Overview

Shards gate tool usage and can stall boss practice. This guide keeps your attempts flowing while still leveraging tools where they matter most. Core idea: learn with the needle; spend shards only to convert a near-win into a win.

1) Core Strategy: Tools as a Finisher, Not a Crutch

• Phase-first learning: Master Phase 1–2 movement, heal windows, and safe punishes with the needle. Bring tools online only once you consistently reach the later phase.
• Budget per attempt: Set a cap (e.g., 2 high-cost + 1 low-cost). If you don’t reach the target phase, don’t spend them.
• Role split: Use silk for survival (heals/mobility) and tools for pressure (chip damage, zoning, add clear). Avoid double-spending silk and shards on the same purpose.

2) Tool Selection: High Value, Low Disruption

Choose tools that integrate with needle rhythm and require minimal micromanagement.

• Set-and-forget: Cogflies, poison traps — pre-place at phase transitions or safe lulls for passive damage and control.
• Simple throws: Pins/Daggers — low-risk poke during predictable boss animations.
• Burst options: Harpoon/Boomerang — compress time-to-kill in late phases or delete dangerous adds. Cast from safe positions.
• High-risk tech: Downward Drill — practice outside bosses first; don’t make it your main plan until consistent.

3) Crests & Loadouts

• Stable baselines: Favor survivability/efficiency crests that improve healing safety and reduce errors.
• Carry capacity: Increment tool slots moderately; don’t over-invest at the cost of mobility or recovery.
• Architect crest: Treat as an emergency “extra charges” plan. Self-limit mid-fight refills (e.g., 20–50%) so silk remains for healing.
• Split setups: Keep a “practice” loadout (durable, low-cost tools) and a “kill” loadout (burst tools). Swap once consistent.

4) Boss Flow: Three-Phase Method

• Opening (Read & Stabilize)
• • Aim: Identify safe heal windows, roll distance, punish timings.
  • Tools: At most one set-and-forget (e.g., early Cogflies). Otherwise, save.
• Midfight (Establish Advantage)
• • Aim: Reach the decisive phase with >50% silk and your tool budget intact.
  • Tools: Use traps/Boomerang to deny adds and ranged harassment so needle damage is safer.
• Endgame (Cash Out)
• • Aim: Convert advantage into a win.
  • Tools: Fire your burst chain (e.g., Harpoon + Pins; Boom/Boomerang + poison traps) during predictable recovery. Keep one silk heal or mobility action in reserve.

5) Shard Economy: Minimal-Grind Playbook

• Buy bundles with rosaries: Post-Act II, rosary farming is faster than raw shard drops. Maintain 15–20 bundles in stock.
• Short circuit routes: Pick dense, safe loops for 10–15 minute “mindless refill” runs. Mining spots are nice-to-have, not the backbone.
• Post-boss resupply: After major fights or gauntlets, top up bundles before exploring or engaging another boss.

6) Practice Tools Without Burning Shards

• One-tool focus: Drill cast → resume needle loop in arenas or safer encounters first.
• Mark windows: Note boss moves where throws land reliably (long recovery, telegraphed leaps). Cast only in those windows.
• Quota discipline: Cap attempts to a small number of casts even if the run fails; build budgeting habits.

7) Matchups: Quick Adapts

• Add-heavy or ranged-pressure bosses: Equip control tools (Cogflies, traps, Boomerang). Tools reclaim space; needle secures damage.
• Phase-shift spikes: Pre-place traps before transitions; throw from distance as new mechanics appear.
• Hazardous arenas (spikes/lava): Prefer set-and-forget damage over loose projectiles; plan safe routes first to avoid wasted shards.

8) Common Pitfalls

• “All tools, every attempt”: Bleeds shards fast and teaches little. Use tools only once your read is solid.
• Silk and tools both for DPS: Silk is your lifeline; reserve it for healing/mobility. Let tools handle pressure/damage.
• Grinding to try a new tool: Trial new tools in low-stakes fights first; then deploy in bosses.

Pre-Fight Checklist

• Tool budget set (e.g., high-cost ×2, low-cost ×1)
• Loadout swapped: practice vs. kill setup
• Silk reserved: ≥1 heal or mobility cast
• Stock check: 15–20 shard bundles; rosaries on hand
• Arena notes: hazards and safe windows marked
• Mindset: early attempts = reads; winning attempts = tools on