Bestial Claw viable?

hardxtarget

I'm playing around the idea of a bleed claw user, think Warblade from Wildcats



or Sabertooth + Kraven the Hunter for those who don't remember the 90's. The idea is to get the targets bleeding and keep them bleeding via Rip and Tear, Quills and Frenzy then capping with Massacre + Eviscerate.

Enrage is buffed with Howl and Unleashed Rage (and it just looks awesome)

I don't have a dedicated heal with this because I usually buy the consumables from VIP Club Caprice (lifetime benefit) but Endorphin Rush + Fear Sense help in combat without taking up a power slot for a weaker heal due to not stacking Presence at all.



I'm tempted to throw in Sniper Rifle and use the talents from Defiance to buff that to rank 2 depending on if Defiance still can function at Rank 1. From what I understand it ramps up faster at Rank 3 than Rank 1 but that may have changed.

Cassowary - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.1:30

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

Talents
Level 1: The Chiller (Dex: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 8, End: 10)
Level 6: Martial Focus (Str: 5, Dex: 5)
Level 9: Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)
Level 12: Bodybuilder (Str: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Accurate (Dex: 5, End: 5)
Level 18: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 21: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Bestial Fury (Rip and Tear)
Level 1: Frenzy (Rank 2, Fear Sense)
Level 6: Wild Thing
Level 8: Pounce (Nailed to the Ground, Break Through)
Level 11: Antagonize (Rank 2, Quills)
Level 14: Massacre (Rank 2, Open Wound)
Level 17: Eviscerate (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Enrage (Endorphin Rush, Giant Growth)
Level 23: Defiance (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Aggressor
Level 29: Masterful Dodge
Level 32: Howl (Intimidating Force)
Level 35: Unleashed Rage (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Resurrection Serum
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Distortion Superspeed
Level 35: Superjump (Rank 2)

Specializations
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Power Swell (2/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Upper Hand (3/3)
Warden: The Best Defense (2/3)
Brawler: No Escape (1/3)
Brawler: Penetrating Strikes (2/2)
Brawler: Ruthless (2/2)
Brawler: Finishing Blow (3/3)
Brawler: Setup (2/2)
Mastery: Brawler Mastery (1/1)

flowcyto

Defiance ranks give you extra starter stacks, but that's not really worth the adv points most of the time, as when tanking you should be getting to max stacks pretty easily anyways. Also wouldn't bother ranking the end builder usually, as you shouldn't be using it much as is. Supernatural Power would also prob be a better EU to use if all/most of the attacks are in either Supernatural powerset. You'd ideally also want to be able to put up Shredded for more dps, and change the advs a bit to optimize Massacre's dps- likely using taps of Evis w/ adv for bleed + shredded refresh. Also, having an ally res is a bit weird for a non-support, but it can get some mileage in certain types of content.

That said, I'd normally discourage using Defiance in non-tank builds, cause outside of soloing or pvp you can't guarantee that you'll be getting hit. Sniper Rifle also doesn't really work w/ the rest of the build that well; I would prob get a normal self-heal over that.

I have to guess that from getting Break Through this is a pvp build, though? Either way, I'm unsure what type of content you want to do w/ this and what role you want to play in it, so I'm not gonna try to edit the build atm.

chaosdrgnz43

You probably should switch to Str Prime if you're using Enrage. Or if you want to do the meta, use Form of the Tiger and stack Dex like there's no tomorrow. You'll deal high dmg due to being a crit monkey.

Ofc you'll have to choose either Vorpal Blade or Whirling Dragon Slash as your Ult.

hardxtarget

flowcyto wrote: »

Defiance ranks give you extra starter stacks, but that's not really worth the adv points most of the time, as when tanking you should be getting to max stacks pretty easily anyways. Also wouldn't bother ranking the end builder usually, as you shouldn't be using it much as is. Supernatural Power would also prob be a better EU to use if all/most of the attacks are in either Supernatural powerset. You'd ideally also want to be able to put up Shredded for more dps, and change the advs a bit to optimize Massacre's dps- likely using taps of Evis w/ adv for bleed + shredded refresh. Also, having an ally res is a bit weird for a non-support, but it can get some mileage in certain types of content.

That said, I'd normally discourage using Defiance in non-tank builds, cause outside of soloing or pvp you can't guarantee that you'll be getting hit. Sniper Rifle also doesn't really work w/ the rest of the build that well; I would prob get a normal self-heal over that.

I have to guess that from getting Break Through this is a pvp build, though? Either way, I'm unsure what type of content you want to do w/ this and what role you want to play in it, so I'm not gonna try to edit the build atm.

The rez is for Rampages for some reason I always end up with either a dead Tank that can't rez or a dead Healer that no one else can rez. With this being said, yes it is weird but I'll take any advice I can get to build this guy.

Solo primary focus.

Nailed to ground and Break Through are for when I PVP, which is rare but w/o these its very difficult.

Sniper would be Thematic, more of an opener for the primary target pre Pounce

flowcyto

Well, I may move the passive to R3 Invuln then, as that can give you solid defenses regardless of the situation. I guess I'll take the sturdy hybrid-dps approach here, even if its not optimal for either dps or tanking. And yes, if using Enrage or AotB you want to be Str-based.

Problem w/ Enrage and Bestial builds is that AoE options are limited. You can take something like Lacerating Cyclone w/ Vortex to cover both, but I'm not sure that's thematic here. On the flipside, switching to AotB means you can use Frenzy and Shred more (and/or Infernal SN AoEs), but Massacre won't innately proc it (Open Wound could, but taking that hurt's Massacre's potential), and you'll lose Endorphin Rush.

https://aesica.net/co/herocreator.htm?v=30&n=&d=11830WAQFPEa000000N000N205NF00JE0C9A03ND0eK503NP05NQ04ER00NL08NC01JO037U001rWF0tid42iK200000000&e=

Super Stats
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Endurance (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: 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: Bestial Fury
Level 1: Shred (Rank 2, Penetrating Strikes)
Level 6: Supernatural Power
Level 8: Enrage (Endorphin Rush, Giant Growth)
Level 11: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Pounce (Nailed to the Ground, Break Through)
Level 17: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Massacre (Rank 2, Bloody Mess)
Level 23: Eviscerate (Messy)
Level 26: Masterful Dodge
Level 29: Howl (Intimidating Force)
Level 32: Antagonize (Rank 2)
Level 35: Unleashed Rage (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Resurrection Serum
Adv. Points: 33/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Strength: Swole (3/3)
Strength: Physical Peak (2/3)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (2/3)
Strength: Overpower (1/3)
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: Upper Hand (2/3)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Strength Mastery (1/1)

AoE is still kinda patchy here, as you'll have Shred's smaller cone and UR's AoE (though its on a cd) to make do with (and use Pounce and Howl to help keep Enrage going since Shred can't proc it). I tried to keep most powers and backbone for theme/concept reasons, but some things could be changed depending on your priorities.

(edit: opps edited the wrong reply)

hardxtarget

flowcyto wrote: »

Well, I may move the passive to R3 Invuln then, as that can give you solid defenses regardless of the situation. I guess I'll take the sturdy hybrid-dps approach here, even if its not optimal for either dps or tanking. And yes, if using Enrage or AotB you want to be Str-based.

Problem w/ Enrage and Bestial builds is that AoE options are limited. You can take something like Lacerating Cyclone w/ Vortex to cover both, but I'm not sure that's thematic here. On the flipside, switching to AotB means you can use Frenzy and Shred more (and/or Infernal SN AoEs), but Massacre won't innately proc it (Open Wound could, but taking that hurt's Massacre's potential), and you'll lose Endorphin Rush.

https://aesica.net/co/herocreator.htm?v=30&n=&d=11830WAQFPEa000000N000N205NF00JE0C9A03ND0eK503NP05NQ04ER00NL08NC01JO037U001rWF0tid42iK200000000&e=

Super Stats
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Endurance (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: 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: Bestial Fury
Level 1: Shred (Rank 2, Penetrating Strikes)
Level 6: Supernatural Power
Level 8: Enrage (Endorphin Rush, Giant Growth)
Level 11: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Pounce (Nailed to the Ground, Break Through)
Level 17: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Massacre (Rank 2, Bloody Mess)
Level 23: Eviscerate (Messy)
Level 26: Masterful Dodge
Level 29: Howl (Intimidating Force)
Level 32: Antagonize (Rank 2)
Level 35: Unleashed Rage (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Resurrection Serum
Adv. Points: 33/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Strength: Swole (3/3)
Strength: Physical Peak (2/3)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (2/3)
Strength: Overpower (1/3)
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: Upper Hand (2/3)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Strength Mastery (1/1)

AoE is still kinda patchy here, as you'll have Shred's smaller cone and UR's AoE (though its on a cd) to make do with (and use Pounce and Howl to help keep Enrage going since Shred can't proc it). I tried to keep most powers and backbone for theme/concept reasons, but some things could be changed depending on your priorities.

Thematically I want bestial claws to be focus. Honestly everything else is open for debate and I was toying around with potentially having Swallow Tail Cut + Heavy Blade for AOE/knock down since there isn't many options for AOE and sololing content with only single target other than Quills seems painful. I see what your saying with being hybrid DPS and possibly why so many of my melee characters set benched since they either die instantly or never kill anything.

hardxtarget

How is it that a melee DPS can do anything other than group content without being one shot? When I'm doing Demonflame if I can't put Jack Fool down before he hits me even with rank 3 block I have less than half health 8 seconds in. I took a look at Kamokami guide and Spinny's DPS warzone solo builds that helped but I feel like I can't get through bosses as DPS

flowcyto

Yea, well unfortunately atm there aren't any claw attacks that are great at AoE coverage. Best you can work with is a wider AoE cone like Frenzy, but Frenzy doesn't build Enrage alone, nor can it apply Shredded. May be easier to just accept an AotB build instead of Enrage.

Scything Blade is good for bleed and/or knock options in a pbAoE, but ofc its outside the theme of claws. Best you can do their is go w/ the invis weapons skins, but its still not really a clawing attack then. Neither would Arc of Ruin w/ Enrage (though that's also a nice, versatile pick, but it can't bleed either) or something like Crimson Bloom w/ adv and AtoB.

As far as survival.. well R3 Invln, blocking, Str PSS's Juggernaut + Con SS, and ADs + self-heals help, but you still aren't really a tank. Some of that ability will just depend on your gearing, though.

Here's as much of a Bestial clawing build as I could make, that still has many defensive/healing options, and keeps the ally res:

https://aesica.net/co/herocreator.htm?v=30&n=&d=11830WAQFPEa000000N000N205NF00N8009A03N605K503NP05ER00ND0eON01NC037U00JO0110gC11KW3SWh200000000&e=

Super Stats
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Endurance (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: 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: Bestial Fury
Level 1: Shred (Rank 2, Penetrating Strikes)
Level 6: Supernatural Power
Level 8: Aspect of the Bestial
Level 11: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Frenzy (Rank 2, Fear Sense)
Level 17: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Massacre (Rank 2, Bloody Mess)
Level 23: Masterful Dodge
Level 26: Pounce (Nailed to the Ground, Break Through)
Level 29: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 32: Antagonize (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Resurrection Serum
Level 38: Unleashed Rage (Rank 2)
Adv. Points: 33/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

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

Main single-target rotation is to alternate between Shred (to proc Setup) and charged Massacre. Wild Thing may still work as the EU here too. Up to you if you want to keep UR or not. Since you'd be constantly using Shred against bosses, you wouldn't really need Evis there.

hardxtarget

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

Talents
Level 1: The Predator (Str: 10, Dex: 10, Con: 8, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Mighty (Str: 8)
Level 9: Agile (Dex: 8)
Level 12: Tireless (Rec: 8)
Level 15: Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Martial Focus (Str: 5, Dex: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Bestial Fury
Level 1: Shred (Rank 2, Penetrating Strikes)
Level 6: Antagonize (Rank 2, Quills)
Level 8: Supernatural Power
Level 11: Frenzy (Rank 2, Fear Sense)
Level 14: Unstoppable (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Pounce (Nailed to the Ground, Break Through)
Level 20: Eviscerate (Rank 2, Messy)
Level 23: Massacre (Rank 2, Bloody Mess)
Level 26: Masterful Dodge
Level 29: Aspect of the Bestial
Level 32: Resurgence (Evanescent Emergence)
Level 35: Unleashed Rage
Level 38: Nanobot Swarm (Rank 2, Rejuvinating Injectors)
Adv. Points: 35/36

Would dual defensive (resurge and masterful dodge) + Nanobot work to avoid the glass cannon? Offensive passive to be more role focused and more survivable options with a minor heal from Nanobot?

flowcyto

Well, you're taking one step forward and two steps back if you make the slotted passive an offensive one but take Nanobots- at least in terms of survival. Its obv quite better for dps, but your innate defense will also be quite weaker w/o Invuln.

..actually its kinda not really even a step forward if you replaced Conviction for Nanobot Swarm, and have lower dmgRes on the block. Also kept Evis. I dunno man. The build itself can work as a dps, but if survival is your main issue then I'd prob go w/ my version at least. Else, I'd look into your gearing cause you shouldn't be getting taken down that easily w/ a defensive passive and Con SS. It may also come down to timing things like the ADs better. There's many potential factors there- and some rest outside of the build.

hardxtarget

flowcyto wrote: »

Well, you're taking one step forward and two steps back if you make the slotted passive an offensive one but take Nanobots- at least in terms of survival. Its obv quite better for dps, but your innate defense will also be quite weaker w/o Invuln.

..actually its kinda not really even a step forward if you replaced Conviction for Nanobot Swarm, and have lower dmgRes on the block. Also kept Evis. I dunno man. The build itself can work as a dps, but if survival is your main issue then I'd prob go w/ my version at least. Else, I'd look into your gearing cause you shouldn't be getting taken down that easily w/ a defensive passive and Con SS. It may also come down to timing things like the ADs better. There's many potential factors there- and some rest outside of the build.

TBH I was working on the above build before I saw what you put in, felt like a waste not to throw it out there. I will try your build because if I knew what I was doing I wouldn't be in here asking for help and would be stupid not to take the given advice that I asked for

I'm going to play around with this for a while. Thanks for all the guidance!

flowcyto

sure, np. Feel free to test w/e ya want in the PH and its Battle Station (or on the PTS if you have access). If you need help w/ gear or stats then you can inquire about that too, but then it'd be nice to know what your current setup is.

hardxtarget

Ok I'm going to redeem myself here. I did a bunch of research and think this is a good answer to the AOE problem with some survival.

The Grimclaw - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.1:30

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

Talents
Level 1: The Unleashed (Str: 10, Dex: 10, Int: 8, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Mighty (Str: 8)
Level 9: Agile (Dex: 8)
Level 12: Tireless (Rec: 8)
Level 15: Martial Focus (Str: 5, Dex: 5)
Level 18: Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Bestial Fury
Level 1: Shred (Penetrating Strikes)
Level 6: Pestilence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Supernatural Power
Level 11: Aspect of the Bestial (Giant Growth)
Level 14: Eviscerate (Rank 2, Messy)
Level 17: Massacre (Rank 2, Bloody Mess)
Level 20: Antagonize (Rank 2, Quills)
Level 23: Howl (Rank 2, Make them Tremble, Intimidating Force)
Level 26: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Masterful Dodge
Level 32: Imbue
Level 35: Vorpal Blade (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Pounce (Nailed to the Ground, Break Through)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Acrobatics
Level 35: Ninja Leaves

Specializations
Strength: Swole (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Overpower (3/3)
Brawler: No Escape (1/3)
Brawler: Penetrating Strikes (2/2)
Brawler: Ruthless (2/2)
Brawler: Finishing Blow (3/3)
Brawler: Setup (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Upper Hand (3/3)
Warden: The Best Defense (2/3)
Mastery: Brawler Mastery (1/1)

hardxtarget

Vorpal blades is filler btw I'm not decided on ultimate yet.

flowcyto

That's.. not too much better for AoE. Frenzy is pretty much what you have to work w/ if sticking bestial claws- unless you are willing to throw some other attack themes in there. You could still get by w/ Shred's smaller cleave and Pestilence's DoT, but its up to you. I prob wouldn't use Brawler Mastery here. I also prob wouldn't bother w/ Quills on the block if you can put up bleeds easily enough as is. I'd also like to know what attack rotation you plan on using against bosses here.

The build is also going to be quite squishier w/ Pestilence (a dps passive) and w/o Con SS, but is higher dps. And you took out the ally res. I mean.. this can all be fine in theory, but I'm kinda confused by what your goals are here, since it seems to be shifting around. This is more of a glass cannon dps build- which is okay if that's what you're really going for.

hardxtarget

Well crap.

The goal is to be able to solo but also have a function in groups. So when Jack Fool, Shadow Destroyer or Luther Black comes around I fight them and have a actual fight.

The theme is claws, I'm not opposed to ideas of any kind. Claws and chains, claws and swords, claws and guns. I know in this game there has to be some flexibility.

flowcyto

Hm.. claws and swords could be a good combo, since SB also deals in bleeds. Scything Blade pretty much solves the AoE issue. You may want to use a more universal EU like Wild Thing, though.

Back to the hybrid-dps, I guess:

https://aesica.net/co/herocreator.htm?v=30&n=&d=11830WAQFPEa000000N000N205NE009A03N800D505K503ND0eON01NP05NC03ER00000000001rX211KW42iK200000000&e=

Super Stats
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Endurance (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: 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: Bestial Fury
Level 1: Shred (Rank 2, Penetrating Strikes)
Level 6: Wild Thing
Level 8: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Aspect of the Bestial
Level 14: Scything Blade (Rank 2, Swallowtail Cut)
Level 17: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Pounce (Nailed to the Ground, Break Through)
Level 23: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 26: Massacre (Rank 2, Bloody Mess)
Level 29: Antagonize (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Masterful Dodge
Level 35:
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 31/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

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

Tried to still keep it mostly Bestial claws. Left the last two power slots open, since the build already has the basics and you can add diff powers depending on what you want to focus on. If you want to be more defensive you can add more heals or tank powers in there, or add more dps-related powers (like an ultimate or an Active Offense) if you want to focus on that. Could also add things like threat wipes or ally_self reses. Kinda up to you. If you want more AoE CC, you can trade R2 of Scything for Heavy Blade (though Massacre can also knock down single targets).

Basic boss rotation is to use Shred until you proc Setup and than charge Massacre (or you can just alternate them if energy is fine). Gears mostly for Str and Con, w/ some End and rec to help w/ energy.

hardxtarget

Awesome. One question, as far as blocks go how is fluidity in comparison to others R3?

flowcyto

Fluidity replaces the normal large dmgRes bonus that you get on blocks w/ a dodge/avoid boost. Because it trades reliable mitigation for rng mitigation you generally want to avoid it- though it can have some niche uses in dodge builds.

hardxtarget

Perfect. I'll be back when I get to endgame!

hardxtarget

Got to lvl 40 and been running Forum M and Warlord with ease.

With the health buff from Resurge and the damage buff + energy regen from Dark Transfusion it's very easy to target the main baddie and cleave kill adds.

The big add here that makes this build fun for me is Dark Transfusion. The damage buff without triggering other active offenses is priceless. Knowing that the damage is happening makes it more manageable and well worth the 50% dmg and energy. At first sight it looked like I should be squishy but surprisingly I'm one of the last to wipe even in the heart of the mob.

STC from scything blade was ditched in favor of shredded refresh since the damage is minimal to cosmic and most bosses (master villains?) being a normal bleed instead.

Grimclaw - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.11:30

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

Talents
Level 1: The Master (Str: 8, Dex: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 9: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Martial Focus (Str: 5, Dex: 5)
Level 18: Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)
Level 21: Mighty (Str: 8)

Powers
Level 1: Bestial Fury (Rank 2)
Level 1: Shred (Rank 2, Penetrating Strikes)
Level 6: Aspect of the Bestial (Giant Growth)
Level 8: Wild Thing
Level 11: Retaliation (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Unstoppable (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Void Shift (Emerging Nightmares, Nailed to the Ground)
Level 20: Massacre (Rank 2, Bloody Mess)
Level 23: Dark Transfusion (Blood Sacrifice)
Level 26: Resurgence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Scything Blade (Heavy Blade, Messy)
Level 32: Aggressor
Level 35: Unleashed Rage (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Thundering Return
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Acrobatics
Level 35: Tunneling

Specializations
Strength: Swole (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Upper Hand (3/3)
Warden: The Best Defense (2/3)
Brawler: No Escape (1/3)
Brawler: Penetrating Strikes (2/2)
Brawler: Ruthless (2/2)
Brawler: Finishing Blow (3/3)
Brawler: Setup (2/2)
Mastery: Strength Mastery (1/1)

flowcyto

I wouldn't rank the energy builder or get Resurgence to R3 (since it'll often be overheal), otherwise as long as Dark Transfuse isn't getting you killed then it can be fine, though its dmg adv is capped on each use. If you are doing the rotation where you alternate between Shred and Massacre, you don't really need Scything Blade to refresh Shredded (or bleeds) on bosses, since Shred's adv is already effectively doing that.