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Night/Single Blade - Good mix?
slowecsl4pwe
Posts: 221 Arc User
Hi,
I wanted to create a character that focused on using a single blade. I have other characters that use dual blades, so I wanted something different.
Normally I would go with Way of the Warrior as my passive, but was interested in mixing in the Night Warrior/Sneak into the mix.
It has plenty of attacks that should stack bleeds for energy return via Form of the Swordsman. It also has plenty of defense via specs, Masterful Dodge, and Evasive Maneuvers. It has one primary heal via Bountiful Chi Resurgence. I threw in the circle to make it more durable for long fights. Lunge in, throw down the circle, and slice and dice.
Any critique would be appreciated. I'm curious to see how you think it would hold up and perform. This would be primarily a PvE build.
Thanks
PowerHouse (Link to this build)
Name: NightBlade
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Dexterity (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Blade
Level 6: Martial Focus
Level 9: Physical Conditioning
Level 12: Body and Mind
Level 15: Boundless Reserves
Level 18: Negotiator
Level 21: Prodigy
Powers:
Level 1: Reaper's Touch
Level 1: Scything Blade (Rank 2, Swallowtail Cut)
Level 6: Night Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3, Silent Running)
Level 8: Parry (The Elusive Monk)
Level 11: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 14: Form of the Swordsman
Level 17: Dragon's Bite (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Evasive Maneuvers (Sleight of Mind)
Level 23: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 26: Masterful Dodge
Level 29: Reaper's Embrace (Rank 2, No Mercy)
Level 32: Shuriken Storm (Rank 2, Floating Butterfly, Strong Arm)
Level 35: Thunderbolt Lunge (Nailed to the Ground)
Level 38: Circle of Primal Dominion (Rank 2)
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Teleportation (Rank 2)
Level 35: Athletics
Specializations:
Dexterity: Combat Training (1/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Brush It Off (1/2)
Dexterity: Evasion (1/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Quick Reflexes (1/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (2/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: Upper Hand (1/3)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)
I wanted to create a character that focused on using a single blade. I have other characters that use dual blades, so I wanted something different.
Normally I would go with Way of the Warrior as my passive, but was interested in mixing in the Night Warrior/Sneak into the mix.
It has plenty of attacks that should stack bleeds for energy return via Form of the Swordsman. It also has plenty of defense via specs, Masterful Dodge, and Evasive Maneuvers. It has one primary heal via Bountiful Chi Resurgence. I threw in the circle to make it more durable for long fights. Lunge in, throw down the circle, and slice and dice.
Any critique would be appreciated. I'm curious to see how you think it would hold up and perform. This would be primarily a PvE build.
Thanks
PowerHouse (Link to this build)
Name: NightBlade
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Dexterity (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Blade
Level 6: Martial Focus
Level 9: Physical Conditioning
Level 12: Body and Mind
Level 15: Boundless Reserves
Level 18: Negotiator
Level 21: Prodigy
Powers:
Level 1: Reaper's Touch
Level 1: Scything Blade (Rank 2, Swallowtail Cut)
Level 6: Night Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3, Silent Running)
Level 8: Parry (The Elusive Monk)
Level 11: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 14: Form of the Swordsman
Level 17: Dragon's Bite (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Evasive Maneuvers (Sleight of Mind)
Level 23: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 26: Masterful Dodge
Level 29: Reaper's Embrace (Rank 2, No Mercy)
Level 32: Shuriken Storm (Rank 2, Floating Butterfly, Strong Arm)
Level 35: Thunderbolt Lunge (Nailed to the Ground)
Level 38: Circle of Primal Dominion (Rank 2)
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Teleportation (Rank 2)
Level 35: Athletics
Specializations:
Dexterity: Combat Training (1/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Brush It Off (1/2)
Dexterity: Evasion (1/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Quick Reflexes (1/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (2/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: Upper Hand (1/3)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)
_________________
Apathy is on the rise, but nobody seems to care.
Apathy is on the rise, but nobody seems to care.
Post edited by slowecsl4pwe on
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Spectre beats Eido in an SG run: VIDEO HERE
Another thing to note: Scything Blade does not stack Bleeds. It will only apply a Bleed if your target does not already have a Bleed. And you have no other abilities that apply Bleeds.
This is how I would build this, using the same framework for my Claws build:
PowerHouse (Link to this build)
Name: Single Blade - Night Warrior
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Dexterity (Primary)
Level 10: Intelligence (Secondary)
Level 15: Constitution (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Master
Level 6: Relentless
Level 9: Martial Focus
Level 12: Negotiator
Level 15: Body and Mind
Level 18: Physical Conditioning
Level 21: Quick Recovery
Powers:
Level 1: Reaper's Touch
Level 1: Reaper's Caress (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Night Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3, Silent Running)
Level 8: Scything Blade (Rank 2, Swallowtail Cut)
Level 11: Form of the Swordsman (Cut Where it Counts)
Level 14: Parry (The Elusive Monk)
Level 17: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 20: Masterful Dodge
Level 23: Smoke Bomb Lunge (Sudden Strike, Nailed to the Ground)
Level 26: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 29: Dragon Kick (Lashing Dragon Tail)
Level 32: Evasive Maneuvers (Sleight of Mind)
Level 35: Reaper's Embrace (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Intensity
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Athletics (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Ninja Vanish
Specializations:
Dexterity: Combat Training (2/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Slaughter (2/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)
Reaper's Caress actually stacks your Bleeds. Bleed damage would be better if you took Way of the Warrior... but Single Blade uses Reaper's Embrace to Rupture them (which deals bonus damage per stack), so that's a bit moot.
Dragon Kick w/ Lashing Dragon Tail is there as your Rush applier. It also gives you 50% more Avoidance for 12 seconds (with Adv).
I put Cut Where It Counts on Form of the Swordsman. Can be switched for Rank 2 on Dragon Kick. I forget the strength of this debuff vs the Trauma debuff (or if they changed it to just be Trauma), but heal debuffs are very nice to have. *cough* Ao'Qephoth *cough*
Dex Mastery vs Warden Mastery: Dex Mastery is good... but so is Warden Mastery. You're going to be spamming the crap out of Reaper's Caress to stack your Bleeds, so 10% more damage to that ability is very nice. Also 9% DR from the Grit stacks is great since you're not getting the Dodge/Avoidance from Way of the Warrior.
Basic "rotation" with this build:
Lunge to start MSA > Dragon Kick if 5+ Focus stacks for Rush > spam Reaper's Caress until 5 stacks of Bleed > Lunge for crit severity buff > Reaper's Embrace; repeat
My 40s: Munitions, Electricity, TK Blades, Gadgeteering DPS
Other toons: Fire, Heavy Weapons Tank, Dual Blades, Fightning Claws, AoRP Support, Bestial Supernatural, Archery,
TK Ranged, Infernal Tank, Ice DPS, Laser Sword, Heavy Weapons DPS
If you do want to max out damage, then DEX Mastery is the way to go. Also Ego Surge with Nimble Mind is much much better than Intensity.
Ranking BCR is pointless...put those points elsewhere.
PARSER USAGE GUIDE: click here for an easy how-to ٩(๑･ิᴗ･ิ)۶٩(･ิᴗ･ิ๑)۶
Spectre beats Eido in an SG run: VIDEO HERE
Based on all the suggestions, I think this is the way to go. Thanks everyone
PowerHouse (Link to this build)
Name: NightBlade
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Blade
Level 6: Acrobat
Level 9: Coordinated
Level 12: Martial Focus
Level 15: Boundless Reserves
Level 18: Negotiator
Level 21: Prodigy
Powers:
Level 1: Reaper's Touch
Level 1: Reaper's Caress (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Night Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3, Silent Running)
Level 8: Scything Blade (Rank 2, Swallowtail Cut)
Level 11: Form of the Swordsman (Cut Where it Counts)
Level 14: Parry (The Elusive Monk)
Level 17: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Resurgent Reiki)
Level 20: Masterful Dodge
Level 23: Smoke Bomb Lunge (Sudden Strike, Nailed to the Ground)
Level 26: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 29: Dragon Kick (Lashing Dragon Tail)
Level 32: Evasive Maneuvers (Sleight of Mind)
Level 35: Reaper's Embrace (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Teleportation (Rank 2)
Level 35: Athletics (Rank 2)
Specializations:
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Strength: Overpower (2/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (2/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: Upper Hand (1/3)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Strength Mastery (1/1)
Apathy is on the rise, but nobody seems to care.
STR. With a Martial Arts Form. That scales on DEX. Aspect of the Bestial would like a word with you.
Like I said, DEX Mastery is good. Warden is also good. If you're an absolute min/maxer, yeah go with DEX Mastery. 10% more damage on the most used ability in the build, plus 9% damage reduction > 20 DEX and a small amount of crit and avoidance rating better suits my playstyle.
The only issue I have with taking Ego Surge on a melee character is that EGO doesn't do anything useful unless you're TK Blades. (since with On Alert your EGO doesn't buff crit severity anymore) The crit chance from Nimble Mind is huge... but anyone with DEX PSS is going to have stupidly high crit anyway. The STR and DEX buff from Intensity not only further buffs your damage (higher base damage means higher critical damage), the DEX also increases crit chance some. I'm not knocking Ego Surge, but I'm getting a bit tired of taking the same abilities on every single character.
@OP:
If you want to take STR PSS, swap Form of the Swordsman for Aspect of the Bestial. Aspect gives you Enrage (which scales on STR) when you apply a Bleed instead of Focus (which scales on DEX).
With no DEX, you're going to have lower crit chance (even though gear will get you a respectable amount). Thus Focused Strikes >The Rush of Battle, and Slaughter > Elusive/Upper Hand. The Rush of Battle is a nice heal... but a grand total of 15% extra crit chance on Reaper's Caress...
I'd also definitely recommend Warden Mastery too. STR Mastery is just "meh". You're going to be pushing your Offense into diminishng returns territory with The Best Defense as it is.
My 40s: Munitions, Electricity, TK Blades, Gadgeteering DPS
Other toons: Fire, Heavy Weapons Tank, Dual Blades, Fightning Claws, AoRP Support, Bestial Supernatural, Archery,
TK Ranged, Infernal Tank, Ice DPS, Laser Sword, Heavy Weapons DPS
I guess it was not obvious, but you should always use a form that scales with one of your SS. If you are going the route of STR then take AoB or pick up a knock and take Enrage.
I know what you said. And I said that DEX Mastery is better.
Ego Surge is still way better than Intensity, even in a Dex build.
Since what you are getting tired of is not relevant to the OP, Vixy's suggestions are based on simply what's optimal.
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Spectre beats Eido in an SG run: VIDEO HERE
O.o good point. What if you were to use pets to apply the bleeds instead? Though that may be less reliable.
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Spectre beats Eido in an SG run: VIDEO HERE
I am guessing they changed that when people were using zombies to get a really high stack of bleeds then rupturing them for insane damage really quick into the fight.
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Handle @brayv
Wow, thanks for that info, as well as all of you who have helped. I guess I will have to make some adjustments to my passive if bleeds will impact my ability to sneak.
Apathy is on the rise, but nobody seems to care.
Np. Quarry and WotW are both good alternatives if you're going to stick with a bleed build. Personally, I prefer Quarry because the damage loss (except for bleeds) between it and WotW are barely noticeably, it's hybrid (melee/ranged) friendly, and the Audacity buff just flat out rocks. At the same time WotW is going to give you a more noticeable damage boost with bleeds, so it's all a matter of preference in the end.