohesive squad. Special teams are usually able to deal high damage but are restricted to certain formations limiting their overall flexibility and utility (depending on who is on the team). The most accessible (and currently top tier physical DPS) is the weak spot team (some units you can acquire in the exchange shop). The weak spot team is quite flexible because it only requires 3 units and comes with a healer (Shawn) and tank (Golan) allowing you to add other units as needed (e.g. other core breakers or sub DPS). These teams take time to build as you are leveling multiple units but are powerful once completed.
SUMMER REFORGED (*not pictured): This team includes Summer (full reforge) as the main DPS along with Moore (tank/support), Jelena (support), Eve (support) and Shin (healer/support). It’s one of the top performing teams, but does require many SSR units.
UMBRA (*not pictured): This is a new team that we are still waiting for all the members. It consists of:
000 (DPS) or Bai Yi (will become a main DPS with upcoming patch), Angel (DPS), Graves(Umbra Support), Parfait (new unit). This team even in its incomplete state puts out a lot of damage and can compete with other top tier teams.
MAGIC CRITICAL HIT: New top magic DPS team based on critical hits (one of the top DPS teams at the moment).
Yugu (tank), Yingying (DPS/crit enabler), Vautour Blue (DPS, core breaker), Jelena (buffer), Hestia (wave clear), Wuhuanzi (arcane DPS)
WEAK SPOT: Current top DPS physical team.
Bianca (main DPS), Shawn (healer), Golan (tank)
BLEED: Still a solid physical DPS team.
Dreya (main DPS), Levy (tank), Sumire (core breaker), Pepper, Jasmine (core breaker and buffer)
BURN (Magic DPS): Good burst damage with Yao and can wave clear with Hestia
Yao (main DPS), Thistle (best support for Yao), YanYan (wave clear), Hestia (sub DPS, wave clear), Du Ruo (healer, optional but helpful in a long fight)
ATTACK SPEED: Requires more investment as 2 S-Ranks are needed
Lady Pearl (main DPS), Coquelic (true damage), Pricilla, Matilda
SUMMON: Requires more investment as 3 S-Ranks are needed
Eve, Eleven, Enfer, Shrooma
UNITS FOR THE EARLY GAME:
There are several great characters you can get for free. The first priority is completing the new player quests. This will unlock Nox, one of the best units in the entire game. Nox can deal damage, wave clear/core break (with their ultimate) and do some tanking. An additional notable physical DPS unit is Jane. She is a newer A-Rank that excels at clearing waves. She can also deal good boss damage. Depending on the fight/scenario she can even out damage some S-rank units. Another exceptional unit is Labyrinth. She is a B-Rank but don’t let that fool you. She is a top tier core breaker. The unique mechanic she has is that if the core she breaks is the last one on the enemy she can perform her ultimate again. This allows you to chain her ultimate, busting cores all over the map like a boss. If built correctly, she also has surprising burst potential against mobs. Another notably core breaker is Che another B-Rank sinner. Che can break 2 cores with a fairly large area of effect. This makes Che very helpful when facing multiple elites that have numerous cores. Lastly, the other core breaker you’ll have access to is Hecate. Hecate is an A-Rank sinner that allows you to break 2 cores (after you level up to phase 2).This early team of Nox, Labyrinth, Che and Hecate will allow you to tackle a variety of challenges in the early game. B and A rank units also cost less to level up making them more resource efficient.
Physical DPS: Nox, Jane, Shrooma, Flora
Magic DPS: Lamia, Luvia Ray, Joan
Tank: Golan, Levy, Chelsea, Demolia
Core Breaker: Labyrinth, Che, Hecate, EMP
Healer: Ariel
LEVELING UP:
A common question in the early game is who to focus on leveling up? The first priority will be to focus on your main DPS. They will gain power through levels, skill levels and their crime brand. Each unit has a different priority in what skills to level first and to what degree. You can follow a guide like the one from Crabbit. Your core breakers and support units should be leveled up so they don’t die easily. Their utility/core breaking ability is more important than just their damage as the majority of your damage will likely come from your main DPS. Resources to level characters is scarce especially for higher levels. Eventually you’ll get your main DPS to phase 3 (and level 80-90), unlock their exclusive crime brand and level up their skills to the appropriate level as per the previously mentioned guide. The other support units you will likely have around level 70 phase 2 (unless they are an essential part of the team in which case you’ll level them like your main DPS).
TEAM BUILDING:
To tackle end game content like Broken Frontline you’ll eventually need at least 2 teams: a physical and a magic DPS squad. As stated earlier, its important the type of units you have within a team. You’ll need to fill specific roles. The core components will include a main DPS carry and cost effective core breakers (ex. Labyrinth). Then you’ll add in support units like a wave clear/mob killer, healer (if needed), damage amplification (ex. Cabernet) and/or a tank (ex. Vanilla) if needed. Don’t underestimate the value of having the right support units. The right team composition can make impossible battles manageable. Pay close attention especially when you need energy efficient core breakers and a wave clearing DPS. These elements can make frustrating battles much easier.
CRIME BRANDS:
Crime brands are items that offer certain stat boosts and when worn in a set provide a unique passive. There are numerous ones in the game and allow you to augment your units in different ways. Building up your collection of crime brands is slow in the early stages and you won’t have too many options but if you stick it out eventually you’ll have what you need. Here’s a quick basic guide to some of the more common ones organized by role/utility. More specific crime brands for different units can be found in a guide like the one from Crabbit.
Don’t underestimate the impact of choosing the right crimebrand for members of your team. Optimal crimebrand selection can be the difference between success or failure especially on more challenging missions. In addition, it’s just as important to have the right crimebrands for your DPS and your supports. That extra bit of damage from a team wide buff can be massive.
Sample General Crime Brands: These are just general examples. Many units especially your DPS carry will have specific sets that are best for them. There are many possible choices and each crime brand should be chosen for the specific unit and their role.
[Energy Boost]:
Tuning Zero/Hope/Corridor Echo
This combo will start the unit off with more energy and gain energy after using Chief skills. It’s helpful for a variety of units like core breakers and even some DPS and support units. A good option if energy is an issue.
[Tanks]:
In Host’s Name/Creed of Bulwark
This combination allows your tank to gain +1 block and reduces damage taken by 8% for each blocked enemy.
[Tanks that Need Sustain]:
Fury (HP self heal), Creed of Bulwark (Block +1), Rift Palace (Decrease enemy damage)
[Main DPS Boss Fights]:
Embrace of the Dead
This crimebrand allows the character to deal 40% increased damage to core broken enemies. Elites and bosses are the biggest threats in battle hence this crime brand on your main DPS has a massive impact.
[Movement Based DPS Core breakers]:
Premonition (adds true damage to core break), Singularity (attack speed increase after movement), Pioneer (attack increase)
[Magic DPS core breaker]:
Path of Doom (skill damage boost), The City of Sins (HP and Attack boost), Corridor Echo (initial energy)
[Magic DPS that needs energy]:
Overthrown Tower (crit rate), Inversion Slash (energy gain)
[General Magic DPS]:
Asura (magic and skill damage boost with a shield)
[Skill Damage DPS]:
Illusory Moon (skill damage boost), Heavy Contamination (damage boost)
[Physical High Energy Cost Core Breaker DPS]:
Heart’s Rebellion (additional true damage on core damage), Dawn after Darkness (physical and skill damage boost)
[Physical Penetration for Bosses or Elites]:
Behind the Mask (physical penetration boost)
[Ranged Wave Clear]:
Solo Dance: Increases normal damage if there are no nearby enemies, otherwise increases ultimate damage.
[Physical Ranged DPS]:
Rising Wind (physical damage buff)
[Supports Buff]:
Nightmare Revelation: Grants the team increased attack by 6% and attack speed by 10% for the first 30 seconds. It may not seem like a lot since its temporary, but it can make a big difference in tougher encounters like broken frontlines.
[Supports Buff Set 2]:
Justice: (team wide attack boost)
[Physical Supports]:
Soul Rift: Reduce target’s defense by 4% after every normal attack for 5 seconds. Stacks 3 times.
[Magic Support]:
Oasis: Reduces magic resistance of enemies
[Support that Needs Core Break]:
Paradise Regained: Gives any unit the added ability to core break.
[Core Breaker Team Wide Damage Buff]:
Heartache: Upon breaking a core increases the damage the enemy takes by 20% for 15 seconds. This can be a massive buff against bosses or elites. It’s important to consider this crimebrand for one of the core breakers on your team.
[Healer]:
Final Prologue: Increases healing by 25%
POTESTAS (Chief Abilities):
These are the various skills that you as the Chief can cast to help your team. The most commonly used one is Empower that allows a unit to gain energy. It’s super versatile and allows you to get that extra boost to break a core, heal or go for burst damage ect. However, if you are stuck on a mission experiment with the other powers as well. Last Stand (boosts team damage) can transform a fight. In addition, even basic powers like Heal or Shield can go a long way to make your team more tanky if they are getting shredded. Ignite with the stun is also surprising useful in certain situations where you need to stall and break cores.
MBCC Facility: Resources
This feature allows you to auto farm resources. It’s worth it to level up certain sections as you progress. You can achieve an optimal layout by making the path to each section more direct/efficient. Once you reach max you can also use extra alloy to speed up farming and gain the material instantly. You can even farm the premium currency (hypercubes) from here.
GAMEPLAY MODES:
There are 5 main gameplay modes. Much of the content is story driven and offers a challenge even for appropriate levelled teams. This keeps encounters interesting as for the most part you aren’t just coasting by but having to pay attention to what’s happening and what you need to do each moment.
i. DisCity- Campaign
The initial chapters of the story campaign are quite captivating and pull you into the world. As you progress there is a major difficulty spike at chapter 10. This is usually the point where you’ll need to pause your progression in the story to level up your units especially your main DPS. Making sure you have the appropriate composition of characters is also key (ex. Core breakers like Labyrinth and Che).
ii. The Rust – Resources
Encounters here allow you to farm various resources needed to level up your team.
iii. DisSea
There are a variety of battles here that require different teams. This includes:
a. Oblivion Pit
Battles here allow you to acquire currency to use in the supply office. Namely resources to unlock characters’ exclusive crime brands.
b. Broken Frontline
These are boss type encounters that scale up as you progress and rotate on a specific schedule. The resources you gain here allow you to level up character skills to the max level. At some point battles here will become very challenging. But stay with it. You’ll learn the mechanics and develop the right team with time. It’s incredibly rewarding once you do but it does require patience and an openness to continually problem solve and examine how to optimize your team.
c. Eternal Nightmare
A unique gameplay mode that allows you to recruit units (that you don’t currently own) and use them exclusive in the Eternal Nightmare. You also gain items that give your team buffs. It’s a fun mode that encourage experimenting with units you would not normally choose.
IV. Interrogations/Mirage
This side story content usually elaborates on a characters backstory. It’s also a good source of premium resources. Do as many as you can. Some are fully voiced while many are not. The story themselves are often quite intriguing and surprising in their subject matter and depth. Characters that you assume are one way or somehow stereotypical of a certain persona end up revealing traits and stories that make you view them in an entirely new light. This is one aspect that makes the game so intriguing. Nothing is as it seems on the surface.
V. Events
One of the standout features of this game is the sheer creativity and innovation in events. Each event is dramatically different than the next often incorporating new ways to play the game that go beyond just tower defense. They also often involve interesting stories and character moments.
SUPPLY OFFICE:
Various currency you acquire from the gameplay modes mentioned above can be exchanged for resources here. The most notable being crime brands, relic chests (for leveling high level skills) and soul marks (used to unlock exclusive crime brands). In addition, a limited amount of relics and soul marks are usually discounted. You want to purchase as much of the discounted resources for relics and soul marks as you can to help level up your units.
PREPARING FOR & HOW TO GET THROUGH CHAPTER 10:
Chapter 10 in the main story quest is a significant jump in challenge compared to previous chapters especially for a new player. After you make it through chapter 10, you’ll be much more prepared for the remaining chapters. Here are a few tips to consider as you progress through the story in order to prepare for it.
1. Be Selective in Who You Level Up:
It’s very tempting to level up a wide range of characters so you can experiment, but once you have a core team it’s best to level up that core primary team first before using resources towards other characters. You want to level up a unit’s base level as well as their skills. The priority and order of skills can be found on something like the PTN wiki. Lastly, be prepared to temporarily pause your story progress while you gather resources to level your team. This is why chapter 10 feels so different, because previously you could normally progress non-stop. However, chapter 10 is in many ways a level check in that you will need to have the proper team at the right base level and skill level in order to proceed.
2. Team Composition:
The right team composition will make a significant difference. You’ll need strong DPS units to make it through most of the battles. You’ll likely have Nox but you’ll usually need another DPS or sub DPS unit(s) to assist with both single target damage and wave clear. This is where strong exclusive/limited units like 000, Deren or Shalom can help. A-rank sub DPS options include Jane or Shrooma. If you have a full weak spot team built, that is also a great option. In addition, a healer is likely to be need for some sections. S-rank options include Hamel or Du Ruo. For an A-rank option you can use Ariel. Lastly, you may or may not need a tank. For the most part your fury units can usually tank for you (Nox or Deren) but some enemies can only be stopped by a tank (that can block 2 at least). Some S-Rank options include OwO, Vanilla, or Rahu. A or B-rank options include Golan, Levy, Chelsea or Demolia. This is not an all encompassing list, but some options to consider.
3. Low Energy Cost Core Breakers:
The most challenging encounters in chapter 10 involve units with many cores. Making sure you have a team of low energy cost core breakers is essential. You will likely have Labyrinth and Che. As mentioned in the DPS section, Deren is a good option for the DPS burst damage, but also for the core break. In similar fashion, Vautour Bleu, has a low cost core break and can also be a magic DPS carry. You’ll notice that a lot of good meta characters can usually core break and do something else like DPS/heal/support. Keep an eye out for that. Other free to play (F2P) options for core breakers include: Hecate or EMP. However, if you already have better S-rank options then you should use those instead.
TIPS FOR CHALLENGING BATTLES:
Here are some tips to consider for more challenging fights like Broken Frontline.
1. Team Composition:
Here are a few questions to consider if you are struggling with a certain battle. Are you able to do enough single target damage? Who is your DPS carry and do you need to include a damage amplifier support or sub DPS? Do you have enough low energy cost core breaking? Are your units dying to quickly? Do you need to bring a healer or tank? Are you able to clear the mobs? Do you need to bring a wave clear unit? Lastly, do not be afraid to experiment with your team compositions. The best thing about this game is that you do have options. There are many underrated characters in this game. They may not be listed as a current ‘meta’ character but it doesn’t mean they can’t make a significant difference on your team. For example, my magic team needed some core breaking and wave clear. I was able to use Angell. Since she was paired with Vautour Bleu (who can easily break cores), Angell was able to get a lot of energy and in turn break many cores and do a lot of burst AOE damage. The map also had a lot of cores. She was able to put up damage just under what Yao was able to. Moreover, there was less healing required because mobs were dying so quick. I also tested it with Labyrinth. Although, Labyrinth could easily break cores she didn’t have the same AOE burst damage. You won’t see any recommendations for this anywhere. Take what you’ve learned but also experiment and apply it to your team and the specific battle.
2. Level:
Is your team at the appropriate level? This includes not just their overall level but also the level of their skills and their exclusive crime brand level. In particular, the skill level of your DPS carries can make a big difference. Also, if you have the premium currency available when there is a re-run for one of your top DPS carries you should consider if it’s helpful to pull for another copy and get a shackle. There are certain game changing breakpoints for shackles that can really transform a unit’s performance. In addition, there is usually a hierarchy to which skills should be prioritized first and the levels they need to reach. You can find out that information from guides like the ones from the PTN wiki.
3. Crime Brands:
For the most challenging encounters every unit’s crime brand will make a difference. Is the crime brand for your DPS carry the best one? Also, don’t overlook the crime brand for your support units especially ones that can boost your teams damage or help with energy. They can be the difference between winning or losing or scoring much need points in broken frontlines. Once again, you can check the PTN wiki for more details.
4. Positioning:
One of the most underrated but important aspects is your unit placement. If you are struggling with a battle, pay attention to where units are placed. Where are the DPS units? Tanks? Healers? Which positions are best for your most vulnerable characters? Unit placement can turn very tough battles into much easier fights.
5. Game Speed:
If things are happening too quickly, you can change the game speed to 1x. You can also select a unit to bring up their abilities and slow down time as you wait for enemies to get in position or for cores to appear. This can help you to cast an ultimate at the exact moment you need it. For tough battles, this can help as even fractions of a second in core breaking/casting an ultimate can make a difference.
6. When to cast AOE and Core Breaking Skills:
To effectively make the most of your units’ ultimates look for the optimal opportunities to cast your skills. This is especially helpful when core breaking and trying to clear waves. For example, it can be tempting to try to core break an enemy right away, but it may be more effective and energy efficient to wait. By waiting until multiple enemies are within an AOE skill’s effective range you can then make the most use of the skill. Perhaps waiting will then line up multiple enemies with cores and/or group up enemies. That ultimate can now shred the entire group because you waited until they were in position. This makes the most difference in harder battles like broken front lines. It can change what feels like an impossible battle into something that is manageable. In addition, look for opportunities, to cast AOE skills that will both break boss cores and damage any surrounding mobs. This will help you once again make the most of your ultimates.
7. Select the Optimal Chief Ability:
It can be very tempting to stick with the most used chief ability, Empower since energy management is game changing. However, it may or may not always be the best option. Another potent option is Last Stand (damage buff). If you are having problems in a fight, you may want to consider trying other options.
8. Understand Boss Abilities:
For the most challenging fights that you are getting stuck on take some time to read and understand the enemies’ abilities. Some boss mechanics can be more complex than others. For example, some will throw out debuffs and you need to move or adjust in specific ways or an ally will die. If you are having problems or struggling to stay alive, understanding the mechanics of the boss and stage, will help you to make the adjustments that are needed. Also, understand your damage windows. For instance, can you burst that boss down during their first core break or should you wait till their 2nd core break phase? Knowing when you can go all out will help you to finish a fight.
CLOSING TIPS
This is a game that rewards patience and continuous problem solving. The more you can sit with it and enjoy the story moments and challenge the more it’ll draw you in. Like most gacha games it rewards slower progression. On top of that it can be challenging. You may even think am I even good at this type of game. There’s much more depth and nuance to combat that what appears on the surface. Battles are more akin to puzzles you need to solve. Understand the mechanics and what’s needed in the encounter and you’ll be rewarded with a win. If you do get stuck examine the tips from the previous section. Stick it out and there’s an incredible story driven tower defense experience here. Enjoy your travels through DisCity!
THANKS
Thanks for checking out this overview friend! Neon Vanguard is about curating games in the mobile and indie space. Leading the charge to illuminate and help you find new games that you are passionate about. If you enjoyed this content, please like, share or subscribe. Your support is greatly appreciated and makes a difference. Interested in other games? Check out our latest
reviews.
Leave a Reply