Payback Survival Amber
- Ranks
- I
- Copies in the game
- 1
- Regions
- 1
- Methodology
- Data Methodology
- Author
- Dakota Chinnick
Payback is a Survival Amber in Valor Mortis. Getting hit when low on Health causes a Stasis explosion. The game places 1 copy across 1 region (Elite enemy drop); the first is in University.
- Ranks
- IOne rank only
- Copies in the game
- 1#23 of 29 Ambers by copies
- First found
- UniversityElite enemy drop
- Explosion damage
- 20
- Type
- Survival5 other Ambers of this type
How to use Payback
CalculatedPayback sets off a Stasis explosion when you are hit at low Health: 20 damage in a 5 m radius, at most once every 60 s (the game's Stasis Step cooldown). Its only copy drops from the Remnants of the Iron Regiment elite in University.
It is a panic button rather than a damage tool, since it only fires when a fight is going wrong, which makes it a fit for flask-less builds like the parry duelist. It works against Perfectionism, which wants you at full Health.
Written from the Amber's own parameters, where its copies are placed and its listed pairings; rank II values marked as interpolated are estimates between rank I and rank III.
What Payback does
Game dataThe game's description, then the numbers behind it. Payback has a single rank.
Getting hit when low on Health causes a Stasis explosion.
| Effect | Rank I |
|---|---|
| Explosion damage | 20 |
| Explosion radius | 5 m |
Data: Steam build 25907482 (1.0 launch). How we source this
Where to find Payback
Game dataEvery copy in the game data, in campaign order, with the Lantern nearest to each chest.
| # | Source | Location | Details | Nearest Lantern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elite enemy drop | University |  Elite Remnants of the Iron Regiment | — |
Lantern distances are straight-line distances from the game's placement data, not walking routes.
What Payback pairs with
CalculatedPairings drawn from the two Ambers' own descriptions and numbers: what feeds it, and what works against it.
- Pulls against
PerfectionismPayback triggers when you are hit at low Health, while Perfectionism wants you at full Health: they reward opposite states.
Survival Ambers compared
| Amber | Ranks | Copies | First found | At best rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Payback | I | 1 | University | Explosion damage 20 |
 Wound that Heals | I–III | 4 | The Battlefield | Health regeneration 0.1 |
 Dominatus | I–III | 3 | Valley of Ashes | Flat healing per Critical Attack 30 |
 Bountiful Harvest | I–III | 1 | City of Orphans | Health per Remnant +5% |
 Butcher's Carnage | I–III | 3 | The Battlefield | Health per melee hit +10% |
 Indestructible Shell | I–III | 3 | Valley of Ashes | Explosion resistance +60% |
Try it in five slots with the rest of your setup in the Amber Build Planner
Achievement
Steam stats- Ambersmith · Gather all Ambers. · 0.6% of Steam players
Every Amber counts toward it, so Payback is one of the 29 you need.
Payback is one of 29 Ambers in Valor Mortis and belongs to the Survival group, with 1 copy in the game (#23 of 29 by supply). Its Explosion damage is 20. It has a single rank, so one copy gives the full effect. Watch out when pairing it with Perfectionism.
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Payback FAQ
How do you get Payback in Valor Mortis?
Payback has 1 copy in the game data (Elite enemy drop), all in University. Elite enemy drop: Remnants of the Iron Regiment (University).
Is Payback worth equipping?
It depends on your build: Payback gives Explosion damage 20 at its best rank. Avoid pairing it with Perfectionism.
Can you rank up Payback?
No. Payback has a single rank, so one copy gives the whole effect. Perfect Copy only raises Ambers that have ranks.
What does Payback do?
Getting hit when low on Health causes a Stasis explosion. In numbers: Explosion damage 20, Explosion radius 5 m.
Does Payback count for an achievement?
Yes: Ambersmith needs every one of the 29 Ambers, Payback included. 0.6% of Steam players have it.
How do you use Payback in Valor Mortis?
Payback sets off a Stasis explosion when you are hit at low Health: 20 damage in a 5 m radius, at most once every 60 s (the game's Stasis Step cooldown). Its only copy drops from the Remnants of the Iron Regiment elite in University. It is a panic button rather than a damage tool, since it only fires when a fight is going wrong, which makes it a fit for flask-less builds like the parry duelist. It works against Perfectionism, which wants you at full Health.