Rebuilding after powerarmor changes

raighn

With the changes made to the Power Armor powerset while I was taking a break from the game I've returned to find a few of my characters builds broken, and one whose build is finally actually fixed...

Valiant - Freeform

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

Talents
Level 1: The Rockstar (Str: 10, Con: 10, End: 10, , Rec: 8)
Level 6: Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)
Level 9: Bodybuilder (Str: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Paramilitary Training (Str: 3, Con: 3, Rec: 3, End: 3)
Level 18: Survival Training (Dex: 3, Con: 3, Pre: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)
Level 21: Covert Ops Training (Str: 3, Dex: 3, Con: 3, Int: 3)

Powers
Level 1: Laser Edge
Level 1: Lightspeed Strike (Rank 2, Particle Acceleration, Challenge!)
Level 6: Glance
Level 8: Lightwave Slash (Light Mend, Burn Bright)
Level 11: Cybernetic Tether (Recharge, Radiate)
Level 14: Particle Wave (Illuminate, Bad Footing)
Level 17: Unified Theory
Level 20: Lightspeed Dash (Download)
Level 23: Energy Shield (Laser Knight)
Level 26: Personal Force Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Inertial Dampening Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Field Surge (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35:
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 34/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Acrobatics
Level 35: Jet Boots

Specializations
Strength: Swole (2/3)
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (1/3)
Guardian: Locus (2/2)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Retribution (2/2)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Mastery: Strength Mastery (1/1)

My Laser Knight, finally has an actual functioning build now that Laser Swords has been fleshed out into a complete powerset and it's poor power designs have been tossed into the blender... I've still got 2 open power slots and 2 extra advantage points that I'm not really sure what to do with... She's a tank build, and yes I know PFF is still seen as unviable for endgame tanking, and honestly I don't care I won't be changing her passive for any reason.

Synaptic - Freeform

Super Stats
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10:
Level 15:

Talents
Level 1:
Level 6:
Level 9:
Level 12:
Level 15:
Level 18:
Level 21:

Powers
Level 1: Psi Lash
Level 1: Dual Wrist Rocket Barrage (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Energy Shield (Phalanx Defense System)
Level 8: Overdrive
Level 11: Concentration
Level 14: Micro Munitions (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Shoulder Launcher (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Reconstruction Circuits (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Quarry (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Lock N Load
Level 29:
Level 32: Munitions Bots (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Support Drones (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Mechanical Monstrosity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Adv. Points: 35/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Acrobatics
Level 35: Jet Pack

Specializations
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Follow Through (2/3)
Ego: Exploit Opening (1/2)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)

The changes to Overdrive kinda leave me in an awkward position with this build... Previously she was running EGO/Int/Rec but now I guess she's be better off as EGO/End/Int? I'm looking to swap her current Tactical Missiles for the new Dual Wrist Rocket Barrage but I'm not sure how well energy management will work out anymore, I've been hearing nothing but bad things about the Overdrive changes... Can't decide on a Spec setup either... Honestly a bit tired of running Guardian/Vindicator... I've got another PA DPS with the same stats who's got an Energy weapons based build so any thing I need to do to Synaptics build will most likely be reflected over to her build too.

Bulwark - Freeform

Super Stats
Level 6:
Level 10:
Level 15:

Talents
Level 1:
Level 6:
Level 9:
Level 12:
Level 15:
Level 18:
Level 21:

Powers
Level 1: Power Bolts
Level 1: Concussor Beam (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Eye Beam (Rank 2, 20/20 Fission)
Level 8: Chest Laser (Rank 2, Melta Cannon)
Level 11: Energy Shield (Phalanx Defense System)
Level 14: Reconstruction Circuits (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Overdrive
Level 20: Aura of Radiant Protection (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Inertial Dampening Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26:
Level 29:
Level 32:
Level 35:
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 27/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Protector: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Protector: Bulwark (2/2)
Protector: Debilitating Challenge (2/2)
Sentry: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Sentry: Sentry Aura (3/3)
Sentry: Fortify (2/2)
Sentry: Reinforce (2/2)
Mastery: Sentry Mastery (1/1)

This last one is meant to be a Support/Tank run in Hybrid role... I'm not sure what power to place her Challenge! advantage on... also not sure what to put in her remaining 5 power slots... Or even what her stats should be >.<... I'd like to have Pre as one of her stats to maximize the ally portion of her AoRP, but I'm not sure if I can reliably do that without sacrificing personal defense or damage...

flowcyto

IDF is generally not a great idea for powersets w/ heavy energy consumption like PA. Similar thing w/ using pets that give a final energy penalty w/ a set like PA. Although IDF can work for the LS + PFF build cause energy demands will be lighter w/o Lume Slash, it will mean ur dps and threat gen won't be that great.

Here's another way to build an LS tank w/ PFF:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform

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

Talents
Level 1: The Devastator (Con: 10, End: 8, Str: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)
Level 9: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Bodybuilder (Str: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Laser Edge
Level 1: Lightspeed Strike (Particle Acceleration, Legacy Code, Challenge!)
Level 6: Unified Theory
Level 8: Personal Force Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Enrage (Endorphin Rush)
Level 14: Particle Wave (Illuminate, Bad Footing, Challenge!)
Level 17: Cybernetic Tether (Recharge, Download)
Level 20: Luminescent Slash (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenge!)
Level 23: Field Surge (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Lightspeed Dash
Level 29: Force Shield (Rank 2, Force Sheathe)
Level 32: Masterful Dodge
Level 35: Rebirth
Level 38: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Adv. Points: 34/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Strength: Swole (3/3)
Strength: Physical Peak (2/3)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Slaughter (2/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (2/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)

At high energy it can use Lume Slash for a bit more burst dmg.
-

The 2nd PA build is mostly fine, though I'd prob switch the passive to Targeting Comp, and get rid of the non-Ult pets. SS setup could be EGO/Con/End or INT/Con/End. Or, if you don't mind being squishier, drop Con SS for Dex SS (for dps) or Rec SS (better standing energy).

-
For a Beam-based PA AoRP tank, here's a diff build:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform

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

Talents
Level 1: The Hero (End: 6, Rec: 6, Other Stats: 8)
Level 6: Shrug It Off (Con: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 9: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Prodigy (Pre: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Lasting Impression (Pre: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Power Bolts
Level 1: Eye Beam (Rank 2, 20/20 Fission, Challenge!)
Level 6: Overdrive
Level 8: Aura of Radiant Protection (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Compassion
Level 14: Concussor Beam (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenge!)
Level 17: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2, Overloaded Circuits)
Level 20: Reconstruction Circuits (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Energy Wave (Reverse Polarity, Recharge, Challenge!)
Level 26: Masterful Dodge
Level 29: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 32: Energy Shield (Phalanx Defense System)
Level 35: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 38: Rebirth
Adv. Points: 34/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Constitution: Fuel My Fire (3/3)
Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
Constitution: Quick Healing (1/3)
Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
Constitution: Armored (2/2)
Protector: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Protector: Bulwark (2/2)
Protector: Defensive Expertise (3/3)
Protector: Resolute (2/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Constitution Mastery (1/1)

Energy may still be an issue here, so I'd prob get some extra cost discount on gear (as this build lacks Int or Insight). Didn't pick Chest laser just cause it would interfere w/ using Recon Circuits. The point in Quick Healing is just to help Compassion proc in combat.

raighn

So using your build suggestion for my Laser Knight as a bit... Personally I'd rather keep her running PFF+IDF with the lower cost rotation... but your build suggestion did bring up some good changes...

Valiant - Freeform

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

Talents
Level 1: The Rockstar (Str: 10, Con: 10, End: 10, , Rec: 8)
Level 6: Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)
Level 9: Bodybuilder (Str: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Paramilitary Training (Str: 3, Con: 3, Rec: 3, End: 3)
Level 18: Survival Training (Dex: 3, Con: 3, Pre: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)
Level 21: Covert Ops Training (Str: 3, Dex: 3, Con: 3, Int: 3)

Powers
Level 1: Laser Edge
Level 1: Lightspeed Strike (Particle Acceleration, Legacy Code, Challenge!)
Level 6: Glance
Level 8: Lightwave Slash (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenge!)
Level 11: Cybernetic Tether (Recharge, Radiate)
Level 14: Particle Wave (Illuminate, Bad Footing, Challenge!)
Level 17: Unified Theory
Level 20: Lightspeed Dash
Level 23: Energy Shield (Laser Knight)
Level 26: Personal Force Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Inertial Dampening Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Field Surge (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Masterful Dodge
Level 38: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Acrobatics
Level 35: Jet Boots

Specializations
Strength: Swole (2/3)
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Slaughter (2/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)

Still keeping Energy Shield w/Laser Knight (thematic reasons) and energy isn't really a big issue for her... After playing her a bit with my Guardicator setup I've realized, her defense is actually plenty high enough that I don't need the added survivability that Guardian offers over Warden but rather I need the added damage that Warden offers over Guardian, so that change is happening... If her PFF wouldn't get destroyed like it doesn't even exist without TBD+AS loop then I'd actually switch her to a more offensive spec build, but without the added defense from that her PFF is as good as non-existent... The only real issue I'm having with her build right now is wide-area threat management... but I'm sure that will sort itself out soon, she's level 32 currently and with changing her spec and some advantage points around she should be able to hold AoE threat better making it easier to keep enemies in tight groupings... also... I'd like to try to work in Meltdown somewhere >.<
____

About my 2nd build with the pets, unfortunately I can't remove the pets from her build... they are rather vital to her concept... She's a Technopath and the pets help sell the feel for me... I'm thinking your suggestion of INT/Dex/End might be the best bet for her... I don't mind glass cannon DPS builds, in fact I kinda find them to be more enjoyable since it keeps me on my feet since one mistake could result in defeat.

The second PA DPS that I mentioned however, doesn't have pets... her build is mostly a work in progress still... but it's more-or-less an Energy weapon based counter-part to Synaptic's minus the pets...
____

As for the Support-Tank... I'd honestly prefer to work with IDF as opposed to Compassion on her... The idea with her is to bolster her allies defenses as much as possible while simultaneously holding the attention of the toughest enemies on herself.

flowcyto

Keep in mind that Warden has a more defensive option too in Elusive, and it can be pretty damn good for 2 points for tanks.

Builds w/ IDF can still be fine, ofc. My main issue is the lack of extra throughput (dps/hps) stats normally offered by a toggle, and less energy gen. At least w/ high End you'll get good return from Unified Theory, and higher End also means more energy anytime you have to end build anyways. As far as AoE tagging- its one of LS's patchy areas- just gotta aim Particle Wave's cone well, I guess. It'd be nice if Energy Wave had a Radiation adv or something to syngerize more w/ LS (can work w/ Enrage versions).

raighn

Yea... what's been messing with my AoE tagging the most lately has been inpatient DPS pulling while I'm lining up a Particle Wave causing my Particle Wave to only hit 1 or 2 enemies instead of the whole pack... Not much I can do about that though and that is bound to be a non-issue at 40 in organized groups... It's rather annoying though, I'd run over position myself, pick a target and right as I'm about to hit the button I see a fireball or something from one of the DPS hit one of the enemies and suddenly my target is no longer positioned where my Particle Wave will hit everyone, I'm usually lucky if it even hits one extra enemy... Sort of why I'm wanting to work in Meltdown though, a large Sphere PBAoE that I can just click activate would certainly make the initial Tagging much easier... if only I could put Challenge on it, or if it had it's own version like Fractal Aegis does...

raighn

Ok... I'm not sure what changed... but somehow between yesterday and today I went from having manageable energy to none on my Laser Knight... the only thing that I can tell that is different is that I've gained 2 levels... but that shouldn't have completely destroyed my energy management...

flowcyto

Did your gear or stats change any? The build is mostly relying on End and cost discount for energy management atm.

raighn

I'm using heirlooms, so the only stat changes was the normal increase from them... but I've never noticed this large of a performance hit from just 2 levels before.... I did switch my talents to match your recommendations after my energy management dropped off... but that didn't help any...


I'm considering switching from STR primary to END primary...
Endurance: Readiness (3/3)
Endurance: Gear Utilization (2/3)
Endurance: Power Overwhelming (3/3)
Endurance: Hardened (2/2)

thinking the higher equilibrium from Readiness will help with my energy... but I'm not sure...

flowcyto

Ah, w/ heirlooms you lack cost discount (and Int) options, so base attack costs are gonna be pretty high. Just changing 2 levels shouldn't have made it worse, though. Hm.. Perhaps the gear isn't applying the stats as it should. Maybe try un- and re-quipping it and seeing if ur stats change any? Otherwise, if nothing else changed then I'm not sure what caused that.

raighn

Ok... I just switched to End Primary and dropped Lightwave Slash to R2 and picked up Download on it... and now my energy is much more manageable again... still not great, but it's workable at least... I'll try STR primary again at 40 when I can get some Cost Discount gear but for now the higher equilibrium is helping alot. Just worried that I might be a little squishier now without Juggernaut....

Valiant - Freeform

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

Talents
Level 1: The Devastator (Con: 10, End: 8, Str: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)
Level 9: Bodybuilder (Str: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Paramilitary Training (Str: 3, Con: 3, Rec: 3, End: 3)

Powers
Level 1: Laser Edge
Level 1: Lightspeed Strike (Particle Acceleration, Legacy Code, Challenge!)
Level 6: Lightwave Slash (Rank 2, Download, Challenge!)
Level 8: Cybernetic Tether (Recharge, Radiate)
Level 11: Particle Wave (Illuminate, Bad Footing, Challenge!)
Level 14: Unified Theory
Level 17: Lightspeed Dash
Level 20: Energy Shield (Laser Knight)
Level 23: Personal Force Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Field Surge (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Inertial Dampening Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 35: Masterful Dodge
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Acrobatics
Level 35: Jet Boots

Specializations
Endurance: Readiness (3/3)
Endurance: Gear Utilization (2/3)
Endurance: Power Overwhelming (3/3)
Endurance: Hardened (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Slaughter (2/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)

flowcyto

Well, its kinda a '2 steps forward, 1 step back' thing w/ regards to energy, since you lost the ability to get Physical Peak. Although End PSS isn't optimal at the high-end, for leveling and if ur having energy issues and also using an End-scaling EU, I can understand taking it.

raighn

flowcyto said:

Well, its kinda a '2 steps forward, 1 step back' thing w/ regards to energy, since you lost the ability to get Physical Peak. Although End PSS isn't optimal at the high-end, for leveling and if ur having energy issues and also using an End-scaling EU, I can understand taking it.

yea.. like i said... I want to switch back to STR PSS at 40 when I can get cost discount gear... but for now while I finish leveling, the higher equilibrium is making a huge difference...

raighn

Just considering some options... do you think it might be more beneficial to switch to STR/Con/Int and MSA for my Laser Knight? As it stands Particle Wave and Cybernetic Tether are always cycling their CDs so MSA would be ticking off consistently, and the cost reduction from Int + Physical Peak would likely bring the power costs down to perfectly manageable levels...

flowcyto

Unified Theory w/ 100 End and 10 Rec is giving me about 25 energy per tick atm. MSA w/ 100 Int and 10 Rec gives me about 18 energy per tick. Both tick 3 times per full duration. So, UF will prob give you more energy overall, but that's assuming you can roll both equally, and Int does have the cost discount too.

raighn

flowcyto said:

Unified Theory w/ 100 End and 10 Rec is giving me about 25 energy per tick atm. MSA w/ 100 Int and 10 Rec gives me about 18 energy per tick. Both tick 3 times per full duration. So, UF will prob give you more energy overall, but that's assuming you can roll both equally, and Int does have the cost discount too.

So I guess it kinda depends on just how much the cost discount impacts my abilities... if 100 Int can provide me a cost reduction that averages out to 7 energy or more over each 3 second segment of my rotation, then It would probably be more beneficial to run Int+MSA...

flowcyto

Perhaps, yes, and also depending if one EU has more uptime than the other in practice. By high-level gearing you get utility gear options w/ potentially tons of cost discount such that you wouldn't need Int SS to be steep in that diminished return, but until then its more up in the air. Would prob test-pilot it in the PH a bit and see if the Int + Str PSS approach really is any better for energy or the playstyle you have thus far.