In *Once Human*, the Shrapnel build is a powerful playstyle centered around inflicting explosive, widespread damage through shrapnel effects that hit multiple enemy parts simultaneously. This guide offers a detailed breakdown of how to construct an optimal Shrapnel build, covering the best weapons, armor sets, mods, deviants, and cradle overrides to dominate the battlefield.
What is the Shrapnel Build?
The core concept behind the Shrapnel build revolves around triggering chain reactions of shrapnel damage with each successful hit. By focusing on critical hit chance, magazine capacity, and enhanced shrapnel damage, this build ensures a continuous and devastating assault. Think of it as launching a firework into a crowd—each explosion sends out secondary blasts that strike enemies in unpredictable ways. Below is a comprehensive list of recommended gear and mods for this build:
| Slot | Item | Mod |
| Primary Weapon | SOCR – The Last Valor | Shatter Them All, Shrapnel Smash, or Shrapnel Souvenir |
| Secondary Weapon | DE.50 Wildfire | Vulnerability Amplifier |
| Melee | Long Axe | Portable Territory |
| Helmet | Beret or Gas-Tight Helmet | Momentum Up or Fateful Strike |
| Face | Lonewolf Mask | Targeted Strike or Shrapnel Carnage |
| Gloves | Lonewolf Gloves | Crit Amplifier or Crit Booster |
| Shoes | Bastille Shoes | Covered Advance or Slow and Steady |
| Top | Lonewolf Jacket | Healing Fortification |
| Bottoms | Lonewolf Pants | Bullet Siphon or Deadshot |
Primary Weapon – SOCR – The Last Valor
At the heart of the Shrapnel build lies the SOCR – The Last Valor, a high-fire-rate assault rifle capable of triggering shrapnel on 4% of hits. This effect deals additional damage to random unhit parts of enemies. When landing critical hits, the shrapnel trigger chance doubles and grants a 30% boost to critical damage, making it ideal for prolonged combat. Obtain the blueprint by playing mini-games at the Wish Machine or purchasing it for 8,000 Starchrom from the Blueprint Shop. For maximum performance, craft the Tier V variant.
Recommended Attachments:
- Large Brake: +4 Range, +20 Accuracy, -8 Stability
- Reflex Sight: Zoom Level 2.0x, Aiming Speed +5.0%, Stability +5
- Tactical Laser Sight: +19 Accuracy, +12% Aiming Speed
- Extended Rifle Mag: Magazine Capacity +8, -13% Reload Speed
Secondary Weapon – DE.50 Wildfire
The DE.50 Wildfire complements the Shrapnel build by applying “The Bull’s Eye” debuff, increasing enemy vulnerability and synergizing perfectly with shrapnel damage. Alternatively, the Recurve Crossbow can be used to apply “The Bull’s Eye” upon hitting weak spots, boosting your critical rate by 15% against marked targets for 10 seconds, setting up the perfect opportunity for your primary weapon to unleash devastation.
Melee Weapon – Long Axe
The Long Axe serves as a utility melee option within the build. Its ability, “Fortress Warfare,” activates during heavy attacks and creates a protective zone that grants Heavy Armor to allies, significantly improving team survivability and overall durability in group encounters.
Armor Items
The Lonewolf set is highly recommended for the Shrapnel build, offering increased magazine capacity and improved critical hit chances. The set's unique “Lone Shadow” passive boosts critical damage with every consecutive critical hit, stacking up to 10 times. Each piece of the set can be purchased from the Blueprints Shop via the Wish Machine for 3,000 Starchrom per item.
Recommended Mods for Weapons
- Shrapnel Souvenir: Automatically reloads your magazine when shrapnel is triggered, ensuring uninterrupted fire.
- Shrapnel Smash: Increases critical hit rate by 1% after each shrapnel trigger, stacking up to 20 times for sustained DPS growth.
- Crit Amplifier: Grants +10% critical hit chance and +15% critical damage for consistent burst potential.
- Momentum Up: Boosts fire rate by 10% during the first half of the magazine and increases weapon damage by 30% in the second half, enhancing late-phase firepower.
Recommended Mods for Armor
- Targeted Strike (Face): Increases damage dealt to marked targets, maximizing synergy with “The Bull’s Eye” debuff.
- Crit Booster (Gloves): Further improves critical hit chance, reinforcing the build’s focus on headshot efficiency.
- Covered Advance (Shoes): Enhances movement speed while aiming, allowing for better positioning without sacrificing accuracy.
- Bullet Siphon or Deadshot (Bottoms): Improves ammo efficiency or amplifies critical damage output depending on your playstyle preference.
For an enhanced gaming experience, consider playing *Once Human* on your PC or laptop using [ttpp]. Enjoy the game on a larger screen with the precision and control offered by a keyboard and mouse setup, optimizing both immersion and performance.
