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Shards vs Nitronome

4 replies [Last post]
Fri, 08/30/2013 - 22:35
Awoogawooga

Okay, first of all, I realize there are quite a few "which bomb should I use?" threads. But I'm starting this one up because the other threads seem to be asked by DPS Bombers, but I'm a Status Bomber right now, so I've got my circumstances. Also, I'd like to ask advice/opinions on other topics as well. So here goes.

I used to be a Pure Gunner, but became a Blitz/Shiver Hybrid in order to deal with FSC. Now that elevators no longer cost energy, I have more room to experiment, rather than try to maximize my crowns like I did before.

As a gunner, the thing I hate most is knock back. So I got a buncha Haze bombs. Ash of Agni, Voltaic Tempest and Shivermist Buster. I'm also working on turning a Shocking Spike Bomb into a Dark Briar Barrage. My gear is the Volcanic Demo set and I currently have a maxed out Maskeraith (working on Seraphynx).

The thing is, I love supporting other players, but sometimes I just wanna do some DPS as well y'know?

So, what's your take? Scintillating Shard or Shocking Salt? The former is appealing because it'll give a status I can't otherwise give. But is Shocking a better choice for other reasons?

How do the Shard Bombs compare to the Nitronome? What are the things I should be aware of if I go Shard?

Also, what's people's take on Status Bombers? I love being on a team with bombers, but I'm an amateur right now. I tend to just spam my Haze and Shocking Spikes 'cause I figure they wouldn't interrupt others. But what's the consensus on Haze Spamming?

Thanks.

Fri, 08/30/2013 - 22:39
#1
Awoogawooga
Oh, and any opinions on

Oh, and any opinions on alternatives to Shards or Nitronome? I'm thinking Dark Retribution, but I have no way of getting that right now (I lack the crowns to purchase on AH) and Electron Vortex is similarly quite far from my reach right now (I've never played a single LD or BN).

Sat, 08/31/2013 - 03:07
#2
Zeddy's picture
Zeddy

Dark Retribution is perhaps the most powerful single-target weapon in the game that doesn't rhyme with "Spits Wheedle". You could do incredibly efficient damage bombing to any enemy in the game using only DR and DBB.

If the thing you hate the most is knokcback, then the shock from Shocking Salt will prevent a lot of Shard bombs' trademark erratic knockback. As a bonus, the damage won't be completely negligable against at least slimes. I see you're using Volcanic Demo, and while that is an excellent choice for a support bomber, I just find my damage to be very lacking unless I at least have Very High damage going for me. You could be using a couple of damage trinkets and the sprite perk for bomb damage to max it all out anyway, of course.

I'm not sure I would recommend Sun Shards at this point in time. You already have DBB and it will do much more damage faster under most circumstances, and most certainly easier. While people can appreciate stun being thrown around, they'll mostly be mad at you for the bomb's erratic knockback. Then again, this knockback can be cancelled out if you pair it up with VT or Shivermist. If you do something like that, you suddenly have a group of shocked and stunned enemies, and those are very rarely able to do anything at all. It's a combo I use sometimes. Plant two shards for every VT and you can keep a thing going.

You don't really need an Electron Vortex. If you don't wanna play LD, you can simply get a Graviton Vortex and pair it up with Voltaic Tempest. VT's shock will affect every enemy in the vortex and work much more effectively than EV's shock would do alone. As a bonus, GV has a bit more damage and is great for gremlins.

I at least, appreciate at least Voltaic Tempest and Ash of Agni in most places. You might want to consider completing your hazebomb set with Venom Veiler. It's often looked down on for being ineffective, but that is an outdated view coloured by people who do nothing but play Firestorm Citadel all the time. Every single arena you're in, there's a chance of gremlin menders, and whenever there are gremlin menders, Venom Veiler will make everything easier.

Sat, 08/31/2013 - 03:51
#3
Awoogawooga
Thanks Zeddy! I have to

Thanks Zeddy! I have to admit, I didn't think about VV on account that I used to focus on FSC. But now that elevators are free, I do find Gremlin Menders to be the most annoying twerps in this whole shebang.

The GV/VT combo sounds good as well. Again, I mainly wanted EV because I've seen it's effectiveness in FSC, but I find that I'm usually just Blitz/Shivering for FSC. The only time I can afford not to do that is when I know I'm playing with a good bomber.

I'll probably go for Graviton Vortex or save up to get the Dark Retribution somehow. Thanks again for the advice :)

Sat, 08/31/2013 - 06:24
#4
Alice-In-Pyroland's picture
Alice-In-Pyroland
Spits Wheedle Volcanic

Spits Wheedle

Volcanic Pepperbox?

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