Introduction
Ever felt like a god in Risk of Rain 2, tearing through enemies with unbridled power, only to be suddenly, inexplicably, and humiliatingly annihilated? Chances are, Void Items were involved. Risk of Rain 2 is renowned for its dynamic item system, where collecting items creates exponential power gains. Amongst this myriad of loot lies a particularly potent, and perilous, category: Void Items. These corrupted artifacts offer incredible buffs, but at a cost: they corrupt other, often cherished, items, transforming them into something…else. The core of Void Items lies in a dangerous dance: a wager on immense power versus the potential for devastating consequences. Are you willing to embrace the Void? This guide will delve into the intricacies of these powerful items, exploring their benefits, drawbacks, and strategies for mastering their corrupting influence. This is your comprehensive guide to mastering the void items and their impact on the Risk of Rain 2 experience.
Understanding the Nature of Void Items
So, what exactly are Void Items? They are a special type of item in Risk of Rain 2, visually distinguished by their unsettling purple and black aesthetic – a stark contrast to the vibrant colors of standard items. Their defining characteristic is “corruption.” Unlike normal items that stack linearly or offer straightforward bonuses, void items corrupt other items in your inventory. This means that when you pick up a Void Item, it will permanently transform certain normal items into a Void Item counterpart. These counterparts often offer dramatically different, and sometimes unpredictable, effects compared to their original forms. The corruption mechanic is what makes Void Items so interesting, and so risky. It forces you to carefully consider the trade-offs: is the power of the Void Item worth sacrificing the benefits of the items it will corrupt? Mastering this assessment is critical for success. Void items are powerful tools for any survivor willing to learn their ways.
Acquiring the Void: Where to Find Corruption
Finding these powerful items requires venturing into areas with void infestations or seeking them out on specific game events. While void items can drop from regular chests like any other item, there are more reliable methods of obtaining them:
- Standard Chests: While rare, void items have a low chance to drop from standard chests.
- Void Cradles: These special interactables guarantee a void item drop for a monetary cost.
- Void Fields: Completing waves of enemies in the Void Fields gives void items at the end.
- Void Potential: This item drops on the moon and gives players increased void item drops for the rest of their run.
- Void Seeds: Some enemies have void seeds attached to them. Defeating these enemies grants void items.
A Catalogue of Corruption: Individual Void Item Analysis
Let’s examine some of the key Void Items, analyzing their effects, the items they corrupt, and their overall strategic value:
Benthic Bloom
This item corrupts all your stacking items, making them stack for the rest of your run every time you enter a new stage. This item is useful for builds who like to focus on stacking a few items, or for the first few stages of the game.
Lysate Cell
Corrupts Equipment cooldown. Using your Equipment spawns a Lesser Worm that distracts enemies and explodes on death. This is a high-risk, high-reward item. While the worms can provide a valuable distraction, they can also quickly overwhelm your screen and become difficult to manage. It synergizes well with Equipments with short cooldown and little cost to use.
Needletick
Corrupts bleed damage. This item converts all bleed damage into void implosions, which deal void damage. This is a great way to scale void damage, but you may not find the original bleed items you would like, and void damage may not be the optimal source of damage.
Plasma Shrimp
Corrupts missiles. Whenever you deal damage, fire homing void missiles that deal a small amount of void damage each. This provides consistent additional damage, especially in longer fights, and can be very powerful if combined with items that increase attack speed or proc chance.
Pluripotent Larva
Corrupts revive. This item allows you to consume an ally on revive, giving you all of their items. In single player, this item will instantly revive you with the items of a ghost. While extremely powerful, this comes at the cost of either losing a multiplayer teammate or a potentially more useful revive item like a teddy bear.
Polylute
Corrupts chain damage. Each attack splits into void bolts that damage other enemies. Great for crowd control, but the split damage can be less effective against single, high-health targets. Good for builds that involve close quarters fighting.
Safer Spaces
Corrupts Barrier. Gain significant damage reduction after gaining a barrier. This provides immense survivability. However, you will now rely on barriers, so ensure you have the items necessary to ensure you are frequently receiving barriers.
Singularity Band
Corrupts on-hit bands. Instead of dealing an explosion, pull enemies together in a void singularity upon hitting them. Can be useful for crowd control, but may interfere with certain strategies or builds that rely on enemy positioning. Synergizes with melee survivors.
Void Focus
Corrupts Crit. Dealing damage marks enemies. Marked enemies take increased damage. This synergizes with high damage output builds.
Voidsent Flame
Corrupts ignite. This makes the ignite explode on enemies with fire. This is an ideal item for clearing waves of enemies.
Crafting Corruption: Strategies and Synergies
Using void items effectively requires a strategic approach. Here are some general guidelines and specific synergy examples:
- Early Game Power Spike: Void Items can provide a significant power boost early in a run, helping you overcome difficult stages. However, be mindful of the long-term implications of the corruption.
- Risk Assessment: Always carefully evaluate the potential downsides of corrupting a particular item. Is the benefit of the Void Item worth losing the original item’s effect?
- Build Specialization: Some Void Items synergize extremely well with specific builds or characters. For example, a character with naturally high shield generation can greatly benefit from Safer Spaces, turning them into a near-invincible tank.
Example Synergies:
- Lysate Cell + Gesture of the Drowned: Constantly summon Worms for sustained distraction and damage.
- Safer Spaces + Transcendence: Reliable barriers and exceptional damage reduction makes you exceptionally tanky.
- Benthic Bloom + Early Game Stacking Items: Ensures consistent scaling on all stacking items.
The Perils of the Void: Managing Corruption and Drawbacks
The biggest challenge with void items is managing the corruption. Here are some potential pitfalls:
- Unforeseen Consequences: Corrupting an item you heavily rely on can cripple your build.
- Anti-Synergies: Some Void Item corruptions can actively hinder your progress. For instance, corrupting a critical item that is crucial for your strategy.
- The Void Reaver Threat: Void Reavers are enemies that spread corruption. Getting hit by them or being too close to them increases your corruption level, which can destroy your build. Prioritize eliminating them to control the spread of corruption.
Conclusion: Embrace the Chaos, But Tread Carefully
Void items are a fascinating and powerful addition to Risk of Rain 2. They offer the potential for incredible power gains, but their inherent corruption mechanic demands careful consideration and strategic planning. Mastering the art of risk assessment, identifying beneficial synergies, and understanding the potential drawbacks are crucial for successfully incorporating Void Items into your runs. Don’t be afraid to experiment and explore the possibilities, but remember that the Void is a fickle mistress. Embrace the chaos, but tread carefully, and you might just find yourself dominating the lunar landscape with the power of corruption! Remember, the key to success with void items is a balance of calculated risk and a willingness to adapt. Go forth, experiment, and discover the power of the Void in Risk of Rain 2!
