The best Ajax build in The First Descendant

You’d be forgiven for thinking Ajax isn’t an interesting character. At first glance, he’s just another dude in medieval-inspired armor who likes to hide in his bubble. The First Descendant has no shortage of characters with more appeal in terms of design and power sets. However, from your very first steps in Kingston to taking on the Hard Mode Colossi, a good Ajax is indispensable. Here’s how to tap into that power for yourself.

Ajax nails the Titan fantasy better than Destiny 2

Ajax is different from other Descendants in that he is the wall upon which enemy swarms break rather than dancing through the battlefield. He is the epitome of the Void Titan fantasy in Destiny 2, but isn’t hampered in the same way.

Making use of barriers, bubbles, leaping slams, and Void explosions, Ajax feels like he was designed just for those Titan mains coming over from Destiny 2. When sitting in his Hyper Cube, Firearm and Explosive ATK are increased. If using the Enhanced version, this effect applies to allies as well. By buffing Skills with Descendant Mods, Ajax becomes a loop of RoI.

Ajax Skills

(Passive) Event Horizon: Using a Skill generates (1) Void Energy with up to (3) total. Level 1 decreases cooldown by 5%, Level 2 by 10%, and Level 3 by 20%. Grants additional effects to Skills, whereupon the Void Energy is depleted.

Orbit Barrier: Creates a barrier that blocks and reflects damage on the enemy. When enhanced, reflected damage is increased. The max reflection damage rate is based on DEF, followed by Skill Power.

Void Walk: Leap into the air and come slamming down, damaging and stunning enemies. When enhanced, leap duration is increased.

Expulsion: Ajax unleashes an explosive blast, damaging enemies and knocking them back. When enhanced, base damage and range are increased.

Hyper Cube: Ajax creates a protective bubble. While inside, incoming damage from outside the sphere is blocked and outgoing Firearm and Explosive ATK are increased. When enhanced, outgoing Firearm and Explosive ATK for allies are also increased.

Recommended Weapons & Mods for Ajax

Tamer: This machine gun is an all-around nightmare for the Vulgus. It typically drops with an already high DPS value, but can be boosted to obscene levels with the right mods. Throw on some increases to Critical Hit Rate and Damage alongside some elemental Mods when battling Colossi and you’ve got it made in the shade.

• Action and Reaction: Increases Firearm ATK and Recoil
• Rifling Reinforcement: Increases Firearm ATK
• Fire Rate UP: Increases Fire Rate
• Better Insight: Increases Firearm Critical Hit Rate
• Better Concentration: Increases Firearm Critical Hit Damage

Restored Relic: As far as Ultimate launchers are concerned, I’m a big fan of Restored Relic. It fires tracking rounds, so being a little off in your aim isn’t a punishment. When you’re hunkered down behind an Orbit Barrier inside of a Hyper Cube, it can be hard to make out what you’re shooting at.

• Action and Reaction: Increases Firearm ATK and Recoil
• Rifling Reinforcement: Increases Firearm ATK
• Fire Rate UP: Increases Fire Rate
• Strengthen First Shot: Increases damage of first shot after reload

Lightspeed Barrel: For those who haven’t been able to farm Restored Relic, Lightspeed Barrel is a fantastic Rare launcher. I’ll be honest in that it’s become my go-to almost entirely due to its appearance. There’s something about the design that tickles my brain in the right way.

• Action and Reaction: Increases Firearm ATK and Recoil
• Rifling Reinforcement: Increases Firearm ATK
• Fire Rate UP: Increases Fire Rate
• Strengthen First Shot: Increases damage of first shot after reload

Recommended Descendant Mods for Ajax

Ajax’s strength is offense through defense. Both Orbit Barrier and Hyper Cube deal damage, buff Descendants, and offer protection against incoming fire. While buffing with traditional Skill Mods is useful, we want to instead buff Ajax’s HP and DEF first as the aforementioned Skills scale off those values.

• Mid-Air Maneuvering: Modifies the Grappling Hook to be cast mid-air and increases maximum Module capacity.
• Increased HP: Increases Max HP
• Time Distribution: Reduces Skill Cooldown while increasing Max HP
• Agony: Increases Max MP and DEF
• Battle of Stamina: Increases Max HP and Skill Duration
• Increased DEF: Increases DEF
• An Iron Will: Increases DEF when Shield is at 0%