The Inlaid Library is set up a little differently than the other stages inVampire Survivors. Whereas the other stages allow unlimited exploration in any direction, the Inlaid Library has narrow horizontal boundaries - making it feel like a hallway that stretches on forever. This makes the optimal builds for the Inlaid Library a little different from the other stages.
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This build inVampire Survivorsfocuses on massive amounts of indirect fire that reaches every corner of the screen. In this sense, this build is a sort of reverse bullet hell build. The player gets to unleash the swarm of projectiles, rather than trying to avoid them. The point is to fill the entire screen with projectiles; while simultaneously damaging as many enemies as possible.
Character
With the main objective of this build in mind, the characters that make the most sense are Cavallo, Mortaccio, and (lastly) Gennaro. These characters give their weapons additional projectiles. However, characters that increase projectile speed or area are also valid choices for this build; just be sure to get the Duplicator accessory and havethe Duplicator Power-up.
Pasqualina is anothergreat choice for a characterdue to her starting weapon being one of the primary weapons in this build, and because she also increases projectile speed. Overall though, theideal pick for this build is Cavallo. The reason for this is simple - he starts with the Cherry Bomb weapon.
Primary Weapon 1 - Cherry Bomb Or Bone
The Cherry Bomb and Bone weapons operate in a similar fashion. They both hit enemies for alarge amount of damage, then bounce off the enemy and head in a different direction. The Cherry Bomb is a little better because it explodes after a few seconds; the Bone just disappears.
Here’s the problem, every character issupposedto be able toget the Cherry Bombas an option when leveling up (at some point). There are many people who have never been given the Cherry Bomb as a choice with another character despite dozens of hours of play-time. This makesselecting Cavallo a necessityif the player wishes to use the Cherry Bomb. Mortaccio starts with the Bone weapon but otherwise plays identically to Cavallo. The Bone weapon is a little more common to get as a choice upon gaining a new level.
Primary Weapon 2 - Runetracer
The Runetracer has been around since the initial release ofVampire Survivorsand continues to be one ofthe best weapons in the game. This weapon travels in a straight line until hitting a non-enemy solid or the edge of the screen, at which point the projectile changes direction. The Runetracer’s projectiles pierce enemies and do quite a bit of damage.
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This is an easy weapon to acquire, and best of all it doesn’t evolve. This means the player isn’t forced to keep an accessory slot open and rely on luck for a specific accessory to be given as a choice at some point. One of the best features about the Runetracer, as well as the Cherry Bomb and Bone, is that their effects scale with all stat changes.
Primary Weapon 3 - Magic Wand
The Magic Wand offers something the other primary weapons don’t - a point-defense weapon for enemies that manage to get too close. Enemies getting too close isn’t much of a problem with this build though. If Cavallo of Mortaccio is the selected character the evolved Magic Wand, the Holy Wand, isbasically a rapid-fire shotgunthat never stops firing.
The Magic Wand is a primary weapon for another reason; the accessory that evolves it, the Empty Tome, is a bonus accessory in the Inlaid Library.
Primary Accessory 1 - Duplicator
The Duplicator accessory takes this build from bullet hell to bullet insanity. If the player manages to get the Duplicator, Cherry Bomb, Bone, and Runetracer while playing as Cavallo or Mortaccio the screen becomes filled with aridiculous amount of projectiles. So many, in fact, that even though these weapons are indirect fire the enemy will never get close enough for a weapon like the Garlic to even be of use.
With so many weapon slots available for a secondary weapon in this build it makes sense to pick the weapon evolved by the Duplicator - the Lightning Ring.
Primary Accessory 2 - Bracer
This accessory increases the speed of the character’s projectiles. Thismakes the Runetracer a lot more effective; a faster projectile speed means more enemies being hit. The Bone is also improved with the Bracer since the time spent flying between targets is lessened. The Cherry Bomb’s projectiles also move faster, but the damage from this weapon comes more from the explosion rather than the impact.
The Bracer evolves the Knife weapon into Thousand Edge; however, players shouldn’t feel forced to select the Knife if it becomes available. This is widely considered the worst of the damage-dealing weapons.
Primary Accessory 3 - Candelabrador
This accessory increases the area of effect of the character’s weapons. In general, it’s one ofthe better accessories. This will make the diamond projectiles of the Runetracer, and the bones of the Bone, noticeably larger. The main reason for the Candelabrador in this build is to increase the size of the Cherry Bomb’s explosions.
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This accessory evolves the Axe into the Death Spiral. The Axe won’t be of much use with this build, but the Death Spiral does a great job of hitting enemies at the edge of the screen.
Secondary Weapons
The Inlaid Library can be completed with only three of the primary weapons if the right accessories are chosen. The image over the final entry in this article shows this is possible. This makes any secondary weapons a bit superfluous. Those open weapon slots will need to be filled unless the player stops collecting experience gems.
As mentioned above, theLightning Ring and Axe make good secondary weaponsbecause their associated accessory is part of this build. Any weapon with a short range, like the Whip or Laurel, will be wasted with this build. The King Bible, Fire Wand, and Phieraggi are excellent choices if the player is looking for a little overkill.
Secondary Accessories
The primary weapons in this build get better with almost every accessory, and only one of them evolves. This gives this build a lot of flexibility when it comes to picking accessories. If a player wants stronger projectiles they should pick the Spinach. It’s also fun to try different characters with this build for a specific accessory. Dommario with the Bracer and Spellbinder produces huge projectiles that move incredibly fast.
Theideal list of accessoriesfor this build would be Bracer, Candelabrador, Duplicator, Spellbinder, Spinach, Attractorb, and the bonus Empty Tome. The Attractorb is only included for ease-of-use purposes. It makes collecting those scattered experience gems so much less of a chore.
Final Thoughts
At the start of the stage, the player should travel left until they get to the bonus Empty Tome. After reaching this area the player should hang around until their accessory slots are filled; at which point they can get the Empty Tome. There’s abonus Stone Maskaccessory to the right of the starting point, but it isn’t needed unless the player wants more gold.
The secondary weapons in this build should be picked according to what accessories have been chosen - not the other way around. Most of the primary weapons don’t require an accessory to evolve, yet are boosted by most of them. Additionally, this build is made easier thanks to the accessory needed to evolve the Magic Wand being a bonus accessory in the Inlaid Library. So, other than the Bracer, Candelabrador, and Duplicator, feel free to experiment with different accessories and characters.
Vampire Survivorsis available on PC and macOS.
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