Welcome to The First Descendant Shadow Build (Sword). This Shadow Sword Build is updated for Season 3 Episode 2. This melee weapon was developed by reverse-engineering weapons seized from the Vulgus. Its resemblance to a weapon used by a Descendant in the distant past was the inspiration for its name, Shadow.
This Shadow Sword Build focuses on maximizing damage output.
Table of Contents:
Related: Deus Ex Manus Sword Build for The First Descendant.
You can also check out all our Weapon Builds and Character Builds Database if you are looking for more optimized builds. We also have a The First Descendant Character Tier List and a META Weapon Tier List if you wonder what to prioritize first.
TFD Wiki: We have expanded Alcasthq with tfd.alcasthq.com, a Wiki & Database for anything related to The First Descendant. Use the Character Editor or the Weapon Editor to theorycraft and create builds yourself. Browse Descendants, Weapons, Leaderboard Loadouts or use the Compare Tool. There are plenty of other features you can check out, too!
Shadow Sword Summary
The Shadow is an Ultimate Sword. This melee weapon was developed by reverse-engineering weapons seized from the Vulgus. Its resemblance to a weapon used by a Descendant in the distant past was the inspiration for its name, Shadow.
- Name: Shadow
- Type: Balanced Melee Weapon
- Ammo: Impact Rounds
- Tier: Ultimate
- Unique Ability: Shadow Slash
Unique Ability “Shadow Slash”
When the Special Attack button is pressed, charges the Weapon with energy, then dashes forward to deal damage to all enemies within range using Shadow Dash. After dashing, swings the Weapon repeatedly to use Shadow Slash. As energy charges, increases Damage and Dash Distance.
Basic Information
| Effect | Level 0 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move Distance | Max 20.0m | Max 20.0m | Max 20.0m | Max 20.0m | Max 20.0m |
| Max Damage Increase | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% |
Shadow Slash
| Effect | Level 0 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damage | Melee Weapon Damage x 86.3% | Melee Weapon Damage x 86.3% | Melee Weapon Damage x 86.3% | Melee Weapon Damage x 86.3% | Melee Weapon Damage x 86.3% |
| Range | 3.0m X 3.0m | 3.0m X 3.0m | 3.0m X 3.0m | 3.0m X 3.0m | 3.0m X 3.0m |
Shadow Dash
| Effect | Level 0 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damage | Melee Weapon Damage x 86.3% | Melee Weapon Damage x 86.3% | Melee Weapon Damage x 86.3% | Melee Weapon Damage x 86.3% | Melee Weapon Damage x 86.3% |
| Range | 2.0m X 2.0m | 2.0m X 2.0m | 2.0m X 2.0m | 2.0m X 2.0m | 2.0m X 2.0m |
Special Attack Gauge
| Effect | Level 0 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumed When Used | -120 | -105 | -90 | -75 | -60 |
Base Weapon Stat Info
Here is the full weapon stat breakdown of the Shadow Sword in The First Descendant.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Melee Weapon ATK | 54,362 |
| Melee Weapon Toxic ATK | 27,181 |
| Attack Speed | 0.565 |
| Melee Weapon Critical Hit Rate | 5 |
| Melee Weapon Critical Hit Damage | 1.1 |
| Consecutive Attack Chance | 0 |
| Consecutive Attack Damage | 1 |
| Bonus Damage Multiplier (vs. Legion of Immortality – Champions) | 4 |
| Melee Weapon Piercing Rate | 0.04 |
| Melee Weapon Min. Piercing Rate | 0.5 |
| Pierce | 10 |
| Max Melee Weapon Attack Range Multiplier | 2 |
| Movement Speed | 600 |
| Sprint Speed | 800 |
| Max Block Gauge | 100 |
| Start Block Gauge Cost | 10 |
| Maintain Block Gauge Cost | 1.8 |
| Block Gauge Recovery Start Time | 2 |
| Block Gauge Recovery Amount | 40 |
| Block Efficiency | 0.35 |
| Max Special Attack Gauge | 200 |
| Special Attack Gauge Recovery Start Time | 3 |
| Special Attack Gauge Recovery Amount | 35 |
| Attribute Status Effect Trigger Rate | 20 |
Shadow Build (Sword) for The First Descendant
This is a Mobbing-specific setup.
Next, let us take a look at an optimized Shadow Build for The First Descendant.
Here is all the info you need to create a powerful Shadow Build:
Note: High-Level Weapon Cores boost your weapons’ damage numbers into insanity. Make sure to get weapon cores as soon as possible!
Shadow Sword Modules
- Elemental Damage: Adjust the elemental modules depending on what enemies you fight (Enemy elemental weakness).
- Veil Analyzer: Only use this mod in Void Vessel content to deal with the enemy’s shields. Otherwise replace it with Penetration Enhancement.
| Module Slot | Module Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | One-Point Breakthrough |
| 2 | Sword Dance |
| 3 | Increased Range |
| 4 | Faster Attack Speed |
| 5 | Double Edge Extension |
| 6 | Hardened Reinforcement |
| 7 | Toxic Enhancement |
| 8 | Poison Priority |
| 9 | Veil Analyzer |
| 10 | Exquisite Strike |
Shadow Sword Weapon Readjustment
You can use the Weapon Readjustment at the Weapon Workbench in Albion. Here are the best Weapon Readjustments for the Shadow:
- Melee Weapon Toxic ATK
- Melee Weapon Critical Hit Rate
- Consecutive Attack Chance
- Consecutive Attack Damage
Try to upgrade the Weapon Readjustments to at least purple quality.
Shadow Sword Weapon Cores
Weapon Cores significantly boost your damage. However, especially the later-level Weapon Cores are difficult to get. So start with whatever weapon cores you have available. Weapon Cores drop in the Void Erosion Purge endgame activity.
Higher level Weapon Cores drop in the higher level Void Erosion Purge levels in The First Descendant. However, you can gradually work towards the highest level. I recommend trying to get to level six as soon as possible, since it won’t require clearing many stages and will already increase the power of your weapon tremendously.
Best Weapon Cores for the Shadow:
Melee Weapon ATK (Firearm Augmentation)- Toxic ATK (Attribute Augmentation)
- Consecutive Attack Damage (Hit Augmentation)
- Consecutive Attack Damage (Hit Augmentation)
- Consecutive Attack Chance (Hit Augmentation)
Melee Weapon ATK (Firearm Augmentation)
Toxic ATK (Attribute Augmentation)
Consecutive Attack Damage (Hit Augmentation)Shadow Sword Lore
This unique weapon can be traced back to the weapon of a Descendant who was known as Code Name Morvalde during the Apocalypse. Morvalde founded the intelligence organization now known as the Colon Special Forces to combat the Vulgus, and he himself was the first Descendant to be designated No. 0.
However, he equipped distinctive armor and weapons that were unprecedented in Albion at the time, completely different from the plate armor or longswords of knights.
Of special note are the records showing how he used the sword Shadow to assassinate numerous Vulgus commanders, clearly demonstrating his exceptional capabilities as a Descendant.
The newly developed Shadow was reconstructed based on data obtained by analyzing the weapons of the Vulgus Arche Slayer discovered in the Void Vessel. Like Morvalde in the past, it focuses on fast attacks, deadly strikes, and mobility.
However, both the past and present “Shadow” classes closely resemble the appearance of the weapon used by the Arche Assassin, which leads to suspicion that the Vulgus may have acquired Morvbalde’s legacy. As the Vulgus have already been conducting experiments using Descendants, such as the Obliviants and Serena, this suspicion is considered justifiable.
Related Guides for The First Descendant
You can also check out our Ultimate Weapons Database for The First Descendant or the Builds Database for The First Descendant.
