Earth dps/controller

flowcyto

Been a while since I posted a build thread.

This build utilizes the ability for Cave In to innately stun on Staggered targets on full-charge, and that TK Maelstrom can easily pass for a Earth power. By using Manip ya have a strong stun-based controller and decent ranged dps w/ good burst potential.

Runs in Avenger role:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Glacier
Level 6: Covert Ops Training
Level 9: Healthy Mind
Level 12: Acrobat
Level 15: Coordinated
Level 18: Quick Recovery
Level 21: Negotiator

Powers:
Level 1: Kinetic Darts
Level 1: Stone Shot (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Manipulator
Level 8: Quarry (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 17: Quicksand (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Telekinetic Maelstrom (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Cave In (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Hurl (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 32: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 35: w/e ya want
Level 38: w/e ya want

Travel Powers:
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations:
Intelligence: Enlightened (2/3)
Intelligence: Battle of Wits (3/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Sentinel: Torment (2/2)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (3/3)
Sentinel: Wither (2/2)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (3/3)
Mastery: Sentinel Mastery (1/1)

Hurl is an nice way to proc MSA that can easily pass for Earth. TK Maelstrom procs MSA, stuns in a large area, does decent dmg, and can stack/roll Manip when out of combat.

AoE is using TK Maelstrom openers followed by maintaining Quicksand- easy pbAoE that takes adv of Sentinel Mastery and Wither, and locks down groups of enemies.

ST rotation is using Hurl to get MSA rolling -> charged Stone Shot -> charged Cave In, repeat. Stone Shot keeps Staggered rolling for Cave In to stun (plus a minor dmg debuff to boot) and procs Preemptive Strikes for Cave In to hit harder. Cave In will build Manip in this case naturally, and keep ur target stun-locked.

By lvl 40 ya can roll Sentinel Mastery and Wither to also be a decent debuffer and heal the group passively.

Int PSS and Detec Invuln means ya can dent things like Gravi's KM and boss-level innate resistance, while Quarry's Audacity puts ur Ego past the soft-cap easily. EGO/Int/Con can be taken as an alternative SS setup for higher crit-based dps and Defense, if desired, but weaker CC strength and stat scaling.


The build takes a bit to get rolling, so at lower levels ya can take a more conventional Ranged Earth dps build:

Powers:
Level 1: Wield Earth
Level 1: Stone Shot (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Earth Form (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Concentration
Level 11: Quicksand (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Molecular Self-Assembly

.. and by lvl 20 w/ TK Maelstrom can make the switch over to the full build.


The build is fun and effective. Its not fully committed to dps, but can hold its own there while still providing nice debuffs and stun-based CC.

aiqa

It looks nice for an earth build.
I can see how this would do ok for the controller part, but I'm a bit sceptical about the dps part.
What is the single target and AoE dps you get out of it?

flowcyto

Yeah the dps is a bit low, but it is Earth, so..

Regen dummy dps for ST is ~2.8k for Heroic/R4 mod gear level for me.
AoE on the Regen dummy (charge Maelstrom -> 1x channel Quicksand) is ~2k per target.

I imagine taking Concentration and Vindicator over Sentinel could bump the ST dps by about 15-20% or so, but that's losing out on Wither for group dps, as well as the strong controller aspect.

moxiedanger

Hey Flow, this has some great bits in it for a character I'm leveling. Question though: how would you go about reworking this for a more Support-oriented build? I'm thinking of going PRE PSS / Sentinel / Overseer for the Vulnerability/Wither/Trapped trifecta, but I'm not sure what Passive and/or Toggle I want. AoRP with Compassion or Manipulation is the frontrunner right now. Thoughts?

flowcyto

Well, by sheer coincidence I do have a Support version of this build (not exactly the same attack powers, but it has a similar concept of mixing Earth + stuns).

Main thing to exploit for the theme if ur making an Earth-based healer is that Fissure's Reconstruct can heal other players, and that Cave In on Staggered targets will proc Sentinel Mastery due to the baseline stun.

Only main drawback to Supporting w/ it is that ya don't get the stun on Cave In unless ya full-charge it. Ya have to allot urself enough time to cast Cave In (after staggering w/ something like stone shot)- and that may be harder to do as a healer.. which is why I'd recommend AoRP or AoPM + PF_MF for a build like that (w/ high HPS heals and passive heal effects, means less time devoted to directly healing others).

Here's a version similar to an Earth-based cleric build I've used in the past. It's Rampage-worthy Support by max level:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Glacier
Level 6: Shrug It Off
Level 9: Healthy Mind
Level 12: Diplomatic
Level 15: Acrobat
Level 18: Finesse
Level 21: Coordinated

Powers:
Level 1: Eldritch Bolts
Level 1: Stone Shot (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Aura of Radiant Protection (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Compassion
Level 11: Iniquity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Conviction (Rank 2, Reverence)
Level 17: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 20: Telekinetic Maelstrom (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Fissure (Reconstruct)
Level 26: Redemption (Rank 2, Salvation)
Level 29: Quicksand (Rank 2)
Level 32: Ascension
Level 35: Cave In (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38:

Travel Powers:
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations:
Presence: Repurpose (3/3)
Presence: Selfless Ally (2/2)
Presence: Dominion (2/2)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Sentinel: Torment (2/2)
Sentinel: Caregiver (3/3)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (2/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (1/3)
Sentinel: Wither (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Sentinel Mastery (1/1)

Left a slot and some adv points open for options.

Ya can hold off on getting Cave In since Sent Mastery isn't attained till max level anyways, and I'd imagine being a more fleshed-out Support is more important before then.

Oh, and the 2nd spec is kinda up for grabs. Stuns don't proc Trapped in Overseer, so I'd prob not use that, but otherwise it kinda just depends on ur priorities. Guardian or Warden is good for boosting personal defense and dps, but I'd also consider Vindicator (offense -> defense, personal dps via stronger crits + offensive expertise for Ascension), Sentry (great mix of ST dps via Precise, stronger stuns, and more ally support), Protector (more personal defense and/or health), or even Arbiter (for Concussion, Ruthless, Rend, and Enhanced Gear).

jaazaniah1

Funny, I was just thinking of doing some sort of ranged earth build, and this looks fun.

I was wondering if Stone Shot + Shard Burst followed by Cave In + Aggressive Gravitation would be useful for getting stacks of Enrage (maybe add in Howl to refresh the stacks)?

Since there is only one AO would Anguish be more useful than Offensive Expertise?

Also curious how you find it's survivability?

flowcyto

jaazaniah1 wrote: »

Funny, I was just thinking of doing some sort of ranged earth build, and this looks fun.

I was wondering if Stone Shot + Shard Burst followed by Cave In + Aggressive Gravitation would be useful for getting stacks of Enrage (maybe add in Howl to refresh the stacks)?

Yeah, ya can use Cave In just fine for Enrage builds that way, but keep in mind ya can't have >1 stack of Enrage if ur already using a diff (not Enrage-granting) toggle, and most Earth spells are classed as Ranged. Like, ya couldn't use Manip in my original build if ya did that (well.. ya could, but any Enrage stacks ya get will be canceled if they ever go past 1).

Since there is only one AO would Anguish be more useful than Offensive Expertise?

Up to you. Anguish isn't much dps per point, but its more consistent and automated.

Also curious how you find it's survivability?

The dps-oriented one in the OP? Its low on passive defense, but can be fine depending on if ya add more survival oriented stuff in the open power slots (also expertise + Con SS means ya get more health from Con). Against trash, it should be easy once ya get Sent Mastery. The AoE healing from AoE stunning everything w/ Maelstrom and then following up w/ Quicksand is pretty hilarious. Even before max level, you'll lockdown groups of mobs w/ Manip + Maelstrom on cd.

If ya want an easy time w/ Gravi, ya can always swap to Earth Form instead of Quarry, but I haven't found that necc from my experience (w/ enough heals/ADs).

The Cleric/Compassion version is quite sturdy if ya get AoRP, and high bonus healing makes recovering health a breeze w/ Conviction. Even the AoPM version is good if ya consider how strong the self-healing will be.

jaazaniah1

Thanks. I was just going by the old wiki where it talks about building stacks of Enrage and I was not sure if those could add up in addition to Manipulator. I suppose if it did work that way there would be a lot of people using it.

flowcyto wrote: »

Yeah, ya can use Cave In just fine for Enrage builds that way, but keep in mind ya can't have >1 stack of Enrage if ur already using a diff (not Enrage-granting) toggle, and most Earth spells are classed as Ranged. Like, ya couldn't use Manip in my original build if ya did that (well.. ya could, but any Enrage stacks ya get will be canceled if they ever go past 1).
.

flowcyto

jaazaniah1 wrote: »

Thanks. I was just going by the old wiki where it talks about building stacks of Enrage and I was not sure if those could add up in addition to Manipulator. I suppose if it did work that way there would be a lot of people using it.

Yeah I'm almost certain the 1-stack rule was implemented cause it'd be too powerful to allow effectively >1 toggle to run simultaneously. It just makes sense for balance reasons.

ogkelt

flowcyto said:

jaazaniah1 wrote: »

Thanks. I was just going by the old wiki where it talks about building stacks of Enrage and I was not sure if those could add up in addition to Manipulator. I suppose if it did work that way there would be a lot of people using it.

Yeah I'm almost certain the 1-stack rule was implemented cause it'd be too powerful to allow effectively >1 toggle to run simultaneously. It just makes sense for balance reasons.

Are these builds still viable Flow? Someone told me that earth got nerfed on the dps. I am specifically interested in levelling up the earth/cleric build if its still solid.

flowcyto

Earth never really got nerfed. It got some changes a few years back that on the whole helped it a bit. But its never really been a very strong set. Ranged Earth is still decent enough, though, and this build is still good for a controller version of it that mixes dps w/ stuns and some background healing. Keep in mind that Cave In only stuns on full-charge and vs. Staggered targets, so you want to stone shot the target first. TK Maelstrom can also proc Manip.

A more straight-forward dps version of this would take Concentration and use something like Guardicator for specs, as I mentioned in my 1st reply here. The rest of the build can mostly remain in-tact, though you could change TK Maelstrom and/or Quicksand for a diff AoE if you wanted then, and/or add the Crushing debuff from Burst Shot (if ya dun mind the theme disparity). Example of a more standard ranged Earth dps:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform

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

Talents
Level 1: The Glacier (Con: 10, End: 10, Dex: 8, Int: 10)
Level 6: Covert Ops Training (Str: 3, Dex: 3, Con: 3, Int: 3)
Level 9: Healthy Mind (Con: 5, Int: 5)
Level 12: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 15: Coordinated (Dex: 5, Int: 5)
Level 18: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Negotiator (Int: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Wield Earth
Level 1: Stone Shot (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Tremor (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Quarry (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Concentration
Level 14: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 20: Cave In (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Hurl (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 29: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 32: Burst Shot (Taking Names)
Level 35:
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 30/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Battle of Wits (2/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)

Open power slots are for w/e ya want. Could also use a DEX/Int/Con SS setup. Gears mostly for Int and Con, regardless.

ogkelt

Thanks mate. great info as always.