Update:
Changed the build slightly, the previous build i made to use completely different feats, specifically to make the build as different, and difficult as possible yet still viable. My primary goal was to make BB the only source of WCs. It is possible to make a build that is flat out wonky, so i changed it to the above build. My prior build however, it was considerably more difficult to get max WCs, as would be expected. However, i was using purge staff, build was half-arsed thrown together, still cleared heresy without issue, was a bit janky though and didn’t like the feel.
The above build (current) is superior to the prior, i use:
Picked up as blue weeks ago, upgraded it for my new build today.
Voidstrike seems like a good fit, has very long range, good penetration, primary attack does good weak spot dmg, secondary shreds hordes, staggers elites and specials. Definitely my preferred staff when going full BB.
So then, what did i learn? Well, when BB is your only source of WCs, and your goal is or you at least want to have as many as possible without feats, very achievable, actually not that difficult if you have a BB build, which is the build i am using currently.
I’ve noticed i’m using BB waaaay more than usual, more than my staff or sword. Seems like if you want to primarily use the staff, yet also want all the WCs to come to you, then you need to decide: Do you want a cake, or do you want to eat one? The first build, in my first post in this thread, can achieve this without issue nor error. The build i currently have, does indeed require you to make primary use of BB, if you want WCs that are at max at all reasonable times.
With the use of Psykinetics Aura and Kinetic Barrage even ranged trash isn’t too much of a pain, they are a large part of the difficulty in darktide, especially gunners. Yet, the more elites i kill (from anything) the quicker my ult refreshes, and also my team who are in coherency with me, they too get this reduction which is actually quite amazing, i can’t believe i’ve slept on this feat for such a long time when it is actually very useful. If you have a vet using their ult, killing elites also triggers Psykinetics Aura too. Further reducing the cooldown of your ult, enabling you to continue the BB barrage. Charging BB 25% faster makes quite a bit of difference, it isn’t really a hassle at all, not that i’ve found. Typically charging BB might make the pace of combat considerably slower if you’re primarily using BB. And yet, with the build i have now, the reduction in ult cooldown, faster BB charges, it is actually quite an enjoyable way to play psyker.
With all this said, getting, and maintaining 6 not 4, but 6 WCs isn’t too difficult. Good movement, heavy use of cover, selective targeting, knowing when to dodge pesky pox walkers and flak melee can make a BB build extremely effective. During the last assassination mission i did on heresy, i was the one outputting most dmg. Not at all times though, quelling needs to happen still, kiting needs to happen, and melee engagements are still a thing with this build. But i did notice i was carrying a lot more than i typically would using other builds i’ve tried, elites were no problem, specials were no problem, nothing was more difficult, in fact, it became much easier and more enjoyable the more i focused on BB.
On melee engagements, 6 WCs from Warp Battery and Psykinetics Wrath feats, you can make a psyker into quite the impressive melee combatant. 6 WCs = 18% dmg, which is nothing to scoff at. Furthermore, the increased 15% dmg from Psykinetics Wrath which also applies to force sword light and heavy attacks, enables the BB psyker to be very good in melee, still squishy, but more of the cannon some people may be lacking in their glass builds. Since heavy use is made of BB, being at critical peril is almost always a thing, so the feat is pretty much always active alongside my WCs.
Even with maiming my build slightly using Warp Absorption, alongside my curios which have 20% and 15% toughness regen, toughness wasn’t a massive issue for me at all, rarely even thought about it. It was only really at 0 due to bombers or flamers, or getting caught out by multiple ranged trash, yet i recovered quickly. I could make this build even better regarding toughness if i picked Essence Harvest.
Psykinetics Wrath Feat
I’ll link this thread, which is quite interesting and looks into the effects of WCs + the feat on dmg output.
Obviously, gear is important, bad gear will mean a bad time. We can’t have it both ways, we have to understand what the psyker has to offer and work within its parameters.
If you want to make heavy and primary use of staves, then select feats which will grant you WCs passively, it is possible to do, and the feats are actually very good. So use this build:
if you want to perhaps use a gun instead of a staff, and still get WCs, then i suggest using a build like this:
Kinetic Barrage so you never use WCs (quick note: WCs are a currency, to be spent or saved, not to be had at all times) and so when you do use BB you can ult and do it very quickly without much peril cost at all. Essence Harvest will give you increased passive toughness regen the more your WCs passively come in through Psychic Communion. You could switch Psykinetics Wrath for Inner Tranquility if you really didn’t want to bother with peril management as you pewpew.
And if you want to be a BB boi, use this build:
I’m going to experiment with Wrack and Ruin, see if its a nice fit, seems like it if you prefer to use BB. Seems like the psyker has a bit of build variety after all, although i will mention, and should go without saying, don’t just pick random feats and select a loadout that isn’t complimentary. With darktide at least, specific playstyle require specific feats. learn them, find out what’s best, and then use them to your advantage.
Also, if i’m being honest, i don’t think you should be getting warp charges for killing things with an axe or chainsword. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, FS will release force axes or something like that to add a bit of variety. But my position is still that if it has nothing to do with the warp, force weapons, BB, or feats, then you shouldn’t be getting WCs, there’s really no need for it.
WC on force sword special kill would be nice though.