I completed this challenge yesterday as ret at 662ilvl w/ lvl 65 Brann in dps spec with the Augment chip and the bio printer. I also ran this encounter as herald of the sun for what I think is better self healing. Here are some notes I hope others find valuable:
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On details, Brann’s damage appears to be quite bad. However, where in prior attempts with other curios the Underpin’s shield would last 10-13 seconds, with the augment chip and perhaps better CD usage on my end, I got the shields down in sometimes as little as 5 seconds. This is imperative. The quicker the shield goes down, the more actual damage goes into the Underpin after you’ve dealt with the adds.
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The first round of adds must be destroyed before you pop his first shield, and you need to pop the shield before a second round of adds can be summoned. Why? You’re setting up the rest of the fight to go in more ideal phases. You’ll usually only need to defeat one group of adds per every shield use, since the shield is no longer health percentage based. You’ll get into the cadence of popping his shield, doing damage, dodging swirlies, and then kicking bombs into adds and killing them ASAP before the next shield comes. When the shield is down, you’ll need to content with his other mechanics but it shouldn’t cause a new wave of adds to be spawned any sooner.
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When aiming bombs at the adds, aim them at the center add if they’re in a neat row of 5. This ensures the bomb hits all of them. You will inevitably run into add spawning getting messed up, like three near you and two on the other side of a line of dead adds. IMO? Ignore those who spawned far away. Dodging their mechanics is chaotic but not challenging, and dragging the boss over to them will only make it worse. Brann will be out of position, the boss will jump to wherever he is (probably smack in the center,) then he’ll flame thrower, spawn more adds in an even worse position, and then he’ll just stand in that bomb that’s about to go off you thought you had safely kicked out of the way. It’s madness. If you are bad at bomball aiming, don’t be afraid to dps down adds who only have a third of their life left. Do your best not to let any adds still be alive when the shield starts. These mechanics snowball quickly in this fight. Do your best to stave that off as long as possible.
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While the interact key is very helpful, sometimes you’re better off clicking on the bomb. Especially when you’re in the oil. The interact key only works when you’re facing something and I found that very annoying when you’re trying to skate by a bomb and kick it somewhere, only to not be facing it and just pass it by. Also, the range on interaction with the bombs is comically limited. Blizzard, please never do this mechanic again.
And that’s all I’ve got. Good luck guys - this fight stinks, but I believe in you.