First build - Flashfire, Unarmed/Fire dodge tank w/ Enrage

hodgypodge · July 2012

Here's my build for a speedster style hero who moves so fast he catches things on fire!

Basically it works like this:

Damage mitigation is handled via Lightning Reflexes + Parry (Elusive Monk) + BCR/RR + Resurgence.

Enrage is stacked by knocking targets, using Pyre w/ Backdraft and Dragon Uppercut. You will also refresh/rebuild if you use Resurgence under 50% health.

Threat is generated by Void Shift for single targets or Pyre w/ advantage for mobs.

Big fights should start with Immolation, then Void Shift into the big target and lay down a Pyre. For single target damage alternate between Burning Chi Fist and Dragon Uppercut to keep Enraged! stacking. One Hundred Hands handles AoE nicely when you aren't trying to charge a full Pyre, and energy management is provided by constantly Void Shifting between targets to keep them feared for Spirit Reverberation to do it's job.

If you run into a big problem drop Masterful Dodge followed by BCR for massive heals. You also pick up some healing off of The Rush of Battle from the Vindicator tree.

Purple Gang, Hard, 5-Man team tested.

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Flashfire

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Unleashed
Level 6: Martial Focus
Level 9: Physical Conditioning
Level 12: Acrobat
Level 15: Impresario
Level 18: Quick Recovery
Level 21: Negotiator

Powers:
Level 1: Righteous Fists
Level 1: One Hundred Hands (Rank 2, Rank 3, Ghostly Strikes)
Level 6: Lightning Reflexes (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 11: Void Shift (Emerging Nightmares, Crippling Challenge)
Level 14: Pyre (Backdraft, Challenging Strikes)
Level 17: Enrage
Level 20: Spirit Reverberation
Level 23: Dragon Uppercut (Rank 2, Chi Flame)
Level 26: Immolation (Blazing Body)
Level 29: Resurgence (Evanescent Emergence)
Level 32: Burning Chi Fist (Fists of Righteous Flame)
Level 35: Masterful Dodge (Rank 2)
Level 38: Parry (The Elusive Monk)

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Blazing Speed (Rank 2)
Level 35: Distortion Superspeed

Specializations:
Dexterity: Combat Training (3/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (2/3)
Dexterity: Evasion (2/2)
Dexterity: Quick Reflexes (3/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: Tenacious (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (2/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

theprettypixie · July 2012

Since you have Int as a secondary I'm wondering why you went with spirit reverb over MSA? Your current setup is ok, but MSA takes less of a setup, since you have plenty of cool downs between BCR, your lunge and two ADs. The energy return mechanic also meshes better with the majority of your powers (MSA's energy over time vs Spirit reverb's chunks).

I'm finding LR rather disappointing these days, since it's so easy to stack dodge/avoidance. You could easily go Quarry and lose very little in defenses. If you really want a stacking dodge buff you could always go with advantaged Thundering Kicks, since you have two spike powers. swapping one out won't hurt your effectiveness in the least, especially when going the MSA route.

Interesting build, regardless!

Edit: I just now realized you chose Enrage as your form over FotT/FotM. I haven't dabbled with Enrage since they changed it to a form, but doesn't it scale with Strength?

hodgypodge · July 2012

theprettypixie wrote: »

Since you have Int as a secondary I'm wondering why you went with spirit reverb over MSA? Your current setup is ok, but MSA takes less of a setup, since you have plenty of cool downs between BCR, your lunge and two ADs. The energy return mechanic also meshes better with the majority of your powers (MSA's energy over time vs Spirit reverb's chunks).

I went with Spirit Reverb because it seemed to be doing better in the Powerhouse with Emerging Nightmares + Ghostly Hands working together, but I may end up using MSA as I put more playtime into the build.

theprettypixie wrote: »

I'm finding LR rather disappointing these days, since it's so easy to stack dodge/avoidance. You could easily go Quarry and lose very little in defenses. If you really want a stacking dodge buff you could always go with advantaged Thundering Kicks, since you have two spike powers. swapping one out won't hurt your effectiveness in the least, especially when going the MSA route.

Quarry would work well if I was running this in an Offensive/Hybrid role, but since I am using this for tanking purposes I had to go with LR, which works quite well with BCR/RR. I find myself rarely tapping in Masterful Dodge with the current setup.

theprettypixie wrote: »

Interesting build, regardless!

Thanks!

Edit in repsonse to your edit: Enraged! scales with Strength, which I'm pulling most of from my gear, although I suppose it could be swapped in for Secondary Int.

theprettypixie · July 2012

Form of the Master seems a better fit, considering your current setup. LR would stack it faster than you can knock, and the advantage on it reduces the cool down on BCR/resurgence.

hodgypodge · July 2012

theprettypixie wrote: »

Form of the Master seems a better fit, considering your current setup. LR would stack it faster than you can knock, and the advantage on it reduces the cool down on BCR/resurgence.

Form of the Master w/ Storm's Eye Prana is a great fit here, however I didn't want a melee-specific buff because of how often I was using Pyre, which worked much better for handling multiple mobs. Pyre + 8 stacks of Enraged! + Immolation was working better for me with the big groups.

beldin · July 2012

hodgypodge wrote: »

Edit in repsonse to your edit: Enraged! scales with Strength, which I'm pulling most of from my gear, although I suppose it could be swapped in for Secondary Int.

Still .. whats the reason to take enraged over FotT ? You have no STR SS but DEX
and also you have not much knocks. FotT woud give you more damage and also
is much easier to build up stacks.

theprettypixie · July 2012

i Was under the impression that enrage scaled melee majorly and ranged for half of that, just like form of the Tempest/Tiger/Master, and a reverse of concentration. If i'm not mistaken, compassion's the only form that buffs both melee and ranged equally.

But as I said before, i haven't used the new enrage, and my memory of the patch notes may be faulty.

sparkrocker · July 2012

My 2 Cents: You have DEX ss... use FoTT. Drop Int for Rec (talent for end, gear for cost reduction), drop Pyre for Flashfire, drop Spirit Reverberation for Thermal Reverberation. Now lunge in, drop flashfire, and punch/ kick to victory.

jaazaniah1 · July 2012

I've been working on a Fire/MA build for a while (level 32), so this thread is of interst. I'm still learning the nuances of the synergies of the game, but this build has been fun so far.

The idea is to use Pyre (w/ backdraft), Inexorable Tides, and Dragon Upper Cut for Knocks to build Enrage after tunneling to the optimum spot. Enemies not in immediate melee range then get taken down with Fireball and Conflagration AofPM seems to give me adequate stats for my needs.

Not sure about Unbreakable. Would Masterful Dodge or BCR be better? His Dodge is only 34.5% at present.

Name: Prince Keerg the Subearther

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Tempest
Level 6: Martial Focus
Level 9: Coordinated
Level 12: Professional Athlete
Level 15: Shooter
Level 18: Impresario
Level 21: Martial Training

Powers:
Level 1: Throw Fire (Burning Desire, Fuel My Fire)
Level 1: Thermal Reverberation
Level 6: Fireball (Rank 2, Unstable Accelerant)
Level 8: Pyre (Rank 2, Backdraft)
Level 11: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Force Shield (Force Sheathe)
Level 17: Enrage (Rank 2, Endorphin Rush)
Level 20: Inexorable Tides
Level 23: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Dragon Uppercut (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Conflagration (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Unbreakable (Better You Than Me)
Level 35: Immolation (Rank 2, Blazing Body)
Level 38: Imbue

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Tunneling
Level 35: Athletics

Specializations:
Dexterity: Combat Training (3/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (2/3)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (2/3)
Dexterity: Quick Reflexes (3/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (2/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (2/3)
Vindicator: Initiative (2/2)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (2/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

theprettypixie · July 2012

jaazaniah1 wrote: »

I've been working on a Fire/MA build for a while (level 32), so this thread is of interst. I'm still learning the nuances of the synergies of the game, but this build has been fun so far.

The idea is to use Pyre (w/ backdraft), Inexorable Tides, and Dragon Upper Cut for Knocks to build Enrage after tunneling to the optimum spot. Enemies not in immediate melee range then get taken down with Fireball and Conflagration AofPM seems to give me adequate stats for my needs.

Not sure about Unbreakable. Would Masterful Dodge or BCR be better? His Dodge is only 34.5% at present.

Name: Prince Keerg the Subearther

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Tempest
Level 6: Martial Focus
Level 9: Coordinated
Level 12: Professional Athlete
Level 15: Shooter
Level 18: Impresario
Level 21: Martial Training

Powers:
Level 1: Throw Fire (Burning Desire, Fuel My Fire)
Level 1: Thermal Reverberation
Level 6: Fireball (Rank 2, Unstable Accelerant)
Level 8: Pyre (Rank 2, Backdraft)
Level 11: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Force Shield (Force Sheathe)
Level 17: Enrage (Rank 2, Endorphin Rush)
Level 20: Inexorable Tides
Level 23: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Dragon Uppercut (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Conflagration (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Unbreakable (Better You Than Me)
Level 35: Immolation (Rank 2, Blazing Body)
Level 38: Imbue

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Tunneling
Level 35: Athletics

Specializations:
Dexterity: Combat Training (3/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (2/3)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (2/3)
Dexterity: Quick Reflexes (3/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (2/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (2/3)
Vindicator: Initiative (2/2)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (2/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

I have some doubts about ego as an SS here. You have no ranged knocks, no Concentration, and ego's ranged bonus caps at 20% at 70. If its for Force Shield; blocking now scales with Recovery, iirc. I would recommend replacing it with Endurance, since Thermal Reverb scales with it.

The other things that spring out are endorphin rush and imbue, both scaling with Con. You'll get little utility out Imbue since you do have not enough Con to make it worth it, especially since you are already running a crit build. I'd replace it with Flashfire for easy energy management.

hodgypodge · July 2012

sparkrocker wrote: »

My 2 Cents: You have DEX ss... use FoTT. Drop Int for Rec (talent for end, gear for cost reduction), drop Pyre for Flashfire, drop Spirit Reverberation for Thermal Reverberation. Now lunge in, drop flashfire, and punch/ kick to victory.

I would do this if Focus buffed elemental damage as much as Enraged!, which is why I spent time including knocks. I'm not having any energy concerns with Emerging Nightmares/Spirit Reverberation. I'm also not having any trouble keeping 8 stacks of rage with Dragon Uppercut. I was thinking about swapping in Strength as a secondary to improve Enrage's buff.

Can anyone clarify that Enraged isn't doing what I'm thinking it's doing? I'd be happy to swap it out for Form of the Master so I can drop my heal cooldown times, but I'm concerned about losing DPS from Focus vs. Enraged!.

jaazaniah1 · July 2012

Thanks for the suggestion on End vs. Ego. I'll try out End on PTS.

What's a good con level for Endorphin Rush and Imbue? With AoPM and gear he's at 125.

theprettypixie wrote: »

I have some doubts about ego as an SS here. You have no ranged knocks, no Concentration, and ego's ranged bonus caps at 20% at 70. If its for Force Shield; blocking now scales with Recovery, iirc. I would recommend replacing it with Endurance, since Thermal Reverb scales with it.

The other things that spring out are endorphin rush and imbue, both scaling with Con. You'll get little utility out Imbue since you do have not enough Con to make it worth it, especially since you are already running a crit build. I'd replace it with Flashfire for easy energy management.

beldin · July 2012

theprettypixie wrote: »

I have some doubts about ego as an SS here. You have no ranged knocks, no Concentration, and ego's ranged bonus caps at 20% at 70. If its for Force Shield; blocking now scales with Recovery, iirc. I would recommend replacing it with Endurance, since Thermal Reverb scales with it.

The other things that spring out are endorphin rush and imbue, both scaling with Con. You'll get little utility out Imbue since you do have not enough Con to make it worth it, especially since you are already running a crit build. I'd replace it with Flashfire for easy energy management.

I also would simply say :
change Enrage with Form of the Tempest, and then change STR with CON

jaazaniah1 · July 2012

I thought about Form of the Tempest. I have to confess that I've never been clear on how much of a melee boost you get from that vs. Enrage, and Enrage does give at least a minor boost to his range powers, which it seems Tempest does not. Is there some place where the melee boost for Tempest is specified? His crit is only 34.5, so I'm also not clear how quickly he'd build up Tempest as compared to the many knocks he can get in to build up Enrage.

Would changing Stats to this be better?
Dex (primary)
Con (secondary)
End (secondary)

This would still give him a Str of around 100.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

beldin wrote: »

I also would simply say :
change Enrage with Form of the Tempest, and then change STR with CON

beldin · July 2012

jaazaniah1 wrote: »

I thought about Form of the Tempest. I have to confess that I've never been clear on how much of a melee boost you get from that vs. Enrage, and Enrage does give at least a minor boost to his range powers, which it seems Tempest does not. Is there some place where the melee boost for Tempest is specified? His crit is only 34.5, so I'm also not clear how quickly he'd build up Tempest as compared to the many knocks he can get in to build up Enrage.

Focus and Enrage should do the same damage with the same amount of DEX or STR.
Also Focus also gives now 50% to ranged damage, and normally Focus stacks are
build much quicker than enrage, at least with maintained powers.

Personally i think that DEX /CON and a fitting energy stat is always a very good build now
to have good damage combined with good survivability

sparkrocker · July 2012

hodgypodge wrote: »

I would do this if Focus buffed elemental damage as much as Enraged!, which is why I spent time including knocks. I'm not having any energy concerns with Emerging Nightmares/Spirit Reverberation. I'm also not having any trouble keeping 8 stacks of rage with Dragon Uppercut. I was thinking about swapping in Strength as a secondary to improve Enrage's buff.

Can anyone clarify that Enraged isn't doing what I'm thinking it's doing? I'd be happy to swap it out for Form of the Master so I can drop my heal cooldown times, but I'm concerned about losing DPS from Focus vs. Enraged!.

As was pointed out enrage and focus buff damage to the same degree given equal stats. Unless you change your primary ss fott will work better

jaazaniah1 · July 2012

Thanks. More good thoughts. I'm liking the look of the bad guys flying in the air from the kicks and uppercuts so I'll probably stay with Enraged for now. I was looking at the wiki and couldn't see data for bonuses to damage, but once I was in game I could see they were about the same.

So, I'll go the Dex/Con/End route I think.

beldin wrote: »

Focus and Enrage should do the same damage with the same amount of DEX or STR.
Also Focus also gives now 50% to ranged damage, and normally Focus stacks are
build much quicker than enrage, at least with maintained powers.

Personally i think that DEX /CON and a fitting energy stat is always a very good build now
to have good damage combined with good survivability

First build - Flashfire, Unarmed/Fire dodge tank w/ Enrage

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