Might/Electricity suggestions

captfabulous

Trying something a bit different I started experimenting with a melee Might/Electricity combo that I envision as mostly an off-tank.

Below is what I have right now (mind you he's only level 33 so the last few powers and specialties are what I have planned out). He actually plays pretty well in alerts and overall I'm happy with him, but I feel like he could be better.

Because it's almost impossible to really judge a new build inside the Powerhouse, and I don't want to burn thru all my full respecs I'm looking for some suggestions.

Some changes I'm considering:

1. Changing Stormbringer to Electric Form. I took SB because it buffs both his Might and Electricity powers, but EF has a number of advantages that SB doesn't -- increased energy generation and a small heal in exchange for crushing and cold resistance.
2. Swapping Power Source with Enrage. I think PS gives me more of a damage buff and energy per stack, but it seems to take me awhile to get to 8 stacks (not sure why, because Ionic Reverbation keeps my energy bar pretty full). I think I can get Enrage maxed out faster via Roomsweeper. If pairing it with Electric Form it could bring a little extra damage to the Might powers that I would lose, with the option of another small heal.
3. Going with a defense passive. I haven't tried any really difficult content so I'm not sure how well the offensive passive with an active defense and heals will hold up if I want to tank. On the other hand, I know that DPS goes right down the crapper with a defensive passive. Would Defiance or Invulnerability + a 2nd active offense balance things out better? I admit I don't like the idea of not having an active defense for those "oh sh*t" moments, but I also don't like having pathetic damage output. I'm really on the fence about this one.
4. Specializations. I picked ones that sounded good to me, but honestly I'm not married to any of them. Feel free to suggest better choices.

My typical rotation goes something like this: Leap in, Thunderclap to stun, Sparkstorm to get Ionic Rev and Power Source going, Roomsweeper to pick up a stack of Enrage, and then Thunderstrike or Gigabolt to bring the pain. Unbreakable/Healing as needed. Lather, rinse, repeat till dead.

What say you, wise sages of Champions Online?

Captain Thunder
v2.4.2-29

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

Talents
Level 1:
Level 6: Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 9: Martial Focus (Str: 5, Dex: 5)
Level 12: Bodybuilder (Str: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)
Level 18: Body and Mind (Str: 5, Int: 5)
Level 21: Professional Athlete (Str: 5, Ego: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Clobber (advantages)
Level 1: Roomsweeper (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Retaliation (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Sparkstorm (Rank 2, Electric Personality)
Level 11: Lightning Strike (advantages)
Level 14: Thunderstrike (Rank 2, Recharge)
Level 17: Stormbringer (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Ionic Reverberation
Level 23: Gigabolt (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Thunderclap (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Unbreakable (advantages)
Level 32: Power Source (advantages)
Level 35: Conviction (Rank 2)
Level 38: Electric Sheath (Matter – Energy Union)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Electro Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Lightning Flash (Rank 2)

Specializations
Constitution: Fuel My Fire (3/3)
Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
Constitution: Quick Healing (3/3)
Constitution: Armored (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Locus (2/2)
Guardian: Tenacious (2/2)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Initiative (2/2)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (2/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Mastery: Vindicator Mastery (1/1)

flowcyto

Power Source takes interactions w/ Negative Ions (applying, procing an arc, or consuming), while Enrage takes knock attempts to proc. So, it kinda depends on the attacks used. Also, Enrage is a melee form and will give higher bonus dmg to melee attacks (and scales w/ Str), while PSource is ranged (and scales w/ End).

Also keep in mind that Elec Form doesn't boost Crushing dmg. The heal and better energy are nice, but you'll lose dmg on Crushing attacks from Might. You could also consider Unstoppable, as it gives extra energy on knock attempts, boosts all dmg (melee more than non-melee), and gives you some knock resist.

Here's one way to mix the two sets, leaning more towards melee and knocks w/ Enrage and Sparkstorm for an up-close dps build (though ofc other mixes and playstyles are possible):

https://aesica.net/co/herocreator.htm?v=29&n=&d=11730WAPEQFa000000100013051A00JB03JE041D04K503JG051500ON01JK0319011E031L002jN70tid3T3B

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

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

Powers
Level 1: Electric Bolt (advantages)
Level 1: Sparkstorm (Rank 2, Electric Personality)
Level 6: Ionic Reverberation
Level 8: Unstoppable (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Enrage (Endorphin Rush)
Level 14: Ball Lightning (Triplicity)
Level 17: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Demolish (Rank 2, Below the Belt)
Level 23: Lightning Strike (advantages)
Level 26: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 29: Haymaker (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Electric Shield (Rank 2)
Level 35: Electrical Siphon (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Thundering Return (advantages)
Adv. Points: 33/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Strength: Swole (2/3)
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (1/3)
Strength: Overpower (2/3)
Brawler: The Glory of Battle (1/3)
Brawler: Penetrating Strikes (2/2)
Brawler: Ruthless (2/2)
Brawler: Finishing Blow (2/3)
Brawler: Flanking (3/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Strength Mastery (1/1)

Can use Demolish for debuffing and for when you don't want Haymaker's KB effect on trash. Keep Ball Lit and Sparkstorm rolling as best you can. Gears mostly for Str, w/ some Con and Rec.

captfabulous

Thanks for the reply. I'm not looking to make drastic changes to his attacks. I have a specific theme and the powers I've chosen fit that theme as closely as possible. The only changes I'm looking to possibly make are in the areas I've outlined -- passive, toggle form, specializations, active offense/defense. Tho I will have to look at Unstoppable as another potential passive. The KB resist and heal on knock could be advantageous.

flowcyto

You gain extra energy from knocks w/ Unstoppable, not healing (though Enrage's ER adv will heal you a bit for knocks).

My main issue w/ the attacks in your build is that the rotation is a bit convoluted, and I'm unclear what you plan on using as ur main attack in protracted fights. Roomsweeper is risky since you can scatter KB w/ it if your timing is off w/ TC's stun (and TC is on a cd), and Gigabolt is kinda costly to use heavily. Neither are really ideal for single-target dmg either.

captfabulous

flowcyto wrote: »

You gain extra energy from knocks w/ Unstoppable, not healing (though Enrage's ER adv will heal you a bit for knocks).

My main issue w/ the attacks in your build is that the rotation is a bit convoluted, and I'm unclear what you plan on using as ur main attack in protracted fights. Roomsweeper is risky since you can scatter KB w/ it if your timing is off w/ TC's stun (and TC is on a cd), and Gigabolt is kinda costly to use heavily. Neither are really ideal for single-target dmg either.

The rotation is a bit convoluted but after you get the rhythm of it it works well. Roomsweeper's knock doesn't generally work on bosses so not too worried about scatter in a long boss fight. But RS does a nice chunk of damage due to the low charge time. Thunderstrike also hits pretty hard. Gigabolt is fine to use on bosses every 8 seconds so you can charge it. Energy isn't really an issue on him.

flowcyto

Eh, again none of that is particularly efficient for single targets or long fights- though its fine for toying around w/ trash mobs, and in more casual content it shouldn't really matter much either way.

There's not much point to charging Gigabolt in a practical sense. though - at least, if its not for an alpha strike or for long-range AoE. Against bosses, you may fair better just cycling Ball Lit & Sparkstorm in w/ Roomsweeper spam (RS will gain a knock-immune bonus then) and cutting out most other things. Alpha strikes aside, there's not much of a dps difference in tapping vs. charging Gigabolt anyways.

Thunderstrike is okay, but mostly to proc an extra self-heal; its dps doesn't particularly standout next to higher-ranked RS or Gigabolt here. Just like w/ TClap, I assume it was taken more theme and utility here (which is fine, in of itself).

captfabulous

Yeah, he's really a thematic build, with powers chosen that fit his concept. Which is why I was looking to tweak other areas to make him as effective/efficient as possible without having to change his attacks.

flowcyto

Well, Con PSS is fine for tanking and getting some passive knock resist w/o having Str, but it doesn't really have any direct dps boosts. Quick Healing/Recovery options also don't scale very well, and I wouldn't skip Severity% options like Merciless in Vindicator (or Ruthless in other specs). Crit/severity bonuses are generally of the more efficient ways to boost dps.

Spec options can be Warden & Guardian for general defense, crit, and offense boosts. Vind is alright for general dps w/ its crit/severity options (though its usually lighter in defense; Rush of Battle can be okay healing conditionally but comes at the expense of the other options). Brawler is usually very strong for melee dps (though some of its options only proc from melee attacks). Avenger can be okay here due to Ruthless and Round Em Up + AoEs, but Relentless Assault won't proc from Sparkstorm anymore after you make it a toggle, and you don't have any blasts (and Surprise Attack doesn't work w/ AoEs). I'd prob pass on most of the other specs here, unless you want to play more support or defensive (usually at the cost of dps).

Offensive vs. defensive passive is just up to your goals for the build and somewhat depending on the content. The Hybrid + defensive route makes you much sturdier, but also considerably lowers base dps. If you want to solo harder stuff and/or off-tank, you may want to take the defensive passive route, otherwise I tend to favor burning things down faster w/ the dps route (even if you're quite squishier). Other option is taking a dual-passive approach, and swapping between offensive vs. defensive depending on the context (obv takes the mentality of being able to swap, an extra power slot, and usually freeing up more adv points to rank the other passive).

captfabulous

Thanks, excellent info.