First Martial Arts build

jairevans

I typically play ranged DPS characters. I tried to do melee as Might but found it very disappointing in how slow it is and how terribly inefficient it is dealing with all those spread out ranged henchmen. Ricochet Throw is fantastic for getting rid of the weaker members of the pack right away so I can start my combos on the meatier targets, so I thought I'd try a Single Blade style Night Warrior. I could use some tips though as I haven't done this before.

Build advice would be greatly appreciated and I'd really like some play style guidelines for how to make the most of this framework.

Thanks so much!

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

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

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

Powers:
Level 1: Reaper's Touch
Level 1: Ricochet Throw (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Night Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3, Silent Running)
Level 8: Reaper's Caress (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Form of the Tempest
Level 14: Dragon's Bite (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 20: Reaper's Embrace (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Masterful Dodge
Level 26: Parry (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Evasive Maneuvers (Sleight of Mind)
Level 32: Smoke Bomb Lunge
Level 35: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 38: Intensity

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

Specializations:
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Power Swell (2/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Upper Hand (2/3)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

flowcyto

If you are going to use Ricochet Throw as a stealth opener and/or for AoE, then I'd take the Mirco Circuits adv over rank3 (I'd pick r3 if I was also using it on-tap for single-targets, which you won't be here as that's what the SB powers are for).

Otherwise ur build is mostly fine from what I can see. Ya may want to consider picking Elusive Monk over r3 in Parry, and ya can un-rank a travel power (or Dragon's Bite, or Parry) if ya need spare adv points. If ya want more knock resistance for the build, ya can also stat Strength to 70 for it and some melee dmg bonus.

Ego Surge w/ NM adv would be a more efficient AO for this build than Intensity, but the latter will still be okay for a thematic hold break and small dmg/crit boost. I would also consider picking boomerang toss as the energy builder, since ranged EBs are just more convenient than melee ones- but its up to you. Some players are just fine w/ melee EBs, but I try to avoid them when I can.

Although FotT is a good toggle, it may be less reliable energy gains vs. FotS for the SB moves. Problem is, though, FotS won't work w/ Ricochet Throw. It'll prob still be fine energy-wise at lvl 40 w/ FotT, since ya have MSA and Rush available. May want to consider Warden Mastery too, just cause SB builds can be combo-heavy, but that means much stronger basic combos for weaker ruptures and AoE.

And if ur leveling w/ the build, ya may get better energy returns sticking the lunge + MSA earlier in the build. That combo is easier to afford for extra energy than a full-charge Dragon move for Rush when ur leveling.

jairevans

Great! Thanks for the notes.