Agent of VIPER

dialamx · April 2022

The upcoming "Doofus" Dev CC reminded me of a character I haven't played in a long time. His name is Herman former Agent of VIPER (an homage to Bob Agent of HYDRA). Since I haven't played him in a long time, and I didn't know much about proper character building back then, I wanted to redo his setup. He's still only level 20, but this is the build I was thinking of going with, but would like some critiques and any possible tweaks. The idea behind the character is that he is bungling coward who ended up a VIPER soldier, got captured, and is now being forced to work with UNTIL to bring down VIPER. Think Louis Tully from Ghostbusters, if he was forced to be a VIPER soldier.

The build is meant to focus primarily on him using the tech VIPER assigned to him when he joined, while also showing off his "Tactical Evasive Stealth Maneuvers", which is just his fancy way of saying he's really good at running and hiding like a coward. This is why I have Cower as his threat wipe, and Night Warrior as his passive (for the stealth). While he is ranged, I tossed the mini mines in mostly for soloing, since you have to deal with melee enemies a lot while soloing. Also because mini mines are one of the many tools used by VIPER units. The entangling mesh is in there just for leveling crowd control, and helping to trigger MSA.

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform (Ranged Damage)
v3.45:38

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

Talents
Level 1: The Specialist (Dex: 10, Con: 10, Int: 8, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Coordinated (Dex: 5, Int: 5)
Level 9: Negotiator (Int: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Healthy Mind (Con: 5, Int: 5)
Level 18: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 21: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 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, Silent Running)
Level 11: Entangling Mesh
Level 14: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 17: Frag Grenade (Rank 2, Open Wound)
Level 20: Cower (Run Away!)
Level 23: Sonic Boom Generator (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 29: Conviction
Level 32: Orbital Cannon (Rank 2, Anvil of Dawn)
Level 35: Mini Mines (Rank 2, Stim Pack)
Level 38: Implosion Engine (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Adv. Points: 36/36

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

Specializations
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Anguish (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (1/3)
Avenger: Surprise Attack (2/2)
Avenger: Relentless Assault (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)

Devices
Slot 1: Experimental Plasma Rifle

flowcyto · April 2022

The combination of powers is a bit weird mechanically, but it can still work, given the specific concept. Anyways, I may just use Guardian spec instead of Avenger here (Surprise Attack only works on single-target attacks). Despite PBR and Sonic Boom Gen being 100ft attacks, the build will also prob have spend most time w/in 50ft, if it wants to still use Mesh and Frag Grenade. The build also lacks a block enhancer atm, and I'd prob get one (at least, for harder content). Here's a quick edit of it, trying to keep most of the powers in there:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform (Ranged Damage)
v3.45:38

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

Talents
Level 1: The Specialist (Dex: 10, Con: 10, Int: 8, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Investigator (Int: 5, End: 5)
Level 9: Coordinated (Dex: 5, Int: 5)
Level 12: Accurate (Dex: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Healthy Mind (Con: 5, Int: 5)
Level 18: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 21: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 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, Silent Running)
Level 11: Entangling Mesh
Level 14: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 17: Sonic Boom Generator (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Frag Grenade (Rank 2, Open Wound)
Level 26: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 29: Cower
Level 32: Mini Mines (Stim Pack)
Level 35: Energy Shield (Rank 2)
Level 38: Implosion Engine (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Adv. Points: 34/36

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

Specializations
Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (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: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)

Gears mostly for Int, w/ some Dex and Con. Also, Dex or Con SS could be traded for End or Rec SS if you're still having energy issues.

bulgarex · April 2022

I'm kind of curious -- if he's such a bungler, why is UNTIL using him? What does he know or can do that would make him worth the risk of betrayal, or just screwing things up? It's not like UNTIL hasn't captured thousands of VIPER agents over the decades. VIPER doesn't usually tell their low-level grunts enough to seriously compromise their operations.

dialamx · April 2022

flowcyto wrote: »

The combination of powers is a bit weird mechanically, but it can still work, given the specific concept. Anyways, I may just use Guardian spec instead of Avenger here (Surprise Attack only works on single-target attacks). Despite PBR and Sonic Boom Gen being 100ft attacks, the build will also prob have spend most time w/in 50ft, if it wants to still use Mesh and Frag Grenade. The build also lacks a block enhancer atm, and I'd prob get one (at least, for harder content). Here's a quick edit of it, trying to keep most of the powers in there:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform (Ranged Damage)
v3.45:38

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

Talents
Level 1: The Specialist (Dex: 10, Con: 10, Int: 8, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Investigator (Int: 5, End: 5)
Level 9: Coordinated (Dex: 5, Int: 5)
Level 12: Accurate (Dex: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Healthy Mind (Con: 5, Int: 5)
Level 18: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 21: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 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, Silent Running)
Level 11: Entangling Mesh
Level 14: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 17: Sonic Boom Generator (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Frag Grenade (Rank 2, Open Wound)
Level 26: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 29: Cower
Level 32: Mini Mines (Stim Pack)
Level 35: Energy Shield (Rank 2)
Level 38: Implosion Engine (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Adv. Points: 34/36

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

Specializations
Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (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: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)

Gears mostly for Int, w/ some Dex and Con. Also, Dex or Con SS could be traded for End or Rec SS if you're still having energy issues.

Thanks! I only had Orbital Cannon in there because I thought I needed more AoE. Have no problems replacing it with the shield.

dialamx · April 2022

bulgarex wrote: »

I'm kind of curious -- if he's such a bungler, why is UNTIL using him? What does he know or can do that would make him worth the risk of betrayal, or just screwing things up? It's not like UNTIL hasn't captured thousands of VIPER agents over the decades. VIPER doesn't usually tell their low-level grunts enough to seriously compromise their operations.

Well, it's a joke concept. The basic idea was his wife was nagging him to get a new job, after he lost his previous. Only two offers came his way, VIPER and Argent. He went with VIPER because he liked their medical benefits more. He thought he'd be their accountant, or a file clerk. Instead he was chosen to be canon fodder and sent out as a soldier. The base he was stationed at was attacked on his first day. Since he didn't have any actual loyalty to VIPER, UNTIL gave him a choice. Work with them by using his VIPER assigned equipment to infiltrate various bases, or get locked up in the Stronghold with the other captured VIPER soldiers. Since he is such a coward, and an unassuming nobody, he shockingly good at hiding, moving around unnoticed. This allows him to get into place even regular soldiers shouldn't be.

flyingfinn · April 2022

I guess we'll be seeing more Agents of VIPER there...

jaazaniah1 · April 2022

Maybe instead of Entangling Mesh pick up Concussion Grenade (Stun Grenade)?

dialamx · April 2022

jaazaniah1 wrote: »

Maybe instead of Entangling Mesh pick up Concussion Grenade (Stun Grenade)?

As far a leveling goes, Mesh was available before Concussion Grenade was. Plus, you need to dump rank points into it to make it a stun, otherwise it's just a knock.

Agent of VIPER

Comments