Defending the weak

c3rvand0 · March 2013

I was thinking about making a hero of old, a knight in shining armour who protected those around him. I was wondering if the combo of AoRP and IDF would work well and if it would be a viable tank defence or would he be too squishy? The concept is a technological suit of armour, but not specifically PA attacks, other than laser sword. The powers need to be tech based and not magical, but AoRP could be described as a form of force field. Suggestions please

cyrone · March 2013

c3rvand0 wrote: »

I was thinking about making a hero of old, a knight in shining armour who protected those around him. I was wondering if the combo of AoRP and IDF would work well and if it would be a viable tank defence or would he be too squishy? The concept is a technological suit of armour, but not specifically PA attacks, other than laser sword. The powers need to be tech based and not magical, but AoRP could be described as a form of force field. Suggestions please

Here's a build I've come up with trying to fit the concept you've given:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Hero
Level 6: Enduring
Level 9: Brilliant
Level 12: Intimidating
Level 15: Healthy Mind
Level 18: Shrug It Off
Level 21: Diplomatic

Powers:
Level 1: Laser Edge
Level 1: Laser Sword (Particle Acceleration, Crippling Challenge)
Level 6: Lightspeed Dash (Nailed to the Ground)
Level 8: Aura of Radiant Protection (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Lightwave Slash (Rank 2)
Level 14: Energy Shield (Laser Knight)
Level 17: Plasma Cutter (Rank 2)
Level 20: Inertial Dampening Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 26: Conviction (Rank 2, Reverence)
Level 29: Palliate (Rank 2)
Level 32: Energy Wave (Reverse Polarity)
Level 35: Protection Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Force Eruption (Challenging Strikes)

Travel Powers:
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations:
Presence: Selfless Ally (2/2)
Presence: Grandeur (3/3)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Sentry: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Sentry: Sentry Aura (3/3)
Sentry: Fortify (2/2)
Sentry: Persevere (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: Reactive Strikes (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)

:biggrin:

polishlightning · March 2013

If you don't mind the look of Lifedrain w/Vampiric Sympathy, you can not only heal yourself but 5 target within 15 feet of you. Seems like it would fit the theme of protecting other. The animation may be off, but maybe using the chest as an emanation point may help.

falchoin · March 2013

Another route to go would be something like this:
PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Grimoire
Level 6: Quick Recovery
Level 9: Negotiator
Level 12: Lasting Impression
Level 15: Healthy Mind
Level 18: Shrug It Off
Level 21: Diplomatic

Powers:
Level 1: Laser Edge
Level 1: Laser Sword (Rank 2, Crippling Challenge)
Level 6: Lightspeed Dash
Level 8: Aura of Radiant Protection (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Lightwave Slash (Rank 2)
Level 14: Energy Shield (Laser Knight)
Level 17: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 20: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Energy Wave (Reverse Polarity)
Level 26: Protection Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Thunderclap (Collateral Damage, Challenging Strikes)
Level 32: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 38: Compassion

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

Specializations:
Constitution: Fuel My Fire (3/3)
Constitution: Tough (3/3)
Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
Protector: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Protector: Bulwark (2/2)
Protector: Debilitating Challenge (2/2)
Protector: Exhausting Strikes (2/2)
Protector: Resolute (1/3)
Arbiter: Enforcer (3/3)
Arbiter: Ruthless (2/2)
Arbiter: Concussion (3/3)
Arbiter: Preservation (2/2)
Mastery: Arbiter Mastery (1/1)

Battle Station with heirloom gear DEMON hard 5-man tested and approved! (both with IDF and Compassion variants)

This build could also work with IDF if you really want it, but my personal preference is Compassion. Either should work for your theme as Compassion doesn't have any graphical effects, though you'll have to live with a bit of hand waving on activation.

I opted for R2 Laser Sword over the advantaged version mainly for energy reasons. With SCR gear you might be able to get away with Particle Acceleration thanks to the extra energy discounts.

I also decided against NTTG on the lunge since it's of very little use in PvE, especially with a flight alternate power. If you plan to PvP with this build you'll have to shuffle adv points around and get NTTG.

Arbiter Mastery heals 3% of your max hp to those nearby whenever you finish a combo which makes for easy Compassion procs since you'll likely be spamming Laser Sword a lot. Energy Wave -> Thunderclap pulls everything nearby in then stuns, applies CS and debuffs their damage by 15% due to the Concussion spec. Plus Thunderclap recharges quickly to proc MSA and will likely be a part of the normal attack chain to keep the damage debuff up as much as possible.

Ideally gear-wise you would use crit strike offense w/ gambler's, an avoidance primary def w/ gamblers, and your choice of utility with whatever mod you feel would fit best. Personally I'd go with an even split cost/cooldown redux primary utility with a... you guessed it, gambler's (or veteran's core of might if you have one).

bioshrike · March 2013

This is a bit unconventional, but I've used similar builds before to great effect:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Hero
Level 6: Enduring
Level 9: Intimidating
Level 12: Energetic
Level 15: Shrug It Off
Level 18: Boundless Reserves
Level 21: Prodigy

Powers:
Level 1: Bludgeon
Level 1: Cleave (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Decimate (Crippling Challenge, Nailed to the Ground)
Level 8: Aura of Radiant Protection (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Conviction (Rank 2, Reverence)
Level 14: Eruption (Rank 2, Magma Burst)
Level 17: Guard
Level 20: Vala's Light (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Inertial Dampening Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Arc of Ruin (Rank 2, No Quarter)
Level 29: Vicious Descent (Relentless)
Level 32: Redemption
Level 35: Ascension
Level 38: Rebirth

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Athletics (Rank 2)
Level 35: Phoenix Flight

Specializations:
Endurance: Readiness (3/3)
Endurance: Withstand (2/2)
Endurance: Kickback (2/2)
Endurance: Power Overwhelming (1/3)
Endurance: Hardened (2/2)
Protector: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Protector: Bulwark (2/2)
Protector: Exhausting Strikes (2/2)
Protector: Resolute (3/3)
Arbiter: Enforcer (3/3)
Arbiter: Arbiter Aura (3/3)
Arbiter: Honor (2/2)
Arbiter: Preservation (2/2)
Mastery: Arbiter Mastery (1/1)

One key piece of the puzzle w/ this build is to use a bind that targets yourself then casts Vala's Light. This will heal all allies near to you, heal yourself, and has a cool "beacon of light" effect. You can also create a bind to use the power on an ally, but between Conviction w/ its advantage, the various specializations, AoRP, and the bind I mentioned, YOU become a rallying point for your teammates.

oniganon · March 2013

Yes you can tank using AoRP in Hybrid. There's two major downsides to this though:

-You will probably have relatively low HP for a tank.

-You pretty much need the Protector spec for Bulwark threat generation.

As for using IDF, I'd recommend against it. You really don't want to be without the bonus damage and energy generation of a toggle form, especially with Laser Sword as your main attack. If you want to keep the theme of helping others, perhaps use Compassion. As the tank, you should have no trouble keeping stacks up because you'll be taking damage all the time and therefore always have something to heal.

Oh, and a bonus of going this route is that you can switch to Support and play healer. So try to include attacks in the build that DON'T have CS/CC, and take some proper heals and a res instead of just the self heals normal tanks take. Presence spec Selfless Ally + Iniquity will let you keep Compassion stacks up even if no one is hurt.

cyrone · March 2013

oniganon wrote: »

Yes you can tank using AoRP in Hybrid. There's two major downsides to this though:

-You will probably have relatively low HP for a tank.

-You pretty much need the Protector spec for Bulwark threat generation.

As for using IDF, I'd recommend against it. You really don't want to be without the bonus damage and energy generation of a toggle form, especially with Laser Sword as your main attack. If you want to keep the theme of helping others, perhaps use Compassion. As the tank, you should have no trouble keeping stacks up because you'll be taking damage all the time and therefore always have something to heal.

Oh, and a bonus of going this route is that you can switch to Support and play healer. So try to include attacks in the build that DON'T have CS/CC, and take some proper heals and a res instead of just the self heals normal tanks take. Presence spec Selfless Ally + Iniquity will let you keep Compassion stacks up even if no one is hurt.

I completely forgot about Bulwark. Revised my previously posted build.

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Hero
Level 6: Enduring
Level 9: Brilliant
Level 12: Intimidating
Level 15: Healthy Mind
Level 18: Shrug It Off
Level 21: Diplomatic

Powers:
Level 1: Laser Edge
Level 1: Laser Sword (Rank 2, Crippling Challenge)
Level 6: Lightspeed Dash (Nailed to the Ground)
Level 8: Aura of Radiant Protection (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Lightwave Slash (Rank 2)
Level 14: Energy Shield (Laser Knight)
Level 17: Plasma Cutter (Rank 2)
Level 20: Inertial Dampening Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 26: Palliate (Rank 2)
Level 29: Iniquity (Rank 2, Justice)
Level 32: Energy Wave (Reverse Polarity)
Level 35: Protection Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Force Eruption (Challenging Strikes)

Travel Powers:
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations:
Presence: Selfless Ally (2/2)
Presence: Grandeur (3/3)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Arbiter: Enforcer (3/3)
Arbiter: Ruthless (1/2)
Arbiter: Rend (2/2)
Arbiter: Honor (2/2)
Arbiter: Preservation (2/2)
Protector: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Protector: Beacon of Hope (2/3)
Protector: Bulwark (2/2)
Protector: Resolute (3/3)
Mastery: Arbiter Mastery (1/1)

Took your advice as far as Iniquity but kept Palliate as the "oh crap" heal since it is a % of HP and adds to Pre temporarily. I kept IDF because it was part of the OP's original theme, plus it works. MSA with Int and the amount of cooldown powers (and quick cooldowns) is enough to keep MSA running. Removed Particle Acceleration on Laser Sword to reduce the cost on the power to make Arbiter Mastery more effective (heals on the final hit of the combo) by allowing the combo to be spammed with less of a concern for energy.

c3rvand0 · March 2013

Thank you all for your feedback, it was much appreciated. I worry about energy and how good his survivability will be. I have tweaked the build and have come up with the following one. I have replaced plasma cutter with power gauntlet, to provide a ranged interrupt which can carry CC, as I want to maximize the damage of his main attack, laser sword by taking R3. I have taken compassion, as Oniganon suggested, instead of IDF. I already have HW tanks, so as I have kept to the laser sword concept.

Finally I have 2 points spare, since I don't need nailed to the ground, because I don't intend to PvP. Where should I put these points and what changes do you all suggest?Would conviction be better than palliate as the oh **** heal, as it can be spammed more and procs MSA?

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Paladin

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Hero
Level 6: Shrug It Off
Level 9: Diplomatic
Level 12: Healthy Mind
Level 15: Covert Ops Training
Level 18: Discipline Training
Level 21: Survival Training

Powers:
Level 1: Laser Edge
Level 1: Laser Sword (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Lightspeed Dash
Level 8: Aura of Radiant Protection (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Lightwave Slash (Rank 2)
Level 14: Energy Shield (Laser Knight)
Level 17: Power Gauntlet (Crippling Challenge)
Level 20: Compassion (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 26: Palliate (Rank 2)
Level 29: Iniquity (Rank 2, Justice)
Level 32: Energy Wave (Reverse Polarity)
Level 35: Protection Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Force Eruption (Challenging Strikes)

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Jet Boots (Rank 2)
Level 35: Athletics

Specializations:
Presence: Selfless Ally (2/2)
Presence: Grandeur (3/3)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Arbiter: Enforcer (3/3)
Arbiter: Ruthless (1/2)
Arbiter: Rend (2/2)
Arbiter: Honor (2/2)
Arbiter: Preservation (2/2)
Protector: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Protector: Beacon of Hope (2/3)
Protector: Bulwark (2/2)
Protector: Resolute (3/3)
Mastery: Arbiter Mastery (1/1)

agentnx5 · March 2013

I got a challenge along the lines of this topic with two twists:

A dwarven vanguard using hammer-spam Super Mario Bros style with Skullcrusher R3 + Challenging Strikes
Very hard-to-kill character, doesn't need a lot of damage but needs to be able to survive pretty much anything.

What changes to the builds here would you make?

AoRP? Defiance? CON primary stat for the HP, knock resist, and hold resist? IDF form? Invuln & IDF stacked? Self-heal mechanism = ???

c3rvand0 · March 2013

Shameless bump for final feedback on my last build.

c3rvand0 · March 2013

gradii wrote: »

I've made a slightly squishier version myself (incidentally called paladin BEFORE I saw this thread) :biggrin:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Paladin

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Invincible
Level 6: Acrobat
Level 9: Coordinated
Level 12: Healthy Mind
Level 15: Agile
Level 18: Enduring
Level 21: Brilliant

Powers:
Level 1: Laser Edge
Level 1: Laser Sword (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Lightspeed Dash (Nailed to the Ground)
Level 8: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Chest Beam (Rank 2, Point Blank Blast)
Level 14: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Circle of Radiant Glory
Level 20: Form of the Tempest (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Expulse
Level 26: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 29: Parry (The Elusive Monk)
Level 32: Masterful Dodge
Level 35: Planar Fracture (Rank 2, Double Vortex)
Level 38: Ascension

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

Specializations:
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Revitalize (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Slaughter (2/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)

more of a vengeful holy warrior than a protecting tanky one tho.

Interesting build and closer to how mine used to be, but I definitely want him to be tough. As to the name, don't worry as he is my namesake, Cervando. The reference to Paladin was to imply a WoW type build.

Defending the weak

Comments