Welcome to The First Descendant Raven Build Guide for Season 4 Episode 1. In this guide, weโll show you how to unleash the full potential of Raven. Raven is a non-attribute-based character that focuses on maximizing her shields instead of HP.
Table of Contents for the Raven Build:
- How to play Raven
- Raven Builds Overview – Modules
- Raven Trigger Module
- Raven Ancestor Modules
- Arche Tuning for Raven
- Raven Equipment Overview
- Raven Basics
- Raven’s Story
For builds on other Descendants, visit our The First Descendant Builds Database, or check out the Character Tier List or the Weapon Tier List.
TFD Wiki: We have expanded Alcasthq with tfd.gameslantern.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!
Here is a quick list of the strengths and weaknesses of the Raven Build for The First Descendant.
Raven’s Strengths
Raven’s Weaknesses
How to Play Raven in The First Descendant
In this section, we are going to take a look at how Raven works in The First Descendant. Raven isย aย Non-Attribute-basedย Descendant.
Raven’s power scales with higher Max Shield, unless you use some specific transcendent module that changes that like with our build that uses the Nighfall transcendent mod.
- Raven Mobbing Build (Nightfall) – Max AOE Damage Mobbing Build with the Nightfall transcendent module.
To unlock Ravenโs full potential, you need the right Modules, Weapons, Reactors, and External Components:
- Modules: Selecting the rightย Modules boosts your character’s power the most; this is very important and changes depending on what build you use.
- Ancestor Modules: Having a goodย Ancestor module with the right perks is key to maxing out your damage potential.
- Weapons: Raven uses weapons to deal damage. See the Best Weapons for Raven section.
- Reactors: Selecting the right reactor can drastically boost your damage. Check out the Best Reactors for Raven section.
- External Components: These are critical for survivability. Properly configured, they double or triple your HP or DEF. Learn more in the Best External Components for Raven section.
Building a top-tier The First Descendant Raven Build requires not only the right modules but also optimized weapons, reactors, and components.
Best Raven Builds Overview for The First Descendant
In this section, we are going to look at the best Raven Build Setups for The First Descendant. For an optimized build, you must make sure to have enough:
Crystallization Catalysts: To unlock the necessary socket slots.- Energy Activator: To increase overall module capacity.
- Gold & Kuiper: Best Gold Farming Method – Best Kuiper Shard Farming Method.
Equipment: I will cover Weapons, Reactors, External Components, Inversion Reinforcements, and Transcendent Modules in the Raven Equipment section. To maximize the power of any build, you must get the correct items!
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Raven Mobbing Build | Used for hard mobbing content. |
| Raven Bossing Build | Optimized to fight against Colossus. |
Raven Mobbing Build
This is the Raven Mobbing Build for The First Descendant. It uses the Nightfall transcendent module. It focuses on crit, cooldown, and range.
Nightfall transcendent module: Changes Raven Feather to an Attack Skill. Increases AOE damage capability. Raven’s passive now gives Skill Critical Hit Rate increase 6%[+] and stacks up to 5 times based on how many Raven’s Claws you keep summoned.
Ancestor Module Shadow’s Resolve:ย
- Essential: Skill Critical Hit Damage, Singular/Non-Attribute Skill Power Boost Ratio
- Optional: Skill Cooldown, Skill Effect Range
- Negative: Any harmless perk
| Module Slot | Module Name |
|---|---|
| 0 (Trigger Module) | Infected Weapon |
| 1 (Skill Module) | Nightfall |
| 2 | Power Increase |
| 3 | Skill Concentration |
| 4 | Skill Expansion |
| 5 | Stim Accelerant |
| 6 | MP Conversion |
| 7 (Sub Module) | Mid-Air Maneuvering |
| 8 | ย Skill Insight |
| 9 | Shadow’s Resolve |
| 10 | Bio Expansion |
| 11 | Emergency Measures |
| 12 | Nimble Fingers |
Raven Bossing Build for The First Descendant
Raven Trigger Module
Trigger Modules need to be unlocked first. Learn how to unlock Trigger Modules in The First Descendant. Trigger Modules go into a special slot. Unlock special buffs and unique effects.
- Mobbing: Perfect Positioning
Raven Ancestor Module
Ancestor Modules can be slotted once you have acquired them. However, they are only worth it once you have an Ancestor module with good stat rolls on them.
- Raven Ancestor Module: Shadow’s Resolve
- Superconductive Cooling Units (Needed to Reroll perks): How to farm
- Must Read: How Ancestor Modules Scale & Examples
Superconductive Cooling Units (Needed to Reroll perks): It is only worth slotting an Ancestor Module if you have good rolls on it; otherwise, it isn’t worth it.
- Ideal Positive Rolls
- Skill Critical Hit Damage
- Singular Skill Power Boost Ratio
- Non-Attribute Skill Power Boost Ratio
- Skill Cooldown
- Skill Effect Range
- Ideal Negative Rolls
- Any harmless negative
Ancestor Module: What to Replace and Why
To slot an Ancestor Module effectively, identify existing modules that share the same primary stat. By replacing a standard module with an Ancestor version that offers similar values, you maintain your core build while gaining its additional unique perks as a ‘free’ bonus.
- How to: Replace a standard module with an Ancestor Module that mirrors its main perk.
- The values should be close; you preferably don’t want to replace a 100% with a 30% value.
- Example 1: If your Ancestor Module provides Skill Critical Hit Rate, replace Skill Insight.
- Example 2: If your Ancestor Module provides Max HP, replace Increased HP.
- Example 3: If your Ancestor Module provides Skill Effect Range, replace Skill Expansion.
- Result: All other perks from the Ancestor Module will basically be a “freebie” and improve your build!
- Helpful Links:
As long as the Ancestor Module reaches a similar value to the one you’re removing, every additional stat on that Ancestor Module becomes a “free” bonus for your build.
Arche Tuning for Raven
The Arche Tuning System in The First Descendant is important for every Character; it buffs your stats by a good amount. For The First Descendant Raven, we are focusing on the right and upper right section.
You can level up Arche Tuning with almost all activities in-game.
- Mutant Cell: Arche Chain Catalyst
Raven Equipment Overview in The First Descendant
Equipment is the cornerstone of any successful The First Descendant Build. For Raven, having the right setup can mean the difference between dominating a dungeon and falling short. This section breaks down the essential equipment types.
| Equipment Type | Importance | Key Benefits |
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Best Weapon for the Raven Build in The First Descendant
The Nightfall build won’t require a specific weapon.
| Weapon | Movement Speed | Key Features | Why Itโs Great for Raven |
|---|---|---|---|
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570 |
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630 |
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| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Other Useful Weapons
| Weapon | Category | Key Features | Why Itโs Great for Raven |
|---|---|---|---|
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Rocket Launcher |
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Sword |
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Best Reactor for Raven in The First Descendant
Selecting the best reactor for Raven in The First Descendant can significantly enhance her abilities, allowing you to maximize her effectiveness in various scenarios. Not only does the reactor determine your skill damage, but it also gives additional secondary benefits through modifiers. These are often hard to get and take time to grind out!
It is hard to get a Reactor with two best in-slot specs. However, you should be able to get a Reactor with at least one good spec. I will highlight the more important spec in bold in the table below.
| Best Reactor | Specs | Key Benefits | Best Builds |
|---|---|---|---|
 Materialized Singularity Reactor |
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Maximizing AoE damage. | |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
How to find the Location of Reactors
Reactor drop locations change every day. Not many players know this. Now there is a reactor search function in-game. Go to the map and press on Difficulty Level Rewards. In here, you can see where all the reactors currently drop.
Note: It is possible that no such reactors drop currently. Come back here every day and check if one drops.
If our specified reactor drops in an area, you go there and farm missions and monsters. There will be plenty of reactors dropping from monsters all over the place, any monster works. It will take a while to get a good reactor!
Best External Components for the Raven Build
Depending on what you like more, you have two options, either 4x Enlightened Mage or 4x Bravery. If you want to maximize damage, go for Enlightened Mage set, if you want to stack more Crow’s then go for Bravery set.
- Mobbing Max Damage: 4x Enlightened Mage
- Enlightened Mage Power: Max HP & Any of your choice
- Enlightened Mage Sensor: Max MP & Any of your choice
- Enlightened Mage Memory: DEF & Any of your choice
- Enlightened Mage Processor: Max Shield & Any of your choice
- Mobbing More Crows: 4x Bravery
- Bravery Power: Max HP & Any of your choice
- Bravery Sensor: Max MP & Any of your choice
- Bravery Memory: DEF & Any of your choice
- Bravery Processor: Max Shield & Any of your choice
Inversion Reinforcements Setup for Raven
You can find the Inversion Reinforcements in the inventory, located on the bottom left side. This changes with every new season and needs to be leveled up again.
Raven Inversion Reinforcements:
- Skill: Module Output Synchronization.
- Weapon: None.
- Recovery: Emergency Recovery Kit.
- Survival: None.
- Season: Photon Decay Reaction.
Raven Basics in The First Descendant
If it is your first time playing Raven in The First Descendant, here are some useful things you should know.
- How to unlock Raven
- All Raven Skills
- All Raven Transcendent Modules Explained
- Best Grapple Hook for Raven
How to Unlock Raven in The First Descendant
Let’s take a quick look at how to unlock Raven in The First Descendant. To unlock Raven, you have to purchase her from the store or research her. You need the following items to research Raven:
- 1x Raven Enhanced Cells
- Location 1: Legion Laboratory
- Location 2 but lower drop chance: Sigma Sector Isolated Desert (High-Risk Difficulty)
- 1x Raven Stabilizer
- Location 1: Legion Laboratory
- Location 2 but lower drop chance: Sigma Sector Isolated Desert (High-Risk Difficulty)
- 1x Raven Spiral Catalyst
- Location 1: Legion Laboratory
- Location 2 but lower drop chance: Sigma Sector Isolated Desert (High-Risk Difficulty)
- 1x Raven Code
- Location 1: Legion Laboratory
- Location 2 but lower drop chance: Sigma Sector Isolated Desert (High-Risk Difficulty)
- 400k Credits
When you visit Magisters Anais at the Research Institute you can hover over each item. Then click on Acquisition Info and it will tell you where this specific item drops.
The First Descendant Raven Skills Explained
In this section, we will explain the skills available to our Raven Build in the First Descendant, how each skill works, and the best ways for you to use them.
| Skill Name |
|---|
| Shadow Shot |
| Raven Feather |
| Shadow Step |
| Vendetta |
| Queen of Darkness (Passive) |
Shadow Shot Skill 1
ใ The closer to the target, the greater the Damage dealt.
ใ Inflict “Trace” on the target hit.
ใ With each direct attack on enemies with Trace with a Shotgun, all enemies around Raven with Trace receive Damage.
Raven Feather Skill 2
ใ Launch ravens forward, creating “Blade Feather.”
ใ Blade Feather inflicts Bleed to nearby enemies.
ใ When using the skill again, Raven retrieves Blade Feather and quickly moves to the position.
Shadow Step Skill 3
ใ Inflicts “Trace” to nearby enemies while moving forward.
ใ Raven gains “Veil of Night.”
ใ This effect is removed after neutralizing Damage received from enemies over a certain number of times.
ใ Direct attacks with Shotgun deal powerful damage while “Veil of Night” is active.
Vendetta Skill 4
ใ It is an Area Attack that can be used for up to 5 streaks.
ใ The closer to the target, the greater the Damage dealt.
Queen of Darkness (Passive)
ใ When defeating an enemy, recover Shield by a certain amount.
ใ When a Shotgun is Equipped, increase Firearm ATK and Movement Speed.
ใ Deal Additional Damage proportional to the number of shells hit.
ใ When using Roll, Raven uses a unique motion and moves farther.
All Raven Transcendent Modules Explained
First, let us look at the full list of all Transcendent Modules for Raven in The First Descendant. It is important to note that not all of the modules will be used. Some are more effective than others!
| Module Name | Module Description | Best In Slot |
|---|---|---|
| Nightfall | Changes Raven Feather to an Attack Skill. Increases AOE damage capability. Raven’s passive now gives Skill Critical Hit Rate increase 6%[+] and stacks up to 5 times based on how many Raven’s Claws you keep summoned. | |
| Law of the Back Alley | Changed to a form not restricted to a specific firearm. Inflicts debuffs on the target, and deals Additional Damage proportional to the number of debuffs. |
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Smooth Grapple Hook for your Raven Build
Using the standard Grapple Hook in The First Descendant can be a pain, and it feels kinda frustrating at times. Don’t worry, there is a way better alternative that will make it a joy to use the grappling hook!
It is called the Mid-Air Maneuvering Sub Module. I use this on all my The First Descendant Builds because it improves grappling by so much.
With this Module, you can attach your Grapple Hook to anything, even air! That means you can simply aim towards the sky and Hook up your grapple hook there for guaranteed fast movement!
Here is a guide on how to get the Mid-Air Maneuvering Sub Module in The First Descendant. It won’t take a lot of effort, but it will improve your build and overall gameplay in The First Descendant.
Raven’s Story in The First Descendant
“Confirmed death of primary surveillance target ‘Corvus.’ ‘Nightfall’ has been completely taken over by an unidentified force overnight. Note: Evidence of intervention by an unregistered Arche ability user, aka the ‘Ghost,’ who has long been a surveillance target. Extreme caution is required.” – An excerpt from a classified report by the Colon Special Forces, Albion Headquarters.
On the day gunshots rang out from the heart of the Nightfall Cartel, Eleanore, an orphan from the back alleys, erased herself. By personally taking out her godfather Corvus, the man who had given her the name Eleanore and taught her how survive in the shadows, she severed her past as a hunting hound.
She was an orphan from the back alleys who struggled to make ends meet. Then one day, she awakened her Arche ability that allowed her to perfectly assimilate into the shadows. Recognizing her potential, Corvus made her the sharpest weapon in Nightfall, the most powerful faction in the back alleys. However, Corvus’ greed for power grew uncontrollably, eventually leading him to sell forbidden artifacts and even helpless orphans to the Vulgus as experimental subjects. As an orphan who knew the horrors of survival better than anyone, that was a line she would never cross.
Her response was both ruthless and swift. After executing Corvus, she immediately crushed and unified the fragmented cartels to establish a new, massive alliance called the Guild. That was the moment when Eleanore the hunting hound vanished and Raven the Queen of Darkness came to rule.
Opinions were divided in Albion’s back alleys over this massive rebellion; a filthy traitor who repaid kindness with betrayal, or the Bloody Queen who brought strict order to a lawless land. However, these were merely epithets to Raven. For through Corvus she had not only learned the art of survival to perfection but had also engraved deep into her bones the worst possible way for a ruler to fall.
But even as she became the perfect Queen of Darkness, one question lingered in her mind. If she spent her entire life fearing the light and lurked only in the shadows, how would that be any different from being trapped in the refuge Corvus had created? That was the reason she stepped out of the shadows that had hidden her for her whole life, and, without the slightest hesitation, stood before the Albion Command that pursued her for years.
Raven’s Exclusive Equipment – Photonic Energy Control
Raven’s special Arche ability to manipulate shadows makes her appear to rule the darkness, but the Magisters determined that her true ability was closer to manipulating photons, particles of light. However, her control over photons was strictly limited to photon annihilation.
In other words, she could create spaces devoid of light by annihilating photons, and it was believed that she converted the energy released during the photon annihilation into actual physical force. Since several aspects of this process defied the Magisters’ current understanding of physics, they hoped to conduct further research on it, but Raven has refused, blocking their efforts.
“Remember this, Eleanore. The perfect hound never barks until it has its prey in its jaws.”
“That’s why you had no idea until the muzzle of this gun was pressed against your neck, Father.”
– Final conversation between Corvus and Raven
Related Guides for The First Descendant
You can also check out our Builds Database for The First Descendant or the TFD Tier List to see where characters rank!
