Why do guides take Ambush Snipe for Nova?
I read a lot of guides on how to build Nova in Heroes of the Storm. They all recommend taking Ambush Snipe for level 1 talent over Psi-Op Rangefinder. However, Ambush Snipe only gives bonus to while cloaked or 1 second before going into cloak. This becomes almost useless in late game since at level 16, Crippling Shot gives a 25% to damage boost and it is recommended for all the guide I read.
The rotation opens with Crippling so you get the 25% and now Ambush Snipe is not active anymore. The early game lasts only so long, I don't understands why Ambush Snipe is highly recommended when 20% range in the late game is much better
Best Answer
You're missing a very key part of the ambush snipe skill. The bonus damage applies when fired from cloak or a second after decloaking. This means that you can open with crippling shot and immediately fire a snipe. Both bonuses will apply and stack, resulting in insane damage.
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RAPID SNIPE NOVA GUIDE – Heroes of the Storm
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Answer 2
The general idea behind taking Ambush Snipe over other talents is that you won't use Pinning Shot for the 25% increased damage on level 16. Instead, you will take Overdrive so that you can use overdrive just before opening and get 45% increased damage on Snipe followed by a 330% hot shots basic attack, which in turn provides more burst. Also the Precision Strike deals 25% more damage to anyone it hits while overdrive is active.
So your rotation changes a bit:
- (2) Overdrive
- (Q) Snipe
- Auto Attack
- (W) Pinning Shot
- (1) Rewind
- (Q) Snipe
- (R) Precision Strike
Since overdrive doesn't break cloak, you get to deal more burst. Also Overdrive + Precision Strike is far more deadly than Triple Tap if you can hit multiple targets. It's a real nice wombo combo material, these Overdrive and Precision Strike talents.
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