Post by riacte in Serenitrove comments

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Hi, thanks for the quick minor updates and Nix's rebalancing! It feels more fun to play with Nix now and I've managed to touch the Umbra layer, but just barely. The Shimmera layer kind of frustrates me because Verdant Radiance doesn't seem to reduce power needed, I would've expected it to do so especially given Nix "glows slightly". The Umbra layer is also tricky because you can't see much and I don't have stamina to spare to not use the Terracotta Jug.

Just as a reference to anyone who's trying to get Nix's Sigil, I've been doing Mycelial/Ironhide + Terracotta Jug + Star Sigil (+10% spawn). I've found the regen Sigil is also effective. Either way it relies on a lot of RNG, especially in the Spore/Toxin layer (-20 is brutal!). Grab every quartz you see on the first two layers, avoid gravel falling, calculate net shield gain in the Underbark layer, and pray for RNG onwards lol. I usually use the Jug first time somewhere in the Spore layer, and then am forced to use it (in its 50s) in the Shimmera layer when I run out of stamina. I'm interested to see what other strategies people have!

The new capsule machine and return of the relic mechanic is fun! I like the break of a minigame.

Scoot1 day ago

Hi! Thanks for the thoughtful feedback on Nix. I'm actually working on unlocking her sigil myself today, it is the last one I need too. I've always thought of Nix as the "math turtle" since playing her always comes down to precise calculations.

The recent update had a couple of important changes that might help. Shield stacks are now immune to gravel damage, and toxin damage has been reduced from 20 to 5 as long as you have at least 1 shield stack active.

For Shimmera, its current minimum hardness is 13, but I agree it may be a bit too punishing. I'm considering lowering it to 12 to make it a bit more manageable for Nix.

As for Umbra, I usually craft Mageflare Runes in bulk and use one every 3-4 digs down. Their effect is halved in that layer, but they still make a noticeable difference when used consistently.

And I'm really glad you're enjoying the capsule machine. It always felt like a missed opportunity to stop using the relic minigame after 20 relics, so it is nice to finally bring it back :)

riacte1 day ago

That's a good shout, I've also been using Mageflare Runes for Shimmera. I've reached around depth 380 now which is promising!

I agree with the math turtle, with the gems and quartz giving more shield stacks, navigating Underbark is really fun. Even in early biomes, you have to choose between shield stack, restore cells, and the most efficient path (digging straight down). In the late game, the early biomes are easy and almost mindless for most turtles, so I appreciate the challenge turtle of Nix.

I like your Shimmera suggestion since we need the opportunity to stock up on opal and etc for the Umbra layer. I think it'll be thematically nice too since it's the shiny light layer and the shiny light turtle.

Also more tips for interested people: don't try to change boots mid run (my instant stamina drain rip), and you can refresh between Meadow and Farfields until you see a spawn with more quartz.

Scoot1 day ago

I managed to reach around the middle of the Void layer with Nix using a setup of Regen Sigil, Violetheart Pendant, and Ironhide Greaves. As long as we maintain shield stacks, we can safely ignore the Sporebound debuff and keep digging downward, just be sure to carefully balance the shield gain/loss vs stamina recovery. I swap out Violetheart for Verdant Radiance in Shimmera.

With this setup, it definitely feels doable now. Just be careful in the Void layer, since each dig effectively costs 2 stamina due to Wither, regardless of shield stacks.

riacte1 day ago(+1)

I'm in shock! I followed your strat (doing Pendant the whole way) and did it after 3 tries with 15 stacks to spare! I'm so excited!!! :DD

I had super good RNG: good early stacks in in gravel layer and timely restore cells in Umbra and Void. Also the occasional Mageflare Rune. I was very lucky that my two flasks saved me with zero blocks to spare, like I was on the skin of my teeth. (I was also careless and had to use 3 ladders lol) I forgot the shield stack would also work on the core layers so I was panicking about my stamina but Nix just... went through lol.

I feel the real challenge is collecting enough stamina and shield stacks from Shimmera to go to Umbra, since the high visibility of the Void makes stuff easy to spot. Mageflare Runes are a must for Umbra, your strat of using them every 3-4 digs is very solid. You also have to be lucky with restore cells to counter Wither, so Ironhide Greaves is probably the optimal choice for deepwater dives.

I'm still in shock omg. That was so fun!! Thank you for the strats and this absolute gem of a game :DD

Scoot1 day ago

Congrats! You might actually be one of the first, if not the first, to reach Deepwater with Nix.

Glad the strat helped! I was experimenting with different sigil and equipment combos, and I noticed that the Violetheart Pendant helped a lot in sustaining Nix's stamina.

And yeah, given how tough it is for Nix to reach Deepwater, she kind of ends up feeling like the "final boss" of Farfields lol.

Thanks again for playing!

itch.io

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