I feel as if I have my build and gear down fine, my problem is that when I play melee DPS (I normally play ranged for this reason) I just plain suck. I die more, I have a harder time noticing when to block, more difficulty spotting "don't stand here, this spot = bad for you" patches on the ground etc. The reason I'm posting this is because I've noticed many other melee DPS players (not in hybrid role, not using a defensive passive) having way less trouble keeping their DPS up and also their health bar quite often. Even in regular alerts they're always rushing into the fight ahead of everyone without face planting like I normally would. I admit I have absolutely terrible twitch reflexes (another reason I normally play ranged) but there's not much I can do about that. My ranged toons this week aren't having much trouble coming in the top 5-10 fighting the DL event cosmics without faceplanting, my HW toon faceplanted 4x on one of them and didn't have any aggro. I'm currently at about 8600 HP, and wearing heroics for now. I always have heal packs with me too.
This is the build I'm using. I think it's fine, and suspect I need help more with tactics than build. I should probably ditch my self rez for a threat wipe. I'm using Absorb Heat for my maintenance heal because I'm finding it heals way better than Endorphin Rush.
Mister dies-a-lot - Freeform (Melee Damage)
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:
Paramilitary Training (Str: 3, Con: 3, Rec: 3, End: 3)
Level 9:
Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12:
Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)
Level 15:
Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18:
Bodybuilder (Str: 5, End: 5)
Level 21:
Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)Powers
Level 1:
Bludgeon
Level 1:
Eruption (Rank 2, Magma Burst)
Level 6:
Enrage (Giant Growth)
Level 8:
Unstoppable (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11:
Pulverizer
Level 14:
Arc of Ruin (No Quarter, Wildfire)
Level 17:
Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 20:
Annihilate (Rank 2, Scorching Blade)
Level 23:
Antagonize (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26:
Unleashed Rage (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29:
Vicious Descent (Work Up)
Level 32:
Havoc Stomp (Major Impact)
Level 35:
Absorb Heat (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38:
Fiery Embrace
Adv. Points:
36/36Travel Powers
Level 6:
Mach Speed
Level 35:
Fire Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)Specializations
Strength:
Swole (2/3)
Strength:
Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength:
Brutality (2/2)
Strength:
Juggernaut (1/3)
Strength:
Overpower (2/3)
Warden:
Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden:
Ruthless (2/2)
Warden:
Upper Hand (2/3)
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)Devices
Comments
- Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!
1) play with gamepad (Xbox controller, stadia controller, etc). I can do ranged okay with Key+Mouse User Interface but gamepad just came much more natural
2) Movement power. I had a super speedster back in the day and found that superspeed just took me out of position too often. I really like movement in my fights rather than a post and pummel fight so staying within max melee range just seemed easier with acrobatics or athletics.
3) Fight Timing. My character has a lot of INT to help keep things like active defenses readily available. She's not DPS but even still Melee chars just have more options to get hit. I love Evasive Manuevers/Laughing Zephyr, Breakaway Shot, etc to quickly add distance to target during small tells.
Finally, and I know this seems redundant, but learning how your Block (active and passive blocks) will protect you in a fight are crucial. I know this lowers your DPS and there are other HP shields available to most melee builds but I'd you're getting defeated often, then Block is still the best way to slow things dot and learn the combat you're facing
Toss in other players with their FX added, and always right on top of melee pile, then being a (new) melee player to this game, can be difficult.
Just to use one example, Might based NPCs such as Johnny Hercules. His powers are not the same as a players' Might powers. Thunderclap is a chargeup and can hard stun for 4 -5 seconds (or more) if not blocked. You need to learn the BAM, FOOM, etc powers from these NPCs and learn to block, move away, whatever appropriate tactic there is, for each of them. Most players have learned to just BLOCK and that handles most mitigation.
As a Ranged character, you don't have to worry too much about most things going on in the melee pile. However, sometimes the NPC will put out a large AoE, and usually with it's tell: Foom, Boom, etc. You need to learn what to block and what to laugh off. Or, if you've done the Mega Destroyer Open Mission yet, get BEHIND him for his Fire All Weapons cone attack.
Mechanics to each NPC. Learn em. Fights go way better.
-=-=-=-=-=-(CO in-game handle: @WarCan )-=-=-=-=-=-
"Okay, you're DEAD, what do you do NEXT?"
I can't emphasize enough how important block timing is (as others have mentioned). If you know when to block, you can at least soak tank vs. dino in mercs with R4 mods.
I always set my camera zoom to 75. That lets me easily see all tells and still see what is going on around me.
Epic Stronghold
Block timing explained
I need a threat wipe yes? There's a high damage "Havoc Stomp" device with knock-to in the event store with just a 27 sec CD and I don't use HS more than every 30 seconds or more anyway. It also has a bigger damage sphere. I could replace HS with a threat wipe and also free up 2 adv points. Although I don't know where I'd spend them other then having two travel powers at R3...
Gear: Which Primary/Secondary items are better for this build: +Defense or +HP? Same question for modding the defense slot.
Epic Stronghold
Block timing explained
- Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!