Revision as of 18:50, 26 January 2013

"This is really fkin awkward for me and you"

Dr. Wily/Diarist

Joined: 09/13/2011 Guild: Dunkshire Achievements: 60/60

Well hi!

What's up? The name's DoctahWahwee (Which is a play on the name Dr. Wily). You may also know me by my real name; Sky, or other nicknames such as 'Diarist,' 'Doc,' 'MEDIC,' etc etc. What can I say, really? I play the game to have fun with my friends and guildmates. I'm a social butterfly, which sometimes can wind up biting me in the ass but-- hey, can't please everyone huehuehue

Like I said, I play the game to have fun with my friends and guildmates. I don't take the game seriously at all, since it's... well, a game, not a job (although it does feel like one at times huehuehue). When I'm not dungeon running I'm usually fooling around in Haven NO SCREW HAVEN IT HAS PEOPLE THERE I DON'T LIKE PEOPLE LET ME STAY IN MY GUILDHALL FOREVER with friends and guildies, or just meeting new people altogether!

Dunkshire

I am the creator and lead Guild Master of the guild ''Dunkshire' (Previously 'Hat Simulator'). Our goal? To dunk everything in sight. Who is going to stop us? You? PSSH! Oh, and there's some stuff that involves unlocking Cradle's secrets and ending royal blood lines. And of course my personal favourite; TOUHOU TIME HUEHUEHUE.

PvE

I'm usually up for anything when it comes to runs, especially Jelly King and Lord Vanaduke runs. As well as the random recipe or Arena runs peppered in there. As the Guildmaster of Dunkshire, I try my best to run with all of my guildmates whenever I can. I don't like forming little 'groups' or being 'selective.' It's stupid. I mostly run with guildies, but I'll happily run with my friends outside of the guild any time!

As for Shadow Lair runs, I have (like most people) completed all four Shadow Lairs. I also own every set of Shadow Lair gear, making my trips down there as of late more focussed on carrying people and my guildmates as opposed to going down for myself. Although I find them fun (besides Ice Queen. SNOOOREEE), the best part of any Shadow Lair run by far is the Unknown Passage.

As for Danger Missions, I've done the Danger Mission every day since my return. I'm really glad to see new areas with new bosses, and a hint at some story details behind certain things. I really like them all aside from Compound, because it's dumb, and it's stupid, and it's stupid, and it's dumb. It's horrible level design at it's finest.

I don't really like 'soloing.' The game is meant to be played with others, not alone. I'm not saying I WON'T or HAVEN'T gone solo. I just prefer not to. If I wanna play a single-player game I'll go play something else and be antisocial and dark and edgy there wwww

DESPAIR.....................

PvP

I actually don't play Lockdown anymore. When I DID play it was usually T2. I played T3 as well, where people tend to just die in one swing of a Gran Faust, but T2 was a lot more skill oriented and not "who has the cr to spend on UV's." However I'll leave my stuff I used to have for you guys to see.

T2 Lockdown Set

• Dusker Cap
• Dusker Coat + Heavy Valkyrie Wings + Heavy Canteen
• Stable Rocket Hammer
• Twisted Snarble Barb
• Antigua
• Kilowatt Pulsar
• Tri-Heart Pendant (2x)

Also seen using:

• Dark Reprisal Mk II

Pretty generic set, but it works. People will complain that the Rocket Hammer is 'too overpowered' or 'unbalanced,' to which I simply reply "Get elemental defense." If anything, the hammer has balanced Lockdown severely, because it's now more player-skill and intelligence oriented, as opposed to... well, toothpicks.

In T2 Lockdown, I tend to divert from my job as a Guardian and go Striker. Yeah, unfortunately I'm as generic as you can get when it comes to T2, but hey; whatever works, right? I go Striker because I prefer the speed. In T2, I do not have access to Quick Strike Modules or my Mercurial set, therefore I cannot swing or move fast as a Guardian, like I normally would in T3 Lockdown. I also cannot charge into Polaris/Kilowatt shots without a care in the world in T2, therefore I give myself the speed I need by going Striker; which also provides ASI and Sword Damage bonuses, in exchange for HP; which is easily covered up by my Tri-Heart Pendants. It's a perfect balance for T2 Lockdown.

Gear Tips![OUTDATED INFORMATION]
Armor: Dusker is all around, a very good choice for T2 Lockdown, giving you Sword Damage Maximum if you go Striker; allowing you to inflict more damage than normal. Other great armor sets include Drake Scale, which is amazing since it defends decently from Toothpicks and Hammers, and Brute Jelly; which without a hammer, can be extremely difficult to break through, as well as being able to resist Stun from Rigadoons and Haze Bomb Mk II. Quicksilver also makes an amazing set, due to it's heavy piercing defense like Brute Jelly; and Shock resist, which allows the user to get through Kilowatt Pulsars and Lightning Capacitors much more easily.

Swords: There are a variety of swords you can bring into T2 Lockdown. In fact, pretty much anything works here. That's what makes T2 Lockdown so balanced; the fact that any good combination of equipment; especially swords, can be effective. Any sort of rapier is effective, and the Rocket Hammers (if you have them) can tear down entire teams if you are skilled. Brandishes and even Caliburs do amazingly well here, especially Nightblades. Even something as situational as an Arc Razor; a sword which is almost useless for PvE; shines in T2 Lockdown thanks to the quickness and pure normal damage. Another popular choice for a 'slow sword' is the Sealed Sword, which, like the Arc Razor; inflicts pure normal damage, allowing it to cut through just about anything.

Guns: Antigua and Kilowatt Pulsar make great choices for guns in T2 Lockdown, much like how Sentenza and Polaris respectively make great choices in T3. They're good in T2 for essentially the same reasons they are in T3. However, where the regular Antigua really shines is it's ability to easily pick off and quickly kill Bombers in one magazine. Alchemers are bit harder to lug around since they are slow, but if you are confident in your ability to weild an Alchemer; the Shadowtech Alchemer Mk II is the best choice you could bring to T2 Lockdown.

Bombs: There are a variety of bombs that are great for T2 Lockdown. Almost any haze bomb (including the actual 'Haze Bomb' line), Dark Reprisal Mk II, and even Blast Bomb line all have their place in the game.

Trinkets

As for Trinkets; the only realistic choice for Trinkets (assuming you have trinket slots open); is two Tri-Heart Pendants. Seeing how you cannot drag Modules into T2 Lockdown, and token Trinkets are generally useless, the only option left is Tri-Heart Pendants. The difference they make is enormous, netting you +8 health (+6 if you are a Striker). They are relatively cheap to make for late-game players, and if you play Lockdown often, you can always use your Krogmo Coins to obtain the Enamorocks you need.

I don't play Blast Network. Ghetto Bomberman just doesn't appeal to me wwww

Arsenal

This is going to take forever to code 'cus I'm a hoarder and need to make a million things aaaaaa (WIP)

Helms

• Vog Cub Cap
• Skolver Cap + Crown of Winter
• Mercurial Helm + Heavy Game Face, Heavy Com Unit, Heavy Headband
• Almirian Crusader Helm
• Snarbolax Cap
• Ice Queen Crown + Dusky Glasses
• Mercurial Demo Helm
• Ugly
• Arcane Salamander Mask
• Perfect Mask of Seerus
• Flawed Mask of Seerus
• Fractured Mask of Seerus
• Emberbreak Helm + Toasty Glasses, Toasty Ribbon, Toasty Flower, Toasty Vertical Vents
• Jelly Helm + Frosty Toupee, Frosty Dapper Combo
• Skelly Jelly Mask
• Regal Spiral Sallet + Regal Vertical Vents, Regal Glasses

Armor

• Vog Cub Coat + Toasty Canteen
• Skolver Cap + Crest of Winter, Divine Wings
• Mercurial Mail + Heavy Canteen
• Almirian Crusader Armor + Love Aura, Vanguard Crest, Divine Valkyrie Wings
• Snarbolax Coat
• Ice Queen Mail
• Mercurial Demo Suit
• Heavenly Iron Armor + Toasty Valkyrie Wings, Toasty Canteen
• Arcane Salamander Suit
• Skelly Jelly Mail
• Volcanic Plate Mail + Volcanic Cat Tail, Volcanic Canteen
• Azure Guardian Armor + Frosty Side Blade, Crest of Winter, Haunted Aura
• Regal Spiral Brigandine + Regal Wolver Tail, Regal Canteen, Regal Vitakit

Swords

• Divine Avenger
• Barbarous Thorn Blade
• Gran Faust
• Warmaster Rocket Hammer
• Stable Rocket Hammer
• Prototype Rocket Hammer
• Dread Venom Striker
• The best sword ever
• Leviathan Blade
• Levi recolour
• Mending!
• Thwack Hammer
• Fang-o-Fail
• Losemillion
• Something you all tried crafting
• Proto Sword

Guns

• Argent Peacemaker
• Sentenza
• Blitz Needle
• Curry Gun
• Trollaris
• Lime Launcher

Bombs

• Dark Retribution
• Dark Reprisal Mk II
• Dark Reprisal
• Dark Briar Barrage
• Ash of Agni
• Shivermist Buster
• Venom Veiler
• Swagger Storm
• Brotaic Tempest
• Heavy Deconstructor
• Static_Flash
• Proto Bomb
• Proto Bomb (x4)

Shields

• Barbarous Thorn Shield
• Crest of Almire
• Grey Owlite Shield
• Watermelon
• Darkfang Shield
• Scarlet Shield
• Dread Skelly Shield
• Bromega Shell
• Royal Jelly Shield
• Green Ward
• Aegis recolour
• Proto Shield

Costumes

• Authentic Phantom Mask (x2)
• Authentic Spookat Mask (x2)
• Authentic Frankenzom Mask (x2)
• Prismatic Frosted Helm
• Chapeau of the Green_Rose
• Tabard of the Green Rose + Military Canteen, Military Side Blade
• Chapeau of the Coral Rose
• Tabard of the Coral Rose + Fancy Canteen, Fancy Side Blade, Love Aura
• Chapeau of the Blue Rose
• Tabard of the Blue Rose + Cool Canteen, Cool Side Blade
• Hallow Tailed Helm + Hallow Round Shades, Hallow Vertical Vents, Hallow Ribbon, Toasty Flower
• Frosty Tailed Helm + Frosty Glasses, Frosty Vertical Vents, Frosty Ribbon, Heavy Flower Flower
• Hallow Plate Mail + Hallow Crest, Hallow Side Blade
• Frosty Raiment + Cool Canteen, Frosty Side Blade
• Hallow Fur Cap
• Frosty Fur Cap
• Hallow Fur Coat
• Frosty Fur Coat
• 20px Jack o' Bombhead Mask
• Imperial_Tricorne
• Shogun Helmet + Hallow Round Shades + Hallow Scarf + Golden Laurel
• Plasmatech Bombhead Mask
• Plasmatech Demo Suit + Cool Canteen
• Military Stranger Hat
• Dusky Stranger Hat
• Fancy Stranger Hat
• Cool Stranger Hat
• Heavy Stranger Hat
• Regal Stranger Hat
• Regal Stranger Hat + Regal Vertical Vents, Regal Glasses
• Toasty Stranger Hat
• Divine Stranger Hat
• Volcanic Stranger Hat
• Sniped Stranger Hat
• Heavenly Guardian Helm
• Heavenly Guardian Armor
• Infernal Guardian Helm
• Infernal Guardian Armor
• Metal Sonic Mask
• Metal Sonic Suit

Trinkets

• Penta-Heart Pendant (2x)
• Elite Quick Strike Module (x2)
• Elite Slash Module (x2)
• Elite Bomb Focus Module

The Darkfang Shield

As you may or may not know, I'm one of the very few users in this game (I believe out of 8 in total, if memory serves me right) to hold a Darkfang Shield. This shield is widely known for being ridiculously rare, only dropping when the planets are perfectly aligned from Darkfang Thwackers every once in a blue moon, and trust me, that moon is REALLY BLUE. So blue you'll think it's from the Smurfs or something. However, I DID NOT obtain this shield via random drop. No, this shield was once under the ownership of a knight I used to know named Snarkey, who had found it and had been trying to sell it for the longest time.

Then Christmas came around...

There's a reason I'm so proud to be the GM of such an amazing group of people, who have stuck by my side for over a year now. My guild pitched in to buy this Darkfang Shield as a Christmas gift for me, when they gave it to me I was shocked. I couldn't say a word, I was literally overwhelmed with joy and tears. Our guild sticks together, and is always out for eachother. That was a Christmas I will never forget.

... But good GOD does it draw attention. I swear if I get one more "HAY WERE U GET DAT SHELD????Q" I'm going to cry huehuehue

Advice for Playing (WORK IN PROGRESS)

Control Scheme

Controls for this game come at a default Arrow Keys to move, Z and X to Attack and Shield, and Space Bar to switch weapons. Please dispose of these controls entirely, as using these controls can seriously make you drag your team down unless you are confident in your skill to use them, and have the skill to prove it. I have seen instances in which this was true, so I won't sit here and deny it. Otherwise, get yourself a Mouse (they are extremely cheap) and make these your controls:

• [WASD] to move.
• [Mouse] to aim.
• [Left Click/Right Click] to Attack and Shield, or vice versa.
• [Mouse Wheel] to switch weapons.

This is the most comfortable control scheme for playing Spiral Knights. Those who haven't used it before notice a drastic change in their performance due to better reaction times and comfortable, more natural controls.

Gear

People like to claim roles in this game (Swordsman/Bomber/Gunner). Swordsmen are arguable the most general of the bunch, since it's rare that you will see someone only carry 4 swords. Swordsmen usually have guns for utility (and of course Firestorm Citadel), and even bombs. The others however, aren't so open, for better or for worse.

If you find yourself to be a Swordsman, do yourself a favor and use the Wolver line as your armor set. Why? Because it buffs swords. I will never understand why so many people refuse to invest in Wolver gear (which is extremely easy to make now thanks to the Hall of Heroes), when there really is no other gear for them to use. It buffs swords. Why sacrifice damage for something that gives the same defenses, and no bonuses?

• What to use
• and all of it's Upgrades; Vog Cub Cap, Skolver Cap, Snarbolax Cap
• and all of it's Upgrades; Vog Cub Coat, Skolver Coat, Snarbolax Coat

If you find yourself to be a Gunner, then of course the Gunslinger gear is for you. It buffs guns, that's all you need to know. Don't worry about the statuses, since you shouldn't be getting hit anyway

• What to use
• and whatever you decide to craft it into.
• and whatever you decide to craft it into.
• (Assuming you have Operation: Crimson Hammer)

If you find yourself to be one of the brave souls of this game who like to blow things up (a Bomber); then obviously, the Demo sets are for you. They buff bombs, whether it be CTR or Damage altogether. It really depends on what kind of bomber you are. However never ever ever craft the Bombastic Demo set. It is beyond useless. There is a reason why Bombers use Volcanic Demo and Mad Bomber (and occasionally Mercurial), and ONLY Volcanic Demo and Mad Bomber.

• What to use
• and upgrade to Volcanic Demo Helm/Mad Bomber Mask
• and upgrade to Volcanic Demo Suit/Mad Bomber Suit

Other useful sets

• & Divine Veil/Divine Mantle are both great pieces of armor, offering Shadow and Elemental defense, as well as great resistance to 3 different statuses. It also has a Damage vs. Fiends buff, which can come in handy against Trojans and Silkwings in FSC. Chaos Cowl/Chaos Cloak also serves as a very good alternative set for Gunners if you're feeling a lot more risky. Even Grey Feather Cowl/Grey Feather Mantle also have moments where they can be incredibly helpful (such as Shadow Lair Ironclaw Munitions Factory).

• & This is kind of stretching it. The only reason this is here is because the Dread Skelly Mask/Dread Skelly Suit can be an alternative to the Snarbolax Cap/Snarbolax Coat, assuming you can't afford to go on a Shadow Lair run. Be aware that it has no Sword damage bonus, and intead provides slightly more Poison/Freeze and Shadow defense than it's Wolver counterpart.

Sets to avoid

• & Aside from pre-Shadow Lairs Jelly King, I really can't find a viable use for this set. It makes great costume pieces and upgrades into a Shadow Lair set, yes; but that set is also just pretty much a novelty. Deadly Virulisk Mask/Deadly Virulisk Suit CAN be okay for Shadow Lair Gloaming Wildwoods, but that's really the only situation I can find either to be good in. Otherwise it's just a weaker counterpart to Wolver.

• & Aside from costume pieces, these sets currently offer no real incentive to use them. They reduce your attack speed, and that's really all they do. Ancient Plate Helm/Ancient Plate Mail are even worse, since it provides only normal defense and also reduces your Movement Speed. It however, also makes a very nice costume set. Ancient Plate is unlocked through Vanaduke tokens, though, as opposed to crafting.

• & Azure Guardian Helm/Azure Guardian Armor are arguably the worst set in the entire game. Offering the same Piercing defense as Wolver Cap/Wolver Coat and with no bonuses whatsoever, the only reason to use Cobalt is so you can later on craft it into Almirian Crusader Helm/Almirian Crusader Armor for costume pieces when you have access to Shadow Lairs. Despite the missions handing you Cobalt andrecipes for free, avoid them.

Shields

A shield is meant to do one thing; defend you. Whether it be merely a tap, or tank an onslaught, your shield is your best friend. There are all kinds of different shields in the game, and all have their use somewhere somehow. In fact it's great to have a wide variety of shields, if you feel up to collecting a bunch. However here are some standard, general use ones.

• The Barbarous Thorn Shield is the Swordsman's best friend, offering great Piercing defense as well as a Sword Damage Bonus, which is extremely helpful for reaching Sword Damage MAXIMUM! and at least ASI Very High.
• To show you have mastered the perils of Firestorm Citadel, pick yourself up a nice little treat and get a Blackened Crest, and later on craft it into the Crest of Almire. It's a great Shadow Defense shield that offers Shock/Fire resist as well.
• The Grey Owlite Shield is simply a wonderful Elemental Shield. There's nothing else to say. It's great to have.
• Swiftstrike Buckler is such a good shield, it blows my mind how more people don't invest in one. It's only a 3* shield, yes; however it gives Attack Speed High to ALL weapons. This is a great shield for Gunners and Swordsmen alike. However it can't take much damage, so you will have to rely on your ability to dodge while using it. Slap a Maximum! UV on this thing for pretty much anything and you're set for life.

Other honourable mentions

• The Volcanic Plate Shield. This thing can take such a beating. If it isn't clear enough, imagine your shield taking 3 Vanaduke maces head on and still having a yellow bubble. That's how strong this shield is. Great for any situation.
• This can be obtained for a mere 30 Almirian Seals, and once again can take quite the beating. It's not as great as the much superior Volcanic Plate Shield, but it's worth mentioning nonetheless.
• A general use Normal Defense shield with high HP; the Omega Shell used to be one of the best shields in the game during the beta. However it gets outclassed by Volcanic Plate Shield as well, it's still worth mentioning and having.
• Dread Skelly Shield is great for Heart of Ice and Shadow Lair Gloaming Wildwoods, as well as Ice/Poison Undead/Fiend levels in general. This thing also offers some more shadow defense than the Crest of Almire, so keep that in mind.

Enemies

There are certain enemies in this game, that in my own personal view; are extremely flawed in terms of balance and creation. While some mobs are a joke

Auto Aim

A lot of people will say Auto Aim is only for 'noobs' who can't aim or to cheat in Lockdown. These are extremely ridiculous viewpoints. Like most game mechanics in any game, there is a time to use Auto Aim and there is a time to NOT use Auto Aim. It has good and bad times to use. By default though, it should be off in your options, only to be turned on using Shift(Left) when you feel that it is appropriate to use it. There are some points in time it's pretty silly to not have on, such as attacking something your swords might 'slide' against, or a tricky enemy to shoot at.

Polaris

This is known to be the worst gun for team fighting (for PvE) in the game, due to it's insanely inconsistent knockback and ability to Shock enemies. For those who don't know, when an enemy is shocked, it is extremely difficult for it to be knocked back or shield bumped. Let's say you and your teammate; a swordsman is fighting an enemy. Your Polaris then knocks the enemy away from him, negating his damage output for a short time and also potentially leaving him vulnerable. Because of this, he takes an unnecessary hit. Now you have an annoyed teammate.

Polaris' shots are also big, bright and blue, and can seriously hurt someone's eyes much like a Nitronome's blast; but to a larger degree. Blinding your teammate's vision is not acceptable in team fights, and can also lead to him being hit since he cannot see enemies clearly.

Does this mean you should never use Polaris though? Absolutely not. I've had plenty of team fights where Polaris actually has come in handy. However these are all very common mistakes that can really hurt a team. If you want to use Polaris, simply shoot a different enemy as opposed to the ones someone else is fighting. The more enemies that are dead, the less dead you and your team will be. Polaris is also great for soloing. Like Auto Aim, there's a time and place for everything. In the right hands, Polaris can be a very nice addition to your arsenal.

Sealed Sword vs. Brandish

This is honestly the stupidest argument the Spiral Knights player-base has probably come up with, arguing which is better. The two lines are simply two different play styles, that's all there is to it. Either way, they both kill things equally as good as the other. This has been proven by damage values. As a heavy sword user, I use the Divine Avenger/Gran Faust as compared to Brandishes, but I will say that the Brandish buff was one of the best updates in the game, as it allowed for more viable play styles.

Unique Variants

As someone who has played exceptionally for over a year and a half now with no real UV's (not counting the silly ones from crafting), I can safely say that having good UV's is NOT essential to playing this game, PvE and PvP (although to a much lesser extent) included. Are UV's great? Of course they are, who wouldn't want built in buffs? Are they absolutely necessary to playing? Of course not. I've only recently started collecting some UV'd gear, and I'm looking to eventually have MAX UV's on most of my gear (the most commonly used pieces at least). Honestly, until you know you are committed to this game and have the time, patience and money for it; re-craft your older gear with UV's, whether it be through getting a lucky roll, or winning a good UV off the Auction House.

Conclusion