I currently have both the 4 star pulsar(elemental) as well as the 4 star prisma driver.
I have heard that the alchemer charge attack can OH KO gunpuppies (at 5 star).
If so, in how large a party would this be and would this be favourable over a.polaris in a party to have this?
(I am not a gunner so this is more of a utility weapon and I dont solo much)
Which would be better to upgrade?
Alchemer OHKO is fun when it happens but not exactly reliable 100% of the time, depending on whether ricochets hit the original target or not. Also, depends on the amount of people in the group - larger groups encounter enemies with more health.
The Polaris, on the other hand, will utterly shut down turrets entirely, making them unable to shoot at all.
If you are a swordsman, keep a polaris on hand. If you are going gunner, you can still keep the polaris. Nova driver does great damage too, but unless you get that lucky shot, you will need an extra charge or two to take down a puppy.
Polairs > Alchemer vs puppies.
if you want an alchemer for puppies i would think storm driver would be better than prisma.
Also i'm pretty sure charged alchemer shots canel the gun puppies attack.
I havn't had experience with charged alchs interrupting puppies due to damage. I use storm, and the charge+ricochets make it easy to inflict shock, which does cancel on the first tick of infliction.
Polaris anytime is the ONE OF THE BEST
Polaris would be better because 1) blast radius- can hit multiple gunpuppies if near each other 2) cancels a gunpuppies attack allowing constant hitting without it fighting back (all shots). The alchemers can hit multiple if the bullet ricochets, but if you're luckey plus they don't cancel attacks other than the charge.
I say go for Polaris. The shock effect can come in use against those puppies without having to hit them cause the shock will do it.
Benefits of using the Alchemer charge attack:
1. You can one shot the turrets with the charge.
2. Chance of hitting other things with the other 2 non-clipping splits.
Drawbacks of using the Alchemer charge attack:
You have to charge, which does the following:
1. Slows movement speed during charge time.
2. Unallows the use of your shield during charge time.
3. You are immobile while releasing the charge.
4. You must aim and learn how to position the big bullet (a little bit to the right or left of the turret, but still hitting it).
Benefits of using the Polaris normal shots:
1. You can cancel gun puppy attacks with its blasts.
2. You have higher single target damage against the turrets with normal shots if you are not double clipping your alchemer shots (which is unreliable).
3. Can possibly damage multiple turrets.
Because you use normal shots:
4. You have more mobility
5. You can freely shield if you shoot-pause, or shield more often than charging if you are using unload-reload.
Drawbacks of using the Polaris normal shots:
1. In close range, your bullets are less effective.
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Use Polaris for gun puppies.
You can one hit charge puppies if solo, and duo might be possible if you get ricochets from the other side.
Polaris > Alchemers on turrets, simply because you don't have to aim and it interrupts. It will interrupt turret in the action of shooting.
Edit: I didn't see you say you don't solo much. As long as you use the polaris on turrets, you won't bother your party.