Struggling with a Melee DPS Bestial build

Comments

• flowcyto Posts: 12,847 Arc User

  May 2016 edited May 2016

  An AoE pull-in would be nice for Bestial SN. Vicious Cyclone w/ Vortex works w/ SN builds using the energy unlock, though it can't proc AotB by itself. Although, taking a diff approach and using Venom Breath w/ its adv can work fine- good AoE reach, though lower dps.
  
  Command Animals won't add much more than a potential off-tank or distraction for trash, not very high priority considering the energy penalty, but if its thematic then its not a bad power to keep.
  
  Ya perhaps would have a bit too many attacks, though. Massacre is Bestial SN's best ST dps attack, but it doesn't proc AotB and makes Bite kinda redundant. You'd also want the special adv on Shred here.
  
  Ya mentioned that ya didn't want it to be much like the Savage, but its looking rather close to it as is, at least in playstyle- not that its really a bad thing. You'll have less survival w/o Regen, but strong dps.
  
  You lack a regular heal, so yeah DE w/ R2 + the Phleb adv would be good for a patch-up heal. BCR/RR is an alternative when using a dodge passive like WotW, but it'll come w/ a dmg penalty when its up. I'd prob throw Resurgence and/or MD in there as well. I'd prob pass on Howl. It can refresh Enrage out of combat, but isn't really a standout power overall.
  
  Crit severity from specs is always good, since its flat% and DR-free, though for gear I'd only get one bonus severity rating modifier since the rating itself diminishes pretty harshly. Warden Mastery is fine as long as ur using Shred often enough. Upper Hand (instead of Reactive Strikes) can also boost ur crit on bleeding targets (and/or Slaughter for Shred). Can also get one Dex mod or 2ndary gear to get a bit of extra crit that way, as well as get some crit rating on offensive gear. Ur crit% shouldn;t be too bad after that.

  <CO stuff> .: Petco :. // A basic FF building guide (see 1st reply) // PSA on Power Activation Delay // Ayonachan's Gift Horse (misc stat data)
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• rb74

  rb74#3001

  Posts: 51 Arc User

  May 2016

  Based on your advice, here's my second pass on this build...
  
  PowerHouse (Link to this build)
  
  Name:
  
  Archetype: Freeform
  
  Super Stats:
  Level 6: Strength (Primary)
  Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
  Level 15: Recovery (Secondary)
  
  Talents:
  Level 1: The Savage
  Level 6: Mighty
  Level 9: Enduring
  Level 12: Tireless
  Level 15: Physical Conditioning
  Level 18: Relentless
  Level 21: Quick Recovery
  
  Powers:
  Level 1: Bestial Fury
  Level 1: Shred (Rank 2, Penetrating Strikes)
  Level 6: Frenzy (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 8: Way of the Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 11: Aspect of the Bestial
  Level 14: Resurgence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 17: Pounce (Nailed to the Ground)
  Level 20: Massacre (Rank 2, Blood Mess)
  Level 23: Command Animals (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 26: Supernatural Power
  Level 29: Parry
  Level 32: Rebirth
  Level 35: Venomous Breath (Paralytic Bile)
  Level 38: Devour Essence (Rank 2, Phlebotomist, Accelerated Metabolism)
  
  Travel Powers:
  Level 6: Athletics (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 35: Shadow Wings (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  
  Specializations:
  Strength: Swole (3/3)
  Strength: Physical Peak (2/3)
  Strength: Brutality (2/2)
  Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
  Brawler: The Glory of Battle (1/3)
  Brawler: Penetrating Strikes (2/2)
  Brawler: Ruthless (2/2)
  Brawler: Finishing Blow (3/3)
  Brawler: Setup (2/2)
  Warden: Fortified Gear (2/3)
  Warden: Slaughter (3/3)
  Warden: Upper Hand (3/3)
  Warden: The Best Defense (2/3)
  Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)
  
  
  The leveling order might change a bit while actually playing since it was difficult to decide when to get what. The character does feel quite savage with this build. I couldn't justify having Vicious Cyclone due to the chain and me feeling like it conflicts with the theme. If I took one or two less ranks in Resurgence, I could rank up Venomous Breath, but I'm probably don't need a 3rd AoE for extra damage especially since it's toxic. Maybe I could put on more Accelerated Metabolism for my attacks since even with Supernatural Power my energy kept running try. It's more likely that I might not have been using my attacks correctly. Pounce seems to be a way to get into battle and deal with annoying flyers.
  
  As an alternate to Parry, I thought about Ebon Void since it still fits the magical part of the theme and could lead to a bit of extra healing. Maybe it was the poor gear and/or poor tactics, but even surviving in the Battle Station was difficult. Then again, Parry might add a bit more DPS even when blocking.

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• flowcyto Posts: 12,847 Arc User

  May 2016 edited May 2016

  Here's How I'd prob build it:
  
  PowerHouse (Link to this build)
  
  Archetype: Freeform
  
  Super Stats:
  Level 6: Strength (Primary)
  Level 10: Dexterity (Secondary)
  Level 15: Constitution (Secondary)
  
  Talents:
  Level 1: The Savage
  Level 6: Covert Ops Training
  Level 9: Acrobat
  Level 12: Physical Conditioning
  Level 15: Martial Focus
  Level 18: Quick Recovery
  Level 21: Impresario
  
  Powers:
  Level 1: Bestial Fury
  Level 1: Shred (Rank 2, Penetrating Strikes)
  Level 6: Supernatural Power
  Level 8: Way of the Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 11: Form of the Tempest
  Level 14: Venomous Breath (Rank 2, Rank 3, Paralytic Bile)
  Level 17: Pounce
  Level 20: Massacre (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 23: Resurgence (Rank 2)
  Level 26: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
  Level 29: Devour Essence (Rank 2, Phlebotomist)
  Level 32: Command Animals (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 35: Rebirth
  Level 38:
  
  Travel Powers:
  Level 6:
  Level 35:
  
  Specializations:
  Strength: Swole (2/3)
  Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
  Strength: Brutality (2/2)
  Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
  Warden: Slaughter (3/3)
  Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
  Warden: Upper Hand (2/3)
  Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
  Brawler: The Glory of Battle (1/3)
  Brawler: Penetrating Strikes (2/2)
  Brawler: Ruthless (2/2)
  Brawler: Setup (2/2)
  Brawler: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
  Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)
  
  Switching gears to FotT and a Dex focus; that makes mixing diff attacks much easier, as AotB ties you to bleeds and Enrage ties you to knocks. Venom Breath is used as ur main AoE, and Shred as close-up cleave AoE + cheap single-target filler, debuff, and procing Setup for Massacre. DE for healing, animals for pets + extra debuffs. Last power slot is w/e ya want.
  
  Stat focus is on Dex and Con here, w/ a bit of Rec for Supernatural Power.

  <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!

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• rb74

  rb74#3001

  Posts: 51 Arc User

  May 2016

  I think this might be pretty solid and it looks like it'll level well. Not having Aspect of the Bestial does free me up from going mostly with bleeding damage. Going by what was posted along with me adding a couple of extra things...
  
  PowerHouse (Link to this build)
  
  Archetype: Freeform
  
  Super Stats:
  Level 6: Strength (Primary)
  Level 10: Dexterity (Secondary)
  Level 15: Constitution (Secondary)
  
  Talents:
  Level 1: The Savage
  Level 6: Covert Ops Training
  Level 9: Acrobat
  Level 12: Physical Conditioning
  Level 15: Martial Focus
  Level 18: Quick Recovery
  Level 21: Impresario
  
  Powers:
  Level 1: Bestial Fury
  Level 1: Shred (Rank 2, Penetrating Strikes)
  Level 6: Supernatural Power
  Level 8: Way of the Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 11: Form of the Tempest
  Level 14: Venomous Breath (Rank 2, Rank 3, Paralytic Bile)
  Level 17: Pounce (Nailed to the Ground)
  Level 20: Massacre (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 23: Resurgence (Rank 2)
  Level 26: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
  Level 29: Devour Essence (Rank 2, Phlebotomist, Accelerated Metabolism)
  Level 32: Command Animals (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 35: Rebirth
  Level 38: Parry
  
  Travel Powers:
  Level 6: Distortion Acrobatics (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 35: Shadow Wings (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  
  Specializations:
  Strength: Swole (2/3)
  Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
  Strength: Brutality (2/2)
  Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
  Warden: Slaughter (3/3)
  Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
  Warden: Upper Hand (2/3)
  Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
  Brawler: The Glory of Battle (1/3)
  Brawler: Penetrating Strikes (2/2)
  Brawler: Ruthless (2/2)
  Brawler: Finishing Blow (1/3)
  Brawler: Setup (2/2)
  Brawler: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
  Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)
  
  I decided to go with Parry again for my final power so that I have a block replacement. Ebon Void appeared to be too weak, healing less than a 100 HP every so often. The last 3 adv points were spent toward Pounce w/ Nailed to the Ground and Devour Essence w/ Accelerated Metabolism. I really don't want my healing running out of energy while in use although Supernatural Power might prevent that. Where could that last point go instead? The Brawler spec tree only had 9 points spent, so I put the final point in Finishing Blow. Also for theme, I threw in 2 DLC travel powers.
  
  Ego Surge does work pretty well even for Strength right?

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• flowcyto Posts: 12,847 Arc User

  May 2016 edited May 2016

  Finishing Blow or Flanking are fine for that last point in Brawler.
  
  Ego Surge's main use is Nimble Mind's flat crit%, not the baseline dmg or Ego boosts, and that crit scales w/ Con. As long as you have Con SS'd, its the best dps AO.

  <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!

  0
• kallethen Posts: 1,576 Arc User

  May 2016

  Focus based bestial instead of Enrage/AotB based works very well from my experience using Form of the Tempest. Crits feed Focus so easily. I went the Ward-icator route for my specs (but flow's suggestions are good!), and a few powers are different, but the passive, form, and attacks are pretty much what you have. Definitely worth doing.​​

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• flowcyto Posts: 12,847 Arc User

  May 2016

  Yeah Wardicator is good ofc. Its mostly choosing between higher Defense vs, higher melee dps w/ Brawler & Setup. Really up to you there.

  <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!

  0