Some PTS Laser Testing Results, GCR Sets, Brilliance Mod vs R9 Impact

h4forums

Sometimes I see WTS/WTB for the TT Brilliance mod in zone chat, and wondered how good it really was. I imagine most of the endgame players have already done similar testing, but I thought it would be nice to post some results for people who are curious or can't be bothered to use the laser room. For the purposes of this test, I used the 1500 damage laser, no superstats, no stat mods slotted, no spec tree, naked block. Obviously an actual build will have better numbers, but I did it this way to isolate the mod and set comparisons. I did not do Justice set since its fairly obvious that set is geared towards damage output.

r0 block = 200% damage resistance
virt 2pc bonus = 10% damage resistance
dist 3pc bonus = +64 def
ov secondaries (slicer, fitness, speed)
brilliance mod = 20% damage resistance
R9 impact = +21 defense

3pc virt set (precision, fitness, efficiency) 113 def = 27% damage resistance
virtuous set, no block, 1077
virtuous set, block, 382
virtuous set, 2x R9 impact mod, no block, 999
virtuous set, 2x R9 impact mod, block, 354
virtuous set, 2x brilliance mod, no block, 931
virtuous set, 2x brilliance mod, block, 330

3pc dist set (offense, freedom, efficiency) 176.6 def = 42% damage resistance
dist set, no block, 1060
dist set, block, 353
dist set, 2x R9 impact mod, no block, 991
dist set, 2x R9 impact mod, block, 330
dist set, 2x brilliance mod, no block, 930
dist set, 2x brilliance mod, block, 310

Based on these numbers, brilliance is better, but not by a whole lot. The gap between +def and brilliance might close even more when considering +def can be scaled in spec tree via fortified gear in guardian, warden, protector, sentry as well as armored in con tree. Distinguished's +64 def bonus seems to outperform virtuous' 10% damage resist bonus. Once we add the specs, ranked blocks, and power effects, the difference will likely become even smaller.

flowcyto

Interesting, and thanks for sharing the data. It makes sense that Brilliance is a bit better for pure mitigation, since Impacts are easier to obtain and the defense can also boost The Best Defense from Warden_Guardian specs

h4forums

2023 updated testing with same conditions. Looks like I messed up testing before or some things got changed. I see now that brill does not stack with itself so the 2x brill slotting was a pointless check. Somehow my numbers are a bit different too but:

3PC dist (offense, freedom, efficiency) + 3PC ov (defender, fitness, efficiency), tank role, no stat mods slotted:
2x R9 impact (219.1 def, +52% tooltip resist), no block = 930
2x R9 impact (219.1 def, +52% tooltip resist), block = 310
1x R9 impact + 1x Brilliance (197.9 def, +47% tooltip resist), no block = 852
1x R9 impact + 1x Brilliance (197.9 def, +47% tooltip resist), block = 284

Anyway, Brilliance is much better than I had initially found in the 2021 test. I don't remember if it used to stack or I just messed up. It has also since been buffed to give 500 flat hp. Many of the stronger players use it, so this time the data supports it as being a notable improvement over a R9 impact mod.

Geared testing with juggernaut spec, powers, tank role:
- R3 Retaliate (360% resist), 6 stacks R3 Defiance (6x 23%)
2x R9 impact (526 def, +124% tooltip resist), block = 91
1x R9 impact + 1x Brilliance (492 def, +116% tooltip resist), block = 89

However, on a built tank it ends up not being that much difference due to how much resists tanks have already.


Since the ph laser is fire type, we can also test how good the Blazing Armor (40%) mod is:
1x R9 impact + 1x Blazing Armor (197.9 def, +47% tooltip resist), no block = 741
1x R9 impact + 1x Blazing Armor (197.9 def, +47% tooltip resist), block = 230
1x R9 Fire Retardant + 1x Blazing Armor (176.6 def, +42% tooltip resist), no block = 602
1x R9 Fire Retardant + 1x Blazing Armor (176.6 def, +42% tooltip resist), block = 184

jaazaniah1

I guess this is important for players who use just a few main chraracters all the time, but I have ca. 25 tanks (more on the way) that can handle end game content and I'm certainly not even going to try for Brillaince mods for even my favorites. Just not worth the effort since I can do the content now fine with just a r7 Impact and r7 Growth.

monsterdaddy

Well, I thought I read somewhere that the 20% dmg res of Brilliance is in the block layer. Which isn't all that useful if you block due to DR. But if you actually miss the block then that 20% (plus possibly another 20% from Elusive spec in Warden) might be enough to actually save your toon.