Class and Combat Style Guides Updated April 4, 2026 by jornb

Arsenal Mercenary 7.8+

Arsenal Mercenary 7.8+

By [Sirk]Usaska

This guide provides a fixed rotation and tree specification for the Arsenal Mercenary in PvE. Arsenal is a reliable burst spec that excels in Operations and Flashpoints. While it can occasionally struggle with heat management, this specific setup is designed to keep your resource costs low while maintaining 30k+ DPS.

Skill Tree Setup (Single Target / Boss Focus)

This tree is optimized for boss encounters within Operations.

  • Level 23 Choice: If you find yourself struggling with heat issues, it is highly recommended to take the Right Side talent. This provides better resource management compared to the middle option, ensuring you don’t “bottom out” during long fights.

Stat Priority & Gear Setup

Arsenal benefits from a lower Alacrity threshold, allowing you to heavily invest in Critical for massive burst windows.

Accuracy

  • 2694 Accuracy (110%)
    The standard requirement to ensure your high-impact shells and missiles never miss the boss.

Alacrity

Target these specific breakpoints based on your gear availability:

  • 1.4s GCD: 1123 (4.14%) — Recommended for most players to maximize Critical.
  • 1.3s GCD: 4021 (12.38%)

Legendary Implants & Tactical

  • Legendary Implants: Concentrated Fire & Overcharged Cells
  • Tactical: Primed Ignition (Single Target)
    • Note: Primed Ignition is the “bread and butter” for your sustained damage, adding a burn effect to your primary attacks.

Stims, Adrenals & Relics

  • Relics: [Relic of Focused Retribution] and [Relic of Serendipitous Assault].
  • Adrenal: Use a Critical Adrenal during burn phases to capitalize on the spec’s high crit multiplier.

Core Fixed Rotation

Before the pull, use Recharge and Reload to gain 10 stacks of Supercharge. This ensures your High Velocity Supercharged Gas is ready immediately.

The Opener/Main Loop:

  1. Primed Ignition (via Tracer Missile): Apply your tactical burn.
  2. High Velocity Supercharged Gas: Activate for increased armor penetration and alacrity.
  3. Tracer Missile: Build your Tracer Lock stacks.
  4. Heatseekers: Use on cooldown for massive burst.
  5. Rail Shot: Use with 5 stacks of Tracer Lock.
  6. Blazing Bolts: Use on proc/cooldown.
  7. Priming Shot: Use to make your next Tracer Missile instant.

Playstyle Notes

  • Pre-Pull: Always start the fight with 10 stacks of Supercharge.
  • Heat Management: If your Heat climbs above 40%, use Vent Heat or prioritize basic attacks for a GCD to allow the passive cooling to catch up.
  • Mobility: Arsenal is quite stationary, but Priming Shot and Power Glide can help you keep the DPS up while repositioning.
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