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My first ambitious build!
bravehoptoad
Posts: 248 Arc User
So I've done some "easy" builds: my bestial/regen tank, my infernal/invulnerability tank, my defiance/might tank. I thought I'd try something more ambitious.
Do you think this basic idea is at all workable? Before I start actually testing? I don't have experience with DPS builds, so I won't be shocked if it's a bad idea.
Bascially I was thinking about a Night Warrior/Dark Transfusion/Force Cascade spammer. Night Warrior because it won't be consumed by FC, and DT to power all that. Stealth would let you line up your FCs and also ride the edge with a stealth reset. Something like this:
PowerHouse (Link to this build)
Name: Night Warrior FC spammer?
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary) -- SS discussion below.
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Endurance (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Invincible
Level 6: Boundless Reserves
Level 9: Healthy Mind
Level 12: Investigator
Level 15: Coordinated
Level 18: Acrobat
Level 21: Accurate
Powers:
Level 1: Sonic Blaster
Level 1: Ricochet Throw (Rank 2, Rank 3) -- staple attack
Level 6: Concentration
Level 8: Night Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3, Silent Running) -- main alternatives would be Quarry or AoPM
Level 11: Evasive Maneuvers (Sleight of Mind)
Level 14: Smoke Grenade (Escape Artist) -- for a stealth build, I'm thinking getting back into stealth would be more important than defense. If I were using a different passive, these last two powers would be ADs
Level 17: Dark Transfusion (Rank 2, Rank 3) -- basis of my energy strategy
Level 20: Force Cascade (Rank 2, Rank 3) -- reason for all that energy
Level 23: Mindful Reinforcement (Rank 2, Rank 3) -- MR's healing isn't affected by DT
Level 26: Electric Sheath (Matter – Energy Union) -- seems made to work with DT. Also an energy form for FC to consume.
Level 29: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 32: Molecular Self-Assembly -- don't know if I'd need this?
Level 35: -- fun stuff here!
Level 38:
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Swinging (Rank 2, Rank 3, Flippin') -- I thought Flippin' would be useful to supplement the medium levels of dodge from Night Warrior.
Level 35: Teleportation
Specializations:
Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3) -- the heal from Rush of B. also isn't affected by DT, so this is another key heal for this build.
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2) -- crit's aren't terribly important for this build, but consuming energy forms is, so I took this at the expense of crit % chance.
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)
I could see EGO or even REC being interesting alternative PSSs.
EGO would look something like this, basically gaining better crit, defense, and knocks. The CDs would be longer, though, and the non-attack powers more expensive:
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
REC would look something like this, getting better crit chance when energy >90% and Rapid Recovery, another heal not affected by DT. It would be interesting to see which was more important, the cheaper costs of INT, or the greater energy return of REC:
Recovery: Rapid Recovery (3/3)
Recovery: Staying Power (2/2)
Recovery: Super Charged (3/3)
Recovery: Second Wind (2/2)
What do you think? Is this a remotely viable idea to play with?
Do you think this basic idea is at all workable? Before I start actually testing? I don't have experience with DPS builds, so I won't be shocked if it's a bad idea.
Bascially I was thinking about a Night Warrior/Dark Transfusion/Force Cascade spammer. Night Warrior because it won't be consumed by FC, and DT to power all that. Stealth would let you line up your FCs and also ride the edge with a stealth reset. Something like this:
PowerHouse (Link to this build)
Name: Night Warrior FC spammer?
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary) -- SS discussion below.
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Endurance (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Invincible
Level 6: Boundless Reserves
Level 9: Healthy Mind
Level 12: Investigator
Level 15: Coordinated
Level 18: Acrobat
Level 21: Accurate
Powers:
Level 1: Sonic Blaster
Level 1: Ricochet Throw (Rank 2, Rank 3) -- staple attack
Level 6: Concentration
Level 8: Night Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3, Silent Running) -- main alternatives would be Quarry or AoPM
Level 11: Evasive Maneuvers (Sleight of Mind)
Level 14: Smoke Grenade (Escape Artist) -- for a stealth build, I'm thinking getting back into stealth would be more important than defense. If I were using a different passive, these last two powers would be ADs
Level 17: Dark Transfusion (Rank 2, Rank 3) -- basis of my energy strategy
Level 20: Force Cascade (Rank 2, Rank 3) -- reason for all that energy
Level 23: Mindful Reinforcement (Rank 2, Rank 3) -- MR's healing isn't affected by DT
Level 26: Electric Sheath (Matter – Energy Union) -- seems made to work with DT. Also an energy form for FC to consume.
Level 29: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 32: Molecular Self-Assembly -- don't know if I'd need this?
Level 35: -- fun stuff here!
Level 38:
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Swinging (Rank 2, Rank 3, Flippin') -- I thought Flippin' would be useful to supplement the medium levels of dodge from Night Warrior.
Level 35: Teleportation
Specializations:
Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3) -- the heal from Rush of B. also isn't affected by DT, so this is another key heal for this build.
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2) -- crit's aren't terribly important for this build, but consuming energy forms is, so I took this at the expense of crit % chance.
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)
I could see EGO or even REC being interesting alternative PSSs.
EGO would look something like this, basically gaining better crit, defense, and knocks. The CDs would be longer, though, and the non-attack powers more expensive:
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
REC would look something like this, getting better crit chance when energy >90% and Rapid Recovery, another heal not affected by DT. It would be interesting to see which was more important, the cheaper costs of INT, or the greater energy return of REC:
Recovery: Rapid Recovery (3/3)
Recovery: Staying Power (2/2)
Recovery: Super Charged (3/3)
Recovery: Second Wind (2/2)
What do you think? Is this a remotely viable idea to play with?
Post edited by bravehoptoad on
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Comments
Also, usually when building for Dark Transfusion, I wouldn't use 2 energy stats because that was the whole reason of dealing with Dark Transfusion in the first place...to make up for energy that I might not have. But with Force Cascade spamming using Night Warrior, I think could work in your favor.
I STILL would take Mass Destruction over Offensive Expertise in Vindicator.
Usually a spammer will take AoPM just to make up for any energy issues, but I really like Night Warrior for this build.
For the "fun stuff" I would recommend some 'on next hit' powers to fluff up FC, like Sonic Device or Mini Drive for a nice debuff...this would also give additional powers to proc MSA.
I think you have enough to keep MSA in the build. Since you took End, you could also go the Flashfires/Thermal Reverb route, or since you took Con, Fear/Spirit Reverb, but that might take a bit more effort to maintain in a fight. MSA is still really good with PSS INT and things like EM, SG, and similar effects.
I think the build will work the way you have setup, but it got me wondering how I could add a Lifedrain/Fear/Spirit Reverb aspect to the build when you aren't spamming FC. Not that you should, just thinking out loud here. I definitely think you should give this build a go and tell us how you like it...strengths, weaknesses, etc. Try out in multiple locations...Alerts, powerhouse dummies, ph training room, missions, etc. I would love to hear some test results.
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Try Nanoswarm and either Strafing Run if you're more of a Cascade spammer or Implosion Engine if you're more of a Ricochet spammer, and pack an Ice Grenade for the last few slots. Should have amazing burst there, but I don't think it'll work too well in Elite Lairs solo which is why I didn't run with it in the end.
The usual rotation should be Ricochet - Ice Nade (held) - Implosion or Strafing Run - Spam Ricochet until Strafing Run hits or Implosion ends - Spam Cascade and then you can Smoke Nade reset and do it again, then Nanoswarm and do it a 3rd time (I used Smoke Bomb though)
I'm a bit iffy regarding DT on a non-tanky toon, even if you have some workarounds. It will help w/ FC spamming, but I was doing alright w/ a Quarry + MSA FC Tap build w/o moves like DT or an energy form; only sometimes had to end build, but a r3 boomerang toss restored about 30-35% of the energy bar while critting for like 1k (plus MSA + Concentration energy gains w/ tons of Int backing it).. so it wasn't that bad
It could be worth experimenting around w/, though. You have many options here.
- Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!
I think for this kind of build, FC is there for the reset. By spamming RT you're not really making opportunities for yourself to re-stealth. On the other hand, after your initial burst you can do a full charge FC then restealth and go for a second stealth RT - enemy perception and attack range willing of course, which sadly Elite difficulty usually doesn't. Most content doesn't really reward Elite anyway though - only G farming and certain Lair costume drops.
I see, given how long FC's charge time is- but I've never really tried FC w/ that functionality to know how good it is w/ the re-stealth. Sounds interesting though.
If we're not talking elite difficulty stuff, then its likely most non-boss mobs will be one-shot by the stealth charged RT opener. I usually got into a rhythm of waiting 1-2 sec before going to the next group so Stealth would kick in at the tail-end of RT's cast. Only thing that is annoying are instant DoT effects that keep you from re-stealthing. And for bosses.. well, you do have Shadowstrike :x
- Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!
TT Normal or Andrith Normal might need a restealth. The mobs can be quite beefy.
Well, FC is 500 square feet, compared to RT's...what? 10' sphere?
But yeah, for single-target, it's not so great in comparison. I've never looked at Ricochet Throw before, really, but yipes, it's like an all-in-one. Single-tap DPS of amazing strength and AoE all in a single package. Why would you ever need anything else?
What if I come at it the opposite way. I've got this great energy-producing engine, and what's worth powering with it? What's a super-energy hungry attack that's also worth the trouble? Maybe some of those PA attacks? Laser Sword?
Good idea!
Yes, my first thought with DT went to drains. Then I found out that there were all these other heals that aren't affected (like Rush of Battle and Rapid Recovery and Mindful Reinfocement) and thought I'd give those a whirl.
That's the kind of stuff I would never have thought of.
What's an ice grenade? I'm kind of a newbie, and can't find it online.
Legacy Device. You throw it at someone and around 2 seconds later it explodes for around the damage of an Ice Blast with an AoE the size of a Hurricane. And traps them in a freeze hold too.
I think it's pretty expensive now so you might want to go without
Yup, RT is pretty OP, imo.. well at least in NW builds. Its not a 'sphere' AoE when charged but is just a 'chained' attack. I think the max bounce reach is in the 15-20ft range, but I could be wrong.
FC still works for the coolness factor and to have some variety (using RT for everything may be effective, but its boring). I mean, Laser Sword is higher single-target dps than tapped RT, for ex, as would be something like Haymaker.. but that's assuming equivalent dmg modifiers (and it won't really work w/ Concentration as the toggle). If I had to replace FC in this build, though, I'd prob go w/ Chest Beam for the debuff, and/or Strafing Run (which doesn't break stealth, iirc).
Other way to look at is is not needing high energy, and then being able to drop DT and not have to play around it. That's a play-style pref thing, though- can't really tell ya if you'd like going that route or not.
I haven't tested DT's heal penalty, but my guess is that %age based heals like RoB (prob Palliate and Adren Rush too) ignore it. MF's heal is derived from the remaining shield amount, so it's prob just because it works differently than the other heals. Rapid Recovery is pretty weak even w/o the penalty :X
- Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!
I'll also comment that Sentinel Aura isn't affected by DT's healing debuff.
Isn't Blood Sacrifice just a single on-next-hit? If it does as much damage as a Shadow Blast, one of those every 15-20 seconds didn't seem like such great shakes.
Unless I'm not understanding how it works?
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That said, I will admit to having not conducted rigorous testing, so it's possible that I'm mistaken or that there's something else going on.