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Help with a living hive build

benoitseanbenoitsean Posts: 322 Arc User
I'm trying to come up with a character that is made up of hundreds of thousands of insects driven by a human intelligence. So any ability should be like insects protruding from the body to attack enemies. I don't know what abilities would give that illusion. I figure maybe infernal with a little bit of beastial for some bleeds. I don't know if there are other abilities from other sets that look like insects attacking.

This is what I came up with...

Swarm - Freeform (Tank)
v3.44:37

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

Talents
Level 1: The Devastator (Str: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 10, End: 8)
Level 6: Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)
Level 9: Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Bodybuilder (Str: 5, End: 5)
Level 18: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 21: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Bestial Fury (Rip and Tear)
Level 1: Venomous Breath (Rank 2, Infectious Bile, Locust Breath, Challenge!)
Level 6: Supernatural Power
Level 8: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Pounce (Furious Rush, Nailed to the Ground)
Level 14: Aspect of the Bestial
Level 17: Devour Essence (Rank 2, Phlebotomist, Challenge!)
Level 20: Frenzy (Fear Sense, Poison Tipped Claws, Challenge!)
Level 23: Locust Swarm (Rank 2, Festering Bites, Challenge!)
Level 26: Antagonize (Quills)
Level 29: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Resurgent Reiki)
Level 32: Masterful Dodge
Level 35: Imbue
Level 38: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Scarab Flight
Level 35: Scarab Tunneling

Specializations
Strength: Swole (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Locus (2/2)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Protector: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Protector: Bulwark (2/2)
Protector: Debilitating Challenge (2/2)
Protector: Defensive Expertise (3/3)
Mastery: Protector Mastery (1/1)

Devices

Let me know what you all think and if there are any abilities from other sets that might give the visuals of insects coming from the body and attacking. Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • flowcytoflowcyto Posts: 12,740 Arc User
    edited August 2021
    I would not rank up the energy builder, and I think you have too many Challenge advs (you can prob get by w/ just one on DE and one on Venomous Breath). Also, R1 Masterful Dodge no longer puts you past 100% dodge, and it'll share a cd w/ Resurgence. I'd prob also skip on the special adv on the block and just get normal ranks of it (esp for a tank). I'd also add the Wisp in there for the easy Toxic dmg debuff. I may also take Endorphin Rush as the heal (instead of BCR). Frenzy is also a bit redundant w/ Venom Breath for AoE.

    Although it is thematic, Locust Swarm won't be that great here, since it's single-target only, and paralyzes can break early to inc dmg. If you want to make Locust Swarm more useful (since it's really good for the theme), then maybe go w/ a Sentinel Mastery setup for it (since you can also use Venom Breath's stun adv here). It would also prob be easier to just use FotT as the toggle/form w/ DE. Here's an example edit of it:

    Swarm - Freeform (Tank)
    v3.44:37

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

    Talents
    Level 1: The Chiller (Dex: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 8, End: 10)
    Level 6: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 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: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)

    Powers
    Level 1: Infernal Bolts
    Level 1: Devour Essence (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenge!)
    Level 6: Supernatural Power
    Level 8: Form of the Tempest
    Level 11: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
    Level 14: Venomous Breath (Rank 2, Paralytic Bile, Locust Breath, Challenge!)
    Level 17: Will-o'-the-Wisp (Guide, Ghost Fire)
    Level 20: Resurgence (Rank 2)
    Level 23: Endorphin Rush (Rank 2, Rank 3)
    Level 26: Locust Swarm (Rank 2)
    Level 29: Antagonize (Rank 2, Rank 3)
    Level 32: Pounce
    Level 35: Imbue
    Level 38:
    Adv. Points: 32/36

    Travel Powers
    Level 6: Scarab Flight (Rank 2)
    Level 35: Scarab Tunneling (Rank 2)

    Specializations
    Constitution: Unyielding (1/2)
    Constitution: Fuel My Fire (3/3)
    Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
    Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
    Constitution: Armored (2/2)
    Sentinel: Torment (2/2)
    Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
    Sentinel: Moment of Need (2/3)
    Sentinel: Wither (2/2)
    Sentinel: Genesis (1/2)
    Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
    Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
    Warden: Elusive (2/2)
    Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
    Mastery: Sentinel Mastery (1/1)

    The open power slot can be used for w/e ya want.

    Venom Breath is the main AoE attack, while DE is the main single-target attack. In either case, you can use the Wisp to debuff. Locust Swarm can also be thrown in on single-target fights to proc Sentinel Mastery and Wither, while Venom Breath's stun adv can also do that for AoE. Gears mostly for Con, w/ some Dex and End/Rec (and some cost discount on gear).
    <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!
  • flowcytoflowcyto Posts: 12,740 Arc User
    Also, iirc there are auras that could make it look like there's a fog of insects around you or following you (the legacy for auras for Pestilence, Med Nanites, or AotI- for example). You can also preview various auras in the PTS, if you want. An aura like that could help to convey the theme a good deal, regardless of the powers you take.
    <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!
  • jaazaniah1jaazaniah1 Posts: 5,425 Arc User
    There are also various insect/fly auras. I think the Drifter and Collector have them.
    JwLmWoa.png
    Perseus, Captain Arcane, Tectonic Knight, Pankration, Siberiad, Sekhmet, Black Seraph, Clockwork
    Project Attalus: Saving the world so you don't have to!
  • dialamxdialamx Posts: 931 Arc User
    The "Scarab Flight" TP lets you attack while it's on. So you can fight as a swarm of insects. I use this with my Swarm character, who's more DPS focused than benoitsean's version. Because of that, I use a lot of toxic melee attacks (combined with Locust swarm and venomous breath) and I have Pestilence as my SP. Pestilence's Toxic damage aura has little bugs flying around in it, which fits the theme.
  • jaazaniah1jaazaniah1 Posts: 5,425 Arc User
    Hmm, I didn't know that. Add a flea/fly aura on top of that (if it's possible) and you would be good to go. Just never turn off your TP! =)
    JwLmWoa.png
    Perseus, Captain Arcane, Tectonic Knight, Pankration, Siberiad, Sekhmet, Black Seraph, Clockwork
    Project Attalus: Saving the world so you don't have to!
  • riveroceanriverocean Posts: 1,690 Arc User
    edited October 2021
    I realize this is a bit of a necro-post.. but I slapped this build on an alt that just has market-trash blue gear. I'll just say that this build is probably one of the better ones one the forum. It's a great tank with lots of utility. Hard to kill, decent dps (for a tank), plus a little healing for team-mates. Also thematic if using the insect swarm travel powers. There really should be a stickied thread with the "best of the best" forum builds in it.
    flowcyto wrote: »
    I would not rank up the energy builder, and I think you have too many Challenge advs (you can prob get by w/ just one on DE and one on Venomous Breath). Also, R1 Masterful Dodge no longer puts you past 100% dodge, and it'll share a cd w/ Resurgence. I'd prob also skip on the special adv on the block and just get normal ranks of it (esp for a tank). I'd also add the Wisp in there for the easy Toxic dmg debuff. I may also take Endorphin Rush as the heal (instead of BCR). Frenzy is also a bit redundant w/ Venom Breath for AoE.

    Although it is thematic, Locust Swarm won't be that great here, since it's single-target only, and paralyzes can break early to inc dmg. If you want to make Locust Swarm more useful (since it's really good for the theme), then maybe go w/ a Sentinel Mastery setup for it (since you can also use Venom Breath's stun adv here). It would also prob be easier to just use FotT as the toggle/form w/ DE. Here's an example edit of it:

    Swarm - Freeform (Tank)
    v3.44:37

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

    Talents
    Level 1: The Chiller (Dex: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 8, End: 10)
    Level 6: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 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: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)

    Powers
    Level 1: Infernal Bolts
    Level 1: Devour Essence (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenge!)
    Level 6: Supernatural Power
    Level 8: Form of the Tempest
    Level 11: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
    Level 14: Venomous Breath (Rank 2, Paralytic Bile, Locust Breath, Challenge!)
    Level 17: Will-o'-the-Wisp (Guide, Ghost Fire)
    Level 20: Resurgence (Rank 2)
    Level 23: Endorphin Rush (Rank 2, Rank 3)
    Level 26: Locust Swarm (Rank 2)
    Level 29: Antagonize (Rank 2, Rank 3)
    Level 32: Pounce
    Level 35: Imbue
    Level 38:
    Adv. Points: 32/36

    Travel Powers
    Level 6: Scarab Flight (Rank 2)
    Level 35: Scarab Tunneling (Rank 2)

    Specializations
    Constitution: Unyielding (1/2)
    Constitution: Fuel My Fire (3/3)
    Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
    Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
    Constitution: Armored (2/2)
    Sentinel: Torment (2/2)
    Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
    Sentinel: Moment of Need (2/3)
    Sentinel: Wither (2/2)
    Sentinel: Genesis (1/2)
    Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
    Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
    Warden: Elusive (2/2)
    Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
    Mastery: Sentinel Mastery (1/1)

    The open power slot can be used for w/e ya want.

    Venom Breath is the main AoE attack, while DE is the main single-target attack. In either case, you can use the Wisp to debuff. Locust Swarm can also be thrown in on single-target fights to proc Sentinel Mastery and Wither, while Venom Breath's stun adv can also do that for AoE. Gears mostly for Con, w/ some Dex and End/Rec (and some cost discount on gear).

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  • flowcytoflowcyto Posts: 12,740 Arc User
    edited October 2021
    Eh, I wouldn't say it's of the 'best of the best' at all, but I'm glad that you like it! The build should be quite sturdy for general content, at least.
    <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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