Synthocep Solar Titan Build

Revenant

Last Updated:October 10, 2024|Changelog

Synthoceps Solar Titan, aka “Bonk Build” is a Titan classic that’s weathered the test of time. Great healing, damage and flexibility are just some of the great parts of the Titan’s melee abilities. Now, many swear by Strand being the only option, yet they forget which build was a day 1 choice until it came around. Also, it might not have crazy ignitions like other Solar builds, but you can keep using your Throwing Hammer and never die.

Just like any melee build with Titan, the key to the build is the exotic arms armor, Synthoceps. The armor perk Biotic Enhancements gives a massive damage boost to your melee and super while surrounded. On top of this, your weapon handling and reload speed are increased as well. This is also a great option for those looking to use glaives since they add a +100% increase to their melee damage.

Pros

Great enemy clear
Multiple weapon options
Consistent restoration and radiant buffs

Cons

Orbs are a must
Must scorch targets to get melee back

Gameplay Loop

The gameplay loop for Synthocep Solar Titan is very simple: run around and hit everything with your Throwing Hammer. Just because the hammer is your main tool of destruction doesn’t mean it’s the only tool you have. The aspect Sol Invictus provides an incredible amount of damage from its consistent scorching of surrounding targets while also healing you.

Now these sunspots won’t be able to take down a big boss, but they are a nuisance to enemies around the battlefield. Let’s talk about how you’re supposed to deal with bosses though. Burning Maul is a great option since you get great damage from Snythoceps while utilizing the benefits of Sol Invictus. This, along with Roaring Flames to boost your Solar damage you should be able to pack some serious heat.

Remember this is a great build for yourself vs something that is constantly benefitting your team. You won’t be soloing raid encounters with this setup, but I’d be shocked if you aren’t able to solo flawless most dungeons.

Ability Breakdown

Super

Burning Maul
- Summon a giant hammer that you can swap from light and heavy attacks with. Light attacks make you spin the hammer for fast and consistent damage. Heavy attacks have you slamming the hammer down to fire off a combustive blast. We chose this because of its great damage and shorter cooldown.

Abilities

Rally Barricade, We mainly choose this purely for the shorter cooldown versus the Towering Barricade.
Strafe Lift, Jump of your choice though!
Throwing Hammer: Throw a hammer from a distance. Picking up a thrown hammer fully recharges your melee ability. If the hammer hits a target, picking it up grants cure.
Healing Grenade, The perfect get out of jail free grenade. Using your hammer and sunspots should be enough to keep you healthy, but this is a great option for those just in case moments.

Consistent Solar ability final blows keeps up your radiant and restoration effects. Big part of what makes this build so strong.

Aspects

Sol Invictus: One of my favorite aspects in the game for its ability to hurt enemies while healing yourself. First getting final blows with anything solar results in a small sunspot activating Scorch on nearby targets. If you stand on these sunspots you gain Restoration and energy for your abilities.

Roaring Flames: A great way for increasing the damage of your hammer for simply using it!

Fragments

Ember of Torches: You'll already be using your melee consistently so you'll consistently have Radiant.
Ember of Empyrean: Consistently having Radiant and Restoration is great for healing and damage.
Ember of Solace: Just like Empyrean this is great for keeping buffs up.
Ember of Singeing: You'll always be scorching targets with sunspots so this is good to get that barricade back.

Gearing

Required Gear and Weapons

Synthoceps

How to acquire:

Purchase from Xur (his loot rotates weekly).
Decrypting exotic engrams at Rahool (it will be a random exotic drop, but will prioritize exotics you currently do not have, known as the knockout system).
Farm the expert lost sector on {insert leg, arm, chest, or helmet} Armor days.
Note: this exotic is not locked behind a DLC.
Completing the Exalting The Flame New Light quest from Ikora Rey

Kinetic Weapon: The Call - Rocket sidearms are incredibly strong right now so The Call is a perfect option.
Energy Weapon: Zaouli's Bane - Incredible hand cannon that you can acquire from the Kings Fall raid. Has a great perk pool that can be used on many builds.
Power Weapon: Dragon's Breath - High Ignition that are great for ad clear and overall boss damage. With its catalyst it can constantly auto reload itself for fast use.

Stat Priorities

Resilience > Discipline > Recovery.
Resilience is the amount of damage you can take before dying, as well as your shield capacity.
Discipline is what reduces your grenade cooldown.
Recovery is how long it takes for your health to regenerate after you take damage.

Learn more about the Stats available to you in Destiny 2 with our dedicated guide.

Armor Mods

Item	Slot	Mandatory Mods	Supporting Mods
Deep Explorer Helmet	Helmet	Special Ammo Finder Heavy Ammo Finder	Harmonic Siphon
Synthoceps	Gloves	Heavy Handed x3
Deep Explorer Plate	Chest	Solar Resistance Arc Resistance Void Resistance
Deep Explorer Greaves	Legs	Solar Weapon Surge Recuperation	Solar Weapon Surge
Deep Explorer Mark	Class Item	Powerful Attraction Reaper One-Two Finisher

Optional Mods:
- On your Helmet, add Harmonic Siphon for higher Orb of Power generation.
- On your Legs, add another Solar Weapon Surge for higher Solar weapon damage.

Armor Mods are unlocked by progressing your Guardian Rank. Check out the Guardian Ranks Guide for more information.

Artifact Mods

Since this build is very up close and personal you'll be able to finish targets more often. Mods like Total Carnage are big for adding to damage resistance while in the thick of it.
Since you're finishing targets more often you might as well use Debilitating Wave to continue the damage with a powerful wave.

Variants

Starter

Gear Swaps

Swap Zaouli's Bane for Sunshot.
- An easy swap with great ad clear that many beginning players have access to.
- How to acquire: Strang Offerings from Xur.
Swap Dragon's Breath for Speleologist.
- Great solar heavy option and easy to acquire in this current Destiny 2 Episode.
- How to acquire: Completing quests and decrypting Echo Engrams.

Summary

Bonk Titan has stood the test of time even with multiple changes and nerfs thrown its way. This classic setup is still a phenomenal option even with other powerful melee builds existing. Hopefully in the deep future we see some buffs to aspects like roaring flames to put Synthocep Solar Titan on par with Strand Banner Titan, but even now it's still a perfect option for most activities!

Credits

Written by: Byrdman

Reviewed by: Chunky, Dredscythe