Ice/PA build that's tanky/solo-capable?

zend1

I've been trying to put together a build for a character that's a mix of ice and power armour, the purpose of which is to be able to operate solo, and can also tank some basic group stuff (alerts, not cosmics/lairs!) even if there isn't a healer about.

I was thinking to make the tanky/CC aspects Ice-based and the DPS comes mostly from non-toggle PA missile/rocket powers. I'm not really sure where to go from here however.

Invuln as a passive maybe, then either Concentration or Chilled Form, dependent on how much Ice damage would be flying around. I would like the Ice to be more than just a bit of visual flair, as it's a core part of the character concept (she has innate ice manipulation powers and wears a flying suit of power armour).
I was looking at picking Ego PSS then Con & End, with Ego/Warden/Protector specs and some Rec in the Talents. Conviction or Endorphin Rush for self-heal/Resurgence for active def/Energy Shield ranked to 3. A self-rez (Aurora maybe?) and Active Off that fits. I don't have any useful Ult unlocks.

flowcyto

Well, even if non-slotted PA doesn't suffer the same energy and lockout issues as slotted PA, the damage of its basic attacks are a bit on the low side. Chest Beam can help boost up the dmg from the basic attacks a bit, at least.

I assume that you wanted to make this a Hybrid-dps, but you could instead go for a dual-passive approach where you can swap between a dps-oriented setup (w/ an offensive passive and the ranged dps role) and a defensive setup (w/ Invuln and the Hybrid role). Normally, charging attacks for Concentration or Chilled Form could be a problem when tanking content that requires heavy blocking, but I guess you won't be trying to do that here, so it could end up being okay.

It's also worth noting that Concentration and Chilled Form are the same power- Chilled Form just scales w/ Dex or Ego, and Conc w/ Int or Ego. So the actual dmg types in the build won't matter for that choice, but rather what stat focus you choose (if it's Ego, then either one works).

For the Ice powers, I guess you could exploit Shatter's large AoE to tag mobs w/ it when off-tanking. Unfortunately Ice doesn't have that much unique utility for other sets to use, outside of some mild CC (also keep in mind that Aurora is not a free power; you'd have to have it unlocked to use it). I'd also prob opt for Guardicator specs, cause they're pretty well-rounded. Here's an example build, going w/ the dual-passive route:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.45:38

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

Talents
Level 1: The Scourge (Con: 10, Ego: 10, Rec: 10, End: 8)
Level 6: Worldly (Ego: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 9: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Daredevil (Ego: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Ascetic (Con: 5, Ego: 5)
Level 21: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Ice Shards
Level 1: Tactical Missiles (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Concentration
Level 8: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Rocket Punch (Rank 2, Grasping Hand)
Level 14: Chest Beam (Rank 2)
Level 17: Unified Theory
Level 20: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 23: Shatter (Rank 2, Challenge!)
Level 26: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Ice Shield (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Targeting Computer (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Ice Cage (Sub-Zero Cellblock)
Level 38: Aurora
Adv. Points: 33/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
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 (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: Ego Mastery (1/1)

Aurora could be another power (like another self-rez) if you don't have it unlocked. Ice Cage could also be changed (I added it here for an interrupt, if desired), and maybe to Ice Sheath, for example.

Taps of Chest Beam can debuff for Tac Missiles and Rocket Punch, while also procing Unified Theory, while Tac Missiles is the main single-target attack and Rocket Punch is the main AoE. As mentioned, Shatter can tag mobs w/ Challenge for off-tanking in a wide frontal AoE. The build gears mostly for Ego, w/ some Con and End. It's also possible to have two main gear sets here: one more focused on Ego for dps, and one w/ more Con for tanking.

Ofc, you can also simplify it back to a Hybrid-dps build (w/ no 2nd passive or switching) and do fine for casual content, but you won't be as flexible and won't have as good dps overall. The choice is ultimately up to you.

zend1

Thanks so much for the quick response!

I like the look of this build quite a lot. I had been hesitant to try the dual passive & role thing, but it seems quite simple here so I'll give it a go. I think trying to farm Aurora is probably not worth it so I've swapped it out for Thundering Return. I like the CC of Ice Cage, but I'm wondering about whether it's worth grabbing a Active Off like Imbue in its place.

jaazaniah1

Still keeping the dual passive approach, maybe the build could be mostly Ice-based, with a few PA powers for theme. E.g. Energy Shield, Energy Wave and Fire All Weapons. Maybe Night Warrior passive. Then, just use appropriate costume pieces and auras to provide more of the PA feel.​​

flowcyto

No problem. And yea, feel free to tinker around w/ the more optional power slots (like Ice Cage's), and hope the dual passive approach works out for you (it may take a bit of setup in the 'Builds' tab on the character sheet, but you can make it as simple as changing w/ the hit of a button). Ofc, you can always just stay w/ the Hybrid + Invuln setup if you want to play more conservatively, regardless.

jaazaniah1 wrote: »

Still keeping the dual passive approach, maybe the build could be mostly Ice-based, with a few PA powers for theme. E.g. Energy Shield, Energy Wave and Fire All Weapons. Maybe Night Warrior passive. Then, just use appropriate costume pieces and auras to provide more of the PA feel.​​

Yea, they could flip it around and go for more Ice than PA. I was just going by the initial post that said they were considering most of the DPS to come from PA's missile/rocket powers. Another general option is mixing the two a bit more evenly perhaps, like by using a PA blast to setup Ice Lane w/ Preemptive Strike in Avenger (or the other way: Ice Blast setting up Chest Beam). That kind of approach is also prob not gonna be very strong for dps overall, but it is a way to get both sets a prominent place in the single-target rotation (if that's desired).

h4forums

For alerts just tank by getting aggro via high dps, then popping your active defense (resurg lol) for survivability. The PA power energy wave, with the hardened particle matrix advantage, is great durability vs mobs. Unlike PA toggles, this power doesn't lock out stuff outside its set, so it will play well with your ice powers.

I agree with the route of making a normal ice dps, and throwing in energy wave, energy shield, fire all weapons for theme as Jaz suggested. Additionally, if you are willing to unlock more aura slots, you can tech up the look of your costume with things like hex fields, holodisruptor, hud displays.