This right here, could be a simple ward mitigation when you enter the expedition per creature family, i.e. Ancient and Corruption as we’ve seen in the Ennead expedition and would the need to remove Ward perk from gear and allow players to use better gear where Ward perk is not needed adding a extra layer of protection from a more desired 3rd perk.
What would be interesting is what would the existing perk on current gear with ward be changed to? It may sound as simple as just add a blanket ward affix percentage to the expedition for resistance, but It won’t solve the existing ward perk that can already be looted and crafted on gear.
Furthermore, the gems and mutations. Right now, we’re experiencing lightning and fire elemental damage throughout the Ennead expedition where ideally, Fire and Lightning resistance potions would be preferred since you would use other gems slotted for the mutation in its self. So, you have a lot factors playing into this expedition alone aside from the other existing expeditions where we mainly deal with one main elemental mainly where in Ennead, there’s multiple, so, the question is, what is going to be the optimal gear to mitigate all these phys/ele damage? Honestly, right now, no one knows for sure, players are going in there with non-ward gear but slot Opal and Onyx gems for phys/ele mitigation, with their decently outfitted PvE gear, but when the mutation comes out, players are going to sacrifice those gems for elemental gems to mitigate the Mutation debuffs and what other elemental that comes with the mutation, so, in reality, from the whole expedition, you’re going to deal with Fire, Lightning and let’s say Void for the mutation.
So, let’s break that down also:
Recommended Consumables:
Fire resistance potion
Lightning resistance potion
Corruption Ward potions
Ancient Ward potions
Corruption Weapon Coatings
Ancient Weapon Coatings
Attribute food
Honing Stones
Normal Ennead Gem Gear Slots:
Onyx and Opal OR Diamonds
Ennead Mutation Gear:
Amethyst (for Void mutation)
Corruption Ward (full gear)
Ancient Ward (full gear)
Include all consumables
This is a laundry list most players are going to hate to bring to one expedition. Currently, at 625GS/Expertise and regularly conduct M10’s, I mainly use Weapon Coatings, bring Ward potions and attribute food. The Ruby gems slotted in Corruption Ward gear mitigate the Fire (this weeks Tempest Heart mutation) pretty decent to where I don’t need to use Fire resistance potions. Very manageable with a competent group and a good healer.
I’m not saying I’m not going to try the new expedition, but going in there fully prepared is what the mind set should be for all players weather it’s your first time or 20th time. And since it’s mostly Corrupted and Ancients, Spear and War Hammers are ideal but I know for sure most players will want to bring in their Great Sword which is ok even though it don’t have much CC unlike Spear and WH, it will be fun to use still to get used to the GS mechanics.
I’m pretty excited about the new expedition, just not overly excited about brining a plethora of consumables for normal and 2 ward sets when Ennead gets mutated, it’s just going to be a nightmare.