- Prep
- Approach to Encounters
- Damage Focus
- Mechanical Focus
- Damage Output
- Global Buffs
- Global Debuffs
- Common Combos
- Damage Buffs
- Stacking Setups
- Value of Divinity
- Warpriest Hypothetical
Prep
- Stock up on upgrade modules and infusion fuel
- Set expectations about time commitment, schedule/breaks, and goals
Approach to Encounters
Damage Focus
Encounters completed by killing/destroying something. Examples would be Taniks (DSC), Atheon (VoG), Rhulk (Vow)
- Learn the encounter mechanics (not usually too hard on reprised raids, can be very tricky on new raids (e.g., exhibition on vow)).
- Find a strategy that gets you the damage you need
- Practice and iterate to get across the finish line
- You likely need to optimize your damage setup to the point where it’s a bit painful to clear waves of enemies
- Do you need to change your class composition to get the most possible damage?
Mechanical Focus
Encounters completed by executing a process, usually many times. Examples are Exhibition (Vow), Crypt Security (DSC), Descent (DSC). These encounters require surviving, keeping up with waves of enemies, and moving around the map quickly. There’s a lot more flexibility in how to execute on these encounters.
Damage Output
Without recreating Court’s damage buff/debuff stacking spreadsheet, you want at least a global buff and debuff for the fireteam plus. You can only have 1 global buff and 1 global debuff. Generally the highest % will take precedence but debuffs sometimes misbehave so if possible you should only apply 1 debuff.
Global Buffs
20%: Empowering rift, high energy fire
25%: Radiant, Well, Bubble
35%: Lumina, Lucent Blade, Gyrfalcon Hauberk, Boots of the Assembler noble seekers (empowering rift)
40%: 4x Argent Ordnance, Banner Shield
Global Debuffs
15%: Void Weaken, Divinity
20%: Flash Counter (lol)
30%: Tractor Cannon, Hunter Tether supers
Common Combos
Combo | Damage Increase | Math | Damage-Dealing Supers Available | Damage-Dealers Available |
Well + Divinity | +63% | 1.25*1.3 | 5 | 5 |
Tether + Boots of the Assembler (another warlock with healing rift if needed) | +76% | 1.35*1.3 | 6 | 6 |
Empowering Rift + Weaken | +38% | 1.2*1.15 | 6 | 6 |
Damage Buffs
Generally all damage buffs like weapon perks, font of might, etc… will stack. Font of might is 25%. Mask of Bakris adds 10% damage to arc weapons or stasis-affected combatants for 10 seconds after a dodge.
Stacking Setups
Combo | Damage Increase | Math |
Well + Divinity + Font of Might + Firing Line + Boss Spec | +163% | 1.25*1.3*1.25*1.2*1.078 |
Well + Divinity + Font of Might + Firing Line + Boss Spec + Mask of Bakris | +189% | 1.25*1.3*1.25*1.2*1.078*1.1 |
Boots of the Assembler + Tether + Font of Might + Firing Line + Boss Spec | +184% | 1.35*1.3*1.25*1.2*1.078 |
Value of Divinity
- How hard is it to hit a crit? Is it Oryx’s tummy or Taniks’s tiny noggin?
- If it’s hard to hit a crit without Divinity then you need Divinity
- How much damage could the divinity user contribute? Are there other ways to get the same 30% debuff or at least the 15% debuff?
Warpriest Hypothetical
Most folks can have most shots be a crit on warpriest so this makes for a reasonable example.
Assumptions:
- Shoot 20 LFR crits @ 60k damage per crit
- Body LFR shots @ 15k damage per shot
- 2 hunters spread out tethers to provide 30% debuff for entire damage phase
5 people + Div
20 shots * 60,000 damage * 30% debuff = 7,800,000
6 people
20 shots * 60,000 damage * 30% debuff = 9,360,000
- 1,560,000 more damage
Crossover
- If each person misses more than ~ 3 crits then divinity is the better play
- 1,560,000/78,000/6 = 3.333 (repeating of course)