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| − | I'm far from the best player in the game, but I've been playing for a while. So I thought I might share some of my hard-won knowledge with less-experienced players, and try to clear up some misconceptions that seem to be common. Have any comments or questions? Feel free to contact me on my [[User talk:jdavis|talk page]].
| + | {| align="right" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="border:\#c9c9c9 1px solid; margin: 0em 0em 0em 1em; border-collapse: collapse;" |
| | + | | style="background:#404080;"|[[File:Bopp.png]] |
| | + | |} |
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| − | ==Advice==
| + | [[File:BoppPurpleSpiral.png|thumb|right|A proud moment for me.]] |
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| − | For beginners:
| + | Hi. You're probably here for my guides to ''Spiral Knights'': |
| − | * Do not buy 0-star or 1-star equipment. See my [[#Buying Guide|Buying Guide]]. | + | *[[User:Jdavis/Swords|Swords]] is my most popular guide. |
| − | * Understand that Spiral Knights is designed as a cooperative, not a competitive, game. In particular, there is no need to compete with your fellow party members over [[crown]]s, [[heat]], [[mineral]]s, [[heart]]s, [[token]]s, or [[material]]s. Read the [[Party]] article for details on what is shared and what is not. | + | *[[User:Jdavis/Armor|Armor]] might actually be better than Swords. |
| − | * Start learning the [[#Etiquette|Etiquette]] of the game. In particular, learn the difference between [[reviving]] with health and with energy. Try to revive with health as much as possible, and to let others revive you with health. This saves everyone energy in the long run. | + | *[[User:Jdavis/Shields|Shields]] is my newest guide. |
| − | * Learn how to speak out loud (press Enter/Return and type), how to whisper/tell to another player (type "/tell NAME MESSAGE"), and how to reply when someone whispers to you (by pressing R and typing). See the [[Chat]] article.
| + | *[[User:Jdavis/Forging|Forging]] helps you save Radiant Fire Crystals. |
| | + | *[[User:Jdavis/UVs|Unique Variants]] is unfinished but helps you plan your spending anyway. |
| | + | *[[User:Jdavis/5-Star Items|List of 5-Star Items]] is a reference with all the key information. |
| | + | *[[User:Jdavis/FAQs|Frequently Asked Questions]] answers miscellaneous questions that come up on the forums. |
| | + | Over the years I've started several other guides, which are too incomplete or outdated even to mention. |
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| − | For intermediate players:
| + | I started playing ''Spiral Knights'' shortly after the game launched in April 2011. I'm not the best player around, but I'm an advanced player who has observed many other advanced players. I've soloed all of the content except the [[Shadow Lair]]s and [[Kat|Margrel]]. I own a wide variety of 5-star weapons and armor, including at least one of each "style" and almost all swords. |
| − | * Learn how [[#Damage and Status Effects|Damage and Status Effects]] work! These control your shopping and your fighting (unless you are focused exclusively on bombs).
| + | |
| − | * Skill matters very little in Strata 1 and 2, but it matters much more later on. Practice kiting (herding monsters by maneuvering around them) combined with charge attacks. Practice dodging, instead of just relying on shielding. But also practice shielding, which is surprisingly subtle. Master the technique of "popping" your shield (stand next to a monster and turn on your shield briefly) to move monsters around. Intermix attacks with shielding to alter how attack animations behave. Some very interesting tutorials can be found on [http://www.youtube.com YouTube].
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| − | * Learn all of the [[#Etiquette|Etiquette]] of the game.
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| − | * Do not use the charge attack on a [[Cutter]]-line sword. It takes too long and leaves you too exposed to damage.
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| − | I'm not going to pretend to give advice to expert players. Instead, let me just list some attributes that I have recognized, as I've played with some of the best players in the game.
| + | Under the name Bopp, I've spent a lot of time on the forums and the wiki, learning the rules and items, giving advice, contributing data, writing wiki pages, etc. Sometimes people try to befriend Bopp in the game. However, this knight just works the forums and wiki, while my other knights do the playing. I keep them separate, so that conflicts from one world don't spill into the other. '''Please don't be upset when I don't respond''' to friend requests in the game. |
| − | *Knowledge: An expert player knows the damage susceptibilities and resistances of the monsters, and uses weapons to which the monsters are vulnerable. When she begins a new stratum, she quickly figures out how many hits she needs to take down a [[Gun Puppy|gun puppy]] there. She knows exactly how long her weapon takes to charge and how long a monster takes to wind up for attack; this is how she can manage split-second timing of attacks, shielding, maneuvering, healing, reviving, etc. She has the boss levels and arenas memorized; this is how she can unleash an attack on a monster as it appears.
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| − | *Patience: An expert player is accustomed to Strata 5 and 6, where monsters do huge damage even to heavily armored knights. He knows how to play carefully. When he enters a room with gun puppies and [[lichen]]s, he retreats, to fight the lichens away from the gun puppies (unless he's feeling very confident). In contrast, novice players often get surrounded by monsters and die. An expert player is willing to slowly but safely wear down monsters using, for example, freeze bombs that do little damage. Often, the expert player simply does not get hit at all.
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| − | *Equipment: Okay, equipment is important, but often not as important as novice players think it is. An expert player with poor equipment outperforms a novice player with superior equipment. There is no "best" suit of armor or "best" gun. An expert player has more than one set of equipment, and tailors his armor and weapons to the stratum he's facing.
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| − | *Etiquette: Etiquette doesn't exactly help your fighting, but it is remarkable to me, how uniformly polite expert players are. They share their pills, they revive each other with health, and they drop pickups and vitapods before returning to Haven. They often greet each other. They sometimes share their heat.
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| | | | |
| − | ==Damage and Status Effects==
| + | Some knights, whom I admire for forum posts, wiki editing, and research, include [[User:Vroom|Donkeyhaute]], Fehzor, Fradow, [[User:Acies|Glacies]], [[User:Gwenyvier|Gwenyvier]], [[User:Juances|Juances]], [[User:Katmint|Katmint]], Krakob, [[User:Novaster|Novaster]], [[User:Onox792|Sir-Onox]], [[User:BlarghBlargh|Skepticraven]], [[User:Trying|Trying]], and Zeddy. |
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| − | [[Damage]] is the single most important aspect of the rules of ''Spiral Knights'' to understand. There are four types of damage: normal, piercing, elemental, and shadow. The damage type that you inflict is determined by the weapon you're using. The damage type that a monster inflicts is determined by what family it's in and how deep in the Clockworks it is.
| + | Happy travels. |
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| − | Completely separate from the four kinds of damage are the seven kinds of [[status effect]]: fire, freeze, shock, curse, poison, stun, and sleep. New players often confuse damage and status effects, because many game events involve both. For example, suppose that a gun puppy fires an ice ball that hits you. The ice ball does two distinct things: It deals elemental damage to you (which lowers your health) and it induces the freeze status (which makes you unable to move your feet).
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| − | There is one relationship between damage and status: The fire, shock, and curse statuses result in damage. For example, when you are on fire, you periodically take damage from it, until it subsides. The damage is of its own special kind. Neither normal, nor elemental, nor piercing, nor shadow armor will lessen damage from fire; only fire-resistant armor lessens it. I am pretty sure that the same is true of damage from shock. I'm not sure about the damage that you do to yourself while cursed.
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| − | | + | |
| − | Try to acquire weapons that inflict status effects; all of the status effects are useful to inflict on monsters. Try to acquire armor that protects against fire, freeze, and shock, because these are serious and common. Curse is very serious but less common. Poison is less serious and less common. Stun mainly happens when a [[lumber]] or [[trojan]] hits you, but you shouldn't be letting them hit you anyway. I have never seen a monster inflict sleep.
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| − | | + | |
| − | As far as damage goes, you're going to need to memorize the following table.
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/start}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Monster Family}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Vulnerable To}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Neutral To}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Resistant To}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Inflicts}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[File:Gate_Icon-Slime.png|36px]] [[Monster#Slime Family|Slimes]]}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shadow}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental, Normal}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing}}
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[File:Gate_Icon-Gremlin.png|36px]] [[Monster#Gremlin Family|Gremlins]]}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shadow}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing, Normal}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[File:Gate_Icon-Beast.png|36px]] [[Monster#Beast Family|Beasts]]}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shadow, Normal}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[File:Gate_Icon-Fiend.png|36px]] [[Monster#Fiend Family|Fiends]]}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental, Normal}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shadow}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shadow}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[File:Gate_Icon-Undead.png|36px]] [[Monster#Undead Family|Undead]]}}
| + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing, Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shadow}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shadow}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[File:Gate_Icon-Construct.png|36px]] [[Monster#Construct Family|Constructs]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shadow, Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/end}}
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| − | First, consider the last column of the table. On Stratum 1, monsters don't actually inflict their preferred damage type; they inflict normal damage. As you go deeper into the Clockworks, monsters increasingly inflict their preferred damage. If you enter a fiend-themed Stratum 5 without shadow protection, then you're going to have a tough time. For your first big set of armor, you'll want to cover all four damage types. After that, get armor pieces that let you build specialized armor configurations, for example for the [[Firestorm Citadel]]. Before you enter any deep stratum of the Clockworks, examine the gate map and try to guess which armor configuration is most suitable.
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| − | | + | |
| − | Now consider the vulnerabilities and resistances of the monsters. Notice that all monsters are neutral to normal damage. This means that normal weapons are general-purpose, not specialized.
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| − | | + | |
| − | If you own only one 5-star sword, then it should probably be normal (and in particular [[Leviathan Blade]]). But if you're into swords, then you do not want a normal sword at all; you want to own one piercing sword, one elemental sword, and one shadow sword. If you have three weapon slots, then consider carrying all three; switch among them, based on the monster that you're fighting at the moment, to inflict maximum damage. If you have only two weapon slots, or if you'd like to carry some weapons other than swords, then carry two of your three swords. For example, let's say that you're carrying a piercing sword and an elemental sword. Use the piercing sword on gremlins, beasts, and fiends. Use the elemental sword on constructs, undead, and slimes. In this way, you can deal huge damage to beasts, fiends, undead, and constructs, and moderate damage to slimes and gremlins; you're never dealing low damage. Before you enter a stratum, check the gate map to see which two of your three swords seem most useful.
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| − | | + | |
| − | Similarly, if you own only one gun, then perhaps it should be normal, but if you're into guns, then you'll want to own a piercing gun, an elemental gun, and a shadow gun, and switch among them to deal as much damage as possible. If you carry a sword and a gun, then you could make them both normal, but consider making them distinct non-normal damage types instead. And what if you're into bombs? Then this damage-focused advice doesn't quite apply. Bombs are idiosyncratic, and bomb blasts often hit monsters of multiple families. For example, [[Graviton Vortex]] is the only shadow bomb, and it does very little damage, but it's valuable because it sucks monsters into a vortex, so that they can all be damaged by a subsequent attack.
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| − | | + | |
| − | ==Buying Guide==
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| − | | + | |
| − | Do not buy 0-star or 1-star equipment. Just save up for 2-star equipment. Why? Well, 0-star equipment is no better than the equipment with which you begin the game. As for 1-star equipment, most of it is not upgradeable. That means that you'll have to buy 2-star equipment eventually, whether or not you buy 1-star equipment along the way. The 1-star stuff has no long-term value. Its short-term value is also not great: It's not much more effective than 0-star equipment, and it doesn't let you access any more of the Clockworks than does 0-star equipment.
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| − | | + | |
| − | When you're ready to buy 2-star equipment, start with the [[armor|suit]], [[helmet]], and primary weapon. Then do your [[shield]]. I recommend this, because a shield protects you only while you are using it, and many beginning players are not great at using their shield yet. Then do your secondary weapon. And what should you buy? My first piece of advice is to plan based on 5-star items, not on 2-star items. 2-star items are temporary stepping stones on the path to 5-star items. One 2-star item may seem preferable to another 2-star item, but lead to a 5-star item that is not as good as the other's. Read up on every 5-star item on the ''Spiral Knights'' [[Main Page|wiki]].
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| − | | + | |
| − | Do you intend to be a pure swordsman, gunner, or bomber? If so, then consider armor specialized to those types (see below). If you have no idea what your weapon type is, or if you expect to use a mix (most players do), then consider armor that simply offers strong defense. For your first set of armor, you might want to strike a balance of different damage and status effect protections. For your next set of armor, you might want to get something ideal for the Firestorm Citadel or some other special situation. As far as weapons go, you want to be able to deal at least two types of special damage: piercing, elemental, or shadow. Then, by switching among your weapons, you will usually (4/6 of the time) be able to exploit your enemy's weakness, and you will never have to use a weapon on a monster, that it resists. Ideally, you would also have weapons that deal certain helpful status effects, such as poison, shock, or freeze. See [[#Damage and Status Effects|Damage and Status Effects]].
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| − | As you work toward a 5-star item, consider buying the 3-star item from another player (through the Auction House or not) and then upgrading twice yourself. Depending on energy prices, this may be more economical than crafting the 2- and 3-star versions yourself. You have fewer chances to acquire [[unique variant]]s, but unique variants can be purchased from the gremlins later anyway.
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| − | ===Swords===
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| − | [[Sword]]s come in three vague speed/weight categories. Roughly speaking, fast swords use 5-stroke combos, do little damage per hit, have a short reach, and offer little knockback. Slow swords use 2-stroke combos, do a lot of damage per hit, have a long reach, and knock back a lot. Medium-speed swords use 3-stroke combos with middling damage/reach/knockback. As far as damage type goes, there are no pure elemental or shadow swords.
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/start}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Name}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Damage}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Status}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Combo}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Notes}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Leviathan Blade]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Great charge.}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Cold Iron Vanquisher]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Bonus Undead High. Great charge. Slower than Leviathan Blade.}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Dread Venom Striker]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Poison}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|5}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Terrible charge. Good against Jelly King.}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Wild Hunting Blade]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|5}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Bonus Beast High. Terrible charge. Not as good as Dread Venom Striker.}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Sudaruska]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Stun}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Triglav]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Freeze}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Final Flourish]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Fearless Rigadoon]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Stun}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Less damage than Final Flourish.}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Furious Flamberge]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Fire}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Less damage than Final Flourish.}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Barbarous Thorn Blade]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Same as Final Flourish, except in charge.}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Combuster]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elem+Norm}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Fire}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Glacius]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elem+Norm}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Freeze}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Voltedge]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elem+Norm}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shock}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Divine Avenger]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elem+Norm}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Great charge.}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Fang of Vog]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elem+Norm}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Fire}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Great charge. Charge can set user on fire.}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Acheron]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shad+Norm}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Gran Faust]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shad+Norm}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Curse}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Charge can curse user.}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/end}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | If you're into swords, then seriously consider this equipment:
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| − | * Sword (Piercing): [[Final Flourish]] or [[Barbarous Thorn Blade]] (the other two seem less good)
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| − | * Sword (Elemental): [[Combuster]], [[Glacius]], [[Voltedge]], [[Divine Avenger]], or [[Fang of Vog]] (they all seem good)
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| − | * Sword (Shadow): [[Acheron]] or [[Gran Faust]] (the only two available)
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| − | * Handgun: [[Valiance]] (for general purposes) or [[Argent Peacemaker]] or an elemental or piercing gun (for Firestorm Citadel)
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| − | * Bomb: [[Shivermist Buster]] or maybe [[Electron Vortex]] (for crowd control)
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| − | * Helmet: [[Skolver Cap]], [[Vog Cub Cap]], or [[Divine Veil]]
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| − | * Armor: [[Skolver Coat]] or [[Vog Cub Coat]]
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| − | * Shield: [[Grey Owlite Shield]] or [[Barbarous Thorn Shield]]
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| − | | + | |
| − | ===Handguns===
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| − | [[Handgun]]s come in two broad speed categories: Some guns let you walk while firing, while others do not. The latter require great care, but generally do more damage per hit. In comparison to swords, there are many more guns of pure piercing, elemental, or shadow damage, and very few guns of mixed damage. Other major considerations are bullet speed and range; someday maybe I'll add them to this table.
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/start}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Name}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Damage}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Status}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Clip}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Walk?}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Notes}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Valiance]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Y}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Volcanic Pepperbox]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Fire}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|6}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|N}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Neutralizer]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Y}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Catalyzer-type.}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Supernova]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Y}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Higher damage at longer range. Irritatingly huge animation?}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Iron Slug]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|N}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Blitz Needle]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|2 x 6}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|N}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Plague Needle]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Poison}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|6}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|N}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Callahan]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Stun}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|N}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Magma Driver]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Fire}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Y}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Hail Driver]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Freeze}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Y}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Storm Driver]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shock}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Y}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Nova Driver]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Y}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Polaris]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shock}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Y}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Higher damage at longer range. Irritatingly huge animation.}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Umbra Driver]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shadow}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Y}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Biohazard]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shadow}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Poison}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Y}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Catalyzer-type.}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Argent Peacemaker]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elem+Pier}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|6}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Y}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Less desirable because damage is mixed, but good for Firestorm Citadel.}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Sentenza]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shad+Pier}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|6}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Y}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Less desirable because damage is mixed, but good for future player-vs.-player?}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/end}}
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| − | If you're into guns, then you'll want one piercing gun, one elemental gun, and one shadow gun. For a great general-purpose sword, get Leviathan Blade. I've never worn gun-oriented armor, but the obvious choice is the [[Gunslinger Sash]]/[[Gunslinger Hat|Hat]] line, which has four 5-star versions with various strengths. You can mix and match these with shields to get either well-balanced armor or highly specialized armor. That's wonderful. See also the [[Gunslinger]] article and the forum thread [http://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/5286 Ask a Master Gunslinger Anything].
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| − | | + | |
| − | ===Bombs===
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| − | I honestly don't know much about [[bomb]]s, but here's some bomb information, just for completeness. Roughly, some bombs are used for damage, others for status effects, and others for controlling crowds of monsters. Damage type seems not to be the major consideration.
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/start}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Name}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Damage}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Status}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/header|Notes}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Nitronome]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Irritatingly huge animation.}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Big Angry Bomb]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Irritatingly huge animation. Not as good as Nitronome?}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Irontech Destroyer]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Normal}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Irritatingly huge animation? Not as good as Nitronome?}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Dark Briar Barrage]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Piercing}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Electron Vortex]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Creates vortex that sucks in monsters.}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Ash of Agni]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Fire}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Shivermist Buster]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Freeze}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|My favorite weapon.}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Stagger Storm]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Stun}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Venom Veiler]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Poison}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Voltaic Tempest]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Elemental}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shock}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/row}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Graviton Vortex]]}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Shadow}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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| − | {{User:Jdavis/cell|Creates vortex that sucks in monsters. Not as good as Electron Vortex?}}
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| − | {{User:jdavis/end}}
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| − | The preferred bombs seem to be [[Nitronome]] and [[Dark Briar Barrage]] for damage, [[Shivermist Buster]] and [[Electron Vortex]] for crowd control, and [[Ash of Agni]] for slow damage. [[Radiant Sun Shards]], which is only 4-star, is also praised for damage. The obvious armor for bombers is the [[Spiral Demo Suit]]/[[Spiral Demo Helm|Helm]] line, which has three 5-star versions. All offer Normal/Elemental protection, so you'll want to get piercing and shadow protection from other armor, unique variants, shields, and trinkets, for certain strata. See also the [[Bomber]] article.
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| − | | + | |
| − | ==Etiquette==
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| − | | + | |
| − | Spiral Knights is designed to be a social game. By observing some rules of etiquette, you will keep your fellow players happy. On the other hand, if you're rude, even unintentionally, then advanced players will not want to be your friends.
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| − | ===Reviving===
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| − | Every time a knight is revived with energy, his cost of reviving with energy doubles. Thus, reviving with energy gets very expensive as the expedition progresses. It is best to revive with health as much as possible, and save energy-reviving for when it is truly necessary. So when is it necessary?
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| − | | + | |
| − | First, when ''all'' of the knights in a party are dead, each knight should say his reviving cost out loud. Then the knight with the cheapest cost (usually) revives himself with energy, and goes around reviving the other knights using his health. He doesn't revive another knight with energy unless that knight has agreed to it, and he certainly doesn't "revive all". Reviving another knight with energy is not necessarily doing that knight a favor, because it makes his future revivals more costly.
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| − | Second, in the [[Jelly King]] fight you always revive yourself with energy. Why? There are so many monsters clogging up the area, that other players can't get to you. Also, the Jelly King heals, so the entire party must be alive to deal damage to him as fast as possible. In this situation, it's probably okay to "revive all". And what if you find yourself in a Jelly King fight, without the energy to revive? Then you have already breached etiquette.
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| − | | + | |
| − | ===Teamwork===
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| − | | + | |
| − | Learn how to drop [[pickup]]s and [[vitapod]]s (by dragging them to the floor with your mouse). When you come to the lift at the end of a level, and you decide to return to Haven rather than descend further, ''always'' drop your vitapod and all of your pickups, so that other players can grab them. Also, say "going up" so that your intentions are clear. If you die, and the other players are close to death, then drop your pills, so that someone can heal and revive you. In general, consider sharing pills with your teammates, so that everyone has at least one pill at all times.
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| − | I never kick people out of my party just because they're not very good, or because I need room for a friend who wants to join. That's being rude to my teammate. On the other hand, I do occasionally kick people who are acting selfishly. I particularly dislike people who stay away from the fight, waiting for everyone else to finish off the monsters, maybe raiding the treasure rooms while they do. That's terrible behavior.
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| − | | + | |
| − | ===Miscellany===
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| − | | + | |
| − | Do not beg. Do not ask strangers for crowns, crystal energy, or anything else. If you want crowns, then sell something. If you ask a friend for a loan, and they refuse, then accept it and move on. If someone in your party finds a material that you want, don't ask her for it; it's hers, not yours, by the luck of the draw.
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| − | | + | |
| − | Do not invite friends into disasters (everybody's dead on the ground in a danger room, with high reviving cost) unless you warn them ahead of time with a /tell. If you invite someone to join your party, and they decline, then don't harass them about it. That's a form of begging. Just accept it and move on.
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| − | | + | |
| − | Less experienced players should recognize that advanced players have different interests in fights and treasure. They should not regard advanced players as "tour guides" to help them through tough levels. More experienced players should anticipate the needs of less experienced ones. For example, an advanced player may want to leave the Royal Jelly Palace at the end of depth 16. If so, then he should inform the party, by the start of depth 15 at the latest, to avoid conflict with players who expected him to complete the stratum.
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| − | | + | |
| − | Some people never speak in the Clockworks, but I find that a little talking helps the party mood. Say "hi" when you join a party and "bye" or "thanks" when you leave. Don't get upset if you don't get a reply.
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| − | | + | |
| − | If you are playing Spiral Knights in your underwear, then keep some clothes nearby, in case you need to answer the door.
| + | |
Hi. You're probably here for my guides to Spiral Knights:
Over the years I've started several other guides, which are too incomplete or outdated even to mention.
Under the name Bopp, I've spent a lot of time on the forums and the wiki, learning the rules and items, giving advice, contributing data, writing wiki pages, etc. Sometimes people try to befriend Bopp in the game. However, this knight just works the forums and wiki, while my other knights do the playing. I keep them separate, so that conflicts from one world don't spill into the other. Please don't be upset when I don't respond to friend requests in the game.
