Noelle Character Guide
Ice-based Character Focused On Freeze Effects And Duration.
This build weaponizes Noelle's passive to create a "defensive powerhouse" with unparalleled crowd control. The core strategy is to use her Frostwalker weapon and Ice Crystal item to apply freeze, while her passive, "Permafrost Aura," slows enemies that are near her. While her raw damage is low, a successful run results in a character that can keep entire waves of enemies permanently frozen, making combat trivial. The main challenge is her unlock, which requires a technical sequence of events.
- Primary Mechanic: Her passive, "Permafrost Aura," slows enemies within range.
- Scaling Strategy: The build scales by stacking Duration and Cooldown Reduction to keep enemies permanently frozen or slowed.
- Core Playstyle: A strategic playstyle focused on positioning and timing to control enemy movement.
- Power Curve: The build starts off weak and requires specific items to be effective, but becomes an unstoppable force in the late game.
Passive Ability
Gain 1% Duration per level.
Quick Tips
- 1
The unlock is extremely technical, requiring you to duplicate the Ice Crystal 3 times in a row with a Microwave.
- 2
Prioritize Duration and Cooldown Reduction upgrades for Frostwalker.
- 3
Stack Ice Crystal and other ice-based items to maximize freeze effects.
- 4
Position yourself to apply passive chill to enemy swarms as they spawn.
- 5
Freeze fast-moving enemies first, as they are the most dangerous.
- 6
Bosses resist freeze, so use it to control their minions.
Strengths & Weaknesses
- β’
She has exceptional crowd control capabilities.
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Her passive, "Permafrost Aura," slows enemies near her, making her a "freeze specialist."
- β’
She can create safe zones and control the battlefield through enemy slowing.
- β’
Her playstyle is excellent against dense enemy waves.
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She is an unstoppable force in the late game with a good build.
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Her unlock is a very difficult, technical requirement.
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She requires specific items to function, such as the Frostwalker and Ice Crystal.
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Her raw damage is low without ice weapons.
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She is less effective against bosses, as they have freeze resistance.
- β’
The build requires a specific strategy and positioning to be effective.
Build Core
Ice-based area weapon that freezes and damages enemies around you.
Magic weapon that summons lightning to strike nearby enemies with chain potential.
Bouncing projectile weapon that throws bones which bounce between enemies for crowd control.
Noelle's default weapon is the Frostwalker, a weapon that freezes and damages enemies in an area around her. Her passive, "Permafrost Aura," grants her a chill effect that slows enemies within range, and gives her a bonus to her freeze duration and damage.
- Why these are optimal: The Frostwalker is her signature weapon, as it synergizes with her passive and is essential for freeze effects. The Lightning Staff and Bone are great secondary weapons, as they can be used to apply freeze with the Ice Crystal item.
- Upgrade Priority: Focus on upgrades that increase Frostwalker's duration and cooldown reduction, as these are crucial for a freeze build.
- Key Mechanics: The "Permafrost Aura" and Frostwalker synergize to provide a constant source of crowd control.
Increases the active duration of weapon effects and the lifespan of projectiles.
Reduces the cooldown between attacks allowing weapons to fire more frequently.
Increases the size of projectiles weapon swings and area-of-effect attacks.
Tomes are essential for amplifying Noelle's crowd control.
- Essential Tomes: The Duration Tome is the highest priority, as it makes freezes last longer. The Cooldown Tome is also a top priority for increasing the uptime of her freeze effects. The Size Tome is great for freezing multiple enemies at once.
- Acquisition Order: Focus on Duration and Cooldown tomes first, as they are crucial for the build to function.
- Tome Synergies: The Shield Tome and Health Tome are also great for survivability, as they work well with her defensive playstyle.
7.5% chance to freeze enemies on hit. Executes enemies upon reaching a certain health threshold.
Increases the active duration of weapon effects and the lifespan of projectiles.
These items are critical for a freeze-focused build and are essential for reaching Noelle's full potential.
- Item Priority: The Ice Crystal is an essential item for this build, as it allows you to apply freeze on hit. Duration and Cooldown Reduction are also a must-have for a freeze build.
- Stacking: Stack as many of these items as possible to amplify the effects of her passive.
- Item Breakpoints: The build becomes unstoppable once your duration is 100%+ and your cooldown reduction is 40-60%.
Blocks incoming attacks and emits a damaging shockwave.
These are strong supporting options that significantly enhance the build.
- How they amplify the build: The Aegis shield is a great defensive item that works well with her playstyle. Crit Chance and Crit Damage are also great for amplifying your damage, as shattered enemies take extra damage.
Increases the character's maximum health pool.
Increases the Armor stat which reduces the amount of incoming damage taken.
These are optional items that provide quality of life improvements.
- Benefits: Lifesteal, Health, and Armor can help you survive a long run.
- Why they're not essential: The build can function and scale without these items, but they make the run smoother and more consistent.
Game Phase Strategies
The most difficult part of Noelle's run is the unlock. You must find a Microwave and an Ice Crystal, then use the Microwave to duplicate the Ice Crystal 3 times in a row.
- Goal: Find Microwave and Ice Crystal.
- Build Focus: Play a character that is good at finding items, such as Robinette or Fox.
- Resource Management: Save your gold for shops, and reroll them if you can't find what you need.
π‘ Quick Tips:
- β
Use a Microwave to duplicate the Ice Crystal 3 times in a row.
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The unlock requires finding both items in a single run.
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You must duplicate the Ice Crystal 3 times consecutively.
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Do not use the Microwave on any other item during the sequence.
The build is weak without Frostwalker, so you must play defensively until you can afford it.
- Goal: Purchase the Frostwalker in the first shop.
- Build Focus: Focus on surviving and collecting gold for the Frostwalker weapon.
- Resource Management: Prioritize survival over aggressive play.
π‘ Quick Tips:
- β
Play defensively.
- β
Take any weapon that helps you clear enemies safely.
- β
Save your gold for Frostwalker.
- β
The chill effect is not impactful yet.
Your goal is to establish permanent slow/freeze battlefield control.
- Power Spikes: This is when you begin to notice your ability to control enemies.
- Build Goals: Stack Duration and Cooldown Reduction to achieve constant freeze uptime.
- Boss Approach: You can begin to engage bosses, but be careful as the freeze resistance will make them harder to control.
π‘ Quick Tips:
- β
Stack Duration to 50-100%.
- β
Add Cooldown Reduction for freeze uptime.
- β
Practice freeze β burst combos.
- β
Use positioning to maximize passive chill stacks.
Your build is now an unstoppable force, and your goal is to perfect crowd control and dominate the battlefield.
- Final Build State: With high Duration and Cooldown Reduction, you can achieve permanent slow/freeze on all enemies.
- Final Boss Strategy: Use freeze on boss minions for easier boss fights.
- Endless Wave Tactics: Use your Frostwalker to freeze entire waves before they reach you.
- Victory Conditions: Your ultimate goal is to become an unstoppable force and achieve mastery.
π‘ Quick Tips:
- β
Achieve near-permanent slow/freeze on all enemies.
- β
Use the shatter bonus to burst down frozen enemies.
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Maintain untouchable positioning through total battlefield control.
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You can now control the battlefield completely.