yes
but its completely worthless, like 4 damage a tick?
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Whuff. Seems that I struck a nerve here!
Do you ever tell yourself when running DD… “oh, I need to prioritize that target over there to keep/build my DD stacks instead of some other target (a closer one? one that’s about to hit a teammate?).” Or, “I need to push ahead quickly to get a target marked by DD to keep up my stacks.” If you’ve ever said those thoughts to yourself then it quite likely it has modified your playstyle.
Whether that modification is detrimental or not, or whether the added advantage of it outweighs the cost is another matter. It may very well be a net positive. And of course we could construct similar arugements for other builds and playstyles. But DD demands, to a certain extent, that you pay attention to specific targets that might be far more incidental if you are not running DD. You’re required to scan enemies and it’s pulling focus away from broader situational awareness. Again, maybe that tradeoff is a net positive - but I think it objectively sets one up for a bit of tunnel vision by design.
All of this is to say that I’m not opposed to using DD in a recommended build. My one gripe with DD and also Warp Siphon is that they require more points to access and fully leverage, pulling away points used elsewhere in the tree. I sometimes wonder if Psyker is similar to Veteran in that you could run it without keystones and focus on other talents and also be pretty strong.
We’re not arguing whether it modifies your playstyle or not. It should, which is usually the mark of a fun keystone. Whether it is detrimental or not is up to the player. I don’t think it pushes someone into tunnel vision (You could maybe argue that for Perfectionism but it’s worse than Lingering anyways). Even for Perfectionism, it is interesting as a player to have to make those calls, and while it can be difficult I don’t know why you’re putting such a negative spin on it.
By that argument Focus Target is actually really bad for your team because it highlights an enemy and makes you want to tunnel vision it for the refreshing damage buff.
Not really imo. If you’re running physical psyker you’re already either getting True Aim or Surety of Arms so you’re right next to DD. If you’re running a staff build you’re taking Warp Siphon for shriek spam (Or occasionally DD for Voidstrike). You’re always close to Psionics because you’re taking Warp Rider. A build like that would be work but wouldn’t be smart.
Also Purloin Providence for DD should be either neutral or weak. For most builds it only helps if you are trying to keep Scryer active for super long which isn’t neccassary, and otherwise hurts you for the Warp Rider and Warp Splitter Talents.
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Probably, I sure haven’t seen it being used yet, thanks!!
Nah, you haven’t. My manner speaking is just very direct.
I don’t actually, no. With the 10s uptime node the stacks survive long enough for you to passively gain new ones. Since you should generally aim for headshots in both melee and ranged, be it as a gunpsyker or staff user, you can get them easily. Especially when playing with a Void staff.
Do I go for easy marked targets when I’m already aiming in that direction? Of course. But I don’t break my back for it. You’re also lieing to yourself, if you think keystones don’t alter your playstyle, especially for Psyker and Vet. It’s their entire point. Do you go full autist mode? Of course not, but then again that seems to be both your issue and argument here.
Remind me again, how brain burst targeting works, and then reread this entire paragraph 
Factually wrong. As dragomusic put it:
This. My disappointment when trying it was immeasurable.
4 Likes
Good points all around.
So here’s a thought experiment. I know this quintessential build is NOT going to be maximally tuned, but is there a way to craft it that it could work more or less with ANY force staff (or with minimal changes).
Keystone debate aside - seems like using BB gives you good utility, especially with Purgatus or Shock staff. Crits work nicely with all the staves (surge on void strike, soul blaze double stacks on purgatus, blazing spirit is fun on trauma). Has a good dose of soul blaze triggers.
If you want to ease a new player into psyker I’d go for the classic high damge output combo, that also helps deal with peril management. Especially for beginners:
- venting shriek + creeping flames
- perilous combustion
This combination alone can carry the game for you, and compensate damage wise for the squishiness. It also allows to branch into both smite(ugh) and brain burst. And opens you up for Psykinetic’s aura.
Psykinetic’s aura shines heavily with high elite density aka auric histg/maelstrom. Which isn’t where a fresh psyker should fcck around tbh. So I’d consider them optional for an ‘I’m learning!’ build. They’re too OP damage wise and can be a noob trap, as seen by a lot of psyker’s neglecting defenses/melee by being too squishy for their own good, because they’re addicted to that sweet sweet damage.
So that means you’re free to pick any blitz (not smite), and aura, depending on your staff and make your way over to the left side to get shriek.
For the keystone section after the F ability I’d honestly disencourage a fledgling Psyker from taking EP. As I said above it further increases kill everything on malice/heresy with your blitz syndrome, that creates so many sub par damnation psyker players.
That leaves Warp Siphon and DD.
Empyric Resolve is a bit of a noob trap, especially if you’re bad at keeping toughness up. Solidity is a good helper for people learning peril management. Right hand side has True Aim, which is amazing and Kinetic Deflection (no opinion on it), the choice is honestly down to the active ability, which in this case is Shriek and that synergizes best with Warp Siphon.
Rest of the points in toughness generation, possibly melee attack speed and depending on blitz preference into qol like mind in motion, mettle or psykinetics aura
this talent is abysmal dogshit
3 Likes
You only hate it, because it spams the annoying flames everywhere. Which is correct. I don’t use it either, but the passive horde killing is nice. Especially for beginners that will most likely fold in a horde
it really doesnt do much
perilious is just wildfire but 10x better
apparently its somewhat useful on purgatus but i wouldnt know because im not touching staves with a 10 foot pole, and especially that one
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Fair enough, I always forget that it’s 4 stacks max, since I don’t use it anywhere. I changed it.
Same. The fire effects are insufferable. The only fun Psyker builds are melee/gun and dumb sht like BB/shield spam. Most staff related builds are way overtuned and need a balance pass.
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Honestly I will always recommend purge / inferno staff, BB, bubble shield with Psykinetic’s Aura & Warp Siphon and otherwise crit talents & blessings for newbies. It’s by far the easiest strong build imo. The only “trick” they need to learn there is the importance of that purge primary spam for CC.
Meanwhile it gives you back-to-back shields, really high warp efficiency so easy peril mgmt, range immunity from Empathic Evasion, and about the easiest anti-mixed horde clear available for psykers. Everything else tends to depend far more on melee & positioning, tracking buffs & blessings, larger toolsets you really need to know when and how to use and ofc the various other psyker tricks etc.
Pretty much as vanilla as it gets, yeah.
Psyker discussion is probably the best place to post this to be fair
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Worth dropping Cruel Fortune from the Keystone to get Perfect Timing up top? Seems like perfect timing might be better for boosting overall damage.
If you have lingering influence you don’t need Cruel Fortune. For VS it’s definitely nicer than for guns, but its probably more of a personal preference choice at that point.
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It’s usually my go-to. I find that it’s better with a crit build and using channeled momentum (charge and sprint)… Here’s my build with it:
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Crit Aura is only 5%. That’s negligible. Can get plenty of crits without it, just take +5 crit chance staff, +5% crit chance above disrupt destiny and souldrinker if using Shriek.
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That’s pretty close to my favorite build too, good stuff 