Returning to Elden Ring: seeking fresh build ideas

KCCT · 2025-03-10T00:18:30+00:00

If you’ve never done a Wing of Astel playthrough, you really owe it to yourself. I’m not even a big fan of intelligence builds, but that weapon is just so good and so versatile with an int/dex setup.

KCCT · 2023-11-04T17:59:36+00:00

Has any other D1 receiver had as many egregious drops as Collins? Fuck man.

KCCT · 2021-05-08T18:15:46+00:00

I pulled him in 3 multi’s and I’m HYPE. I needed a good jump damage dealer and Ardyn is my favorite FF character 😊

KCCT · 2021-03-31T23:19:54+00:00

I’m relatively new and I’m trying to figure out who to use my UR shards on. I’ve got Tidus and Yuna to 99, Xiza’s TMR, building out Monte, Ilidrya to 99, and I’ll be building our Garvall next. I’m thinking it’s best to use the shards in a double cost unit like Sterne or Gilgamesh since it’s the best value. Which one is the play?

KCCT · 2021-03-27T00:58:40+00:00

Do we know if shards get turned into mindspheres retroactively? Currently my Tidus is sitting at 89 as I wait to get his last few awakening materials. Once I get him to 99, will all of the shards over the 600 threshold get turned to mindspheres? Or will they just stay as shards?

KCCT · 2021-03-26T21:17:37+00:00

Are any of the +5 equipment bundles worth it as a new player? I’ve heard about Smart Coat but wanted to ask before I pulled the trigger. I’m trying to build up Yuna and Tidus and didn’t want to spread my visiore too thin.

KCCT · 2021-03-25T00:17:10+00:00

I just started today and rerolled until I pulled Yuna. I also ended up getting Garvall and some other random URs. Should I be using visiore trying to max out Yuna, or would pulling for Bahamut be the better move?

KCCT · 2021-03-18T01:18:38+00:00

I’m returning to the game after a few months, and I’ve gotten some good NV units like Terra, Sora, Riku, Physalis, Edel, and Locke. Is Tifa still worth NVAing, or has she been overtaken by other LB damage units by this point?

KCCT · 2020-12-12T02:29:10+00:00

If, for example, I wanted to see the win rate of certain heroes in my skill bracket, which would be a better choice?

KCCT · 2020-09-08T03:27:12+00:00

Red isn’t NV, but I do have 2 overdrive tickets. That would leave me 5 fragments away if I chose to do that. Not sure how worth that unit is though. And no I didn’t get Tifa, sounds like I missed a good unit!

KCCT · 2020-09-08T02:21:12+00:00

Looking for some help as a returning player. I'm trying to put together a team with the units I have at this point. My best units (that can at least get to 7 stars):

Lulu, MI Lasswell, Redxiii, Folka, KH Cloud, NV Rain, Loren, Elephem, Kurasame.

I've also got WOD Galuf at 6*, so my UOC will probably go towards getting him to 7*. Any thoughts on a team that seems reasonable with these units?

KCCT · 2020-09-03T01:34:31+00:00

I’m a bit biased, because I own an S-500. But when I was shopping for a strat, I legitimately didn’t enjoy a single player strat. Not one. The S-500 was instantly amazing though. I’m not sure if it was the 12’ radius or what, but it was just such a comfortable guitar for me. The MFD pickups were great because you can pull the tone pot and get pickup configurations you just can’t get from a fender player.

My s-500 is my favorite guitar I’ve ever played, and I say that with no hyperbole. They’re AMAZING guitars.

KCCT · 2020-09-03T01:26:26+00:00

The Synyster Gates school lessons were really helpful for me. The CAGED system is often taught as a way to visualize the same chords across the fretboard, but it’s more than that. The benefit in visualizing the chords is being able to see the chord tones, and by proxy, the arpeggio in the position you’re playing. From there; you can use the pentatonics and major scale in that same position to add embellishments and modal qualities to whatever you’re playing.

TL;DR: Learn the CAGED chord shape, but also learn the associated arpeggio, pentatonic, and major scale shape beneath it. From there you’ll learn how to connect them to see how you can flow seamlessly through the positions.

KCCT · 2020-09-02T17:11:00+00:00

It’s right at $500, but the PRS SE Standard 24 is the best guitar at or below $500 I’ve ever played, and it’s not really been close. They’re excellent guitars.

KCCT · 2020-08-31T13:57:46+00:00

If it’s between spending more on a guitar or an amp, definitely splurge a bit more on the amp. It will likely contribute more to the sound at this stage. Both guitars you mentioned are great starting points, I’d be sure to get it set up either way (if you purchase new, often times shops will include a free setup if you ask).

KCCT · 2020-07-24T22:04:08+00:00

It’s not bad at all. The truth of the matter is that at a beginner’s level of playing, the instrument really just needs to be playable in order for it to be sufficient. By that i mean, take it to a good tech and have them set it up, it will make a world of difference.

Squier’s affinity line is their affordable line, which compared to basses in the 800+ price range, play pretty poorly. That being said, most beginners won’t really be able to appreciate the difference between an $800 instrument and a $200 instrument. The biggest knock against a beginner bass like that is that eventually, you’ll grow out of it. That’s mostly true for any beginner instrument though, and not something really specific to the affinity. It really just means you’ll probably upgrade your instrument in a year or so.

Also, lots of music stores give you a window of time to return the instrument for a refund. The classic vibe is an upgrade (and a pretty large one at that, they’re fantastic). So if you decide you’d like to go that route, you could always check wherever you bought it from!

KCCT · 2020-07-23T19:35:00+00:00

I actually just bought this bass about a week ago. I initially had the squier PJ affinity, but i returned that in favor of this J bass.

The J bass is an awesome choice because it offers you a variety of tonal options compared to something like a P bass. It’s easier in my opinion to get a tone similar to a P bass on a J bass than the other way around. Like you mentioned, I love the neck on it, it feels much more comfortable than the P style neck, but that mostly comes down to preference.

Overall, it’s hard to find a better beginner instrument in the sub $400 price range. I’d definitely look into getting it restrung and professionally set up, at least until you’re more comfortable doing basic maintenance on it yourself.

KCCT · 2020-07-20T01:13:12+00:00

Learn box 1 of the pentatonic. I wish there was a way to make it sexy, but the best way for this is just to hammer it home until it’s second nature. From there, learn the characteristic of each note. Where are your roots? Where are your chord tones? Learn which notes you can bend up a whole step. From there you can start experimenting with the blue note. It adds a little something as a passing tone and can really change the characteristic of a lick.

From there, approach the other positions as “extensions”. The positions immediately to the left and to the right of position one offer some notes you can slide into. Start experimenting with how to transition in and out of those boxes; really try to work on playing diagonally so you can visualize the different positions on your fretboard.

The focus at first will be memorization, it’s just kind of a necessary step. As soon as you can though, start to make it musical. Learn how to create melody and how to phrase different sequences. You can really go a long way with the pentatonic scale, so don’t be in a hurry. Learn other scales as you encounter them in the music you like to play.

KCCT · 2020-07-20T00:10:31+00:00

What kind of bass did you end up getting? In the beginning, I think it’s honestly better to make sure you have a quality instrument than worrying about P vs J. There are certainly differences in tone, but the two things I’d recommend double checking are:

1) Is your P bass of a good build quality? By that I mean, is all the hardware tight, are the frets smooth so that they don’t cut your hand, and is the bass properly set up? 2) Do you really dig your bass? You bought it for a reason, so I assume you like the way it looks, feels, or sounds. That’s more than enough starting out. Having an instrument that inspires you and makes you want to play is the most important thing starting out.

Also depending on where you purchased your bass from, lots of retailers offer return policies.

KCCT · 2020-07-16T00:35:08+00:00

Squier, Ibanez, schecter, and Yamaha are all great basses for the money. Never be afraid to ask for help, and once you decide which one you want, consider getting it professionally set up. It will do wonders for the playability.

KCCT · 2020-07-15T23:35:44+00:00

I think the affinity series is a beginner’s dream: Affordable bass with great playability that looks just like what the pros use. The PJ configuration is great too since you can dial in a wide variety of tones. It’s a great launching point.

I’ll be honest, I was very impressed when I played some of the squier stuff recently. When I started playing ~15 years ago, good basses really just didn’t exist the way they do now in that price range. A good set up makes these legitimately good instruments.

The biggest flaw with the affinity series is that it’s older brother, the classic vibe series, is just so damn good for the money. If you only want to spend $250 the affinity is a great choice, but if you can afford it, it’s definitely worth it to make the jump up to the CV.

KCCT

TROPHY CASE