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Infernal tank/support build
jamesbonnell
Posts: 171 Arc User
Poison Lotus with Defiance and Pestilence
http://powerhouse.nullware.com/powerhouse.html?v=5&n=Poison%20Lotus%20Variant
%201&d=1634NEPTagd13f0Q000QB00Q61NQA00Q30KQC03QI05K705MB01N303I900MG05FE04Q9030nHy2t1k3bhs
PowerHouse (Link to this build)
Name: Poison Lotus Variant 1
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Presence (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Behemoth
Level 6: Relentless
Level 9: Quick Recovery
Level 12: Negotiator
Level 15: Amazing Stamina
Level 18: Command Training
Level 21: Paramilitary Training
Powers:
Level 1: Infernal Bolts
Level 1: Supernatural Power
Level 6: Venomous Breath (Paralytic Bile, Locust Breath, Challenging Strikes)
Level 8: Compassion
Level 11: Devour Essence (Phlebotomist, Crippling Challenge)
Level 14: Epidemic (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Defile (Rank 2, Plague Bearer)
Level 20: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Voracious Darkness)
Level 23: Circle of Primal Dominion (Rank 2)
Level 26: Sigils of Ebon Weakness (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Defiance
Level 32: Vala's Light (Rank 2, Light Everlasting)
Level 35: Mindful Reinforcement (Revitalizing Boost)
Level 38: Pestilence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Inky Ooze Tunneling
Specializations:
Presence: Selfless Ally (2/2)
Presence: Grandeur (3/3)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Sentinel: Torment (2/2)
Sentinel: Caregiver (1/3)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Wither (2/2)
Sentinel: Genesis (2/2)
Protector: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Protector: Bulwark (2/2)
Protector: Exhausting Strikes (2/2)
Protector: Resolute (3/3)
Mastery: Sentinel Mastery (1/1)
Adjustments:
I plan to (try) to tank Gravitar with this build... swapping out Pestilence R2, R3 for Redemption (Salvation) and Mindful Reinforcement R2 unless a different advantage would be better. I also don't bother ranking Defiance - don't see the point since it doesn't increase the strength of the power (just like I don't rank Forms).
Also have tried AoPM. It's *quite* good even in Support mode - as far as solo damage is concerned, and really buffs the heal and bubble.
The build survives 5-man powerhouse quite well in hybrid/Defiance, tank/Defiance, hybrid/Pestilence, and Ranged/Pestilence, even without an AD.
For leveling, I would probably swap Defiance and Compassion. Actually, for leveling, I just used Aspect of the Infernal...
Primaries:
Defense: heroic/agility/dodge chance mod
Offense: heroic gloves of healing with bonus heal mod
heroic/efficiency with cost discount mod
Secondaries:
added Rec/pre/str/con
OR possibly Armadillo secondary set for the defense boost.
Explanation: NOTE - NOT a PVP build AT ALL. Also, I'm a big fan of dual-passive builds. Sure, I could just do one thing, but I like flexibility.
I've seen a number of builds that combine some support with tanking, and had wanted to try a PRE build.
I leveled her with Invuln, and she was pretty tough, particularly after getting the Circle and *really* after getting Sigils of Ebon Weakness. They are really good for turning mobs into marshmellows.
But, since this build is pretty tight on advantages, I switched it to Defiance for tanking.
Level 1: Infernal Bolts EB. Gotta have one.
Level 1: Supernatural Power - rocks with some REC (not SS but gear/talents) and all attacks trigger it.
Level 6: Venomous Breath (Paralytic Bile, Locust Breath, Challenging Strikes) --> AOE taunt and trigger for Sentinel mastery. NOT as good as a guaranteed stun in some ways, but ticks fast and leaves quite a few enemies stunned and triggering the heal. would love to work in a bleed to make the stun guaranteed, but... (would take SMG/aggression instead of SOMETHING... maybe Defile... undecided)
Level 8: Compassion --> leveled with Aspect of the Infernal, but PRE helps this toggle more, and while it doesn't boost the damage as much, this
is a tank/support build more than anything else.
Level 11: Devour Essence (Phlebotomist, Crippling Challenge) --> tank build, so crippling challenge. Kinda wish this was ranged due to no Lunge and the Circle of Tankiness... but probably better for the build than Infernal Blast.
Also tempted to throw out Phlebotomist for Rank 2, but I do have easy poison stacking in the build, and a root helps sometimes...
Level 14: Epidemic (Rank 2, Rank 3) -- tried outbreak, think the raw damage is better. So far. Yes, I have both this and Venomous Breath - this does not take CS and won't proc Sentinel Mastery. I avoided it while leveling... then realized how very, very good it is.
Level 17: Defile (Rank 2, Plague Bearer) - hits hard and weakens to toxic. Nuff said.
Level 20: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Voracious Darkness) - IMO one of the best PVE tanking powers. Helps in my non-defensive passives too.
Level 23: Circle of Primal Dominion (Rank 2) -- aka circle of tankiness. mostly I use this for the -KB resist to be honest. I also don't have a hold breaker. Couldn't fit it in. Yeah, I know, I know... "every build should have an AD and an AO". Well, this one doesn't by choice.
Level 26: Sigils of Ebon Weakness (Rank 2, Rank 3) --> really messes with the mobs.
Level 29: Defiance --> best for big hitters like Gravitar, at least so I've read. Not as good for small stuff, but with SCR dodge/avoid, and Ebon Void, and Mindful Reinforcement... I'm not in much danger starting off 5-man powerhouse until I get a circle and sigils out, after which things are MUCH safer.
Level 32: Vala's Light (Rank 2, Light Everlasting) -- AOE heal. Partially there to proc PRE spec's selfless ally. Yes, the build lacks a single-target heal - but it's not a pure support build, instead a tanking/support build. Well, it'll heal meleers if I heal myself...
Level 35: Mindful Reinforcement (Revitalizing Boost) --> bubble. and it's a quick cast. Haven't tried Protection Field yet on any char, so I don't know what's better, but it's been working for me so far.
And then there's Level 38.
I'm being careful to keep one power and a few advantage points for the end, so that I can swap them cheaply. Since the build seems so tough already, an offensive or support passive, or Redemption/Salvation are tough choices.
I'll probably just respec them in and out as I get the whim.
Comments welcome, although I'm pretty satisified with it from PTS and Battle Station testing... haven't ventured out of the powerhouse on live yet, as I'm still prodding. PTS ... it's been working well.
http://powerhouse.nullware.com/powerhouse.html?v=5&n=Poison%20Lotus%20Variant
%201&d=1634NEPTagd13f0Q000QB00Q61NQA00Q30KQC03QI05K705MB01N303I900MG05FE04Q9030nHy2t1k3bhs
PowerHouse (Link to this build)
Name: Poison Lotus Variant 1
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Presence (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Behemoth
Level 6: Relentless
Level 9: Quick Recovery
Level 12: Negotiator
Level 15: Amazing Stamina
Level 18: Command Training
Level 21: Paramilitary Training
Powers:
Level 1: Infernal Bolts
Level 1: Supernatural Power
Level 6: Venomous Breath (Paralytic Bile, Locust Breath, Challenging Strikes)
Level 8: Compassion
Level 11: Devour Essence (Phlebotomist, Crippling Challenge)
Level 14: Epidemic (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Defile (Rank 2, Plague Bearer)
Level 20: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Voracious Darkness)
Level 23: Circle of Primal Dominion (Rank 2)
Level 26: Sigils of Ebon Weakness (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Defiance
Level 32: Vala's Light (Rank 2, Light Everlasting)
Level 35: Mindful Reinforcement (Revitalizing Boost)
Level 38: Pestilence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Inky Ooze Tunneling
Specializations:
Presence: Selfless Ally (2/2)
Presence: Grandeur (3/3)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Sentinel: Torment (2/2)
Sentinel: Caregiver (1/3)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Wither (2/2)
Sentinel: Genesis (2/2)
Protector: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Protector: Bulwark (2/2)
Protector: Exhausting Strikes (2/2)
Protector: Resolute (3/3)
Mastery: Sentinel Mastery (1/1)
Adjustments:
I plan to (try) to tank Gravitar with this build... swapping out Pestilence R2, R3 for Redemption (Salvation) and Mindful Reinforcement R2 unless a different advantage would be better. I also don't bother ranking Defiance - don't see the point since it doesn't increase the strength of the power (just like I don't rank Forms).
Also have tried AoPM. It's *quite* good even in Support mode - as far as solo damage is concerned, and really buffs the heal and bubble.
The build survives 5-man powerhouse quite well in hybrid/Defiance, tank/Defiance, hybrid/Pestilence, and Ranged/Pestilence, even without an AD.
For leveling, I would probably swap Defiance and Compassion. Actually, for leveling, I just used Aspect of the Infernal...
Primaries:
Defense: heroic/agility/dodge chance mod
Offense: heroic gloves of healing with bonus heal mod
heroic/efficiency with cost discount mod
Secondaries:
added Rec/pre/str/con
OR possibly Armadillo secondary set for the defense boost.
Explanation: NOTE - NOT a PVP build AT ALL. Also, I'm a big fan of dual-passive builds. Sure, I could just do one thing, but I like flexibility.
I've seen a number of builds that combine some support with tanking, and had wanted to try a PRE build.
I leveled her with Invuln, and she was pretty tough, particularly after getting the Circle and *really* after getting Sigils of Ebon Weakness. They are really good for turning mobs into marshmellows.
But, since this build is pretty tight on advantages, I switched it to Defiance for tanking.
Level 1: Infernal Bolts EB. Gotta have one.
Level 1: Supernatural Power - rocks with some REC (not SS but gear/talents) and all attacks trigger it.
Level 6: Venomous Breath (Paralytic Bile, Locust Breath, Challenging Strikes) --> AOE taunt and trigger for Sentinel mastery. NOT as good as a guaranteed stun in some ways, but ticks fast and leaves quite a few enemies stunned and triggering the heal. would love to work in a bleed to make the stun guaranteed, but... (would take SMG/aggression instead of SOMETHING... maybe Defile... undecided)
Level 8: Compassion --> leveled with Aspect of the Infernal, but PRE helps this toggle more, and while it doesn't boost the damage as much, this
is a tank/support build more than anything else.
Level 11: Devour Essence (Phlebotomist, Crippling Challenge) --> tank build, so crippling challenge. Kinda wish this was ranged due to no Lunge and the Circle of Tankiness... but probably better for the build than Infernal Blast.
Also tempted to throw out Phlebotomist for Rank 2, but I do have easy poison stacking in the build, and a root helps sometimes...
Level 14: Epidemic (Rank 2, Rank 3) -- tried outbreak, think the raw damage is better. So far. Yes, I have both this and Venomous Breath - this does not take CS and won't proc Sentinel Mastery. I avoided it while leveling... then realized how very, very good it is.
Level 17: Defile (Rank 2, Plague Bearer) - hits hard and weakens to toxic. Nuff said.
Level 20: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Voracious Darkness) - IMO one of the best PVE tanking powers. Helps in my non-defensive passives too.
Level 23: Circle of Primal Dominion (Rank 2) -- aka circle of tankiness. mostly I use this for the -KB resist to be honest. I also don't have a hold breaker. Couldn't fit it in. Yeah, I know, I know... "every build should have an AD and an AO". Well, this one doesn't by choice.
Level 26: Sigils of Ebon Weakness (Rank 2, Rank 3) --> really messes with the mobs.
Level 29: Defiance --> best for big hitters like Gravitar, at least so I've read. Not as good for small stuff, but with SCR dodge/avoid, and Ebon Void, and Mindful Reinforcement... I'm not in much danger starting off 5-man powerhouse until I get a circle and sigils out, after which things are MUCH safer.
Level 32: Vala's Light (Rank 2, Light Everlasting) -- AOE heal. Partially there to proc PRE spec's selfless ally. Yes, the build lacks a single-target heal - but it's not a pure support build, instead a tanking/support build. Well, it'll heal meleers if I heal myself...
Level 35: Mindful Reinforcement (Revitalizing Boost) --> bubble. and it's a quick cast. Haven't tried Protection Field yet on any char, so I don't know what's better, but it's been working for me so far.
And then there's Level 38.
I'm being careful to keep one power and a few advantage points for the end, so that I can swap them cheaply. Since the build seems so tough already, an offensive or support passive, or Redemption/Salvation are tough choices.
I'll probably just respec them in and out as I get the whim.
Comments welcome, although I'm pretty satisified with it from PTS and Battle Station testing... haven't ventured out of the powerhouse on live yet, as I'm still prodding. PTS ... it's been working well.
Post edited by jamesbonnell on
0
Comments
1) Presence is useless for the heals, change it out for another PSS. I know you want it for the Sigils but are you going to trade off that much CON for PRE to make them matter? Could also just add a Fear or Disorient power instead.
2) Sentinel Mastery is good enough that you can skip all other heal powers, use the slots for something better. Might as well get a Firesnake.
3) You will need something to proc Sentinel Mastery more often than Venomous Breath can, on Legendaries like Gravitar it only lasts 4 seconds. I suggest Crashing Wave Kick that can be spammed. For AoE use Telekinetic Maelstrom.
Sigh, another Devour Essence build. Wish Cryptic would nerf this power already so tanks can have some real skill. (Personal opinion...)
I tried Con primary - I did like a smidgen better energy, and less knocks... but... bear in mind that while I've been around a while, I've only been actively playing again for a few months, and don't have resources that some have (R7+ mods, Legion gear, etc etc).
Turns out I really enjoy the build with PRE primary. Especially when I swapped out the gloves mod from healing to crit chance. With PRE Moment of Glory, crit chance is hovering around 30% with AoPM in hybrid.
I have just around 10K HP in Tank mode ... with the resources I have on PTS at present, I couldn't easily push for a lot more Con without removing something somewhere else that felt less useful.
I did some Vibora Bay on PTS with Pestilence, both with CON primary and PRE primary... and didn't like it that much better. I've tried Ice form, and ... eh... she wasn't intended to be an Ice person or a Fire person. Turns out that Pre primary, AOPM, in hybrid - the damage is good enough for me so far.
And besides - not like i need crazy damage to do Unity missions.
So... here's what I have at present:
Name: Poison Lotus Variant 2
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Presence (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Behemoth
Level 6: Survival Training
Level 9: Paramilitary Training
Level 12: Amazing Stamina
Level 15: Shrug It Off
Level 18: Healthy Mind
Level 21: Diplomatic
Powers:
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Voracious Darkness)
Level 6: Void Shift (Emerging Nightmares, Crippling Challenge)
Level 8: Compassion
Level 11: Sigils of Ebon Weakness (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Defiance
Level 17: Epidemic (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Defile (Rank 2, Plague Bearer)
Level 23: Circle of Primal Dominion (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Thunderclap (Collateral Damage, Challenging Strikes)
Level 29: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 32: Mindful Reinforcement (Revitalizing Boost)
Level 35: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Fire Snake (Trail Blazer)
(For gravitar - swap Fire Snake for Redemption with Salvation)
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Flight (Rank 2)
Level 35: Inky Ooze Tunneling
Specializations:
Presence: Selfless Ally (2/2)
Presence: Grandeur (3/3)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Sentinel: Torment (2/2)
Sentinel: Caregiver (1/3)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Wither (2/2)
Sentinel: Genesis (2/2)
Protector: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Protector: Bulwark (2/2)
Protector: Exhausting Strikes (2/2)
Protector: Resolute (3/3)
Mastery: Sentinel Mastery (1/1)
I'm not actually tired of Devouring Essence, but I am used to lunge/thunderclap from another character - it's a very natural combination for me. I went with Thunderclap - although I did try TK Maelstrom, and it's quite good - for the ability to add CS.
Compassion is kind of iffy for me - I'd rather have Aspect of the Infernal, because now, the only real support power the build has is MR. But my present resources on PTS don't let me push Int or Ego as high as I'd like. So... maybe some other time.
I also swapped out Supernatural power (which was only triggered now by Epidemic and Defile) for MSA. I think it's a bit more predictable.
Plus, Lunge, Thunderclap, Fire Snake, and Sigils all proc MSA.
I did ditch Devouring Essence, but personally, I'm not really sure how moving it to my Lunge really changes my skill as a tank. Seems ... well. You've got a personal opinion, and I really like Void Shift (Emerging Nightmares) anyway.
The build is quite good at nerfing targets - 10% from Exhausting Strikes, quite a bit from Sigils (42% ! in AOPM, about 36% in Defiance mode)... -10% from Fear (Void Shift).
I do like how often Sentinel Mastery procs - Void Shift + Thunderclap + Epidemic gives me a ton of healing.
So... that's where it stands now.
After about 4 hours of testing various permutations... so far, this is where things stand. Soloing will probably be Hybrid AoPM, with tank/support mode for alerts and Gravitar.
And only changing out one power and one advantage is certainly cheaper than my old plan.
We'll see how it goes - I have yet to try it on live.
The power's fine; they just need to take Crippling Challenge away. As it stands it's a trifecta; why wouldn't a serious tank take it, outside of thematic concerns?
Or simply move this power to Sorcery and have it do Magic Damage.