Roar vs Eclipse vs Xata’s. Which damage buffing ability is the best? Which is right for you?

Lot’s of players always have this question on which buff to use. Here is a quick rundown on how they work and a rushed logic map to find out which one works for you.

Xata’s Whisper 25 Energy: Inflicts one extra instance of damage for 26% weapon damage as void damage (per damage instance so multi shot works with it, I.E. a shotgun with 8 pellets will shoot it’s regular 8 pellets then also 8 more pellets from this ability) for 35s. Can proc void status effect based on weapon status chance. (Void status effect is like a miniature mag bubble attached to an enemy, if it procs on a headshot the void bubble will attract bullets that hit the bubble to the head and will also reset sentient resistances.) Double dips on factions mods (damage is scaled after faction mods then applies faction mods again. Meaning this is stronger than roar for all weapons if you’re already using faction mods) and double dips on the 50% chance to do 2000% more damage on non critical hits for the incarnon weapons perk.

Roar (helminth) 75 Energy: Increases damage of you and nearby allies within 25m by 30% for 30s. Increases damage of abilities. This damage is the same as faction mod multipliers. Not much else to be said about this.

Eclipse (helminth) 25 Energy: While standing in light grant yourself up to a 150% (depending on lighting) weapon damage bonus, while standing in darkness grant yourself up to a 75% (can be reduced with negative strength but not increased with more strength) damage reduction bonus for 25s. The bonus is relative to the amount of light you’re standing in. The damage bonus is applied after faction bonuses (multiplies total damage by 150% at base strength). Damage reduction does not work on toxin damage, who knows why.

Given this information there’s a few objective pros and cons for each.

-Roar has 3x the energy cost of the other abilities, affects allies in range, works on abilities, works as a faction multiplier, has average duration comparatively.

-Xata’s Whisper is tied for lowest energy cost of the three with Eclipse, double dips on faction multipliers and the specific Incarnon evolution, has the highest duration, applies a status effect that works for CO and the like.

-Eclipse is tied for lowest energy cost of the three with Xata’s, multiplies total damage, reliant of environments lighting, lowest duration.

Lets use logic to find what will give you the most damage in specific situations.

If you’re planning on a lot of your damage coming directly from abilities, you pick Roar as that is the only ability that affects ability damage.
If you’re using Incarnon weapons Xata’s whisper wins because of it’s ability to double dip on devouring attrition. This gets 2nd priority to Roar if I’m also using a frame with damaging abilities as usually using Roar to buff my abilities will lead to overall more dead enemies than overkilling a few enemies by millions of damage. For example Roar on Xaku or Octavia gets priority over using Xata’s Whisper for Incarnon weapons.
If you’re using any weapon that is not an Incarnon weapon and you’re fine with the inconsistency of environmental lighting affecting your damage then assuming you have the best lighting Eclipse will give you the biggest damage buff for weapons.

If you’re not ok with the inconsistency of Eclipse and you’re not using Incarnon weapons or abilities as your main source of damage it gets a little complicated. Your two options are now Xata’s or Roar.

If you want to buff your allies, you pick Roar.
If you’re already using faction mods on your weapons, you pick Xata’s Whisper. ((100 base damage • 55% Faction) • Xata’s multiplier • another 55% Faction) + (100 base damage • 55% Faction) = Total damage with Xata’s vs… 100 base damage • (55% Faction + Roar buff) = Total damage with Roar
If you’re not using faction mods then you use Roar assuming you’re ok with the higher energy cost and lower duration.
If you’re not ok with the higher energy cost and lower duration on roar compared to Xata’s then use Xata’s for about 15% less damage buff than using Roar (15% lower BUFF not overall damage!).