Whether it’s Ultimate Viessa or a very “chill” Hailey, a perfect Malevolent build in The First Descendant can blow them away. This standout weapon, first introduced during Season 2, Episode 2, is unlike any other battle pass weapon, which often feels underwhelming. Malevolent is a powerful hand cannon that excels at dealing Area of Effect (AoE) damage thanks to its unique ability, Malicious Pain.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about the best Malevolent build in The First Descendant, including its stats, and how to maximize its potential.
Best Malevolent Build in The First Descendant
Malevolent has almost no Firearm Critical Hit Rate (1%) and minimal Firearm Critical Hit Damage. This means it’s not suited for crit-focused builds like Thunder Cage. Instead, focus on boosting Firearm ATK, Weak Point Damage, and Toxic ATK to maximize its potential.
Malevolent Stats in The First Descendant
Here are the base stats for Malevolent at level 100:
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Firearm ATK | 46,349 |
| Toxic ATK | 19,467 |
| Fire Rate | 176 |
| Rounds per Magazine | 9 |
| Reload Time | 1.65s |
| Crit Rate | 1% |
| Crit Damage | 1x |
| Attribute Status Effect Rate | 12.5% |
| Weak Point Damage | 2.5x |
| Multi-Hit Damage | 0.2x |
Upgrading Malevolent’s unique ability increases the number of Bladed Cogs, their damage, and the maximum number of bounces. This makes it a top-tier weapon for mobbing, especially when paired with a gun-focused Descendant like Serena.
Best Malevolent Stats in The First Descendant
As you level up Malevolent to 100, adjust its stats to fit the build. Focus on the following:
- Firearm ATK: Increases base damage.
- Attribute Status Effect Trigger Rate: Boosts Poison application.
- Rounds per Magazine: Increases sustained damage.
- Toxic ATK: Enhances elemental damage.
- Weak Point Damage: Amplifies damage from precision shots.
Avoid investing in Firearm Critical Hit Rate or Firearm Critical Hit Damage, as these stats are not effective for Malevolent.
Best Modules for Malevolent
Here are the best Modules to use with Malevolent:
| Module | Effect |
|---|---|
| Rifling Reinforcement | Increases Firearm ATK |
| Action and Reaction | Increases Firearm ATK and reduces Recoil |
| Charge Amplification | Increases Firearm ATK but reduces Crit Damage |
| Weak Point Sight | Increases Weak Point Damage |
| Expand Weapon Charge | Increases Rounds per Magazine |
| Fire Rate UP | Increases Fire Rate |
| Toxic Enhancement | Increases Toxic ATK based on Firearm ATK |
| Poison Priority | Increases Toxic ATK but reduces Reload Time |
| Toxic Conductor | Increases Firearm ATK when attacking poisoned enemies |
Rifling Reinforcement and Action and Reaction are essential for increasing Malevolent’s base damage. Since Malevolent doesn’t rely on crits, Charge Amplification is a great choice for boosting Firearm ATK.
To further enhance Malevolent’s damage, focus on elemental damage. With a base Toxic ATK of 19,467, Modules like Toxic Enhancement and Poison Priority are perfect for this build. The Toxic Conductor Module synergizes well with Malevolent’s ability to apply Poison through its Bladed Cogs, further increasing Firearm ATK.
Prioritize Weak Point Damage
Malevolent’s unique ability rewards players for hitting weak points, so boosting Weak Point Damage is crucial. While Weak Point Damage only affects the initial shot (not the Bladed Cogs or Poison damage), it’s still a significant source of extra damage. Use Modules like Weak Point Sight to maximize this stat and ensure you’re consistently hitting weak points.
Best Malevolent Synergies in The First Descendant
Malevolent works best with Descendants who can enhance its AoE damage or take advantage of its Poison effects.
- Serena: Her Redemption ability triggers AoE damage, which synergizes perfectly with Malevolent’s Bladed Cogs. Redemption’s damage scales with Serena’s Max HP, giving you additional ways to boost Malevolent’s effectiveness.
- Gley: Gley’s infinite ammo build can work with Malevolent, but you’ll need to adjust the build since ammo stats aren’t necessary for this weapon.
And that’s all you need to know about the best Malevolent build in The First Descendant. For more First Descendant content, stay tuned to RetroNoob.
