Help with Laser/Power Armor Build

arichann · December 2021

Hello again! I was scouring the forums for a build similar to a concept I had in mind, but couldn't really find any that fit the theme. The idea is a ranged tank PA mostly using lasers/energy powers and maybe even shields (Personal Force Field?) with as few munitions powers as possible (e.g. wrist rockets, miniguns). Not sure how well these all synergize, so I'd like some help. Thanks again!

jaazaniah1 · December 2021

This is my version of a PA beamer. Orbital Cannon is just something I use as an Opening Strike. Implosion Engine is also nice for clumping targets.

Iron Pharaoh 7 - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.44:37

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

Talents
Level 1: The Psychokinetic (Dex: 10, Ego: 10, Rec: 10, End: 8)
Level 6: Worldly (Ego: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 9: Daredevil (Ego: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 18: Field Ops Training (Con: 3, Int: 3, Ego: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)
Level 21: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Power Bolts
Level 1: Concussor Beam (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Eye Beam (Rank 2, 20/20 Fission)
Level 8: Chest Laser (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Overdrive
Level 14: Reconstruction Circuits (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Concentration
Level 20: Targeting Computer (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 26: Sonic Device (Rank 2, Deafening Dissolution)
Level 29: Orbital Cannon (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Energy Shield (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Blinding Light
Level 38: Thundering Return
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Power Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Mach Speed

Specializations
Ego: Mental Endurance (2/3)
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (3/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (2/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (2/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

Devices

flowcyto · December 2021

You generally don't want to make a PA tank that uses the slotted toggles for attacks, since they don't mix well w/ blocking, and they can take much energy to use. In addition, some of the non-slotted PA attacks aren't of the beam/laser variety (notable exception is Chest Beam, though it's pretty costly to use as your main attack). Also, PFF is generally the weakest tanking passive, though you can do well w/ Invuln instead. If you can expand the 'energy' theme a bit then you could also include stuff like Elec attacks (Storm Summoner can be good, cause it's a large AoE that has a adv that applies PBurn, and another adv that can draw enemies inward). Here's an example build:

(Unnamed Build) - 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: Accurate (Dex: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 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: Power Bolts
Level 1: Power Gauntlet (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenge!)
Level 6: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Form of the Tempest
Level 11: Unified Theory
Level 14: Storm Summoner (Magnetic, Particle Storm, Challenge!)
Level 17: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 20: Energy Wave (Rank 2, Reverse Polarity, Challenge!)
Level 23: Chest Beam
Level 26: Endorphin Rush (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Energy Shield (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Bad Sector (Analyze Weakness)
Level 35:
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 32/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Constitution: Unyielding (1/2)
Constitution: Fuel My Fire (3/3)
Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
Constitution: Armored (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (3/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (2/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Constitution Mastery (1/1)

The last 2-3 powers can be w/e ya want.

FotT is a melee toggle/form, but it still uses Dex and allows you to proc your toggle/form in any situation, as long as you crit (and Storm Summoner can't easily proc Concentration or Chilled Form anyways). In AoE, you can charge EWave to knock nearby enemies into you, while using Storm Summoner as your main attack. For single-targets, it can tap Chest Beam to put up Burn Through (and proc Unified Theory), while Power Gauntlet can be your main filler attack. You can also throw in Bad Sector as an extra dmg shield, if you stand in it.

If you find that you need more energy, then you could always switch to Force Shield as the block and get the Force Sheath adv, or get Power Conversion in Laser Sword. Regardless, it gears mostly for Con, w/ some Dex and End (and some extra cost discount on gear).

warcanch · December 2021

Although I have a PA tank that has tanked all 3 cosmics, it is not an ideal setup.

However, Events, Rampages, etc are well suited to a PA tank, if built well. Mine is PSS Con w/ Fuel My fire. And SSSs Dex/End. Has Power Conversion for when the well goes dry or to get him started. In this type of content he absolutely shines. The more he's HIT, the better he performs.

Help with Laser/Power Armor Build

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