Survival 101

First Build for Survival

As a new player to Survival, it is important to prioritize practice and mastery of the game mode before you go worrying about some of the subtler nuances (ie most kills, no downs, spawn-camping, speed-runs, etc). Formulating a ‘build’ is tough because you will be quickly leveling up your Gear (Ki Level) and advancing into tougher difficulties (Bronze -> Platinum/Nightmare). As part of this process, you’ll be replacing your current gear a LOT with new gear (higher Ki equipped = higher Ki gear will drop in the next game completion). That is why it is best to WAIT until you reach end-game to re-roll gear. To help you with ‘getting started’, if you have the option to prioritize gear and want a build of sorts, the details below ail to help you do that

The most important piece of advice is SURVIVING. The more you stay alive, the less you burden your team to revive you. As you get better, then you can branch out into the ‘git gud’ mentality. Until you are 120 Ki and have a fully fleshed build plus a lot of practice, just focus on staying alive and improving your skills when it comes to facing various enemies (ie enemy movesets, countering, etc).

There are FIVE categories we’ll focus on here: Ki Level, Health/Healing, Damage/DPS, Legendary Gear, Smoke Bomb

1. Ki level

Your Total Ki is an average of your Gear Ki. For every one Ki point below the maximum, you will do less damage to enemies (outgoing damage) and take more damage from enemies (incoming damage). That makes survivability tougher for lower Ki players. It is also why prioritizing the highest Ki gear every match is usually MORE important than the gear item itself (ie a Defense Charm with 22 Ki > Melee Charm with 18 Ki, regardless of properties). End-game, this will prevent one-shots from the toughest Oni attacks.

2. Health/Healing

Survivability is key. There are abilities for every class except Hunter to provide self healing: Samurai (Spirit Pull), Ronin (Healing Incense), & Assassin (Refreshing Vanish). When possible prioritize +25 Health on your Charm Perk Slot. Combat Regen is your next best Perk. +25 HP will prevent you from being one-shot by many attacks (assuming non-120 Ki). Combat Regen serves as a constant healing source throughout the game (no reliance on Ronin/Shrines/Drums). Legendary gear can have healing properties, prioritize one of these if you need further heals on demand.

3. Damage/DPS

Prioritize Damage above all else. Any damage modifiers will make the game easier because enemies are alive for a shorter period of time. If you had to choose between more survivability and damage = damage (after the +25 Health or Combat Regen). Every playstyle can benefit from Oni dmg (the tougher enemies in NMS). Every class can benefit from particular damage boosts (vary by play style): Ronin = Ghost weapon Damage (bombs & kunai), Assassin = Melee & Status Damage (poison damage), Hunter = Reload Speed (faster headshots = faster/more resolve), Samurai = Melee Damage. If you prioritize your Ultimate (5-strike Hachiman/Shadow Strike/Eye of Uchitsune), then at least 1 source of Ultimate % will be beneficial.

4. Legendary

Prioritize based on the options available and on your build. Any Legendary is better than no Legendary. Prioritize a Healing Legendary if possible (1st choice: Hunter = Skipping Stone Bow, Ronin/Sam/Sin = Spirit Kunai). From there, review the ‘Builds’ by Class and see what Legendary gear they are using.

5. Smoke Bomb

For Ghost Weapon 2, the Smoke Bomb is optimal for every Class and works on the majority of Builds. The best properties are going to be a Smoke Bomb with CD% & CDK. This provides safety & a breather from the fight for a few seconds. Perks should be Munitions = more ammo and/or Lucky = chance to get it back instantly.