The Definitive Guide to the Best Weapons in The Ascent

Determining the single “best” weapon in The Ascent is tricky, as effectiveness often depends on the situation, enemy type, and personal playstyle. However, one weapon consistently emerges as a top contender, particularly for its sheer damage output and versatility: The Dealbreaker. While other weapons may excel in specific scenarios, The Dealbreaker’s high damage, ability to pierce through enemies, and overall stopping power makes it a formidable force throughout the game.

Why The Dealbreaker Tops the Charts

The raw damage stat of 1263 sets The Dealbreaker significantly higher than other contenders, including early favorites like the Overwhelmer. It isn’t just about numbers, though. The Dealbreaker fires projectiles that pass through enemies, making it incredibly effective against groups of foes lined up, a common occurrence in The Ascent. This piercing capability, combined with its high damage, allows players to shred through waves of enemies and inflict devastating damage on larger, tougher targets. Unlike some weapons which need specific upgrades to shine, The Dealbreaker is powerful early on and only gets better with investment.

The Importance of Adaptability

While The Dealbreaker earns the title of “best weapon” in many situations, the nature of The Ascent‘s combat encourages adaptability. Certain weapons are more effective against specific enemy types. For instance, while The Dealbreaker is great for general combat, energy weapons are crucial for dealing with robots, and shotguns excel at clearing out hordes in close quarters. Therefore, a strong arsenal includes more than just one powerhouse, so it’s important to keep that in mind.

Best Weapons Against Specific Enemy Types

• Robots: The EBR Enforcer, ABR Commander, and Blitsplit are mentioned specifically in articles as potent options. These weapons benefit from accuracy and the Blitsplit’s electric damage. The Overwhelmer is also cited as being absurdly powerful against robots. Remember that, generally speaking, robots are vulnerable to energy weapons.
• Spiders: The ER Chrome Puncher or the E77 Superior are recommended for tackling the massive spider and its hatchlings. These provide effective damage against the spider.
• Groups of Enemies: Shotguns, as a secondary weapon, are excellent for dealing with overwhelming groups. These can provide a quick and wide area damage for enemies that are pushing in on your position.

The Significance of Skill and Build

The overall effectiveness of a weapon is closely tied to your character’s skills and build in The Ascent. For example, a character with high Weapon Handling will reload and swap weapons much faster, making weapons like shotguns more viable. Likewise, improvements to Tactical Sense will allow for rapid tactical usage, so be sure you are building your character to compliment your favorite weapons. While Aiming is useful for certain weapons such as sniper rifles and pistol hand cannons, it is not the most efficient skill to invest in. Instead, it is recommended to focus on skills such as Vital Signs, Critical Hit Rate, and Tactical Sense, Weapon Handling, and Evasion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Weapons in The Ascent

1. What are the best early-game weapons in The Ascent?

While The Dealbreaker is fantastic, it may not be available right away. Early in the game, the Overwhelmer is a great choice due to its high DPS. The standard SMG, which has infinite ammo, is also a reliable option until you find stronger weapons.

2. Are there any weapons with infinite ammo in The Ascent?

Yes, your starting weapon and the SMG both have **infinite ammo**, so you don't have to worry about running out during your initial hours of gameplay.

3. How many weapon upgrade levels are there in The Ascent?

There are **15 different levels** of weapon upgrades, starting from MK1 and progressing to MK15. These upgrades are critical to keep your weapons effective as the game’s difficulty increases.

4. Is aiming important in The Ascent?

Aiming is crucial for non-auto-aiming weapons like sniper rifles and hand cannons. However, most players find other weapons more powerful. Boosting **Aiming** is not as efficient as focusing on other stats that enhance DPS and survivability.

5. What is the best secondary weapon type in The Ascent?

**Shotguns** are a great choice for secondary weapons. Their ability to quickly clear out hordes makes them useful for almost any build.

6. Are grenades useful in The Ascent?

Yes, **grenades and other tactical equipment** are incredibly useful in **The Ascent**. The **Pocket Mech**, **GX-42 Sweet Justice**, and **AT4 Auto-Turret** are all potent options that can greatly enhance your combat effectiveness.

7. What are overcharge kills in The Ascent?

An overcharge kill occurs when you fire at an incapacitated enemy, causing them to explode. This is a mechanic used in certain side missions and adds a unique combat element.

8. What skills should I prioritize upgrading early on in The Ascent?

Focusing on Vital Signs, Critical Hit Rate, and Tactical Sense, followed by Weapon Handling and Evasion are recommended at the start of the game. These skills offer significant improvements to your combat capabilities.

9. Is The Ascent a challenging game?

Yes, The Ascent can be quite challenging and requires players to be aware of their surroundings and enemy types. However, most players find this difficulty engaging rather than frustrating.

10. Does The Ascent have a New Game+ mode?

No, **The Ascent** does not have a traditional New Game+ mode. However, it does have endgame activities that players can continue to explore after completing the main storyline.

11. What is the max level in The Ascent?

While there technically isn't a level cap, once you max all your stats, your character will reach approximately level 160, which can be considered the practical level cap.

12. What is a good strategy for beating the boss, Papa Feral?

To defeat Papa Feral, keep moving in a circle around the generator, dodging his attacks, and continually firing at him. This will eventually wear him down without taking much damage yourself.

13. What is the best armor in The Ascent?

A strong armor setup includes the Custom Mechrhino Helmet for head armor, P-50 Propulsion Protectors for leg armor, and the Custom Sec-5 Rig or Custom Flatliner Rig for torso armor.

14. How long does it take to beat The Ascent?

The main story of The Ascent takes around 12 hours to complete, while fully completing the game can take upwards of 26 hours.

15. What does Tactical Sense do in The Ascent?

The Tactical Sense skill increases how fast your Tactical Gauge fills when inflicting damage on enemies. Each skill point invested increases the meter gain, maxing out at a 200% return.

Conclusion

While the “best” weapon may depend somewhat on specific scenarios and personal preferences, The Dealbreaker’s outstanding damage, piercing abilities, and versatility consistently position it as a top choice in The Ascent. Mastering its use, combined with a balanced understanding of other weapons, skills, and tactical equipment will ensure your success in this thrilling cyberpunk world. Be sure to experiment with different load-outs and find the combination that best suits your play style.