SW builds after patch ? :)

[Avernus]

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

I get better overall damage and a better ability to refresh my burst windows with this spec compared to Scout—or, worse, Assault.

Admittedly, Scout with Festering Arrow does allow for more significant ST pressure—I won't deny that—but while it works in certain situations, it can quickly become suboptimal if line-of-sight is tricky, or if—unluckily—Acid Arrow or Festering Arrow gets dodged or blocked, throwing off the entire rotation.

Plus, you often have to get closer to land the healing debuff (essential for taking down a target). Not to mention that in good Destruction groups during scenarios, tanks are quick to switch Guard; setting up a powerful rotation that can easily end up being mitigated by Guard isn't practical at all.

At best, it's good for sniping backline healers and forcing them to focus on self-healing—thereby reducing the healing output reaching the front line for your own melee DPS. But the terrain doesn't always allow for that. I believe a Skirmish build—which admittedly deals less overall ST damage but provides better general pressure—is usually better for helping your team advance.
It’s better to have a smaller burst that can be refreshed quickly and works in most situations (thanks to mobility and instant casts) than a massive burst that only works half the time.

Actually, I perform quite well regarding ST burst with my current gear, even though I’m not yet fully BiS; with Bullseye proccing and the SC bow, I’m at 70% crit. I haven't checked my exact armor penetration stat, but I have 500 Weapon Skill (softcapped BS ofc) plus % armor pen from my gear, along with the Keen Arrow tactic (which grants 15% on Lileath).
I plan to get the 4-piece Triumphant set to gain the Toughness debuff and Weapon Skill buff. That helps even more with ST pressure.

Honestly, it works really well; I could make a video to prove it if need be.

Anyway, beyond any technical debate, the most important thing for me is that—in my opinion—it’s the most fun build to play. I've tested all post patch ofc.

And too bad if it doesn't appeal to those who want more "optimized" scenario setups; let's be clear: I solo queue, I don't owe anyone anything, and I do what I want. When I see how little effort people put into scenarios—like a Swordmaster I saw recently who was chain-solo-queuing, never guarding anyone, and then insulting me when I politely pointed it out via private message...

That’s just one example among many, but it’s crystal clear that no one has any right to tell me what to do. hell no.

What FA? It's now just devs fantasy.

In reality you just slap your debuffs+hd from max range (yay, +range tactic...still worse than it was though) and then spam EE.

Still, if you are having fun playing like that - why not?

You have reliable dps and burst by just spamming EE ? post patch ?
I tested this way and was from my perspective, meh, worse than FA builds.. at least FA brings bypass armor with corporeal dmg and that debuff by acid arrow under tactic. Combination of smoldering arrow with flame arrow under corp debuff + FA is melting targets when it's setup.

But again, you need to land acid arrow and FA for it. Now that being said, they just released next patch notes, and next FA should be able to cast on the move.
To me it reshuffling the cards, because main reason FA rotation is lame to setup was because you need to be static for it.


edit :

Here the crit FA build : scryTome Builder - Shadow Warrior

Yes, you do have dps (unless you are trying to kill deftards).

As for me, flame arrow is just another trash ability which was a trash and is still trash after rework (i guess devs think that SW has 5 or 6 tactic slots). If you want to know how this ability should look like - check SH Red tipped arrer. This is what you do when you want to create an actually useful ability.