In this guide, we will explore everything you need to know about external components in The First Descendant: best attributes and roles, what to look for, and where to farm them.
What Are External Components?
External components are pieces of gear in The First Descendant that you attach to your character (or “descendant”) to boost Shield, HP, and defense.
Additionally, they can come with unique attributes that enhance loot drops and farming efficiency. Each external component has a unique shape and name: auxiliary power, sensor, memory, and processor.
Each component can have specific roles that improve your character significantly.
Key Features and Rarity
- Main Feature: Always gives health, shield, or defense
- Extra Features: Rare ones (purple or better) have two more bonuses
Look for yellow (ultimate) bonuses to maximize your build.
Set Effects
Some external components come with set effects, which can provide a significant boost to your build by offering special bonuses when equipped together. These often drop from dungeon bosses or Colossus fights. You can see the available set effects and their acquisition methods by using the info menu in the game.
Example: Acrobat Set
- Two-piece bonus: Increases skill power and firearm attack.
- Four-piece bonus: Increases firearm crit rate and skill crit rate.
Farming External Components
Once you progress through the base campaign and switch to Hard Mode, you can start “target farming” external components on a weekly reset basis.
Steps to Farm:
- Open the map: Select difficulty rewards to view this week’s rewards by location.
- Filter the rewards: Use the filter options to sort out the external components you are farming for.
- Efficient missions: Choose missions where you can farm efficiently. Missions like the Abandoned Refinery Unit are excellent for farming components quickly.
Best Choices for Each External Component
| Component | Primary Attributes | Useful Rolls |
|---|---|---|
| Auxiliary Power | HP and Fire Resistance | More drops, faster energy recovery |
| Sensor | HP or defense | Max MP, chill resistance, consumable drop rate, character XP gain, MP recovery in combat, HP recovery modifier |
| Memory | Double defense or HP and defense | Electric resistance, MP recovery modifier, gold drop rate, firearm proficiency gain |
| Processor | HP or defense, or Max Shield for shield builds | Toxic resistance, equipment drop rate, item acquisition distance |
Wrap-up
Hopefully, this guide provides valuable insights into maximizing the potential of your descendants through external components in The First Descendant. Remember to farm efficiently, aim for the best attributes, and optimize your builds based on the roles that suit your playstyle.
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