Elemental petmaster

redcastle56 · December 2020

So I was once again reminding myself why to avoid squall when I started playing with this this half baked idea for an elemental petmaster. Something that uses Artic beast and ball lightning to synergize with dust devil with Triple threat advantage. But I'm not quite sure where to go with it. Possibly Hurricane so I am not just standing around with my hands in my pockets while beasties do the work. (though I am not tied to that at all.)

Any ideas how would be best to go about it? One obvious problem is where to start, since I will need a few powers before I can even unlock the pets. If i start with wind/hurricane i'm stuck on taking a 3rd power that wont do much for me. Almost feels like I am better off starting in sorcery for the first few powers, including a good passive aura and getting the pets later.

Something like
Powers
Level 1: Eldritch Bolts
Level 1: Pillar of Poz
Level 6: Aura of Ebon Destruction
Level 8: Ritual of Primal Summoning
Level 11: Hurricane
Level 14: Dust Devil
Level 17: Ball Lightning
Level 20: Arctic Beast

Though leveling would be painful.

Other ideas? or does this go on the trash heap of bad ideas.

flowcyto · December 2020

Well, just in case, it should be noted that entity powers like Dust Devil and Ball Lit are not technically pets and thus don't receive things like auras and whatnot. Are you planning on adding more pets to the build? Cause you could simply just make it a normal Wind/Elec (or Sorc) dps build w/ 1-2 Beast powers around for the theme (they won't add as much to a dps build in effect, but dps builds also typically have more leniency in adding ancillary powers). You could still opt for the petmaster approach, ofc, but there are other options out there. The build could use a toggle/form atm, besides.

As for your own attacks, to keep more slots open for other powers you could simply do w/ Gust for single-target and Hurricane for AoE (and then Wind Reverb is prob an easy fit for the EU), but it's up to you what powerset(s) you mostly want to sample from there.

redcastle56 · December 2020

Guess they wouldn't benefit from the specs in the commander tree either then. So i guess it wouldn't really be a pet build then. Use hurricane to apply chill and NI, and devils to take advantage of it. Maybe throw in typhoon But it would all be somewhat secondary to whatever else I base the build around.

Maybe start off like
Powers
Level 1: Eldritch Bolts
Level 1: Pillar of Poz (Dizzying Impact)
Level 6: Gust (Rank 2, Toppling Winds)
Level 8: Hurricane (Rank 2, Perfect Storm)
Level 11: Wind Reverberation
Level 14: Dust Devil (Rank 2, Triple Threat)
Level 17: Wind Barrier
Level 20: Typhoon (Rank 2, Rank 3, Cold Front)

Not sure what what form and passive would make sense though.

flowcyto · December 2020

Do you still want some pets in there for the concept, though? Maybe just have the Arctic Beast follow you around? Cause it's mostly looking like a Wind build now (which can be okay, in of itself). Here's a simple example of Wind + a pet:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform (Ranged Damage)
v3.44:36

Super Stats
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Endurance (Secondary)
Level 15: Constitution (Secondary)

Talents
Level 1: The Scourge (Con: 10, Ego: 10, Rec: 10, End: 8)
Level 6: Worldly (Ego: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 9: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Daredevil (Ego: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Ascetic (Con: 5, Ego: 5)
Level 21: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Wind Lash
Level 1: Gust (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Stormbringer (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Chilled Form
Level 11: Hurricane (Rank 2, Perfect Storm)
Level 14: Wind Reverberation
Level 17: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 20: Typhoon (Rank 2, Rank 3, Cold Front)
Level 23: Arctic Beast (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Wind Barrier (Rank 2)
Level 29: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32:
Level 35:
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 30/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Relentless Assault (2/3)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (2/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

The open power slots can be w/e ya want.

Can alternate between Gust and Typhoon for singe-targets, and use Hurricane for close-range AoE, and Typhoon for long-ranged AoE. You could also add in PA's Power Conversion if you're having energy issues w/ Typhoon. Gears mostly for Ego, w/ some Con and End.

revanantmorituri · December 2020

Here's my elemental sniper pseudo-pet master. He's a bit fragile, but the idea is that pseudo-pets transfer next to no aggro to the caster, and the sigils with their 100% uptime cover anything left handily. He also makes a adequate reserve healer. And for comedy, he's running the third macro set here in the Rainbow Powers thread.

Elemental Sniper - Freeform (Any / Multiple)

Link to this build: https://aesica.net/co/herocreator.htm?v=36&n=Elemental Sniper&d=14360nUTZgaf0630P0M000M10XM903M60G54031D054B057G007F00ML032O03MG03ON005I002WGf3TJe0FYP10000000000&e=
v3.44:36

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

Talents
Level 1: The Witch (Con: 10, Int: 8, Pre: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Investigator (Int: 5, End: 5)
Level 9: Negotiator (Int: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Prodigy (Pre: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Command Training (Int: 3, Ego: 3, Pre: 3, Rec: 3)
Level 18: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)
Level 21: Sniper Training (Dex: 3, Ego: 3, Pre: 3, End: 3)

Powers
Level 1: Eldritch Bolts
Level 1: Eldritch Blast (Rank 2, Bad Luck)
Level 6: Aura of Arcane Clarity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Sigils of Radiant Sanctuary (Inner Peace)
Level 11: Wall of Ice (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Ball Lightning (Rank 2, Triplicity)
Level 17: Dust Devil (Rank 2, Triple Threat)
Level 20: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 23: Concentration
Level 26: Arcane Vitality (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Fire Snake (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Eldritch Shield (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Resurgence
Level 38: Aurora
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Athletics (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Scarab Tunneling

Specializations
Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
Intelligence: Enlightened (1/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Anguish (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (3/3)
Overseer: Administer (3/3)
Overseer: Overseer Aura (2/3)
Overseer: Honor (2/2)
Overseer: Trapped (3/3)
Mastery: Overseer Mastery (1/1)

Devices

redcastle56 · June 2021

Not to necro an old thread, but here is where I ended up on the idea so far.

Elemental petmaster rebuilt - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.44:36

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

Talents
Level 1: The Gunslinger (Dex: 10, Con: 10, Ego: 8, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 9: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 12: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Survival Training (Dex: 3, Con: 3, Pre: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)
Level 18: Enduring (Con: 8)
Level 21: Tireless (Rec: 8)

Powers
Level 1: Wind Lash
Level 1: Gust (Rank 2, Toppling Winds)
Level 6: Hurricane (Rank 2, Perfect Storm)
Level 8: Stormbringer (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Chilled Form
Level 14: Dust Devil (Rank 2, Triple Threat)
Level 17: Circle of Arcane Power (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Ice Shield (Rank 2)
Level 23: Ball Lightning (Triplicity)
Level 26: Typhoon (Rank 2, Rank 3, Cold Front)
Level 29: Arctic Beast (Rank 2)
Level 32: Sigils of Radiant Sanctuary (Rank 2)
Level 35: Cower
Level 38: Resurgence
Adv. Points: 36/36

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

Specializations
Endurance: Readiness (3/3)
Endurance: Gear Utilization (2/3)
Endurance: Power Overwhelming (3/3)
Endurance: Hardened (2/2)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Anguish (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Initiative (1/2)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)

Devices

He feels underperforming. I guess I am used to more optimized builds at cosmics but he is coming in lower on the scoreboard then I thought he would.
I thought about the following.

I gave up on using eldritch bolts/pillar of poz. The healing was miniscule, and I wasn't staying in close range enough for it to be a reliable disorient applier. So back to the standard wind lash/gust
Trying to use a Wind Reverb instead of Circle. I've heard that wind reverb isn't that reliable. Its also nice to be able to get to full energy for Typhoon before attacking. As long as something doesn't knock me out of the circle, I can spam Typhoon till the cows come home. But it does each up 4 advantage points.
Trying MSA instead of Circle. I'd stat more for INT then, and maybe change out chilled form for conc. While I have both elemental pets with short recharges, it would still be putting out less energy then Circle. And i'd lose some ego, which would hurt base damage. Though I might get better percentage on form stacks.
Related to that. Switch to Int PSS, End/Con SS. While I would get defense pen, base damage would be pretty low. Would be relying entirely on form stacks. Not to mention the final options for the lvl 40 spec don't do much for me.
For a Wind/Sorc mix, he is looking pretty much all wind. Circle/sigils are the only think keeping the sorc flavor. Not that I have to keep that mix, but it was where I started off.

To be fair, I haven't slotted the wind damage boost mod. But I don't think that would make much of a difference.

Any thoughts on improving performance while keeping the same basic idea. or just accept that it will be a somewhat underperforming Ranged DPS. It's still fun to play.

flowcyto · June 2021

Wind isn't as strong at single-target dps as other sets, and you'll prob just have to accept that until it gets a revamp. Adding Power Conversion (from Laser Sword) can help greatly w/ energy, if that's a concern, and you wouldn't necessarily have to take CoAP then either (you could take a normal EU and save some adv points and not being tied to a circle). You could also prob switch End PSS for Ego or Int PSS then. You could also switch to Eldritch Shield as your block enhancer. Maxing Vind's Mass Destruction would also be good for Typhoon. Also, if the Arctic pet is mostly for theme, then you could swap a rank in it for R2 or Resurgence.

Another approach is to just make it a Sorc build instead, but then you'd prob mostly be giving up on Wind and its powers, and I'm not sure if you'd want to do that.

Elemental petmaster

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