I was going to post this in another thread but thought it deserved its own. There are a lot of Apocalypse DRKs out there that don't get the most out of their character. The strength of the Apoc isn't in big WS numbers; it comes from the aftermath effect and what it lets you do with your gear. Catastrophe damage is incredibly inconsistent, and can range from 400-1800 on the same target. This is a terrible method of gauging the strength of the weapon.
The aftermath effect from Catastrophe is where DRK goes to another level because it allows you to play at the 26% haste cap. As a DRK, the biggest source of your total damage comes from autoattacks and being able to operate at the haste cap is a huge boost. It is important to note that the effect is 10%
EQUIPMENT haste. This means that when the aftermath is active, you should be switching gear to make up for this. In my regular TP set, I have 22% haste:
When the Catastrophe aftermath is active, I switch to this set, with 16% haste:
Since the aftermath gives you 10% equipment haste, you're wasting the effect by not taking haste pieces off for the time that the effect is active. By switching to the aftermath set, you gain:
Accuracy+10
Attack+20
STR+4
DEX+3
10% haste, putting you at the equipment haste cap.
This is better than wearing another Haubergeon on top of all your other gear, and still being at the haste cap. Staying in the same TP set after using Catastrophe does cap your haste, but without an aftermath set, you're wasting most of this effect and you're missing out on some great stat boosts from the gear you can switch to. It is frustrating seeing Apoc DRKs with great gear failing to get the most out of their job. It takes some micromanagement, especially with Souleater and Last Resort, but I'd put my DRK up against any SAM in terms of pure damage. I think that the Apoc is clearly a top-tier DD relic, and I haven't even mentioned the 40% heal from your Catastrophe damage.
_________________
Fid: 75 DRK/RNG/COR/THF/BST/BRD/NIN
Mini: 75 RDM/PLD/BLM/BLU
https://www.topshelf.team/2017 TS Fantasy Football Champion