Armor PiercerArmor Piercer gives weapon carries a way to pressure enemies protected by bullet resistance or barriers. Its bullet procs bypass those defenses, making sustained shooting more useful against a target that ordinary weapon damage struggles to finish.
Weapon-focused heroes who can keep landing shots into bullet defense or barriers.
Keep weapon pressure on the defended target so the proc has opportunities to contribute. Use a coordinated damage window rather than expecting a single shot to settle the fight.
Against Rat King: Use Armor Piercer on a weapon carry or Cursed Relic if your team can commit a Tier 4 active. Armor Piercer can bypass Barriers, while Cursed Relic can strip non-ultimate barriers and buffs.
The bypass is described as a chance on bullets. Do not treat every shot as guaranteed barrier or resistance penetration.
Consider it once bullet defense or barriers are the main reason your weapon damage falls short. You still need reliable shooting access; a late damage investment cannot fix being unable to reach the target.
Average purchase: 36.8 minutes
Game-stage ranges are approximate, and average purchase times are a guide rather than a deadline. Buy sooner when this item would change your next fight.
| Stage | Average purchase |
|---|---|
| Early game · 0–10 min | Not available |
| Mid game · 10–20 min | Not available |
| Late game · 20+ min | 36.8 min |
Barrier-heavy or bullet-resistant targets, including Rat King using Royal Pestments.
Rat King →Use Armor Piercer on a weapon carry or Cursed Relic if your team can commit a Tier 4 active.
Armor Piercer can bypass Barriers, while Cursed Relic can strip non-ultimate barriers and buffs.
These hero guides recommend Armor Piercer. Check the individual matchup for the build, situation, and timing.
Bullet Resist ShredderBullet Resist Shredder makes a focused target more vulnerable to weapon damage. It shines when your own gun pressure and your teammates' bullets land together, turning a resistance reduction into a practical opening to finish the fight.
Compare this option →
Tank BusterTank Buster helps damage remain useful against large health pools through percentage current-health damage that bypasses spirit resistance. It addresses durability, while healing and defensive casts may still require separate answers from you or your team.
Compare this option →
Cursed RelicCursed Relic creates a powerful team focus-fire window by interrupting, silencing, disarming, locking items, and removing non-ultimate buffs. Its outgoing-damage penalty makes allied follow-up central to the purchase: choose the target together and be ready to punish.
Compare this option →Unavoidable bullet procs can answer the bullet-deflection plan described for Plated Armor. The proc is conditional, so keep a damage window rather than assuming every shot bypasses defense.
