PA Build Help

egamer1

Heres a PA build focused on crit and damage. Wanted to go with Beam powers. Wasnt super sure what powers to grab at the end.

ManOfSteel - Freeform (Ranged Damage)
v3.43:35

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

Talents
Level 1: The Samurai (Dex: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 10, End: 8)
Level 6: Accurate (Dex: 5, End: 5)
Level 9: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Survival Training (Dex: 3, Con: 3, Pre: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)
Level 18: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)
Level 21: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Power Bolts
Level 1: Concussor Beam
Level 6: Eye Beam
Level 8: Targeting Computer
Level 11: Chilled Form
Level 14: Chest Laser
Level 17: Overdrive
Level 20: Hand Cannon
Level 23: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 26: Lock N Load
Level 29: Energy Shield
Level 32: Endorphin Rush
Level 35: Fire All Weapons
Level 38: Energy Wave
Adv. Points: 2/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Jet Boots
Level 35: Mach Speed

Specializations
Dexterity: Combat Training (2/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Anguish (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (1/3)
Avenger: Surprise Attack (2/2)
Avenger: Relentless Assault (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

flowcyto

Here's an edit of it- mainly adding in the Advantages, and changing Avenger spec for Guardian spec (Avenger is still okay, though Relentless Assault doesn't work w/ toggled attacks, unfortunately):

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform (Ranged Damage)
v3.43:35

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

Talents
Level 1: The Samurai (Dex: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 10, End: 8)
Level 6: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 9: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Accurate (Dex: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 21: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Power Bolts
Level 1: Eye Beam (Rank 2, 20/20 Fission)
Level 6: Overdrive
Level 8: Targeting Computer (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Chilled Form
Level 14: Chest Laser (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Reconstruction Circuits (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Energy Wave (Reverse Polarity)
Level 23: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 26: Shoulder Launcher (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Concussor Beam (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Energy Shield (Rank 2)
Level 35: Lock N Load
Level 38: Fire All Weapons (Rank 2)
Adv. Points: 32/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Jet Boots
Level 35: Mach Speed

Specializations
Dexterity: Combat Training (2/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

I also gave you Recon Circuits, since it's a slotted PA power and thus won't suffer from lockout periods when you turn on other toggles, but you can change back to weaving in Endorphin Rush in-between toggles, if you want. I also gave you Shoulder Launcher instead of Hand Cannon, just cause it has wider AoE coverage, but you can change it back as well. If you are still having energy issues, then you could also consider trading one of the less important powers for Power Conversion in Laser Sword (or Dark Transfusion in Darkness).

egamer1

Yea i forgot to add advantages. Are my superstats ideal? or could i switch out con for ego for more ranged damage?

jaazaniah1

Ego does have the Insight spec that reduces energy costs, which is nice for PA. My PA Beam build is this. I sometimes find 2 ADs still useful. If you don't want MD you could potentially take a 2nd passive, like Invulnerability, for when you want to be tougher or maybe an on-next-hit power, or whatever.

Iron Pharaoh 6 - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.43:35

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

Talents
Level 1: The Psychokinetic (Dex: 10, Ego: 10, Rec: 10, End: 8)
Level 6: Worldly (Ego: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 9: Daredevil (Ego: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Accurate (Dex: 5, End: 5)
Level 18: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Shooter (Dex: 5, Ego: 5)

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, Rank 3)
Level 11: Overdrive
Level 14: Reconstruction Circuits (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Chilled Form
Level 20: Targeting Computer (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 26: Imbue (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Masterful Dodge (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Energy Shield (Rank 2, Phalanx Defense System)
Level 35: Energy Wave
Level 38: Thundering Return
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Power Flight (Rank 2)
Level 35: Mach Speed

Specializations
Ego: Mental Endurance (2/3)
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 (2/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

Devices

flowcyto

egamer1 wrote: »

Yea i forgot to add advantages. Are my superstats ideal? or could i switch out con for ego for more ranged damage?

I prob wouldn't, since Ego's innate ranged dmg bonus is subject to heavy diminished returns, and it soft-caps at 70 (an ally AoPM buff can get you there alone). Ego PSS is indeed a good alternative approach, though. There are ofc multiple SS setups that could work well here- it somewhat depends on your energy situation, whether you want more maxHP from Con SS or if you want to boost something else, and/or even if it's just easier for you to get a certain stat modded (like if you already have Dex modded into your gear, and it's too costly to change atm, etc).

pantagruel01

Energy management is generally a big hassle with PA, so it's easier to do Ego primary than Dex.

Active Offense powers aren't very useful, they lock out your PA abilities for long enough that they're a net dps loss.

flowcyto

pantagruel01 wrote: »

Active Offense powers aren't very useful, they lock out your PA abilities for long enough that they're a net dps loss.

Hadn't thought of that, but yeah I can see it, given how somewhat weak AOs generally tend to be for dps builds atm. I may just replace the AO for Power Conversion, even if you only need it when soloing.

jaazaniah1

I only use the AO in my build after I release a block and before I reactivate the toggles.

superalfgorn

Since we are discussing PA, I thought I could chime in for a few tips on a possible Support PA build.

The idea is to work as a mostly passive Support letting all auras take care of support duties.
In between toggles just throw a Bionic Shielding and a tap of the shield.
In case you are targeted the Sentry mastery should help the group and let you get out of possible problems with Blinding Light / Unbreakable.

The question is, would this guy be a welcome/worthy addition to a team?


Sentry - Freeform (Support)
v3.43:35

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

Talents
Level 1: The Psychokinetic (Dex: 10, Ego: 10, Rec: 10, End: 8)
Level 6: Survival Training (Dex: 3, Con: 3, Pre: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)
Level 9: Field Ops Training (Con: 3, Int: 3, Ego: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)
Level 12: Sniper Training (Dex: 3, Ego: 3, Pre: 3, End: 3)
Level 15: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 18: Accurate (Dex: 5, End: 5)
Level 21: Finesse (Dex: 5, Pre: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Power Bolts
Level 1: Dual Wrist Rocket Barrage (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Mini Gun (Rank 2, U-238 Rounds, Infrared Guidance System)
Level 8: Medical Nanites (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Overdrive
Level 14: Micro Munitions (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Telekinetic Shield (Rank 2, Telekinetic Reinforcement)
Level 20: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Inertial Dampening Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Resurrection Serum (Rank 2)
Level 29: Lock N Load
Level 32: Unbreakable (Unchained)
Level 35: Thundering Return
Level 38: Blinding Light
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Jet Boots (Rank 2)
Level 35: Teleportation (Rank 2)

Specializations
Presence: Selfless Ally (2/2)
Presence: Grandeur (3/3)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Sentinel: Caregiver (2/3)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (2/3)
Sentinel: Rejuvenated (3/3)
Sentry: Precise (3/3)
Sentry: Sentry Aura (3/3)
Sentry: Fortify (2/2)
Sentry: Reinforce (2/2)
Mastery: Sentry Mastery (1/1)

Devices

flowcyto

Support PA is a bit problematic, just due to power lockouts getting in the way of ally healing. If you still wanted to use PA as a Support, I'd prob do it w/ non-slotted PA attacks, just so you don't have to deal with that, or have to work around it. I prob wouldn't take IDF, either way, since it doesn't scale well and you'll hinder your energy return by taking it.

superalfgorn

Yeah I noticed that if you have to heal on the fly you just can't do it.
That's why I went with IDF and the all aura setup, hoping it would do.

too bad...

flowcyto

It could still work, to a degree, though it may just depend on the content you're facing and/or the quality of your allies. Just speaking in general, though, I wouldn't be able to recommend it just due to the inherent limits. Regardless, even if the support side is fine, there's still the issue of needing much energy for PA toggles, and not having a toggle/form that gives you any back w/ IDF.

luumina

I'm curious shouldn't you go with an innate that utilizes ego for more damage ?

flowcyto

luumina#2431 wrote: »

I'm curious shouldn't you go with an innate that utilizes ego for more damage ?

I'm not sure which build you're referring too (I guess it's the original poster's), but I generally wouldn't get talents for Ego if it's not SS'd- esp since Ego's innate dmg bonus is subject to DR and soft-caps at 70.