Single Blade DPS with maintain powers

renegade0 · December 2022

The goal of this build is to do bleeding with maintain powers and then rupture them. I like the maintains because clicking all the time sucks. That's basically it. Using past threads of Flow's build recommendations, I made this:

Samurai Bleed - Freeform (Melee Damage)
v3.45:38

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

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

Powers
Level 1: Reaper's Touch
Level 1: Vorpal Blade (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Steadfast
Level 8: Form of the Swordsman
Level 11: Way of the Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Intensity (Rank 2, Fists of Righteous Flame)
Level 17: Deflect (Rank 2)
Level 20: Cut Down (Nailed to the Ground)
Level 23: Reaper's Embrace (Rank 2, No Mercy)
Level 26: Relentless Pursuit (Rank 2, Open Wound)
Level 29: Crimson Bloom (Wall of Blades, Serrated Edges)
Level 32: Endorphin Rush (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Thundering Return
Level 38: Resurgence
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Chain Swinging (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Swift Skating (Rank 2, Rank 3)

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

Devices

Though, I guess I should take out No Mercy or get a power that'll do Shredded to justify having it. Maybe replace Cut Down with Scything Blade and get the Shallowtail Cut? Or maybe replace Crimson moon with it?

edit: I read Scything Blade wrong. I'll have to look at the other powers to see what can apply shredded.
edit2: Looking at No Mercy again, it looks like it applies to Shallowtail Cut as well. So now I have to figure out if Shallowtail Cut or Shredded is better to have.

flowcyto · December 2022

Swallowtail Cut's %health dmg can only apply to lower-rank mobs (you can still get the debuff vs bosses, but not the dmg), so Shredded is generally better (unless you want to make a build focused on AoE-ing trash), and you'd need Shredded for Warden's Upper Hand as well. Generally, the best ways to apply Shredded are w/ combos, and Swallowtail is also on a non-maintain (Scything Blade), so it's up to you on whether you want add either in.

You also don't necessarily have to do the normal build bleed + rupture playstyle when using Relentless Pursuit, if you just want to have more steady dmg from it. In fact, the bleed proc chance on Open Wound is kinda low and more prone to rng than a standard SB build that uses RCaress for a guaranteed bleed on at least the final hit (when using an MA toggle/form). Open Wound also can't be stacked on itself, so it can be difficult to consistently get to 5x bleed in practice w/ Open Wound alone. Here's an example build that doesn't opt for the rupture playstyle and still mostly uses maintains:

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

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

Talents
Level 1: The Predator (Str: 10, Dex: 10, Con: 8, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 9: Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 18: Martial Focus (Str: 5, Dex: 5)
Level 21: Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Reaper's Touch
Level 1: Reaper's Caress (Rank 2, Cleaving Strikes) *(or use Slash w/ Shredded)
Level 6: Way of the Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Form of the Tempest
Level 11: Steadfast
Level 14: Crimson Bloom (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 20: Relentless Pursuit (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Deflect (Rank 2)
Level 29: Cut Down (Nailed to the Ground)
Level 32: Sword Cyclone (Rank 2, Blender)
Level 35:
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 30/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Strength: Swole (2/3)
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (1/3)
Strength: Overpower (2/3)
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)

The open slots can be w/e ya want.

Sword Cyclone w/ adv is optional, but can be nice to quickly round up enemies nearby for follow-ups w/ Crimson Bloom (fully maintain Bloom if you want to play defensive, or partially maintain it for more dmg). Could also get Single Minded on Relentless Pursuit if you want more long-term dps from it, though it does cost a ton of energy to fully maintain the power as well, so it's up to you. You could opt for either Slash or RCaress for the basic combo, since you're just using it to apply/refresh Shredded here. Dex PSS could also work out here, if desired (and then I'd get more cost discount on gear). Regardless, it gears mostly for Dex, w/ some Con.

renegade0 · December 2022

Thanks. I think this will work out nicely. it's definitely less stressful lol. I'm using the combo power barbed chain just cause it's stronger and single target and the shredded power only applies to the main target anyway. and it looks cool lol.

flowcyto · December 2022

Yea, Barbed Chain can work fine too. Have fun w/ the build, and Happy Holidays 8)

Single Blade DPS with maintain powers

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