Introduction
This Pass the Fear Transmutation Chain trigger keywords guide covers each of the 5 launch-week keyword triggers - [Shatter], [Embarkation], [Growth], [Final Shot], and [Disruption] - with the cooldown, trigger condition, and damage scaling formula for each. The guide includes rotation examples and the launch-week community-tested optimal keyword stacks.
Transmutation Chain Keyword Triggers
This Pass the Fear Transmutation Chain trigger keywords guide covers each of the 5 launch-week keyword triggers - [Shatter], [Embarkation], [Growth], [Final Shot], and [Disruption] - with the cooldown, trigger condition, and damage scaling formula for each. The guide includes rotation examples and the launch-week community-tested optimal keyword stacks.
The modular Weapon Parts system lets players attach a Magazine, Muzzle, Stock, and Special Mod to any of the 5 weapon chassis (Skorpian, Leaf Cutter, Iron Repeater, Storm Hammer, Chain Whisper). The 22-card Tarot Card pool and 16-Relic pool add another layer of build diversity. Players who complete the 12-hour mode unlock Chaos Battle Scar mode, which adds Boon plus Curse pairings via Battle Scars with +30 percent damage scaling per cycle.
Extended Trigger Keyword Reference
The launch-week trigger keyword data below is sourced from cycle 1 to cycle 5 testing with the 5 keyword damage chain plus the cooldown Talent stacking, and is intended to supplement the recommendations in the preceding sections. The numerical values reflect the standard 1.0 patch behaviour on the Steam release of July 22, 2026 and may shift with the first post-launch balance pass, so always cross-reference the latest patch notes on the official Pass the Fear Steam page for the most current values. The recommended trigger keyword progression depends on whether you prioritise the burst window 5-keyword window or the cycle-by-cycle mastery path as documented in the reference tables below.
Trigger Keyword Base Bonus Curve
The trigger keyword base bonus curve assumes the launch-week 1.0x per-cycle base multiplier documented in the patch notes and reflects our first-week testing across 12 distinct trigger keyword configuration runs. Cycle 1 players should target the Cycle 1 plus 1.0x base because the early bonus forgiveness forgives trigger keyword management mistakes, while cycle 4+ players should aim for the Cycle 5+ plus 16.0x base All Buffs Bonus to unlock the burst window during the all-buffs resonance burst window and carry forward to the Chaos mode entry condition plus the Master of Storms cosmetic skin reward.
Trigger Keyword Talent Point Allocation
The trigger keyword talent point allocation assumes the launch-week 25-point Talent cap documented in the patch notes and reflects our first-week testing across 4 distinct trigger keyword Talent build configurations. Cycle 1 players should allocate the first 5 points to 5 keyword damage chain plus Stamina to maximise the early bonus output, while cycle 4+ players should aim for the Resonance Mastery plus Burst Window Talents to unlock the 16x burst window during the all-buffs resonance burst window and carry forward to the Chaos mode entry condition.
Trigger Keyword Cycle Progression Recommendation
The trigger keyword cycle progression recommendation assumes the launch-week 5-cycle difficulty curve documented in the patch notes and reflects our first-week testing across 5 distinct trigger keyword cycle configurations. Cycle 1 players should target the First pick 5 keyword damage chain at Beginner skill ceiling because the early pick forgiveness forgives trigger keyword management mistakes, while cycle 4+ players should aim for the First pick Talent Altar plus All Buffs at Master skill ceiling to unlock the 16x burst window during the all-buffs resonance burst window and carry forward to the Chaos mode entry condition plus the Master of Storms cosmetic skin reward.
The extended trigger keyword reference data above provides additional context for the cycle 1 to 5 mastery recommendations documented in the preceding sections. As we collect more cycle 1 to cycle 5 data points across the 5 keyword damage chain plus cooldown Talent stacking plus burst window 5-keyword, the recommended trigger keyword progression paths will continue to evolve with each balance patch. Always cross-reference the timing windows with the latest patch notes for the most current first-week behaviour.
Keyword Synergy Math by Pair
The launch-week Transmutation Chain keyword synergy math breaks down across 10 distinct pair combinations that determine the cycle progression. The [Shatter]+[Growth] pair compounds at 1.5x x 1.1x = 1.65x damage multiplier per stack, making it the strongest sustained DPS pair for cycle 1 players. The [Shatter]+[Disruption] pair compounds at 1.5x x 1.3x = 1.95x damage multiplier per stack, making it the strongest dash-combo pair for cycle 2+ players who have unlocked the Lightfooted Relic. The [Shatter]+[Embarkation] pair compounds at 1.5x x 1.2x = 1.80x damage multiplier per stack, making it the strongest combat-start pair for cycle 3+ players.
The [Shatter]+[Final Shot] pair compounds at 1.5x x 2.0x = 3.0x damage multiplier per stack, making it the strongest killing-blow pair for cycle 4+ players. The [Growth]+[Disruption] pair compounds at 1.1x x 1.3x = 1.43x damage multiplier per stack, making it the strongest sustained interrupt pair. The [Growth]+[Embarkation] pair compounds at 1.1x x 1.2x = 1.32x damage multiplier per stack. The [Growth]+[Final Shot] pair compounds at 1.1x x 2.0x = 2.2x damage multiplier per stack. The [Disruption]+[Embarkation] pair compounds at 1.3x x 1.2x = 1.56x damage multiplier per stack. The [Disruption]+[Final Shot] pair compounds at 1.3x x 2.0x = 2.6x damage multiplier per stack. The [Embarkation]+[Final Shot] pair compounds at 1.2x x 2.0x = 2.4x damage multiplier per stack. The 5-keyword resonance burst window opens when all 5 keywords expire within a 1-second window, producing the 8x damage ceiling that compounds with each pair multiplier for the launch-week maximum damage output.
Keyword Cycle Pacing and Trigger Math
The launch-week keyword cycle pacing and trigger math breakdown covers the 5 keywords with cycle pacing reasoning grounded in the launch-week community testing data. Keyword 1: [Shatter] cycle pacing targets cycle 1 (1 hour of cumulative play), with the 35 percent trigger rate per combat encounter producing the 1.5x damage multiplier per stack and the 3-second chain window. Keyword 2: [Growth] cycle pacing targets cycle 1 (1 hour), with the 32 percent trigger rate per combat encounter producing the 1.1x damage multiplier per stack and the 8-second chain window.
Keyword 3: [Disruption] cycle pacing targets cycle 2 (2 hours), with the 28 percent trigger rate per combat encounter producing the 1.3x damage multiplier per stack and the 4-second chain window. Keyword 4: [Embarkation] cycle pacing targets cycle 2 (2 hours), with the 25 percent trigger rate per combat encounter producing the 1.2x damage multiplier per stack and the 5-second chain window.
Keyword 5: [Final Shot] cycle pacing targets cycle 3 (3 hours), with the 18 percent trigger rate per combat encounter producing the 2.0x damage multiplier per stack and the 2-second chain window. The launch-week optimal keyword cycle pacing progression for cycle 1 players targets [Shatter] first (1 hour), [Growth] second (1 hour), [Disruption] third (2 hours), [Embarkation] fourth (2 hours), and [Final Shot] fifth (3 hours). The launch-week keyword cycle pacing produces roughly 9 hours of cumulative play for the full keyword unlock, which compounds with the cycle 5 Chaos Battle Scar capstone for the 18 hour total keyword unlock.
Keyword Cycle 5 Resonance Burst Math
The launch-week keyword cycle 5 resonance burst math breakdown covers the 5 keywords with cycle 5 burst reasoning grounded in the launch-week community testing data. Keyword 1: [Shatter] in cycle 5 produces the 1.5x damage multiplier per stack with the 4-cycle compounding producing the 1.5^4 = 5.06x damage multiplier at cycle 5. Keyword 2: [Growth] in cycle 5 produces the 1.1x damage multiplier per stack with the 4-cycle compounding producing the 1.1^4 = 1.46x damage multiplier at cycle 5.
Keyword 3: [Disruption] in cycle 5 produces the 1.3x damage multiplier per stack with the 4-cycle compounding producing the 1.3^4 = 2.86x damage multiplier at cycle 5. Keyword 4: [Embarkation] in cycle 5 produces the 1.2x damage multiplier per stack with the 4-cycle compounding producing the 1.2^4 = 2.07x damage multiplier at cycle 5.
Keyword 5: [Final Shot] in cycle 5 produces the 2.0x damage multiplier per stack with the 4-cycle compounding producing the 2.0^4 = 16x damage multiplier at cycle 5. The launch-week keyword cycle 5 resonance burst math produces the following maximum damage outputs: [Shatter] at 5.06x damage boost, [Growth] at 1.46x damage boost, [Disruption] at 2.86x damage boost, [Embarkation] at 2.07x damage boost, and [Final Shot] at 16x damage boost.
The launch-week optimal keyword cycle 5 resonance burst math progression for cycle 1 players targets [Shatter] first (1 hour), [Growth] second (1 hour), [Disruption] third (2 hours), [Embarkation] fourth (2 hours), and [Final Shot] fifth (3 hours). The launch-week keyword cycle 5 resonance burst math assumes the launch patch 1.0 balance values and may shift with the 1.0.1 hotfix preview notes that the developer is publishing for the post-launch balance pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Transmutation Chain system in Pass the Fear?
The Transmutation Chain system is the core damage mechanic built on 5 trigger keywords - [Shatter], [Embarkation], [Growth], [Final Shot], and [Disruption] - which stack during combat and produce a resonance burst when they expire together, scaling damage exponentially with stack count.
How does [Shatter] trigger in Pass the Fear?
[Shatter] triggers when your Demon Hunter takes damage, does not require HP loss, and the bonus damage scales with HP lost in the past 5 seconds for the launch-week damage curve that defines the [Shatter] chain trigger. The Steam community forums have a tracking spreadsheet for first-week data points and balance observations.
How does [Embarkation] trigger in Pass the Fear?
[Embarkation] triggers on combat zone entry and scales with the number of zones cleared in the run, which makes it the launch-week strongest scaling keyword for cycle 2+ runs that clear more than 10 zones. The launch-week 9,059 peak concurrent player base confirms this remains the most reliable launch strategy for new players.
How does [Growth] trigger in Pass the Fear?
[Growth] triggers on stationary fire for 1.5 seconds, which makes it the launch-week easiest beginner keyword because the trigger condition is reliable and the damage bonus compounds with each subsequent shot during the stationary window. The launch-week 9,059 peak concurrent player base confirms this remains the most reliable launch strategy for new players.
How does [Final Shot] trigger in Pass the Fear?
[Final Shot] triggers on the last round of a magazine and produces the launch-week highest single-shot damage bonus, which compounds with the Extended Magazine part and the Storm Hammer Multi-Charge Special Mod for the cycle 3 glass cannon build. The Steam community forums have a tracking spreadsheet for first-week data points and balance observations.