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Can it rival the Thunder Cage?
EXCAVA, featured in The First Descendant, has often been regarded as a less impressive choice among the battle pass weapons. However, recent updates introducing weapons cores and various new Modules have significantly boosted its potential effectiveness.
One of EXCAVA’s standout features is its Unique Ability known as the Voltage Accel Energy Grenade Launcher. Each successful hit on an enemy grants Voltage Charge, and once you accumulate the maximum of 24 stacks, you receive an Energy Grenade. These grenades increase your Firearm Critical Hit Rate with up to three stacks and, when fired while aiming down sights (ADS), they hit enemies while also decreasing their Electric Resistance.
This Unique Ability adds a layer of complexity to building EXCAVA effectively, so let’s explore the optimal setup for this weapon in The First Descendant.
Optimal Modules for EXCAVA in The First Descendant
As a starting point, it’s crucial to recognize that while Energy Grenades provide a bonus to Firearm Critical Hit Rate, building around crit damage may not be ideal unless your character, such as Hailey or Valby, boosts this rate further.
Instead, focus on Firearm ATK and Electric ATK, since Energy Grenades scale with Firearm Damage and concurrently lower Electric Resistance of foes. New Modules, such as Charge Amplification, can enhance Firearm ATK while sacrificing Firearm Critical Hit Damage.
Here are some recommended Modules for EXCAVA:
- Action and Reaction: Increases Firearm ATK
- Rifling Reinforcement: Increases Firearm ATK
- Charge Amplification: Boosts Firearm ATK at the cost of Firearm Critical Hit Damage
- Electric Enhancement: Elevates Electric ATK based on Firearm ATK
- Electric Priority: Amplifies Electric ATK while reducing Reload Speed Modifier
- Expand Weapon Charge: Increases Rounds per Magazine
- Weapon Tuning: Boosts both Rounds per Magazine and Firearm ATK
- Fire Rate UP: Enhances Fire Rate
- Firing Fiesta: Prevents rounds from being consumed for three seconds post-reload
- Weak Point Sight: Enhances Weak Point Damage
Most Modules available for EXCAVA are aimed at heightening Firearm ATK and Electric ATK. It is also essential to incorporate Modules that increase magazine capacity. With a standard magazine containing 36 rounds, you need to ensure a hit rate of approximately 66 percent to obtain the Energy Grenade. Utilizing Firing Fiesta can be particularly advantageous, as it allows for Energy Grenades to be acquired without the need to reload, thus helping maintain your stacks.
Although EXCAVA lacks an exceptional Weak Point Damage multiplier, employing Weak Point Sight can help maximize damage distribution by capitalizing on those sporadic weak point hits.
Essential Stats for EXCAVA in The First Descendant
The statistics for EXCAVA should align with a similar philosophy. Since optimizing for Firearm Critical Hit is not necessary, the goal should be to maximize raw DPS through parameters like Firearm ATK, Electric ATK, Rounds per Magazine, and Hip Fire Accuracy.
Here are the recommended stats for EXCAVA:
- Firearm ATK
- Electric ATK
- Rounds per Magazine
- Hip Fire Accuracy
- Weak Point Damage
Additionally, Bonus Firearm ATK against Colossus enemies can be highly beneficial if you intend to rely on EXCAVA as your primary weapon during Void Intercept Battles.
Top EXCAVA Cores in The First Descendant
Players can further enhance EXCAVA by utilizing Weapon Cores, which were introduced in Season Two, Episode Two. These cores not only provide additional stats but also come with a broader range of options, varying from level one to level ten.
While the process of grinding for Core Binders to unlock these features can be time-consuming, committing to EXCAVA can yield substantial rewards. Here’s a selection of beneficial cores:
- Free Augmentation: Firearm ATK / Electric ATK
- Attribute Augmentation: Electric ATK
- Tactical Augmentation: Rounds per Magazine
- Tactical Augmentation: Reload Time Modifier
Source
dotesports.com