Alchemers
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 13:37
I'm currently in Tier 2 and looking for one of the Alchemer guns. I've had some input on this already but am looking for a wider opinion. So which one is best?
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 15:03
#2
Cryotech is great for crowd
Cryotech is great for crowd control, though it sucks when the first bullet freezes an enemy, then the second one unfreezes them. Still a highly recommended gun though.
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 16:28
#3
@Ozymandius
What do you mean by really weak? Do you mean they will do less damage than guns of the same level?
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 16:43
#4
They're weak as compared to
They're weak as compared to most other weapons, period, honestly. Being guns, that's what you get. Then you get to the 4* versions and they suddenly deal 3 times more damage than the 3* versions and the ricochets allow you to nail 5 targets at a time. (I may exaggerate... a little.) At 4* they still don't hit as hard as the equivalent swords, but very suddenly it feels like the trade you're making by giving up damage for range and safety is actually fair, rather than crippling.
Seriously, I'm a pretty dedicated gunner, and even I think guns are in desperate need of some love.
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 16:48
#5
What I mean is, compared to
What I mean is, compared to other 2* guns. I know guns are generally weaker than swords. What I'm asking is when you say weak do you mean weaker than your other choices?
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 16:50
#6
Oh, and slightly more on
Oh, and slightly more on topic:
TL;DR: The Cryotech line is essentially the "safest" one, while the other two are generally better if you watch what you're shooting. See below for a breakdown.
Firotech is, hands down, the best option as far as damage output goes. Fire burns. On the other hand, you can't risk it in some areas because you might accidentally set an Oiler on fire. Fire also cancels Freeze, which might annoy someone using the freezing bomb, or a group depending on one.
Voltech is still pretty strong, and Shock is a very strong status. Doesn't deal as much damage over time as Fire, and the randomness is a little (for want of a better word) random. But the shock ticks will interrupt whatever the mob is doing. It does, however, run the risk of charging up Quicksilvers if you're not careful. On the plus side, Shock status can coexist with both Fire and Freeze, so you won't undo anyone else's work.
Cryotech is better crowd control, particularly when the shots start ricocheting around a group. It also happily messes up Gunpuppies by preventing them from turning while frozen, which can help sniping duties. The only downside is that Freeze status cancels Fire, which is inconvenient for anyone using the fire haze bomb, and it can re-freeze the ice-jellies, enabling them to lay down their freezing haze on death again, which isn't all that much of a problem usually.
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 17:12
#7
All alchemers deal pure
Alchemers in general
All alchemers deal pure elemental or shadow damage. This makes them very good to use on some enemies, but very bad to use on others. If you get an alchemer then make sure you also get another reliable source of damage. Do not run solo with a combo like one alchemer and one haze bomb. (I tried with a shadowtech alchemer. It took me about an hour to clear out one scarlet castle level.)
As for specifics:
Firotech is good for pure damage. Repeatedly lighting your enemies on fire does more damage then you'd might think. The fire effect is good when your target is in the middle of a group of enemies. (Healers, I hate you.) The fire also does damage to targets resistant to elemental damage, so you won't be completely helpless in a deconstruction zone or aurora islands area. Just be careful vs oilers. Your team will not be pleased when you light the oil on fire.
Cryotech is good for crowd control. But it freezes unpredictably, only freezes one enemy at a time, and follow up attacks breaks the ice, so it does not provide reliable crowd control.
Voltech is good if you want a middle ground between the Firotech and Cryotech items. It doesn't freeze your enemies like a cryotech would. It doesn't burn like a firotech does. But, it makes your enemies periodically spasm and take damage. Your target can also spread shock to other enemies. Just don't supercharge the quicksilvers and you'll be fine.
The shadotech is one of the few weapons that can deal shadow damage. But, rare =/= awesome. Shadow damage is about as useful/useless as elemental damage, it's just useful on different enemeies. That said, if you're going pure gunner you might consider running with a shadowtech and one other alchemer that isn't of the shadowtech line. This makes you super effective against most enemies. If you're only getting one alchemer then I suggest you take the firotech or voltech instead.
The prismatech does similar damage as the firotech, voltech, and cryotech alchmers, but does not inflict any status attacks on the enemy. personally, I'm not sure why the prismatech is even in the game. It's functions are covered by other weapons. I'm not even sure if the prismatech does more damage then the other weapons. (I didn't notice a difference between using a primatech and other weapons like a firotech or a voltech.) So, I would not recommend getting the prismatech unless you are a collector and want to get everything in the game.
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 17:08
#8
Just starting to craft my 2*
Just starting to craft my 2* gear, probably going to run firotech myself. Damage is damage, no questions. And those electric Quicksilvers are just a pain in the arse, from the fights I've had with them in T1 arenas.
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 17:13
#9
Thanks for all the input.
Thanks for all the input. Still trying to decide between Fire, Cryo, or Volt. I have a Nightblade so I'm not using Shadowtech.
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 17:23
#10
Re: Prismatech.
I'm actually wondering if originally this was meant to deal Piercing damage or something, giving us at least one Alchemer for all occasions...
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 17:39
#11
Perhaps..
Perhaps they'll make Prismatech an elemental gun that stuns.. Stun's symbol is a star, and well it kinda goes with the name Prismatech. And maybe give Shadowtech a Curse effect too. Doesn't seem fair for all alchemer guns not to have status effects. Someone should totally suggest this in the suggestion forum :P
On a more related note, I picked Voltech - cause I couldn't decide between firo and cryo. And I wanted something that seemed to have a bit of both of them. Depends on your playing style, really. I mean, for example would you be really willing for an enemy to unfreeze on its own before striking it? Does the possibility of getting teammates on fire bother you? And so forth.
Everyone covered up everything technical nicely :P
Voltech and Cryotech are generally considered the best, with merely the status effect of your preference to decide between the two. Firotech is also good, but is less useful in FSC where everything is Fire resistant or immune. Shadowtech is also good, if you need a Shadow type damage dealer- but unless you're going mostly Gunslinger, a Nightblade or Faust is probably a stronger option for Shadow Damage. Avoid Prismatic, because it deals no status effects like the Cryo, Volt, or Firo.
Lastly, note that under 4*, Alchemers are pretty weak, but don't become discouraged because once you get to 4* and above, they are very good.