Help me get better at PoE (please).
I play casually, but I have some extra time to play this week thanks to an emergency appendectomy. I consider myself self-sufficient, and had no problem in doing Nightfall and Weekly's with all three of my characters.
Then I tried PoE lvl 32 with some experienced guys. The bosses knocked me on my ass. The leader explained how the jailbreak system works, and was patient, and we eventually overcame, but the experience left me feeling like I definitely have some weak spots.
1. I don't have Gjallahorn. I think it really sucks that everyone demands this. I've put in nearly 500 hours, and don't really care if I get it, except that people will not invite me because of it. I actually wish that Bungie would make all bosses gain health when hit with wolfpack rounds for a week just to shake things up.
Still, I need a decent heavy weapon. I usually carry around a random 331 void or flame machine gun, but they weren't very helpful. Minus Gjally, what other rocket launchers can be effective against the bosses?
2. I don't have a decent shotgun. I usually go Fatebringer/VOC + Ice Breaker into most challenges, and I've become stuck on that formula. A guy on my team suggested that I switch to a shotgun for when those Axis Hobgoblins come around the corner, but I don't have anything worth a damn there. I have a bunch of shottys in my vault, sitting unleveled. Is invective any good?
Basically, I drug my team down. We beat it, but it was in spite of me, and I think it's because I've become lazy with all my gear.
Gjallarhorn is extremely good but to be honest it only significantly turns tides when you have a full team spamming it, or when margin for error is so razor thin that every extra bit counts (like Solar Skolas).
In terms of your question: high end PvE is a lot easier with a good shotgun for each element. At close range, they're the best way to deal with Majors. Those yellow bars are too tough for primaries but shotguns melt them.
Since you have Fatebringer I suppose it's fair to assume you have Found Verdict. Use it. It is your friend. Extremely solid option for any Arc Burn or against Captains, shielded knights etc.
Invective is also really good and ammo regeneration can work wonders in tight spots, Juggler or when it isn't safe to run for ammo. Those Cabal areas? Use invective on shielded Centurions and watch them die a fast death.
In general though any shotgun should do. If you want a new one just get a Judgment VI from New Monarchy, which is fantastic, and re roll until you get the element you want. You'll be happy you did.
As for rockets for bosses...eh. Gjallarhorn is an outlier but spamming rockets isn't generally the best strat against bosses. Unless it's a boss with a difficult crit spot, Snipers are usually gonna be your best friend. Ice Breaker is top-tier, along with Black Hammer. Sadly, the vendors are all selling low impact snipers which are PvP oriented. For PvE you want higher impact stuff, and you'll ideally have a high impact sniper of each element. If you don't have any old ones lying around, use your keys and hope for the Queen's sniper and re roll it into the element you're missing. Otherwise make sure you pick some up next Iron Banner when they're on sale. The Iron Banner sniper with Field Scout is a superb option for PvE, I have 2 (Solar and Void - really regretted not having an Arc one for Skolas last week).
Don't mind the rocket situation too much tbh. Tip for Quadron (he's the current PoE 32 boss): stay together. The Eye will tend to come to you and Jailbreaker will be able to free you more quickly. Also, 365 Ice Breaker wrecks that detain shield. And so does Found Verdict