Catacomb Kid-Advice for a Gadget build

xaqchance

This is my attempt at a Gadgeteer type build. I picked the Super Stats to help with the pets and to be able to efficiently drop Tactical Missles while healing with Masterful Dodge, BCR and Reconstruction Circuits (seems to work okay so far at Lv30).

Sonic Device is there to boost Richochet throw.

I picked the Gadget pets to compliment the theme.

Catacomb Kid is an orphan who lives in the sewers (urban catacombs) and in junkyards were he uses his vast intelligence to create gadgets, armor and weapons to fight crime.

I'm looking for hints and tips to fix any glaring issues or powers/specializations that could better suit the workability and theme of the build. Please and thank you =0D

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Catacomb Kid

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Impulse
Level 6: Investigator
Level 9: Daredevil
Level 12: Academics
Level 15: Field Ops Training
Level 18: Energetic
Level 21: Brilliant

Powers:
Level 1: Wrist Bolter
Level 1: Tactical Missiles (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Concentration
Level 8: Ricochet Throw (Rank 2, Microelectronic Controllers)
Level 11: Quarry (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Overdrive
Level 17: Masterful Dodge (Rank 2, Unfettered Strikes)
Level 20: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 23: Reconstruction Circuits (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Sonic Device (Deafening Dissolution)
Level 29: Support Drones (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Munitions Bots (Rank 2)
Level 35: Force Shield (Force Sheathe)
Level 38: Dark Transfusion (Blood Sacrifice)

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Jet Pack (Rank 2)
Level 35: Displacement Acrobatics

Specializations:
Endurance: Readiness (3/3)
Endurance: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Endurance: Quick Recovery (1/2)
Endurance: Power Overwhelming (3/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (2/3)
Guardian: Make It Count (3/3)
Guardian: Tenacious (2/2)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Commander: Create An Opening (2/2)
Commander: Multitasker (3/3)
Commander: Relief (3/3)
Commander: Savage (2/3)
Mastery: Guardian Mastery (1/1)

braxzana

Overdrive only works on maintained powers (or, I guess, toggle powers) which means it would only fire when you use Reconstruction Circuits. Only BCR and sonic device would trigger Molecular Self Assembly so I'm not sure what OTHER energy unlock you could use... an alternative would be to get a maintained attack that you use a lot, to fuel Overdrive.

I've rarely heard anything good about Endurance as a primary superstat; I could see a use for it if, perhaps, you were trying to fuel Force Cascade without a Form to lower its cost... but there's nothing in this build that is particularly energy-hungry (except pets, and I would think INT superstat would serve better).

I don't know the specializations by name, but I'm assuming you have the pet-specific specializations that lower the energy cost of having them out...

While Tactical Missles and Ricochet Throw are potentially good attacks, I'm not sure I would use Quarry and an offensive passive with a pet build. If you used Medical Nanites or Aura of Radiant Protection, you could help protect your pets more...

Of course, if you DID go with Quarry and an offensive role, the pets could just be ~supplemental~ effects, in which case it doesn't matter if they live or die. But if YOU are going to be the main damage dealer, I'd advocate getting an AoE of some kind. Ricochet is SORT OF an Area Effect attack, I suppose, and is wickedly powerful (esp with a Sonic Device boost, although I'm not sure how it would interact with Ricochet Shot's multi-hit nature).

I don't know a lot about Dark Transfusion but doesn't it just give you energy by sacrificing hit points? With END/INT superstats, an energy unlock and Concentration, I'm not sure you'll NEED energy that desperately.

I don't know if it's in concept or not, but if you swapped Dark Transfusion for Shadow Warrior (I think that's the name --- the one that puts you in stealth) then you could fire Ricochet Shot from stealth, doing ~insane~ damage and then swap to the Quarry build for the rest of the fight. The bonus damage JUST to Ricochet Shot, from stealth with Night/Shadow Warrior (whatever it's called) is outrageous... but its sustained damage boost after stealth is gone is not that great (and its protection is not great, either)... that's why I recommend swapping to another passive after you break stealth. For this reason, you don't really need to slot it (unless you want some extra damage from stealth for that one Ricochet Shot opening shot). It's also handy for just sneaking around where you don't want to fight. Of course, with PETS out, I am not sure what would happen ---- the pets might aggro everything, which could be problematic.

I like the premise of the character. It's a pity they don't have a sort of junkyard / steampunk skin for the gadgeteering pets...

xaqchance

First of all, thanks so much for your time, I appreciate the advice.

I did actually pick MSA instead of overdrive, not sure why I posted it the wrong way, just wasn't thinking I guess.

I really like the Int Spec Tree, just without any superstats I was having trouble using the Masterful Dodge, BCR and Reconstruction Circuits in the training arena while also trying to attack with Tactical Missiles. The Endurance specs don't pop out at me as being all that useful anyway, so I'll switch for Int.

Yes, I did pick the Commander Spec tree which helps boost the two pets and lower the energy cost of having them out.

I tend to play solo PVE, so I'll definately try both Medical Nanites and Aura of Radiant Protection. I think AoRP will be more beneficial when I do team for alerts, but we'll see. I mostly picked Quarry to compliment my two attacks and wasn't thinking about my pets too much.

As for an AoE and Dark Transfusion (DT), I did pick Ricochet Throw as my main AoE and DT for the Blood Sacrifice advantage, which boosts damage, kind of like having two active offenses (I think).
But if I'm lacking in the AoE department I was also thinking of Sparkstorm with Electric Personality, turning Sparkstorm into a toggle. It would work in the theme of the build, by discharging his gadgets electrical build-up.

I also thought about using Nightwarrior (or whatever its called), but it would be only for the one attack and as I understand it, it mostly boosts melee damage (aside from the attacks it boosts from stealth). And while I am blocking when I need to, espicially using the heals, I don't know if having a block power is necessary, so I might try switching the block with the Nightwarrior passive.

Once again, thanks so much for helping me round this toon out, I really do appreciate it.