Earth Build - Help me!

theravenforce

Hey all,

I've been wanting to make use of the Earth Powerset since it came out but I have never been sure how to break my way into the set and make a viable build. As most of my characters are either level 40 or getting near that level, I've decided to tackle another powerset. This is a theme build, but I guess it can be widely applied.

Theme/Concept - Anyone familiar with Terra from the Teen Titans will have an idea of the personality of my intended character, She will be quite insecure about her abilities and not very confident in what she can do, but she does wield great power....she just has no idea how to use it.

Stats - I have no idea what so ever about stats except that I know that I'll need EGO. I'd like to take Intelligence and Constitution as well, then again I dont know.

Passive - I have opted for Aura of Primal Majesty, for an all round boost.

Travel Powers - I have them set in Stone

Here is a draft build:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: -Geomancer Build-

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Invincible
Level 6: Academics
Level 9: Healthy Mind
Level 12: Ascetic
Level 15: Physical Conditioning
Level 18: Professional Athlete
Level 21: Body and Mind

Powers:
Level 1: Wield Earth
Level 1: Tremor (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Stone Shroud (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Cave In (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 17: Concentration
Level 20: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Fault Line (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Quicksand (Rank 2)
Level 29: Land Slide
Level 32: Empathic Healing (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 38: Masterful Dodge

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Earth Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Tunneling (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 (2/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (2/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (2/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (1/2)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (1/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

Any improvements and advice will be great!

As regards Empathic Healing... I chose it for "geothemal healing" concept.

I'm not too sure on Land Slide, but it's themeatic but could be replaced with a heal or something.

Pretty much everything is subject to change.

theravenforce

20 views and no help...aww..anyone!?

forrksakesexco

Everyone's too busy on the doom threads!
haven't tried earth set yet
Empathic healing - could that be traded for bcr/rr or if you're worried about healing others Palliate for a big heal surge? (also I like it for healing the useless Doc Destroyer in Resistance and healing Qwyjibo/Mega Terek in MI crisis)
R3 Stone shroud could you save a couple of AP's there and get better MD or Ego Surge?
Not much help I'll grant you but hopefully someone who knows what they're talking about will comment.

theravenforce

Bumping this thread so I can get some help :biggrin:

jaysank

Superstats: You could make Int primary instead of Ego. This would allow you to take advantage of Enlightened and Expertise. The trade off would be fewer crits and probably less damage, but the utility of having a much larger boost to pre, con, and energy stats might benefit the build.

Powers: You might want a power that consistently applies Stagger, as the debuff is not insignificant and several of your powers can take advantage of it. Stone Shot, while weak, will consistently apply the effect with the advantage. Not sure what to get rid of; possibly Landslide, but Landslide could help with MSA. If you just wanted to shift AP around, you could try getting the Advantage on Tremor called Rupture. A Landslide into a full charge Tremor should apply staggered to a whole group.

Advantages: If you pick Int, pick up Enlightened and Expertise. Instead of Warden, try Guardian. You can keep TBD, Ruthless and Fortified Gear, but you could get Locus instead of Elusive. Building stacks shouldn't be too hard as almost all of your attacks are AOE, and the boost combined with TBD and Aggressive Stance can be very beneficial.

I hope this helps.

theravenforce

Thanks for the feedback jaysank :biggrin:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: -Geomancer Build-

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Invincible
Level 6: Academics
Level 9: Healthy Mind
Level 12: Ascetic
Level 15: Physical Conditioning
Level 18: Professional Athlete
Level 21: Body and Mind

Powers:
Level 1: Wield Earth
Level 1: Stone Shot (Rank 2)
Level 6: Tremor (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Cave In (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Concentration
Level 20: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 23: Stone Shroud (Rank 2)
Level 26: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 29: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 32: Fault Line (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Masterful Dodge
Level 38: Fissure (Rank 2, Reconstruct)

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Earth Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Tunneling (Rank 2, Rank 3)

Specializations:
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Revitalize (1/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (2/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (2/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (2/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (1/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Locus (2/2)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)


Is what I have come up with based on all the feedback. I have dumped Empathic Healing for BCR, both fit thematically in the sense of, geothermal healing or core healing. And as an added bonus BCR helps proc MSA so its all good :biggrin:

Thank you! (Now all I need is a name xD)

slowecsl4pwe

Hey Raven,

This is the ranged Earth build I am currently running and have gotten her to level 34 at this point. She plays pretty well in Alerts. You could run her in Hybrid or Tank mode. I am currently running her in Tank for the extra HP and incoming damage reduction.

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Granite Girl

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Scourge
Level 6: Wordly
Level 9: Quick Recovery
Level 12: Negotiator
Level 15: Boundless Reserves
Level 18: Prodigy
Level 21: Field Ops Training

Powers:
Level 1: Wield Earth
Level 1: Tremor (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Stone Shroud (Rank 2)
Level 8: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Quicksand (Rank 2, Repulsing Waves)
Level 14: Cave In (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Concentration
Level 20: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 23: Masterful Dodge
Level 26: Flashfire (Rank 2, Sweltering Heat)
Level 29: Thermal Reverberation
Level 32: Tyrannon's Familiar (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Fissure (Rank 2, Reconstruct)
Level 38: Lock N Load

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Earth Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Teleportation

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 (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

Her critical severity is pretty high, though her critical chance is still pretty low. I will be outfitting her with better gear at level 40 and adding a Gambler Mod to help raise her critical chance.

Originally I was utilizing Molecular Self Assembly as an energy unlock, but decided to go a different direction and layer a DoT attack that would proc Thermal Reverberation, so I have added a bit of Endurance to her and it helps power her attacks quite well so far.

Her two main attacks are Tremor which has great knock up and fall damage and Cave In for good single target damage. I haven't gotten Fissure yet. I picked up the pet to help pull aggro off her and it fits her rock theme.

Hope this is some help. Have fun out there

theravenforce

slowecsl4pwe wrote: »

Hey Raven,

This is the ranged Earth build I am currently running and have gotten her to level 34 at this point. She plays pretty well in Alerts. You could run her in Hybrid or Tank mode. I am currently running her in Tank for the extra HP and incoming damage reduction.

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Granite Girl

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Scourge
Level 6: Wordly
Level 9: Quick Recovery
Level 12: Negotiator
Level 15: Boundless Reserves
Level 18: Prodigy
Level 21: Field Ops Training

Powers:
Level 1: Wield Earth
Level 1: Tremor (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Stone Shroud (Rank 2)
Level 8: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Quicksand (Rank 2, Repulsing Waves)
Level 14: Cave In (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Concentration
Level 20: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 23: Masterful Dodge
Level 26: Flashfire (Rank 2, Sweltering Heat)
Level 29: Thermal Reverberation
Level 32: Tyrannon's Familiar (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Fissure (Rank 2, Reconstruct)
Level 38: Lock N Load

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Earth Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Teleportation

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 (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

Her critical severity is pretty high, though her critical chance is still pretty low. I will be outfitting her with better gear at level 40 and adding a Gambler Mod to help raise her critical chance.

Originally I was utilizing Molecular Self Assembly as an energy unlock, but decided to go a different direction and layer a DoT attack that would proc Thermal Reverberation, so I have added a bit of Endurance to her and it helps power her attacks quite well so far.

Her two main attacks are Tremor which has great knock up and fall damage and Cave In for good single target damage. I haven't gotten Fissure yet. I picked up the pet to help pull aggro off her and it fits her rock theme.

Hope this is some help. Have fun out there

This is a suprise! I saw you in game just yesterday entering Finkle Foundry, I was about to click and PM you and ask you for advice on an earth build xD. Your build looks something similar to what I had in mind for the earth build, especially the golem. Thank you

theravenforce

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Terra

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Invincible
Level 6: Academics
Level 9: Healthy Mind
Level 12: Ascetic
Level 15: Physical Conditioning
Level 18: Professional Athlete
Level 21: Body and Mind

Powers:
Level 1: Wield Earth
Level 1: Tremor (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Stone Shroud (Rank 2)
Level 8: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Cave In (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Concentration
Level 20: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 23: Tyrannon's Familiar (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Bountiful Chi Resurgence
Level 29: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 32: Fault Line (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Masterful Dodge
Level 38: Fissure (Rank 2, Reconstruct)

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Earth Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Tunneling (Rank 2, Rank 3)

Specializations:
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Revitalize (1/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (2/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (2/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (2/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (1/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Locus (2/2)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)

I'm thinking this will be my final version, I took INT as primary because of it benefitting my passive as well as lower energy costs and all other little perks associated with INT Spec. CON is used for when I get knocked back as I'll have little KB resistance so I can survive as well. EGO is for additive damage for my ranged powers, since I am all ranged it makes sense IMO.

Golem Summon, is something I wanted to work in for quite a while now and thanks to Granite Girl's build I've been able to do a little restructuring and managed to work rank 3 in, it should help me manage agro and deal extra damage and the beauty of this is that it is TOTALLY in theme

Theme wise: From what I can see this is very themeatic as a homage to the actual Teen Titan Terra which is mixed in with my own idea of a character called Terra (Yue Ichidokku) and her background, 10/10

PvP Wise: I dont usually spec or think about PvP when making my builds. This build has zero PvP potential when compared to the normal franken builds that are moulded for PvP. I'd say this build could probably put up a fight in non specialised PvP, i.e. against another PvE orientated build.

beldin

From an old post from me.

I later did a little strange change to the build because i don't
really liked the block and didn't wanted to waste points on Landslide and Stone Shroud
so the only way i found out to make that work was with using the new EB from Power Armor. I think that also was an EGO Spec then with concentration and Overdrive for the
first Powers. However .. it feels strange with that EB.

---

(Note : Not a leveling Build until at least Level 14)

My Earth Build, for all the Epidemic haters. Yeah i know there is again Devour Essence
but that was mainly because i didn't really found a better Energy Unlock than Overdrive
and since that only works on maintains .. and i often prefer Maintains over charges *sigh*

Nonetheless you can also only spam Cave-In instead, and in Alerts i mostly do that

Thing here is, Quicksand is a nice PBAoE and Cave In has Damage nearly like Defile but with
much lower costs, so that even without a fitting Energy Unlock it can be spammed endlessly
at least at level 40, so it can be played really nearly as good as an Infernal.

Also .. the build has still 6 Advantage Points left


: Level 40 Champion

Superstats:
Level 6: Super Dexterity
Level 10: Super Recovery
Level 15: Super Constitution

Powers:
Level 1: Wield Earth
Level 1: Stone Shroud
Level 6: Land Slide
Level 6: Jet Pack -- Rank 3, Rank 2
Level 8: Quicksand -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 11: Cave In -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 14: Invulnerability -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 17: Fissure -- Rank 2, Reconstruct
Level 20: Bountiful Chi Resurgence -- Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki
Level 23: Form of the Tempest -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 26: Overdrive
Level 29: Devour Essence -- Rank 3, Rank 2
Level 32: Masterful Dodge
Level 35: Intensity
Level 38: Imbue

Talents:
Level 1: The Master
Level 6: Quick Recovery
Level 9: Acrobat
Level 12: Impresario
Level 15: Accurate
Level 18: Martial Training
Level 21: Jack Of All Trades


Dex: Gear Utilization 2, Combat Training 3, Deadly Aim 2, Expose Weaknessl 1, Quick Reflexes 2
Warden: Fortified Gear 3, Ruthless 2, The Best Defense 3, Tenacious 2
Vindicator: Merciless 3, Aggressive Stance 2, Modified Gear 2, Focused Strikes 3
Dexterity Mastery


Gear :
Heroic Gloves of Precision with Gamblers Lucky Gem
Heroic Breastplate of Utility with Gamblers Lucky Gem
Heroic Helmet of Utility with Gamblers Lucky Gem
Mods : 3 x DEX, 2 x CON, 1x REC

Old Secondary Offense with Endurance on Kill if available
Garrison Bracers
Friendly Eyepiece

foosnark

Slight thread necro here, but I'm expressing my appreciation for the Terra Version X build. I've been trying a bunch of earth builds (different from the other two I already have) and at least at lower levels, this is the one that actually performs decently.

ajanus

I messed around with some Earth builds lately. Pretty much just used Cave-In and Tremor. Even though they are completely Endurance-overpriced, they still seemed to perform better than anything else. I think the main problem is the activations are so long. I mean, they are pretty and make the earth shake and all that good stuff, but it seems like Earth builds just drag around and clunky in motion.

flowcyto

Earth is the mostly ranged analog of HW- seems a bit slow and nothing really hits suitably hard, but the anims are pretty unique and cool. Just like w/ HW ya can make solid Earth dps builds- but 'solid' doesn't mean 'very good' or 'highly competitive'. Pretty much the best dps ya can get w/ it is a ranged setup using Demolish w/ BttB debuff and Cave In taps + Concentration (MSA and a cd or w/e to afford it). Fissure is a nice DoT/CC cd too.

The melee options (Upheaval, Onslaught) aren't that good.

Also disable screen shake, for ur sanity.

ajanus

I think Cave-In would be a lot cooler if it was a maintain, and just have the rocks popping up over and over and smashing in on the target. To me, it just isn't that impressive of a dps power as a tap/charge. R3 looks cool though.

foosnark

Cave In is okay as it is, I think. Not the greatest attack power out there but decent enough. But the fact that so many other Earth attacks either have long activation times or require a full charge to do decent damage hurts the set.

Stagger seems a bit weak to me, and I've always thought knock resistance and holds would have been more thematic for Earth. Ah well.

flowcyto

I wouldn't mind a maintain for Cave-in, if only because the tree lacks an attack that's a maintain, so mine as well (also means more dps from the one extra tick of dmg that maintains get over toggles).

foosnark wrote: »

Cave In is okay as it is, I think. Not the greatest attack power out there but decent enough. But the fact that so many other Earth attacks either have long activation times or require a full charge to do decent damage hurts the set.

Stagger seems a bit weak to me, and I've always thought knock resistance and holds would have been more thematic for Earth. Ah well.

Funny enough, other trees Stagger faster than Earth (Gust w/ adv, Beatdown). Quicksand (a good AoE in itself) w/ repulsing waves can AoE stagger in a decent radius, so there's that at least.

The %dmg payoffs for stagger should be higher, imo. Its essentially Earth's 'combo' system, but its not really that worthwhile.