With the limited time at my disposal, I can't overhaul the entire dungeon to perfectly counter their strike team, but I can optimize key aspects to maximize my chances of survival. The reality is clear: this will likely end in a final showdown, with me taking on the role of the dungeon's last guard. I need to set the stage for that confrontation, ensuring that when the dust settles, I'll be the one standing.
The main chamber before the treasury is already armed to the teeth with high-caliber well-armored autocannons. These beasts pack a punch, each contributing the firepower equivalent to one and a half dedicated DPS characters. The mines and poison gas vents strategically placed throughout the chamber should slow their advance, effectively adding the utility of half a support character. But in the end, the burden of defense falls on me and my abilities.
My skills are predominantly defensive—a necessity born from the nature of my build. I'm confident I can withstand the onslaught of a few DPS players long enough to neutralize them. However, if two tanks and a healer make it to the end, I’ll be in serious trouble. Outlasting a pair of tanks is one thing, but with a healer sustaining them, my defeat would be almost certain.
Thus, my strategy must focus on eliminating their healers first and minimizing the number of tanks that reach the final chamber. The ranged DPS will have to be secondary targets, as they'll be less effective without proper support. To achieve this, I'll rely on one of my most versatile assets: the buzzer drones.
These drones, small but efficient, deal sonic damage in an area of effect. Sonic damage is a rare and difficult type to counter, requiring expensive specialized warding magic or significant healing power to mitigate. The drones are fast, erratic, and difficult to hit, especially since the enemy team lacks fast-shooting ranged units. This guarantees that they’ll suffer damage, wave after wave, before they can destroy the drones with their slower magical attacks. By deploying these drones in kamikaze rushes throughout the dungeon, I can drain much of the healing and warding potential of their support squadron. At the same time, my autocannons will keep their tanks under constant pressure, forcing them to remain in a defensive posture.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
The autocannons themselves, though powerful, have their drawbacks. They are armored but stationary, making them highly visible and vulnerable to focused attacks once the enemy spots them. Their armor can withstand some punishment, but without the element of stealth, they can be taken out if the enemy coordinates effectively. Their role is to provide sustained fire, creating a constant barrage that forces the enemy to hunker down and slow their advance.
While the enemy is pinned down by the relentless buzzing of drones and the pounding of autocannon fire, I’ll take control of my secret weapon: sniper turrets. These are not your typical stationary defenses. Unlike the autocannons, which are tough but visible, the sniper turrets are hidden in invisible casemates, seamlessly integrated into the dungeon’s walls. These turrets remain undetectable until they strike, concealed behind wall tiles that open up only when it's time to fire. Their camouflage makes them nearly impossible to detect until it's too late.
The sniper turrets fire slowly but deliver devastating bursts of damage. Their long-range capabilities, coupled with the option to switch between piercing and explosive rounds, make them perfect for my needs. Once the backline healers are hit with an explosive round, and the enemy tanks scramble to defend, I’ll switch to piercing rounds to punch through their armor. This will allow me to chip away at their defenses, slowly but surely wearing them down.
The challenge, however, is time. How long can I keep them unaware of my main strategy? How many waves can I unleash before they adapt and counter my tactics? These are questions I don’t have the luxury to ponder further. Every second counts now. It’s time to finalize the emplacements, set the traps, and prepare for the inevitable confrontation.
When they finally reach me, they’ll be too weakened to mount a proper assault. Or so I hope.