modified Scrab Tank build, feedback please

tacredline

This is a modified non tank build from a Scrab Tank build. Looking for feedback

Using Void Shift + Fear for the -10% Debuff (that adds to the -20% CC Debuff, right?). And Fear helps the Frenzy AoE (have to have AoE),

3 Active Offenses with SS Int and 14% reduction from Offensive Expertise

I took Rebirth +zombies because I figure I’ll go down fighting vs heal or active defense buffs.

No Energy unlock, don’t really have the power to really trigger one, right?

Not sure what Slotted Passive I want to use or what Shield….Defiance+EnergyShield +adv? Unstoppable + Retaliation? Invulnerability + Telekenitic Shield+adv ?

Thanks!!!


PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Dark Scarab

Archetype: Freeform


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


Talents:
Level 1: The Master
Level 6: Acrobat
Level 9: Physical Conditioning
Level 12: Martial Focus
Level 15: Paramilitary Training
Level 18: Boundless Reserves
Level 21: Bodybuilder


Powers:
Level 1: Reaper's Touch
Level 1: Shred (Penetrating Strikes, Crippling Challenge)
Level 6: Frenzy (Rank 2, Fear Sense)
Level 8: Void Shift (Emerging Nightmares)
Level 11: Immolation (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Aspect of the Bestial
Level 17: Ice Sheath (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Reaper's Embrace (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Tiger's Bite (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Rebirth (Grave Consequences)
Level 29: Defiance
Level 32: Force Shield (Force Sheathe)
Level 35: Shadow Shroud (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Vile Lariat


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


Specializations:
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Brush It Off (2/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Initiative (2/2)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Brawler: No Escape (1/3)
Brawler: Penetrating Strikes (2/2)
Brawler: Ruthless (2/2)
Brawler: Finishing Blow (3/3)
Brawler: Setup (2/2)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)


http://powerhouse.nullware.com/powerhouse.html?v=9&n=Dark%20Scarab&d=1214aGA9dQF73A0C000P10KP305K8042503PC005603CJ03BJ03QJ04I9003704K403Q4000mc30chs0Cnf

flowcyto

The -20% dmg CC debuff you mention is a separate debuff from Fear, and comes from taking a 3-pt Crippling Challenge adv on a power that has it (lunges do, though).

You typically just want one power w/ CC's debuff/taunt in a whole build (that is if ur tanking or making a pvp build). In this case, ya can either keep CC on Shred, or trade it for Rank 2 on Shred and put CC on the lunge. The latter option is more optimal, but means you have to remember to lunge every so often to keep CC and its threat rolling.

3 AOs is a bit excessive. 2 AOs w/ rank2-3 in each should be enough w/ Int and/or decent CDR stacking to allow you to roll them regularly. Its less efficient use of a power slot if you have too much overlap on them. For a tank that usually means the ES/NM + Ascension combo since ES/NM greatly boosts ur crit rate if you have high Con stated, and Ascension also heals you and allies.

Although Rebirth isn't necc a bad investment (esp for Rampages), its generally better to have tanking cds or extra heals/defenses than just to rely on dying and retrying. MD, Unbreakable, Resurgence, Conviction, and BCR are all good options to pick from (I'd pick at least 2 of em, making sure one is an AD cause those can be used when held and will benefit from a Int/CDR setup).

And you do have EUs that could fit pretty easily. MSA + Int works w/ the lunge and any heal cd or AO you pick up. Supernatural Power + Rec works if ur using mostly SN abilities like shred, frenzy, massacre, epidemic, vicious cyclone, etc.

Also, ur toggle is a Enrage/Str scaling one, so you want one of ur SS's to support it. Fortunately, Str PSS is very good for tank/dps using Enrage-granting toggles and gearing for high Con.

I can't quite nail down the concept you are going for beyond a tanking build (and if you dun want to tank w/ it, you should drop any CC/CS advs as those will just give you extra unwanted threat in PvE). I guess its mostly a Shred+Rupture build, which is very good. Here's how I'd prob re-tune it (assuming the tank route):

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Master
Level 6: Physical Conditioning
Level 9: Body and Mind
Level 12: Healthy Mind
Level 15: Quick Recovery
Level 18: Relentless
Level 21: Negotiator

Powers:
Level 1: Infernal Bolts
Level 1: Shred (Rank 2, Penetrating Strikes)
Level 6: Regeneration (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Void Shift (Emerging Nightmares, Crippling Challenge)
Level 11: Vicious Cyclone (Rank 2, Vortex Technique, Challenging Strikes)
Level 14: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 17: Aspect of the Bestial
Level 20: Reaper's Embrace (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 26: Masterful Dodge
Level 29: Ego Surge (Rank 2, Nimble Mind)
Level 32: Ascension (Rank 2)
Level 35: Force Shield (Force Sheathe)
Level 38:

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

Specializations:
Strength: Swole (3/3)
Strength: Physical Peak (2/3)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (2/3)
Strength: Overpower (1/3)
Warden: Slaughter (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (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)

Left open a power slot and some adv points as options.

The passive is up to you. I'd advise any defense passive but PFF atm (and that's mainly just cause of the PFF regen bug). I settled on Regen since it seemed the most thematic (and msot hands-off), and supported it accordingly. If you picked LR, you'd want a more dodge-centered defense setup and using BCR/RR. For Invuln or Defiance, I'd prob pick up Conviction and 1 or 2 of the ADs.

Spec trees can also be changed a bit. Brawler Setup as you had is good, as is Warden/combo based stuff for Bleed builds. You can also go more tanky (but lower dps) w/ Protector or Sentry.

monsterdaddy

Post Dodge nerf, my original Scarab (with Dex PSS) can probably still tank Gravitar with Justice Gear (Fitness route, ~65% damage resistance). But will get totally trashed by Frosticus.

To the OP, the build doesn't look very tanky. Why not just go with Way of Warrior, DEX/STR/CON, and Palliate with Resolve and have fun dishing out damage? Get a Circle of Arcane Power because no energy = no DPS. Then you can drop CC and use the points for Unleashed Rage. Probably only 1-2 Active Offense needed but you should get Masterful Dodge.

tacredline

Thank you for the amazing feedback, I’ve been really racking my brain on this build.

The theme is a dark Demon creature thing.

Sorry I wasn't clear I am just going for a flat out single target melee damage build... not a tank build at all.

I added CC for the 20% debuff but that may not work in my favor with the extra aggro but if I take retaliation it will help in triggering that I guess?

I know at level 40 with weak gear I can barely cycle 3 Active offenses back to back with 1 second of overlap, hence why I have 3 of them. I’m not sure which 3 of the active offensives I shuold have… I took fire/ice/shadow for theme.

Rebirth is just something to get me back into the fight with 3 zombies to help since I think I will be dying a lot.

I am going to try Unstoppable and Retaliation first, this will be the most squishy but the most damaging I think…

If you have a build that is pure offense vs tank I’d love to see it I’m not sure on Super Stats at all…

Thanks again!

flowcyto

oh its not meant to be a tank? Okay then.

Yeah it doesn't have to change much. Its mostly changing the passive to an offensive one (WotW is by far the best fit), adding something like UR or Tiger's Bite, and trading the CC/CS advs for normal rank-ups (dun add normal ranks to the lunge, though, just the fear apply is fine). Also ofc using the Melee role for optimal damage (unless you want the Hybrid's heal boosts more for survival).

Here's a dps version of how the powers could look (specs & stats can be the same options as before):

Powers:
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Shred (Rank 2, Penetrating Strikes)
Level 6: Void Shift (Emerging Nightmares)
Level 8: Way of the Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Vicious Cyclone (Rank 2, Vortex Technique)
Level 14: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 17: Aspect of the Bestial
Level 20: Reaper's Embrace (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 26: Masterful Dodge
Level 29: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 32: Ego Surge (Rank 2, Nimble Mind)
Level 35: Ascension (Rank 2)
Level 38: Unleashed Rage (Rank 2, Rank 3)

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

monsterdaddy

BTW, the damage debuffs do work and they stack but are subject to diminishing returns. So CC, Fear, Disorient add up to 40%. The actual damage reduction is Damage / (100% + 40%). Very useful for big spike damage bosses.

tacredline

Thanks for the great advice. I am level 32 and I went with the following build and it is super fun

* Reapers Embrace and Tigers Bite Hits for a ton of damage.
* I always have an active offense running even with my junky gear. (Shadow Shroud, Immolation, Electric Sheath for theme)
* Force Shield +adv helps a ton with Endurance gain.
* BCR is essential when I take aggro and have to block for a while. Masterful dodge at 35 will be nice so I won’t have to block so much.

He’s more survivable than I thought he would be on teams, might not need Rebirth at 38 after all? Maybe another active defense?


PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Dark Scarab WotW level 32

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: Sureshot
Level 6: Brilliant
Level 9: Covert Ops Training
Level 12: Body and Mind
Level 15: Coordinated
Level 18: Healthy Mind
Level 21: Martial Focus

Powers:
Level 1: Reaper's Touch
Level 1: Shred (Penetrating Strikes)
Level 6: Way of the Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Void Shift
Level 11: Force Shield (Force Sheathe)
Level 14: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 17: Aspect of the Bestial
Level 20: Reaper's Embrace (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Tiger's Bite (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Shadow Shroud (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Immolation (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Electric Sheath (Rank 2)
Level 35: Masterful Dodge
Level 38: Rebirth

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Teleportation
Level 35: Tunneling

Specializations:
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Brush It Off (2/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Initiative (2/2)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Brawler: No Escape (1/3)
Brawler: Penetrating Strikes (2/2)
Brawler: Ruthless (2/2)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

flowcyto

As you get to lvl 40 and get stack CDR + Int on ur gear you'll find that there's much overlap in having 3 AOs. Since AO's overwrite each other that means at high level it'll prob be more efficient to drop an AO and make room for another power.

I'd prob take an easy AoE like Shuriken Storm w/ strong arm, Sword Cyclone, EotS, or Brimstone- just so grinding lesser mobs is faster. Alternative is to pick up UR when the ultimates are unlocked for you.

As far as the 2 AOs to stick with, the most effective ones would be Ego Surge + NM (and some Con gearing) and prob Ice Sheath, unless you had thematic reasons to use the others.

Rebirth would be for if ya wanted to do harder content, like lairs or Gravi and F&I. I find it pretty extraneous otherwise since I usually have Recovery packs if I need 'em- but ymmv. A 2nd AD is never really a bad choice either.