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Learn how to play Vanessa in The Bazaar with this in-depth hero build and strategy guide!
Updated for Open Beta Version 0.1.9.
The Basics
The Mysteries of the Deep Expansion pack alongside the latest balance updates have shifted Vanessa to be more Poison than damage-oriented. Weapon builds can still dominate the early days. Yet, the fact Dooley and Pygmalien have stopped picking the economy based start and instead prefer the enchanted item has limited Vanessa's ability to reliably get to four wins in the early days.
Then, due to how competitive the later days can be, and the impact of enchantments on each build, I feel like going for Weapons with Vanessa is much weaker than it used to be.
Overall, I feel like the pirate Hero lost momentum over the last few patches, with only its Aquatic build being the bright side, alongside a niche slow burn build that is too unusual to try to force.
If you purchased the Mysteries of the Deep expansion, Vanessa probably feels pretty close to where she was before the last two patches, except it now plays a different default build. For the others, Vanessa probably is the weakest hero to pick at the moment, although the gap isn't big enough to not pick it if you enjoy this specific character.
Vanessa Builds Tier List
| Build | Early | Late | Projected Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquatic | Average | Above Average | 4 - 10 | A |
| Weather Glass | Below Average | Above Average | 0 - 10 | B+ |
| Multi Weapon | Above Average | Average | 4-7 | B |
| Mono-Weapon | Below Average | Average | Inconsistent | B- |
| Slow Burn | Below Average | Above Average | Inconsistent | B- |
Although the weapon builds are a relatively safe way to get four wins, I feel like the current metagame doesn't play to their strengths at all. Indeed, there is a lot of shield and disruption at the moment, which can derail a weapon build unable to diversify its source of damage.
A lot of the time, these builds will do fine early on but stall until you can get some enchantments to get the ball rolling again. If you start losing in the early days, it quickly turns to a disaster run.
Power wise, I would have ranked the Slow Burn build ahead of Multi and Mono Weapon strategies, but that one is too situational to actively go after it.
Starting Kit
Compared to Pygmalien and Dooley, I feel like Vanessa isn't as flexible in her ability to build. The pirate has multiple builds available, but once you commit to one of them, it is impossible to operate a switch due to how different the key items are.
For example, you won't use Pufferfish in anything else but the Aquatic build, nor Crow's Nest outside the mono-weapon build. Due to this situation, I feel like Vanessa's starting kit is always the Gold Skill.
Indeed, if we are going to specialize eventually, might as well start with a powerful skill as our guide. Plus, the enchanted item can only be small, and most of Vanessa's foundational items are medium or large, limiting how interesting that option is with this particular hero.
Early Stages
If we picked the gold skill, we either have one pointing into a specific direction, or a flexible ability to build around. In the first scenario, I like to focus on economy whenever I can't progress my build. Due to the limited flexibility in the items we want to target, I need to make sure I can buy whatever my build requires, on top of the occasional expenses for Skills and such.
If I happen to have a more global starting skill, then I will likely focus on raw power in the early days, maximizing my chance to win PvP fights or elite monsters. This might mean my build doesn't resemble anything conventional for a few days. Yet, it also gives me the best shot at picking up other strong skills from elite monsters, or experience to get to level 10, and the enchantment reward.
Here are some items you might want to pick during the first days, depending on which direction your skill is pointing at. There are more to each build obviously, but these will represent a foundation you can then build around, and likely will actively look for at one point.
Aquatic Build
Good for Economy
Mono-Weapon
Flexible Support
Slow Burn
Lighthouse gives you a clear direction to follow for the rest of your run. Once you found this one, Electric Eels is the next priority in the early days.
Multi Weapon
Trebuchet is a good item to give a direction to an otherwise chaotic start with weapons as the theme.
Weather Glass
Weather Glass is strong enough to build around, while telling you exactly the kind of items you want to surround it with. Enchantments also become even more fantastic than they were if you pick this route.
PvE Encounters I like to pick early on
Day 1
Kyver Drone for a slow build, Viper for a Poison one, Fanged Inglet for Weapons and Pyro if you went for Burn. There is one for every build here.
Day 2
Covetous Thief and Giant Mosquito have solid skills and items to pick up, especially for weapon builds. Boarrior can be good for Aquatic builds as Frontal Shielding will bolster your Pearl.
If really strong already, you can pick the Elite for the extra gold and experience.
Day 3
Mono Weapon might want to pick Tempest Flamedancer for the Fiery Cutlass. Otherwise, the goal is to be able to take on the Elite here, if able.
Day 4
Aquatic builds could make use of the Time to Tinker skill from Boilerroom Brawler while Mono Weapon needs to take on Bloodreef Raider.
Hellbilly is a fairly simple elite to beat if you just want experience and gold.
Outlands Dervish's Clockwork Blades won't ever be a bad loot with any build if you don't feel like the elite is reasonable.
Day 5
Both Preening Dualist and Sabretooth are fine for a multi-weapon build, while Hakurvian Rocket Trooper is better for Mono-Weapon. Kyver Commander is a perfect default pick for anyone unable to fight the elite.
Elite wise, Gorgon Noble and Trashtown Mayor have great skills to loot.
Racking Up PvP Wins
Because Vanessa isn't as flexible as Dooley or Pygmalien once she picked a build, I feel like most of the late game will be dedicated to upgrading what we already have, baring certain items we couldn't find up until this point.
The last balance updates have made the game slower, and disruption a bigger part of crafting a powerful build. This is a big reason why the Aquatic build has become stronger than the Weapon ones, as it bypasses Shield, and will eventually kill its opponent due to the poison it applies.
In order to scale your build's power in the later days, here are a few tips I like to follow with Vanessa:
- Enchantments are the best power-ups in the game, and can direct a build the same way your signature item or key skill will. Depending on the enchantment you get offered as a reward for level 10, you might want to prioritize certain bonuses or skills in the future.
I tend to look for offensive enchantments with Vanessa, as Pygmalien typically outscales us in defensive areas. However, being more resilient can be good against other Vanessas or Dooleys.
- Baring certain items, picking up a Gold or Diamond tier skill is stronger than upgrading one of our items at the same rarity. Plus, most builds typically don't need to upgrade more than one or two key items to function at close to max efficiency, while a new skill can be a significant boost.
This will also make certain monsters very valuable to fight in order to grab their skill. I write it every guide, but this gentleman still has the most bonkers skill to loot in my opinion :
- Disruption tends to be stronger than a small damage boost, especially as we progress through the days and more refined opposing builds. As such, I will pick skills able to freeze or slow my opponent rather than improve a damage skill to gain 10 damage on my weapon or an extra poison stack.
- Experience is a great default pick when no encounter seems valuable, and a route I typically encourage at least until we reach level 10 for the enchantment reward. From there, leveling up still represent extra health, skills, and the gold or diamond loots aren't such a bad pick most of the time.
Closing Words
I hope this guide was helpful, and I wish you luck in The Bazaar! If you have any questions or if you're looking for coaching, feel free to reach out on Discord @den_ccg.
Good Game Everyone.
