test content
  • Games
  • Social
  • Arc News
  • Support
  • Zen
What is the Arc Client?
Install Arc
Forums > Home› Power Discussion

Glass Cannon Build - Advice Required

hemslordhemslord Posts: 166 Arc User
in Power Discussion
Hi all,

I've recently been using one of my glass cannon characters a bit more and can't help but feel like I can get more damage out of him and was looking for some advice on maximizing his SPIKE damage.

The build is focused around the Eagle Blaster Sniper Rifle PR so my "must have powers" are as follows:

- Sniper Rifle
- Electric Form
- Concentration
- Dark Transfusion (can drop if energy management is good enough)
- 2 x AO's (Ego Form + Something else)
- Pule Beam Rifle (In case the Sniper Rifle stops being an option)
- Unbreakable OR Field Surge

Even after testing I'm finding it difficult to decide on Ego or Dex primary as high crit chance and severity are important for this build. I have also been using Circle of Wrath but am considering dropping this as it means I have to spend time setting up frequently. I'm tempted to use some stealth powers to drop in and out of combat from afar (EM, Palliate, Smoke Bomb).

The gear I'm using is Vigilante Secondaries and Justice Primaries (apart from the Offense). Finally, this build is for PvE use mainly, and will only be used in fun PvE duels with the SG. Any and all advice is welcome.


Comments

  • flowcytoflowcyto Posts: 12,858 Arc User
    CoEW isn't worth a power slot on a FF, imo, since the dmg bonus it gives is in the earliest layer, and the circle ends up rooting you in place and hurting ur survival. DT also prob shouldn't be needed if ya can use MSA and throw some more cds in there- alternative is CoAP for energy. Ya could hike up the dps or utility on SR a bit by adding on-next hits like Sonic Device, and/or via a temp pet cd like Summon Shadows, for ex. I would prob go ahead w/ EM/SoM or Palliate/Absolve for the threat drop, regardless.

    Ya may also want to consider using Radiant Sigils since they lower ur aggro and thus allow ya to get a bit closer w/o drawing as much heat. Like the circles, they can be annoying to maintain sometimes, though.

    Dex PSS will end up being higher raw dps on targets w/ some resist for Expose Weakness to work, though Ego PSS isn't much behind and offers more defense and cost discount. Neither choice is a bad one, imo.

    If ya can work w/in 100ft then ya could consider pairing SR w/ a blast and using Preemptivre Strike in Avenger- a quick tap of the blast would up the burst dmg of ur next SR (assuming it works for the device version- I assume it does, but that may be worth testing in PH).
    <CO stuff> .: Petco :. // A basic FF building guide (see 1st reply) // PSA on Power Activation Delay // Ayonachan's Gift Horse (misc stat data)
    - Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!
  • hemslordhemslord Posts: 166 Arc User
    Thanks for the advice flowcyto, lots of useful bits in there for me to consider.

    One of the main reasons I considered using Ego PSS over Dex was for the Exploit Opening Spec, which seemed like it would be a nice damage boost should I not crit and would make up for the lack of defense penetration that Dex PSS offers.

    Obviously I'm going to need to check out the actual numbers on the PTS (along with the blast idea) before I settle on one, but I was wondering what your thoughts would be when comparing these?
  • mildmanneredcalmildmanneredcal Posts: 10 Arc User
    Is Sniper Rifle your main attack? And if so, wouldn't you be much better off using Quarry instead of Electric Form?
  • hemslordhemslord Posts: 166 Arc User
    mildmanneredcal wrote: »
    Is Sniper Rifle your main attack? And if so, wouldn't you be much better off using Quarry instead of Electric Form?
    I'll be using the Sniper Rifle power replacer, VBA-Eagle Blaster Rifle. It changes the damage into particle damage and the damage dealt is dependent on the distance from the target (the further away, the higher the damage).

  • hemslordhemslord Posts: 166 Arc User
    edited August 2015
    I've had a little play around in the character planner and come up with this:

    PowerHouse (Link to this build)

    Name: VBA Test

    Archetype: Freeform

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

    Talents:
    Level 1: The Disciple
    Level 6: Academics
    Level 9: Shooter
    Level 12: Coordinated
    Level 15: Negotiator
    Level 18: Impresario
    Level 21: Wordly

    Powers:
    Level 1: Particle Rifle
    Level 1: Pulse Beam Rifle (Rank 2, Rank 3)
    Level 6: Molecular Self-Assembly
    Level 8: Concentration
    Level 11: Sonic Device (Rank 2, Rank 3)
    Level 14: Electric Form (Rank 2, Rank 3)
    Level 17: Ego Surge (Rank 2, Nimble Mind)
    Level 20: Sniper Rifle (Rank 2, Rank 3)
    Level 23: Palliate (Rank 2, Absolve)
    Level 26: Unbreakable
    Level 29: Smoke Grenade (Escape Artist)
    Level 32: Lock N Load (Rank 2, Rank 3)
    Level 35: Evasive Maneuvers (Sleight of Mind)
    Level 38: Nanobot Swarm (Rejuvinating Injectors)

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

    Specializations:
    Ego: Insight (3/3)
    Ego: Aggression (2/2)
    Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
    Ego: Exploit Opening (2/2)
    Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
    Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
    Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
    Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
    Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
    Avenger: Can't Touch This (3/3)
    Avenger: Surprise Attack (2/2)
    Avenger: Relentless Assault (1/3)
    Avenger: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
    Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

    I feel that I may have overdone the Aggro dumps but as I am using an interruptible ability I felt that not being a target is much more important than it normally be. I've also got a lack of heals but I am hoping that Rejuvenating Injectors + Palliate will help recover from any hits i may take as I will be "out of combat" most of the time.

    I am still yet to test Ego Primary vs Dex primary as i haven't had much time to head over to the PTS but this is on my to-do list. I was also considering putting Radiant Sigils in instead of one of the aggro dumps but I'm not really convinced that they help all that much as I'm using them on my current build.
  • cyronecyrone Posts: 1,028 Arc User
    Could use Night Warrior instead of Elec Form (since you would be pushing +damage soft cap) and gain a damage bonus to Sniper, since it is single target, from stealth. Then you could also use the Ninja Vanish travel power, which is like a Teleport that just makes you run slightly faster, since it has no cooldown between uses after attacking to restealth yourself for another snipe. The damage bonus for Night Warrior is all damage types and offers defense penetration.
    download_zpsfcg5gnud.jpg
    "There is only one way to support a PFF tank: Send Cyrone lots of money weekly... because he's the only one to successfully be a true PFF Tank." - chuckwolf
  • sodiq200sodiq200 Posts: 11 Arc User
    by the way, do you have anymore VBA's on you? >_> looking to buy one atm
    Man don't care bout all dat!....except nuggets ©_© B)
  • UnknownUnknown
    This content has been removed.
  • flowcytoflowcyto Posts: 12,858 Arc User
    bluegrassbeast wrote: »
    You could also look into Targeting Computer, now that they fixed it. Higher Crit and Severity.

    Yea, for Sniper Rifle I would def recommend trying the now fixed TC. However, I am unsure if the Eagle Blaster Device version of SR is classed as Ranged Tech to benefit from TC or not (probably not, but I dun have the device really to know for sure).
    <CO stuff> .: Petco :. // A basic FF building guide (see 1st reply) // PSA on Power Activation Delay // Ayonachan's Gift Horse (misc stat data)
    - Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!
  • hemslordhemslord Posts: 166 Arc User
    flowcyto wrote: »
    bluegrassbeast wrote: »
    You could also look into Targeting Computer, now that they fixed it. Higher Crit and Severity.

    Yea, for Sniper Rifle I would def recommend trying the now fixed TC. However, I am unsure if the Eagle Blaster Device version of SR is classed as Ranged Tech to benefit from TC or not (probably not, but I dun have the device really to know for sure).

    I just gave it a little test and it turns out that it does benefit from TC. Many thanks for this :)
    cyrone wrote: »
    Could use Night Warrior instead of Elec Form (since you would be pushing +damage soft cap) and gain a damage bonus to Sniper, since it is single target, from stealth. Then you could also use the Ninja Vanish travel power, which is like a Teleport that just makes you run slightly faster, since it has no cooldown between uses after attacking to restealth yourself for another snipe. The damage bonus for Night Warrior is all damage types and offers defense penetration.

    I had never even considered using Ninja Vanish, I'll definitely have to give it a whirl, sounds perfect for theme and practicality.
  • aiqaaiqa Posts: 2,620 Arc User
    Night Warrior would be nice for the charge time reduction, even though it's only 10% the difference is very noticeable.
  • hemslordhemslord Posts: 166 Arc User
    Thank you for the help all! After testing all 3 Passives I was surprised to find out that Electric Form actually had the lowest DPS overall, with Night Warrior coming out on top!
  • pantagruel01pantagruel01 Posts: 7,091 Arc User
    I use Night Warrior on my sniper, the defense penetration, untyped damage bonus, and reduction in power charge time all help dps a bit (the sneak bonus doesn't really -- waiting long enough for sneak to turn back on will cost more dps than you gain from the bonus). I'm not sure if the targeting computer crit buffs work with sniper rifle, I think they may not last long enough to apply to a power as slow as sniper rifle.
    My guide to Teleios Ascendant
    Epic Stronghold
    Block timing explained
Sign In or Register to comment.