Which first-tier talent for Chromie offers the biggest damage boost?
For the very first talent you can pick between 4 choices.
I was wondering what is the difference between Compounding Aether, Deep Breathing, and Timewalker's Pursuit in terms of damage.
Is it better to specialize into Dragon's Breath or Sand Blast for the corresponding damage boost?
Or should I use Timewalker's Pursuit for a flat 5% ability power?
Obviously there are various pros and cons to each choice with respect to other talents. I am trying to understand how effective the 5% ability power bonus is.
Best Answer
The 2017-09-05 patch notes for Chromie changed everything.
Mounting Sand, the (Q) talent, does not add to Chromie's damage directly. Instead, it allows accurate Chromie players to complete the innate (Q) quest more quickly. If you can land Q attacks without missing, it takes 31 hits without the talent or 21 hits with the talent to complete the innate (Q) quest. If you always hit except on a third consecutive attack, it takes 59 attacks to complete the innate (Q) quest with or without the talent.
Deep Breathing, the (W) talent, adds 140 damage to the W skill when the quest is complete.
TimeWalker's Pursuit, the passive talent, gives 5% spell power when the quest is complete. This amounts to 22 damage for Q and 52 damage for W at level 20. It should also be noted that getting to 15 health orbs is a lot easier now that there are two available per wave.
So now the tradeoffs and playstyles are much more obvious.
Do you want to do the most damage possible in the end or to clear minion waves and do a little damage to buildings/mercs? Take Deep Breathing.
Do you want to present a continuous threat and take the mana intensive Ultimate: Shifting Sands? Take TimeWalker's Pursuit.
Are you amazing with skill shots and want to unlock 40% extra damage on Q as quickly as possible? Take Mounting Sand.
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