The First Descendant: Serena Build & Best Loadout

Welcome to The First Descendant Serena Build Guide for Season 2. Serena Antonietta is a fire-focused Descendant and the first character that is able to fly. She is currently one of the most powerful Descendants.

1. How to play Serena: A Deep Dive
2. Serena Builds Overview
   1. Serena Dungeon Build (Skill-based)
   2. Serena Dungeon Build (Weapon-based)
   3. Serena Bossing Build (Weapon-based)
3. Ultimate Serena Build: N/A
4. Arche Tuning for Serena
5. Serena Equipment Overview
   1. Best Weapons for Serena
   2. Best Reactor for Serena
   3. Best External Components for Serena
   4. All Serena Transcendent Modules Explained
6. Serena Basics
   1. How to unlock Serena
   2. Skills Explanation – Master Serena’s Abilities
   3. Module Basics Explained!
   4. Best Grapple Hook for Serena
7. Serena’s Story

In this guide, we’ll show you how to unleash the full potential of Serena, the first flying character in The First Descendant. The build will include the perfect weapons, stats, and modules, this guide covers everything you need to create a truly devastating build for Serena Antonietta.

For builds on other Descendants, visit our The First Descendant Builds Database or check out The First Descendant Tier List – Best Characters. 

Here is a quick list of the strengths and weaknesses of the Serena Build for The First Descendant.

How to Play Serena in the First Descendant

In this section we are going to take a look at how Serena works in The First Descendant. Serena is an AoE focused character with the ability to fly and shoot. Learn about her skills in detail in Serena’s Skill Explanation section. Serena’s Transcendent Modules are also great and offer unique playstyles.

Serena’s most important ability is the fourth skill Redemption that boosts your weapon’s damage tremendously. Alternatively, you can also use the Divine Surge Transcendent Module to change Redemption into Divine Surge, allowing her to become a powerful skill-based AoE Descendant. With the correct mods you can have a 100% uptime on Redemption!

It is important for Serena to have high HP because her fourth skill Redemption scales of HP and can give you a huge damage increase.

Serena’s AoE Capabilities: Flying Flame!

Serena offers two very different AoE damage playstyles. You can play her as Weapon-based Dungeon Build with any strong AoE weapon or as Skill-based Dungeon Build with her Divine Surge Transcendent Module that allows her to function as bomber.

Therefore for any challenging dungeon content I can recommend the following two builds:

• Serena Dungeon Build (Skill-based) – With Divine Surge Transcendent Module
• Serena Dungeon Build (Weapon-based)– With a strong Weapon

Serena’s Single Target Damage: One-Shot Wonder!

With the correct weapons Serena can deal insane damage. Her fourth skill Redemption scales of HP. By having a higher HP build we get higher damage and therefore can massively increase her damage. This is so strong that you can actually one-shot pretty much any boss currently.

•  The Serena Bossing Build offers solid survivability, group buffs, sustain and great damage.

Serena’s Equipment: Make Or Break It!

To unlock Serena’s full potential, you need the right Weapons, Reactors, and External Components:

• Weapons: Focus on two general damage-dealing weapons and one weapon tailored to whatever you need for utility or special mechanics. See the Best Weapons for Serena section.
• Reactors: Selecting the right reactor can drastically boost your damage. Check out the Best Reactors for Serena section.
• External Components: These are critical for survivability. Properly configured, they double or tripple your HP or DEF. Learn more in the Best External Components for Serena section.

Building a top-tier The First Descendant Serena Build requires not only the right modules but also optimized weapons, reactors, and components.

Best Serena Builds Overview for The First Descendant

In this section, we are going to look at the different best Serena Build Setups for The First Descendant. The optimized setups require a lot of Crystallization Catalysts. We have a full guide on how to farm Crystallization Catalysts in The First Descendant.

All Serena build setups require an Energy Activator to increase the Module Capacity. We also have an in-depth guide on how to farm Energy Activators in The First Descendant. Additionally, you will need plenty of Kuiper Shards and Gold to increase Module Levels. Here are the Top 3 Kuiper Shard farm spots!

Equipment: I will cover Weapons, Reactors, and External Components in the Serena Equipment section. To maximize the power of any build, you must get the correct items!

• How to get Modules: Read the Module Farming section.
• 85 Module Capacity How? Read the basics Module section.

Note: These Serena Builds are built with each other in mind to save you Crystallization Catalysts. Only in a few slots it may require you to have two different Crystallization types.

Serena Dungeon Build (Skill-based)

• Dungeon Build Type: 400% Dungeons, Void Erosion Purge, Void Vessel, Disrupt Invasions, anything with hard difficulty.
• Dungeon Build Focus: High survivability, great skill range, damage and sustain.

The Serena Dungeon Build (Skill-based) setup focuses on the Divine Surge Transcendent Module that turns her fourth skill into an AoE dive bomb where you drop down from the air and hit a big area. You also leave a glowing area behind that deals continuous damage. This is a skill-based setup. That means we want to focus on extending our skill range and overall skill damage.

Serena Dungeon Build (Skill-based) Modules Explanation:

• Divine Surge: Changes her 4th skill into Divine Surge that deals massive AoE damage.
• Increased HP: + Max HP
• Skill Expansion: + Skill Effect Range
• Nimble Fingers: – Skill Cooldown
• Maximize Range: + Skill Effect Range
• Decimator: + Skill Power Modifier
• Mid-Air Maneuvering: Allows you to use the Grapple Hook anywhere, even air!
• Focus on Fire: + Fire Skill Power, – Skill Cooldown
• Focus on Singular: + Singular Skill Power, – Skill Cooldown
• Frugal Mindset: – Skill Cost, + Skill Effect Range
• MP Conversion: – Skill Cooldown, – Max MP
• Energy Collection: + MP Recovery

Serena Dungeon Build (Skill-based) Module Configuration Table

Module Slot	Module Name	Mod Level	Socket Type	Crystallized
1 (Skill Module)	Divine Surge	Max	Rutile	No
2	Increased HP	Max	Cerulean	Yes
3	Skill Expansion	Max	Rutile	Yes
4	Nimble Fingers	Max	Malachite	Yes
5	Maximize Range	Max	Rutile	Yes
6	Decimator	Max	Xantic	Yes
7 (Sub Module)	Mid-Air Maneuvering	Max	Malachite	Yes
8	Focus on Fire	Max	Almandine	Yes
9	Focus on Singular	Max	Rutile	Yes
10	Frugal Mindset	Max	Malachite	Yes
11	MP Conversion	Max	Malachite	Yes
12	Energy Collection	Max	Xantic	Yes

Serena Dungeon Build (Weapon-Based)

This Weapon-based Dungeon Build for Serena works best in combination with Malevolent weapon that deals insane AoE damage and Single-Target damage. However, any strong weapon will work great with this setup. Because Serena’s fourth skill scales of Max HP, the setup is focused on getting as much max HP as possible to increase our overall damage output of our weapons. This setup allows for a 100% uptime on the fourth skill.

How the Redemption skill works:

• When used on ground: Removes all debuffs on self and allies and grants damage reduction and extra recovery.
• When used in midair: Grants Redemption’s Judgment to self which boosts Serena’s damage massively.

Serena Dungeon Build (Weapon-based) Modules Explanation:

• Hymn: Allows us to jump higher into the air and move around.
• Increased HP: + Max HP
• Overwhelming HP: Fixes Max Shield at 1, but increase Max HP by a lot for each Max Shield point you had.
• Nimble Fingers: – Skill Cooldown
• Multitalented: – Skill Cooldown
• Skill Expansion: + Skill Effect Range
• Mid-Air Maneuvering: Allows you to use the Grapple Hook anywhere, even air!
• Increased Shield: + Max Shield
• Energy Collection: + MP Recovery
• Skill Extension: + Skill Duration (Flex Spot, can be replaced with something else)
• MP Conversion: – Skill Cooldown, + Max MP
• Stim Accelerant: + Max HP, – Max MP

Serena Dungeon Build (Weapon-based) Module Configuration Table

Module Slot	Module Name	Mod Level	Socket Type	Crystallized
1 (Skill Module)	Hymn	Max	Rutile	No
2	Increased HP	Max	Cerulean	Yes
3	Overwhelming HP	Max	Cerulean	Yes
4	Nimble Fingers	Max	Malachite	Yes
5	Multitalented	Max	Malachite	Yes
6	Skill Expansion	Max	Rutile	Yes
7 (Sub Module)	Mid-Air Maneuvering	Max	Malachite	Yes
8	Increased Shield	Max	Cerulean	Yes
9	Energy Collection	Max	Xantic	Yes
10	Skill Extension	Max	Rutile	Yes
11	MP Conversion	Max	Malachite	Yes
12	Stim Accelerant	Max	Cerulean	Yes

Serena Bossing Build for The First Descendant

• Bossing Build Type: Colossus fights on hard difficulty.
• Bossing Build Focus: High survivability, max burst damage but long cooldown if boss is not dead fast.

For the Serena Bossing Build, we focus on weapon-based damage and buffs from our 4th skill Redemption, make sure to have a strong weapon ready that can pump out insane damage. We want to have high max HP with this setup, because the fourth skill Redemption scales off max HP and that will allow us to deal even more damage when the skill is used midair. We also use Serena’s Hymn Transcendent Module on this bossing build. This allows us to jump higher into the air and have more mobility moving around. You could opt for a more sustainable setup by adding more skill cost reduction and skill cooldown mods if you want.

How the Redemption skill works:

• When used on ground: Removes all debuffs on self and allies and grants damage reduction and extra recovery.
• When used in midair: Grants Redemption’s Judgment to self which boosts Serena’s damage massively.

Serena Bossing Build Modules Explanation:

• Hymn: Allows us to jump higher into the air and move around.
• Increased HP: + Max HP
• Overwhelming HP: Fixes Max Shield at 1, but increase Max HP by a lot for each Max Shield point you had.
• Nimble Fingers: – Skill Cooldown
• Weighing the Scales:+ Max Shield
• Amplification Control: + Skill Effect Range, + Max Shield
• Mid-Air Maneuvering: Allows you to use the Grapple Hook anywhere, even air!
• Increased Shield: + Max Shield
• Strong Mentality: – Skill Cost
• Shot Focus: + Firearm ATK
• Time Distribution: – Skill Cooldown, + Max HP
• Stim Accelerant: + Max HP, – Max MP

Serena Bossing Build Module Configuration Table

Module Slot	Module Name	Mod Level	Socket Type	Crystallized
1 (Skill Module)	Hymn	Max	Rutile	No
2	Increased HP	Max	Cerulean	Yes
3	Overwhelming HP	Max	Cerulean	Yes
4	Nimble Fingers	Max	Malachite	Yes
5	Weighing the Scales	Max	Cerulean	Yes
6	Amplification Control	Max	Rutile	Yes
7 (Sub Module)	Mid-Air Maneuvering	Max	Malachite	Yes
8	Increased Shield	Max	Cerulean	Yes
9	Strong Mentality	Max	Malachite	Yes
10	Shot Focus	Max	Cerulean	Yes
11	Time Distribution	Max	Malachite	Yes
12	Stim Accelerant	Max	Cerulean	Yes

• Ultimate Bossing Build Type: N/A
• Ultimate Bossing Build Focus: N/A

Note: Ultimate Serena has not been released yet. Once Ultimate Serena is available, I will update this section of the guide.

Arche Tuning for the Serena Build

The Arche Tuning System is important for every Descendant, it buffs your stands by a tremendous amount. For The First Descendant Serena, we are going to focus on getting extra damage and put the leftover points we have in extra HP.

• Bossing Setup: Firearm ATK and Max HP routes.
• Dungeon Setup: Firearm ATK and Multi-Hit routes.

Serena Equipment Overview in The First Descendant

Equipment is the cornerstone of any successful The First Descendant Build. For Serena, having the right setup can mean the difference between dominating a dungeon and falling short. This section breaks down the essential equipment types—Weapons, Reactors, External Components, and Transcendent Modules—and explains how they maximize her power.

Best Weapon for the Serena Build in The First Descendant

Here, you will find the Top 3 Weapons for Serena in The First Descendant that I love to run, among some alternative weapons that you can also test out if you want.

Don’t forget to have the needed Reactor Optimization Condition with the correct weapon types, otherwise, your skills will deal much less damage!

Additionally, I want to present you a few alternative weapon options that you can use for our The First Descendant Serena Build!

Last Dagger Weapon Build Setup

The Last Dagger is one of the most powerful weapons in The First Descendant. It has an absolute mad burst damage especially with Serena’s fourth skill Redemption. It will mow down any boss within seconds.

Recommended Weapon Rolls:

• Firearm ATK
• Firearm Critical Hit Rate
• Firearm Critical Hit Damage
• Bonus Firearm ATK (vs Colossus)

How to get Enduring Legacy in The First Descendant.

Last Dagger Modules Explanation:

• Firing Fiesta + Firearm ATK
• Fire Rate UP: + Fire Rate
• Ultra-Precision Strike: + Weak Point Damage on repeated hit
• Better Concentration: + Firearm Critical Hit Damage
• Concentration Priority: + Firearm Critical Hit Damage, – Reload Time Modifier
• Action and Reaction: + Firearm ATK, + Recoil
• Have Aiming: + Weak Point Damage, – Accuracy
• Toxic Enhancement: Adds Toxic ATK
• Better Insight: + Firearm Critical Hit Rate
• Poison Priority: + Toxic ATK

Last Dagger Module Configuration Table

Slot	Module	Mod Level	Socket Type	Crystallized
1	Firing Fiesta	Max	Xantic	Yes
2	Fire Rate UP	Max	Xantic	Yes
3	Ultra-Precision Strike	Max	Malachite	Yes
4	Better Concentration	Max	Almandine	Yes
5	Concentration Priority	Max	Almandine	Yes
6	Action and Reaction	Max	Malachite	Yes
7	Have Aiming	Max	Malachite	Yes
8	Toxic Enhancement	Max	Xantic	Yes
9	Better Insight	Max	Almandine	Yes
10	Poison Priority	Max	Rutile	Yes

Voltia Weapon Build Setup

Voltia is a strong beam rifle that shreads through Anti-Void Shields and Arche Barriers. This is the main usage of the weapon, to get rid of the enemy shields that are otherwise extremely hard to destroy.

Recommended Weapon Rolls:

• Firearm ATK
• Firearm Critical Hit Rate
• Firearm Critical Hit Damage
• Elemental ATK (Chill/Fire)

How to get Voltia in The First Descendant.

Voltia Modules Explanation:

• Rifling Reinforcement: + Firearm ATK
• Fire Rate UP: + Fire Rate
• Better Insight: + Firearm Critical Hit Rate
• Better Concentration: + Firearm Critical Hit Damage
• Sweeping Squad: + Firearm ATK when defeating an enemy, stacks 3 times.
• Action and Reaction: + Firearm ATK, + Recoil
• Reload Expert: + Reload Time Modifier, + Firearm ATK
• Expand Weapon Charge: + Rounds per Magazine
• Chill Enhancement: Adds Chill ATK equal to 30% of Firearm ATK
• Superconductivity Charge: Beam Rifle Charging Speed +40%

Voltia Module Configuration Table

Slot	Module	Mod Level	Socket Type	Crystallized
1	Rifling Reinforcement	Max	Malachite	Yes
2	Fire Rate UP	Max	Xantic	Yes
3	Better Insight	Max	Almandine	Yes
4	Better Concentration	Max	Almandine	Yes
5	Sweeping Squad	Max	Malachite	Yes
6	Action and Reaction	Max	Malachite	Yes
7	Reload Expert	Max	Cerulean	Yes
8	Expand Weapon Charge	Max	Cerulean	Yes
9	Chill Enhancement	Max	Cerulean	Yes
10	Superconductivity Charge	Max	Xantic	Yes

Malevolent Build – Max AoE Damage

The Malevolent Hand Cannon is an amazing AoE damage in combination with Serena because of her fourth skill Redemption increasing the damage of this gun massively in The First Descendant.

How to get the Malevolent Hand Cannon in The First Descendant.

Recommended Weapon Rolls:

• Firearm ATK
• Toxic ATK
• Fire Rate
• Rounds per Magazine

Malevolent Modules Explanation:

• Rifling Reinforcement: + Firearm ATK
• Fire Rate UP: + Fire Rate
• Weapon Tuning: + Rounds per Magazine
• Chill Priority: + Chill ATK
• Snowflake Conductor: + Firearm ATK when hitting enemies with Frostbite.
• Action and Reaction: + Firearm ATK, + Recoil.
• Chill Enhancement: Adds Chill ATK equal to 30% of Firearm ATK.
• Charge Amplification: + Firearm ATK, – Firearm Critical Hit Damage.
• Chill Circulation: + Upon inflicting Freeze effect, increases Frost ATK for 5 seconds.
• Expand Weapon Charge: + Rounds per Magazine.

Malevolent Module Configuration Table

Slot	Module	Mod Level	Socket Type	Crystallized
1	Rifling Reinforcement	Max	Malachite	Yes
2	Fire Rate UP	Max	Xantic	Yes
3	Weapon Tuning	Max	Cerulean	Yes
4	Chill Priority	Max	Cerulean	Yes
5	Snowflake Conductor	Max	Cerulean	Yes
6	Action and Reaction	Max	Malachite	Yes
7	Chill Enhancement	Max	Cerulean	Yes
8	Charge Amplification	Max	Malachite	Yes
9	Chill Circulation	Max	Cerulean	Yes
10	Expand Weapon Charge	Max	Cerulean	Yes

Enduring Legacy Weapon Build Setup

Enduring Legacy is one of the most powerful weapons in The First Descendant. It is best built with a high crit rate and crit damage as well as a focus on Fire ATK due to its unique ability that lowers the enemy’s Fire Resistance. It is recommended to get the unique ability to max stacks. That means you will have to farm 5 copies of this weapon (1x + 4x to absorb).

Recommended Weapon Rolls:

• Firearm ATK
• Firearm Critical Hit Rate
• Firearm Critical Hit Damage
• Bonus Firearm ATK (vs Colossus)

How to get Enduring Legacy in The First Descendant.

Enduring Legacy Modules Explanation:

• Rifling Reinforcement: + Firearm ATK
• Fire Rate UP: + Fire Rate
• Expand Weapon Charge: + Rounds per Magazine
• Better Concentration: + Firearm Critical Hit Damage
• Concentration Priority: + Firearm Critical Hit Damage, – Reload Time Modifier
• Action and Reaction: + Firearm ATK, + Recoil
• Fire Enhancement: Adds Fire ATK equal to 30% of Firearm ATK
• Sharp Precision Shot: – Fire Rate. While pulling the trigger, + Fire Rare, – Recoil and Firearm ATK +6% every 0.5s, max 10 stacks.
• Better Insight: + Firearm Critical Hit Rate
• Heat Circulation: Upon inflicting Burn Effect, increases Firearm ATK by 90% for 5 seconds (20s cooldown).

Enduring Legacy Module Configuration Table

Slot	Module	Mod Level	Socket Type	Crystallized
1	Rifling Reinforcement	Max	Malachite	Yes
2	Fire Rate UP	Max	Xantic	Yes
3	Expand Weapon Charge	Max	Cerulean	Yes
4	Better Concentration	Max	Almandine	Yes
5	Concentration Priority	Max	Almandine	Yes
6	Action and Reaction	Max	Malachite	Yes
7	Fire Enhancement	Max	Almandine	Yes
8	Sharp Precision Shot	Max	Xantic	Yes
9	Better Insight	Max	Almandine	Yes
10	Heat Circulation	Max	Almandine	Yes

Smithereens Build – Maximize the Pump

The Smithereens Shotgun can be used against high-health elites. You can unload a full clip into the enemy with insane damage. Make sure to hit the weak point of the enemy because we have weak point mods active. Additionally, if you want to use another element, make sure to swap out the chill elemental mods. You will get the most damage out of this shotgun in the first few seconds.

Recommended Weapon Rolls:

• Firearm ATK
• Weak Point Damage
• Firearm Critical Hit Damage
• Rounds per Magazine

Smithereens Modules Explanation:

• Rifling Reinforcement: + Firearm ATK
• Better Concentration: + Firearm Critical Hit Damage
• Shell UP: + Shell Capacity
• Weak Point Sight: + Weak Point Damage
• Real-Life Fighter: Upon hitting Weak Point, + Firearm ATK, 10 stacks.
• Action and Reaction: + Firearm ATK, + Recoil
• Concentration Priority: + Firearm Critical Hit Damage, – Reload Time Modifier
• Hit Rate Focus: b+ Firearm Critical Hit Damage, + Accuracy
• Chill Enhancement: Adds Chill ATK equal to 30% of Firearm ATK
• Chill Circulation: + Upon inflicting Freeze effect, increases Frost ATK for 5 seconds.

Smithereens Module Configuration Table

Slot	Module	Mod Level	Socket Type	Crystallized
1	Rifling Reinforcement	Max	Malachite	Yes
2	Fire Rate UP	Max	Xantic	Yes
3	Expand Weapon Charge	Max	Cerulean	Yes
4	Better Concentration	Max	Almandine	Yes
5	Concentration Priority	Max	Almandine	Yes
6	Action and Reaction	Max	Malachite	Yes
7	Insight Focus	Max	Almandine	Yes
8	Weak Point Sight	Max	Malachite	Yes
9	Better Insight	Max	Almandine	Yes
10	Sweeping Squad	Max	Malachite	Yes

Thunder Cage Build – Everyone has it

Thunder Cage is a weapon everyone owns because it is part of the main storyline. The Thunder Cage Submachine Gun excels at AoE damage because of its unique Overcharge ability that causes Electric Shockwaves. However, you can also spec it for Single-Target. This makes mostly sense if you don’t have any other weapon yet. Enduring Legacy deals way more Single-Target.

Recommended Weapon Rolls:

• Firearm ATK
• Firearm Critical Hit Rate
• Cirearm Critical Hit Damage
• Electric ATK

How to get Thunder Cage in The First Descendant.

Here is an allrounder Thunder Cage setup that you can use.

Allrounder Thunder Cage Modules Explanation:

• Rifling Reinforcement: + Firearm ATK
• Fire Rate UP: + Fire Rate
• Concentrated Support Ammo: + Rounds per magazine, + Firearm Critical Hit Damage
• Edging Shot: + Firearm Critical Hit Rate, – Firearm ATK
• Reload Focus: + Reload Time Modifier, + Firearm Critical Hit Damage
• Action and Reaction: + Firearm ATK, + Recoil
• Better Concentration: + Firearm Critical Hit Damage
• Better Insight: + Firearm Critical Hit Rate
• Concentration Priority: + Firearm Critical Hit Damage, – Reload Time Modifier
• Expand Weapon Charge: + Rounds per Magazine

Thunder Cage Module Configuration Table

Slot	Module	Mod Level	Socket Type	Crystallized
1	Rifling Reinforcement	Max	Malachite	Yes
2	Fire Rate UP	Max	Xantic	Yes
3	Concentrated Support Ammo	Max	Cerulean	Yes
4	Edging Shot	Max	Almandine	Yes
5	Reload Focus	Max	Cerulean	No
6	Action and Reaction	Max	Malachite	Yes
7	Better Concentration	Max	Almandine	Yes
8	Better Insight	Max	Almandine	Yes
9	Concentration Priority	Max	Almandine	Yes
10	Expand Weapon Charge	Max	Cerulean	Yes

Best Reactor for Serena in The First Descendant

Selecting the best reactor for Serena 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!

All of Serena’s skills are Fire. Additionally, you want to get the correct mounting (Optimization Condition) to benefit from the 160% boost.

Luckily, Serena only needs one reactor, a Burning Singularity Reactor with Skill Cooldown and Skill Cost reduction. Because we want to utilize her fourth skill Redemption as much as possible for both the weapon-based damage Boss Build and the Divine Surge Transcendend Module Dungeon Build.

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 currently all the reactors 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 Serena Build

Serena needs two different External Components sets in The First Descendant depending on how you play her. The Slayer set is great for her skill based Dungeon Build with Divine Surge Transcendent Mod, this will boost her skill damage by a lot.

However, if you use her bossing build or the Weapon-based Dungeon Build you want to go with the Ascending Armory set, this will constantly give you ammo back when you are in the air and you use the air dodge skill. Otherwise, you might run short on ammo.

Slayer Set for Serena

How to get Slayer: Slayer drops from the Pyromaniac Colossus on hard difficulty.

Slayer Set Bonuses:

• 2 Set Bonus:
  • General Rounds Capacity +8%
• 4 Set Bonus:
  • Rounds per Magazine +9%
  • Skill Cost +15%
  • Skill Power 26.1%
  • When defeating enemies inflicted with Towed, recovers MP and Specialized Resource by 12.2% at a 17% chance.

Ascending Armory Set for Serena

How to get Ascending Armory: You can get the Ascending Armory set in the Sigma Sector Dropoff Operation from any random mission monster on both normal and hard.

Ascending Armory Set Bonuses:

• 2 Set Bonus:
  • Skill Cost -6.5%
• 4 Set Bonus:
  • When reloading in mid-air, provides Supply Bullets (Cooldown 10s)
  • Field Supplies +10%
  • Intercept Battle Supplies +10%

Alternative External Components for Serena

If you don’t have access to the Slayer Set yet, it is best to focus on any External Components you find with HP or DEF as base stats. This will make your gameplay a lot easier, especially if you are still new to The First Descendant. The secondary selective stats don’t really matter. Of course it would be great to get more HP and DEF, but if you can’t find any don’t worry too much about it. The HP and DEF from the base stats already does help more than enough.

All Serena Transcendent Modules Explained

First, let us look at the full list of all Transcendent Modules for Serena 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
Divine Surge	Flies forward, inflicting Knockback on enemies in the path and deals large amounts of damage on landing. Additionally, creates a path of fire in her wake that deals continuous damage to enemies within range.	Serena Dungeon Build
Hymn	When used on the ground, creates a zone that increases the Jump of allies. When used in midair, temporarily increases the Movement Speed of nearby allies and increases maximum movement distance.	Serena Boss Build

Divine Surge Transcendent Module

• Description: Flies forward, inflicting Knockback on enemies in the path and deals large amounts of damage on landing. Additionally, creates a path of fire in her wake that deals continuous damage to enemies within range.
• Divine Surge is an Serena-exclusive Transcendent Module.

How to get Serena’s Divine Surge Module:

• Intercept Battle: [Hard] [Pyromaniac]
• [ Albion ] [ Hard ] – [ Broken Boundary: Landing Zone Ast ] Mission Monster
• [ Albion ] [ Hard ] – [ Broken Boundary: Landing Zone Beatrix ] Mission Monster
• [ Albion ] [ Hard ] – [ Broken Boundary: Landing Zone Cassian ] Mission Monster
• [ Albion ] [ Hard ] – [ Broken Boundary: Landing Zone Darius ] Mission Monster
• [ Albion ] [ Normal ] – [ Broken Boundary: Landing Zone Ast ] Mission Monster
• [ Albion ] [ Normal ] – [ Broken Boundary: Landing Zone Beatrix ] Mission Monster
• [ Albion ] [ Normal ] – [ Broken Boundary: Landing Zone Cassian ] Mission Monster
• [ Albion ] [ Normal ] – [ Broken Boundary: Landing Zone Darius ] Mission Monster
• Available by combining modules

Hymn Transcendent Module

• Description: When used on the ground, creates a zone that increases the Jump of allies. When used in midair, temporarily increases the Movement Speed of nearby allies and increases maximum movement distance.
• Hymn is a Serena-exclusive Transcendent Module.

How to get Serena’s Hymn Module:

• Intercept Battle: [Hard] [Swamp Walker]
• [ Albion ] [ Hard ] – [ Isolated Desert: Landing Zone Gideon ] Mission Monster
• [ Albion ] [ Hard ] – [ Isolated Desert: Landing Zone Helix ] Mission Monster
• [ Albion ] [ Hard ] – [ Isolated Desert: Landing Zone Indigo ] Mission Monster
• [ Albion ] [ Hard ] – [ Isolated Desert: Landing Zone Juno ] Mission Monster
• [ Albion ] [ Normal ] – [ Isolated Desert: Landing Zone Gideon ] Mission Monster
• [ Albion ] [ Normal ] – [ Isolated Desert: Landing Zone Helix ] Mission Monster
• [ Albion ] [ Normal ] – [ Isolated Desert: Landing Zone Indigo ] Mission Monster
• [ Albion ] [ Normal ] – [ Isolated Desert: Landing Zone Juno ] Mission Monster
• Available by combining modules

Serena Basics in The First Descendant

If it is your first time playing Serena in The First Descendant, here are some useful things you should know.

1. How to unlock Serena
2. Skills Explanation – Master Serena’s Abilities
3. Module Basics Explained!
4. Best Grapple Hook for Serena

How to Get Serena in The First Descendant

Let’s take a quick look at how to get Serena in the First Descendant. To unlock Serena, you have to purchase her from the store, or research her. You need the following items to research Serena:

• 1x Serena Enhanced Cells
  • Location: Sigma Sector Dropoff Operation
• 1x Serena Stabilizer
  • Location: Sigma Sector Dropoff Operation
• 1x Serena Spiral Catalyst
  • Location: Sigma Sector Dropoff Operation
• 1x Serena Code
  • Location: Sigma Sector Dropoff Operation
• 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. You can also read our in-depth guide on How to get Serena in The First Descendant.

The First Descendant Serena Skills Explained

In this section, we will explain the skills available to our Serena Build in the First Descendant, how each skill works, and the best ways for you to use them.

Serena’s skill loadout is themed around fire, applying fire damage with her Sacred Flame skill and buffing allies while flying.

Skill Name	Type	Effect	Best Use Case
Sacred Flame	AoE	Fires flames in the direction of the crosshairs to deal damage and inflict Repentance. On hitting an ally, grants Blessing. Repentance acts the same as Burn. Firearm attacks against enemies inflicted with Repentance have a chance to recover Rounds for the firearm in use. Additionally, when an enemy with Repentance is killed, inflicts Repentance on nearby enemies. Flames pierce terrain when used on the ground and explode when colliding with terrain when fired in midair.	AoE Damage
Ascension	AoE	Greatly decreases gravity while this skill is active. Firearm attacks while in mid-air have additional effects depending on the Rounds in use. However, Jump and Grappling Hook charge times have been adjusted.	Utility
Soar	AoE	When used on the ground, Serena shoots into the air. When used in midair, Serena moves quickly in the direction of movement and Reloads the currently equipped weapon. Additionally, Serena’s number of Jumps is reset and holding down the skill key increases the distance traveled.	Utility
Redemption	AoE, Snare	When used on the ground, removes all debuffs on Serena and all allies within range, and grants Prayer of Redemption. When used in midair, grants Redemption’s Judgment to self.	Buff
Divinity (Passive)	Passive	When used on the ground, removes all debuffs on Serena and all allies within range, and grants Prayer of Redemption. When used in midair, grants Redemption’s Judgment to self.	Is always active

Sacred Flame Skill 1

Fires flames in the direction of the crosshairs to deal damage and inflict Repentance.

Sacred Flame Skill Description:

• Fires flames in the direction of the crosshairs to deal damage and inflict Repentance.
• On hitting an ally, grants Blessing.
• Repentance acts the same as Burn.
• Firearm attacks against enemies inflicted with Repentance have a chance to recover Rounds for the firearm in use.
• Additionally, when an enemy with Repentance is killed, inflicts Repentance on nearby enemies.
• Flames pierce terrain when used on the ground and explode when colliding with terrain when fired in midair.

Ascension Skill 2

Greatly decreases gravity.

Ascension Description:

• Greatly decreases gravity while this skill is active.
• Firearm attacks while in mid-air have additional effects depending on the Rounds in use.
• However, Jump and Grappling Hook charge times have been adjusted.

Soar Skill 3

When used on the ground, Serena shoots into the air.

Soar Description:

• When used on the ground, Serena shoots into the air.
• When used in midair, Serena moves quickly in the direction of movement and Reloads the currently equipped weapon.
• Additionally, Serena’s number of Jumps is reset and holding down the skill key increases the distance traveled.

Redemption Skill 4

When used on the ground, removes all debuffs on Serena and allies.

Redemption Description:

• When used on the ground, removes all debuffs on Serena and all allies within range, and grants Prayer of Redemption.
• When used in midair, grants Redemption’s Judgment to self.

Divinity (Passive)

Serena gains an additional stat bonus when firing a firearm midair.

Divinity Passive Description:

• Air Attack increase
• Air Explosive Attack increase
• Air Accuracy Increase
• Air Recoil Reduction Rate

How Modules Work in The First Descendant

Modules are the bread and butter of all The First Descendant Builds. There are a few important things to remember about modules. This is for both Descendant and Weapon Modules.

While most builds require you to increase Module Capacity with an Energy Activator (you get two for free), they won’t require you to reduce the Module cost with Crystallization Catalyst. However, if you want to truly min-max a build, you will need plenty of these Catalysts.

1. How to increase your Module Capacity
2. Module Levels and Cost
   1. Kuiper Shards & best way to farm!
3. Reduce the cost of Modules
4. How to farm Modules

How to Increase Module Capacity

You get a base of 45 Modules for every Descendant character. And you can increase this up to 85 currently. First off, always slot a Sub Attack Module (Slot 7). When you increase this to the max level you will get an additional 10 Module Capacity. if you use a Crystallization Catalyst on the Sub Attack Module, you even get 15 extra slots. You will see this in the setup below.

Additionally, you can use an Energy Activator to increase your Module Capacity by another 20. However, these are fairly hard to farm, only use them on your best Descendants.

Lastly, increasing your Mastery Rank will also increase Module Capacity. Rank 1 gives you 25 Module Capacity, Rank 20 gives you 50 Module Capacity. That is how we reach the 80 Module Capacity that you see on most builds.

1. Slot a Sub Attack Module (and max it out to get +10 capacity, crystallize it for +15)
2. Use an Energy Activator (2o extra capacity)
3. Increase Mastery Rank (25 base capacity, max 50)

Weapons: Basically the same, but because you don’t have Subattack Modules, the Energy Activator gives you 30 instead of just 20 extra capacity.

You can also read my in-depth guide on how to increase Module Capacity in The First Descendant if you need more information. Or my Best Energy Activator Farm Spots and our Best Crystallization Catalyst Farm Spots. I tested all of the grind spots by myself and have already farmed plenty of these items with this method.

Module Levels and Cost

Modules can be enhanced (leveled up) with Kuiper Shards in The First Descendant. Enhancing Modules increases their power. At higher levels, the power will increase way more than at lower levels. Therefore it is always recommended to max out the most important Module first.

Here is an example of a must-have Module called Increased HP for our Descendant. You will notice that we start at 22%, but at the max level, we get a whopping 218.5% increase in health!

Transcendent Modules are the exception; they decrease Capacity Cost with higher levels!

For an in-depth overview, please visit our How to Level Up Modules in The First Descendant guide.

How to Farm Kuiper Shards

Kuiper Shards are used to level up Modules. We have a guide on the Top 3 Kuiper Shard Farming Locations in the First Descendant. We explain how to most efficiently farm Kuiper Shards (300-500k/hour) and show the amount you need to level up mods. As a summary, to max out a Module you need:

• Normal Modules: 103’100 Kuiper Shards
• Rare Modules: 206’200 Kuiper Shards
• Ultimate Modules: 309’300 Kuiper Shards
• Transcendent Modules: 515’500 Kuiper Shards

Always max out the most important Modules first, we will showcase the order below.

How to Reduce the Cost of Modules

To reduce the cost of Modules you need Crystallization Catalysts in The First Descendant. These require a lot of time investment. If you want to completely min-max you need to get plenty of them as technically, every slot can have a specific socket type to half the cost.

Modules have Socket Types. Our Increased HP Module has the Cerulean Socket Type.

• Module: Increased HP
• Socket Type: Cerulean

This is important because if we place our Increased HP Module in the fitting Socket Type, it will half the cost of the Module!

How to farm Modules in The First Descendant

Most The First Descendant Modules can be acquired fairly easily, but the higher-quality ones (Ultimate, Transcendent) are more tedious to obtain. Here is the easiest process to farm Modules quickly.

Open Map > Swap to Access Info > Select Modules

Here, you can find all Modules and their drop locations. If a module drops from several locations, it is recommended to select drop locations with higher drop chances.

There isn’t really much more to this. Simply check the location and go farm. Normal and Rare quality Modules have 30-50% drop chances in most cases. Ultimate ones range around the 5% mark and Transcendent ones can be a tough cookie with around 2% drop chance.

Smooth Grapple Hook for your Serena 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.

Serena’s Story in The First Descendant – Serena Antonietta

The Generation of Despair refers to the first wartime generation, born on the brink of the Apocalypse and forced to grow up in a crumbling world. Trapped in a world that was collapsing around them, with evacuation and hunger as their only companions, the Generation of Despair grew up brighter than most people that were forced to live in such times. Since their lives began with war, there was never peace to be taken away from them.

Maybe that is why the Generation of Despair, contrary to its name, symbolizes the hope of the surviving members of humanity. When the Magisters joined humanity and conducted a census for the Arche Factor, this generation had the highest rate of Arche manifestation. Later records would reveal that out of the “Firsts,” including the very first Descendant, Raley, nearly half were from the Generation of Despair. Included among them was the Military Chaplain, Serena Antonietta, the holy fire spewing “Sister of Light”.

The First Descendant Serena was devoted enough to join the antiquated Order of Knights while hundreds of knights were dying daily at the hands of the Vulgus and the Colossi.

Serena’s rise to prominence came when the Magisters, who had defected to humanity, awakened Arche in human DNA. Serena was also tested for Arche at this time and was determined to be a new kind of soldier, called a “Descendant.” Among these “Descendants,” she had the easiest time adapting to modern firepower, and was particularly adept at using it to develop her Arche abilities.

Serena’s abilities manifested in the form of emitted Arche light particles. Serena’s abilities became known as “Holy Fire” and were powerful enough to rival beam weapons, but could also be used to target Vulgus DNA. Using an extremely high concentration of radiation, she could burn out the Vulgus mutations. Applying these properties, Serena used her Arche to cure the Vulgus infection. Her light was a beacon of hope for her people and of dread for her enemies. Another unexpected benefit of her Arche was that she was able to spend time with her crush, fellow Descendant Raley, while healing him.

But the shy feelings faded as the Descendants were deployed to the frontlines. Serena’s mission at the time was to investigate the epicenter of the Apocalypse in order to prove the Magisters’ Dimension Isolation Theory. Serena promised her family of Knights, her comrades-in-arms, and her crush, Raley, that she would return soon…

But, no one knew it would be the last time they’d see her. The epicenter of the Apocalypse was the most heavily polluted area, now called Sigma Sector, and it contained not only Void Contamination, but also a darker plot than anyone could have ever imagined. As the last light was extinguished, Serena faced despair for the first time. Death seemed so far away, but there also seemed to be no hope of waking again. There was only pitch-black darkness enveloping her body… as all her senses began to shut down.

Serena prayed with all her might, until her consciousness faded. If only I could wake once again, I would burn with a light that would never be extinguished. I will restore hope to all, I will be a ray of sunshine for Raley…

After the echoes of her wish reverberated for a century, Serena’s prayers were finally answered. She opened her eyes once again, still in Sigma Sector, but, with unfamiliar Descendants standing over her, surprised. Serena realized instinctively, that The Age of Despair had not ended yet. As she promised herself in her hundred years of prayer, she joined the new generation with an unquenchable radiance.

This time, with a new prayer, to never again have to feel such despair…

Serena’s Exclusive Equipment – Photon Emitting Battlesuit Exorcister

The Magisters’ warfare technology was at its peak before they lost most of their equipment to frequent retreats. The Photon Emitting Battlesuit Exorcister is one piece of such equipment. This powerful exoskeleton is the ultimate assault weapon, amplifying Arche particles emitted outside the body, ionizing the user’s Arche, and granting them the ability to maneuver in the air.

Specifically, the Arche sorbent stabilizers can read micro-muscular signals to adjust the direction of movement, giving the user the movement of an angel from ancient Ingris mythology. The problem is, Serena is the only one who can wield it with any level of sophistication. So, it is practically Exclusive Equipment for her at this point. Not to mention, that the core technology was lost in its entirety and has yet to be fully restored even to this day.

“Uhh… so… it seems to operate… using electricity.”

– Serena Antonietta, explaining the battlesuit to Raley…

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