Power Armor Build

sovereignbreeze

@flowcyto , wanted to get your thoughts on this PA build. I want him to be tanky/dps. I want him to hit hard but be survivable. The issue I'm having with him seems to be energy.

My toon's name is Destroyer's Apprentice so he looks like Dr. Destroyer and I want him to fight/survive similarly to him.

Even with the Advantage from Wrist Bolter, I seem to have energy issues with Overdrive as an energy passive.

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

Super Stats:
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Endurance (Secondary)

Talents:
Level 1: The Invincible
Level 6: Enduring
Level 9: Indomitable
Level 12:
Level 15:
Level 18:
Level 21:

Powers:
Level 1: Wrist Bolter
Level 1: Tactical Missiles (Rank 2, Crippling Challenge)
Level 6: Energy Shield (Rank 2, Phalanx Defense System)
Level 8: Overdrive
Level 11: Invulnerability
Level 14: Concentration
Level 17: Chest Beam (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Unbreakable (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Mini Gun (Challenging Strikes)
Level 26: Fire All Weapons (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenging Strikes)
Level 29: Resurgence (Evanescent Emergence)
Level 32: Masterful Dodge
Level 35: Reconstruction Circuits (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Athletics

Specializations:
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (1/3)
Ego: Aggression (2/2)
Ego: Follow Through (2/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (3/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Locus (2/2)
Guardian: Retribution (2/2)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

flowcyto

Ya can stop calling me out, man. I'll likely see the thread anyways, and other people are free to help as well

Anyways, if ur having energy issues w/ Ranged PA, and don't want to make the switch the Defiance, then maybe consider swapping out Chest Beam. Its a good Chest slot power, but its also very costly to try to frequently use. Micro Muni is better for OD builds using a blast, since the blasts aren't maintains or toggles in themselves- w/ Chest Beam + Tac Missiles you only have Minigun procing OD offensively and giving 1 (sometimes 2) stacks.. which prob won't be enough. As a PA tank, you want to keep the blast as the Hand slot for CripC, since Concussor Beam doesn't have CripC avail, so I'd just make ur attack Chest slot Micro Muni instead.

That said, you want to rank Invuln too. The only slotted passive to not rank up atm is Defiance.

Also, I'd get the debuff adv on Minigun- its the main reason to take it over Shoulder Launcher, imo. R2 + debuff + CS on Minigun and E2 Tac Missiles w/ CripC can be enough threat/dps to hold aggro on bosses most of the time anyways. Ya may not even need to use all 3 PA slots for dps in most cases- in that case Micro Muni gets thrown in if ur high on energy and want extra dps/threat.

Here's how I'd tweak ur build, if you want to keep Invuln:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Archetype: Freeform

Super Stats:
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Recovery (Secondary)

Talents:
Level 1: The Invincible
Level 6: Ascetic
Level 9: Quick Recovery
Level 12: Wordly
Level 15: Boundless Reserves
Level 18: Daredevil
Level 21: Amazing Stamina

Powers:
Level 1: Power Bolts
Level 1: Tactical Missiles (Rank 2, Crippling Challenge)
Level 6: Energy Shield (Phalanx Defense System)
Level 8: Overdrive
Level 11: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Concentration
Level 17: Micro Munitions (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenging Strikes)
Level 20: Reconstruction Circuits (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Mini Gun (Rank 2, U-238 Rounds, Challenging Strikes)
Level 26: Resurgence (Rank 2, Evanescent Emergence)
Level 29: Masterful Dodge
Level 32: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2)
Level 35: Energy Wave (Reverse Polarity)
Level 38: Circle of Primal Dominion

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Athletics

Specializations:
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

I decided to consolidate ur defensive moves, as 3 ADs on a shared cd seems excessive w/ other heals and a block enhancer. Ya dun really need Conviction w/ Recon Circuits around, and Convction doesn't work as well in builds w/o MSA that still need to be careful w/ energy; BSheilding may fill healing gaps better as a tank (a larger heal when under fire, that ya dun need to use that much), and isn't as important to rank up. Power Bolts is the easier end builder to use for PA, though hopefully ya shouldn't need it too much regardless.

Also replaced FAW with a shorter cd AoE to clump mobs up (Energy Wave w/ Rev Polarity, which can have CS now, though you'd need to free 1 adv point somewhere- its not a huge deal though). Threw CoPD in the end since the current build is a bit knock-prone. Alternative could consider a CON/Int/Rec SS option for soem knock resist, Adren Rush, and Fuel My Fire - but at the loss of some dps/threat.

On that note, I changed End SS for Rec SS since OD scales w/ Rec better, though still getting some End is still nice for the larger energy pool.

sovereignbreeze

Ah sorry. I won't use the @ anymore. You're builds are pretty good and you respond with in depth info that's good for returning players like me. I do appreciate your advice and builds. I'm just trying to get ideas on how to best manage energy with this build and I knew FAW was not good due to the cooldown.

The changes you made are really great because now my Overdrive is stacking and I'm not having energy issues like I was before.

Is energy wave just an aoe that has less of a cooldown that I can swap out for something different? If I wanted particle cannon or something? I was trying to see if there was a benefit to having it other than the lower cooldown? Before I managed to get a Force Cascade into my build, but I wasn't using a lot of Power Armor powers. I feel like the PA set is more in tune with my character.

I also know there were some major changes to dodge in the game since I last played. Currently I'm wearing a Legions Elusive Breastplate and my dodge chance is at about 30%. I don't know if it's worth it to have this anymore or if I should switch to a Defense Breastplate.

flowcyto

Well, I put in EWave w/ adv mostly cause its a large sphere AoE that can easily tag mobs when AoE tanking; half-charges of it are a good opener for groups that also can group them closer together so ur follow-up PA AoE hits more. Its not necessary though, ofc. You can AoE tank w/o it, but you'll have to get used to moving around w/ the PA toggles for scattered groups more. An alternative that builds AoE threat quickly is Plasma Beam w/ CS - its good for PA tanks using OD, but takes some getting used to w/ its unique handling and no lockdown on movement.

FAW is a fine attack in of itself- just more for burst dps than anything. 2-3 slot PA builds can already get good dps w/o throwing it in. Even if its cd is longer, it can be nice to just wipe out a trash mob w/ it. That's lower priority than simply holding aggro consistently for a tank, though.

Dodge rating's scaling was severely tuned down to be more in line w/ Defense. Powers that gave dodge rating before now give flat %'s to compensate. This means everyone can't simply just gear for good mitigation anymore, regardless of build, but dodge is still good for builds that focus on it.

30% dodge is still pretty good for a build not using a dodge passive, though. For overall mitigation it shouldn't make too much a difference what you go for. Defense is more reliable, and gives about 25% more return per point than it usually does when using Ward_Guardicator as the specs. So maybe make the change if you have the resources, or just forget about it if you don't.

sovereignbreeze

Ah, ok that makes sense. Thanks for your reply. I will keep the AOE attack. I didn't think of it until you explained it that way. I might slowly switch away from the dodge, but if 30% is still a good rating I'll leave it for now. I'll do some alerts with this build and see how he does. He didn't do too poorly before but with these improvements I'm sure he will be super fun to play.

sovereignbreeze

I have to say, this is a very fun build to play. I still get hit pretty hard at times in rampages.

I'm curious, would the warden/guardian def/off loop cause my offense and defense to be higher? I'm running Legions gear with mostly CON and two EGO tier 7 mods....should I switch the 2 EGO out for CON to increase my defense?

flowcyto

Warden + Guardian isn't the offense + defense loop; that refers to pairing either spec's The Best Defense w/ Vindicator's Aggressive Stance.

Warden + Guardian gives ya 2x TBD, but that mostly just means you'll be very high into Offenses' DR, and you'll have less Defense than w/ Aggressive Stance and decent gear. The higher Offense from 2x TBD can be counteracted by Vind's 5% more crit severity (Merciless vs. Ruthless), and flat crit bonus options (and/or Offensive Expertise, or Modified Gear for builds using the Justice 3-set).

If ya want a bit more survival, then go ahead and get an extra Con mod or two. Losing too much Ego will hit ur dps and energy generation a bit, though. It'll be a balancing act.

sovereignbreeze

Yeah, I think I'll keep it as is and work on getting my Justice Gear for more CON

sovereignbreeze

Hi Flow, with the changes to PA, I'm wondering if my build needs tweaked. I'm noticing that he's having a hard time maintaining energy now. Did they make changes to the energy unlock also?

flowcyto

Yeah Ranged PA went through many changes. It takes quite more energy to maintain the multiple slotted toggle playstyle. Do you want to keep that? Cause then changing to Defiance and taking End SS maybe the the best ways to help energy. You'll also have to prob change the attacks, depending on what ur looking for.

sovereignbreeze

Will defiance work with PA?? I've never had luck with it as a passive. Probably because I don't really understand it. I feel like the changes burnt my build lol

Well - keeping him in his character.

I'd like him to be a hard hitter but survivable. This toons name is "Destroyers Apprentice" so naturally I'd like him to hit like a world boss but survive also. He don't have to be PA build necessarily but I figured that for the role for him.

flowcyto

Here's a Defiance-based PA tank- should have many defensive options available:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform

Super Stats
Level 6: Constitution (Primary)
Level 10: Dexterity (Secondary)
Level 15: Endurance (Secondary)

Talents
Level 1: The Chiller (Con: 10, End: 10, Dex: 10, Rec: 8)
Level 6: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 9: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Accurate (Dex: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Power Bolts
Level 1: Mini Gun (Rank 2, U-238 Rounds, Challenge!)
Level 6: Overdrive
Level 8: Defiance
Level 11: Chilled Form
Level 14: Micro Munitions (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenge!)
Level 17: Energy Shield (Rank 2, Phalanx Defense System)
Level 20: Reconstruction Circuits (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Hand Cannon (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenge!)
Level 26: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 29: Masterful Dodge
Level 32: Ego Surge (Rank 2, Nimble Mind)
Level 35: Circle of Primal Dominion (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Rebirth
Adv. Points: 34/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Constitution: Unyielding (1/2)
Constitution: Fuel My Fire (3/3)
Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
Constitution: Armored (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Mastery: Constitution Mastery (1/1)

Micro Muni is good for AoE w/ its 15ft sphere, Minigun debuffs, Hand Cannon takes less energy use overall, and Recon Circuits replaces Micro Muni when you need healing. Juggle them as you see fit, though keep in mind even 1-2 toggles can be enough in many cases. Gears smotly for the 3 SS's, though for Con most of all.

sovereignbreeze

Interesting build. I'll give him a test run in the powerhouse. I've never understand the defiance mechanics. Will he be as tanky as the Invul build?

flowcyto

Invuln is better vs. trash and soaking lighter hits than is Defiance, and Defiance has a short build-up period to 6 stacks at the start of combat. But Defiance is better at handling larger hits when stacked, saves you 4 adv points, and gives a ton of extra energy when getting hit. That build should have enough defenses and survival tools to get by, either way.

sovereignbreeze

Flow, he is working out well with defiance. He is still having a bit of energy issues because he gets most of his energy from being hit and using the defiance passive. *sadface* I hate they ruined PA, the old build was so much fun.

flowcyto

Yea, even 2-slot PA takes much energy generation now. I actually have both CoPD and CoAP on one of my PA builds to pick from depending on priorities (defense and anti-knock vs. optimal dps via energy).