Projectile Hell - Challenge Difficulty Suggestions?

[Denny Crane]

I think I have all the gadgets and weapons and domes, so I have what I need I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. I like to use the "Tesla" dome with the "Drones" and my gadget varies. For those that have completed this specific one on said difficulty, what would you recommend for everything?
I always find myself short on water (is that intentional?). I also always find myself quickly overwhelmed. When the antler looking enemies arrive, I'm sure to collapse that or the next wave.

[zimny5811]

Take Sword for Reflection pad (or Laser for Projectile Dissolve) add to that Shield with Reflect ability and Shock Hammer (would recommend to upgrade only damage path).

[SIUnit]

I've done this one with tesla/drone, but it's a rush to find the relic before you get overrun and is somewhat dependent on finding some cobalt stocks early on for repairs. I used shockwave hammer as the starting gadget.

If you can roll either prospecting meter (easier time finding cobalt) or spire gadget, it'd make life alot easier.

[Alezul]

Shockwave hammer is obviously always a good choice to clear screen of low health enemies but don't forget about the spire. That thing, upgraded with the projectile absorption and monster stun can pretty much stunluck the antler looking enemies.

[BlackAeronaut]

Definitely agreed on the Shockwave Hammer and the Spire. Though I haven't tried using the Spire with Projectile Split. The nice part about Projectile Split is that split projectiles won't harm your dome.

Not sure which firing mode is better, though. Sustained Fire is good, but even when fully upgraded it can fall behind in the later waves. Burst Fire is fun to see with Projectile Split, because it'll make it look like you got fireworks going off on your screen, but once the volley is depleted it takes a long time to recharge.

Since Water is an issue for you, I highly recommend getting the Condenser gadget, and going for Automated Collection. This will make it so you don't have to mess with it any further, and it will keep operating constantly. And if you roll the Auto-Overcharge supplement for it, it becomes practically broken in that you get overcharge for your primary gadget every single cycle without spending water on it.

Also, I recommend the Laser Dome, because if you manage to roll the Double Laser supplement, it resolves the Laser Dome's inherent weakness of only being able to attack from one direction. It's a helluva thing to have when you're getting plastered by the Big Boys from both sides at once.

Lastly, I recommend using Shield as your primary gadget, and opting for the Reflect branch of the Shield's upgrade tree. When triggered, Reflect will bounce projectiles back without your dome or shield taking any damage. Fully upgraded, you get three uses per wave, and the duration lasts much longer if you trigger it after your shield depletes and your dome starts to actually take damage. You have to be VERY strategic in how you use it, but it's worth it.

[Denny Crane]

And how should I prioritize upgrading? I always start with digging better, so that's my first six iron. Since those volley fliers will be coming soon, I put into damage of my lightning dome first, so that's another six. I CAN but usually cannot get to the second damage upgrade when the fliers approach. By then I already have a swarm. At this point, I might have the first defense drones but haven't upgraded to the actual combat drones. I try to get my spire up quickly too but water is always scarce. I can get it up the split shot, sometimes to the extra split shots.
By not the antler guys have shown up and I'm fighting from a "catch-up" position. Everything is so expensive I'm always behind, usually sacrificing what gadgets and mods I find for cobalt.
I tried the hammer and found it ineffective to my needs. It stuns them but before I can kill them, the little ones become smoke again and I have to chase them to the other side, which slows as I try to charge and chase at the same time. So I'm back to just the spire as it can kill early enough for me. Perhaps I'm perceiving that wrong?
I also tried the stun ability from the spire but found it HIGHLY ineffective. 95% of the stun orbs were next to my dome (that was the ability fully upgraded). It also didn't catch a lot of the projectiles so I don't see the true efficacy of the ability.
Thoughts? Opinions?

[Alezul]

"And how should I prioritize upgrading? I always start with digging better"

I always go with speed first, since all the blocks around you can be broken with base drill. That way i can go back to the dome quicker.

"I tried the hammer and found it ineffective to my needs. It stuns them but before I can kill them"

DId you upgrade the hammers? At least the first damage one. I would go for that one before my main dome weapon. It shouldn't stun them, it should kill them.

The spire stun can get overwhelmed and make the projectile ball next to your dome instead of the antler thing. But if the reload is fast enough, and no other projectiles are on screen (which you should clear the screen of small shooters with hammers) then it should start placing the stun ball next to it. At the very least, when the antler thing does the ground attack next to your dome, it will cause a massive stun ball.

[Denny Crane]

Good news, I just completed it. The solution was a mixture of all your ideas. Thank you for your help. Denny Crane.