PNG - EnergyBlade Leveling Tank

bluhman · August 2014

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: PNG

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Glacier
Level 6: Acrobat
Level 9: Accurate
Level 12: Boundless Reserves
Level 15: Coordinated
Level 18: Healthy Mind
Level 21: Investigator

Powers:
Level 1: Laser Edge
Level 1: Laser Sword (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Lightspeed Dash (Nailed to the Ground)
Level 8: Defiance (Rank 2)
Level 11: Form of the Tempest
Level 14: Plasma Beam (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenging Strikes)
Level 17: Force Shield (Force Sheathe)
Level 20: Dragon's Claws (Vertebreak, Crippling Challenge)
Level 23: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 29: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Unbreakable
Level 35: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 38:

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Lightspeed (Rank 2)
Level 35: Heroic Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)

Specializations:
Constitution: Fuel My Fire (1/3)
Constitution: Tough (3/3)
Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
Constitution: Armored (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Reactive Strikes (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Mastery: Constitution Mastery (1/1)

Equipment Style:
1st Priority Stats: Con, Dex
2nd Priority Stats: End, Int
3rd Priority Stats: Str, Ego
Offense Preferences: Crit Chance & Crit Severity
Defense Preferences: Defense
Utility Preferences: Efficiency

This build, which I hit 40 with recently, it probably one of the best builds I've had the honor to level with: It is very sturdy, can manage its energy well, does decent damage, and holds aggro very well in Grab alerts. A very good alert tank in general, really.

On the offense, PNG takes advantage of its large energy reserves by using its Laser Sword and Plasma Beam. Laser Sword, though high in energy, is one of the most damaging single-target moves available. PNG Thankfully has the energy to use it quite consistently, especially when under rush and fully-stacked in focus. Dragon Claw is used to apply Rush, Crippling Challenge, and use its surprisingly good Vertebreak perk to stunlock convenient enemies (though it's not active most of the time, enemies hit by this will get knocked over repeatedly, making it very effective for stopping a master villain/enforcer from attacking). Plasma Beam is excellent, due to its large range and very rapid hits. It does decent damage, but truly shines in how much threat it can generate, bringing the build to its defensive and energy perks:

Defensively, this is a pretty standard Defiance setup. Take damage, get stacked, generate energy. Force Shield further augments this aspect, and should be kept up with a few periodic blocks. You are very sturdy if you stat your Constitution heavily, and a good Crit rate will mean that your rapid plasma-beam hits heal you at a good clip. Quite frankly, you want to get hit. Strive to always charge into battles first before other tanks can, because your energy-generation on hit is key to the build working well.

For most battles against masses of weak enemies, you're going to be fighting by basically applying Force Shield periodically, and blind-firing Plasma Beam into the crowd, waving it around. Again, very good for generating threat and drawing enemies to you, but admittedly a bit slow in damage. Against a boss is where the devastating strength of a critical Dragon Claw, followed by some Laser Swording truly shines, but your AoE game can sometimes leave a bit to be desired against sturdy mobs. Consider filling the last slot with a stronger burst AoE if so inclined, especially if you want to solo big groups.

Even then, PNG heals rapidly enough to offset incoming mob damage, and will usually outlast most of the big encounters. Those self-heals, and the wonderful Adrenaline Rush will keep you well alive, AND Ego Surge can be used to further bolster the crit rate of the build, for even more combat self-healing!

So in short: PNG's a high defense, high energy tank that uses costly attacks to her advantage. The focus in big groups is to draw as much attention to yourself to make it much easier for your allies to beat up enemies, while against bosses, you are strong enough to hold aggro with mostly your Laser Sword alone. A combination of crits and healing powers keep your health high, and you can apply higher crit rates and unbreakable armor to overcome many battles.

jasinblaze · August 2014

I've find myself using CON dex/end on most of my tanks.
even with an offensive passive it tanks well but put a defensive passive on it and very hard to kill as well. add some dodge/avoidance gear at 40 and even better.
as long as things are hitting you and you are hitting others it's great.
good to have a maintain or toggle as your main attack.

flowcyto · August 2014

Solid tank build. Pretty much how I'd build a laser sword tank (Rush move would be DW or DB, though, just cause its more fitting w/ laser sword). Would prob find a way to put particle smash in there, and prob trade un-ranked Unbreakable for MD.

Warden mastery is quite good w/ combo-heavy builds, as is slaughter; I'd prob take those too.

Also, dun bother w/ gearing Ego as a minor stat when its a non-SS- its not worth it dps-wise for ranged builds (which this isn't quite) over the hit to SS's. Unless ya dun like holds?

jasinblaze wrote: »

I've find myself using CON dex/end on most of my tanks.
even with an offensive passive it tanks well but put a defensive passive on it and very hard to kill as well. add some dodge/avoidance gear at 40 and even better.
as long as things are hitting you and you are hitting others it's great.
good to have a maintain or toggle as your main attack.

Although End SS is pretty good w/ Defiance, I'd prob still take Int SS over it for most tank builds, even w/o Concentration. End is good if ur using an expensive attack as the staple but w/o something extra like Rush to help support it, or if using a End-scaling EU, but it wouldn't be a default pick for me.

bluhman · August 2014

flowcyto wrote: »

Solid tank build. Pretty much how I'd build a laser sword tank (Rush move would be DW or DB, though, just cause its more fitting w/ laser sword). Would prob find a way to put particle smash in there, and prob trade un-ranked Unbreakable for MD.

Warden mastery is quite good w/ combo-heavy builds, as is slaughter; I'd prob take those too.

Also, dun bother w/ gearing Ego as a minor stat when its a non-SS- its not worth it dps-wise for ranged builds (which this isn't quite) over the hit to SS's. Unless ya dun like holds?

Dragon's Claw was chosen mainly because it's the only Dragon move with CC, and this is a tank after all. The build's already got LaserSword for all the damage it needs, while DC's advantages and CC make it ideal for a support move. Particle Smash would've been taken if the build's primary AoE was Particle Accelerator. It works well, but related to the point about DC, I don't think either of these moves have Challenging Strikes.

This build opts to go with CON mastery instead of Warden's flavor, simply because most battles are usually finished by constantly beaming enemies instead of slashing them. Granted, Laser Sword is pretty much the only 'dps' attack this build has, but I like to keep options open. The point on Slaughter, though, is a valid one. Definitely a viable alternative to Reactive Strikes.

Those stat recommendations, by the third priority, are really loose recommendations. Like, they're only there because they will help the build out ever so slightly - contrast to Pre, which I guess would get put to use on the self heals, but otherwise isn't used to buff allies or control, or Rec, which is fully unnecessary with the Int and End.

flowcyto · August 2014

bluhman wrote: »

Dragon's Claw was chosen mainly because it's the only Dragon move with CC, and this is a tank after all. The build's already got LaserSword for all the damage it needs, while DC's advantages and CC make it ideal for a support move. Particle Smash would've been taken if the build's primary AoE was Particle Accelerator. It works well, but related to the point about DC, I don't think either of these moves have Challenging Strikes.

Well, if ya lost CripC on one move you'd just put it on a diff one

But hey, many ways to get to the same goal- just suggesting a more thematic way I've had success with.

kiffehz278 · November 2014

it won't let me choose laser sword. i'm new and quite confused

jasinblaze · November 2014

kiffehz278 wrote: »

it won't let me choose laser sword. i'm new and quite confused

you need to subscribe for full power access

kiffehz278 · November 2014

i am a gold member

kallethen · November 2014

If you are talking about when you are first making your character, what you'll need to do is pick a placeholder power first at character creation and undo it at the Power House when you get into the game proper. Then you'll be able to pick any power you want within the tier limitations.

flowcyto · November 2014

Yeah Laser Sword is not a Teir0 power (its Teir1), so it won't be on the initial list when creating a new hero. Ya can unlock it as ur 2nd power (after the energy builder) if you choose a Power Armor energy builder (Power Bolts, Wrist Bolter, or Laser Edge) and visit the PH to retrain.