Soul Drainer type build

elseguard · October 2021

Ok so I have been making a few builds that I feel are a bit experimental that dont fully gel together well, or atleast I cant get them to fully.

The idea of this build is that it uses Devour Essence as the alpha single target attack and then, its subject to change but right now its using Sword Cyclone as the AoE. I have tried the build out currently using the Str/Dex/Con setup but have energy issues even tried tossing in some Rec with still kind of lackluster results. The damage is decent (im still not sure if my specs could be better) but my focus is on the energy management like I said. Or ignore that last part, I just would like to know if anyone had any recommendations or some switching around they would do to the build while keeping the Devour Essence dps focus. There are slots left open since I wanted to get the main part right first before adding any other non-essential powers. Would a Dex/Con/Rec setup maybe be better? Also wasnt sure what to go for for an Energy Unlock so chose Supernatural Power which helps but doesnt do anything for Sword Cyclone which I just use my Force Shield adv to kind of give me energy on the fly. Devour Essence is like barely maintainable with the usual loop of Will o the Wisp and if I try throwing in my ultimate it basically forces me to have to energy build real quick before getting back to the main Devour Essence-Wisp loop. Thanks for the help in advance as always and sorry for my jumbled post here.

Soul Drainer - Freeform (Melee Damage)
v3.44:37

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

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

Powers
Level 1: Infernal Bolts
Level 1: Devour Essence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Whirling Dragon Strike
Level 8: Unstoppable (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Force Shield (Rank 2, Force Sheathe)
Level 14: Will-o'-the-Wisp
Level 17: Lock N Load (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Sword Cyclone (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 26: Particle Wave
Level 29: Form of the Tempest
Level 32: Supernatural Power
Level 35:
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 25/36

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

Specializations
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Upper Hand (2/3)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Strength Mastery (1/1)

Devices

flowcyto · October 2021

Both DE and Sword Cyclone are pretty expensive powers, so I'm not that surprised to hear of energy issues w/ them. Supernatural Power does indeed really help to afford DE, but you need some decent End and Rec to make the energy smooth with it (I usually SS one of them for a DE build, but you'll want a bit of both). Cost discount rating can also help a bit. If Sword Cyclone isn't essential to the theme here, then you could always get an AoE in SN (Bestial or Infernal) or get a cheap AoE (like DB's EotS) to replace it. You also don't have a debuff that works w/ Warden's Upper Hand here; you could switch to Brawler spec or just get something like Elusive instead. You may have to energy build a bit for the Ult as well, but that's not as big of a deal w/ it's on a longer cd. Power Conversion is also an easy option for extra energy, but I may only fall back to using that if you're running out of options. Here's one way to edit the build:

Soul Drainer - Freeform (Melee Damage)
v3.44:37

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

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

Powers
Level 1: Infernal Bolts
Level 1: Devour Essence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Supernatural Power
Level 8: Unstoppable (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Form of the Tempest
Level 14: Will-o'-the-Wisp (Guide, Ghost Fire)
Level 17: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 20: Eye of the Storm (Rank 2, Blade Beyond the Veil)
Level 23: Particle Wave
Level 26: Force Shield (Rank 2, Force Sheathe)
Level 29:
Level 32:
Level 35:
Level 38: Whirling Dragon Strike (Rank 2)
Adv. Points: 27/36

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

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

I still left some of the build blank cause I'm unsure what other powers you'd like, or what ones you'd consider thematic. EotS can be canceled and re-channeled early for more dps from it, or you can finish the channel for a bigger shield. Gears mostly for Dex, w/ some Con and End/Rec (and some extra cost discount on gear).

elseguard · October 2021

Never stops surprising me how fast you are in helping, flow! So the thing is I really dont have a set theme yet besides being a sort of soul eating character. Like usual I make a costume concept before I make the actual build so thats why I was saying im open to other things and only set on DE being the main attack.

But I just decided to try to come up with something so I thought of maybe a character who drains the mind and body (Ego/Toxic) so I went with something similar for AoE as EotS, Ego Blade Frenzy since I like the shield of EotS but I dont really like the downscaling damage. I like it so far!

Im trying the Dex/Con/End setup but one thing im not sure about. Should I go Vind/Ward or Vind/Brawl? I know Warden has more stuff thats constantly in use for this build, but Brawl has some very good specs like the resistance debuff one and flanking. Im torn. Thanks again for the help!

flowcyto · October 2021

Glad you like the build so far. Brawler spec is typically better for pure melee dps than Warden, but Warden can have a better mix of defense and offense in general. And yea, Brawler is best when you are in a group w/ a tank, so you can regularly take adv of Flanking. Outside of that it's not quite as strong, but still a decent option (since Penetrating Strikes is strong too, and w/ DE you could also get some mileage from Finishing Blow). The spec choice will prob just come down to whether you want a bit more on defenses or a bit more dps, basically.

elseguard · October 2021

Been a bit busy but finally had time to try more. I decided to go with Vind/Brawl and it works pretty well. I don't do tons of damage with this build, but if I happen to take aggro then I also added Mind Wipe so I can go back to flanking and I like it! Thanks again for the help and odd request once again! Might have some more builds to put up here but I try not to bother people here too much.

flowcyto · October 2021

No problem. Have fun out there 8)

dialamx · November 2021

Probably not what you're looking for, but I'm tossing up anyways, since it's a "Soul Drainer" as well. I made this build very much as a theme build, so it's not min/maxed in any way. It's based off an old, terrible movie that had an interesting premise. The character I made it for is called Soul Taker, and it's focused around using Lifedrain and Life Essence to give that feel of taking someone's soul, along with using any Soul themed powers.
(Unnamed Build) - Freeform (Ranged Damage)
v3.44:37

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

Talents
Level 1: The Specialist (Dex: 10, Con: 10, Int: 8, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Negotiator (Int: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 9: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Healthy Mind (Con: 5, Int: 5)
Level 15: Coordinated (Dex: 5, Int: 5)
Level 18: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Infernal Bolts
Level 1: Life Essence (Rank 2, Infernal Bond)
Level 6: Condemn (Corrupting Force)
Level 8: Concentration
Level 11: Enchanter (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Will-o'-the-Wisp (Guide, Cursed)
Level 17: Conjuring
Level 20: Lifedrain (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Soul Beam (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Soul Vortex (Soul Drain)
Level 29: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 35: Eldritch Shield
Level 38: Crashing Incantation (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Mind Blink (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35:

Specializations
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (3/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (2/3)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)

Soul Drainer type build

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