So I followed the "ENDGAME DPS BUILD GUIDE". How does it look?

highwire9715

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

Talents
Level 1: The Disciple (Dex: 10, Int: 8, Ego: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Tireless (Rec: 8)
Level 9: Indomitable (Ego: 8)
Level 12: Agile (Dex: 8)
Level 15: Wordly (Ego: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Shooter (Dex: 5, Ego: 5)
Level 21: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Electric Bolt
Level 1: Electric Form (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Lightning Arc (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Force Shield (Rank 2, Rank 3, Force Sheathe)
Level 11: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Support Drones (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 20: Electric Sheath (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Energy Storm (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Electrocute (Superconductor)
Level 29: Ionic Reverberation
Level 32: Ball Lightning (Triplicity)
Level 35: Invulnerability
Level 38: Concentration
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Hover Disk (Rank 2)
Level 35: Mach Speed

Specializations
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Aggression (2/2)
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: Modified Gear (2/2)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

siegeric

You have three competing passives, Electric Form (the name is deceiving), Invulnerability, and Concentration (Quantum Stabilizer is also a solid passive for Electric builds to consider). If your focus is ranged DPS, I'd drop Electric Form and Invulnerability for an additional Active Offense, like say Ego Surge (Rank 2, Nimble Mind), and then alternate it with Electric Sheath (though I personally prefer Ice Sheath instead), which will also free up a power to take a Self Buff. You can slide Ionic Reverberation up your build tree to make up for the loss of Electric Form. Separately, Electric Sheath is an Energy Form and Electric Form is also an Energy Form, which you can't have two of without canceling one of them. As a result, I recommend dropping Electric Form and replacing it with Chilled Form instead, which isn't an Energy Form, but is a Self Buff (Form), which you can stack with Concentration because it isn't a passive and which will continue to boost your electric damage. I'd also rank up Ball Lightning to Rank 2 by stripping 2 points from either Resurgence, Support Drones, Conviction, or Energy Storm. Ball Lightning will help you apply Negative Ions, which will in turn help your energy stability and increase the damage on your Lightning Arc so you'll be wanting to use it more than you would otherwise suspect, even in largely single-target fights (though be wary that the balls don't develop minds of their own and wander off to attack dogs or hearts during Cosmics). Otherwise, the build looks good. Lightning Arc is a solid single-target ranged DPS attack, though you will find the main damage component comes at the end of the lengthy maintain. Because you are using Recovery as a Superstat, odds are that you will be Energy stable.

-Judgenought

siegeric

I can't believe I called Concentration a Passive as it is actually a Self-Buff (Form), which just tells me not to go from memory when looking at a build. As a result, you have two passives and I would still recommend dropping one of them in favor of Ego Surge and replacing the other with Quantum Stabilizer. I'd also consider swapping Concentration with Chilled Form as your self-buff, though Concentration is a solid self-buff.

-Judgenought

flowcyto

Here's how I'd tweak it to make a more effective Elec dps build:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform

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

Talents
Level 1: The Scourge (Con: 10, End: 8, Ego: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Ascetic (Con: 5, Ego: 5)
Level 9: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Daredevil (Ego: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Wordly (Ego: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Electric Bolt
Level 1: Lightning Arc (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Electric Form (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Concentration
Level 11: Ionic Reverberation
Level 14: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Force Shield (Rank 2, Rank 3, Force Sheathe)
Level 20: Ball Lightning (Rank 2, Triplicity)
Level 23: Lightning Storm (Rank 2, Stolen Thunder)
Level 26: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 29: Masterful Dodge
Level 32: Ego Surge (Rank 2, Nimble Mind)
Level 35: Rebirth
Level 38: Circle of Primal Dominion (Rank 2)
Adv. Points: 34/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Hover Disk (Rank 2)
Level 35: Mach Speed

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)

CoPD could be exchanged for something else, like a threat wipe or another heal or w/e, but I figured it'd be nice to have for builds that use self-rooting maintains like LArc. Gears mostly for Ego, some Con, and a bit of End and Rec for energy.

highwire9715

siegeric said:

I can't believe I called Concentration a Passive as it is actually a Self-Buff (Form), which just tells me not to go from memory when looking at a build. As a result, you have two passives and I would still recommend dropping one of them in favor of Ego Surge and replacing the other with Quantum Stabilizer. I'd also consider swapping Concentration with Chilled Form as your self-buff, though Concentration is a solid self-buff.

-Judgenought

Alright, I took your advice on the changes except for the Defense passive. From the Guide: "By this point you will have 2 to 4 power slots remaining to take whatever else you want. Some players use one of these slots to take a defensive passive so that they can tank when the need arises." I took Invulnerability, so that I could solo a little more easily. Plus I don't have enough points to rank up Ego Surge to make it more effective.

Here's what it looks like with a few tweaks.
Powers
Level 1: Electric Bolt
Level 1: Electric Form (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Lightning Arc (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Force Shield (Rank 2, Rank 3, Force Sheathe)
Level 11: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Support Drones (Rank 2)
Level 17: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 20: Electric Sheath (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Energy Storm (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Electrocute (Superconductor)
Level 29: Ionic Reverberation
Level 32: Ball Lightning (Rank 2, Triplicity)
Level 35: Invulnerability
Level 38: Chilled Form
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Hover Disk (Rank 2)
Level 35: Mach Speed

I read that Chill form is better if your going with Dex and Ego, so thanks for pointing me that way.

magpieuk2014

Personally... I would look at swapping out Energy Storm for Gigabolt (it applies negative ions when charged and does good AoE spike damage, 3K or more, even with a defensive passive) and consider either Sparkstorm or the electric-based Sigil power over Support Drones. You can use either of those powers to cause damage while blocking, which will always give you more survivability, and the Drones are useless in end-game content where the bosses have AoE attacks (they die, every time.....)

flowcyto

Well, that build looks a bit better. I prob would also pass on the support drones, trade Elec Sheath for ES/NM (unless ur just looking to try something diff), and not bother w/ Energy Storm in general. Would also free up some points to rank up Invuln if ur going the 2-passive route. And for the record, Conc vs. Chilled Form only matters if ur considering gearing primarily for Dex or Int in a ranged build. If its Ego-focused then the toggles will work the same way (so it doesn't matter which you pick), if its Dex-focused then you want Chilled Form, and if its Int-focused then you'll want Conc.

chaosdrgnz43

If you want a defensive passive you might want to try Defiance instead. It doesn't require any rank ups to be effective and gives energy when you're hit.

And I agree with replacing Energy Storm, that power is pretty underwhelming.

baelogventure

You don't need Recovery if you're using Electric Form, as Electric Form already gives you a lot of Equilibrium, picking Endurance would be better, since Endurance also fuels your Energy Unlock.

blueionstormz

If your goal is to make an end game DPS build against cosmic for maximum DPS,, it will be best to follow the guide as closely as possible.

This means your build will be like a glass cannon but it will do great damage. It won't be a generalist build that could solo most content, rather you may need a tank against certain bosses if you use an end game dps build, one that follows the guide closely.

Flowcyto's build is a generalist one that can do decent damage and if you would like to solo stuff, it could do that as well for most stuff. Most of my toons are generalist ones.

My end game DPS build could not solo cislunar mechanon whereas my old Grimoire AT could do it. It could solo everything until the space Mechanon but could not beat Mechanon by itself.

How you build your toon depends on what your goal is for the build - maximum DPS or balance of damage and solo survivability.

flowcyto

Flowcyto's build is a generalist one that can do decent damage and if you would like to solo stuff, it could do that as well for most stuff. Most of my toons are generalist ones.

Eh, my build is a pure dps one. Its just that I generally don't suggest glass-cannon builds (unless the user insists on it), so there is going to be some defensive powers in there (and Con SS, ofc). I guess it depends how you define it, but to me a 'generalist' is more like a hybrid-dps w/ a defensive passive and/or an AoPM build. It should be good for dpsing Cosmics too, but much of that also comes down to having appropriate gear/stats and knowing the fights- the build can only do so much there.

blueionstormz

> @flowcyto said:
> Flowcyto's build is a generalist one that can do decent damage and if you would like to solo stuff, it could do that as well for most stuff. Most of my toons are generalist ones.
>
> Eh, my build is a pure dps one. Its just that I generally don't suggest glass-cannon builds (unless the user insists on it), so there is going to be some defensive powers in there (and Con SS, ofc). I guess it depends how you define it, but to me a 'generalist' is more like a hybrid-dps w/ a defensive passive and/or an AoPM build. It should be good for dpsing Cosmics too, but much of that also comes down to having appropriate gear/stats and knowing the fights- the build can only do so much there.

Ah, apologies for my assumption. I meant your build is not a glass cannon but could handle more than a glass cannon could as a DPS. I think the idea is similar but I may have chosen a poor choice of word by using "generalist". Almost all of my builds are based on your recommendations so I know your builds are good choices.

aiqa

A few things to consider.

You can disregard any advice about switching recovery to endurance, recovery is a better stat for lightning. Endurance does have it's place, but not as a replacement for recovery.

Lightning can have good energy management, but until you get endgame gear it's not always so great.
The stat choices in the opening post are great when you do have your strong endgame gear.
While leveling/gearing up, I'd go for ego/rec/end, then change to ego/rec/dex or ego/rec/con when you get better gear.
An ego/dex/rec build will do slightly higher dps, but due to Ego Surge the con option is also very viable for a dps build.

For lightning to work properly you need to apply Negative Ions, both for your EU to function and for bonus damage on Lightning Arc. The power you have to apply Negative Ions is Ball Lightning, which is a good choice. But as a constant part of any attack rotation, you probably want it at r2.

For healing you have 3 powers, that might not all be very useful.
Support Drones (like all pets) will not really work on any endgame fights.
Resurgence heals a percentage of your health, so it's far better for builds with con ss.
If you end up with a ego/con/rec build, Resurgence would be good, for ego/dex/rec I'd probably go with something else.
Conviction is a good heal, and with proper blocking it's enough for any endgame fight.
And there is lots of supplemental healing available from devices if you want something extra for specific situations.
All in all I'd drop one or two of those heals.

Electric Sheat is not a great AO. It's greatly outperformed by AOs that provide crit or severity bonuses.
For a ego/rec/con build you obviously want Ego Surge, for a ego/dex/rec build there is Lock n Load and Imbue.

Electric Form is a nice passive, in particular while leveling it helps a lot with energy.
But disregarding energy management, Quantum Stabilizer is better.
So you might want to start out with Electric Form, and later change to Quantum Stabilizer when you get better gear.

Energy Storm is a terrible terrible power. If you want a strong semi-ultimate lightning based attack, just get Gigabolt.

I would never go with r1 Invulnerability. Just change it to Rebirth, or better yet Aurora. Everyone dies at some points, with Aurora you can get back into the fight without having to run back from a respawn point or wait for a healer to resurrect you.

flowcyto

You can disregard any advice about switching recovery to endurance, recovery is a better stat for lightning. Endurance does have it's place, but not as a replacement for recovery.

Checking in the PTS atm, and it seems that (despite the tooltip) Ionic Reverb scales evenly w/ Rec and End. I would normally suggest Rec if they both return equivalent energy w/ the EU, but in this case Elec Form already boosts equilibrium so I went w/ End SS in mine. If using another passive (and/or if Ionic Reverb is ever changed to scaling mostly w/ Rec), then yea I'd prob take Rec SS instead.

pantagruel01

aiqa said:

The power you have to apply Negative Ions is Ball Lightning, which is a good choice. But as a constant part of any attack rotation, you probably want it at r2.

Ball lightning is a power you have to be careful about in endgame content, because the balls can hit other targets on the way to their main target (this is most commonly a problem for Qwyjibo). It's also a bit slow. I would consider replacing it with Thunderstrike.