How to Shatter Stasis Crystals as a Warlock in Destiny 2: A Comprehensive Guide
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Shattering Stasis crystals is a crucial mechanic for any Guardian wielding the power of the Darkness, and Warlocks are no exception. These icy formations, when broken, unleash powerful AoE damage and trigger unique effects, making them a cornerstone of effective Stasis gameplay. As a Warlock, understanding how to create and shatter these crystals is essential for maximizing your build’s potential. Here’s a detailed guide on how Warlocks can shatter Stasis crystals effectively:
How to Shatter Stasis Crystals as a Warlock
The most direct way for a Warlock to shatter Stasis crystals is with a light attack (melee). Once a Stasis crystal is within striking distance, a simple melee will break it, triggering an AoE damage effect that can be amplified with certain Aspects and Fragments. This is the most basic method, but there are more nuances to the process.
Key Methods for Shattering Stasis Crystals:
- Melee Attacks: As mentioned, your standard melee is the primary tool for shattering nearby crystals. This is fast and reliable, allowing for quick follow-up attacks or movement.
- Cryoclasm Aspect (For Titans): While not a Warlock specific tool, Titans can use Cryoclasm to shatter crystals. Although Warlocks won’t be directly using this aspect, understand that if you’re playing with a Titan, they will be breaking your crystals for you.
- Weapons: Certain weapons are exceptionally proficient at shattering crystals. Some legendary weapons come with the Headstone perk and are useful for making stasis crystals, that can then be shattered for AoE damage. A lot of the time, these weapons will cause shattering damage that can shatter the created crystal itself.
- Stasis Super (Winter’s Wrath): Warlocks have a Stasis super called Winter’s Wrath. The secondary fire (Shatter Shockwave) of this super is capable of shattering frozen targets. While it doesn’t target crystals specifically, it can easily shatter large clusters of crystals, especially those created by the primary fire of the super.
- Abilities: Certain Warlock abilities can be used to create Stasis crystals that can then be shattered. This can be achieved through using your charged melee ability while sliding, which allows you to launch a wave of Stasis energy that creates crystals.
Optimizing Shattering
To maximize your crystal-shattering prowess:
- Build for Shatter Damage: Utilize Stasis Fragments like Whisper of Chains and Whisper of Shards that buff damage reduction and add extra melee energy respectively when shattering a crystal.
- Weapon Choice: Select weapons that create crystals, such as Verglas Curve, Eyasluna with Headstone, or Syncopation-53 with Headstone.
- Melee Energy Management: Pay attention to Stasis Shards. Picking them up provides melee energy, allowing you to generate crystals more frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can Warlocks shatter Stasis crystals with abilities other than melee?
While the primary method is melee, Warlocks can also use the Shatter Shockwave secondary attack from their Winter’s Wrath Super to shatter large clusters of crystals. Specific abilities, like the charged melee while sliding, are used to create crystals, which then can be shattered.
2. What is the best weapon for creating Stasis crystals for a Warlock?
The Verglas Curve Exotic Bow is often regarded as the best due to its ability to create Stasis crystals on demand. Other strong options include Eyasluna and Syncopation-53 with the Headstone perk.
3. Do all light attacks shatter Stasis crystals, or only charged melees?
Both light attacks and melee attacks will shatter Stasis crystals. It does not have to be a charge melee.
4. How do Stasis Aspects influence crystal shattering for Warlocks?
Iceflare Bolts are crucial. When you shatter Stasis crystals, they spawn seekers that will freeze nearby enemies. Frostpulse can also help by freezing enemies around you. This allows for easier, safer crystal generation and shattering.
5. How do Stasis Shards play into a shatter-focused build?
Stasis Shards grant melee energy when picked up by you or allies. This greatly enhances ability uptime, which is crucial for a shatter-focused playstyle as the melee allows to you make more crystals that you can then shatter.
6. What are the best Exotic armor pieces for a Stasis Warlock build focused on crystal shattering?
Osmiomancy Gloves stand out by granting two Coldsnap Grenade charges and improving their seeking abilities, which are great for freezing and crystal generation. Eye Of Another World is also a strong choice due to its universal ability buffs.
7. Can Stasis crystals be shattered with weapons?
Yes, weapons with the Headstone perk can shatter the Stasis crystals they create on final blows. Many stasis weapons such as Riptide, Cold Comfort, and Deliverance are also highly useful in a shatter based build.
8. Does the damage from shattering crystals scale with any stats?
While the damage doesn’t scale directly with player stats like strength or intellect, it can be amplified with certain Fragments, and by choosing the correct weapon perks.
9. What is the range of the AoE damage from shattering Stasis crystals?
The AoE damage range is not huge, but the radius can be increased by using the right perks, Aspects, and Fragments.
10. Is it worth using a shatter-focused build in PvE content?
Yes, a shatter-focused build is highly viable in PvE, particularly for crowd control and dealing with large groups of enemies.
11. How does the Warlock’s Stasis Super affect Stasis crystals?
The primary fire of the Winter’s Wrath Stasis Super freezes all enemies hit and can create Stasis crystals, while the Shatter Shockwave secondary attack shatters frozen enemies in its range.
12. Can allies shatter your Stasis crystals?
Yes, allies can shatter Stasis crystals you create, making teamwork very beneficial when running stasis based builds.
13. Are there specific Fragments that enhance Stasis crystal shattering?
Yes, Whisper of Shards provides extra melee energy upon shattering crystals. Whisper of Chains provides damage reduction when you are near a crystal. Whisper of Refraction provides class ability energy when you shatter crystals. Whisper of Durance increases the slow and duration of debuffs. Whisper of Torment grants grenade energy.
14. How can Warlocks generate Stasis Shards besides shattering crystals?
While shattering crystals is the primary method, Stasis shards can also be generated through certain abilities and Aspects, as well as the Harvest Aspect which can be used by all subclasses.
15. Are there any drawbacks to using a shatter-focused build?
Shatter-focused builds can be a bit reliant on generating Stasis crystals, and their effectiveness might depend on enemy placement and density. If you are facing single target bosses this type of build will not do much. However, once mastered it is extremely powerful in the correct circumstances.
By understanding these mechanics and frequently asked questions, you’ll be well-equipped to harness the full potential of Stasis crystals as a Warlock in Destiny 2.