Force/PA Tank?

bladedragon80

I don't think I've seen this one. I was unhappy with the Toggle powers off of PA when I finally got a 40 to use them. I thought "well, Force could be an interesting substitute!" and now I'm drawing some blanks in this case.

Two powers I want to include are Chest Beam and Rocket Punch. Otherwise, anything goes?

Hope to hear back!

flowcyto

Well, Chest Beam can provide Burn Through for something like FC, so that's good. Here's a mix of the sets (using the beta version of the Planner for the revamped Force stuff):

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform (Tank)
v3.45:38

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

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

Powers
Level 1: Power Bolts
Level 1: Rocket Punch (Rank 2, Challenge!)
Level 6: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Force Control
Level 11: Impact Force
Level 14: Crushing Wave (Disruptive Force, Barrier, Challenge!)
Level 17: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 20: Force Cascade (Rank 2, Focus Point, Challenge!)
Level 23: Chest Beam (Rank 2)
Level 26: Endorphin Rush (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Energy Shield (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32:
Level 35:
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 28/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Constitution: Unyielding (1/2)
Constitution: Fuel My Fire (3/3)
Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
Constitution: Armored (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (3/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (2/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Constitution Mastery (1/1)

The open power slots can be w/e ya want.

FC (w/ Focus Point) is your main single-target attack here, and taps of Chest Beam can debuff for it. Crushing Wave can give you a dmg shield and be your main close-up AoE. Rocket Punch can be used as a long-ranged AoE tag, and also to help Crushing Wave w/ AoE (though mind its scatter KB chance, and you can build up knock immunity w/ Crushing Wave first). Gears mostly for Con, w/ some End (and some cost discount on gear).

Rec SS can also replace Dex SS here if you want a bit more hep w/ energy, though you'll lose some crit%. Str PSS with 3/3 in Juggernaut (STR/Con/End) is another general SS option that can work here (as could End PSS w/ Hardened), and you could also replace Vind spec w/ Protector spec if you want a bit more of a defensive focus (and/or replace Guardian w/ Warden + Elusive).

jaazaniah1

If Rocket Punch is in there, I wonder how useful Avenger with Preemptive Strike might be? Chest Beam, tap of RP followed by FC? Perhaps too many things going on?​​

bladedragon80

That's actually pretty good! Thank you! I even see where I can shift things around a bit to get Defiance if I wanted to.

One of those theoretical builds in your notes intrigues me. Str PSS on what's looking like a ranged Tank?

Love to hear how that would work, and I got no problem tagging in some stuff there to simulate being that big strong guy in power armor.

flowcyto

jaazaniah1 wrote: »

If Rocket Punch is in there, I wonder how useful Avenger with Preemptive Strike might be? Chest Beam, tap of RP followed by FC? Perhaps too many things going on?​​

I wouldn't normally take Avenger spec on a tank, but yeah that could work too (mainly as way to regularly weave Rocket Punch into the rotation, if you desired that).

bladedragon80 wrote: »

(...) One of those theoretical builds in your notes intrigues me. Str PSS on what's looking like a ranged Tank?

Love to hear how that would work, and I got no problem tagging in some stuff there to simulate being that big strong guy in power armor.

It's just a different PSS choice, so it'd mostly just change some passive bonuses you'd get (namely the large defense boost w/ Juggernaut + Con-stacking, which can be good for any tank-styled build). Since Ranged builds don't benefit from Physical Peak or Overpower's melee boosts in Str PSS, you'd just skip those and get other options (likely Aggression and Brutality). For example, w/ this build:

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

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

Specializations
Strength: Swole (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)

It still gears mostly for Con and some End (and some cost discount). I still prefer Con PSS for ranged tanks, just cause it gives me more flexibility w/ the SS choices while still offering many defensive options, but Str PSS can be good too.

bladedragon80

jaazaniah1 wrote: »

If Rocket Punch is in there, I wonder how useful Avenger with Preemptive Strike might be? Chest Beam, tap of RP followed by FC? Perhaps too many things going on?​​

Might be too much going on. Against something like a Cosmic, probably going to be tap-spamming Chest Beam or FC.

bladedragon80

Also, that's an interesting bit, flowcyto. I'm probably going to end up trying it out and sticking Crushing Ruin on just to pull out a big freaking sword or the like.

flowcyto

Sure thing. You could also change the block to HW's Guard if you want to pull out a large weapon when blocking, but it's up to you on how to customize the build.

bladedragon80

So, returning after IRL ate me for a while. That idea of Str/Con/End is definitely looking a lot better and I'm loving the hell out of it.

I'm not 40 yet, but so far I'm envisioning this and hoping it will work out as a final build on my end. If Sentinel doesn't work out, will probably go back to Vindicator or Avenger. More than likely Vind.


(Unnamed Build) - Freeform (Tank)
v3.45:38

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

Talents
Level 1: The Rockstar (Str: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 8, End: 10)
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: Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Power Bolts
Level 1: Rocket Punch (Rank 2, Challenge!)
Level 6: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Force Control
Level 11: Impact Force
Level 14: Crushing Wave (Disruptive Force, Barrier, Challenge!)
Level 17: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 20: Force Cascade (Rank 2, Focus Point, Challenge!)
Level 23: Chest Beam (Rank 2)
Level 26: Endorphin Rush (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Retaliation (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Roomsweeper (Concussive Blow)
Level 35: Crushing Ruin (Commanding Presence)
Level 38: Mighty Kick (Boot to the Head)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Acrobatics (Rank 2)
Level 35: Jet Pack (Rank 2, Rank 3)

Specializations
Strength: Swole (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (3/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (2/3)
Sentinel: Torment (2/2)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (3/3)
Sentinel: Wither (2/2)
Mastery: Sentinel Mastery (1/1)

Devices

NOTE: Last three powers are flavor more than anything. I seem to have all I want in there.

flowcyto

Well, you'll need a normal stun/hold like Roomsweeper's adv to get some mileage from Sentinel Mastery, and the Ult's threat adv and the interrupt can be nice too. I'd prob take either Protector, Vindicator, Warden (w/ Elusive), or Sentry spec as a tank and leave Sentinel spec to Support and CC'ers instead, but it's ultimately up to you.

Glad you're enjoying the build, either way.

bladedragon80

I am. So, final build from my end. I'll just say you were right about the Sentinel bit. Went back and used the "Keep It Simple Stupid" method. Now I'm just trying to balance out the Con/End buffering.

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform (Tank)
v3.45:38

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

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

Powers
Level 1: Power Bolts
Level 1: Rocket Punch (Rank 2, Challenge!)
Level 6: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Force Control
Level 11: Impact Force
Level 14: Crushing Wave (Disruptive Force, Barrier, Challenge!)
Level 17: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 20: Force Cascade (Rank 2, Focus Point, Challenge!)
Level 23: Chest Beam (Rank 2)
Level 26: Endorphin Rush (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Energy Shield (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Energy Wave (Recharge)
Level 35: Crushing Ruin (Commanding Presence)
Level 38: Mighty Kick (Boot to the Head)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Acrobatics (Rank 2)
Level 35: Jet Pack (Rank 2, Rank 3)

Specializations
Strength: Swole (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (3/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (2/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Vindicator Mastery (1/1)

Devices


Like you said, Crushing Wave's my main AoE. Taps of Chest Beam to debuff, single targets/bosses get Force Cascade bursts. If I'm having trouble or I notice DPS is a bit much, Crushing Ruin ASAP. Mighty Kick is the interrupt for when needed and Energy Wave acts as a stack gainer and back up healer in this case. Rocket Punch is my ranged grabber and occasional stack gainer. Endorphin Rush is my main healing bit if they get through Crushing Wave along with Resurgence for a burst heal.

flowcyto

Alright, well there's not too many changes there from the previous version, but it sounds like it's working okay, assuming energy is fine overall. If you wanted to free up some adv points, you could consider dropping R2 on Chest Beam and/or Rocket Punch, if you wanted to use the points somewhere else (like Reverse Polarity on EWave, or ranking the Ult), but it's up to you as you could also just keep things as is. You could also put up 2ndary Challenge on bosses via getting Challenge on EWave (since it's a pbAoE), and maybe taking a rank from a travel power for it, but that's also up to you.

bladedragon80

flowcyto wrote: »

Alright, well there's not too many changes there from the previous version, but it sounds like it's working okay, assuming energy is fine overall. If you wanted to free up some adv points, you could consider dropping R2 on Chest Beam and/or Rocket Punch, if you wanted to use the points somewhere else (like Reverse Polarity on EWave, or ranking the Ult), but it's up to you as you could also just keep things as is. You could also put up 2ndary Challenge on bosses via getting Challenge on EWave (since it's a pbAoE), and maybe taking a rank from a travel power for it, but that's also up to you.

So far, yes. I'm considering that suggestion on Energy Wave. If I didn't like the sheer "boom" effect on FC, I would seriously drop it for CB as R2, PB, and Challenge.

Otherwise so far it's going as intended with it. Hard hitting ranged tank with survival options and plenty of threat.

Only thing getting me so far is balance to make it survivable on gear, like I said. Need to get some cash going so I can toss that around a bit.