Unarmed MA build

rileymarks1 · May 2018

This is my first time asking for help on a build. I usually surf the forums and I get a pretty good idea of what to do. But I am having trouble figuring out the best way to make a decent MA build. I want him to be survivable (can't stand glass cannons). I originally plan for him to be dps, but if there's a good tank version I would consider that as well since I don't currently have any tanks.

Not a fan of dual passive builds so that is definitely out. And I would like as many of the powers to be from the unarmed set as I can get. I can deal with a few powers from the might set if necessary to round out the build since technically those are unarmed abilities as well. Ultimately I would like as many chi effects as possible (not the flaming/burning effect such as you get from fire set) since this guy's actual ability is psychometabolism and the chi manipulation works great for that theme.

And as unorthodox as this may seem, only want 1 AD, 1 AO, and 1 self heal. I use a controller and I have a certain abilities set up for certain buttons. This makes it easier for me to play all my different alts and such with the same controller setup regardless of build or role. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou.

criswolf09 · May 2018

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform

Link to this build: https://aesica.net/co/herocreator.htm?v=29&n=&d=12730aPKGLQa043011E000E20KEI08ED03E304EB00EQ03ES0PEG05EK00K600ON03OQ0066040mUB0Cnf03tr
v2.4.2-29

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

Talents
Level 1: The Master (Str: 8, Dex: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 9: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 15: Accurate (Dex: 5, End: 5)
Level 18: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 21: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Righteous Fists (advantages)
Level 1: Thundering Kicks (Floating Lotus Blossom, Storm's Eye Prana)
Level 6: Thunderbolt Lunge (Nailed to the Ground)
Level 8: Way of the Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Elbow Slam (Falling Hammer)
Level 14: Form of the Master (advantages)
Level 17: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Burning Chi Fist (Rank 2, Shattering Strike, Ghostly Strikes)
Level 23: Parry (Rank 2, The Elusive Monk)
Level 26: Chi Manipulation
Level 29: Imbue (advantages)
Level 32: Resurgence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Rebirth (advantages)
Level 38: Evasive Maneuvers (Sleight of Mind)
Adv. Points: 36/36

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

Specializations
Dexterity: Combat Training (2/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Brawler: No Escape (1/3)
Brawler: Penetrating Strikes (2/2)
Brawler: Ruthless (2/2)
Brawler: Finishing Blow (3/3)
Brawler: Setup (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (2/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

shadowolf505 · May 2018

I would link this one from my build thread on Steam to be fair.

Traction
v2.4.2-29

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

Talents
Level 1: Absolute Zero (Dex: 12, Rec: 12)
Level 6: Agile (Dex: 8)
Level 9: Martial Focus (Str: 5, Dex: 5)
Level 12: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 15: Coordinated (Dex: 5, Int: 5)
Level 18: Martial Training (Str: 3, Dex: 3, Ego: 3, Rec: 3)
Level 21: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Righteous Fists (advantages)
Level 1: Chi Manipulation
Level 6: One Hundred Hands (Rank 2, Demolishing Strikes, Ghostly Strikes)
Level 8: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 11: Electric Shield (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Masterful Dodge (advantages)
Level 17: Lightning Strike (advantages)
Level 20: Rising Knee (Flowing Strikes)
Level 23: Burning Chi Fist (Rank 2, Shattering Strike, Ghostly Strikes)
Level 26: Way of the Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Devastating Strike (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 35: Imbue (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Form of the Master (advantages)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Displacement Superspeed (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Electric Arc (advantages)

Specializations
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Overpower (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Brawler: The Glory of Battle (3/3)
Brawler: Penetrating Strikes (2/2)
Brawler: Ruthless (2/2)
Brawler: Flanking (3/3)
Mastery: Strength Mastery (1/1)

Can use the same setup for specs as the one above mine if you want, this build doesn't really die at all tbh (Even though glass cannon haha) You can swap out the Rec for Con as you would have enough energy returning with Chi Manipulation

flowcyto · May 2018

Here's a pretty sturdy Unarmed dps build, using only 1 AO, AD, and self-heal:

https://aesica.net/co/herocreator.htm?v=29&n=&d=11230abGA9PK000000E100E30KBA03C800EL00EP0XEQ05ES04ET0BER00EO0KEG038O012Q0010gw3T3B2MGB

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

Talents
Level 1: The Master (Str: 8, Dex: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Covert Ops Training (Str: 3, Dex: 3, Con: 3, Int: 3)
Level 9: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 12: Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)
Level 15: Martial Focus (Str: 5, Dex: 5)
Level 18: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Vicious Strikes (advantages)
Level 1: Elbow Slam (Falling Hammer, Flaming Chicken Wing)
Level 6: Way of the Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Form of the Tiger (advantages)
Level 11: Steadfast
Level 14: Dragon Kick (Rank 2, Dragon Rush)
Level 17: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 20: Burning Chi Fist (Righteous Fury)
Level 23: Dragon Uppercut (Rank 2, Rank 3, Ghostly Strikes)
Level 26: Masterful Dodge (advantages)
Level 29: Rising Knee (Flowing Strikes, Focused Energy)
Level 32: Parry (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Lock N Load (Rank 2)
Level 38: Fiery Embrace (advantages)
Adv. Points: 33/36

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: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: 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: Strength Mastery (1/1)

The AD could be R2 Resurgence instead, if you want. For AoE, charge BCF on a target and then spam charged DK. For single targets, put up debuffs w/ charged Elbow Slam, then spam charged DU- using Rising Knee to refresh debuffs. DK can be thrown into the single-target rotation as well if you need extra energy via Rush. Also, DK can be charged at anytime to build_refresh FotTiger. Gears mostly for Dex, w/ some Con.

rileymarks1 · May 2018

Wow 3 very different approaches. I will try all 3 of these builds on the pts and see which one is the most comfortable. Thankyou very much guys for the quick responses, been racking my brain over this build for weeks now.

shadowolf505 · May 2018

No prob o7

carrionbaggage · May 2018

Here's another setup. Lots of ways to build a semi-sturdy unarmed DPS:

Build Link

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

Talents
Level 1: The Chiller (Dex: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 8, End: 10)
Level 6: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 9: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Accurate (Dex: 5, End: 5)
Level 18: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 21: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Righteous Fists (advantages)
Level 1: Inexorable Tides (Rank 2, Flowing Strikes)
Level 6: Form of the Tiger (advantages)
Level 8: Unstoppable (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Elbow Slam (Falling Hammer)
Level 14: Dragon Kick (Rank 2, Dragon Rush)
Level 17: Chi Manipulation
Level 20: Burning Chi Fist (Rank 2, Shattering Strike, Ghostly Strikes)
Level 23: Parry (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 32: Devastating Strike (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Imbue (advantages)
Level 38: Mind Wipe (advantages)
Adv. Points: 36/36

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

Specializations
Dexterity: Combat Training (2/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (2/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

Build Notes:

Gears mostly for DEX, with a bit of REC (a mod or two, at most) to keep your energy stable during Chi Fist spam. If you want more health, you can shift some mods from DEX to CON. Pick up some cost discount from utility-slot gear.
Stacked DEX with Dexterity Mastery puts you into heavy diminishing-returns for crit strike and severity rating. This lets you focus on +healing in your offense-slot gear, without losing much damage. Heal-boosted Conviction, with a high crit/severity, is very handy for self-sufficient survival. A Depleted Uranium Core and Onslaught Gloves of the Slicer would still be advisable, if you can get them.
I usually avoid lunges. I prefer a rank 3 ground travel power, with a PBAoE (Dragon Kick) I can start charging while approaching a mob. Lunges do have merit in some content.
Single-target: Open with Elbow Slam to apply Demolish, then spam Burning Chi Fist charges. Tap Inexorable Tides often enough to refresh Demolish, and to trigger the energy return from Unstoppable. Chi Fist spam costs a lot of energy, but also does a lot of damage.
Multiple-target: Full-charge Dragon Kick spam for the momentary stun and Dragon Rush. Inexorable Tides provides a knock to use as a secondary control effect, if the mob gains immunity to Dragon Kick's stun or you don't have time to charge.
An Inexorable Tides tap for Unstoppable's energy return helps offset the cost of Conviction.
I'd consider the last 4 powers swappable, depending on personal preference. You could consider a self-rez, a lunge, Masterful Dodge over Resurgence, or any other preferences. Travel powers also depend on preference, but I would recommend one of them be a rank 3 ground travel power.
Block replacer could be whatever you prefer; I just chose Parry for theme. Antagonize is useful for its defensive benefits, if you feel it fits the theme.

rileymarks1 · May 2018

Not a huge fan of the animation of Dragon Kick, is there anything I can substitute it with that will build/refresh FoTT?

carrionbaggage · May 2018

Open Palm Strike (ideally with the Power Shift advantage, so you don't scatter the mob) can substitute as a charge-spam AoE attack.

Or you could put Power Sweep on Inexorable Tides and switch to Form of the Master. You could then consider taking it to Rank 2 (since it's your only AoE), and using Rising Knee (w/ Flowing Strikes) as your Demolish refresher.

One Hundred Hands also works in a Form of the Master setup, though its Chi Flame application can be unreliable unless you know your target will survive a full maintain.

If you have Imaginary Weapons, you could try out some PBAoEs from other sets with Form of the Tiger. If you decide to run with Unstoppable and a bit of REC, anything with a knock provides a nice energy return. Scything Blade (w/Heavy Blade), Arc of Ruin (w/ Wildfire), Brimstone, and Havoc Stomp (charge time's a little tricky) could all be potential candidates.

rileymarks1 · May 2018

I do have the imaginary weapons, I wonder if some of the claw abilities would work....

I noticed 2 builds use strength as primary and the other 2 use dexterity. Been trying out both to see which one works better. So far the only real difference I notice is the amount of energy I get from using dexterity as a primary. So far this is what I have, the order of abilities means nothing since I am level 40. I just pick the ones I'm pretty sure I want to keep first so I'm not constantly having to remove so many powers if I change my mind.

Can't decide which would be better Inexorable Tides or Dragon Uppercut. Both would proc the energy return from Unstoppable. Inexorable Tides w/adv would refresh demolish, but I was thinking the chi flame adv on Dragon Uppercut might be more useful since that would proc the energy return on chi manipulation, plus it does more damage. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

The Master - Freeform

Link to this build: http://aesica.net/co/beta/herocreator.htm?v=29&n=The Master&d=12730aLQa9AE1B0023E100EG05EE00EQ03E30KES0PC800EK00EP0XJB03E80900000000OQ000mUB3T3B2MGB
v2.4.2-29

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

Talents
Level 1: The Master (Str: 8, Dex: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Accurate (Dex: 5, End: 5)
Level 9: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Martial Focus (Str: 5, Dex: 5)
Level 18: Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)
Level 21: Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Vicious Strikes (advantages)
Level 1: Parry (Rank 2, The Elusive Monk)
Level 6: Intensity (advantages)
Level 8: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Elbow Slam (Falling Hammer, Flaming Chicken Wing)
Level 14: Burning Chi Fist (Rank 2, Shattering Strike, Ghostly Strikes)
Level 17: Form of the Tiger (advantages)
Level 20: Chi Manipulation
Level 23: Dragon Kick (Rank 2, Dragon Rush)
Level 26: Unstoppable (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Inexorable Tides (Rank 2, Flowing Strikes)
Level 32:
Level 35:
Level 38: Rebirth (advantages)
Adv. Points: 33/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Scorching Athletics (advantages)
Level 35: Jump (Rank 2, Rank 3)

Specializations
Dexterity: Combat Training (2/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: 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: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

flowcyto · May 2018

BCR and Parry's EM will stack to give you a 20% final dmg penalty on melee attacks. Both can be good defensively, but that's if you can stomach both penalties on dps.

There's many options to refresh or re-apply Demolish now. If you want one that can refresh Chi Flame + Demolish, and knock for Unstoppable, then Rising Knee fits the bill pretty neatly.

But Unarmed can be played in many ways- esp now. So, perhaps a better approach may be to ask if there's any attacks in particular you'd like to work around the most? (even if its just for looks) Cause its likely you can still make a decent build even w/ some sub-optimal attacks.

rileymarks1 · May 2018

I wasn't aware there was a dps penalty for bcr and the em adv on parry. Thankyou for pointing that out to me. I also think Rising knee would work better for me rather than inexorable tides, especially since I was mainly using it for utility purposes rather than damage.

Unarmed MA build

Comments