First Descendant Python SMG Strategy: Toxic Build, Weak‑Point Focus ~ HaploGamingChef

Intro: A Simple But Powerful Loadout

If you're looking for a no-fuss, effective way to make the Python SMG shine in The First Descendant, this guide is for you. We're skipping flashy skills and sticking to the basics—just the weapon itself, with a clean build focused on weak points and toxic damage. No Multi-Hit Core needed, just smart setup and solid aim.

Whether you're new to Python or just want to squeeze out better performance without going overboard on mods or theorycrafting, this strategy gives you strong results with very manageable gear.

Why Skip Multi-Hit Core?

Recently, many builds have focused heavily on stacking Multi-Hit Cores. But unless your weapon has a red core and solid base damage, this can be a waste. In our testing, toxic damage in the core slot outperformed the Multi-Hit Damage option every time.

The takeaway? If your Python SMG isn't already specced for Multi-Hit from the ground up, you’re better off stacking that damage type through mods rather than the core itself.

Build Setup Overview

For this loadout, the build is centered around:

Toxic damage in the free core
Weak point targeting
Minimal recoil for easier handling
Maximized ammo capacity over fire rate

These priorities make the weapon very responsive, extremely accurate, and capable of downing even major bosses like Gluttony without any reliance on Descendant abilities or external buffs.

Python SMG Core Configuration

Here's what this build uses for core slots:

Free Core: Toxic Attack
Green Core: Increased Magazine Size
Red Core: Firearm Attack

You could trade the green core for fire rate, but Python doesn’t come with a huge ammo pool. Going with a larger mag saves you from constant reloading, which becomes essential during sustained fire fights.

Comparison: Toxic Build vs Multi-Hit Damage

To prove the toxic core’s value, we compared two nearly identical Python SMGs:

Same roles and fire rate
One with Toxic Core, the other with Multi-Hit Damage Core

Across several tests against Gluttony, the Toxic build consistently hit 20–21 million damage, while the Multi-Hit Damage version struggled to break 15 million. That’s a significant drop, even with the same multi-hit chance (30% base, up to 87% with stacks).

In short: Toxic damage scales better with this weapon and setup.

Why This Build Feels So Smooth

One key factor that makes this loadout feel so effective is recoil control. The setup includes mods that reduce recoil and improve aim-shot accuracy. The difference is immediately noticeable. With reduced spread and cleaner shots, weak point hits become second nature—even in fast-paced combat.

If you’ve played Python stock and didn’t like the way it handled, try it with this recoil-focused build—you’ll likely change your mind.

Weapon Handling and Fire Rate Balance

The gun naturally fires fast enough, so we don’t boost that stat much. Instead, the 75-round mag keeps us active longer before reloading, which translates into better overall DPS.

Higher fire rate might sound tempting, but it’s not practical unless you're running a Descendant like Glare. Otherwise, you’ll burn through your clip too quickly, spend more time reloading, and ultimately drop damage due to downtime.

Best Use Scenario: Gluttony Fight Test

To demonstrate the build in action, we tested it repeatedly against the Colossus boss, Gluttony. No Descendant skills, no gadgets—just the Python SMG.

After letting Gluttony go through his scanning and punch animations, we focused fire on his weak point. In every attempt, the toxic Python variant did massive consistent damage and brought him down without issue. No abilities needed, no special tactics—just effective weak point focus and solid toxic scaling.

Mod Setup Breakdown

Here’s how the mods are structured:

Firearm Attack Mods: Reinforcement, Action, Reaction
Toxic Boosters: Toxic Enhancement, Poison Priority
Multi-Hit Stackers: Multi-Percussion, Multi-Piercing Sights, Multi-Hit Induction
Handling Mods: Recoil Control, Aim Accuracy

Together, these create a powerful synergy: increased toxic damage, high weak point uptime, and controllable recoil—all without sacrificing stability or ammo efficiency.

Multi-Hit Stacking Explained

Thanks to Multi-Hit Induction, every weak point shot builds a stack. You get 5.7% additional multi-hit chance per stack, up to 10 stacks. Add that to your base 30%, and you hit a strong 87% multi-hit chance during active combat.

This is a better way to benefit from Multi-Hit mechanics—without committing your core slot to it.

Weapon Recoil: Before vs After Mods

We compared recoil patterns side-by-side:

No recoil mod: Spread zigzags unpredictably
With recoil mods: Pattern becomes tight, centered, easy to control

That small change drastically improves your ability to consistently target weak spots. Even if you’re not great at aim control, this build gives you more room for error—and more time to focus on movement and situational awareness.

Descendant Compatibility and Synergy

This Python SMG setup isn’t locked to one specific Descendant—it’s versatile enough for general use. However, if you want synergy, Bunny makes a solid partner. Her electric damage stacks alongside the gun’s toxic output, letting you handle enemies with mixed resistances more effectively.

You can also swap to this gun mid-fight with someone like Fina, using a different weapon for sprint utility (like Secret Garden) and switching to Python when it’s time to deal damage.

Ideal Enemy Targets for This Build

This loadout works best against enemies with large, easy-to-hit weak points. Colossus bosses like Gluttony are ideal, but it’s also effective against many standard foes, as long as you focus fire where it counts.

Note: This Python has a toxic element, so it performs better against enemies not resistant to poison. For toxic-type enemies like Swarm, you might want to switch to a different element to avoid reduced damage output.

Ammo Efficiency vs Reload Time

Since this build skips fire rate boosting in favor of magazine size, reloads become less frequent. That’s crucial during extended boss fights where DPS consistency matters more than short bursts.

You won’t need to use additional mod slots for ammo-related boosts, freeing them up for damage-enhancing mods instead.

Weapon UI and Accuracy Metrics

In the UI, this Python build will show:

Firearm Attack: ~41,900
Toxic Attack: ~66,000
Fire Rate: ~12.32
Magazine Size: 75
Multi-Hit Chance: 30% base, up to 87% with stacks
Multi-Hit Damage: Significant when stacked via mods
Aim Shot Accuracy: 100%
Recoil Reduction: ~0.9× base recoil, feels nearly flat

These numbers may vary slightly depending on your rolls, but overall output and feel should stay close.

Toxic Build Final Verdict

The results are clear: Toxic damage cores deliver stronger performance with this weapon than Multi-Hit Damage. They scale better, hit harder, and maintain consistency across multiple encounters.

Plus, you get the added benefit of simplicity—no worrying about optimizing core slots around red-core bonuses. Just slap on the right mods, focus on the weak points, and let the SMG do the heavy lifting.

How This Build Changed the Game

Before this setup, taking down bosses like Gluttony required Descendant support, red-core crit scaling, or using a top-tier weapon like Enduring Legacy. Now, with this Python SMG build, you can skip all that complexity and still win fights using just your gun.

This isn’t just budget-friendly—it’s proof that good builds don’t need to rely on gimmicks.

Recommended Situational Swaps

While this is a great all-rounder, some tweaks can be made based on enemy type:

Against fast-moving targets: Add slight fire rate boost or sprint accuracy
If ammo feels tight: Use magazine size mods if you’re not running green core
Facing toxic-resistant enemies: Keep a second weapon with fire or electric damage as backup

These minor adjustments let the build scale up or down based on the situation.

Upcoming Meta Relevance

With new enemies coming in Season 3, including multi-element legions, this toxic build can remain relevant. Mixing damage types between Descendant abilities and weapon damage will likely become important. This Python setup could become even more valuable if those enemies have mixed or shifting resistances.

Real Gameplay Demonstration

Rather than just theory, this loadout was tested in real combat against Gluttony. No gadgets, no ability buffs, just clean gunplay. Despite using a toxic weapon against a boss weak to fire, the SMG was still enough to win the fight cleanly.

That’s the mark of a good weapon build—when it performs even outside of perfect-match scenarios.

Final Thoughts and Loadout Summary

This Python SMG guide shows that simplicity still works. Focus on weak points, keep recoil low, stack toxic damage, and boost multi-hit through mods, not cores. The result? A well-balanced, responsive SMG build that can carry you through both everyday fights and boss encounters with ease.

If you're after a fun, fast, and functional weapon without over-complication, this is the build to try.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a strong, consistent SMG build in The First Descendant, the Python with a toxic-focused setup is one of the most efficient options out there. It handles well, requires no reliance on Descendant skills, and performs impressively even in high-pressure fights like Gluttony. With solid recoil control, good weak-point accuracy, and dependable multi-hit scaling through mods, this build keeps things simple but deadly.

Whether you’re new to the game or just want a dependable DPS setup, this version of the Python SMG delivers without the need for perfect rolls or complex strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is toxic core better than multi-hit core for Python SMG?
A: Yes. Toxic cores consistently deliver higher total damage in this setup, while multi-hit cores fall short despite having good synergy mods.

Q: What's the base multi-hit chance in this build?
A: The base chance is 30%, and with Multi-Hit Induction, it climbs up to 87% after 10 successful weak-point hits.

Q: Can I use this build on any Descendant?
A: Absolutely. It performs well regardless of who you’re playing, though it pairs nicely with Bunny or Fina for added elemental diversity.

Q: Should I use fire rate or magazine size?
A: Magazine size is better for this setup. It keeps you shooting longer without needing to reload, improving overall damage output.

Q: What kind of enemies is this build best against?
A: Bosses with large weak points like Gluttony are ideal. It's also effective against general mobs as long as you can target weak spots.

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