Survivable Night Warrior Build

cptmillennium

This was requested in another thread that got somewhat sidetracked, but I thought it was worth posting anyway.

I should specify up front this is a Freeform build. I went with Unarmed attacks because of their defensive bonuses, which Night Warrior needs help with once out of stealth. I also don't like seeing claw weapons on top of my clawed gauntlets...

This build has all the power of Night Warrior's huge alpha strikes out of stealth, with the ability to scrap it out in a straight up brawl after. With dodge and avoidance gear and the advantages on Crashing Wave Kick and Thundering Kicks, and BCR w/RR, you have great survivability. You could swap out Dragon's Uppercut for some other Dragon attack, but you want one of them to take advantage of the Rush mechanic for energy management. I usually take Evasive Maneuvers for the flat dodge buff, but here I only use it for wiping threat and getting back in stealth (make sure to turn off your energy builder first). That lets you get in a second big burst attack out of stealth.

Form of the Tempest is hands down the preferred toggle. You can build stacks when you crit with either ranged OR melee attacks, and you get the aforementioned Rush mechanic when you fully charge a Dragon attack. I played with a Way of the Tiger and Concentration, but both were difficult to maintain consistently as I moved between range and melee.

Your main alphas are, of course, Shadow Strike for single targets and Throwing Blades for groups. I tend to think both are pretty overpowered, but I'll leave that discussion for other threads. For now it's enough to know that TB will one-shot any group of henchmen out of stealth, and SS will one-shot any Super Villain who doesn't dodge out of stealth. Afterward you can use Evasive Maneuvers to regain stealth and fire off another TB, or you can wade in with your kicks and Dragon attack. Tap Bola to lock down that villain you left at half health with your TB alpha, then you can easily and safely melee him down before he breaks free. Spam-tap TB on huge groups full of Villains that didn't all drop from your alpha.

Super Stats are DEX for high crit chance and severity, INT for all it does, and CON for added survivability. CON also works well when paired with Ego Surge w/Nimble Mind, for a huge boost to crit chance. You could swap that out for a different active offense though. Active defense is up to you, but Masterful Dodge seems wasted on this build. You could choose a different block too, or no block at all even, but if you're going to take one I think Parry w/Elusive Monk would be a waste also. I played around with it on test and it seemed I wasn't getting much benefit what with all the other dodge and avoidance. Retaliation's damage boost is nice, but I might still drop it and take the Gas Pellets just for theme and a little extra damage and CC.

Gear for crits, dodge/avoidance, and whatever you want on the utility side.

NOTE: This IS a leveling build. I'm currently at level 26 and the damage and survivability are stellar, with an interesting playstyle.


PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Dark Vigilante

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Specialist
Level 6: Acrobat
Level 9: Coordinated
Level 12: Healthy Mind
Level 15: Covert Ops Training
Level 18: Field Ops Training
Level 21: Martial Training

Powers:
Level 1: Vicious Strikes
Level 1: Night Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Thundering Kicks (Rank 2, Floating Lotus Blossom)
Level 8: Crashing Wave Kick (Subtlety of the Tides, Crippling Challenge)
Level 11: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 14: Throwing Blades (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Dragon Uppercut (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Form of the Tempest
Level 23: Bolas (Nailed to the Ground)
Level 26: Evasive Maneuvers (Sleight of Mind)
Level 29: Smoke Bomb Lunge (Sudden Strike)
Level 32: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 35: Unbreakable
Level 38: Retaliation

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Athletics (Versatility)
Level 35: Swinging

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: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Retribution (2/2)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

invinciblegirl

Um yeah no comment on that other thread. Anyway I like this build.:biggrin:

koriel8

This is exactly the build I was looking for. Thanks!

cptmillennium

Now that I've hit 40 I'm using something a little different.

I've found a block and even an active defense isn't that useful for me, but getting back into stealth is. And if I can get back into stealth, I don't need to do either. It's also useful to be able to generate energy while in stealth to set up your next alpha. This is why I dumped Unbreakable and Retaliation in favor of MSA and Smoke Grenade. SG recharges fast, triggering MSA and getting you out of danger or setting you up for another strike.

Gas pellets are a little odd. I find them hard to use and pretty unnecessary since Throwing Blades can take out groups just fine on its own, but I like that they don't break stealth and it's just one of those flavor powers I enjoy. If you want to drop something to get an active defense back in, this is the power I'd sacrifice first.


PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Blade
Level 6: Acrobat
Level 9: Coordinated
Level 12: Healthy Mind
Level 15: Covert Ops Training
Level 18: Martial Training
Level 21: Field Ops Training

Powers:
Level 1: Righteous Fists
Level 1: Night Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Thundering Kicks (Rank 2, Floating Lotus Blossom)
Level 8: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 11: Form of the Tempest
Level 14: Throwing Blades (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Bolas (Nailed to the Ground)
Level 20: Dragon Uppercut (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Evasive Maneuvers (Sleight of Mind)
Level 26: Smoke Grenade (Escape Artist)
Level 29: Ego Surge (Rank 2, Nimble Mind)
Level 32: Smoke Bomb Lunge
Level 35: Gas Pellets (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Molecular Self-Assembly

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Athletics (Versatility)
Level 35: Jet Pack

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: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Retribution (2/2)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

knightfalz

Thanks for posting the builds.

Just so you know, for me at least, the first link directs to a different build than the one presented in the post, called Raptor.

keikomyst

If I may share mine!


PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Saber Strider

Archetype: Freeform

Super Stats:
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Dexterity (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)

Talents:
Level 1: The Marksman
Level 6: Academics
Level 9: Shooter
Level 12: Coordinated
Level 15: Acrobat
Level 18: Negotiator
Level 21: Impresario

Powers:
Level 1: Boomerang Toss
Level 1: Ricochet Throw (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Concentration
Level 8: Night Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Throwing Blades (Rank 2)
Level 14: Evasive Maneuvers (Rank 2, Sleight of Mind)
Level 17: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 20: Bolas (Rank 2, Nailed to the Ground)
Level 23: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Resurgent Reiki)
Level 29: Masterful Dodge
Level 32: Ego Surge
Level 35: Strafing Run (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Smoke Grenade (Escape Artist)

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Acrobatics (Rank 2, Rank 3, Versatility)
Level 35: Swinging (Rank 2, Rank 3)

Specializations:
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

In case you want a ranged option as well!

zerojad

Thanks Cap! I'm using your build on my freeform, looks cool. :rolleyes:

cptmillennium

Glad to help! Keiko's ranged option looks great too.

knightfalz wrote: »

Thanks for posting the builds.

Just so you know, for me at least, the first link directs to a different build than the one presented in the post, called Raptor.

That's because the Powerhouse planner didn't have the Night Avenger powers in yet, so selected placeholder powers and edited the forum post to show the right ones. I just forgot to remove the link to the build. Thanks for mentioning it though, I'm sure it confused some people.

knightfalz

Heh, it got me that's for sure. But I'm a brand new player, so I probably am easier to confuse than most at this point.

rizenfell

I've got this build up to level 34, and indeed it's an interesting playstyle. Am a relatively new player, so decided to use the forums and the knowledge here to help master the game (and this was the first 'real' alt I went with) .

Cpt says in the original post "gear for crits, dodge/avoidance, and whatever you want on the utility side. At lvl 34 my Defence is 93.8%; Dodge Chance 48.8 and Avoidance 27.2%. Critical chance 38.7% and Crit. Severity 89.5%.

I'm guessing that is way too low and will spend some times trying to find the gear to raise it. In game-play, he's great against normal content; and hit and miss on teams. (That's likely me, I've rotten twitch reflexes and still can't size up the mobs all the time.)

Cpt says (way back in August) he was up to lvl 26, wondering if there's any (further) tweaks that've come to light since then?

benevon

Wouldn't Ricochet Throw be a better choice than Throwing Blades for an alpha strike ranged aoe? And in Keiko's build, you have both which seems redundant. Any explanation for those choices?

knightfalz

benevon wrote: »

And in Keiko's build, you have both which seems redundant. Any explanation for those choices?

I can tell you why I have both.

Ricochet Shot taps as a single target power, and charges as a chaining attack that bounces from your target to close by foes, and can bounce to hit foes near the target but not in your line of sight.

Throwing Blades has an AoE effect on tap or charge, that strikes a few foes simultaneously in a wider arc than Ricochet Throw has, so long as they are all in line of sight of the character.

Since the AoEs of the two function differently they are better suited to different situations.

Ricochet Shot works better when attacking single targets... and when you have time to charge and are attacking a foe in a tight group of enemies or if you know or think some enemies are hidden by corners or objects but near the target of your attack.

Throwing Blades works better when you are attacking visible enemies that are widely spread out, or you wish to strike multiple foes and do not want to charge.

benevon

knightfalz wrote: »

I can tell you why I have both.

Ricochet Shot taps as a single target power, and charges as a chaining attack that bounces from your target to close by foes, and can bounce to hit foes near the target but not in your line of sight.

Throwing Blades has an AoE effect on tap or charge, that strikes a few foes simultaneously in a wider arc than Ricochet Throw has, so long as they are all in line of sight of the character.

Since the AoEs of the two function differently they are better suited to different situations.

Ricochet Shot works better when attacking single targets... and when you have time to charge and are attacking a foe in a tight group of enemies or if you know or think some enemies are hidden by corners or objects but near the target of your attack.

Throwing Blades works better when you are attacking visible enemies that are widely spread out, or you wish to strike multiple foes and do not want to charge.

Ah ha. I had thought that Ricochet Throw hit multiple targets on tap as well. *shrug*

taintedmess

gradii wrote: »

I'll pass on that build. no str? no ego? sure you got con, but to what purpose? the style of night warrior is to hit hard and fast then recloak, its hit and run! with no str or ego the damage is gonna be subpar even with crits. :rolleyes:

Given that you only need 70 Str or 70 Ego to hit there damage caps you could quite easily gear for it.

If im not mistaken you get far more of a damage boost from the passive and from a form than you do from having 70 Str and/or Ego

rhymere

keikomyst wrote: »

If I may share mine!


PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Saber Strider

Archetype: Freeform

Super Stats:
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Dexterity (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)

Talents:
Level 1: The Marksman
Level 6: Academics
Level 9: Shooter
Level 12: Coordinated
Level 15: Acrobat
Level 18: Negotiator
Level 21: Impresario

Powers:
Level 1: Boomerang Toss
Level 1: Ricochet Throw (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Concentration
Level 8: Night Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Throwing Blades (Rank 2)
Level 14: Evasive Maneuvers (Rank 2, Sleight of Mind)
Level 17: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 20: Bolas (Rank 2, Nailed to the Ground)
Level 23: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Resurgent Reiki)
Level 29: Masterful Dodge
Level 32: Ego Surge
Level 35: Strafing Run (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Smoke Grenade (Escape Artist)

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Acrobatics (Rank 2, Rank 3, Versatility)
Level 35: Swinging (Rank 2, Rank 3)

Specializations:
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

In case you want a ranged option as well!

NM Miss Keiko! I should read the thread before I post! I am trying this build!

cptmillennium

Hey guys. To answer a couple of questions:

The build hasn't really changed, still works great.

Why Throwing Blades over Ricochet Throw? I like the tap damage and wide arc. I don't really need the added range of RT, I just need a strong and reliable AoE. I might go RT if I was planning on a lot of PVP though. In the end, it's just a matter of playstyle.

Why no STR or EGO? Doesn't make a lot of difference since they're additive damage buffs.

Why CON? The point of this build is to take advantage of Night Warrior's offensive strengths while also making up for some of its defensive weakness. If you CAN'T recloak, NW has very few defenses to fall back on. A high CON helps keep you alive till you can get back into stealth. It also boosts your out of stealth offensive damage with Ego Surge and Nimble Mind.

I tend to like self-sufficient, versatile builds. I'm sure you could pull a bit higher DPS at the cost of some survivability, but it wouldn't be worth it to me.

sagewithbubbles

gradii wrote: »

str and ego are capped too? seriously? thats crazy! they need to STOP and REVERSE this trend of capping secondary stats. I've been thinking. who cares if people make crazy OP Uber Tanks if you kill all good concept builds! its gonna kill the whole fun of the game! :mad:

That's not entirely true.

Strength and Ego aren't hard-capped, but they do have pretty sharp diminishing returns. You get more of a damage boost from the first 70 points than you do from anything after that. It's + 0.28% damage boost per point for the first 70 points, + 0.074% per point for every point after that.

See Radia's thread here for exact numbers:

http://co-forum.perfectworld.com/showpost.php?p=2322091&postcount=2

The main reason to superstat them is for knock resistance/melee knock distance (Str) or ranged knock distance (Ego). They both also have pretty good spec trees when taken as a primary superstat.

The damage boost is nice, but it's not going to cover all your offensive needs on a character or anything.

jonesing4

gradii wrote: »

and what EXACTLY tho do you gain from making a superstat a main one? the thread doesnt seem to say.

I'm not really sure what you're asking... What do you gain from making STR/EGO your primary SS? Or something else?

rizenfell

gradii wrote: »

I'm asking what do you gain from making any stat your PRIMARY besides the spec tree

Your superstats (one primary and two secondary) automatically increase as you level. Other stats do not, and you must use gear and the like to enhance those should you wish to.

You could do worse than read the full page about this at co-wiki:

Super Stats
Each character may choose 1 primary and 2 secondary super stats. The primary super stat can be picked at level 6, and the secondary super stats at level 10 and 15 (archetypes have these pre-chosen, as with their powers). These stats will be granted an immediate bonus that increases at every level (at level 40 you will have a total of +80 to the primary super stat and +40 to your secondary super stats). These stats provide a bonus to damage for ALL powers and certain other bonuses depending on your Role. There are no specific stats that increase a specific type of damage (with the exception of Strength and Ego which give a increase to base melee/ranged damage). This bonus is based on the numerical value of the Super Stat and the level of the character, and every primary Super Stat will grant an equal bonus given the same value. This bonuses suffers from diminishing returns with a target bonus of 15%/30% (depending on role) and secondary super stats grant a lesser value.

It's important, however, to select a Super Stat that has innate effects that you'd like your character to have, as the boosted stat value will improve those as well.

... ...The stat bonus begins at +13, and increases every level until you hit 40 and the bonus accumulates to +80 for primary and +40 for secondary super stats.