Quartz Constructs (Ice, colored pink ;))

superalfgorn

I want to make a maker of quartz crystals, and Ice fits wonderfully. The powers tinted pink really look like slabs of pink quartz.

So naturally I started toying around with the idea that once upon a time Ice was considered one of the spike dps sets for the combo of Ice Structures and Shatter. Now Shatter got the energy return part stripped away, but at least Wall of Ice should now scale with the bonus damage from the Toggle and other sources.
Is the Ice construct/shatter route still viable? So far I have tried a bit, but I'm unconvinced. The dps seems low and the whole shatter thing a bit too tricky to pull of at max efficiency.

I put in Icicle Spear, since I guess that the whole Shatter package is pointless for single target dps.
Additionally, since this toon wants to go from dps to off-tank I have the Protector tree and a defensive passive on the side.

Is the following a good build for Quartz Faber?



PowerHouse   (Link to this build)

Name: Quartz Faber

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Glacier
Level 6: Field Ops Training
Level 9: Survival Training
Level 12: Ascetic
Level 15: Boundless Reserves
Level 18: Academics
Level 21: Quick Recovery

Powers:
Level 1: Ice Shards
Level 1: Wall of Ice (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Shatter (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Icy Embrace
Level 11: Ice Form (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Ice Burst (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Chilled Form
Level 20: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Masterful Dodge
Level 26: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 29: Icicle Spear (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Fractal Aegis (Rank 2, Chilling Reminder)
Level 38: Ice Shield

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

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: Locus (2/2)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Protector: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Protector: Bulwark (2/2)
Protector: Exhausting Strikes (2/2)
Protector: Defensive Expertise (3/3)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

flowcyto

I'd prob just go w/ an Avalanche-focused build instead, if ya want the visual to be more prominent than for Ice Blast or Spear focused builds:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Archetype: Freeform

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

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

Powers:
Level 1: Ice Shards
Level 1: Ice Blast (Rank 2, Hard Frost)
Level 6: Icy Embrace
Level 8: Chilled Form
Level 11: Ice Form (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Avalanche (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Ice Shield (Rank 2)
Level 23: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 26: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 29: Ice Burst (Freeze, Dirtbag)
Level 32: Circle of Arcane Power (Rank 2)
Level 35:
Level 38:

Travel Powers:
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations:
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Relentless Assault (3/3)
Avenger: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (2/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Mastery: Avenger Mastery (1/1)

Puts up Hard Frost w/ Ice Blast, then channels Avalanche till AvMastery procs, using the proc on a charged Ice Blast (which Cold Snap will boost). Added Ice Burst in there mostly for the looks, though it can also be used as an interrupt. Ya may not need CoAP's energy w/ good enough gear, but its worth testing out. Last few power slots can be w/e.

superalfgorn

Yeah my first Ice toon evolved from a Glacier archetype uses a build similar to the one you outlined above.

I fear that the whole "Ice constructs" theme is not worthy anymore... I wish that with the Ice mini-pass the Devs had left the energy return on Shatter... Also the recharge time on Ice Burst is huge and unjustified...

flowcyto

It was never really 'worthy' to begin with, imo, though if ya wanna try Shatter still then pairing it w/ Frostbreath w/ adv and high-crit + Icy Form is the way to go. The dmg can be decent w/ Chill and Cold Snap also up, but its a good bit of setup when Avalanche does high AoE dps as is.

Ice Burst's cost and cd are a bit too high, I agree.