HUcast/Guide: Difference between revisions

From Ephinea PSO Wiki
mNo edit summary
 
(22 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
: <small><div class="wiki"noexcerpt>< [[HUcast]]</div></small>
[[File:HUcast.png|right]]
<small><div class="noexcerpt">< Return to [[HUcast]]</div></small>
 
'''HUcast''' is an android Hunter with the highest ATP in the game. While not immediately intuitive, HUcast is the best Hunter for both multiplayer and One Person mode, as his tremendous ATP makes him have the highest damage potential in both modes. Along with his access to [[traps]], this gives him extremely powerful crowd control with the power to mow down any spawn.
 
In comparison to the other Hunters, he is almost always better in every situation, with only [[HUnewearl]] having an advantage in regular play with her access to useful support [[techniques]].
 
HUcast is good for both beginners and advanced players, although beginners who are not familiar with how to avoid enemy damage may struggle with staying alive due to only being able to carry up to 10 of each healing item.


'''HUcast''' is an android Hunter with the highest ATP in the game. His combination of high ATP, freeze traps, and access to hunter weapons makes him capable of dealing huge DPS in any situation.
==Pros and cons==
==Pros and cons==
HUcast is a master of close range damage. If positioned well he can deal the most damage of any class in the game in most situations. His access to traps and boosted arrest makes him among the most capable at crowd control, as well.
HUcast is a master of close-range damage. If positioned well, he can deal the most damage of any class in the game in most situations. His access to traps and boosted [[paralysis]] activation chance makes him among the most capable at crowd control, as well.


In many situations it is optimal to play HUcast at less than 12.5% HP in order to enable [[Dark Flow]]'s special. This can be a pro or can be a con depending on personal preference, and is not a mandatory part of playing the class.
In many situations, it is optimal to play HUcast at less than 12.5% HP in order to enable {{Sword|rare|Dark Flow}}'s special. This can be a pro or a con depending on personal preference, and is not a mandatory part of playing the class.


<big>Pros</big>
<big>Pros</big>
*Highest ATP - large combo kill potential
*Highest ATP - Large combo kill potential
*Access to traps - the most powerful crowd control tool in the game
*Access to traps - The most powerful crowd control tool in the game
*Hunter arsenal - with options such as [[Dark Flow]], [[Vjaya]], [[Diska of Braveman]], and [[L&K38 Combat]] hunters have some of the most efficient answers when prepared for a spawn
*Hunter arsenal - With options such as {{Sword|rare|Dark Flow}}, {{Sword|rare|Vjaya}}, {{Sword|rare|Diska of Braveman}}, and {{Gun|rare|L&K38 Combat}}, hunters have some of the most efficient answers when prepared for a spawn
*Good at both solo and multiplayer. Level 3 shifta is enough to give HUcast the highest solo ATP
*Good at both single- and multiplayer - Level 3 {{Shifta}} is enough to give HUcast more ATP than any other class can achieve in a singleplayer game
<big>Cons</big>
<big>Cons</big>
*Lower ATA - while mostly compensated for by freeze and arrest, HUcast can struggle with lower hit gear
*Lower ATA - While mostly compensated for by [[Freeze (status)|freeze]] and [[paralysis]], HUcast can struggle with lower Hit gear
*Limited effective range - HU's arsenal is much less effective if they are not positioned for a spawn
*Limited effective range - HU's arsenal is much less effective if they are not positioned for a spawn
==Section ID choice==
==Section ID choice==
As HUcast, any ID is a good choice, as HUcast is an optimal damage dealer in any area. Below are some recommendations for HUcast, but there are no wrong choices if you want another ID to hunt a specific item. Please note that not all good drops are listed under notable drops, there are still many more items worth hunting on each ID.
As HUcast, any ID is a good choice, as HUcast is an optimal damage dealer in any area. Below are some recommendations for HUcast, but there are no wrong choices if another ID is desired to hunt a specific item.
{| class="wikitable"
===Finding items for HUcast===
!ID
<big>{{Skyly|32}}</big>
!Notable drops
 
! style="width:400px" |Description
Skyly has access to many essential HUcast items and an increased rate of finding sword-type weapons, which is important in the early game and for finding Hit {{Sword|attributes|Calibur|Caliburs}} later. Items include {{Sword|rare|Daylight Scar}}, {{Sword|rare|Sealed J-Sword}}, {{Sword|rare|Zanba}}, {{Shield|rare|Red Ring}}, and {{Sword|rare|Lame d'Argent}}.
|-
===Finding items that HUcast hunts well===
|[[File:Viridia icon.png|frameless|32x32px|link=|title-Viridia]]
<big>{{Viridia|32}}</big>
|[[L&K38 Combat]], [[Heavenly/Battle]], [[V101]], [[Swordsman Lore]], [[Red Ring]], [[Smartlink]], [[Heavenly/Power]], [[Parasitic Gene "Flow"]], [[Lame d'Argent]], [[Limiter]]
|Viridia has access to a large number of essential hunter units/weapons, along with strong L&K and Lame hunts.
|-
|[[File:Skyly icon.png|frameless|32x32px|link=|title=Skyly]]
|[[Swordsman Lore]], [[Daylight Scar]], [[Guren]], [[Sealed J-Sword]], [[Red Ring]], [[Lame d'Argent]], [[Zanba]]
|A strong ID for late game areas due to good hunts in Ruins and Tower along with boosted chance for Caliburs.
|}


==Material Plans==
Hunters are potent boss killers, and Viridia is ideal for hunting bosses, as {{Shield|rare|Red Ring}} and {{Tool|rare|Parasitic Gene "Flow"}} are coveted drops which only drop from the bosses at the end of Episode 1 and Episode 2. {{Gun|rare|L&K38 Combat}} is also an item that can be hunted while hunting bosses.
'''Important Stats Only''' - Maxes important stats as early as possible. Recommended for levelling.
===General good ID===
<big>{{Whitill|32}}</big>


'''Min-Max''' - Maxes as many character specific stats as possible by level 200 using the minimum number of slot units. Recommended at level 200.
Whitill is a powerful ID that gets many coveted and valued items in almost every area in the game. Whitill is the most unrestrictive ID, giving players the freedom to play any content and still have the chance of scoring something big, in contrast to more restrictive IDs such as {{Bluefull}}, which focus players into certain areas. Whitill finds many good items such as {{Unit|rare|V502}}, {{Gun|rare|Heaven Striker}}, {{Sword|rare|Diska of Braveman}}, {{Gun|rare|Frozen Shooter}}, {{Sword|rare|Slicer of Fanatic}}, and more!


==Material and Mag plans==
'''Important Stats Only''' - Maxes important stats as early as possible. Recommended for leveling.<br>
'''Min-Max''' - Maxes as many character specific stats as possible by level 200 using the minimum number of slot units. Recommended at level 200.<br>
'''Max Stats''' - Attempts to max all stats at level 200. Ignores any sort of equipment efficiency. Not recommended.
'''Max Stats''' - Attempts to max all stats at level 200. Ignores any sort of equipment efficiency. Not recommended.
=== With V101 ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
| rowspan="2" |
! rowspan="2" |Plan
! rowspan="2" |Mag
! rowspan="2" |Mag
! rowspan="2" |Units
! rowspan="2" |Units
! rowspan="2" |Shield
! rowspan="2" |Shield
! colspan="6" |Materials
! colspan="5" |Materials
|-
|-
!Power
!Power
Line 51: Line 57:
|-
|-
|Important Stats Only
|Important Stats Only
| rowspan="4" |5/133/62/0
|5/133/62/0
| rowspan="4" |[[V101]]
|{{Unit|rare|V101}}
| rowspan="2" |[[Red Ring]]
|{{Shield|rare|Red Ring}}
|122
|122
| -
| -
| rowspan="4" | -
| -
|28
|28
| rowspan="4" | -
| -
|-
|-
|Min-Max
|Min-Max
|5/133/62/0
|{{Unit|rare|V101}}
|{{Shield|rare|Red Ring}}
|106
|106
|16
|16
| -
|28
|28
| -
|-
|-
|Important Stats Only*
|Important Stats Only*
| rowspan="2" | -
|5/133/62/0
|{{Unit|rare|V101}}
| -
|112
|112
| -
| -
| -
|38
|38
| -
|-
|-
|Min-Max*
|Min-Max*
|5/133/62/0
|{{Unit|rare|V101}}
| -
|106
|106
|6
|6
| -
|38
|38
| -
|-
|-
|Max Stats
|Max Stats
|5/139/56/0
|5/139/56/0
|[[V101]], [[Centurion/Ability]]
|{{Unit|rare|V101}}, {{Unit|rare|Centurion/Ability}}
| rowspan="2" |[[Red Ring]]
|{{Shield|rare|Red Ring}}
|85
|85
|25
|25
Line 85: Line 105:
|13
|13
|12
|12
|}The ISO* and Min-Max* plans disregard Red Ring as a means of maxing the LCK stat, allowing for swaps to other barriers such as {{Shield|rare|Kasami Bracer}} without losing out on crit chance.
=== Without V101 ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! rowspan="2" |Plan
! rowspan="2" |Mag
! rowspan="2" |Units
! rowspan="2" |Shield
! colspan="4" |Materials
|-
|-
!Power
!Def
!Evade
!Luck
|-
|-
|Important Stats Only (-3 ATP)
|Important Stats Only (-3 ATP)
|5/130/65/0
|5/130/65/0
| -
| -
|115
| {{Shield|rare|Red Ring}}
| -
| 115
| -
| -
|35
| -
| -
|-
| 35
|}The ISO* and Min-Max* plans disregard Red Ring as a means of maxing the LCK stat, allowing for swaps to other barriers such as Kasami Bracer without losing out on crit chance.
|}HUcast has no Max Stats plan without a V101; it would still require two units, so it's better to use a plan that includes V101 to allow for more equipment usage.


HUcast has no Max Stats plan without a V101; it would still require two units, so it's better to use a plan that includes V101 to allow for more equipment usage.
==Equipment progression==
==Equipment progression==


=== Pre-Ultimate ===
=== Pre-Ultimate ===


=== Early Ultimate Essentials ===
=== Early Ultimate essentials ===
[[Heavenly/Battle]]: 40% battle speed is borderline mandatory for handling monsters in Ultimate. This will make everything else more effective.
{{Unit|rare|Heavenly/Battle}}: 40% battle speed is borderline mandatory for handling monsters in Ultimate. This will make everything else more effective.


[[Smartlink]]: Removes the ranged accuracy penalty Hunters suffer from. Details are on the smartlink page.
{{Unit|rare|Smartlink}}: Removes the ranged accuracy penalty Hunters suffer from.


Berserk/Charge [[Raygun]]: Necessary for trapshooting and any situation where you need to quickly deal damage at a distance. Faster and better range than mechguns, more accurate than L&K38. 50 hit common weapons can be acquired through events that feature the scavenger, and can often be bought from other players for 1pd each.
Berserk/Charge {{Gun|Raygun}}: Necessary for trapshooting and any situation where you need to quickly deal damage at a distance. Faster and better range than mechguns, more accurate than L&K38. 50 hit common weapons can be acquired through events that feature the scavenger, and can often be bought from other players for 1pd each.


Berserk/Charge [[Vulcan]]/[[M&A60 Vise]]: Very high single target damage. 50 hit common weapons can be acquired through events that feature the scavenger, and can often be bought from other players for 1pd each. Generally ATA is a much higher priority than the marginal ATP mechguns provide.
Berserk/Charge {{Gun|Vulcan}}/{{Gun|rare|M&A60 Vise}}: Very high single target damage. 50 Hit Berserk or Charge Vulcans can be rarely found at the [[Arms Shop]] or bought cheaply from other players. ATA is generally a much higher priority on mechguns, as they provide a marginal amount of ATP no matter what.


[[Diska of Braveman]] and [[Thirteen]]: Powerful multi-target ranged damage that can be hunted or bought early. Even with low hit and HUcast's accuracy this weapon can reliably hit using the [[Accuracy glitch]]. Thirteen is not essential but it substantially boosts DoB's accuracy and damage.
{{Sword|rare|Diska of Braveman}} and {{Frame|rare|Thirteen}}: Powerful multi-target ranged damage that can be hunted or bought early. Even with low Hit and HUcast's poor accuracy, this combo can allow Diska of Braveman's {{Attack|special|l}} to reliably hit using the [[accuracy glitch]]. Thirteen is not essential, but it substantially boosts Diska of Braveman's accuracy and damage.


[[Twin Blaze]]: Casts low level gifoie. The lingering attack can be useful for detonating traps instantly and stopping enemy charges (eg dorpons, delbiters, zus).
{{Sword|rare|Twin Blaze}}: Casts low level {{Gifoie}}. The lingering attack can be useful for detonating traps instantly and stopping enemy charges (e.g. from [[Dorphon]]s, [[Delbiter]]s, or [[Zu]]s).


=== Next Tier ===
=== Next tier ===
[[V501]]: Boosts the effectiveness of hell and arrest specials.
{{Unit|rare|V501}}: Boosts the effectiveness of [[Weapons#Instant kill|instant kill]] and [[Weapons#Paralysis|paralysis]] specials.


Arrest [[Raygun]]: Fast, accurate, ranged arrest. Extremely important when dealing with enemies that can't be frozen ([[Dorphon]], [[Girtablulu]]).
{{Gun|Raygun|Arrest Raygun}}: Fast, accurate, ranged paralysis. Extremely important when dealing with enemies that can't be [[Freeze (status)|frozen]] ([[Dorphon]], [[Girtablulu]]).


Hell [[Raygun]]: Fast, accurate, ranged hell. Less important on HUcast because his ATP makes damage viable, it is still the fastest way to deal with many episode 2 enemies.
{{Gun|Raygun|Hell Raygun}}: Fast, accurate, ranged instant kill. Less important on HUcast because his high ATP means dealing regular damage is always a viable option, but Hell is still the fastest way to deal with many Episode 2 enemies.


[[S-Parts ver2.01]]: Barrier that provides +15 ATA. Generally the best barrier available to HUcast before level 180.
{{Shield|rare|S-Parts ver2.01}}: Barrier that provides 15 ATA. Generally the best barrier available to HUcast before level 180.


[[Excalibur]]: Can increase ATA if paired with POSS. Fast, high DPS dealing weapon up to 3 targets. Best used on frozen packed foes (e.g. jumping Sinows, rushing Delbiters, etc), with a high potential of CK.
{{Sword|rare|Excalibur}}: Can increase ATA if paired with {{Unit|rare|Proof of Sword-Saint}}. Fast, high-DPS weapon that hits up to 3 targets. Best used on frozen foes that are close together (e.g. jumping Sinows, rushing [[Delbiter]]s, etc) with a high potential of being killed in a single combo.


[[Vjaya]]: Highest multi-target damage weapon in the game, special attack has hard attack accuracy. While being a costly weapon to use, it is the best to safely CK multiple high HP enemies. To give you an idea of its potential: the right support allows you to one combo most Episode 2 mini-bosses. With the right sphereing, it can kill weaker grunts in one swing.
{{Sword|rare|Vjaya}}: Highest multi-target damage weapon in the game whose {{Attack|special}} has {{Attack|hard|l}} accuracy. While being a costly weapon to use, it is the best choice to safely kill multiple high-HP enemies in a single combo. To give an idea of its potential: with high-level support techniques, most ''minibosses'' in Episode 2 can be killed in one combo. With the right [[Photon Sphere#Uses|sphering]], it can kill weaker enemies in one swing.


=== Next Tier ===
=== Next tier ===
[[V502]]: Doubles the effectiveness of hell.
{{Unit|rare|V502}}: Doubles the effectiveness of [[Weapons#Instant kill|instant kill specials]].


[[V101]]: Heavenly/Battle with stat bonuses attached.
{{Unit|rare|V101}}: Heavenly/Battle with stat bonuses attached.


Hell [[ES J-Cutter]]/[[ES Slicer]]: Multi-target, ranged hell. With the [[Accuracy glitch]] this is one of HUcast's most accurate multi-target hell options, as well.
Hell {{Sword|es|ES J-Cutter}}/{{Sword|es|ES Slicer}}: Multi-target, ranged Hell. With the [[accuracy glitch]], this is one of HUcast's most accurate multi-target Hell options.


Arrest [[ES J-Cutter]]/[[ES Slicer]]: Multi-target, ranged arrest. Particularly helpful for groups of dorphons or girtablulus after it starts flailing its arms (slicers aren't affected by manual evasion).
Arrest {{Sword|es|ES J-Cutter}}/{{Sword|es|ES Slicer}}: Multi-target, ranged Arrest. Particularly helpful for groups of moving Dorphons or flailing Girtablulus (slicers aren't affected by manual evasion).


[[Dark Flow]]: Strongest single target, spawn-killing weapon. Special attack has hard attack accuracy, but high hit is required for safe usage. Have to stand against an enemy in order to stack all 5 waves of the special attack. Hard attack can be used to one hit kill Ob Lilies (A% required most of the time). DF's special also has infinite vertical height, making if useful against flying monsters/bosses. It also has the unique property of killing foes before target even appears, on the very first frame of their spawn (video example).
{{Sword|rare|Dark Flow}}: Strongest single target, spawn-killing weapon. {{Attack|Special}} has {{attack|hard}} accuracy, but high Hit is required for safe usage. Have to stand against an enemy in order to stack all 5 waves of the special attack. Hard attack can be used to one-hit kill [[Ob Lily|Ob Lilies]] (A.Beast% required most of the time). Dark Flow's special also has infinite vertical height, making it useful against flying monsters/bosses. It also has the unique property of killing foes before the targeting reticle even appears, on the very first frame of their spawn (video example).


[[Red Ring]]: Barrier that provides +20 ATP and ATA as well as great defensive stats. Outside of specific situations this will be HUcast's best-in-slot barrier.
{{Shield|rare|Red Ring}}: Barrier that provides 20 ATP and ATA as well as great defensive stats. Outside of specific situations, this will be HUcast's best-in-slot barrier.


== Strategy ==
== Strategy ==


===Comboing Safely ===
===Comboing safely ===
When close to an enemy, it is often necessary to delay your second and third attack in order to stagger the monster. Hitting a monster when it is recoiling from a previous hit will not add any duration to its recoil animation, so if you attack as quickly as possible it can often hit you after your second attack.
When close to an enemy, it is often necessary to delay your second and third attack in order to stagger the monster. Hitting a monster when it is recoiling from a previous hit will not add any duration to its recoil animation, so if you attack as quickly as possible, it can often hit you after your second attack.


Some weapons leave you unsafe after the third attack: you will want to use a two attack combo unless you are certain the third attack will kill. This varies based on your battle speed, the enemy, and positioning; but swords are particularly bad about this. Ending on a heavy attack can also be safer as it pushes the enemy back more than normal/special attacks (with a few exceptions).
Some weapons leave you unsafe after the third attack: you will want to use a two attack combo unless you are certain the third attack will kill. This varies based on your battle speed, the enemy, and positioning, but this issue is particularly glaring with swords. Ending on a {{Attack|heavy|l}} can also be safer as it pushes the enemy back more than [[File:Normal Attack.png|16px|middle|link=Attack#Normal attack]][[Attack#Normal attack|normal]]/[[File:Extra Attack.png|16px|middle|link=Attack#Special attack]][[Attack#Special attack|special attacks]] (with a few exceptions).


You can feint an enemy to swing in the air, leaving his side/back safe for you. It is extremely useful against fast moving monsters such as Melqueek and Del-D, or a Delsaber that you want to hit in close combat. Know your safe combos and which weapons are efficient against what. Knowing if a combo will kill
You can feint an enemy to swing at the air, leaving his side/back safe for you. It is extremely useful against fast-moving monsters such as [[Melqueek]] and [[Del-D]], or a [[Delsaber]] that you want to hit in close combat. Know your safe combos and which weapons are efficient against which monsters.


=== Trap Usage ===
=== Trap usage ===
Traps are an extremely powerful tool given to androids and effective usage can be the difference between struggling and efficient play.
[[Traps]] are an extremely powerful tool given to androids and effective usage can be the difference between struggling and efficient play.


There are a few common ways to use traps:
There are a few common ways to use traps:


* Trap shooting: set a trap and immediately detonate it by shooting it, typically with a handgun but possible with some other weapons. This is the fastest way to detonate a trap if unprepared, with the downside of being mid handgun animation when the trap is detonated, wasting some of the effective frozen time.
* Trap shooting: set a trap and immediately detonate it by shooting it, typically with a handgun but possible with some other weapons. This is the fastest way to detonate a trap if unprepared, with the downside of being in the middle of a handgun animation when the trap is detonated, wasting some of the effective [[Freeze (status)|frozen]] time.
* Twin blaze: the lingering gifoie from twin blaze will instantly detonate any traps set in it. This is a little slower to set up but lets you immediately attack after setting the trap.
* {{Sword|rare|Twin Blaze}}: the lingering {{Gifoie}} from Twin Blaze will instantly detonate any traps set in it. This is a little slower to set up but lets you immediately attack after setting the trap.
* Timed: traps have a set amount of time to arm, after which they will detonate immediately when something (player or monster) comes within range. Leaving traps where enemies will spawn soon gives you flexibility of positioning.
* Timed: traps have a set amount of time to arm, after which they will detonate immediately when something (player or monster) comes within range. Leaving traps where monsters will spawn soon gives you flexibility of positioning.


Freeze Traps: guaranteed AOE freeze. This buys your team four seconds to safely deal with a wave in addition to reducing the enemy's EVP by 30%. It's hard to overstate how powerful freeze traps are, freezing the right waves can make everything easier for your whole team. It might not always be ideal to freeze waves immediately as they spawn - allowing monsters to group together can make them easier to take out.
{{Trap|Traps#Freeze traps|Freeze traps}}: guaranteed area-of-effect freeze. This buys your team four seconds to safely deal with a wave, in addition to reducing the enemy's EVP by 30%. It's hard to overstate how powerful freeze traps are; freezing the right waves can make everything easier for your whole team. It might not always be ideal to freeze waves immediately as they spawn allowing monsters to group together can make them easier to take out.


Damage Traps: moderate damage to enemies with low EFR. In ultimate damage traps are most commonly used to kill slimes and scare rappies. Detonating a DT where a slime spawns will instantly kill it. Detonating a DT where a rappy is dropping in will cause it to drop to the ground and run immediately, but this is prone to desync.
{{Trap|Traps#Damage traps|Damage traps}}: moderate damage to monsters with low EFR. On Ultimate difficulty, damage traps are most commonly used to kill Slimes and scare Rappies. Detonating a damage trap where a Slime spawns will instantly kill it. Detonating a damage trap where a Rappy is dropping in will cause it to drop to the ground and run immediately, but this is prone to desync.


Confuse Traps: AOE confusion. This is a powerful effect when monsters' damage is higher than the players'. It can also be useful to cause enemies to gather to each other. Generally in ultimate confuse traps are considered disruptive because it overrides freeze and can cause monsters to behave unpredictably, but it still has use.
{{Trap|Traps#Confuse traps|Confuse traps}}: Area-of-effect [[confusion]]. This is a powerful effect when monsters' damage is higher than the players'. It can also be useful to cause enemies to cluster around each other. On Ultimate, confuse traps are generally considered disruptive because they override the more powerful freeze effect and can cause monsters to behave unpredictably, but they still have their uses.


===Spawn knowledge===
===Spawn knowledge===
The best way of being effective in this game is to know the spawns by heart along with the monsters' behaviors, and it goes for any class, really. It seems tedious and difficult at first, but it is a Hunter's keystone as their AOE is very limited and their effectiveness relies on knowing what is happening next. The easiest way to learn a quest is to run it several times, remembering the most important waves first (e.g. iconic enemies positioning, dangerous enemies, large amounts of enemies), then filling the gaps with the minor ones. It allows you to read what your partners' are intending to do once you are comfortable with the quest. You can assume that an experienced player going towards X direction means that he will deal with X enemies and leave the others to you. That is why following someone and attacking "his" monsters likely doesn't help and can be dangerous if nobody takes care of the remaining ones.
The best way of being effective in ''PSO'' is to memorize the monster spawns per quest, along with the monsters' behaviors. This applies to any class. It seems tedious and difficult at first, but it is a Hunter's keystone, as their area of effect is very limited and their effectiveness relies on knowing what is happening next. The easiest way to learn a quest is to run it several times, remembering the most important waves first (e.g. iconic monsters' positioning, dangerous enemies, large amounts of enemies), then filling the gaps with the minor ones. It allows you to read what your partners are intending to do once you are comfortable with the quest. You can assume that an experienced player going in a certain direction means that they will deal with the enemies spawning in that area, leaving the others to you. This is why following someone and attacking the monsters they're prepared to deal with likely isn't helpful and can be dangerous if nobody takes care of the remaining ones.
==Recommended endgame equipment==
'''Melee'''
*10 Targets: {{Sword|rare|Vjaya}}, {{Sword|rare|Yunchang}}, {{Sword|rare|Zanba}}, {{Sword|rare|Tsumikiri J-Sword}}, {{Sword|rare|Red Sword}}, {{Sword|rare|Dark Flow}} (No Combo)
 
*3 Targets: {{Sword|rare|Excalibur}}
 
*1 Target Multi-Hit: {{Sword|rare|Black King Bar}}, {{Sword|rare|Daylight Scar}}, {{Sword|rare|Jizai}}, {{Sword|rare|Double Cannon}}, {{Sword|rare|Musashi}}
 
'''Ranged'''
*4 Targets: {{Sword|rare|Diska of Braveman}}, {{Sword|Diska|Charge Diska}}
 
*1 Target: {{Gun|Raygun}} (Charge, Berserk)
 
*1 Target Multi-Hit: {{Gun|Vulcan}} (Charge, Berserk), {{Gun|rare|M&A60 Vise}}, {{Gun|rare|L&K38 Combat}} (No Combo)
 
'''Specials'''
*4 Targets: {{Sword|es|ES J-Cutter}} / {{Sword|es|ES Slicer}} (Arrest, Hell)
 
*3 Targets: {{Sword|rare|Slicer of Fanatic}}
 
*1 Target: {{Gun|Raygun}} (Arrest, Hell), {{Gun|es|ES Gun}} (Zalure)
 
*1 Target Multi-Hit: {{Gun|es|ES Mechgun}} (Demon's)
 
'''Special Purpose'''
*{{Sword|rare|Lavis Blade}}, {{Sword|rare|Girasole}}
 
*{{Cane|rare|Kunai}}, {{Cane|rare|Syringe}}
 
*{{Sword|rare|S-Red's Blade}}
 
*{{Sword|rare|Tsumikiri J-Sword}}, {{Sword|rare|Berdysh}}
 
*{{Sword|rare|Twin Blaze}}
 
*{{Gun|rare|Drill Launcher}}
 
'''Armors'''
*{{Frame|rare|Thirteen}}, {{Frame|rare|D-Parts ver1.01}}, {{Frame|rare|Dress Plate}}, {{Frame|rare|Blue Odoshi Violet Nimaidou}}, {{Frame|rare|Stealth Suit}}
 
'''Shields'''
*{{Shield|rare|S-Parts ver2.01}}, {{Shield|rare|Red Ring}}, {{Shield|rare|Anti-Dark Ring}}, {{Shield|rare|God's Shield "Kouryu"}}
 
'''Units'''
*{{Unit|rare|V101}}, {{Unit|rare|V502}}, {{Unit|rare|Smartlink}}, {{Unit|rare|Proof of Sword-Saint}}
<br>{{Classes}}
{{Guides}}
[[Category:Classes]]

Latest revision as of 17:34, 25 January 2024

HUcast.png
< Return to HUcast

HUcast is an android Hunter with the highest ATP in the game. While not immediately intuitive, HUcast is the best Hunter for both multiplayer and One Person mode, as his tremendous ATP makes him have the highest damage potential in both modes. Along with his access to traps, this gives him extremely powerful crowd control with the power to mow down any spawn.

In comparison to the other Hunters, he is almost always better in every situation, with only HUnewearl having an advantage in regular play with her access to useful support techniques.

HUcast is good for both beginners and advanced players, although beginners who are not familiar with how to avoid enemy damage may struggle with staying alive due to only being able to carry up to 10 of each healing item.

Pros and cons[edit | edit source]

HUcast is a master of close-range damage. If positioned well, he can deal the most damage of any class in the game in most situations. His access to traps and boosted paralysis activation chance makes him among the most capable at crowd control, as well.

In many situations, it is optimal to play HUcast at less than 12.5% HP in order to enable Sword icon.pngDark Flow's special. This can be a pro or a con depending on personal preference, and is not a mandatory part of playing the class.

Pros

  • Highest ATP - Large combo kill potential
  • Access to traps - The most powerful crowd control tool in the game
  • Hunter arsenal - With options such as Sword icon.pngDark Flow, Sword icon.pngVjaya, Sword icon.pngDiska of Braveman, and Gun icon.pngL&K38 Combat, hunters have some of the most efficient answers when prepared for a spawn
  • Good at both single- and multiplayer - Level 3 Shifta.pngShifta is enough to give HUcast more ATP than any other class can achieve in a singleplayer game

Cons

  • Lower ATA - While mostly compensated for by freeze and paralysis, HUcast can struggle with lower Hit gear
  • Limited effective range - HU's arsenal is much less effective if they are not positioned for a spawn

Section ID choice[edit | edit source]

As HUcast, any ID is a good choice, as HUcast is an optimal damage dealer in any area. Below are some recommendations for HUcast, but there are no wrong choices if another ID is desired to hunt a specific item.

Finding items for HUcast[edit | edit source]

Skyly icon.pngSkyly

Skyly has access to many essential HUcast items and an increased rate of finding sword-type weapons, which is important in the early game and for finding Hit Sword icon.pngCaliburs later. Items include Sword icon.pngDaylight Scar, Sword icon.pngSealed J-Sword, Sword icon.pngZanba, Shield icon.pngRed Ring, and Sword icon.pngLame d'Argent.

Finding items that HUcast hunts well[edit | edit source]

Viridia icon.pngViridia

Hunters are potent boss killers, and Viridia is ideal for hunting bosses, as Shield icon.pngRed Ring and Tool icon.pngParasitic Gene "Flow" are coveted drops which only drop from the bosses at the end of Episode 1 and Episode 2. Gun icon.pngL&K38 Combat is also an item that can be hunted while hunting bosses.

General good ID[edit | edit source]

Whitill icon.pngWhitill

Whitill is a powerful ID that gets many coveted and valued items in almost every area in the game. Whitill is the most unrestrictive ID, giving players the freedom to play any content and still have the chance of scoring something big, in contrast to more restrictive IDs such as Bluefull icon.pngBluefull, which focus players into certain areas. Whitill finds many good items such as Unit icon.pngV502, Gun icon.pngHeaven Striker, Sword icon.pngDiska of Braveman, Gun icon.pngFrozen Shooter, Sword icon.pngSlicer of Fanatic, and more!

Material and Mag plans[edit | edit source]

Important Stats Only - Maxes important stats as early as possible. Recommended for leveling.
Min-Max - Maxes as many character specific stats as possible by level 200 using the minimum number of slot units. Recommended at level 200.
Max Stats - Attempts to max all stats at level 200. Ignores any sort of equipment efficiency. Not recommended.

With V101[edit | edit source]

Plan Mag Units Shield Materials
Power Def Evade Luck Unused
Important Stats Only 5/133/62/0 Unit icon.pngV101 Shield icon.pngRed Ring 122 - - 28 -
Min-Max 5/133/62/0 Unit icon.pngV101 Shield icon.pngRed Ring 106 16 - 28 -
Important Stats Only* 5/133/62/0 Unit icon.pngV101 - 112 - - 38 -
Min-Max* 5/133/62/0 Unit icon.pngV101 - 106 6 - 38 -
Max Stats 5/139/56/0 Unit icon.pngV101, Unit icon.pngCenturion/Ability Shield icon.pngRed Ring 85 25 15 13 12

The ISO* and Min-Max* plans disregard Red Ring as a means of maxing the LCK stat, allowing for swaps to other barriers such as Shield icon.pngKasami Bracer without losing out on crit chance.

Without V101[edit | edit source]

Plan Mag Units Shield Materials
Power Def Evade Luck
Important Stats Only (-3 ATP) 5/130/65/0 - Shield icon.pngRed Ring 115 - - 35

HUcast has no Max Stats plan without a V101; it would still require two units, so it's better to use a plan that includes V101 to allow for more equipment usage.

Equipment progression[edit | edit source]

Pre-Ultimate[edit | edit source]

Early Ultimate essentials[edit | edit source]

Unit icon.pngHeavenly/Battle: 40% battle speed is borderline mandatory for handling monsters in Ultimate. This will make everything else more effective.

Unit icon.pngSmartlink: Removes the ranged accuracy penalty Hunters suffer from.

Berserk/Charge Gun icon.pngRaygun: Necessary for trapshooting and any situation where you need to quickly deal damage at a distance. Faster and better range than mechguns, more accurate than L&K38. 50 hit common weapons can be acquired through events that feature the scavenger, and can often be bought from other players for 1pd each.

Berserk/Charge Gun icon.pngVulcan/Gun icon.pngM&A60 Vise: Very high single target damage. 50 Hit Berserk or Charge Vulcans can be rarely found at the Arms Shop or bought cheaply from other players. ATA is generally a much higher priority on mechguns, as they provide a marginal amount of ATP no matter what.

Sword icon.pngDiska of Braveman and Frame icon.pngThirteen: Powerful multi-target ranged damage that can be hunted or bought early. Even with low Hit and HUcast's poor accuracy, this combo can allow Diska of Braveman's Extra Attack.pngspecial attack to reliably hit using the accuracy glitch. Thirteen is not essential, but it substantially boosts Diska of Braveman's accuracy and damage.

Sword icon.pngTwin Blaze: Casts low level Gifoie.pngGifoie. The lingering attack can be useful for detonating traps instantly and stopping enemy charges (e.g. from Dorphons, Delbiters, or Zus).

Next tier[edit | edit source]

Unit icon.pngV501: Boosts the effectiveness of instant kill and paralysis specials.

Gun icon.pngArrest Raygun: Fast, accurate, ranged paralysis. Extremely important when dealing with enemies that can't be frozen (Dorphon, Girtablulu).

Gun icon.pngHell Raygun: Fast, accurate, ranged instant kill. Less important on HUcast because his high ATP means dealing regular damage is always a viable option, but Hell is still the fastest way to deal with many Episode 2 enemies.

Shield icon.pngS-Parts ver2.01: Barrier that provides 15 ATA. Generally the best barrier available to HUcast before level 180.

Sword icon.pngExcalibur: Can increase ATA if paired with Unit icon.pngProof of Sword-Saint. Fast, high-DPS weapon that hits up to 3 targets. Best used on frozen foes that are close together (e.g. jumping Sinows, rushing Delbiters, etc) with a high potential of being killed in a single combo.

Sword icon.pngVjaya: Highest multi-target damage weapon in the game whose Extra Attack.pngspecial attack has Heavy Attack.pnghard attack accuracy. While being a costly weapon to use, it is the best choice to safely kill multiple high-HP enemies in a single combo. To give an idea of its potential: with high-level support techniques, most minibosses in Episode 2 can be killed in one combo. With the right sphering, it can kill weaker enemies in one swing.

Next tier[edit | edit source]

Unit icon.pngV502: Doubles the effectiveness of instant kill specials.

Unit icon.pngV101: Heavenly/Battle with stat bonuses attached.

Hell Sword icon.pngES J-Cutter/Sword icon.pngES Slicer: Multi-target, ranged Hell. With the accuracy glitch, this is one of HUcast's most accurate multi-target Hell options.

Arrest Sword icon.pngES J-Cutter/Sword icon.pngES Slicer: Multi-target, ranged Arrest. Particularly helpful for groups of moving Dorphons or flailing Girtablulus (slicers aren't affected by manual evasion).

Sword icon.pngDark Flow: Strongest single target, spawn-killing weapon. Extra Attack.pngSpecial attack has Heavy Attack.pnghard attack accuracy, but high Hit is required for safe usage. Have to stand against an enemy in order to stack all 5 waves of the special attack. Hard attack can be used to one-hit kill Ob Lilies (A.Beast% required most of the time). Dark Flow's special also has infinite vertical height, making it useful against flying monsters/bosses. It also has the unique property of killing foes before the targeting reticle even appears, on the very first frame of their spawn (video example).

Shield icon.pngRed Ring: Barrier that provides 20 ATP and ATA as well as great defensive stats. Outside of specific situations, this will be HUcast's best-in-slot barrier.

Strategy[edit | edit source]

Comboing safely[edit | edit source]

When close to an enemy, it is often necessary to delay your second and third attack in order to stagger the monster. Hitting a monster when it is recoiling from a previous hit will not add any duration to its recoil animation, so if you attack as quickly as possible, it can often hit you after your second attack.

Some weapons leave you unsafe after the third attack: you will want to use a two attack combo unless you are certain the third attack will kill. This varies based on your battle speed, the enemy, and positioning, but this issue is particularly glaring with swords. Ending on a Heavy Attack.pngheavy attack can also be safer as it pushes the enemy back more than Normal Attack.pngnormal/Extra Attack.pngspecial attacks (with a few exceptions).

You can feint an enemy to swing at the air, leaving his side/back safe for you. It is extremely useful against fast-moving monsters such as Melqueek and Del-D, or a Delsaber that you want to hit in close combat. Know your safe combos and which weapons are efficient against which monsters.

Trap usage[edit | edit source]

Traps are an extremely powerful tool given to androids and effective usage can be the difference between struggling and efficient play.

There are a few common ways to use traps:

  • Trap shooting: set a trap and immediately detonate it by shooting it, typically with a handgun but possible with some other weapons. This is the fastest way to detonate a trap if unprepared, with the downside of being in the middle of a handgun animation when the trap is detonated, wasting some of the effective frozen time.
  • Sword icon.pngTwin Blaze: the lingering Gifoie.pngGifoie from Twin Blaze will instantly detonate any traps set in it. This is a little slower to set up but lets you immediately attack after setting the trap.
  • Timed: traps have a set amount of time to arm, after which they will detonate immediately when something (player or monster) comes within range. Leaving traps where monsters will spawn soon gives you flexibility of positioning.

Trap icon.pngFreeze traps: guaranteed area-of-effect freeze. This buys your team four seconds to safely deal with a wave, in addition to reducing the enemy's EVP by 30%. It's hard to overstate how powerful freeze traps are; freezing the right waves can make everything easier for your whole team. It might not always be ideal to freeze waves immediately as they spawn – allowing monsters to group together can make them easier to take out.

Trap icon.pngDamage traps: moderate damage to monsters with low EFR. On Ultimate difficulty, damage traps are most commonly used to kill Slimes and scare Rappies. Detonating a damage trap where a Slime spawns will instantly kill it. Detonating a damage trap where a Rappy is dropping in will cause it to drop to the ground and run immediately, but this is prone to desync.

Trap icon.pngConfuse traps: Area-of-effect confusion. This is a powerful effect when monsters' damage is higher than the players'. It can also be useful to cause enemies to cluster around each other. On Ultimate, confuse traps are generally considered disruptive because they override the more powerful freeze effect and can cause monsters to behave unpredictably, but they still have their uses.

Spawn knowledge[edit | edit source]

The best way of being effective in PSO is to memorize the monster spawns per quest, along with the monsters' behaviors. This applies to any class. It seems tedious and difficult at first, but it is a Hunter's keystone, as their area of effect is very limited and their effectiveness relies on knowing what is happening next. The easiest way to learn a quest is to run it several times, remembering the most important waves first (e.g. iconic monsters' positioning, dangerous enemies, large amounts of enemies), then filling the gaps with the minor ones. It allows you to read what your partners are intending to do once you are comfortable with the quest. You can assume that an experienced player going in a certain direction means that they will deal with the enemies spawning in that area, leaving the others to you. This is why following someone and attacking the monsters they're prepared to deal with likely isn't helpful and can be dangerous if nobody takes care of the remaining ones.

Recommended endgame equipment[edit | edit source]

Melee

Ranged

  • 1 Target: Gun icon.pngRaygun (Charge, Berserk)

Specials

Special Purpose

Armors

Shields

Units