Bonker Build to Crush Deathgame!
Ву Neptune!
This build is designed to make Very Hard Deathgame significantly easier while remaining extremely effective on all lower difficulties. It focuses on high survivability, consistent stagger potential, and reliable boss control.
Starting Equipment
As soon as you spawn, visit the Chest and Smithy and obtain the following gear:
| Slot | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Proto-Elucidator Mace (use Bronze Sword if unavailable) |
| Chest | Leather Shirt (Crafted at Smithy) |
| Gloves | Bandage Gloves (Crafted at Smithy) |
| Boots | Bronze Boots (Crafted at Smithy) |
| Shield | Any shield (used to activate the Leather Shirt’s extra 10% damage reduction) |
Always keep a healthy supply of Healing Potions and Healing Crystals.
Recommended Weapon EX Mods
Prioritize the highest weapon upgrade level available at all times.
Recommended EX Mods:
- HP
- Damage Taken -%
- DEF
- Extra Attack Damage or ATK
Stat Priority
At the start:
- Raise VIT to 10 as quickly as possible.
- Don’t worry about damage early—the Proto-Elucidator Mace (or Bronze Sword) provides enough damage with a few upgrades.
After reaching 10 VIT:
- Mace users: invest in STR
- Bronze Sword users: invest in DEX
Combat Tips
Proto-Elucidator Mace
Use Jump Light Attacks whenever possible. They effectively deal double damage and are the core of the build.
Bronze Sword
Sprint Heavy Attacks generally perform better.
Early Level Grinding
If you need additional Growth Points:
- Farm the first Elite enemy during Iori’s Request near the first Safe Zone.
- At the first dungeon, repeatedly farm the Double Bear Boss until at least Level 15 before progressing beyond the beta area.
Horunka Gear Upgrades
After reaching Horunka, complete the following side quests.
Earthly Jacket
Side Quest: Taming the Wilderness
Effects:
- +10 DEF
- 20% Damage Reduction while near a boss
Ragefang Gauntlets
To obtain these:
- During the Medicine story quest, collect the trinket in the upper-left area of the map.
- Return to the Town of Beginnings.
- Complete Exquisite Taste.
- Unlock and complete A Tasteless Hobby.
Effects:
- +50% Sword Skill Damage
- +30% SP Cost
Leg Armor Choice
Choose one of the following:
Dark Leather Pants
Obtained from:
Side Quest: The Heifer Strikes Back!!
Effect:
Airy Fairy Gaskins
Found in a chest on the way to Tolbana.
Effect:
- Increased Jump Attack Damage
Recommendation:
- Dark Leather Pants for comfort and stamina.
- Airy Fairy Gaskins for maximum damage.
Mid-Game Stat Goals
Continue upgrading your weapon whenever possible.
Recommended stat progression:
- Prioritize VIT and STR (or DEX for Bronze Sword).
- Reach at least 30 VIT.
- If investing more into STR/DEX first, stop around 30 before returning to VIT.
- Aim for 400+ HP before entering Floor 2.
- Optionally invest 5 INT for Status Resistance.
Essential Sword Skills
These skills are the core of the build:
Together they:
- Frequently stagger bosses
- Interrupt many boss attacks
- Create long damage windows
- Allow easy boss juggling
Upgrade both as early as possible.
Numbing Mines
Start collecting Numbing Mines early.
They can:
- Prevent bosses from roaring
- Stop enemy reinforcements from spawning
- Create additional damage opportunities
Continue upgrading to the highest-tier versions as they become available.
Floor 2 Upgrades
Your existing gear remains effective. Once you reach Urbus, consider upgrading your armor from the Smithy, especially:
Journey Boots
Unlock by completing:
- The Lord of the Plains
- Demi Human Destruction
Reward:
Journey Boots
Effects:
- +20 DEF
- 30% Status Resistance for 5 seconds after dodging
Final Weapon Upgrade
Once Red weapons begin dropping, obtain:
Agony Bludgeon
For Proto-Elucidator users, this is only a modest upgrade.
For Bronze Sword users, obtain it as soon as possible.
After acquiring it, no further weapon upgrades are necessary.
Heavy Gauntlets
During the The Diva I main quest in Taran, obtain the required trinket to unlock:
Side Quest: Blessed by Elves
Reward:
Heavy Gauntlets Blueprint
Craft the Heavy Gauntlets with the Warrior’s Soul effect.
Effects:
- Increases STR
- At 30 STR: increases Down Rate
- At 60 STR: additionally increases ATK
These are the best gloves for this build.
Endgame Stat Goals
Recommended final progression:
- 60 VIT
- Increase STR to 90
- Heavy Gauntlets provide +10 STR, reaching 100 STR
- Add END if you need additional stamina
Endgame Optimization
Focus on:
- Farming Golden Gates for optimal EX Mods.
- Maximizing weapon upgrades.
- Fully upgrading Wave Bash and Spiritfall using Sword Skill Points.
A fully upgraded Wave Bash reaches approximately a 12-second cooldown.
Always carry:
- Highest-tier Healing Potions
- Healing Crystals
- Highest-tier Numbing Mines
Optional Defensive Setup
For the Level 200 boss on Very Hard Deathgame, this build performs exceptionally well. If you prefer more consistent survivability over the Earthly Jacket’s boss bonus, simply equip the armor pieces with the highest total DEF instead.