Swarmers was made for those who want to create the “pack master” build. This exotic enhances the abilities of your threadlings, and adds another way for them to spawn. Destroying a tangle will spawn Threadlings. For added damage, your Threadlings now unravel enemies that they damage. Unravel provides additional damage to an enemy overtime. The time they are damaged is increased if you use Thread of Continuity. With the added effects and spawning capabilities of Swarmers, we can really dive into our Threadlings and make them a meaningful addition to the battlefield.
Aspects
Weaver’s Call is a nice additional source of spawning Threadlings. When using your rift ability, it spawns 3 Threadlings. Not only that, but if you have any perched Threadlings (consuming your grenade, or any Threadling that did not find an enemy and returned) it will cast them out as well. This has a max spawning of 8 Threadlings at once. Mindspun Invocation is a great grenade enhancing aspect for this build. While you can always throw your grenade to spawn Threadlings in flight to land on enemies, the aspect provides the ability to consume your grenade to immediately gain 5 perched Threadlings (the max amount). While perched, they will either A) go out and attack enemies that you damage with your weapons one at a time. Or B), casting your rift will launch them all at once, plus an additional 3 with Weaver’s Call.
Fragment
Thread of Evolution is a simple, yet powerful fragment to this build, it allows the Threadlings to travel further, and deal more damage. Thread of Generation dealing damage will now generate grenade energy. This is the best way to keep your grenade charged so you can continuously throw out as many Threadlings as possible and as frequently as possible. Thread of Rebirth will be a major reason Strand weapons are not only recommended, but needed. All strand weapon final blows now have a chance of spawning Threadlings. This again pairs into our increase Threadling damage and traveling, and overall battlefield control. Thread of Binding super final blows create a suspending burst from the target. A nice to have, but could be swapped out for Thread of Continuity if you want to increase the Unravel damage duration of your Threadlings. Best used in harder content like Nightfalls or Master level dungeons/raids as the enemies won’t die immediately to the Threadling and take the added damage duration.
Weaver’s Call & Mindspun Invocation
Thread of Evolution
Threadlings travel further and deal more damage.
Thread of Generation
Dealing damage generates grenade energy.
Thread of Rebirth
Strand weapon final blows can now spawn Threadlings.
Thread of Binding
Super final blows emit suspending burst from the target.
Healing Rift
Provides a steady stream of healing while standing in it.
Burst Glide
Best overall movement jump for the Warlock.
Arcane Needle
Ranged attack, inflicts unravel, and has 3 charges.
Threadling Grenade
Immediately spawn 3 Threadlings. Best used when consumed.
The best strand primary exotic weapon. The reason we want a strand primary is to continuously have a chance of spawning Threadlings. Quicksilver is the hardest hitting strand exotic, that can also create tangles with it’s secondary firing mode final blows. Feel free to use an exotic heavy weapon instead, but ensure to still have a strand primary weapon type equipped.
Currently the strongest strand SMG available. Has create perks and stats for both a threadling build, or general.
A strong strand shotgun should you need to use a exotic heavy. Has great perks available to suit any playstyle
If you can get good perks on it, this strand linear can be a strong contender for your heavy weapon of choice.
Hatchling // Demolitionist
Any weapon with the above perks will benefit the build. Hatchling will be the perk to use with this build for even more Threadling spawning. They are a great source of additional damage at no extra cost of yourself. Demolitionist is a simply perk that produces grenade energy with any final blow. This is ideal for keeping your grenade energy charged throughout any encounter.
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Strand Siphon/Harmonic Siphon
Either one of these siphons works for the build. Recommend using the less expensive one that is currently available.
Ashes to Assets
Generate super energy on Grenade kills.
Font of Wisdom (opt)
Increase Intellect for a short while.
Firepower
Grenade final blows create Orbs of Power
Impact Induction
Causing damage with your Melee attack will reduce your grenade cooldown
Grenade Kickstarter (opt)
When using your grenade, generate grenade energy based on armor charges.
Element Resistance
Use the appropriate element resistance that corresponds with the activity you are doing.
Strand Weapon Surge
While having active armor charges, your Strand weapons damage is increased.
Innervation
Reduce grenade cooldown with each Orb of Power pickup
Absolution (opt)
Reduce all ability cooldowns with each Orb of Power pickup.
Time Dilation
You can retain armor charges for a longer period of time
Bomber
Reduce your grenade cooldown when you use your class ability
