PA/Sorcery dual passive (2021 update)

wtbcreativity · July 2020

Hey, all. I've been trying to decide what to do with the freeform slot that was given away a while ago and settled on making another heal/tank dual passive hybrid, because I guess I'm just going to make that my thing now. Haven't seen too many other people trying it.

Since I already have a healer/tank that uses a Presence primary setup, I thought I'd play around with something different and see how it the concept would work with END primary and trying to maximize Outburst uptime. Also, I'm a little light on magitech characters, so I decided to go with that for theme. Thoughts?

PA/Sorcery Hybrid - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.43:35

flowcyto · July 2020

Well, I normally wouldn't recommend End PSS, since Outburst is pretty strict in its window, but I suppose if you can keep your energy high enough w/ Power Conversion then it can be okay. I'd be more concerned about energy and Outburst uptime when not using AoPM, though. You could also replace the blast and free up two adv points somewhere else to get the Wisp w/ Guide and Cursed advs, if you want the dmg debuff and to keep Illum w/o having to use Star Barrage, but it's up to you. It may also be nice to have a self-res when healing, but perhaps you have devices to cover that (also, don't forget to pick your Talents).

wtbcreativity · July 2020

Yeah, I just wanted to see if End was workable, otherwise I'll swap for Pre PSS. As for Eldritch Blast, it already is a second source of Illumination + Illuminated. I had it mostly for the single target rotation (EB > Soul Beam x4) while I was just going to spam Star Barrage for multitarget. I'd considered Wisp, but that takes 4 adv points like you said.

flowcyto · July 2020

Alright, well that reasoning works fine for me. Guess it is just down to putting it into practice and seeing how it pans out- esp w/ energy situation, since so many variables can influence that, effectively. I guess the only other caveat I have atm is that you'll be damaging yourself a bit more when using Iniquity w/o Selfless Ally's backing- that may not imperil you usually, but it is something to keep in mind, just in case.

wtbcreativity · June 2021

ONE YEAR LATER

Hey again. I'm trying to convert this character to a healer/DPS because I don't have a friend to tank for anymore, and I'm also not 100% sure anymore why I tried a range tank in the first place. Made a couple of melee DPS unhappy on the Cybermind fight. (If one of you is reading this after all this time, I am so sorry)

Also, END PSS kind of worked out? At least, energy-wise and maybe making up for the less-than-stellar crit from spec/gear. But Repurpose makes gearing a healer/anything much easier, so it's back to Pre PSS.

Sorcery/Technology Hybrid - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.44:37

Yes, Sentinel Aura is the only way I have to proc Compassion in rDPS role because of the way PA toggles work. I are gud at buildcraft. There aren't any ++ranged damage/+healing forms that stack with Presence, or I'd use one of those.

flowcyto · June 2021

Well, the main issue now is that PA slotted toggles like Eye Beam and Micro Muni will lockout the use of any other power types when they are activated, which is not desirable if you also want to heal and/or use other power types (also, the slotted PA powers can be expensive if running >1 toggle at once). I may move away from the PA stuff, unless you want to use the non-slotted attacks from the set. Sentinel Aura also won't proc Compassion anymore, since they didn't want passive auras like that working w the toggle/form easily. There are two newer toggle/forms in Darkness that also work w/ Pres, but they require you to be using Mental States to proc them, which PA doesn't really do. I may also get a different self-res than CoRG, in case you die out of the circle.

It's a pretty drastic edit, but here's one way could mix Tech w/ Sorcery/Magic for a multi-role build, and still keep a Pres focus:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.44:37

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

Talents
Level 1: The Witch (Con: 10, Int: 8, Pre: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Diplomatic (Int: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 9: Lasting Impression (Pre: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Negotiator (Int: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Shrug It Off (Con: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 21: Healthy Mind (Con: 5, Int: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Sonic Blaster
Level 1: Pulse Beam Rifle (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Medical Nanites (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Fear Consumption
Level 11: Conjuring
Level 14: Will-o'-the-Wisp (Guide, Ghost Fire)
Level 17: Telekinetic Barrage (Rank 2, Instill Doubt)
Level 20: Arcane Vitality (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Resurrection Serum (Rank 2)
Level 29: Energy Shield (Rank 2)
Level 32: Indestructible (Rank 2)
Level 35: Night Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Thundering Return
Adv. Points: 34/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Presence: Repurpose (3/3)
Presence: Selfless Ally (2/2)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Sentinel: Caregiver (3/3)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (3/3)
Sentinel: Genesis (1/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Presence Mastery (1/1)

If you wanted a bit more of a focus on dps (at the cost of some bonus heal), then you could use Shadow Manifestation as the toggle/form instead (which is also in Darkness). You could also take Resurgence instead of Indestructible (if you want the big heal instead of a mitigation cd).

The dps side of the build won't be too strong here, but it should still be pretty functional. PBR is a cheap, easy single-target attack, and TK Barrage is similar to Star Barrage, but works innately w/ Mental States (and can put up a nice debuff in Dependency). With those two attacks, you'll still want to use the Wisp on cd to help proc the toggle/form and EU (and put up some buffs and debuffs). Ofc, it also uses NW as the dps passive, since you'd be employing a wide mix of damage types here. The 2nd spec could also be w/e ya want; I took Vind spec for the dps side of things, but Merciless can also help w/ crit heals from Arcane Vit, and Aggressive Stance help w/ defense. Gears mostly for Pres, w/ some Con and Int.

wtbcreativity · June 2021

flowcyto wrote: »

Sentinel Aura also won't proc Compassion anymore, since they didn't want passive auras like that working w the toggle/form easily.

Crap, I forgot about that. Well, I'll abandon that idea then (unless Support Drones can stack Compassion? I dunno. I never use pets.)

I may move away from the PA stuff, unless you want to use the non-slotted attacks from the set.

That would work too, but other than Chest Beam I'm not sure what AoE to take from that set. Rocket Fist for Root + Trapped? And they wouldn't be maintains, so I'd have to switch EU. But you know more about Gadgeteering than I do, so let's say I take PBR for a more minimal edit:

Sorcery/Technology Hybrid (FT/PBR) - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.44:37

And failing that, I'd probably just go back to Star Barrage TK Barrage + Soul Beam like in the original version with Enchanter as the rDPS form. [EDIT: Wait, no. You had a better idea. TK Barrage for Despondency is better than doubling up on Illuminate with EB + Star Barrage]

flowcyto · June 2021

Yea, if sticking w/ PA's non-slotted powers then it's pretty much either Rocket Punch or Chest Beam for AoE, though Chest Beam's cylinder is very narrow that I wouldn't take it as a main AoE attack (more like a heavy/burst attack that can sometimes hit extra mobs, and put up a nice Particle/Crushing debuff). Energy Wave is also good, esp w/ Rev Polarity for grouping up mobs, but it's on a cd. Even if you took PA and/or Gadgeteering powers, though, you'd still prob have issues procing Compassion as a dps. You could get a 2nd toggle/form like Concentration, switch End SS for Int, and just use a 2nd set of gear for the dps role that focuses on Int. You can also switch to the Wisp w/ Guide adv since it'll put up Illum and also easily roll Conjuring as an EU (which Int also scales with, and will return more energy than Overdrive).

Here's an example of that dual-toggle approach:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.44:37

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

Talents
Level 1: The Witch (Con: 10, Int: 8, Pre: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Diplomatic (Int: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 9: Lasting Impression (Pre: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Negotiator (Int: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Shrug It Off (Con: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 21: Healthy Mind (Con: 5, Int: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Particle Rifle
Level 1: Pulse Beam Rifle (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Concentration
Level 8: Night Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Conjuring
Level 14: Will-o'-the-Wisp (Guide, Ghost Fire)
Level 17: Skarn's Bane (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Medical Nanites (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Arcane Vitality (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Compassion
Level 29: Resurrection Serum (Rank 2)
Level 32: Indestructible (Rank 2)
Level 35: Energy Shield (Rank 2)
Level 38: Thundering Return
Adv. Points: 32/36

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

Specializations
Presence: Repurpose (3/3)
Presence: Selfless Ally (2/2)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Sentinel: Eternal Spring (1/2)
Sentinel: Caregiver (3/3)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Presence Mastery (1/1)

Star_TK Barrage is still pretty expensive, and Wisp can already provide Illum, so I opted for Skarn's just cause it's cheaper (it also has wider AoE coverage, but you have to be w/in 50ft to use it). You could replace Skarn's w/ SMG Burst, Elec Current, Flamethrower, or w/e other 50ft conal AoE attack you want, as they all tend to be pretty cheap and function similarly (or you could take something like Rocket Punch or Gadgeteering's Sonic Boom Generator, since it doesn't have to be a maintain attack anymore). In either case, it keeps the Wisp up for buffs/debuffs and Conjuring, and otherwise fills time w/ attacks and/or heals as appropriate. Gears mostly for Pres (w/ Compassion) for the Support side, and mostly for Int (w/ Concentration) for the DPS side.

wtbcreativity · June 2021

Thanks for being patient, flow. I'm going to be trying both of your builds in the Powerhouse later, though I'm starting to feel like needing two passives and two forms means the concept just isn't going to work that well.

flowcyto wrote: »

Even if you took PA and/or Gadgeteering powers, though, you'd still prob have issues procing Compassion as a dps.

I'm noticing. I don't have that problem with my melee DPS/healer, and I'm actually a little annoyed at how tricky this is turning out to be. It's bending the theme a little, but I'm going to take one more stab at this because I've been playing this game long enough that I shouldn't be making this many beginner mistakes on a build argh

Sorcery/Technology Hybrid - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.44:37

If by some miracle I die in CoRG and get the 100% self-rez, great. But I'm keeping it for the 6 second CD PBAoE heal tap. And with the adv on Rapid Shots, I'm going to be standing in one place as much as possible anyway. Between it and the healing rune from Medical Arrow, I should be able to keep Compassion going without interfering with the DPS rotation too badly.

jaazaniah1 · June 2021

Going to toss this in as a tweak to the above. I guess you took Res Serum for the tech theme? It's a pretty inferiou rez-other power since there's no option to rez more than 1 person (yet; maybe by2025 when the Gadgeteering revamp gets done). Acrobatics/Athletics is the cooler looking power, but I wonder if you would consider one of the SuperSpeed powers? It seems like you will mostly get around by flight and in combat you may not need the jumping around of Acroletics as much as the quicker speed of SuperSpeed.

Sorcery/Technology Hybrid - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.44:37

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

Talents
Level 1: The Witch (Con: 10, Int: 8, Pre: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Shrug It Off (Con: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 9: Diplomatic (Int: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 12: Healthy Mind (Con: 5, Int: 5)
Level 15: Lasting Impression (Pre: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Negotiator (Int: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Eldritch Bolts
Level 1: Straight Shot (Split the Arrow)
Level 6: Medical Arrow (Rank 2, Illuminate)
Level 8: Medical Nanites (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Compassion
Level 14: Storm of Arrows (Rank 2, Achilles' Heel)
Level 17: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 20: Sonic Arrow (Dizzying Impact)
Level 23: Arcane Vitality (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Energy Shield (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Indestructible
Level 32: Rise From the Ashes (Spreading Flames)
Level 35: Targeting Computer (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Circle of Radiant Glory (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Adv. Points: 36/36

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

Specializations
Presence: Repurpose (3/3)
Presence: Grandeur (2/3)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Overseer: Administer (3/3)
Overseer: Ruthless (2/2)
Overseer: Impact (2/2)
Overseer: Trapped (3/3)
Sentinel: Caregiver (3/3)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (2/3)
Sentinel: Wither (2/2)
Mastery: Sentinel Mastery (1/1)

Devices

flowcyto · June 2021

Yea, I think that build can work as long as you find that Compassion can be maintained when dps'ing in combat. After testing aversion of it a bit in the PH's Battle Station, Compassion seems to proc fine when you or allies (pets, in my testing case) are taking steady dmg and you have Illuminate's Mend and/or you (or allies) are standing in the healing rune (either of them from Medical Arrow); you don't even have to use CoRG as a dps, necessarily. So yea, that build could still work out for dps, as long as energy is also fine.

PA/Sorcery dual passive (2021 update)

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