The First Descendant is a fast-paced action RPG that combines third-person combat, cooperative multiplayer, and deep character progression. Set in a sci-fi universe, players take on the role of Descendants, powerful warriors tasked with battling alien threats and uncovering a mysterious narrative. The game emphasizes dynamic combat, strategic teamwork, and skill customization, requiring players to master both individual abilities and cooperative tactics to succeed.
This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on how to play The First Descendant, including combat strategies, skill management, resource utilization, exploration, and multiplayer coordination. By following this guide, players can optimize each run, unlock advanced content, and fully experience the expansive world of the game.
Understanding Basic Controls and Movement

Before engaging in combat, it is essential to familiarize yourself with movement, aiming, dodging, and attacking. Smooth control of your character allows for fluid combos, effective dodges, and precise targeting. Mastering these basics ensures survival in challenging encounters.
Practice chaining basic attacks with movement and dodges in early missions. Understanding the user interface, health and energy meters, and ability cooldowns provides better awareness and allows faster reactions during intense battles.
Choosing Your Character and Playstyle
The First Descendant offers multiple Descendants, each with unique abilities, weapons, and combat styles. Selecting a character that aligns with your preferred playstyle—whether melee-focused, ranged, or support—enhances performance and enjoyment.
Experiment with different Descendants early on to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Consider their skill sets in relation to team composition and mission requirements. Choosing the right character sets the foundation for effective combat and progression.
Combat Mechanics and Attack Strategies
Combat in The First Descendant is dynamic and requires precise timing, targeting, and skill usage. Players must balance normal attacks, special abilities, and dodges while managing cooldowns. Observing enemy behavior and reacting appropriately is key to success.
Prioritize high-threat enemies first while maintaining situational awareness. Combining ranged attacks, melee combos, and crowd control skills maximizes damage output and minimizes risk. Effective combat strategies allow smoother progression through increasingly difficult encounters.
Skill Upgrades and Customization
Character progression in The First Descendant relies on skill upgrades and customization. Unlocking new abilities and enhancing existing ones increases combat versatility and efficiency. Players should prioritize upgrades that complement their playstyle and strengthen their Descendant’s role in the team.
Consider the synergy between skills and weapons. Some abilities work best when combined with certain attacks or elemental effects. Proper planning of skill trees ensures a balanced approach that enhances both solo and cooperative gameplay.
Resource Management and Gear Optimization
Resources such as in-game currency, crafting materials, and consumables must be used strategically. Upgrading gear, enhancing weapons, and equipping the right items improve survivability and combat performance.
Explore missions thoroughly to collect resources and avoid unnecessary depletion. Prioritize resource usage based on current objectives, whether preparing for a difficult boss encounter or enhancing essential equipment. Efficient management ensures readiness for all challenges.
Exploration and Mission Objectives
The First Descendant features diverse environments with hidden paths, collectibles, and optional objectives. Thorough exploration rewards players with resources, lore, and tactical advantages. Pay attention to visual cues, interactive objects, and unusual paths to uncover hidden content.
Mission objectives vary and may require strategic planning or coordination with teammates. Understanding objectives fully before engaging allows better preparation and higher efficiency in completing missions.
Teamwork and Cooperative Play

Cooperative multiplayer is central to The First Descendant. Effective communication, coordination, and complementary roles significantly improve mission success. Assign roles based on abilities, such as tanking, support, or damage dealing, to maximize efficiency.
Support allies with healing, buffs, or crowd control, and coordinate ultimate abilities for maximum impact. Teamwork enhances both survivability and combat effectiveness in challenging missions and boss encounters.
Boss Battles and Tactical Planning
Boss encounters in The First Descendant are designed to test player skills, timing, and strategy. Study attack patterns, exploit weaknesses, and use environmental features to your advantage. Dodge, counterattack, and coordinate team abilities for maximum efficiency.
Prepare consumables, optimize gear, and ensure abilities are off cooldown before engagement. Some bosses have multiple phases requiring adaptability and precise execution. Proper preparation and strategic planning are key to overcoming these challenges.
Advanced Combat Techniques and Synergies
Advanced techniques involve chaining abilities, dodging, and utilizing environmental interactions for optimal damage and survivability. Experiment with ability combinations, elemental effects, and weapon skills to discover powerful synergies.
Switching between ranged and melee attacks, coordinating with teammates, and leveraging terrain advantages enhances combat efficiency. Mastery of advanced techniques allows players to handle difficult enemies and high-level missions with confidence.
Endgame Content and Progression
Endgame in The First Descendant includes high-difficulty missions, elite bosses, and advanced cooperative challenges. Focus on fully upgrading your Descendant, optimizing team composition, and refining combat strategies.
Revisiting earlier missions with improved gear and skills can reveal hidden objectives and rewards. Endgame content encourages mastery of mechanics, strategic experimentation, and teamwork, offering replayability and a deeper understanding of the game world.
Conclusion
The First Descendant is an engaging action RPG that combines fast-paced combat, strategic skill use, and cooperative multiplayer. By mastering movement, combat mechanics, skill upgrades, resource management, and team coordination, players can tackle even the most difficult challenges. This guide provides a detailed roadmap for approaching all aspects of the game, ensuring both solo and cooperative players can enjoy the depth, excitement, and narrative of The First Descendant.
Summary
A complete how-to guide for The First Descendant covering combat, skills, gear, resources, exploration, teamwork, boss strategies, and endgame progression.