What is the Phieraggi?
Vampire Survivors has taken the gaming world by storm with its addictive gameplay loop, hordes of enemies, and a surprising depth of strategic weapon and item combinations. Among the many weapons available, one stands out as a true powerhouse, especially for those new to the game: the Phieraggi. Often referred to as the “spinny gun” by the community due to its distinctive rotating blades, the Phieraggi is a weapon evolution that can single-handedly carry you through the mid-to-late game. It provides incredible area-of-effect damage and can clear vast swathes of enemies, making it a fantastic choice for survival. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to unlock, evolve, and effectively utilize the Phieraggi in Vampire Survivors, turning you from a struggling survivor into an unstoppable force.
The Phieraggi, at its core, is a rotating ring of spectral blades that orbit your character, dealing continuous damage to any enemy that gets too close. Imagine a whirling dervish of destruction, but instead of flailing limbs, it’s razor-sharp edges obliterating anything that dares to approach. The weapon’s visual is as impactful as its performance, instantly making you feel like a formidable threat on the battlefield.
The damage dealt by the Phieraggi is considered area-of-effect (AoE), meaning it hits multiple enemies simultaneously. This is crucial for managing the overwhelming hordes that Vampire Survivors throws at you. Unlike single-target weapons, the Phieraggi excels at keeping your character surrounded by a buffer zone of death, ensuring that you have breathing room to survive the onslaught. It’s particularly effective against dense packs of weaker enemies, shredding them before they can even reach you. The spinny gun doesn’t discriminate and damages everything within range.
While the Phieraggi can be obtained relatively early in a run, its true potential shines in the mid-to-late game. As your character levels up and your weapon gains more power, the Phieraggi’s damage output increases exponentially, allowing you to effortlessly mow down enemies that would otherwise pose a significant challenge. It is a weapon that scales incredibly well, making it a worthwhile investment for any aspiring Vampire Survivor.
How to Get the Phieraggi: The Requisites
Unlocking the Phieraggi requires a specific set of conditions to be met. It is an evolution of two other weapons, meaning you cannot find it randomly in a chest or as a starting weapon. You must first acquire and level up these prerequisite weapons and possess a crucial passive item. Let’s break down the process step-by-step.
Unlocking the Required Base Weapons
The first step is to unlock the two base weapons that combine to form the Phieraggi: Eight the Sparrow and Four Seasons.
- Eight the Sparrow: This weapon fires a volley of projectiles in a straight line. Its damage and range increase with each level. The key to unlocking Eight the Sparrow is to survive for fifteen minutes with Giovanna Grana. Giovanna herself unlocks as a playable character when you have collected fifty different items in runs across all characters.
- Four Seasons: This weapon creates a persistent cloud of elemental damage around your character, alternating between fire, ice, and lightning. To unlock Four Seasons, you need to survive for fifteen minutes with Porta Ladonna. Porta Ladonna is unlocked when you have levelled up the weapon Lightning Ring to Level Seven in a run.
These prerequisites might sound daunting, but with a solid early game strategy and a little perseverance, you can unlock both Eight the Sparrow and Four Seasons relatively quickly. Prioritize characters with strong starting weapons or abilities, such as Antonio Belpaese (starts with Whip) or Imelda Belpaese (starts with Magic Wand). Focus on collecting experience gems to level up your character and acquire additional weapons and items that will aid in your survival.
Levelling Up
Once you have both Eight the Sparrow and Four Seasons in your arsenal, the next step is to level them up to their maximum potential. You will need both weapons at Level Eight for the evolution to occur.
Reaching level eight with two weapons simultaneously can be challenging, especially in the early game when enemy density is lower. Prioritize experience gain by selecting passive items such as the Attractorb, which increases the range at which you collect experience gems. This will ensure that you are constantly absorbing experience and progressing towards your goal.
Another effective strategy is to focus on areas with high enemy concentrations. These areas, often located near spawn points or in the center of the map, provide a constant stream of experience-yielding foes. Be mindful of your positioning and movement, as these areas can also be dangerous.
The Necessary Passive Item: Tiragisu
The final piece of the puzzle is the Tiragisu, a passive item that provides a crucial resurrection ability. When your character’s health reaches zero, the Tiragisu will automatically revive you with a portion of your health restored.
The Tiragisu can be unlocked by surviving for fifteen minutes with Clerici. Clerici has a start game ability of an area effect heal, which is extremely strong at low levels.
The Tiragisu is essential for evolving the Phieraggi because it acts as a catalyst for the weapon’s transformation. Without it, the evolution simply will not occur, no matter how high your weapons are leveled. It is also a beneficial defensive item.
Evolving into the Phieraggi
With Eight the Sparrow and Four Seasons both at level eight, and the Tiragisu in your inventory, you are finally ready to evolve your weapons into the coveted Phieraggi. The evolution occurs when you pick up a treasure chest after the ten-minute mark of a run. Treasure chests are typically dropped after defeating a wave of bosses or completing a specific in-game event.
Once you open the chest, you will be greeted with a spectacular animation as Eight the Sparrow and Four Seasons merge into a single, devastating weapon: the Phieraggi. The visual transformation is accompanied by a noticeable increase in damage output and area of effect, instantly making you a more formidable force on the battlefield. If it doesn’t occur, check you met all conditions above, including picking up the chest *after* the ten minute mark.
Basic Strategies and Tips for Using the Phieraggi
Now that you have unlocked the Phieraggi, it’s time to put it to good use. Here are some basic strategies and tips to help you maximize its effectiveness:
- Positioning: The Phieraggi is most effective when used in close-quarters combat. Stay mobile and weave through enemy hordes, allowing the spinning blades to shred any foe that gets too close. Avoid getting cornered, as this can leave you vulnerable to attacks from multiple directions.
- Synergies: The Phieraggi synergizes well with weapons and items that provide crowd control or additional area-of-effect damage. Consider pairing it with weapons like the Garlic (which creates a protective aura of knockback) or items like the Spinach (which increases weapon damage).
- Early Game Build: Focus on acquiring weapons and items that will help you survive the early game until you can unlock the Phieraggi. Prioritize defensive items like the Armor or items that increase your movement speed, such as Wings. A good early game weapon can be the magic wand.
- Prioritize Speed: The faster you can move, the better the Phieraggi works. This is because it stays in close proximity to your character, so moving more quickly means that it deals more damage faster.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: Vampire Survivors is all about experimentation. Try different weapon and item combinations to find what works best for your playstyle. The Phieraggi is a versatile weapon that can be incorporated into a wide variety of builds.
Conclusion
The Phieraggi, or as the community fondly calls it, the Vampire Survivors spinny gun, is a true force to be reckoned with. Its incredible area-of-effect damage, combined with its ease of use and impressive scaling, makes it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced players. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can unlock the Phieraggi and experience its power for yourself.
So, venture forth, brave survivor, and unleash the fury of the spinning blades! Experiment with different builds, discover new synergies, and conquer the endless hordes that stand in your way. The Phieraggi is your key to unlocking true power in Vampire Survivors. Consider trying different characters with the Phieraggi to find which one you like the best. With consistent gameplay and careful decisionmaking, you will find that the Phieraggi can carry you to the end game and beat any level. If you enjoyed this guide, let us know what weapon you would like to learn more about in the comments! Good luck and may your spins be ever in your favor!
