Effect stacking

This page aims to document the detailed workings of how various effects work with each other. A common question in new players chat is 'what devices stack with each other' This is also known as 'buff stacking' but can also refer to debuff stacking as well.

Mechanics of stacking Effects

The simple rule to keep in mind is that Effects of the same name do not stack with each other.

When effects do not stack, only the largest one is used. If an effect is "activated" or "equipped", that is considered part of the effect name for the purpose of stacking, so a 'recharge reactor (activated)' effect will stack with a 'recharge reactor (equipped)' effect.

There are some notable exceptions to this -- notably Turbo buffs -- to be explained in further detail lower in this page.

Limits to stacking

There are some hard limits that cap how much effects can stack:

Deflects max out at 72, further deflect buffs do not help any more.
Skill levels max out at level 10, increasing skill level past that has no effect.

Some examples

The Deflect bonus of equipped devices stack with the deflect bonus of Rally, Combat trance and Environment Shield. Often in raids Rally plus basic deflect device like an Ivory Ward is enough to max out most of the deflects.

Multiple reactor-recharge effects can stack, because their effect names are different or because they differ because of activated/equipped effects.
The following effects stack:
- 'Shunt to Reactor (Activated)' effect of the Scutums device
- 'Recharge Reactor (Activated)' effect of devices like Fornax Borealis, Blood of the Dragon, Steingerd's Embrace and Deadly Focus.
- 'Reactor Optimization (Activated Skill)' from a Jenquai Seeker
- 'Reactor Boost (activated)' of the Drone Energy Amplifier.
- 'Recharge Reactor (equipped)' from the Monoceros or Blood devices
- 'Reactor Renewal (equipped)' from Terran Advantage engines.

De-buff Stacking

Many devices can be used to reduce an enemy's deflects, and doing so can turn the tide of battle. Some mobs have high deflects, or are even healed by many damage types, and reducing their resistance is key to defeating them.

Like Effect stacking, De-buff effects of the same name do not stack, but ones of different names do stack.

So, for example, the 'Weaken Energy (Activated)' effect of the Manticore device stacks with the Chili-Popper device's "Loony's Shield Hammer -- Energy (Activated)"

Exceptions to the Rule

Some Increase Shield Capacity (Equip) effects do stack, see Effect: Increase Shield Capacity (Equip).
Turbo (Activated) effects stack if their value is different, but Turbo (Equip) effects generally don't (e.g. Soulfire and Ruby Disruptor).

For example, a Contained Voltoi Essence's "Turbo Weapons (Activated)" +12% turbo will stack with a Plague's Bite +20% "Turbo Weapons(Activated)" However the +5% "Turbo Weapons (Activated)" of the Aegis of the Warder would not stack with the same effect on the Invincible Bastion shield.

Here are some example images showing a TE with all three of Bulwark of the Reaver, Contained Voltoi Essence and Plague's Bite active at the same time: