Nimbus - Storm Support/DPS

xaqchance

So, I was going to get a few builds together and then post em all at once, but this idea hit too hard and I don't wanna wait. Plus, with the new invisible weapons, my altitis is running rampant with ideas. This came from seeing someone using Sword Cyclone. I also got Tornado flight because I didn't have it and it was on sale.

Please understand that's where this build stems from. Sword Cyclone with invisible weapons and Tornado flight. I dunno if Sword Cyclone is strong enough to be the feature move of a build. I haven't used it before. In fact, I haven't used any of the attacks in the following build. I dunno if they're adequate or if I need to fill some gaps like a single target spike. While experimenting on Nullware, I started off with Stormbringer passive, then went to Quarry and finally "settled" on AoPM with Int PSS. Because of that I decided to maybe focus on support and add shields and heals. Not something I prefer, I've never used shields and healing others stresses me out. It's fun, but too intense for me, I can't play as a healer for too long. It's something I could learn though.

Other than Sword Cyclone and Tornado Flight, I don't have much in mind as far as moves are concerned when it comes to the build. Concept wise, I suppose this is to be a weather controller utilizing clouds and lightning. I had the idea to add Lightning Storm, but was concerned it would defeat the purpose of having Sword Cyclone. Same with Hurricane. If the support aspect stays (heals, bubbles) I suppose it could be thematically explained as being water. I remember reading a while back that someone had fun with Dust Devil and Ball Lightning because it made them feel like they were creating little storms.

As I was saying, actively healing others and dropping shields on them is difficult for me, so if those three attacks are sufficient, I'm okay with that, but I just didn't know how else to supplement them. I got to Masterful Dodge before deciding to just slap the support component in and adding Pre in place of Dex, which lead me to switch around some talents.


PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Nimbus

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Grimoire
Level 6: Diplomatic
Level 9: Showmanship
Level 12: Academics
Level 15: Command Training
Level 18: Field Ops Training
Level 21: Amazing Stamina

Powers:
Level 1: Sonic Blaster
Level 1: Concentration
Level 6: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 8: Conviction (Rank 2, Reverence)
Level 11: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Dust Devil (Rank 2, Triple Threat)
Level 17: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 20: Sword Cyclone (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Ball Lightning (Rank 2, Triplicity)
Level 26: Masterful Dodge
Level 29: Empathic Healing (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Inertial Dampening Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Protection Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2)

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Tornado Flight
Level 35: Lightning Flash

Specializations:
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)

Any advice is appreciated. Especially when it comes to the usefulness of Sword Cyclone and if building a toon around that is a bad idea or not. Thanks! =0D


PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Nimbus Proto

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: One of Mind and Body
Level 6: Agile
Level 9: Mighty
Level 12: Enduring
Level 15: Martial Focus
Level 18: Physical Conditioning
Level 21: Acrobat

Powers:
Level 1: Rain of Steel
Level 1: Reaper's Caress
Level 6: Way of the Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Resurgent Reiki)
Level 11: Masterful Dodge
Level 14: Dragon's Wrath (Rank 2, Tiger's Courage)
Level 17: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 20: Sword Cyclone (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 26: Form of the Tempest
Level 29: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Dust Devil (Rank 2, Triple Threat)
Level 35: Ball Lightning (Rank 2, Triplicity)
Level 38: Vicious Descent (Rank 2, Rank 3)

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Tornado Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Lightning Flash (Rank 2, Rank 3)

Specializations:
Dexterity: Combat Training (3/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (2/3)
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)


Then I fiddled around again and came up with this build. It's kind of "plain", certainly not as magical as I first envisioned, however I can use invis weps and imagine the toon moves so fast he can use wind to cut.

If I can round out either of these builds, help would be most appreciated. If these two inspire something in you that I'm looking for, I'm open to any suggestions as well. =0)

flowcyto

Sword Cyclone is one of those few AoEs that can be decent even for ST dps, but its very expensive to be using heavily. AoPM prob is one of the best passive choices for it, but don't think that because you have AoPM that you should start adding more Support or Hybrid based stuff. If ya wanna be a more dps-oriented AoPM build, just go for that. (ya can still add things like an ally res, or Ascension, or Palliate/absolve, or w/e and sitll be useful to the group w/o being a Support).

Butcher Blades does add more dps assuming ya can full-charge Cyclone, but that makes it even more expensive to afford (about 60 energy per sec at base). It also changes how ya fundamentally use the power. If ya want a bit of an easier time managing energy and/or wanna look like ur spinning constantly (instead of periodically), then ya can take the dps hit w/ the maintain version and add Shredded in there to help make up for it.

Since ur using AoPM, ya can go wild w/ the power choices since ur supporting all damage types with it (unlike Stormbringer which wouldn't boost Slashing dmg, for instance). Dust Devil and Ball of Lightning can be nice for MSA triggers, so mine as well keep em since they're also thematic (though if ya want to make room for more power slots, I would consider dropping one of them).

Here's a generalized AoPM setup that contains most of this stuff, and leaves some slots open for w/e ya want:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Glacier
Level 6: Covert Ops Training
Level 9: Healthy Mind
Level 12: Acrobat
Level 15: Coordinated
Level 18: Boundless Reserves
Level 21: Accurate

Powers:
Level 1: Wind Lash
Level 1: Viper's Fangs (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Thunderbolt Lunge
Level 8: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Form of the Tempest
Level 14: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 20: Sword Cyclone (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Dust Devil (Rank 2, Triple Threat)
Level 26: Ball Lightning (Rank 2, Triplicity)
Level 29: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 32: Wind Barrier (Rank 2)
Level 35:
Level 38:

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Tornado Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35:

Specializations:
Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (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: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)

carrionbaggage

For the sake of variety, here's my take on it. Since Sword Cyclone isn't available until later, I'd recommend it as a retcon build:


PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Nimbus

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Glacier
Level 6: Acrobat
Level 9: Coordinated
Level 12: Healthy Mind
Level 15: Accurate
Level 18: Boundless Reserves
Level 21: Investigator

Powers:
Level 1: Ice Shards
I tried to stay thematic with your opening powers. Ice seemed like a reasonable option.
Level 1: Ice Sheath (Rank 2, Rank 3)
As far as I can tell, the Supercooled advantage is broken.
Level 6: Ice Shield (Frigid Air)
Just filling out the early-tier pre-reqs. Chill has some minor synergy with advantaged Dust Devil.
Level 8: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Quarry (Rank 2, Rank 3)
AoPM works better as an all-around choice, but Quarry in Melee role will squeeze out more damage. With stacked INT (around 500 at level 40), the Quarry version has pretty sustainable energy.
Level 14: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 17: Ego Surge (Rank 2, Nimble Mind)
Level 20: Sword Cyclone (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Thunderclap (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Seems like it would be thematic for a storm character. Cycle it frequently to trigger Sentinel Mastery and get the energy return from Manipulator.
Level 26: Manipulator
With a full stack and level 40 gear, Rank 3 Thunderclap will end up stunning for around 6-7 seconds; a respectable duration for a Melee role build.
Level 29: Ball Lightning (Rank 2, Triplicity)
Level 32: Dust Devil (Rank 2, Triple Threat)
Level 35: Land Slide
Seemed like a thematic lunge. Tear through the ground in your tornado's path!
Level 38: Masterful Dodge

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Tornado Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Lightning Flash

Specializations:
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
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: Genesis (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (2/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Other trees besides Vindicator (like Warden, Guardian,or Sentry) have their merits too.
Mastery: Sentinel Mastery (1/1)
You didn't sound too thrilled about actively healing teammates. Maintaining constant Sentinel Mastery with Thunderclaps would provide some healing without the hassle of interrupting your offense.

xaqchance

Thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly. These builds look very fun, I'm really excited to try them. Not only are you guys helping me fix my builds, but you're also helping me maximize my enjoyment by allowing me to realize my ideas. This is my favorite game. It reminds me of playing with action figures as a child. I remember coloring, painting and interchanging parts trying to create my own heroes. Thank you so much!

jasinblaze

i ussually use overdrive with sword cyclone, that with lightning arc would make a good theme and overdrive would benefit both

flowcyto

Yeah, I have to admit, much of the fun of this game for a builder-freak like me is just trying diff stuff and seeing how it works. Like when ya mixed diff soft-drinks as a kid and see what they all taste like- there's a bit of wonder and anticipation to it all.

jasinblaze wrote:

i ussually use overdrive with sword cyclone, that with lightning arc would make a good theme and overdrive would benefit both

Last I checked, Sword Cyclone was one of those maintains that doesn't proc OD

co-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=248781&highlight

I made a Gauntlet Chainsaw tank w/ OD before that used Cyclone for AoE, and I don't recall OD working for Cyclone (at least it did for Chainsaw). Really annoying bug.

xaqchance

I had a couple of questions while playing the build flow posted; how would vapor form affect the build? I've finally gained the signature move (Sword Cyclone), which looks as awesome as I'd hoped, so at Lv20, I still have time to think about my last two or three powers.

I added in Lightning Flash TP at R2, and then to save adv points I thought of switching the block power with BCR @ R2 w/adv. Not sure how much the adv will help, but it'll come into play in a moment, it's the same reason I needed to save adv points. I was thinking of grabbing Gifts of the Storm. If I do this and grab Masterful Dodge and Vapor Form (not sure if it needs ranked, it's just for theme at this point anyway), then I create a small off-heal capability and I think, I don't sacrifice any dps. The only reason to drop this aspect into the build would be more purpose to run it in support. Any thoughts?

flowcyto

The healing from Gifts is pretty weak and only occurs every 8 sec, so its quite slow and not really reliable. Maybe if it was just a 1-pt throwaway adv, but I wouldn't waste 3 adv points on it as is.

Vapor Form I'm also iffy about. Main issue w/ it is being locked into the form and no other powers- that aspect of it always rubbed me the wrong way.