Zephyr god roll & best perks

Inspired by @PodvsEnemies Podcast vs Enemies episode 91 (https://open.spotify.com/episode/50NPk7xF3Tt6X3DVucE9jU?si=44d2b7d44a5a4aec) with @CourtProjects and @ImpetusAlways. First-choice PvE pick for add clearing Minor Spec enemies in general content. Zephyr's stats are much like any other adaptive sword, except the DSC raid-drop Bequest. For add clearing, it doesn't really do anything that other swords don't already cover, but if you don't have one yet for add clearing, the a mag boosting blade slot perk keeps you slashing for longer. Swordmaster's Guard is the usual recommendation for swords, but don't discount other guards that help with guarding stats as you'll be up close and will probably need the damage resistance. In the first trait slot, as the support perk, Tireless Blade or Relentless Strikes return ammo, or Unrelenting recovers health. In the second, you could use Chain Reaction for the explosions to help clear adds, or Surrounded or Collective Action for additional damage to help clear bulkier Minor spec and the occasional Major spec enemies. The Dawning Surprise origin trait is very useful in PvE - when the behind the scenes counter hits 100, the surprise is spawned on the ground for 10s and grants 10% energy to all abilities, grants 20HP and starts shield/health regeneration. Recommended MW: Impact, with a damage boosting (Major or Taken Spec) mod.|tags: PvE, PvE-Boss, PvE-MajorSpec, PvE-Champion, PvE-EndGame, PvE-God, M+KB, Controller

Essential perks

Swordmaster's Guard

Strong alternatives

Enduring Blade Relentless Strikes Surrounded Hungry Edge Tireless Blade Tempered Edge Unrelenting Chain Reaction Collective Action

Inspired by @PodvsEnemies Podcast vs Enemies episode 91 (https://open.spotify.com/episode/50NPk7xF3Tt6X3DVucE9jU?si=44d2b7d44a5a4aec) with @CourtProjects and @ImpetusAlways. First-choice PvE pick for burst damage against Major Spec enemies and Champions in end-game content, particularly with a Stasis subclass. Zephyr's stats are much like any other adaptive sword, except the DSC raid-drop Bequest. But it has a trick that now other sword can do - the Cold Steel trait perk. For single target damage, the additional damage from Jagged Edge is the best choice, although Honed Edge and Tempered Edge are decent alternatives. Swordmaster's Guard is the usual recommendation for swords, but don't discount other guards that help with guarding stats as you'll be up close and will probably need the damage resistance. As your trait perk combination, both Relentless Strikes and Cold Steel proc off three hits, with the first two Cold Steel hits Stasis slowing and the third hit freezing enemies. That covers Overload and Unstoppable Champions. Throw on Radiant from a solar subclass to cover Barriers too, and you have the sword equivalent of Riptide which will freeze lock Majors with every third hit, and which you can apply Stasis subclass fragments too as well. The Dawning Surprise origin trait is very useful in PvE - when the behind the scenes counter hits 100, the surprise is spawned on the ground for 10s and grants 10% energy to all abilities, grants 20HP and starts shield/health regeneration. Recommended MW: Impact, with a damage boosting (Major or Taken Spec) mod.|tags: PvE, PvE-Boss, PvE-MajorSpec, PvE-Champion, PvE-EndGame, PvE-God, M+KB, Controller

Essential perks

Swordmaster's Guard Relentless Strikes Cold Steel

Strong alternatives

Jagged Edge Honed Edge Tempered Edge

Inspired by @PodvsEnemies Podcast vs Enemies episode 91 (https://open.spotify.com/episode/50NPk7xF3Tt6X3DVucE9jU?si=44d2b7d44a5a4aec) with @CourtProjects and @ImpetusAlways. First-choice PvE pick for burst damage against Major Spec enemies in end-game content. Zephyr's stats are much like any other adaptive sword, except the DSC raid-drop Bequest. For single target damage it doesn't really do anything that other swords don't already cover, but if you don't have one yet for boss damage, the additional damage from Jagged Edge is the best choice, although Honed Edge and Tempered Edge are decent alternatives. Swordmaster's Guard is the usual recommendation for swords, but don't discount other guards that help with guarding stats as you'll be up close and will probably need the damage resistance. For burst damage, Relentless Strikes returns ammo on every third hit and Surrounded boosts damage by 35% if there are enemies nearby - this can be useful in crowded boss fights. The Dawning Surprise origin trait is very useful in PvE - when the behind the scenes counter hits 100, the surprise is spawned on the ground for 10s and grants 10% energy to all abilities, grants 20HP and starts shield/health regeneration. Recommended MW: Impact, with a damage boosting (Major or Taken Spec) mod.|tags: PvE, PvE-Boss, PvE-MajorSpec, PvE-EndGame, PvE-God, M+KB, Controller

Essential perks

Swordmaster's Guard Relentless Strikes Surrounded

Strong alternatives

Jagged Edge Honed Edge Tempered Edge

Inspired by @PodvsEnemies Podcast vs Enemies episode 91 (https://open.spotify.com/episode/50NPk7xF3Tt6X3DVucE9jU?si=44d2b7d44a5a4aec) with @CourtProjects and @ImpetusAlways. First-choice PvE pick for sustained damage against Boss Spec enemies in end-game content. Zephyr's stats are much like any other adaptive sword, except the DSC raid-drop Bequest. For single target damage it doesn't really do anything that other swords don't already cover, but if you don't have one for boss damage, yet the additional damage from Jagged Edge is the best choice, although Honed Edge and Tempered Edge are decent alternatives. Swordmaster's Guard is the usual recommendation for swords, but don't discount other guards that help with guarding stats as you'll be up close and will probably need the damage resistance. For burst damage, Relentless Strikes returns ammo on every third hit and Whirlwind Blade can quickly boost damage by 30% after 10 hits. The Dawning Surprise origin trait is very useful in PvE - when the behind the scenes counter hits 100, the surprise is spawned on the ground for 10s and grants 10% energy to all abilities, grants 20HP and starts shield/health regeneration. Recommended MW: Impact, with a damage boosting (Major or Taken Spec) mod.|tags: PvE, PvE-Boss, PvE-MajorSpec, PvE-Champion, PvE-EndGame, PvE-God, M+KB, Controller

Essential perks

Swordmaster's Guard Relentless Strikes Whirlwind Blade

Strong alternatives

Jagged Edge Honed Edge Tempered Edge

Panda (PvE / M+KB / Controller): "Cold Steel is Zephyr's claim to fame. Zephyr is the only sword with Cold Steel and you'll want to stack as many charge time benefits as possible. Duelist's Trance grants +60 to charge rate and both Guard Resistance and Endurance. This all allows you to heavy swing more frequently. Stacking the extra slow debuff faster. Tempered Edge also gives you more ammo while adding more impact as well. Dealing better damage is always good." Recommended MW: Impact.

Essential perks

Swordmaster's Guard Tempered Edge Cold Steel Duelist's Trance

Panda (PvP / M+KB / Controller): "Zephyr was one of my favorite swords when it was introduced in season 2. I still think it looks incredible. In PvP you'll want some good guard resistance so you can get close and if you happen to have multiple enemies stacked up you can get Chain Reaction kills. More booms equals better, no?" Recommended MW: Impact.

Essential perks

Chain Reaction Tireless Blade Burst Guard Jagged Edge

Stallion (PvE / M+KB / Controller): "I won't lie, I straight lifted this roll from last years post because I never got it and I still think it could be interesting for a stasis build. Wellspring to keep your abilities up, which will in turn provide slow/freeze in combination with Cold Steel to leave targets more vulnerable to more attacks. There is potential for a fun cycle there, and it utilises Cold Steel which is what makes this sword particularly unique." Recommended MW: Impact.

Essential perks

Swordmaster's Guard Wellspring Cold Steel Jagged Edge

Stallion (PvP / M+KB / Controller): "Unfortunately, Zephyr would not be my first pick for PvP swords. Its not craftable, Cold Steel is pointless and its not an interesting frame. BUT. This would be what I'd take into PvP if I had to. Duelist benefits the player after a kill until you put the sword away, but since heavy is not very frequent in PvP, you're likely gonna commit to using all your ammo up. So Duelist gives the best benefit in slot imo. Vorpal is a nice safety net incase your heavy spawn gets assaulted by a super (I've seen it happen, it's terrifying), you might be able to fight back a little easier." Recommended MW: Impact.

Essential perks

Swordmaster's Guard Vorpal Weapon Jagged Edge Duelist's Trance