Players struggling with the difficulty of Housemarque's latest roguelike shooter, Saros, can use a specific combination of modifiers to balance the game's challenge level, according to a guide from kotaku.com.
While the spiritual successor to Returnal offers more manageable difficulty, the game requires players to balance buffs and debroll debuffs so the system deems the challenge level adequate. The guide, written by Kenneth Shepard, outlines which protections and trials provide the most benefit during runs through Carcosa.
For players seeking more survivability, Shepard recommends prioritizing Damage Enhancement and Armor Enhancement. If players can balance modifiers enough to reach level three in these categories, enemies die quickly and armor becomes significantly more durable.
"If you’re looking to blaze through a segment because you’re treasure hunting or you’re just tired of dying, these two cranked up to their highest level will make you nearly unkillable," Shepard reported.
Other effective protections include Overlord Restoration, which restores full health upon reaching a boss, and Weapon Symmetry, which increases the likelihood of weapon drops matching the player's current firearm. These options allow for easier runs without overextending the difficulty balance.
Managing difficulty through trials
To offset the cost of these protections, the guide suggests utilizing specific trials, such as Corruption Enhancement. This trial increases the accumulation of yellow buildup on the health bar caused by yellow projectiles, but it provides a necessary boost to the modifier balance.
Players who are skilled at dodging can carry higher levels of Corruption Enhancement to make room for more powerful protections. The guide notes that the buildup can be cleared by using a Power Weapon.
Another option is the Growth Incapacitator, which disables the Second Chance ability that allows Arjun to revive once per run. While useful for a small balance boost, Shepard advises against the second level of this trial.
Activating the second level provides a +10 point balance change but removes all permanent Armor Matrix enhancements. Shepard warned that this setting is reserved for "expert sickos who are trying to tear their hair out."
