The Ultimate Strand Warlock Arsenal: Picking the Best Exotic Weapon

The best Exotic weapon for a Strand Warlock is Osteo Striga paired with Necrotic Grips. This combination leverages Osteo Striga’s intrinsic poison damage, amplifying it with Necrotic Grips to create a devastatingly effective area-of-effect damage dealer and crowd control powerhouse. While other Strand weapons offer synergy, Osteo Striga’s ability to rapidly spread poison makes it exceptionally potent when combined with the Strand Warlock’s kit, particularly when focusing on Suspend and Weave mechanics.

Diving Deep: Why Osteo Striga Reigns Supreme

Let’s break down exactly why Osteo Striga with Necrotic Grips is the apex predator of Strand Warlock exotic weapon choices:

• Poison Propagation: Osteo Striga’s projectiles inflict a potent poison that not only damages the initial target but also spreads to nearby enemies upon death. This is especially useful when dealing with groups of Unstoppable and Overload Champions.
• Necrotic Synergy: Necrotic Grips amplify this effect significantly. The poison damage is increased, and the spread range becomes even more substantial. This creates a cascading effect where a single kill can trigger a chain reaction, wiping out entire waves of enemies.
• Strand Synergies: While not a Strand weapon itself, the poison inflicted by Osteo Striga effectively sets up enemies for Strand abilities. Suspended enemies are perfect targets for the poison, and the constant damage ticks help to proc Fragment effects.
• Ease of Use: Osteo Striga is relatively easy to acquire and incredibly user-friendly. Its high rate of fire and generous magazine size make it forgiving, while its effectiveness in both PvE and PvP scenarios is undeniable.

Honorable Mentions: Other Strong Exotic Contenders

While Osteo Striga reigns supreme, several other Exotic weapons can still shine in a Strand Warlock build. These options each bring unique benefits:

• Quicksilver Storm (with Catalyst): Once the Catalyst is completed, Quicksilver Storm becomes a Strand auto rifle. Its grenade launcher mode provides excellent burst damage, and the full-auto fire allows for consistent application of Strand debuffs like Sever. The Games Learning Society can help you better understand game mechanics for optimal gameplay. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org.
• Final Warning: This kinetic sidearm is an excellent contender because of its unique perk that allows players to lock on targets and fire homing bullets which can devastate opponents in PvP.
• Witherhoard: Although Witherhoard is a kinetic grenade launcher it offers unparalleled crowd control by creating pools of blight. Its a great support weapon for Strand Warlock and deals damage over time to a large area.

Building Your Strand Warlock: Essential Considerations

Beyond the Exotic weapon, several other factors contribute to a successful Strand Warlock build:

• Aspects:
  • Mindspun Invocation: This Aspect enhances your grenades. Consuming a grapple grenade creates two Threadling grenades, consuming shackle grenades grants you woven mail and suspending nearby targets, and consuming a weavewalk grenade reloads your equipped weapon and grants increased handling.
  • Weaver’s Trance: Melee kills create Threadlings. Final blows from Threadlings create a Unraveling Rounds on your equipped weapon.
• Fragments: Fragments further customize your build. Consider using:
  • Thread of Generation: Dealing damage with Strand weapons grants grenade energy.
  • Thread of Warding: Picking up an orb of power grants woven mail.
  • Thread of Evolution: Threadlings travel farther and deal additional damage.
  • Thread of Finality: Final blows with your finisher create a Threadling.
• Stats: Prioritize Discipline for faster grenade cooldowns, followed by Resilience for survivability and Recovery for health regeneration.
• Mods: Weapon and armor mods can drastically improve the efficiency of your build. Use mods such as:
  • Grenade Kickstart: Provides grenade energy after using your grenade.
  • Weapon Surge Mods: Boosts your weapon damage of specific weapon types and damage types.
  • Orbs of Restoration: Grants you energy to specific abilities when picking up orbs of power.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Osteo Striga difficult to acquire?

No. Osteo Striga is acquired by completing The Witch Queen campaign on Legendary difficulty, or via crafting if you dismantled it after completing the campaign.

2. Can other Exotic armor pieces work well with Strand Warlock?

Yes. While Necrotic Grips offer exceptional synergy with Osteo Striga, other options like Karnstein Armlets for melee-focused builds, or Verity’s Brow for faster ability regeneration after a weapon kill can be effective.

3. Are there any legendary Strand weapons worth considering?

Absolutely. Weapons with the Hatchling perk or Unraveling Rounds can synergize well with Strand builds.

4. How does Suspend work with Osteo Striga and Necrotic Grips?

Suspending enemies makes them easier targets for Osteo Striga’s poison. The sustained damage from the poison keeps them suspended longer and helps proc fragment effects.

5. What’s the best way to use Shackle Grenades?

Shackle Grenades are excellent for crowd control. Use them to suspend groups of enemies, making them vulnerable to Osteo Striga’s poison or other high-damage attacks.

6. Does Mantle of Battle Harmony work with Strand?

Yes. Kills with Strand weapons while wearing Mantle of Battle Harmony grant additional Super energy.

7. Can Warlocks suspend enemies?

Yes. All classes can suspend enemies, but the Warlock’s Shackle Grenades and certain Aspects/Fragments make them particularly adept at it.

8. Is Strand Warlock good in PvP?

Strand Warlock is very strong in PvP. The mobility offered by the Grapple ability, combined with the crowd control of Shackle Grenades, makes them a formidable opponent.

9. Which Super is best for Strand Warlock?

The Needle Storm super is a very strong option because it deals a lot of damage and can be used to clear large groups of enemies.

10. How important is Resilience for Warlocks?

Resilience is crucial for survivability, especially in endgame content. Aim for at least 80-100 Resilience to reduce incoming damage.

11. Does the Threadling grenade proc Weavewalk?

Yes, it does. Any Threadling grenade can trigger the Weavewalk Aspect, granting invisibility and damage resistance.

12. Can Strand Warlocks unravel enemies?

Yes. Certain Fragments and weapon perks, like Unraveling Rounds, allow Strand Warlocks to unravel enemies.

13. What other stats should I focus on besides Discipline and Resilience?

Recovery is important for health regeneration, and Intellect can reduce your Super cooldown time. However, Discipline and Resilience should be prioritized.

14. Does the Season Pass Strand Auto Rifle synergize well with Strand Warlock?

Yes. Perpetualis is a strong Auto Rifle with Unraveling Rounds, making it a good choice for Strand Warlocks looking for weapon synergies.

15. What are the best mods to use with this build?

Grenade Kickstart, Ashes to Assets, and Elemental Ordnance are all excellent mods for a Strand Warlock build. Weapon Surge mods that match your weapon type can significantly boost damage.

By understanding these nuances and experimenting with different combinations, you can craft a Strand Warlock build that suits your playstyle and excels in any content Destiny 2 throws your way. Remember, the true power lies not just in the gear, but in understanding how to use it effectively.