Overview of Hailey in the Current Meta
Hailey in The First Descendant has shifted from a boss-damage specialist to a less favored pick. Early on, her damage output against bosses made her a solid choice. After balance changes and content updates, several other Descendants now outperform her in both single-target and mobbing scenarios. Still, with the right setup, Hailey can be fun and effective for those who enjoy her playstyle or want a unique challenge.Why Build Hailey Despite the Nerfs
Even with her current limitations, Hailey offers a unique rhythm to gameplay. Players who enjoy experimenting with loadouts or want to master an underused character can find her rewarding. A good build lets you handle Void Erosion Purge Stage 10 (VEP 10) and general mobbing tasks without feeling underpowered, even if she’s no longer a meta pick.
Recommended Weapons for Hailey Builds
The Albian Cavalry remains the top choice for her, thanks to its synergy with skill triggers and reliable crit stats. Some players swap in a dagger for close encounters or boss phases, but the Cavalry is her core option for both builds. The Malevolent can be considered, though it often feels like a compromise due to weaker skill support.
Component Selection for Maximum Performance
Using four pieces of the Polar Knight set is highly recommended. This setup grants extra chill power, frostbite-based critical bonuses, and increased area damage from high max HP. With this gear, Hailey gains over 20,000 HP, boosting survivability and passive damage effects in VEP 10 runs and mobbing missions.
Optimizing Your Reactor and Inversion Reinforcement
For reactors, a Frozen Singularity build with skill cooldown and singular skill power works best. If you have access to skill critical hit damage options, those can replace secondary stats. Inversion reinforcement should prioritize chill focus rounds and firearm critical hit ammo systems to maintain strong reload cycles and steady DPS output.
Essential Mods and Boards for Hailey
Focus on mods that reduce skill cost and cooldowns, like Strong Mentality, Maximize Conservation, and Energy Collection. Pair them with MP Conversion and Hyperfocus to balance weapon and skill damage. Two HP boards add the bulk survivability needed for high-damage encounters.
Albian Cavalry Tuning for Critical Builds
For a crit-focused setup, prioritize Action Reaction, Rifling Reinforcement, Fire Rate, and Chill Enhancement. Add ammo-support mods like Expand Weapon Charge and Concentrate Support Ammo. Tune for firearm attack, critical hit damage, and chill attack to squeeze out maximum performance.
Albian Cavalry Tuning for Multi-Hit Builds
If you prefer a multi-hit approach, adjust tuning with Consecutive Weak Point Strikes, Multi-Piercing Trigger, and Multi-Sights. These adjustments yield a stronger multi-hit chance and damage multiplier. While the overall output may feel close to the crit build, some players enjoy the smoother damage spread.
Handling VEP 10 Solo and Group Runs
Solo runs with Hailey average around 8–10 minutes depending on map rotation. In groups, especially with a strong support like Serena, Hailey often takes a secondary role. Her builds remain functional, but you may find yourself keeping pace rather than leading the fight.
Adjustments for Mobbing-Focused Play
Switching to a skill-focused build involves leaning heavily on MP management and cooldown reduction. Mods like Chill Integration, Technique Manual, and Skill Expansion push her first ability to carry fights. Tuning inversion reinforcement with Neural Focus Augmentation and Adrenaline Rush further supports fast, skill-based clearing.
Realistic Expectations for Hailey
Despite these builds, Hailey still feels under-tuned compared to newer or reworked Descendants. Her recent buffs increased raw numbers but didn’t address core issues like skill synergy and pacing. If you enjoy a challenge or simply like her animations and kit, these builds can make her viable enough to tackle standard content while waiting for future reworks.
Practical Gameplay Tips for Hailey Users
Stay aware of positioning during fights. Hailey’s kit rewards consistent uptime on her third ability, so manage MP and cooldowns carefully. Keep the Albian Cavalry ready with tuned ammo mods for uninterrupted fire, and activate skills when enemies are clustered for maximum effect. Regularly trigger frostbite effects through your weapon to unlock the Polar Knight set bonuses.
Balancing Skill Power and Firearm Damage
Her builds rely on finding the right balance between skill output and firearm DPS. Leaning too hard into either side limits overall performance. Using Hyperfocus ensures your firearm crits feed into skill crit damage and vice versa. Maintain a rhythm where skills are cycled consistently, and weapon reloads are timed with cooldown resets.
When to Switch Between Builds
Use the VEP 10 setup when tackling Void Erosion Purge content or similar high-HP encounters. Switch to the mobbing setup for missions with dense enemy waves where cooldown spam is key. Having both loadouts saved lets you adapt quickly depending on the daily content or group composition you join.
Recommended Role in Group Content
In co-op runs, Hailey is best as a hybrid damage dealer. While she cannot compete with top-tier AoE Descendants, her crit-based Albian Cavalry setup contributes steady damage over time. Support your group by applying frostbite status and clearing smaller mobs while stronger picks handle elite targets.
Testing and Tweaking Your Loadouts
Spend time in lower-tier missions to test variations of your build. Adjust tuning points, mod priorities, or inversion reinforcements to find what feels most comfortable. Monitor clear times and MP consumption to see if certain skills or mods underperform, then swap them out for alternatives.
Maintaining MP and Cooldowns
Both builds depend on sustained skill usage, so MP management is crucial. Stack mods like Energy Collection and MP Conversion to keep resources available. When you notice downtime between skills, review whether your cooldown reduction is sufficient or if additional mods can reduce ability gaps.
Alternate Weapons Worth Testing
Though the Albian Cavalry dominates in most builds, you can experiment with other high-crit firearms if available. The Secret Garden is another option due to its mobility boost and decent crit profile. However, avoid weapons that slow down your movement or lack synergy with Hailey’s skill-triggered buffs.
Expected Performance in Current Endgame
Hailey’s output is modest compared to the strongest picks, but with precise play she clears VEP 10 within competitive time frames. For mobbing, expect slower clears compared to burst-heavy Descendants. Her main strength lies in reliable, repeatable skill cycling when tuned properly.
Preparing for Future Updates
Developers often adjust characters across seasons. Keep an eye on patch notes for potential Hailey buffs or reworks. A single adjustment to her skill multipliers or cooldown scaling could make these builds far more effective in endgame content. Having your builds ready now lets you instantly benefit from future improvements.
Final Thoughts on Using Hailey
Hailey is not the easiest choice, but she offers a rewarding challenge. With the outlined builds, you can perform well in Void Erosion Purge and enjoy a functional mobbing setup. Players looking for a unique playstyle or willing to invest time in optimization will find these builds give Hailey a solid foundation despite her current balance issues.
Conclusion
Hailey is no longer a top-tier pick in The First Descendant, but with the right preparation she can still clear challenging content. By following these builds, you can handle Void Erosion Purge Stage 10 and manage mobbing runs while keeping her gameplay engaging. The key is balancing skill power with firearm efficiency, maintaining MP, and tuning components and mods for the situation. Keep these setups ready, and when future updates arrive, Hailey could quickly become a stronger choice again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best weapon for Hailey in First Descendant?
The Albian Cavalry remains her best option due to strong crit potential and synergy with cooldown builds.
Is Hailey still good for Void Erosion Purge Stage 10?
Yes, with the outlined build she can complete VEP 10 runs, though other characters may finish faster.
What components work best on Hailey?
Four pieces of the Polar Knight set give her critical bonuses, extra chill power, and increased survivability.
Should I use a mobbing build or a VEP build?
Use the VEP build for boss-heavy missions and the mobbing build for dense waves of enemies.
Will Hailey get stronger in future updates?
She might. Watch for rework announcements or buffs in upcoming patches to boost her performance.
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Best Hailey builds for First Descendant. Master VEP 10 and mobbing with optimized weapons, mods, and tips for strong performance.
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