Touching up my Healer

renegade0

I used to have conviction in my build, but I'm not entirely sure it was every effective when I played solo or in any group setting. I also used to use Protection Field. I found it to be somewhat useful, but figured Bionic Shielding might be more useful. In cosmics, Protection Field would only protect people from maybe one hit...I think...it's hard to tell, but sometimes it felt like it barely did much of anything and was only useful in alerts. But I assume Bionic Shielding will serve a similar purpose and it can reach 100ft which is nice for healing the Baby Dino Tank in cosmics

I went with drain for aoe healing over the Darkness heals for aesthetic reasons. My character is a scientist who uses guns and cyberware with some alien tech. I know smoke bomb has a long cool down, but I find it more effective for me because I use it when multiple things attack me and don't have time to target something because I'm always looking at the health bars to make sure everyone else is still alive.

I don't like the aesthetic of the darkness shield, but it's way too useful with the constant healing I get from it since my PRE and healing bonuses are really high.

For the Specializations, I was thinking about getting something other than Grandeur because idk how much it really matters that I damage stuff since I'm mainly focused on healing teammates. When there's events that requires me to solo, I use my DPS characters, never my healer anyway. And events are the only times I'll bother to solo anything. I just wanted to get this checked out...like is Bionic Shielding not good or maybe considered redundant since I have Iniquity? I wish there was a good way to test healing builds before leaving the powerhouse. I don't have any more retcons after this on this character lol.

Healer - Freeform (Support)
v3.45:38

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

Talents
Level 1: The Witch (Con: 10, Int: 8, Pre: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 9: Finesse (Dex: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 12: Shrug It Off (Con: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 15: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Lasting Impression (Pre: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Radiance
Level 1: Compassion
Level 6: Iniquity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Aura of Arcane Clarity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Death's Embrace (Pact)
Level 17: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Thundering Return
Level 23: Mental Leech
Level 26: Mind Drain (Rank 2, Deplete)
Level 29: Smoke Bomb
Level 32: Assault Rifle (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Submachinegun Burst (Wall of Bullets)
Level 38: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Energy Swinging (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Swift Skating (Rank 2)

Specializations
Presence: Repurpose (3/3)
Presence: Grandeur (2/3)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Sentry: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Sentry: Precise (3/3)
Sentry: Sentry Aura (3/3)
Sentry: Fortify (1/2)
Sentinel: Eternal Spring (2/2)
Sentinel: Caregiver (3/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (3/3)
Sentinel: Genesis (2/2)
Mastery: Presence Mastery (1/1)

Devices
Slot 1: Nimbus of Force
Slot 2: Loyal Sidekick: Harajuku Twins

renegade0

I was also thinking about getting Bountiful Chi with the AOE advantage, but the healing on that seems insignificant.

jaazaniah1

Trying to stay close to your build (e.g. I've never found threat wipes useful on my healers; personally I think r1 Conviction is more useful), I might suggest this. If you are healing you probably don't need a single target attack. The SMG is probably enough, if you ramp it up. If you end up with VG, Repurpose might not be all that useful. The passive group heals from Sentinel Aura are too good to pass up. Some suggestions for tech devices for some other offensive options. The H. twins don't seem to fit your stated them. Nothing better?

Healer - Freeform (Support)
v3.45:38

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

Talents
Level 1: The Hero (Str: 8, Dex: 8, Con: 8, Int: 8, Ego: 8, Pre: 8, Rec: 6, End: 6)
Level 6: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 9: Finesse (Dex: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 12: Shrug It Off (Con: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 15: Showmanship (Ego: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 18: Diplomatic (Int: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 21: Lasting Impression (Pre: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Radiance
Level 1: Compassion
Level 6: Iniquity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Aura of Arcane Clarity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Death's Embrace (Pact)
Level 17: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Thundering Return
Level 23: Mental Leech
Level 26: Mind Drain (Rank 2, Deplete)
Level 29: Smoke Bomb
Level 32: Arcane Vitality (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Submachinegun Burst (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Energy Swinging (Rank 2)
Level 35: Swift Skating (Rank 2)

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

Devices
Slot 1: Nimbus of Force
Slot 2: Loyal Sidekick: Harajuku Twins
Slot 3: Experimental Plasma Rifle
Slot 4: Seismic Ping Pong Ball​​

warcanch

Jaaz's suggestion is pretty solid. I'd add one device option: Demonic Flesh Graft / Force Shield Belt. The cooldown is less than 1 minute and it scales on your Passive, Stance, and Presence. Giving you a 15 second shield for 10k or more. Probably closer to 15k+.

renegade0

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try it out. I use the twins because I like to pretend that my character invents weapons for people for them to test out while she cackles in the back ground like a mad scientist only healing them so that the experiments can continue...i dunno...

It's honestly hard for me to give up the assault rifle because there are situations where there's down time on healing or people aren't taking down adds and I have to do it. I've thought about using a device for attacks, but they all seem to have a long cool down. I could probably let go of smoke grenade for arcane vitality. I don't know...it has been pretty useful, especially during group stuff where i get stranded and need to lose aggro...this is difficult lol.

I guess having multiple attack devices could make up for their long cooldowns. I'll probably end up doing that. Thanks again for the help.

jaazaniah1

I forgot to mention the almost always useful Psionc Accelerator device. Pretty short CD, decent damage, wide coverage. Seems about as theme as the mind drain power.

As a support build, your damage is going to be relatively neglible, no matter what. That's why I suggest SMG over AR. Most conenter involves clearing mobs, so the AoE could be more useful than a single target attack. If you, the healer, are having to carry the team damage-wise, it's a pretty sad team.​​

renegade0

Thanks again for the help. Here's what I'm thinking I'll do after playing around for a couple of days

Healer - Freeform (Support)
v3.45:38

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

Talents
Level 1: The Witch (Con: 10, Int: 8, Pre: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 9: Finesse (Dex: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 12: Shrug It Off (Con: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 15: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Lasting Impression (Pre: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Radiance
Level 1: Compassion
Level 6: Iniquity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Aura of Arcane Clarity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Aura of Ebon Destruction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Death's Embrace (Pact)
Level 20: Thundering Return
Level 23: Mental Leech
Level 26: Mind Drain (Rank 2, Deplete)
Level 29: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Assault Rifle (Rank 2)
Level 38: Overdrive
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Energy Swinging (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Swift Skating (Rank 2, Rank 3)

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

Devices
Slot 1: Loyal Sidekick: Knaal
Slot 2: Nimbus of Force
Slot 3: Psionic Accelerator
Slot 4: Force Shield Belt
Slot 5: Renaissance Center Transport


I have the 3 Passives because I usually see people with AoPM and AoRP and then AoAC. If AoAC can stack when others have it active, I might get rid of AoED for a threat wipe. In lieu of a threat wipe, i figured I could use Force Shield Belt for those "oh crap" moments. While playing, I find that I don't really need the wall of bullets and with Psionic Accelerator I have AoE covered I think. The Assault Rifle power does more damage than Mind Drain so I think I might end up keeping it and push it to R3 if I get rid of AoED

I also got an Energy Unlock because with Bionic Shielding replacing Protection Field, I find myself running out of energy. PF gave me energy whenever it protected people, so I never had to worry about energy ever, but now I'm always running out of it even with AoAC on. Maybe that'll change with the devices being a part of my rotations now though. I just got them and only played around with them for like 5 minutes before making this build and seeing if it needed more adjustments. I mainly want to know if AoAC stacks and if it does, how bad is the Diminishing Returns?

renegade0

After doing some cosmics, I definitely under estimated the difference that Conviction made. I might have to give up AoPM for a threat wipe though

Healer - Freeform (Support)
v3.45:38

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

Talents
Level 1: The Witch (Con: 10, Int: 8, Pre: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 9: Finesse (Dex: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 12: Shrug It Off (Con: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 15: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Lasting Impression (Pre: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Radiance
Level 1: Iniquity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Conviction (Rank 2, Reverence)
Level 8: Compassion
Level 11: Ebon Void (Rank 2)
Level 14: Death's Embrace
Level 17: Mind Drain (Rank 2, Deplete)
Level 20: Mental Leech
Level 23: Thundering Return
Level 26: Aura of Arcane Clarity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Aura of Ebon Destruction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Submachinegun Burst (Wall of Bullets)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Energy Swinging (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Swift Skating (Rank 2)

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

Devices
Slot 1: Loyal Sidekick: R.O.D.
Slot 2: Nimbus of Force
Slot 3: Psionic Accelerator
Slot 4: Force Shield Belt
Slot 5: Renaissance Center Transport

flowcyto

Yea, Conviction is really strong for healers, such that it's kinda hard to pass up on. You did say that you went w/ AR to do more dmg than Mind Drain, but it seems like you changed it back to SMG. The attacks prob aren't that important here, either way, but whether you want to contribute a bit more single-target dmg for bosses or to help a bit more vs. trash when not healing is just up to you. Anyways, I hope energy is better for the build now (the devices, Iniquity not using energy, AoAC_AoPM, and having some cost discount on gear should all help w/ that). Hopefully you don't have to ditch a power to make room for an EU, but I guess you could drop one of the aura options for that, if needed. I'm also unsure about the usefulness of a threat wipe here, but it will depend on your own experiences.

renegade0

yeah. I'm back and forth on SMG and rifle because I'm thinking about my survivability again. I felt way more squishy and helpless without Conviction, my usual Protection Field (I'm almost tempted to go back to it instead of Bionic Shielding), and not wall of bullets/draining shadows (From Shadow Embrace). Like, I felt the struggle of keeping my character alive and had to let others die. It might have just been a really bad run though. I was the only healer during Slug in warzone.

But during that, I could tell Conviction was the most miss power. And I couldn't tell if Bionic shielding was helping that much. It seemed like with Protection Field, I could at least tell when it was active or not without having to look at any numbers. I'll probably end up getting a single target attack device so I can use both lol. I have some testing to do. either way, lesson learned, Conviction is way too important.

renegade0

This build might be a little crazy, lol. It feels like I'm trying to have my cake and eat it too.

Healer - Freeform (Support)
v3.45:38

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

Talents
Level 1: The Witch (Con: 10, Int: 8, Pre: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 9: Finesse (Dex: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 12: Shrug It Off (Con: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 15: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Lasting Impression (Pre: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Radiance
Level 1: Iniquity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Conviction (Rank 2, Reverence)
Level 8: Compassion
Level 11: Ebon Void (Rank 2)
Level 14: Death's Embrace
Level 17: Mental Leech
Level 20: Mind Drain (Rank 2, Deplete)
Level 23: Thundering Return
Level 26: Aura of Arcane Clarity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Aura of Ebon Destruction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Protection Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Energy Swinging (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Swift Skating

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

Devices
Slot 1: Loyal Sidekick: Knaal
Slot 2: Nimbus of Force
Slot 3: Psionic Accelerator
Slot 4: Force Shield Belt
Slot 5: Experimental Plasma Rifle

flowcyto

Yea, I prob wouldn't take Protection Field if I already had Bionic Shielding and all the other heals, but it seems that you have a lot of experience using PF. Healing is more reactive and harder to nail down than the other roles, imo. Even w/ the more restricted power choices, personal preference and comfort level is going to play into it a bit more. So I can't really say for sure what you should work with here, but a power can be fine to keep as long as you are getting good mileage from it.

renegade0

Yeah. I'll probably play around with it and see if it feels redundant. Thanks for all the help, i really appreciate it. i have a feeling that just having Conviction back will make the build feel better on its own

flowcyto

Sure thing, and good luck out there, regardless 8)