Shrapnel Build Guide For Once Human: Turn Your Enemies into Scrap Metal

Once Human throws you into a shattered world teeming with Aberrants. Survival demands adaptability, and sometimes, that means embracing the chaos. If you're looking to shred through enemies with a hail of metal, the Shrapnel build might be exactly what you need. This guide will walk you through the key elements of creating a devastating Shrapnel build, focusing on weapons, talents, and strategies to maximize your damage output.

This build centers around inflicting Bleeding and Vulnerable on your targets, then amplifying damage against them with Shrapnel weapons. Prepare to become a walking, talking, metal-spewing machine of destruction!

1. Understanding the Shrapnel Playstyle

The Shrapnel build isn't about precision. It's about area denial and sustained damage. You'll be relying on weapons that fire multiple projectiles, each with a chance to inflict Bleeding. The goal is to blanket enemies in metal, triggering Bleeding and Vulnerable statuses, which significantly increase the damage they take from subsequent Shrapnel hits. Think less sniper, more shotgun-wielding maniac.

This build shines against groups of enemies and larger, slower targets. Faster, more agile Aberrants can be trickier, requiring careful positioning and tactical use of your abilities.

2. Choosing Your Shrapnel Weapons

The cornerstone of any Shrapnel build is, unsurprisingly, Shrapnel weapons. Look for weapons with high rates of fire and multiple projectiles. Here are a few excellent choices:

  • High-Velocity Shotgun: This shotgun is a prime choice due to its wide spread and high pellet count. Each pellet has a chance to inflict Bleeding, making it ideal for quickly applying the status effect to multiple enemies. Look for modifications that increase rate of fire and pellet spread.
  • Shrapnel Machine Gun: A solid all-around choice. The high rate of fire ensures a constant stream of projectiles, maximizing your chances of inflicting Bleeding. Prioritize modifications that reduce recoil and increase magazine size.
  • Shrapnel Grenade Launcher: While not strictly a "weapon" in the traditional sense, the Shrapnel Grenade Launcher is invaluable for crowd control and applying Bleeding to a large area. Use it to soften up groups of enemies before engaging with your primary weapon.

Weapon Modifications are Key: Don't underestimate the power of weapon modifications. Focus on mods that increase rate of fire, magazine size, reload speed, and projectile spread. These will significantly enhance your Shrapnel output and overall effectiveness.

3. Core Talents for Maximum Shrapnel Damage

Talents are crucial for amplifying your Shrapnel build's potential. Focus on talents that boost Bleeding damage, increase damage against Bleeding targets, and provide utility for survivability. Here are some key talents to prioritize:

  • Bleeding Edge: Increases the damage of Bleeding effects. This is a fundamental talent for any Shrapnel build.
  • Vulnerability Exploit: Increases damage dealt to Vulnerable targets. Since you'll be applying Vulnerable through specific weapons and abilities, this is a significant damage boost.
  • Shrapnel Mastery: Increases the damage and range of Shrapnel weapons. This talent directly enhances the effectiveness of your chosen weapons.
  • Swift Reload: Increases reload speed. Faster reloads mean more Shrapnel in the air.
  • Iron Skin: Increases your armor. A little extra survivability goes a long way, especially when you're in the thick of the fight.
  • Adrenaline Rush: Increases movement speed after inflicting Bleeding. Helps you reposition and maintain distance.

Talent Respec: Don't be afraid to experiment with different talent combinations. The ability to respec allows you to fine-tune your build to match your playstyle and the challenges you face.

4. Choosing the Right Deviant and Skills

Your Deviant choice can further enhance your Shrapnel build. Consider Deviants that offer bonuses to damage, survivability, or crowd control.

  • Berserker: The Berserker's focus on increased damage and melee combat can complement a Shrapnel build, especially if you find yourself in close-quarters situations. The increased damage output will make your Shrapnel weapons even more deadly.
  • Engineer: The Engineer's ability to deploy turrets can provide valuable support and distraction, allowing you to focus on raining down Shrapnel. The Engineer's skills can also provide crowd control and area denial, further enhancing the build's effectiveness.

Skill Synergy: Choose skills that synergize with your Shrapnel weapons and talents. Skills that apply Vulnerable or provide crowd control are particularly valuable.

5. Gear and Stats to Prioritize

Gear plays a vital role in optimizing your Shrapnel build. Focus on gear that provides bonuses to the following stats:

  • Weapon Damage: A direct increase to your weapon's damage output.
  • Bleeding Damage: Amplifies the damage inflicted by Bleeding effects.
  • Critical Hit Chance: Increases the chance to deal critical damage, further boosting your DPS.
  • Critical Hit Damage: Increases the damage dealt by critical hits.
  • Armor: Provides increased survivability.
  • Stamina: Allows you to sprint and dodge more effectively.

Gear Sets: Look for gear sets that provide bonuses to Shrapnel weapon damage or Bleeding damage. These sets can significantly enhance your build's effectiveness.

6. Combat Tactics and Strategies

Mastering the Shrapnel build requires more than just the right gear and talents. You also need to employ effective combat tactics.

  • Positioning is Key: Maintain a safe distance from enemies, allowing you to unleash a hail of Shrapnel without taking excessive damage.
  • Crowd Control: Use your Shrapnel Grenade Launcher or other crowd control abilities to keep enemies at bay and prevent them from overwhelming you.
  • Focus Fire: Prioritize targets that are already affected by Bleeding and Vulnerable, maximizing your damage output.
  • Mobility: Use your movement speed to reposition and avoid enemy attacks.
  • Exploit Weaknesses: Identify enemy weaknesses and exploit them with your Shrapnel weapons. For example, target armored enemies with weapons that deal high armor penetration damage.

Practice Makes Perfect: Don't be afraid to experiment with different combat tactics and strategies. The more you practice, the more effective you'll become.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Building a successful Shrapnel build requires avoiding common pitfalls. Here are a few mistakes to watch out for:

  • Ignoring Bleeding Damage: The Shrapnel build relies heavily on Bleeding damage. Neglecting to invest in talents and gear that boost Bleeding damage will significantly reduce your effectiveness.
  • Poor Positioning: Getting too close to enemies will leave you vulnerable to attack. Maintain a safe distance and use your mobility to reposition as needed.
  • Lack of Crowd Control: Failing to control the crowd will allow enemies to overwhelm you. Use your Shrapnel Grenade Launcher or other crowd control abilities to keep them at bay.
  • Ignoring Weapon Modifications: Weapon modifications can significantly enhance your Shrapnel weapon's effectiveness. Don't neglect to invest in mods that increase rate of fire, magazine size, and reload speed.
  • Forgetting Stamina Management: Running out of stamina can leave you vulnerable to attack. Manage your stamina carefully and use it strategically.

Conclusion: Embrace the Shrapnel Mayhem

The Shrapnel build in Once Human is a powerful and versatile option for players who enjoy dealing sustained damage and controlling the battlefield. By focusing on the right weapons, talents, gear, and combat tactics, you can create a devastating build that will shred through enemies and help you survive the dangers of the shattered world. So, embrace the chaos, unleash the Shrapnel, and become a true force to be reckoned with! Good luck, Terran.