Spiral Knights - Storm Driver vs Polaris

Storm Driver vs Polaris

16 replies [Last post]

Fri, 12/23/2011 - 21:51

Holonimbus

How does the Storm Driver compare to Polaris? Their stats seem quite similar, according to the wiki, except that Polaris seems to have slightly greater damage.
I have heard lots about how great the Polaris is for turret slashing, but also that it can be quite annoying (and potentially fatal?) in a team setting.
The Storm Driver seems to be less mentioned, but seeing as it is an Alchemer, I would think that it is less disruptive, and so might be a better choice.
There's also the factors of clip size, walking speed, etc.

So my question is, which one would you recommend, for which tiers, and in which situations? For PvP?

Some background info:
I have 2/3* gear, with access to T2 (obviously). I am usually a swordie/bomber, but I've recently begun using guns more extensively. I like the feel of the Alchemer lines, and I chose the Voltech Alchemer, since I plan on having a Combuster/Glacius and a Shivermist/AoA. But the Polaris seems really cool to me, mostly from Youtube vids. So I just would like some extra input from those who have experience with either of these guns.

Thanks in advance!

(My IGN is Colonimbus, feel free to friend me)

Fri, 12/23/2011 - 22:33

Slayzz

Storm Driver: Pros-

Storm Driver:
Pros- Team-Friendly, bullets don't shift enemies randomly, shock status is excellent against mobs, devastating charge attack when used properly
Cons- Shock can interrupt enemies, and in turn interrupt swordies; Bouncing bullets can hit unwanted objects (blast boxes, switches, quicksilvers, etc.), Lower damage in comparison to Polaris, 2 bullet clip

Polaris:
Pros- excellent damage, low skill required for use, shock inaddition to expanded bullets can stop gun puppies, great against mobs, great against cornered enemies, useful for blocking paths off in lockdown

Cons- Knockback can cause enemies to hit teammates or yourself, shock interrupts enemies randomly, difficult to see area of impact at times

The main reason the Polaris is disliked is because of the knockback. If a jelly is about to attack you, and you dodge it, and the some polaris spammer comes along and hits the jelly with a random shot in your direction, the jelly then still hits you. The polaris's only possible non-annoying use is against enemies that aren't shifted by it's bullets.

TL;DR- Polaris for solo, storm driver for party. Once you get into a party with a Polaris spammer, you will see why non-Polaris users rightfully hate it.
Tip: If you are going storm driver, get CTR medium at least. You won't regret it.

Fri, 12/23/2011 - 22:51

Holonimbus

Thanks for the fast

Thanks for the fast reply!

You said that the charge attack can be devastating when used correctly, how would I do this?
Are there any sources, like Youtube, that could help me learn to use it well?

Thanks again :D

Sat, 12/24/2011 - 03:21

Ween-Bot

Alchemer/Driver charges

All Alchemer or Driver charges release a large ball that splits on contact, or at the end of its range. The two split shots fire backwards, 45 degrees clockwise and anticlockwise of the original path.

The way to use this is to try to hit targets with the side of the charge ball. This generates the split shots inside the target; at 4* and 5* this will consecutively hit them 4 to 5 times as each split bullet can further ricochet. To perform this you'll need to turn off auto-aim (either disable it in the options, or hold Left Shift to toggle manual aim), and aim a fraction to the side of the enemy. It works much better on certain enemies than others. The most notable ones that often get hit are Gun Puppies (and their Slime/Undead siblings), Zombies and Retrodes. If you can't particularly hit an enemy like this, aim for the rear of a pack (so aim between as many mobs as possible); this will allow the ricochets to hit an optimal number of targets. While soloing, adept use of the charge attack can 1-hit a lot of Elemental-weak enemies (or Shadow if using Umbra Driver).

I personally much prefer the Storm Driver, but occasionally there are good Polaris users out there. Slayzz outlined the pros and cons of each pretty well.

Sat, 12/24/2011 - 08:18

Mohandar

Storm Driver > Polaris

Shocked enemies CANNOT pass the shock to players. That only happens with mechaknights, as part of their natural abilities.

Storm Driver is the gun to bring for a gunner. Bring a Polaris if you plan on using it only on turrets. Polaris spammers are very annoying, as not only do they lower team DPS, their own DPS is mediocre (the knockback bounces monsters out of range of their own shots).

Sat, 12/24/2011 - 10:48

Halifix

As people have stated,

As people have stated, Polaris spam is annoying. However, it's a great situational gun. And have you considered getting something that isn't elemental? Guns are in general not good against beasts and gremlins, however.

When you combine swords and bombs, I would suggest charging the bomb, and using the sword for single-target DPS. This changes if you've got a great shiver or vortex. If you don't plan on using charge attacks (since you already have 2 good charge attack weapons), get the polaris.

The polaris is effective against: turrets, devilites, vortexed/cornered enemies. The storm driver is effective against: zombies, jellies, constructs (anything which has predictable movement).

Sat, 12/24/2011 - 11:07

Traevelliath

Polaris

But but... I wuve my polaris! It turns some of the more potentially painful moments in FSC into fun shooting galleries where the rest of the team can just sit in the side and talk as all the Zombies get knocked into a corner and subsequently die!

And I think 180+ damage per expanded shot is respectable.

Sat, 12/24/2011 - 11:34

Holonimbus

But against turrets, which

But against turrets, which one would be more effective? I realize that the Polaris definitely does more damage...but seeing that the charge shot of the Storm Driver splits at 90 degrees as well as 45 degrees, could it also be used to hit multiple turrets?
Would this be very difficult to achieve?

And is the Polaris really better against fiends? And do you refer to all fiends, or just devilites, greavers, or trojans?

@Ween-Bot
Oh, that's what I thought, I have tried this on mobs of constructs, but without much success. So hopefully turning off auto-aim, as you said, will help.

@Mohandar
That's interesting, I've seen quite a few complaints about how shock can transfer to players, when close enough, but was never sure if they knew what they were talking about :P

@Halifix
I have a Shadowtech Alchemer, and an Autogun. But I don't really like the immobility of the Autogun lines, nor do I like the Magnus. So for piercing/shadow damage I mostly use swords/bombs.

@Traevilliath
I don't think I am looking that far ahead...since I'm F2P, FSC is a ways in the future for me :/

Anyways, thanks for all the input! For now, I'll continue with my Voltech Alchemer, then try a Kilowatt Pulsar, if I can get my hands on one (unless further posts change my mind completely about them :D)

Sat, 12/24/2011 - 15:14

Fradow

On turrets, Polaris will be

On turrets, Polaris will be more effective. More than the damage bonus, the fact is that expanded shot can interrupt turrets (and it's not random : EVERY expanded shot will interrupt the turret attacks). If you use the 2 shot -> wait -> 2 shot (for no reload) method, your target (and if they are close enough, sometime you can have 2 turrets at once) will not be able to attack at all.

As for fiends, i don't really know. I would not use either of those guns in the first place, dedicated piercing weapons do a way better job at this.

The general consensus is : use an alchemer if you plan to use it as a main weapon. Use the polaris as a side-arm.

Sat, 12/24/2011 - 15:35

Holonimbus

Thanks Fradow, I guess that I

Thanks Fradow, I guess that I should go with the alchemer, since I tend to do runs with a piercing sword and an elemental gun, so I probably will be using it more as a main weapon.

Happy holidays everyone!

Sat, 12/24/2011 - 17:27

#10

Slayzz

Here is how to use an

Here is how to use an alchemer:
Normal shots: Aim slightly to the right of the monster you want to hit, since the bullets ricochet to the left.
Charge: Best done when a monster is approaching you. I was spectating my GM on depth 16 last arena, and he had an umbra driver. He charged it, and got close enough to make the gun look like it is inside the jelly. Then, he released it. I think I saw at least 5 brown numbers.
If anyone has a 5* driver, also, just as a tip, shoot zombies while they are in the process of leaping towards you. Best results. Lastly, the alchemers are best at 5*. At 5*, the charge has bullets that ricochet at a 90 degree angle, which are the ones that bounce off of the monster. I wish there was an alchemer video in FSC.

Sat, 12/24/2011 - 18:19

#11

Holonimbus

Okay, thanks.

So it's best to use it like RSS? Get it to hit the most times possible?

Fri, 12/30/2011 - 19:40

#12

Hobcramwork

Just curious.

Will the zombies get knocked back (in mid-leap) when you hit them with a 5* driver?

Does the Hail Driver perform well at any depth or only in FSC?

Thank you in advance.

Fri, 12/30/2011 - 23:29

#13

Somenubcake

no knockback whatsoever from

no knockback whatsoever from alchemers. but if you shock a zombie in mid leap, he'll just stop in place. don't have any experience with the hail but from the look of things it seems to be the lowest damaging alchemer (given that you may or your teammates will break the ice). BUT freeze is very very useful so it should still be useful anywhere (except ice levels)

Sat, 12/31/2011 - 20:19

#14

Hobcramwork

Thanks :)

Thank you for the info, Somenubcake. Will keep your advice in mind. Have a good day :) !

Sat, 12/31/2011 - 20:46

#15

The-Rawrcake

@Slayzz

"excellent damage, low skill required for use"

I disagree with this (only partially).

Single target damage Polaris is higher. Not area damage in comparison to any elemental alchemer.

And it requires more skill to use. Low skill = spamming it, and spamming it is the absolute worst thing for parties and occasionally solo. Shooting it the center group of mobs will only make your group mad and scatter mobs ridiculously.

Now that relates to skill, because in a group, using it correctly can actually help your party (but it is being used as utility, definately sacrificing damage).

The alchemers overall are a more simple gun and are the ones that require less skill to use, and are easier to master since split bullets are obviously predictable.

Sun, 01/01/2012 - 01:01

#16

Somenubcake

against single target

each storm driver hit does the same amount of damage as an unexpanded polaris shot (that's about 30 damage less than an expanded shot).

once you can consistently get the ricochet to spawn inside the monster (thus 2-3 hits per shot on the same monster), you can out dps a polaris quite easily (since polaris's knockback and slow bullets will hinder your dps most of the time)

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Storm Driver vs Polaris