Mastering The Elements

[hugedata]

The game imo does not do a very good job of explaining elemental towers so I'm going to make some educated guesses based on what I've observed.

- Each type of element tower applies a specific elemental debuff to the enemies and also does damage
- Spread applies a larger AOE debuff, but less damage, while focus applies a debuff to only 1 enemy at a time, but does more damage.
- If an enemy has an elemental debuff and is hit with another element that is synergic (green lines on the diagram) with the debuffed element, than it does bonus damage to the enemy.
- If an enemy has an elemental debuff and is hit with another element that is discordant (red lines on the diagram) then less damage is applied. (and maybe the original debuff is cancelled out???)

Is this about right?

[Tantheus]

Sounds logical!

[Mike@SmugMarmot]

- Each type of element tower applies a specific elemental debuff to the enemies and also does damage.

Correct

- Spread applies a larger AOE debuff, but less damage, while focus applies a debuff to only 1 enemy at a time, but does more damage.

No, spread targets an enemy that doesn't have the debuff. If all enemies have the debuff, it will target the one that expires first. No change in damage or aoe.

- If an enemy has an elemental debuff and is hit with another element that is synergic (green lines on the diagram) with the debuffed element, than it does bonus damage to the enemy.

The base damage is the same. It does bonus "effect" to the enemy- if it is fire, a higher damage DOT. If it is wind, a larger knockback. If it is sun, a higher % damage. If it is ice, a larger slow.

- If an enemy has an elemental debuff and is hit with another element that is discordant (red lines on the diagram) then less damage is applied. (and maybe the original debuff is cancelled out???)

It doesn't effect the base damage, just removes the elemental effect. For example: if it was fire, it removes the elemental effect, no more damage over time will tick, and subsequent terra and lightning hits will no longer get the boost from a fire synergy.


I hope this helps! I've been collecting feedback on what is confusing and will be updating the elemental guide in the next patch. It's hard to keep things brief, but give all the information that is needed.

[Mike@SmugMarmot]

Also - I updated the elemental guide to have some additional information - Based on questions from this post and on Discord.

[Drake]

Originally posted by new elemental guide:

When a tower is upgraded to be an elemental tower, it only gets a tiny boost in base damage, the true power of the tower comes from the elemental effect.

Anything the tower damages will have the elemental effect applied. The elemental effect applied is exactly the same for any tower type. Area of effect towers can apply these elemental hits to a large groups much quicker, where a large arrow tower attacks faster and is better at applying many stacks to a strong single target, such as a boss.

Elemental effects will wear off after 8 seconds, if not renewed by an additional hit with that element. Any stacks are removed when the elemental effect wears off or is negated by an opposing element. Elemental effects that stack are weak to start, and grow to be extremely powerful as stacks accumulate.

The power of synergy is quite large, with a single synergistic hit yielding 2.5 to 3 times greater of an elemental effect. Double synergised hits are 6 to 9 times more powerful than the base effect. This amplified effect isn’t necessarily a direct increase in damage, but an increase of the elements effect. For example, a wind hit will knock-back stronger if synergised, and much stronger if double synergised.

Generally, only one element can be double synergised at a time, so consideration should be given to what sets of elements will be used in sections of the defense. For example, with life + ice + water, only the ice will get the double synergised effect, which will result in slowing enemies even quicker, while life and water will get only the single synergy boost

[hugedata]

What would be most useful is showing a picture of what an efficient setup/use of towers is. With description of the effect each tower in the picture has/causes.