Item description:

Small but decent update. Ive set up one more build (that works with most weapons) thats focused around one stat: 100% Received Firearms Damage Reduction. You can find it in the first inventory slot standard weapon is a sword but you can switch the weapon for any other you like, only armor pieces and accessories contribute this stat. All the other equipment slots are pretty much the same as last time.

Why is this stat so good? Well, what the game doesnt tell you is that it doesnt just protect you from firearm damage, it protects you from about 95% of ranged attacks in the game. Its most likely a translation error; a more accurate description would be projectile damage immunity because that’s what it is.

How to use this build: select 1st equipment slot, maybe switch out the weapon to one of your choice… but most importantly, whenever you enter a group of enemies or a boss battle, use Hermit Talisman, otherwise, ranged attacks will still stagger you even if they do no damage. With Hermit Talisman active, you remain completely untouched by almost all ranged attacks and can entirely ignore them.

This build is not the strongest damage-wise since I had to give up some other set bonuses/effects, but what makes it so good is that it completely changes some enemy encounters and boss fights to your advantage. Many levels, especially in WotW and WotD, become artificially difficult because the game throws lots and lots of projectile-spamming enemies at you, and this build allows you to just ignore them. Struggling for example with the projectile waves in the Siege of Osaka Winter mission? Struggle no longer, you can now casually walk through them.

This also goes for boss fights. Maria’s infamous 1HKO ranged energy wave that she sometimes does three times in a row? Completely harmless with this build; just run towards her in a straight line and hit her whenever she does it and attack through it. Date Masamune’s (DLC boss) water-phase where he splish-splashes you with water waves constantly? Just casually walk through the water-spam. Nue's quadruple-lightning-attack? You no longer need to avoid it, just hack’n’slash at him while you’re hit by the lightning. Sanada Yukimura’s (DLC 2’s final boss) unblockable fire projectile spam? How about intimidatingly walking towards him through every single projectile. Saika Magoichi’s gun spam is annoying? Well… just ignore it.

There are many more examples, but you get the point. Despite it’s damage only being mediocre (I’ll see if I can optimize it further once the DLC is out), it’s a great build for all the projectile-spam WotW throws at us, and I’m guessing it’ll be well-suited for the 5th and final difficulty that’s coming next week with the 3rd and final DLC. Most DLC bosses so far are a huge pain to fight legitimately because of their projectile spam, but with this build, they are actually pretty fun.

I’ll most likely share my safe once again once I’ve played through the 3rd DLC and it’s difficulty. But don't expect that all too soon.