Two questions regarding bombing:
Which bomb should I get: Stagger Storm or Voltaic Tempest?
(Opinions for both PvP and PvE)
Using only one piece of gear, which is more effective, Mad Bomber or Volcanic Demo? (Again, opinions for both PvP and PvE please, for using in a hybrid setup with either a gun or a sword)
Voltaic Tempest anyday over Stagger Storm. Stun is buggy and can result in insta hit in PvE (and it's not just occasional, it happened to me every time someone used stun enough). And in PvP, shock is more useful than stun because when shocked, you can do NOTHING.
Mad Bomber vs Volcanic Demo is more of a choice. For haze bombs, Volcanic Demo, because you don't need damage from Mad Bomber. For general purpose damaging bomb (NOT in FSC) I would choose the Mad Bomber Suit. If in doubt, I advise you to choose the safe option : Volcanic Demo (Helm, not armor).
Idk much about bombing in PvP, but a good set for PvE.
Volcanic Demo Helm
Mad Bomber Suit
Elite Boom Trinket
Elite Boom Trinket
This set gives CTR Very High (MAX with a fully heated bomb) and Bomb damage MAX.
Bombs are up to you and depend on the level itself. Some good ones to have are Dark Briar Barrage, Radiant Sun Shards, Voltaic Tempest, Shivermist Buster, Electron Vortex, and maybe some I've missed.
In PvP, as a recon I think you don't need the CTR bonuses from armor to hit max CTR, so probably focus on Damage. Which means either trinkets, or Mad Bomber.
I run Mad Bomber in FSC all the time. Sure I burn up a lot, but I've also done it solo without dying, wearing full Mad Bomber and only using Shivermist and Radiant Sun Shards (I skip Vana himself when solo).
Voltaic Tempest is awesome, everywhere. But in PvP there are a whole lot of shock resistant people now. So while I'd probably do that first, Stagger Storm would also be a very good backup choice for when you're getting swarmed by shock resistant skolvers with pointy sticks.
ok.... so VT and Volcanic helm it is...thanks all!
Edit: Oh wait, also, should I still aim for a CTR on the bomb? considering the total CTR High (Lvl 10 + Volc demo). (It seems vapor bombs have a relatively quick CTR) And should i stick with a CTR low if i get it?
If you do get ctr uv's on a bomb, you negate the need for either a ctr trink or armour, allowing you to put something else in those slots that would help you in other ways.
Volca Demo Helm is CTR Medand a lvl 10 bomb is CTR Med, so that makes CTR Very High, not High.
You can either add a Low to get to Ultra or a Med to get to Max. If you can do it with an UV on the bomb, it negates the need of further CTR from your gear, as said Demonic, which is a great advantage.
Tempest, every time. Best combat haze bomb other than the AoA
Volc. demo helm is the better gear for the semi-bomber, as it doesn't have those nasty negative resistances, I personally run with either a Volc. helm & Mad suit or the Merc. demo set
EDIT- Plus the Tempest damage ticks do elemental damage, making Kats a non-issue