Iceborne Augments: Affinity or Element?

[Bib Fortuna]

I've finally started to get the parts for my DB augments, and after Health Regen, I'm not sure if I should go with Affinity (2 slots) or Element (1 slot x2).

Is it better to get the +10% Affinity or the +30x2 element damage for DBs?

Thanks!

[Mandalorian Deathknight]

from the builds i read about DB users go Element if i am wrong then i am sorry
With DB fast attacks they get status effects on quicker

[JebKerman]

Well, you can remove augments after they're applied while forfeiting only the 'points' cost of mod. So you could try both for yourself and see which yields larger numbers/better results yourself.

My gut says Affinity. But, since dual blades are element oriented, and I don't use them much personally, there may be more mileage to be obtained from the Elemental augments.

[Just Life]

I don't use DB but bows are in the same boat when it comes to crit elements. If the same concept applies, best to go for element damage.

You only go for Affinity if you can't reach 100% Affinity.
Crit Eye level 7 (40%)
Agitator level 1 (5% when monster is enraged)
Weakness Exploit level 3 (30% on weakspots and +20% on wounded parts)

With the 3 skill above, you're at 95% when hitting wounded weakspots while the monster is enraged. If your weapon has built in affinity +10%, you'll easily hit 100% with just Crit Eye and Weakness Exploit.

[Bib Fortuna]

Originally posted by JebKerman:

Well, you can remove augments after they're applied while forfeiting only the 'points' cost of mod. So you could try both for yourself and see which yields larger numbers/better results yourself.

My gut says Affinity. But, since dual blades are element oriented, and I don't use them much personally, there may be more mileage to be obtained from the Elemental augments.

Interesting, so you are saying that if I replace an augment, I get the parts back from that augment or does it stay in a pool of upgrades to use later, like decorations? That part is kind of confusing.

[JebKerman]

Originally posted by Bib Fortuna:

Originally posted by JebKerman:

Well, you can remove augments after they're applied while forfeiting only the 'points' cost of mod. So you could try both for yourself and see which yields larger numbers/better results yourself.

My gut says Affinity. But, since dual blades are element oriented, and I don't use them much personally, there may be more mileage to be obtained from the Elemental augments.

Interesting, so you are saying that if I replace an augment, I get the parts back from that augment or does it stay in a pool of upgrades to use later, like decorations? That part is kind of confusing.

When in the augment screen you have the option to '"Rollback/Remove" Upgrade'.

Doing so fully refunds all the materials used to apply the augment(s). So you only lose the few hundred or so points used to apply the augment (and the 10 points used to remove the augment).

[Bib Fortuna]

Originally posted by JebKerman:

Originally posted by Bib Fortuna:

Interesting, so you are saying that if I replace an augment, I get the parts back from that augment or does it stay in a pool of upgrades to use later, like decorations? That part is kind of confusing.

When in the augment screen you have the option to '"Rollback/Remove" Upgrade'.

Doing so fully refunds all the materials used to apply the augment(s). So you only lose the few hundred or so points used to apply the augment (and the 10 points used to remove the augment).

Great, thanks so much!

[Princess Chloe]

the answer is element, db uses element, if you aren't element matching and using a silver rathalos true crit element build with DB you doin' it wrong. the low motion value on their attacks doesn't really support raw dmg.

health aug + as much element and slot as you can get, rarity 10 db's like beotodus will out perform anything else once properly aug'd and true crit element is beyond broken, its basically manditory for bow and DB because element is how those weapons do damage in the first place

or just wait for safi and farm up 1 of every safi'jiiva DB

[Xedhadeaus]

I wonder if agitator is something more people should use since you can force a monster into rage mode by slapping it in the face 3 times...

[Bib Fortuna]

Another question. I see that after adding in Health and Element lvl 1, they offer only a lvl 2 version. Does the lvl 2 version stack with the lvl 1 or does it replace the lvl 1? I can always wait and see when I get enough mats for lvl 2 but I thought I'd ask anyway.

Thanks!

[WobblyAubrey]

You should be going for the max elemental augment on DB's.

[Ragosta tin Dei]

Usually pref element unless you're going for 100 crits or your weap has atrocious affinity. Sometimes you don't get a choice, esp in lvl 11's where the slots are weird.

[WobblyAubrey]

Originally posted by Bib Fortuna:

Another question. I see that after adding in Health and Element lvl 1, they offer only a lvl 2 version. Does the lvl 2 version stack with the lvl 1 or does it replace the lvl 1? I can always wait and see when I get enough mats for lvl 2 but I thought I'd ask anyway.

Thanks!

It works in the same way that upgrading an amulet does. It doesn't create another buff that it stacks with, just increases the buff.

[็Oni]

Both for sure 100%
- Depend wut u trying to build.
- Bow ( 1 Affinity ) the rest go for Element

[JebKerman]

Originally posted by Bib Fortuna:

Another question. I see that after adding in Health and Element lvl 1, they offer only a lvl 2 version. Does the lvl 2 version stack with the lvl 1 or does it replace the lvl 1? I can always wait and see when I get enough mats for lvl 2 but I thought I'd ask anyway.

Thanks!

Kind of both.
The effect of the augment is improved, but replaced.
The augment itself is stacked on top its previous level, when you rollback you do it one level at a time.