Spark elemental SMG build

Guide for new players to descend Darkness levels using the insane Spark and SMG combo.

Build Theory

The objective of this build is pretty simple: use the insane fire rate of the SMG to proc Spark's special ability that reads "Your bullets have a 50% chance [to] call down Lightning on impact for 5 damage."

To exploit this we will rely on several mechanics: 1) increasing rate of fire, 2)increasing bullets per shot, 3)increasing impacts via "bounce" the bounce mechanic. We will also be increasing lightning damage and other sources of lightning procs later in the build.

The two major downsides to the SMG are 1) it does only 4 damage, and 2) it takes 2.5 seconds to reload. The first we do not care about since we do most of our damage via lightning procs and elemental damage. Once we unlock the Overload synergy each lightning strike will do 25 damage to burning enemies. Added to the regular lightning damage, the 25% max HP damage mobs take from frostbite and the ongoing burning damage we have no need of bullet damage.

Eventually we will not have to reload at all due to the lightning skill Energize. This gives each lightning strike a 20% chance to refill 3 bullets. It is not important to grab this early game, except that we want it to unlock Electro Mastery, as the amount of enemies on screen is not enough to keep us from having to reload.

EDIT: Lightning will go to an enemy if your mouse is on it. (Thanks jadenwise168)

Runes

From the Sword tree we will take:

Alacrity for the rate of fire, although the reload rate does help earlier in the run.

Elemental Barrage for the same reasons as Alacrity.

Wild Magic to spread burning early on. Once you have unlocked all your defensive runes you could switch to Glass Cannon for more rate of fire, if you prefer.

There is nothing really compelling in the 4th tier of the sword tree so this will be one of your last priorities.

From the Shield tree we will take:

Vigilance for the larger pick up radius, since more pick up means faster levels.

Momentum for the movement rate.

Blessing for the added security of a shield without having to spend a skill point.

And finally Growth for the juicy, juicy XP buff.

Upgrades

Our Upgrade priorities are to rush Electro Mage > Energized > Electro Mastery and Pyro Mage > Fire Starter as soon as possible so we can get the Overload synergy. Overload makes all our lightning strikes create an explosion that does 25 damage when it strikes a burning enemy. Once you unlock this you should have no problems finishing the run, everything else is overkill.

After that our priorities are Double Shot > Splitfire > Fusillade and Rapid Fire > Rubber Bullets > Siege to unlock the Stand your Ground synergy for +2 projectiles and +25% fire rate.

Other priorities include Frost mage > Frostbite so enemies loose 25% of their max HP when frozen and any move rate or other utility skills you have not picked up that you want.

If you do not have the choice of unlocking any of the priority upgrades Magnetism > Recharge is good to help maintain ammo until mid game when there are more enemies. Excitement is also a good pick for added fire rate.

Tomes

First priority in Tome of Rage, it adds 66% fire rate, more max ammo at the expense of bullet damage and knockback.

After that either the Tome of Elasticity for more bounces or the Tome of Elements for +35% elemental damage.

[𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐣𝐢𝐫𝐫]

Tried this with Scarlett instead - definitely not better, I had to reload constantly even with Energised active. With Spark you don't reload pretty much ever.

[𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐣𝐢𝐫𝐫]

Ironic that Tome of Electro is absolute garbage for this, since its effect of "when shooting your last ammo" will pretty much never activate

[n0nco]

oh lappland already said that

[n0nco]

i agree, last 0-8 minutes you'll be continuisly gaining ammo because of energised,

[Tel]

another opinion, do elemental shield because if you follow the necessary build then you'll be doing so much elemental damage the invincbility will be running semi perm

[Tel]

this is my opinion but dont get tome of rage, it increases the spread so much your shooting in the pythagorean therom

[L5RDM]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions, I have not played since shortly after I wrote the guide and it sounds like there have been some significant changes recently. I will try and update the guide soon.

[RooikatG11]

I know this is all well and good but when you get Sparks Special Abilities from Bosses you essentially have infinite Ammo And forget Tome of Elasticity, always get Tome of Elements. Nothing can get you when you have infinite Ammo and Frost mage.

Also consider Energized+on reload abilities like Fan Fire. Use auto-aim and stand near Boss. He dies out of shame by being frozen in place and everything else around you dies of Lightning explosions courtesy of Overload. Also shatter Helps the lightnings thinnen the horde.
Tested on Darkness 15.

[Cronsta]

I think that doing the same thing with scarlett is better because while charged up is good the pyromanic and pyro affinity is better.

[pysali]

Thank you for this guide, it's fun and very efficient.