Getting a full set of Echoes worth using in Wuthering Waves is incredibly difficult due to all of the RNG involved. You might consider using off-set pieces to create a build, but is that really worth your time?
One look at one of the Echo sets in Wuthering Waves, and you’ll probably think it’s mandatory to build a full set thanks to powerful the set bonuses. However, to make a character viable and function at a high level, you should consider off-set pieces only before grinding out a full set — let’s get to the why.
Should you use off-set Echoes in Wuthering Waves?
First, and this one is really important, you’re heavily limited in what you can farm in Wuthering Waves, especially as a free-to-play player. Your Waveplates, (Stamina in Wuthering Waves), are a very finite resource, and it is especially valuable if you’re just getting started. Beyond Echoes, you need Waveplates to farm for character/weapon ascension materials, weekly bosses, and experience, among other various stuff. You really shouldn’t waste your Waveplates on trying to farm out a set early on with so many other things you need to be grinding for.
Secondly, off-set pieces can still give you amazing stats to work with. While many Echo sets are a massive boost to a character’s DPS, the stats on your Echoes are far more important, and offer a lot more. You can make a character completely capable of tackling the Tower of Adversity without set bonuses because the raw stats on an Echo are just more impactful overall. Case in point, I am well into progression with the Tower of Adversity, and I’ve been using off-set pieces on all of my characters right from the start.
This isn’t to say you shouldn’t use set bonuses if you can. If you’re extremely lucky and get a full “4,3,3,1,1” Echo set with the proper stats, then you should absolutely invest in it. I’m just saying that grinding for a set right now is not an efficient use of your limited resources.
Remember, you can also sacrifice a leveled-up Echo for a significant amount of Echo experience into another Echo. This method allows you to build off-set Echoes and convert them into set pieces later, once you get a hold of some. This method is far more efficient, and you’ll use fewer Tuners trying to get the best possible stats on a set.
What stats should you use on off-set Echoes?
If you’re building a character, then, as always, hunt for DPS stats like ATK%, CRIT RATE, and CRIT DMG. No matter what you’re using, you will always need these stats, and a high concentration of these three alone is enough to overtake most set bonuses already. This is why off-set Echo setups are viable for content. Eventually, you’ll want to transition into using Echo set bonuses, but don’t rush into it and dry up all your resources. You’ll seriously regret that.
