The First Descendant Modules Guide

The First Descendant features a robust module system designed to enhance both your Descendant and their weapons. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of modules, covering what they are, how to use them, manage module capacity, understand socket types, obtain rare modules, and more.

Breaking Down Modules

Modules are items that provide various bonuses when equipped. They can drop from monsters or be given as rewards for completing missions.

There are generally two types of modules:

Descendant Modules: These are equipped on characters and provide bonuses specific to the character.
Weapon Modules: These are attached to weapons and provide benefits tailored to those weapons.

Every module is represented as a card with important information. For example, the Heat Antibody module increases Fire Resistance. The central icon on the card represents the module’s function, making it easier to identify what the module does at a glance.

Module Socket Types And Capacity

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Each module has a specific socket type and capacity. Matching the module’s socket type with the correct slot type reduces its capacity cost by half. Conversely, placing a module in a mismatched slot increases its capacity cost by 50%.

Socket Types:

Cerulean (C)
Rutile (r)
Malachite (///)
Xantic (X)
Almandine (^)

Descendants have 12 sockets in total, including two special sockets for unique module types:

Skill Module: These alter the functionality of your Descendant’s skills.
Sub Module: These change the effects of your charged melee skills.

The remaining sockets can either be type-specific or neutral. Neutral sockets allow any module to be placed without changing its capacity cost, while type-specific sockets benefit from matched modules for optimal capacity usage.

Increasing Module Capacity

Managing and increasing module capacity is crucial for maximizing your Descendant’s and weapons’ potential.

Here are several ways to increase your module capacity:

Increase Mastery Rank: the most effective method to boost module capacity is by upgrading your Mastery Rank, which is separate from your main character level. Completing missions and quests will help improve your Mastery Rank. Reaching Mastery Rank 20 increases your base module capacity for both Descendant and Weapon Modules from 25 to 50.
Equip Sub Attack Modules: for Descendant Modules, equipping a Sub Attack Module in the Sub Attack Slot can increase module capacity. These modules, such as Shortsword and Dual Claw, not only change the form of your Sub Attack action but also provide a capacity boost. Always choose the Sub Attack Module that offers the highest increase.
Use Research Requests: completing Research Requests can further enhance your module capacity. Visit Anais in Albion to complete these said requests and obtain recipes for Energy Activators. Craft Energy Activators and use them in the Module Additional Settings menu under Increase Max Capacity to consume Energy Activators and boost your capacity.
Equip Modules in Matching Sockets: while this method does not increase your overall capacity, it allows for more efficient use of available module capacity. Each module has a socket type attribute. Matching modules to their corresponding socket type halves the base cost of the module, whereas mismatched slots double the cost.

Upgrading Modules

Modules can be enhanced, dismantled, or combined (with the combine option unlocking at Mastery Rank 9). Enhancements improve a module’s effectiveness and capacity.

Here’s how to manage module upgrades:

Enhance: Enhancing modules can be done by the NPC Silion in Albion. This process costs both Gold and Kuiper Shards, a currency specifically used for module enhancement. Enhancing increases the module’s effect and capacity. The game clearly shows what changes occur when a module is enhanced, making it easier to decide which modules to upgrade.
Dismantle: Dismantling modules yields resources that can be used for other purposes. This is an effective way to manage unwanted modules and obtain materials for enhancing other modules.
Combine: Combining modules allows you to create new ones, which is especially useful for getting rid of excess modules and trying for higher quality ones. This option becomes available at Mastery Rank 9.

Weapon Modules

Weapon modules follow the same principles as Descendant modules but are specific to weapons. Each weapon has eight module sockets with no special sockets.

The weapon types recognized by their caliber are:

General Rounds
Impact Rounds
Special Rounds
High-Power Rounds

These act like socket types, but using matching weapon modules does not provide a capacity reduction.

Obtaining Rare Modules

Modules come in various rarities: Common, Rare, Ultimate, and Transcendent. Common modules are abundant, but Rare and above are much harder to find.

Here’s how to get better modules:

Grind: Engage in the game by killing enemies and completing missions. This increases your chances of obtaining higher rarity modules.
Combine Modules: Once you reach a certain Mastery Rank, you can combine unwanted modules to create new ones. This process requires four modules to generate one new module, with the outcome and quality being random.

Tips for Module Usage

To maximize the benefits from modules, here are some tips:

Passive Bonuses: For Descendants, prioritize modules that provide passive bonuses like increased health and defense. These modules offer consistent benefits without needing active management.
Skill Synergy: Choose modules that complement your Descendant’s skills. For example, if your character relies heavily on a specific ability, equip modules that enhance that ability’s effectiveness.
Weapon Customization: For weapons, tailor the modules to your playstyle. If you struggle with recoil, install a Vibration Absorption module. If you need a faster fire rate, use a Fire Rate UP module. Customize your weapons to suit your combat preferences.

Conclusion

Modules are essential for enhancing your Descendant and their weapons in The First Descendant. By understanding how to manage module capacity, optimize socket types, obtain rare modules, and effectively upgrade and use modules, you can significantly improve your gameplay experience. This guide provides all the information you need to master the module system and make the most of your character and weapon enhancements. Of course, if you want to shave off weeks of grinding off your docket, see our The First Descendant boosts. Now, get out there and start optimizing your Descendant and their arsenal with the best modules available!