If you enjoy dishing out devastating critical hits from a safe distance while remaining agile and hard to pin down, the Critical Commando Rifle Build in The Ascent is tailor-made for you. This build focuses on burst rifle proficiency, precision crit damage, high evasion, and bot-assisted destruction. It’s ideal for mid-range players who prefer strategic, methodical takedowns over brute force.

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Playstyle Overview

The core playstyle revolves around:

• High critical hit output via burst rifles
• Rapid reloads and weapon swaps to keep up pressure
• Use of Mono Ranger and Joyrun Dragon augmentations for bot support and enemy crowd control
• Staying mobile through boosted evasion while using cover for defense

You’ll patiently engage from range and reposition frequently, using your augmentations to control enemy flow and capitalize on stasis explosions.

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Key Skills & Attributes

The three main skills to prioritize are:

• Weapon Handling – Lightning-fast reloads and swaps
• Critical Hit Rate – Consistent high-damage output
• Evasion – Short cooldown for dodges

Skill Point Strategy:

• Start with 5–10 points in Weapon Handling, 5 in Crit Hit, and several in Evasion based on enemies you face
• Adjust dynamically depending on threat type (e.g., more evasion for melee lungers)
• Eventually max all three to 20

Secondary Skills:

• Tactical Sense (10–15 points): Faster recharge on tactical gear
• Vital Signs (5+ points): Buff survivability

Attribute Priority:

1. Cybernetics – Boosts augment damage and AoE
2. Motorics – Supports rifle use and responsiveness
3. Frame – For survivability
4. Biometrics – Optional, for health pool

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Best Augmentations

Mono Ranger

• Summons a monobot wielding a rifle
• Scales with Cybernetics
• Perfect for open-area or high-pressure fights

Joyrun Dragon

• Summons a stasis dragon
• Enemies explode if shot while frozen
• Synergizes with AoE tactics and tactical gear
• Ensure enemies are in your line of sight before deploying

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Recommended Modules

• Javelin Dash – Replaces rolls with agile dashes
• Vital Signs Booster – Improves base HP; more reliable than health pack-dependent mods

These passives enhance survivability and mobility to complement your ranged playstyle.

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Best Weapons

Primary: EBR Enforcer

• Burst rifle with homing bullets
• Deals energy damage (great vs. mechs and thugs)
• Fast reload and consistent crits

Secondary: ABR Commander

• Similar to Enforcer but with physical damage
• Keeps your damage types varied for mixed encounters

Stick to burst rifles with homing bullets to offset the lack of aiming skill investment.

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Tactical Gear

GR8 Fragmost Grenade

• Fast charge (under 700)
• Devastating vs. clustered groups
• Pairs excellently with Joyrun Dragon’s stasis

Alternative:

• G92 EMP Grenade – If fighting mostly mechanical enemies (stuns + energy damage)

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Armor Setup

Aim for gear that boosts Cybernetics, Crit Hit, Tactical Sense, and general resistances.

Head: F50 Sledgehead Helmet

• Crit Hit Rate + Body Energy boost

Torso: Runner Coat

• Broad resistances + Weapon Handling

Legs: Runner Trousers

• Resistances + Cybernetics + Tactical Sense

Swap gear as you loot better options—purple and gold rarities are your endgame targets.

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Upgrading Gear & Final Optimization

• Visit the Gunsmith to upgrade your rifles using basic, advanced, and superior components
• Loot these from bounty enemies, chests, and side areas
• Focus on upgrading only your main two weapons to MK10

If struggling with specific enemies:

• Switch tactical gear accordingly (e.g., EMP for bots)
• Allocate more points into Vital Signs to tank a few extra hits

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Final Tips

• Keep Cybernetics as your top attribute—your mono bot and dragon rely on it
• Use Joyrun Dragon early in fights to set up chain reactions
• Don’t rely on pickups for healing—build a strong base HP with Vital Signs Booster
• Combine your augmentations and tactical gear for devastating opening volleys

This build brings together high-pressure ranged dominance, strategic cover use, and bot-powered augmentation chaos. Whether you’re up against thugs or mechs, this Critical Commando setup is the perfect fusion of agility and firepower.

Ready to clean up Veles? Lock and load.