In the ever-evolving meta of The First Descendant, players are constantly searching for powerful yet accessible builds. And for those who favor the electrifying Ines, there’s one configuration that continues to rise above the rest—a no Transcendent Mod build. It’s efficient, deadly, and surprisingly sustainable in both regular farming runs and the high-stakes environment of Void Erosion Purge (VEP). This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about building Ines without the Transcendent Module, allowing you to dominate any encounter while maintaining flexibility and efficiency.
Who Is Ines and Why Go No Transcendent?
Ines is a nimble, burst-damage character whose kit thrives on mobility, energy manipulation, and high-damage AoE (area-of-effect) abilities. Her playstyle leans into hit-and-run tactics and sustained pressure using her plasma-based skills. Traditionally, many top-tier Ines builds include a Transcendent Mod to push her damage output to the extreme. However, not every player has access to a well-rolled Transcendent Mod, nor is it always necessary for peak performance.
The No Transcendent Mod Ines Build is not just a budget build—it's a reliable, optimized configuration designed for versatility, high uptime, and minimal resource drain.
Understanding the Core Strategy
This build centers around skill amplification, MP sustainability, and mobility, without relying on the Transcendent Mod's reactive synergy. The result? An Ines that can dish out enormous damage, tear through multiple enemies at once, and sustain her abilities through long engagements.
Key principles of the build:
Focus on Electric Singularity abilities
Leverage Secret Garden weapon synergy
Sustain MP using the Hunter Set or Hybrid Component Loadouts
Maximize AoE with proper Arcade Tuning & Mods
Prioritize cooldown and skill critical hits for smooth ability cycling
Reactor & Weapon Choices
Reactor Configuration
Use the Electric Singularity Reactor. This version focuses specifically on enhancing:
Skill Cooldown Reduction
Skill Critical Hit Damage
Since the build avoids the Transcendent Mod, Ines' first and third skills will convert to Singularity-based, which aligns perfectly with this reactor setup.
Weapon Selection: Secret Garden
Secret Garden acts as both your Speed Stick and Stat Stick.
Even without a Transcendent Mod, you can trigger the "Pest Control" passive, which gives a 50% chance to increase skill power when casting a tech-based skill (Ines' 2nd and 4th skills).
It’s crucial to focus on:
Triple Sprint Speed Cores for movement
Critical Hit Damage rolls
While the primary goal isn’t to use the weapon directly in combat, its passive bonus and stat amplification offer huge utility.
External Components: Loadouts for Survivability or Sustain
There are two primary options:
Option A: 2x Plague + 2x Enlightened Mage
This configuration provides a solid mix of:
High defense
Enhanced HP
Balanced performance in all content
Option B: Full Hunter Set
This version sacrifices some raw durability for unmatched MP sustainability:
Gain Arcade Shield when MP drops below 50%
+30% MP Recovery
Bonus MP regeneration in and out of combat
For players seeking unbroken uptime in longer fights (like VEP), this is often the better choice. You won’t have to worry about running out of MP, allowing for seamless ability rotation.
Optimal External Component Stats
Here’s what to prioritize across your four key component slots:
Auxiliary Power: Max HP
Hunter Sensor: Max MP, MP Recovery in Combat
Memory: Defense, MP Recovery Modifier
Processor: Max Shield, and either Shield Recovery Modifier or Equipment Drop Rate (choose based on need)
Core Roles across all components should include:
Max HP
Defense
Keep consistency across these roles for maximum durability.
Weapon Mod Tips
Use a variation of the Fraina Defiler Build:
Include Brisk Walk if additional movement speed is needed
Focus on sprint speed and critical damage enhancements
Remember, you're not here to shoot. You're here to move faster, cast quicker, and make every skill count.
Skill Modules (No Transcendent Slot Required)
Here’s your complete Ines module layout:
Core Modules
Increased HP: Your sole survivability tool
Nimble Fingers: Reduces cooldown
MP Conversion: Helps with energy balance
Focus on Electric & Singularity: Amplify core abilities
Skill Concentration: Boost critical hit damage and rate
Emergency Measures: Additional critical hit support
Front Lines: A combat enhancer that doesn’t sacrifice utility
Skill Expansion: Maximize AoE radius
Potent Collector: Restores custom resource (plasma) on enemy defeat
This selection ensures a high degree of damage consistency, skill uptime, and resource regeneration.
Skill Synergy Breakdown
Let’s explore how the skill set plays out in action.
First Skill: Now Singularity-based
Second Skill: Tech-based (still triggers Secret Garden)
Third Skill: Also Singularity-based and extremely potent with high range
Fourth Skill: Supports speed and AoE with mobility and power
Important: Use your 2nd and 4th skills to trigger Secret Garden passives, and your 1st and 3rd for consistent, heavy damage.
Mastering Ines’ Third Skill (Spin Mechanics)
Her third skill has a charged mechanic:
Quick tap = Basic thrust (lower damage)
Hold and release on spark = Spin attack (much higher damage)
Memorize the timing. This distinction can determine whether you deal 19 million or over 21 million damage per use.
Arcade Tuning: Precision Optimization
Right Tree Focus
Prioritize everything on the right-hand side until you reach skill power enhancements
Grab range nodes for skill expansion
Only skip optional bonuses if absolutely necessary
Top Branch
Focus on Skill Crit Hit Rate and Crit Damage
Also, prioritize Cooldown Reduction and Skill Power
Left Side Enhancements
Boost Electric Cohesion
Fill in critical power boosts
This layout ensures high-damage frequency and efficient resource cycling.
Farming Performance: Sigma Sector Run Strategy
In regular content like Sigma Sector, here’s how to approach:
Begin by casting 1st and 2nd skills to build plasma
Use 3rd skill on elites (charged spin for maximum damage)
Activate 4th skill often to benefit from speed and range
Move quickly between clusters of enemies using your sprint-enhanced speed stick
Remember: Speed, cast, recover, move.
Your goal is to keep moving, rotating cooldowns, and letting Pest Control and Potent Collector maintain your tempo.
Void Erosion Purge Strategy (VEP Stage 10 and Beyond)
Void Erosion Purge is where this build truly shines. Here's how to leverage it:
At mission start, use 1st and 2nd skills to build up plasma
Use 3rd skill (spin) from a distance to snipe enemies
Abuse the fact that her third skill goes through walls
Stay behind cover while eliminating targets with precision
This playstyle minimizes exposure and maximizes efficiency. You can stay out of danger while continuing to eliminate threats, one charged spin at a time.
Advanced Tips for Ines Mastery
Use terrain to your advantage. In tight maps, firing skills through walls gives you near-complete safety.
Always charge your third skill fully unless you're in immediate danger
Combine 4th skill speed boost with movement-enhancing mods for agile repositioning
Avoid unnecessary spam-casting. Learn to cycle skills strategically
Final Thoughts: Is This Ines Build Worth It?
Absolutely. What began as a workaround for players lacking a Transcendent Mod has evolved into a strategically sound, deadly-efficient build. It offers:
Excellent farming speed
Reliable performance in VEP
Flexible gear requirements
A satisfying and tactical playstyle
Whether you're clearing daily missions, chasing loot drops, or pushing high-end purge stages, this Ines configuration can keep up with even the most premium loadouts.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can this Ines build work without any legendary components?
A: Yes. While legendary components can enhance performance, this build is designed to be effective with accessible gear. Prioritize stat synergy over rarity.
Q: What makes this build better than one with a Transcendent Mod?
A: It offers greater flexibility, sustainability, and lower dependence on rare gear. Plus, it allows you to hit through walls and sustain plasma with ease.
Q: Will this build work in co-op or group VEPs?
A: Absolutely. In fact, the AoE range and plasma regeneration make Ines a strong contributor in high-mobility team compositions.
Q: Why Secret Garden instead of other rifles?
A: Secret Garden’s passive triggers off tech-based skills, aligning perfectly with Ines' 2nd and 4th abilities, boosting overall skill power.
Q: How do I improve survivability with this build?
A: Use the 2x Plague + 2x Enlightened Mage setup for more HP and defense, or full Hunter for MP sustainability while managing aggro carefully.
Q: What if I’m struggling with cooldowns?
A: Slot in extra cooldown reduction via modules or prioritize Arcade Tuning nodes that cut down recovery time between skill casts.
Q: Is this build beginner-friendly?
A: Very much so. It's straightforward, doesn’t rely on exotic gear, and teaches key mechanics like skill charging, positioning, and resource cycling.
Q: How do I maximize damage with Ines' third skill?
A: Always charge it fully until her hand sparks, then release for a spinning attack. This significantly increases your burst damage output.
Q: Is the Hunter Set mandatory?
A: No, but it ensures MP uptime. You can swap it out for a tankier setup depending on your preference or mission type.
Q: Can this be used for endgame farming?
A: Yes, especially in Sigma Sector or VEP Stage 10+, where her wall-piercing skill and AoE clear potential are highly valuable.
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