Welcome to the ultimate Valby Build Guide for the 2024 Valby build, also known as The Hydromancer, in The First Descendant. This advanced-level guide assumes you already have a solid understanding of Valby’s mechanics and gameplay style. Here, we delve into the exclusive transcendent modules that set the Ultimate Valby apart and provide strategies to maximize your efficiency in various scenarios.
Understanding the Differences
Valby vs. Ultimate Valby
The stat differences between Valby and Ultimate Valby are minimal. However, the real distinction lies in the exclusive transcendent modules available to the ultimate variant. These modules can significantly enhance your gameplay, making Valby a formidable force in both farming and boss battles.
Key Transcendent Modules
- Hydro Pressure Bomb: This module transforms one of Valby’s least useful abilities into a powerful dive bomb, dealing millions of damage on a short cooldown. It’s particularly effective in farming setups when used with Multi-talented.
- Spiral Title Wave: Exclusive to Ultimate Valby, this module enhances the Bubble Bullet, increasing damage and range while adding free stacks. It also magnetizes Gluttony’s orbs, making cooldown management easier.
- Supply Moisture: The most powerful and often confusing module, Supply Moisture boosts firearm critical hit rate, attribute trigger rate, skill critical hit rate, and skill duration when on water. These bonuses apply before any mods or weapon rolls, making it essential for boss battles.
Build Focus: Spiral Title Wave
This guide focuses on the Spiral Title Wave build, optimizing Valby for spamming this ability and efficiently using the cleanup skill during downtime.
Rotation Strategy
- Spam Spiral Title Wave: Use this ability three to four times quickly.
- Switch to Cleanup: Once Spiral Title Wave’s duration ends, use Cleanup to maintain damage output.
- Repeat: By the time Cleanup finishes, Spiral Title Wave will be ready to use again.
Addressing Mana and Cooldown Issues
To consistently spam Spiral Title Wave, you need to manage mana and cooldown effectively:
- Mana Management: Use Energy Collection and Selective Recovery. Despite MP conversion reducing MP by 15%, the high MP recovery makes up for it.
- Cooldown Management: Ensure you have a sensor with MP recovery in combat. Without this, your energy collection and recovery mods will be ineffective.
Equipment Recommendations
- Ultimate Skater Set: Valby lacks a proper ultimate skater, but the first set bonus from Annihilation (5.7% duration) is beneficial.
- Defensive Mods: Prioritize defense, HP, and MP recovery for the reactor and memory components.
- Weapon Choice: Focus on a weapon build such as Tamer Python or Enduring Legacy for the best results.
Detailed Analysis of Transcendent Modules
Hydro Pressure Bomb
Hydro Pressure Bomb is a game-changer, converting one of Valby’s less useful abilities into a powerful dive bomb. This ability can deal damage in the millions on a 2-second cooldown, making it incredibly efficient for farming. The key to maximizing this ability is to prep your targets with laundry and utilize multi-talented for a high-impact, rapid attack sequence.
Spiral Title Wave
Spiral Title Wave significantly improves Valby’s Bubble Bullet. It increases the damage and range, adds free stacks, and magnetizes Gluttony’s orbs. This enhancement not only makes the Bubble Bullet more powerful but also more user-friendly by reducing the cooldown period and improving overall usability. This module shines in scenarios requiring quick, repeated attacks.
Supply Moisture
Supply Moisture is perhaps the most misunderstood yet most powerful module in Valby’s arsenal. When standing on water, it boosts firearm critical hit rate, attribute trigger rate, skill critical hit rate, and duration. These bonuses are applied before any mods or weapon rolls, making them highly potent. For bossing, Supply Moisture is unmatched, delivering the highest damage output when paired with a fully built weapon like Tamer Python or Enduring Legacy.
Solo Boss Strategies
Valby excels in solo boss fights with the right build and strategy. Here are some tips for tackling the most challenging bosses:
Executioner and Devour
These bosses are manageable with Valby’s build. The time-to-kill is approximately 5-6 minutes, thanks to the high damage output from Hydro Pressure Bomb and Spiral Title Wave. Maintain a rotation of these abilities to keep up consistent damage and avoid taking unnecessary hits.
Pyro
Pyro can be soloed in about five minutes. Utilize close-range combat tactics by positioning yourself on the left platform and circling around Pyro. This strategy allows you to dodge attacks while dealing continuous damage. For additional damage, use a sniper rifle to target the canister on Pyro’s back.
Swamp Walker
Swamp Walker poses a unique challenge due to his tendency to stand in lava. This environmental hazard counters Valby’s gameplay style, making the fight difficult. Focus on positioning and timing to minimize damage taken from the lava. Consider switching to a Supply Moisture build for this encounter.
Dead Bride
Dead Bride is one of the toughest bosses for Valby due to her ranged combat style. A Supply Moisture build is recommended for this fight, allowing you to deal higher damage from a distance. Focus on avoiding her attacks and maintaining consistent pressure with your abilities.
Farming and Mobbing
Valby isn’t the top farming descendant, but she can still be highly effective with the right tactics:
Strategic Outpost Farming
Despite recent nerfs, using Cleanup while gliding remains one of the better gold farming strategies. This method allows you to quickly clear mobs and collect resources without needing to spam abilities excessively.
General Mobbing
For general mobbing, focus on efficient use of Cleanup. This ability is highly effective for clearing groups of enemies, allowing you to maintain a steady flow of damage and control over the battlefield.
Conclusion
Valby is an incredible descendant with a unique and enjoyable gameplay style. Her transcendent modules offer varied builds, each with its strengths. While Supply Moisture remains the top choice for bossing, the Spiral Title Wave build provides a fun and effective alternative for those looking to mix things up.
Remember, not every build needs to be meta to be enjoyable. Valby’s charm lies in her versatility and engaging play style. Whether you’re soloing hard mode bosses or farming resources, Valby offers a dynamic and rewarding experience.
Thank you for reading this ultimate guide to the Valby build for 2024. If you found this guide helpful, please share it with your fellow gamers and consider supporting us using the creator code in the description below. Until next time, happy gaming!
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