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Looking for assistance with nanotech-themed build.
jonandre1
Posts: 67 Arc User
Okay, I want to make a new super-science character -- I'm big into super-science, Clarke's law ("Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.") and the like. The theme of the character is nanotech, using clouds of microscopic machines to disassemble opponents at the cellular level, or deliver micro-doses of chemicals or accelerate repair of a target. Looking at the powers, I decided that Infernal Supernatural, with all its Toxic attacks, is a good match for disassemblers...
...and then I realize that I have no idea how to make an Infernal Supernatural build.
What I want is a support-type build, specializing in AoEs, but going with the theme, I want a lot of DoTs -- toxic-style. But I want a good team heal, a revive, a hold or two, and the usual. I'd like it to be at least somewhat survivable for solo play, possibly with a pet. While I want certain Supernatural abilities, I don't want circles or sigils or anything too blatantly arcane -- this is a super-science character, not a magician. (I know, I know, Clarke's law -- but there's "that appears to be a magical effect" and then there's "that is a magical effect".)
But I have no idea what sort of block to give him, or even if he'll need one. I have no idea what sort of super stats to give him. I tried playing around with Powerhouse, but again I have no idea what I am doing with that.
Anyone got any ideas?
...and then I realize that I have no idea how to make an Infernal Supernatural build.
What I want is a support-type build, specializing in AoEs, but going with the theme, I want a lot of DoTs -- toxic-style. But I want a good team heal, a revive, a hold or two, and the usual. I'd like it to be at least somewhat survivable for solo play, possibly with a pet. While I want certain Supernatural abilities, I don't want circles or sigils or anything too blatantly arcane -- this is a super-science character, not a magician. (I know, I know, Clarke's law -- but there's "that appears to be a magical effect" and then there's "that is a magical effect".)
But I have no idea what sort of block to give him, or even if he'll need one. I have no idea what sort of super stats to give him. I tried playing around with Powerhouse, but again I have no idea what I am doing with that.
Anyone got any ideas?
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"My attention does not so much wander, as it takes long vacations to foreign locales and meets strange women that leave it crying and broken in the hot, hot sun." :cool:
"My attention does not so much wander, as it takes long vacations to foreign locales and meets strange women that leave it crying and broken in the hot, hot sun." :cool:
Post edited by jonandre1 on
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"My attention does not so much wander, as it takes long vacations to foreign locales and meets strange women that leave it crying and broken in the hot, hot sun." :cool:
You know there's a few abilities in Gadgeteering that better fit the concept ur describing, right? Infernal SN is more like 'plague, famine, disease' not 'science and technology poisoning or decomposing you' rofl.
To be fair, the only way to stack toxic dots and have decent toxic aoe is to go Infernal SN, so you'll just have to do some suspension of disbelief
Here's a build for that (tried to balance out the inevitable Infernal stuff w/ some Gadgeteer abilities).
PowerHouse (Link to this build)
Name:
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
Level 10: Presence (Secondary)
Level 15: Recovery (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Inventor
Level 6: Diplomatic
Level 9: Negotiator
Level 12: Lasting Impression
Level 15: Prodigy
Level 18: Investigator
Level 21: Amazing Stamina
Powers:
Level 1: Particle Rifle
Level 1: Infernal Blast (Rank 2, Virulent Propagation)
Level 6: Supernatural Power
Level 8: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Toxic Nanites (Rank 2)
Level 17: Concentration
Level 20: Support Drones (Rank 2)
Level 23: Defile (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Arcane Vitality (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Resurrection Serum
Level 32: Epidemic (Rank 2, Outbreak)
Level 35: Locust Swarm
Level 38: Unbreakable
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Teleportation (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Hover Disk (Rank 2)
Specializations:
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Sentinel: Caregiver (3/3)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (2/3)
Sentinel: Genesis (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (2/3)
Guardian: Locus (1/2)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)
Since you specified 'support' I gave ya AoPM, the most versatile Support passive (due to the aura change, you can forgo the runic implications by taking medical nanites as ur legacy aura for the aesthetic). But change that passive as you like (AoED for more damage but no added defenses, AoRP for more tankiness for you and ur team but no added damage, AoAC for.. well, don't pick AoAC until Cryptic decides to buff it).
Also, there's no real need for a block power on a Support (unless ya wanna farm Gravitar, maybe). Unbreakable was added just to give you a tank cd if you do come under fire (other option is a threat wipe w/ Palliate/absolve, or Rebirth for a self-res w/o need of devices).
Didn't know if you wanted a healing or attack pet, so I just picked the drones. Can also change the travel powers to w/e suits ur fancy.
The AoE heal can be either Vala's Light, Iniquity w/ Advantage, or Arcane Vitality. They all work a lil differently so maybe try all and see which one ya find more convenient.
As far as gearing, Rec was added as a SS cause it scales up Supernatural Power energy, but you shouldn't gear for much Rec (esp if you use the Support role). Focus more on Int (power and cd reduction, defense penetration, more dmg/energy from Concentration) and Presence (heal power, aura strength for teammates & pets).
- Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!
It's an aoe hold and it looks like the infamous Grey Goo.
Speaking of which, here's the build I came up with, playing around in Powerhouse, and some explanations of why I did it that way:
PowerHouse (Link to this build)
Name:
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
Level 10: Presence (Secondary)
Level 15: Ego (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Grimoire
Level 6: Healthy Mind
Level 9: Shrug It Off
Level 12: Ascetic
Level 15: Academics
Level 18: Diplomatic
Level 21: Showmanship
Powers:
Level 1: Infernal Bolts
Level 1: Infernal Blast (Rank 2, Virulent Propagation)
Level 6: Devour Essence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Supernatural Power
Level 11: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Concentration
Level 17: Epidemic (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Ebon Void (Voracious Darkness)
Level 23: Locust Swarm (Rank 2, Festering Bites)
Level 26: Tyrannon's Familiar
Level 29: Redemption (Salvation)
Level 32: Defile (Rank 2, Plague Bearer)
Level 35: Vala's Light (Light Everlasting)
Level 38: Protection Field (Rank 2, Expel Impurity)
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Fire Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Metallic Ooze Tunneling (Rank 2)
Specializations:
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Tinkering (2/2)
Overseer: Administer (3/3)
Overseer: Overseer Aura (3/3)
Overseer: Conservation (1/2)
Overseer: Enhanced Gear (3/3)
Sentinel: Eternal Spring (2/2)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (3/3)
Sentinel: Genesis (2/2)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)
Super-Stats: Again, had no idea REC is what you want with Infernal SN. I figured INT for versatility, PRE for holds and healing, and EGO for damage.
Talents: Because at early levels you need CON. You need lots of CON so you don't munch pavement. Later I can increase my other stats.
Infernal Bolts: Infernal SN energy builder. (Which I will probably keep. I know you took Particle Rifle for the pre-requisite powers, but PR just does not say 'super-science' to me. It says 'I still need to rely on external weaponry.'')
Infernal Blast: Basic ranged attack. I took Virulent Propagation to spread the toxic around.
Devour Essence: Short range attack and self-heal. The way CO works in my experience is that if I need a self-heal, it is because I have enemies in my face. Otherwise, I can back off, reduce aggro and drop a healing device, and I'll be fine.
Aura of Primal Majesty: Not to offend you, but duh :biggrin:. AoPM is hands-down the best support passive.
Concentration: It scales with INT, right? If it's mainly for DPS, well, that's fine, as I said, I solo quite a bit and I want something that will help me take down Villains, Master Villains and Super Villains in solo mode.
Epidemic: Infernal SN's AoEs tend to be PBAoEs. I wanted one with more range. Still, an AoE with a Poison effect, right what I wanted. That plus Infernal Blast (with Virulent Propagation) and I can keep spreading the effect as more thugs and Villains come to join the fun.
Ebon Void: I did ask if a block was even necessary. Ebon Void seems to be the best block in the SN tree.
Locust Swarm: A single-target hold, and I wanted something more like an AoE immobilize or even just a slow -- something to keep targets away from me and from moving too far, too quickly. Keep them grouped up for my AoEs to affect.
... Oh wait, I don't have any ranged AoEs...
Tyrannon's Familiar: Hey, look I can create my own personal wall. Admittedly without being ranked up it's not going to last very long or be very effective, but it's there if I need it. (I know Summon Shadows is a more effective pet. I can't really see nanotech doing that. (But then I don't know how it's coming up with an effect like Ebon Void either. Sometimes my concepts are a little screwy.))
Redemption: Group revive. Got it as early in the build as I could justify it, because in my experience you need a good revive ASAP. Yes, it came before the heal. I did state I don't have much experience with the support thing...
Defile: A single-target attack and debuff. With a toxic AoE DoT to boot, with Plague Bearer! How could I not go for this?
Vala's Light: Best simple heal I could find, with a HoT component in Light Everlasting. Might have to spam it a bit in order to make up for not having a higher rank in it. But then I don't know if that's a viable option.
Protection Field: A shield. A shield with a purify effect, even better.
Specializations
Intelligence Tree - Tactician and Detect Vulnerability were to help boost the damage aspect of the build, to help soloing. Enlightened is a given for anyone with the Intelligence Tree, and Tinkering, because extra offense and defense = good.
Overseer Tree - Administer to boost my powers, Enhanced Gear, see what I said about Tinkering, Overseer Aura because Overseer Aura. Conservation, I had one spec point, a 7.5% energy discount on half the build's powers seemed good.
Sentinel Tree - Because I couldn't find another tree that gave me as good options. Eternal Spring and Moment of Need to help with the Healing HoT. Sentinel Aura because Sentinel Aura. Genesis because, a cost discount on some of my powers seemed a better deal than a duration boost for my one hold, a damage boost which I wasn't sure how it would work because I don't know if my single hold does damage too, or any partial effect from Caregiver or Rejuventated.
Intelligence Mastery, because apparently Cryptic designed the specialization system because only attribute masteries are worth taking.
A couple of things to note here:
Yes, this build is almost all supernatural and not technology based whatsoever. When I say 'super-science' I do not mean '100 years in the future' (even with Moore's Law in effect), I mean 'Thundarr the Barbarian-level super-science'. I mean I wave my hand and stuff that appears to be magical happens, but I base it on technology. I know about the Gadgeteering nanotech powers. They really don't seem to fit the super-duper-science concept. Neither does Gray Goop. This character has the ability to seemingly summon servitors out of thin air (by causing assemblers and formers to coalesce out of the cloud, taking the form of a golem -- hence, Tyrannon's Familiar). He doesn't need to rely on hand-held gadgetry or external devices; such would have been designed into his suit or implanted under his skin.
(When Clarke's Law states 'is indistinguishable from magic', I mean absolutely indistinguishable.)
The problem with flowcyto's build is the same problem with mine: No ranged AoEs. This sort of thing is why look forward to City of Titans so much, where you'll be able to build your own DoT, give it an AoE aspect, and give it the animation and special effect of your desire. (Cryptic, it isn't your fault, the technology wasn't available when you made Champions Online. I know this. It's all good.) But... two heals and Support Drones to boot? Isn't that a little much? Admittedly Bionic Shielding is a heal and buff. Might be better to take that instead of Protection Field in my actual build.
The other thing is, for the gameplay I want with this character, there's a much better powerset for it... Telepathy. Telepathy has the ranged DoTs and the ranged control options I want, with plenty of room in the scheme for heals and shields. Problem is, I already have a Telepath type, and while I love playing him, I want some options, you know?
I tried fitting Skarn's Bane into my build... I remember having it in the build... don't remember where it went. I may have put Devour Essence in its place. (Yep, think that's right; I had Supernatural Power at 6, AoPM at 8, Concentration at 11 and Skarn's Bane at 14.)
I know, I know, I want a support character that can do it all. The problem is that so few people play support characters, that teams want it all, and get very unhappy if you can't do it all. My build doesn't have an AoE Heal, like flowcyto's build does. My build tosses in a wimpy wall/defender instead of something as useful as Support Drones. I may disappoint teams who want those things. But I have to play a character that supports my play style, right? I need a character that has some survivability and solo-ability. I looked up support/DPS builds. Most of them are from 2012, before Cryptic started giving us three SS's. (They ALL need to be updated. Most of them should be erased so Google directs you to the viable builds.)
"My attention does not so much wander, as it takes long vacations to foreign locales and meets strange women that leave it crying and broken in the hot, hot sun." :cool:
"...I mean 'Thundarr the Barbarian-level super-science'. I mean I wave my hand and stuff that appears to be magical happens, but I base it on technology."
is not what most would think of when you invoke that terminology. You even state that ur build lacks technology, but what you want is based on technology?
Eh, nevermind. Its your own fantasy character, so you can craft its background and goals however ya want- that's not for me to dictate. I'll just be concerned w/ build efficiency from here on out.
Mhm, its just because Supernatural Power was the EU- which scales its energy return from Rec, and iirc Rec alone. Certainly don't have to SS Rec for it- esp as Support- though (End may be better for it, to an extent).
Yeah, as a lowbie having 1-2 gear slots w/ Con is very helpful sometimes. In groups just follow others and let the higher level people or those w/ defense passives lead the charge. CO has an automatic henchman healgro behavior nestled in its code, so just be careful not too heal too much early on in a fight w/ a buncha mobs.
Again, not gonna touch the theme aspect, but yes its a fine end builder.
I'm unsure what you mean by 'back off and reduce aggro'. There isn't a different aggro threshhold for melee and ranged like in some other MMOs (though if you do out-range most mobs, by >100 ft, they usually go after the next on aggro until you return- maybe that's what you meant?). There's only a couple abilities w/ adv that allow you to clean threat in this game. You don't have one in ur current build, but its possible ya could.
But yeah, def want at least one way to heal urself in this game (the aoe heal can work, but isn't very efficient for it). Keep in mind DE is melee-range only, though.
Yeah, it scales w/ the higher one of Int or Ego. You could take Compassion instead, but I am unsure just how much you want to focus on heals overall.
Well, the range ones are Venom Breath and Condemn, and they're.. a bit lackluster compared to Epidemic (at least in terms of damage potential, not necc if you factor in possible control effects). I do like Vicious Cyclone cause it can corral enemies and serve as a bit of aoe crowd control, but its damage is also quite lower, and I didn't figure ur toon to be the type that swings a giant chain around.
Yeah, I said its not really needed for Support (can be helpful for low levels, though, before gear gives you more defense). But of the blocks, you picked a good one.
Well, you only said 'and a hold or two' in ur OP, so dun blame me, rofl. Didn't specify ranged AoE either (but again, you have options for that). Hex of Suffering's advantage turns it into an aoe hold that refreshes itself. Soul Mesmerism w/ the Glossalia adv is a hold w/ an aoe component.
Haha, don't be too worried. If you are mainly tackling Alerts as your group content early on, most players there will just recover and run back and probably won't hold it against you if they know of ur level. I do think its admirable to pick it up early though. Not a bad idea, but in alerts you may not get the chance to use it before the player recovers.
Yeah, for most non-cd heals, taping instead of charging is better for quick bursts of healing, but eats energy faster.
Well, I was going by an apparently entirely different concept of 'technology' being incorporated into ur theme than you were. It made sense to me at least, rofl.
I understand. I didn't know those were the sort of things you really wanted with this character. At some point, its just game limitations cropping up. Up to you how much you can compromise a powerset for a theme.
Oh, but you did pick an aoe heal- Vala's Light XD
Most people will build versatile heroes regardless of the role- and why not? As FF its just a smart thing to do, and highlights the freedom people enjoy over having to play ATs.
Don't worry about disappointing people. Most players (esp those in alerts) won't care how you heal them or what abilities you bring, but that at the end of the day they don't die (or at least not as often/easily) with a Support around. I wouldn't call something like support drones always 'useful', for ex- they are helpful, but have their own drawbacks (healing is done more over-time, pathing issues, their low health gets them killed easily, energy penalty, etc)
There's a plethora of ways to build support in this game that, at the core, can still keep people alive and kicking, but players may take issue when they see players w/ the support icon that don't end up healing at all. Not saying one school of thought is right or wrong (what may be wrong is people's expectations of the roles, I dunno that's subjective and a diff topic entirely)- but I mean if there's any criticism aimed at support, its most likely gonna be that.
And protection field (if that's the 'wimpy wall') is a very good support ability. Some of the best healers I've encountered in CO use that heavily (can't blame them, added effective health can be way more helpful than healing heavy damage after the fact in many cases). Ya cant rely on just shields as a healer, but as a support ability it can be quite good.
Even w/ just a res, protection field or bionic shielding, and an aoe heal you'll be well off on the healing front.
- Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!