Ace Builds/Power Guides?

[LordVeral]

I realise it's a roguelike however i can't seem to consistently get clears even with 0 entropy so there must be something i'm not quite understanding about how to really "use" what you're given to make the most of a run.

Also is it possible to reroll boss power rewards? say i only want to use 2 or 3 powers, is it even possible to get both of a powers augments? or is it all up to rng?

I kind of exclusively play ace because sword, never been a huge fan of X's gameplay when i have access to Zero's as the sword guy is always more fun imo but i keep getting my ass beat

[ominumi]

Are you having trouble during the stage or boss fights? Unleashed Sabre is a range option. You can throw it then jump to allow the unleash sabre to fly across the screen. Another note is you can move the camera off center. Allowing you to scout ahead if need be. This is helpful for stages like Deepverse.
If you didn't pick up a boss power, you have a chance to get boss Renmant. Or technique upgrade. All RNG base though.

[Cirom]

Boss Rewards cannot be rerolled, and it's only ever possible to get one Power Aug per Power per run.

I would say to try to get used to using Ace's Techniques - as long as you keep hitting things with your Saber and avoid getting hit, you'll effectively have infinite energy. At high Style, Ace regenerates energy faster than he can use it.

As for specific Technique tips:

• Unleash Blade is your starting Technique, but definitely don't underestimate it. It changes based on your Primary Weapon - with the A-Saber, it's a nice boomerang attack which does decent damage and gives you some much-needed range. For most weapons, it's a very important part of your kit. (Unless you're using Lara, but who uses Lara?)
  
• Zen Ascent is a simple double-jump, and isn't really useful in combat unless you have an absolute TON of Power Strength and the enemy is in just the right spot. It's good mobility though, and can be used alongside Leg Cores.
  
• Echo Shell is one of Ace's strongest techniques, as it allows him to parry projectiles. Upon successfully parrying a projectile, you get a full second of complete invincibility. You can even parry your own Unleash Blade and Raijin Call projectiles!
  
• Dolomite Link is a grappling hook that lets you hook onto walls and enemies. It has its uses, but its damage is low and it forces you to jump when you arrive at your target, limiting its effectiveness in tight areas (which is often).
  
• Raijin Call is an absolute powerhouse, and has an energy cost to match. You can easily hit enemies above and below you (even through walls!), and catching the projectile lets you launch it horizontally with a melee attack. Easily Ace's best offensive Technique.
  
• Void Double is a great way to extend your melee range, and benefits Attack builds because of it. It costs energy over time to keep up, but at high Style you can negate the energy cost. With a certain Power Aug, it can mop up entire rooms by itself.
  
• Osafune is Ace's other defensive Technique, allowing him to become invincible at the press of a button. While Osafune scales with Power Strength, it counts as a melee attack and thus generates Style (meaning it pays for itself in energy). On the right build, it's more than just a dodge button.
  
• Ryuusei... exists. While it's really cool and is Ace's highest-damage Technique, it's also really risky to use, as you'll often take damage from the thing you're attacking. Best used on builds with high HP/armour.
  
• Leviathan deals the same damage as Raijin Call, and you can attack it to alter its movement arc. Once you master the throw angle, nothing is out of reach. And, because it's an explosion, it pierces right through shields, just like Nina's Zen Mortar!

[LordVeral]

Shame that you can't "force" or at least "encourage in your favour" certain builds apart from "don't pick up this power and hope you get a power aug for the ones you do have".

Raijin and Void double are my favourites, leviathan is neat and so is osafune. I havnt used echo shell mainly because it usually doesn't fit my playstyle but that may have to change. Ryuusei while cool as hell nets me more damage to myself than to enemies so i dont like it much. Dolomite link while fun and allows for speedy level traversal doesnt do much beyond that.

I suppose i just need to learn how to use the power ups and augs i get to my advantage somehow even though 2-3 rerolls just isn't enough for a whole run imo.

Also not a fan of power builds as the only powers really worth using for damage are raijin and void double with the kill upgrade (and of course the boomerang thing). I dont reeaaaaally care for the leviathan setup especially in bosses and everything else is kinda "meh".

Feels like he's shoehorned into attack builds (which is fine given my overall playstyle) but finding the augs for it blows.

At the end of the day though it all comes down to rng which imo just kinda blows. I get that's the name of the game when it comes to roguelikes but i feel 30xx's rng just isn't fun most of the time

[ominumi]

Echo Shell is broken. A counter that makes Ace invulnerable afterwards. So easy to abuse. At the same time, most enemy in the game have projectiles. Echo Shell also trivialize most of the bosses. Like Experiment 9.
The last update allows Ace to swap weapons with the push of a button. I've been adopting a new playstyle with that feature in mind. Grand Master is a damage heavy weapon but lacks range. I use a different weapon until close then swap to Grand Master for the kill.
I like Remnants of Determination from Capital Punishment and Remnants of Wind from Hoot Omega. Determination allows players to bounce on top of enemies. Which gives some iframes. While Wind just allow more time in the air.
I agree that Attack damage augments don't show up as often as Power damage. Regardless if you play Ace or Nina. Some of Ace Techniques should scale with both instead of just one of those stats. Zen Ascend comes to mind.