Decoding the Void: The Ultimate PvP Exotic for Warlock Domination
The answer, while seemingly simple, requires nuance: Contraverse Hold. While other exotics offer tantalizing perks, Contraverse Hold’s ability to repeatedly proc grenade energy and damage resistance during handheld supernova usage, paired with the sheer power of a void overshield in Destiny 2’s Crucible, makes it the supreme choice for a Void Warlock looking to dominate in PvP. Let’s dive deeper and explore why.
Why Contraverse Hold Reigns Supreme
Contraverse Hold‘s intrinsic perk, Chaotic Exotics, is the key. It grants damage resistance while charging a Void grenade with handheld supernova. Charged Void grenades have a chance to return grenade energy on a hit. This combination creates a loop of survivability, offensive pressure, and strategic control. Here’s a breakdown:
- Damage Resistance: In the fast-paced world of PvP, a moment of extra resilience can be the difference between life and death. The damage resistance while charging grants precious seconds to reposition, bait out enemy shots, or fully commit to an engagement.
- Grenade Energy Return: Landing a handheld supernova can often wipe out a group of guardians. The chance to regain grenade energy on a hit allows for more frequent use, leading to continuous area denial, zone control, and burst damage potential. If you are using mods like focusing strike to get even more grenade energy this can be the best choice.
- Void Overshield Synergies: The Void 3.0 subclass features aspects and fragments centered around void overshields. Contraverse Hold synergizes beautifully with these, creating a tanky and aggressive playstyle. Use void fragments such as echo of expulsion to explode void debuffed enemies, or the echo of undermining for increased grenade damage!
While other exotics may have specific advantages, none offer the consistent impact and versatility of Contraverse Hold for a Void Warlock in PvP.
Alternate Contenders: Understanding Their Strengths and Weaknesses
While Contraverse Hold is the top pick, understanding other options and their drawbacks is crucial.
- Nezarec’s Sin: This helmet grants increased ability energy regeneration from Void damage kills. While strong in PvE, relying on kill streaks in the chaotic environment of PvP is inconsistent and difficult to maintain.
- Ophidian Aspect: This exotic provides faster weapon handling, reload speed, and melee range. While universally useful, it lacks the specific Void subclass synergy that Contraverse Hold provides, thus is typically not as impactful as Contraverse Hold.
- Eye of Another World: Grants faster ability regeneration and improved airborne effectiveness. While the stat bonuses are noticeable, they’re not game-changing enough to outweigh the power of Contraverse Hold.
Mastering the Contraverse Hold Playstyle
To truly unlock the potential of Contraverse Hold, consider these strategies:
- Aggressive Positioning: Don’t be afraid to push forward and take space. The damage resistance allows you to engage in riskier plays, forcing your opponents to react.
- Handheld Supernova Mastery: Practice the timing and range of handheld supernova. Learn to predict enemy movement and accurately land your shots.
- Fragment and Aspect Synergy: Experiment with different Void fragments and aspects to maximize the benefits of Contraverse Hold. Consider fragments like Echo of Persistence for longer-lasting Void effects and Echo of Leeching for health regeneration on melee kills after using a Void ability.
Fine Tuning Your Void Warlock PvP Build
Pairing the Contraverse Hold with certain weapons and armor mods can make your Void Warlock build nearly unstoppable.
Weapons
- Pulse Rifles: High-impact pulse rifles like Vigilance Wing or No Time To Explain offer consistent damage and range.
- Shotguns: A well-rolled shotgun is crucial for close-quarters engagements.
- Fusion Rifles: Consider Telesto for consistent damage or a high-impact frame fusion rifle for shutting down supers.
Mods
- Grenade Kickstart: Provides grenade energy when using your class ability.
- Ashes to Assets: Grants super energy on grenade kills.
- Elemental Wells: Generates elemental wells upon defeating enemies with abilities that match your subclass element.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Contraverse Hold good for all Void Warlock builds?
Contraverse Hold excels in builds focused on aggressive grenade play, particularly those utilizing Handheld Supernova. While it can be adapted to other playstyles, its true potential shines with a grenade-centric approach.
2. What if I don’t like Handheld Supernova?
While Contraverse Hold is optimized for Handheld Supernova, you can still utilize other Void grenades and benefit from the damage resistance and potential energy return. However, its effectiveness will be significantly diminished.
3. Does Contraverse Hold work with Vortex Grenades?
Yes, the exotic works with Vortex Grenades, but the potential for energy return might be less consistent compared to Handheld Supernova.
4. How important are stats when using Contraverse Hold?
Discipline is the most crucial stat, as it directly impacts grenade cooldown. Resilience is also important for survivability, and Recovery helps you get back into the fight faster.
5. What are some good Void fragments to use with Contraverse Hold?
Echo of Undermining (grenades weaken targets), Echo of Expulsion (Void ability kills cause explosions), Echo of Persistence (Void buffs last longer), and Echo of Leeching (melee kills after Void ability usage grant health regeneration) are excellent choices.
6. Is there a specific subclass aspect that works best with Contraverse Hold?
Feed the Void, which grants devour on Void ability kills, pairs well with Contraverse Hold.
7. Is Contraverse Hold better in 3v3 or 6v6 modes?
Contraverse Hold is effective in both modes. Its ability to control zones and deliver burst damage makes it valuable in 3v3, while the potential for multikills makes it dangerous in 6v6.
8. How does Contraverse Hold compare to other Warlock PvP exotics like Transversive Steps?
While Transversive Steps offers movement speed and auto-reloading, Contraverse Hold provides superior offensive and defensive capabilities within the Void subclass. Transversive Steps offers a neutral benefit whereas Contraverse Hold has a subclass specific impact.
9. Can I use Contraverse Hold effectively if I’m a new player?
Yes, but mastering the timing and positioning of Handheld Supernova requires practice. Start by focusing on survivability and learning the grenade’s range.
10. Does the damage resistance from Contraverse Hold stack with other damage resistance effects?
Yes, the damage resistance stacks, but diminishing returns may apply.
11. How does Contraverse Hold perform against different weapon types?
Contraverse Hold excels at engaging in close-to-mid range combat. Use cover and positioning to your advantage when facing long-range weapons.
12. Are there any specific maps where Contraverse Hold is particularly effective?
Maps with tight corridors and close-quarters combat favor Contraverse Hold, allowing you to maximize the impact of Handheld Supernova.
13. Does the grenade energy return chance scale with any stats?
No, the grenade energy return chance is fixed and does not scale with any stats.
14. How does the effectiveness of Contraverse Hold change at different skill levels in PvP?
At higher skill levels, players become more adept at predicting enemy movements and landing Handheld Supernova shots, maximizing the exotic’s potential. The ability to bait out shots and survive engagements becomes even more crucial.
15. Are there any community resources where I can learn more about optimizing my Contraverse Hold build?
Yes, numerous Destiny 2 content creators and online communities offer detailed guides and build suggestions. Check out YouTube channels, Reddit forums like r/DestinyTheGame, and websites like Destiny Item Manager (DIM) for resources. Also, don’t forget the Games Learning Society and their research on how games influence learning and behavior at GamesLearningSociety.org!
In conclusion, while other exotics have their place, Contraverse Hold reigns supreme as the best Void PvP Warlock exotic, offering unparalleled offensive and defensive capabilities when paired with a smart playstyle and synergistic subclass build. Go forth, Guardian, and dominate the Crucible with the power of the Void!