While some of the shotguns are very solid weapon choices in the early game thanks to their powerful Alt-Fire modes, there comes a point in Saros where staggering an enemy is no longer enough. To clear the endgame biomes, defeat the final Overlords, and clear the game with ease, you will need the absolute best weapon: the Ripsaw Chakram.

The Ripsaw Chakram is a high-skill, high-reward weapon that functions differently from anything else in Arjun’s arsenal. Once you "unwire" your brain from using the other more traditional weapons in the game, you will realize this is arguably the most powerful weapon in the game.

The Ripsaw vs. The Myriad Charkrams

There are two main types of Chakrams in the game, and while they both have their uses, one of them is the superior variant.

• Myriad Chakram: Uses remotely controlled discs that bounce between enemies. Great for crowds, but lacks the single-target melt factor you need to clear the most difficult challenges of the game.
• Ripsaw Chakram: Launches discs that embed themselves directly into the enemy. Once embedded, they deal continuous damage over time.

The Tormented Retract Alt-Fire, and How It Melts Bosses

The reason the Ripsaw Chakram is the absolute best weapon for bosses lies in its Alt-Fire mode: Tormented Retract. This allows you to deal massive damage while focusing 100% of your attention on movement and defense.

• By holding the R2 button halfway (without fully pressing it), you rev the embedded discs.
• Revving significantly increases both the Damage and the Stagger the discs deal while they are stuck in the enemy.
• You can embed your discs into any enemy, Overlords included, move to safer locations to avoid their bullet-hell patterns, and simply hold R2 to watch their health bar deplete.

How to Maximize Damage Output

To reach Weapon of Mass Destruction status with the Ripsaw Chakram, there's a certain rhythm you should master.

1. Launch your discs into the enemy
2. Hold R2 halfway to tick down their health and build Stagger.
3. The discs don't stay embedded for long, and will eventually return to you. Before this happens, however, you can press the R2 button fully to unleash the Power Weapon, recalling the discs so that they can be launched at the enemy again.

The God Tier Trait: Chakram Blast

The only limitation of a base Ripsaw is the need to launch discs one by one. However, if you find a version with the Chakram Blast trait, the weapon becomes broken. This trait launches all available discs simultaneously, increasing the damage over time they deal as well as the revving damage.

Why Switch from Other Weapons?

While you may be more comfortable with other weapons, there are plenty of reasons to switch over. The Ripsaw Chakram allows you to clear the most challenging Infernal Strands and endgame biomes while taking very few risks. It takes some practice to manage the R2 trigger pressure (unless you change how to use Alt-Fire), but once it clicks, you will be able to rip through Overlords with ease.

This concludes the guide. For more help, visit our Saros: Complete Walkthrough & Guide hub.

Guide based on a completed playthrough on base PlayStation 5. Screenshots captured from the same version.

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