Suggestions for Power Armor Laser DPS Build

monsterdaddy · October 2022

Hi Folks, it's been about three years since I logged in and I'm thinking nostalgically about my times here on CO. Given some free time I'd like to finish a PA Laser DPS toon with a mystical theme that I had been working on for doing endgame content like Cosmics. But so much has changed I am truly lost. Could use some help with the following questions:

How little HP and defense would be needed? Can I get away with zero CON mods/talents? What mods would you suggest for the Defense slots? Is it possible to get a Clarence damage mod to a high rank and be useful?

Active Offense - seems to be no longer any benefit to having two (or even one due to time delay with PA toggles). Is the breakfree benefit still useful? What would you suggest for an AO for Cosmics? Would Ascension be useful for the flight at say the Ape or other instances?

Active Defense - would Unbreakable with the breakfree advantage be helpful? If not would would be best for Cosmics. I think I will add Reconstruction Circuits for healing.

SS - Ego/End/Rec with all Ego mods would get me the energy I need I believe to run all 3 toggles. Is Ego/End/Dex viable with a Circle of Arcane Power?

Block - Torn between say a Rank 3 Telepathic Shield for max block mitigation and Energy Shield with Phalanx advantage for reduced damage will attacking (plus theme break). What do you think?

Endgame Gear - Is Justice still the best for pure damage (if I can address the energy issues?) I'm kind of frustrated to have a Primary Utility as speed with the cooldown nerf. There isn't a Fixer to exchange Speed for Efficiency is there???

Thanks everyone!

jaazaniah1 · October 2022

This is my current version of this kind of build. Generally just spamming the 3 toggles. If I have to block and IE or SD are off cool down I throw them in. Even without Con it can solo QWZ. Just have to be sure to melt things down fast and use the TW as needed. IE is nice for dragging mooks into the living hell of concentrated laser fire. I generally prefer a R3 block, but that's me. Could be dual passive with Invulnerability instead of IE.

Iron Pharaoh 7 - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.45:38

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: Implosion Engine (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

monsterdaddy · October 2022

Thank you Jaazaniah, it was very informative and appreciated.

So no active offense, does that mean no need to worry about being held and needing breakfree abilities?

The SD/IE looks very interesting. I heard of the Whirlpool ult, would that be a similar power to IE? Maybe do more damage?

Last question, I have some Zen built up now. Does Cryptic still do 50% of catalyst sales from time to time? Thanks again.

rhymere · October 2022

For end game gear id go with distinguished. with Best Defense it powers Offense. With its' energy conservation and boosts it pairs well with beam PA. It also offers good survival. For primary offense I'd go with 1 gambler as high as you can go and 1 coruscant as high as you can go, for primary defense go 2 impacts as high as you can go. A lot of people will say go growth for HP, but you're a DPS and you want that phat offense. For primary utility go 2 gamblers for that energy cost.

OV secondaries all Ego (or whatever your primary SS is). I'd go ego though a lot of people say int for penetration. Ego has always served me well for over all content. (8+ years as a PA I can tell you this much)

For your stats, myself I like Ego/End/Dex for crits or Ego/End/Con for durability once I have end game items and mods. A quick stat respec now and then when you have 50g can suit your tastes just fine depending on what you're in the mood for.

Anyways here's my beam build:

H.U.D - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.45:38

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

Talents
Level 1: The Squall (Dex: 8, Ego: 10, Rec: 10, End: 10)
Level 6: Shooter (Dex: 5, Ego: 5)
Level 9: Daredevil (Ego: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Worldly (Ego: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Indomintable (Ego: 8)
Level 18: Ascetic (Con: 5, Ego: 5)
Level 21: Academics (Int: 5, Ego: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Power Bolts
Level 1: Targeting Computer (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Eye Beam (Rank 2, 20/20 Fission)
Level 8: Concentration
Level 11: Overdrive
Level 14: Chest Laser (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 20: Hand Cannon (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Reconstruction Circuits (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Imbue (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Thundering Return
Level 32: Blinding Light
Level 35: Fire All Weapons (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Bad Sector (Analyze Weakness)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Jet Boots (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Rocket Jump (Rank 2)

Specializations
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (3/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (2/3)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

Devices

jaazaniah1 · October 2022

monsterdaddy wrote: »

Thank you Jaazaniah, it was very informative and appreciated.

So no active offense, does that mean no need to worry about being held and needing breakfree abilities?

The SD/IE looks very interesting. I heard of the Whirlpool ult, would that be a similar power to IE? Maybe do more damage?

Last question, I have some Zen built up now. Does Cryptic still do 50% of catalyst sales from time to time? Thanks again.

I've never found the break free aspect of AOs useful, so never use them.

I use IE and SD since they benefit from Targeting Computer.

Since the new owners took over, sales are very rare anymore (used to have them something like every couple weeks). However, sales on Catalysts do happen, but never at 50% anymore. Only 20%.

If you want to be a bit tougher, you could drop SD and take Invulnerability and go dual passive.

Suggestions for Power Armor Laser DPS Build

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