Lightning

power

Electrodynamics

2

B+

Lightning now hits ALL enemies.
Channel 2 Lightning.

power

Defragment

1

B+

Gain 1 Focus.

power

Capacitor

1

B-

Gain 2 Orb slots.

skill

Zap

1

C-

Channel 1 Lightning.

skill

Dualcast

1

B-

Evoke your next Orb 2 times.

Lightning orbs are a great way to passively rack up damage on the Defect. The downside of lightning orbs is their random targeting which makes them less reliable. Electrodynamics is a key piece here, as it makes them both more reliable and deal more damage in multi-target combats. One copy is enough - multiple doesn't make the power stronger.

Defragment and Capacitor are fantastic in any orb focussed deck. Remember you can only reach 10 orb slots, so 2 upgraded Capacitors is usually sufficient. Defragment has no liimit - it's very powerful and scales massively.

Zap and Dualcast make getting into this deck very easy. Dualcast in particular dealing 16 damage to all enemies (minimum) is very powerful. Keep these cards around and consider upgrading them.

attack

Ball Lightning

1

C+

Deal 7 damage.
Channel 1 Lightning.

power

Static Discharge

1

B+

Whenever you receive unblocked attack damage, Channel 1 Lightning.

power

Storm

1

E

Whenever you play a Power, Channel 1 Lightning.

skill

Tempest

X

C+

Channel X Lightning.
Exhaust.

skill

Rainbow

2

B-

Channel 1 Lightning, 1 Frost, and 1 Dark.
Exhaust.

skill

Multi-Cast

X

B

Evoke your next Orb X times.

skill

Coolheaded

1

A-

Channel 1 Frost.
Draw 1 card.

skill

Glacier

2

B+

Gain 7 Block.
Channel 2 Frost.

skill

Chill

0

A-

Channel 1 Frost for each enemy in combat.
Exhaust.

skill

Force Field

4

D

Costs 1 less for each Power card played this combat.
Gain 12 Block.

Cracked Core

starter

At the start of each combat, Channel 1 Lightning.

C

Emotion Chip

rare

At the start of each turn, if you took any damage last turn, trigger the passive ability of all your Orbs.

B-

Inserter

boss

Every 2 turns, gain 1 Orb Slot.

A

Runic Capacitor

shop

Start each combat with 3 additional Orb slots.

B

Data Disk

common

Start each combat with 1 Focus.

B+

Gold-Plated Cables

uncommon

Your rightmost Orb triggers its passive an additional time.

B+

The Defect has plenty of sources of Lightning orbs to choose from. Lightning Ball is a notable standout as it’s the only attack in a sea of skills and powers. You can run Storm if you have a bunch of powers already. Tempest can be underwhelming, worse than a Zap unless you have energy to spare, but with lots of Focus can end a fight.

Try to grab some Frost orbs to throw into the mix that also benefit from your focus and provide some much needed defence. Glacier is always great, as are Coolheaded and Chill. Force Field can work - it becomes worth it once you have 3 or more powers played.

Single target encounters can be tricky since Electrodynamics doesn’t help much, but Lock-On can help in these fights - it is equivalent to applying vulnerable for your orbs and gives a lot of value. (Note that Lock-On, despite its name, does not affect the target of your orbs.)

Multi-Cast can be strong for big turns of damage, especially in later acts when you have more energy.

Although not required, the Defect has a lot of relics that support orbs. Consider stopping at several shops to find them and take Elites when strong enough. Electrodynamics is particularly powerful in Act 2 which has two Elite combats that are multi-target.