I am asking as I need a ultiliy for the t3 missions and I am stuck between these two weapons to upgrade, Temp Levi or Iceburst?
Now, some are suggesting the stun troika line? Is it a good utility wep? Especially after Buff? But, I do not own a troika(when BN came around, I was thinking of getting, but the communty didn't really like it) so I would have to get both the recipies and ce for the large upgrades.
Both are decent choices.
Calibur Pros:
Pure normal damage, so one sword leaves room for three bombs. Calibur charge makes quick work of enemies that are annoying to bomb, particularly Trojans and Turrets.
Calibur Cons:
The damage will never be fantastic, unless you are doing the charge attack against large or cornered enemies. But that isn't always a problem, as a utility sword it is to finish off the stragglers once you are done bombing... they shouldn't have a lot of health left. I did the Levi + 3 Bombs loadout for a long time until I switched to hybrid bomber with two swords and two bombs, making my Levi somewhat obsolete.
Iceburst Pros:
If you are a vortex bomber, then definitely need a brandish in your arsenal, especially if solo. Iceburst is a nice weapon for FSC, and you'll be doing a lot of FSC in the coming months...
Iceburst Cons:
The problem with the Iceburst is that it is Normal/Elemental, so isn't going to be too useful against Gremlins and Beasts. Beasts aren't an issue, you should be using the Spike Shower line against them anyways as a bomber. Gremlins though, especially the occasional Mender is more difficult to deal with.
Summary
If you are a vortex bomber you have to go Brandish, anything else is just inefficient/silly. If you want to do one sword with three bombs, Levi would be my choice, it'll function well into your SK career.
Sidenote - both swords work better with some CTR. If you can afford it, might grab a decent UV CTR from the Auction House and upgrade that.
Well, bombers have the most trouble with enemies weak to elemental, since we don't have many sources of elemental damage. Rss is the best choice, but occasionally, you want something better to kill mechas with.
Vortex is probably one of the best item in a bombing arsenal, expecially fsc. Pair it with a haze bomb or rss, and you get a really nice amount of damage.
Okay then.
Thanks for the advice.
But, should I keep my Temp cali? I mean I have fond memories of my uses with it.
Yea, I would go for a glacius if you want to hybrid. I personally stopped playing hybrids because I would just be using one dps weapon over and over again.
Keep your cali, the 2kcr you can get from selling it isn't worth the trouble of crafting again. I still have my ascended, and eventually I'll craft it to a levi when I get the urge. In the end, selling weapons usually aren't worth it.
I heard that there isn't much of a difference between Ascended cal and Levi, so the cost of upgrading might not be worth it not really needed.
The Sudaruska is a VERY effective Bomber's sidearm. It provides the Knock back to anything and everything whenever you need it, not to mention the charge can work as an instant Bomb, and can shove enemies where you want them. It fits well with bombers indeed.
Its like having a bomb that has a combo to keep them far away from you when you need it.
Not only am I famous, but I inspire Hipster...ness... Yeah.
~Tsu
Hm, interesting suggestion... it would give knockback like a DA/GF but give the flexibleness of a normal damage weapon.
So now I should pick between getting a troika/kharmain then upgrade to khorvord or upgrade blizzbrand?
Lol.... Troika lines is mostly for completionist and hipsters and tsu-inspired hipsters. It won't be good for damage, but only knockback instead. And for knockback, bombers have nitro. Granted, not good for parties. But if you are party bombing, you shouldn't have a need to switch to swords to cover weaknesses.
So, I still think glacius is the better path.
I'm the reverse of what you are, I use three special damage swords with a Voltaic Tempest for utility.
A blizzbrand has split normal damage and has one of the most powerful charge attacks in the game (and the ability to cause strong status), so it has the best utility value of the three.
The no-boost Suda charge deals ~800... making it like what? 4 unboosted Nitros? And there is no fuse... Not to mention the swings require no charge, so it beats Nitro in terms of instant Knockback.
Nitro has a way larger blast radius than Sudaruska, and it's a bomb so it's going to benefit from the OP's armor and trinkets (which will provide CTR max and at least DMG very high)…
Regarding to the OP, as a bomber I would think anything that can push enemies away or move/force yourself through a tight spot (that doesn't require a charge) is good to have. I don't have a whole lot of experience with slow weapons, but the immediate moderate no-charge knock back from my Gran Faust seems useful in most spots. I mean, we're looking for utility, our bulk damage should be coming from bombs as a bomber.
Oh that note, my personal sidearm for most everything is Dread Venom Striker. Rather than moving the enemy it can move myself from a tight spot, and quickly chop down blocks to get away/through faster. Anything faster for me to get going as a bomber is nice to have (also a little plug here, WTB> ASI VH DVStriker alchemy line.) It also serves me well for various enemies and scenarios. Vanaduke's mask phase, Gun Puppies and Lumbers (my currect DVStriker is VH Construct,) concrete blocks, minerals, and something else that I found amazing for Shadow Lairs is using the DVStriker for Shadow Seed patrol. Also move through Shadow Seed fields faster. Umm... other uses... I guess it helps gaining aggro from Trojans, what with all the little hits connecting.
I'm rambling. Anyways, good luck with your T3 missions OP. ... and everyone else I suppose. Especially solo.
...and cutters take time to learn where and how to use them. So much CE due to learning... :<
I have gone with Blizzbrand as of the day before.
iceburst