Gadget/PA build critique please!

Comments

• kenpojujitsu3 Posts: 1,325 Arc User

  January 2013 edited January 2013

  Two things that stand out to me are 1) the choice of lightning reflexes and 2) the lack of a damage toggle.
  
  Putting those two things together (defensive passive and lack of a damage toggle) means your damage is going to be well on the low side which may present an issue for timed alerts.

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• lordwolfy Posts: 140 Arc User

  January 2013 edited January 2013

  kenpojujitsu3 wrote: »

  Two things that stand out to me are 1) the choice of lightning reflexes and 2) the lack of a damage toggle.
  
  Putting those two things together (defensive passive and lack of a damage toggle) means your damage is going to be well on the low side which may present an issue for timed alerts.

  
  Thanks Kenpo, yeah I wanted Lightning Reflexes due to my theme...as for the damage toggle what do you suggest I get rid of and which toggle?

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• jonesing4 Posts: 803 Arc User

  January 2013 edited January 2013

  I'm always hesitant to be too critical of builds that are clearly theme-oriented; some of the power choices may be vital to the character concept, so you may want them even when they aren't optimal. That being said, just some general thoughts:
  
  1) PA powers are meant to work in tandem with each other... unless you're using Chest Beam just for its debuff, it probably isn't doing you much good (or as much good as another, non-PA power might). I'd either drop it (for your missing Form?) or add one of the PA maintains somewhere else so you can take advantage of the PA attacks' main strength. Of course, then you run the risk of not being built to handle the energy costs. PA is just a tough set to work into other builds.
  
  2) On your specializations, if you're set on Lightning Reflexes as your passive and also want high Crit Severity, drop the two points from Quick Reflexes and max out Deadly Aim. Deadly Aim is a great spec, very useful for big damage; meanwhile, Quick Reflexes is underwhelming on most characters, much more so on a LR character where your dodge chance will already be heavily into diminishing returns.
  
  3) I'm guessing you're using Nanobot Swarm to be able to use Fire All Weapons as often as possible? I haven't ever used that setup, would be interested to see how quickly those recharges would go (especially with INT SS). Assuming you get to use FAW regularly, your AoE will be fine. I would say from a personal standpoint, though, that...
  
  4) Energy Wave is very lackluster. The KB can be useful, but hopefully you aren't relying on it for very much damage in this build. Again, if it's a theme choice you can certainly get away with it--I use if on several characters just because it is so cool looking--but the damage is really poor, in my experience. Keep it unless you're really wanting a productive damage power in that spot.
  
  Most important things, I'd say: I agree with Kenpo, get a toggle (almost certainly Concentration, since you're ranged with INT/EGO SS's); and switch Quick Reflexes for maxed Deadly Aim in your specs.
  
  Looks like a fun build, though!

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• lordwolfy Posts: 140 Arc User

  January 2013 edited January 2013

  Thanks Jonesing! That was exactly the info I was looking for and I will definatly give your advise a consideration. I was not set on some of those powers so I can easliy replace them. Most of your suggestions on powers to do away with are ones I can do without on the theme. Thanks a bunch!
  
  Here is the updated build:
  
  PowerHouse (Link to this build)
  
  Name: Cody Lawson
  
  Archetype: Freeform
  
  Super Stats:
  Level 6: Dexterity (Primary)
  Level 10: Intelligence (Secondary)
  Level 15: Ego (Secondary)
  
  Talents:
  Level 1: The Marksman
  Level 6: Coordinated
  Level 9: Shooter
  Level 12: Quick Recovery
  Level 15: Academics
  Level 18: Acrobat
  Level 21: Negotiator
  
  Powers:
  Level 1: Particle Rifle
  Level 1: Pulse Beam Rifle (Rank 2, Finite Improbability Engine)
  Level 6: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 8: Lightning Reflexes (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 11: Energy Shield
  Level 14: Nanobot Swarm (Rejuvinating Injectors)
  Level 17: Molecular Self-Assembly
  Level 20: Orbital Cannon (Rank 2, Anvil of Dawn)
  Level 23: Field Surge (Rank 2, Power Swell)
  Level 26: Chest Beam (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 29: Concentration
  Level 32: Ego Surge
  Level 35: Reconstruction Circuits (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 38: Fire All Weapons (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  
  Travel Powers:
  Level 6: Jet Pack (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 35: Athletics
  
  Specializations:
  Dexterity: Combat Training (2/3)
  Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
  Dexterity: Evasion (2/2)
  Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
  Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
  Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
  Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
  Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
  Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
  Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
  Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (1/3)
  Vindicator: Focused Strikes (2/3)
  Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
  Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

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• lordwolfy Posts: 140 Arc User

  February 2013 edited February 2013

  Well, ive tested it out a bit..and unfortunately I am not happy with it at all. Powers are lackluster in damage even with full concentration. They must have nerfed the pulse rifle as it does not do nearly as much damage as I remember it doing. At lvl 30 right now and Alerts are pretty much a no-go as I cant get enough damage in on much of anything. Survivability is pretty high though but its only good for missions in PvE instances sans Alerts.
  
  Does anyone have any suggestions? Maybe skip all the gadget stuff and focus on PA powers only? If so does anyone have a good PA build....though I will have a looksee at Pulsewaves guide.

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• slowecsl4pwe Posts: 221 Arc User

  February 2013 edited February 2013

  I would check out Pulsewave's PA guide. I had a real hard time doing a PA build until I read through his very helpful guide.
  
  I chose to go with the PA build that relied on Quarry and I am very happy with the build. I made a few changes from his default build, but I have reached level 40 and I'm quite happy with it.
  
  Here's what I went with based on Pulsewave's build...
  
  PowerHouse (Link to this build)
  
  Name: Metal Malevolence 2.0
  
  Archetype: Freeform
  
  Super Stats:
  Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
  Level 10: Ego (Secondary)
  Level 15: Endurance (Secondary)
  
  Talents:
  Level 1: The Invincible
  Level 6: Negotiator
  Level 9: Wordly
  Level 12: Amazing Stamina
  Level 15: Diplomatic
  Level 18: Shrug It Off
  Level 21: Quick Recovery
  
  Powers:
  Level 1: Force Bolts
  Level 1: Tactical Missiles (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 6: Energy Shield (Phalanx Defense System)
  Level 8: Mini Gun (Rank 2, U-238 Rounds, Infrared Guidance System)
  Level 11: Quarry (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 14: Overdrive
  Level 17: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
  Level 20: Micro Munitions (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 23: Concentration
  Level 26: Support Drones (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 29: Masterful Dodge
  Level 32: Sonic Device (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 35: Implosion Engine (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 38: Lock N Load
  
  Travel Powers:
  Level 6: Jet Pack
  Level 35: Teleportation
  
  Specializations:
  Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
  Intelligence: Enlightened (1/3)
  Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
  Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
  Intelligence: Tinkering (2/2)
  Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
  Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
  Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
  Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
  Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
  Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
  Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
  Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
  Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)

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• pugdaddy Posts: 248 Arc User

  February 2013 edited February 2013

  I would trade MSA for Overdrive. With Concentration and Overdrive, by my mid 20s I'm never using the energy builder to power Pulse Beam Rifle. PBR still does great damage, last time I checked. (about 1 month ago)
  
  Since you already have Bionic Shielding, I would remove Reconstruction Circuits since you already have a heal. If you only want Bionic Shielding for self-heal, use Bountiful Chi Resurrgence instead. It has an Advantage that works great with high Dodge. Also, Bionic Shield sometimes will target teammates instead of yourself.

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• lordwolfy Posts: 140 Arc User

  February 2013 edited February 2013

  pugdaddy wrote: »

  IAlso, Bionic Shield sometimes will target teammates instead of yourself.

  
  So thats whats been happening! I kept on trying to figure out why it would never activate for me when I needed it to on an Alert. Now it makes sense. Damn you Cryptic!!! :P
  
  I might just do that then...take BCR and maybe pick up Mindful Reinforcement for a "force field" type look. Looking at Reconstructing Circuits it kinda sucks so im going to drop it.

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• carrionbaggage Posts: 731 Community Moderator

  February 2013 edited February 2013

  Keep in mind that Mindful Reinforcement targets the same as Bionic Shielding.
  
  If targeting a friendly, it applies the effect to that target.
  If targeting nothing, it applies the effect to yourself.
  If targeting an enemy (who is targeting a friendly other than you), it changes your target to the enemy's target.
  
  If you want to reliably use either power on yourself mid-combat, you can set a keybind to clear your current target.
  
  If PBR's damage seems low, try Rank 3 instead of the advantage and remember to fully maintain it. Also consider an offensive passive in the Ranged Damage role.

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• reddestshirt Posts: 50 Arc User

  February 2013 edited February 2013

  pugdaddy wrote: »

  Also, Bionic Shield sometimes will target teammates instead of yourself.

  
  To clarify, there is no randomness in the targetting of Bionic Shielding.
  It is however a targetted power, which means it will effect whoever you have targetted.
  
  What you are experiencing as randomness is probably the auto-targetting that happens when you try to use a heal on an enemy. It will automatically re-target to the target of that enemy. This will usually be the team tank.

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