Valiant the Laser Knight

Comments

• aiqa Posts: 2,620 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  Either MSA or Dark Transfusion can help with energy, but I don't really like Dark Transfusion myself.
  As for power to trigger MSA, since you are not meant to need heals, you'll have to go with some attack. For instance Mental Storm or Gas Pallets could work for that.

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• flowcyto Posts: 12,852 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  Taking IDF w/o Defiance is really going to hurt you on the energy front here- when Laser Sword's biggest barrier is energy costs. But ya can still make it work..
  
  Dark Transfusion won't work as well here cause ur gonna be low-health w/o Con SS, and PFF won't stop the health dmg from going underneath. If PFF ever gets depleted and ur under DTs effects then ur gonna be very vulnerable (DT also doesn't strike me as very fitting thematically). At the same time, you may need the extra energy stats if IDF is ur toggle.
  
  Ur prob going to have to use MSA. Fortunately ya got Particle Smash as one good thematic cd. Could also add something like Sonic Device or Mini Drive if ur going for a tech theme. Energy Wave w/ Rev Polarity is another tech CD that can be useful for clumping mobs for Lightwave and Particle Smash.
  
  The other EU that could fit here is Thermal Reverb w/ Flashfire- though you'd have to be fine w/ the Fire theme (burning plasma, or w/e). Because you may be end building more, I'd also consider getting a ranged end builder so ya dun need to be in melee range to get energy.
  
  I'd def not take Particle Accel adv on the basic combo, though, seeing as the build already is going to have energy issues, and the energy penalty on that adv is final/multiplicative. It'll cause you to have to end build even more, which defeats the purpose of getting the adv.
  
  Here's one way that build could be filled- trying not to change too much about it at base:
  
  PowerHouse (Link to this build)
  
  Super Stats:
  Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
  Level 10: Dexterity (Secondary)
  Level 15: Endurance (Secondary)
  
  Talents:
  Level 1: The Glacier
  Level 6: Coordinated
  Level 9: Accurate
  Level 12: Investigator
  Level 15: Impresario
  Level 18: Negotiator
  Level 21: Amazing Stamina
  
  Powers:
  Level 1: Power Bolts (Accelerated Metabolism)
  Level 1: Laser Sword (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 6: Lightwave Slash (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 8: Lightspeed Dash
  Level 11: Energy Shield (Rank 2, Laser Knight)
  Level 14: Molecular Self-Assembly
  Level 17: Personal Force Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 20: Inertial Dampening Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 23: Particle Smash (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 26: Sonic Device
  Level 29: Lock N Load (Rank 2, Two Smoking Barrels)
  Level 32: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2)
  Level 35: Energy Wave (Reverse Polarity)
  Level 38: Masterful Dodge
  
  Travel Powers:
  Level 6: Rocket Jump
  Level 35: Jet Boots (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  
  Specializations:
  Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
  Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
  Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
  Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
  Warden: Fortified Gear (2/3)
  Warden: Slaughter (3/3)
  Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
  Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
  Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
  Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
  Vindicator: Initiative (2/2)
  Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
  Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)
  
  Going the MSA route here, but TR would work w/ Flashfire instead of one of the other cds. Could also take Field Surge, more defensive cds and/or a threat wipe, and/or STR PSS (+ 2 energy stats) as good alternative options.

  <CO stuff> .: Petco :. // A basic FF building guide (see 1st reply) // PSA on Power Activation Delay // Ayonachan's Gift Horse (misc stat data)
  - Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!

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• oddbirdy Posts: 176 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  Alright, I took what you had and made it MSA compatible.
  
  PowerHouse (Link to this build)
  
  Name:
  
  Archetype: Freeform
  
  Super Stats:
  Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
  Level 10: Dexterity (Secondary)
  Level 15: Endurance (Secondary)
  
  Talents:
  Level 1: The Glacier
  Level 6: Coordinated
  Level 9: Accurate
  Level 12: Investigator
  Level 15: Impresario
  Level 18: Negotiator
  Level 21: Amazing Stamina
  
  Powers:
  Level 1: Laser Edge
  Level 1: Laser Sword (Rank 2, Particle Acceleration)
  Level 6: Lightwave Slash (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 8: Lightspeed Dash
  Level 11: Energy Shield (Rank 2, Laser Knight)
  Level 14: Circle of Arcane Power (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 17: Personal Force Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 20: Inertial Dampening Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 23: Grapple Gun Pull (Accelerated Metabolism)
  Level 26: Electric Sheath
  Level 29: Shadow Shroud
  Level 32: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 35: Bionic Shielding (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 38: Molecular Self-Assembly
  
  Travel Powers:
  Level 6: Rocket Jump
  Level 35: Jet Boots (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  
  Specializations:
  Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
  Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
  Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
  Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
  Warden: Fortified Gear (2/3)
  Warden: Slaughter (3/3)
  Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
  Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
  Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
  Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
  Vindicator: Initiative (2/2)
  Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
  Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)
  
  
  Two heals that will proc MSA as well as two Active Offenses. I don't know if Grapple Gun has a cooldown, but that will allow you to pop Circle of Arcane Power and bring the enemy to you. Theoretically, at least. I don't know how well that works in practice.

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• raighn Posts: 2,339 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  aiqa wrote: »

  Either MSA or Dark Transfusion can help with energy, but I don't really like Dark Transfusion myself.
  As for power to trigger MSA, since you are not meant to need heals, you'll have to go with some attack. For instance Mental Storm or Gas Pallets could work for that.

  DT is certainly out of theme for this character (and quite honestly a power I tend to avoid all together)... Mental Storm also out of theme, however Gas Pellets could be justified...
  

  flowcyto wrote: »

  Taking IDF w/o Defiance is really going to hurt you on the energy front here- when Laser Sword's biggest barrier is energy costs. But ya can still make it work..

  I'm looking to make her DPS oriented with a defensive passive... and when taking Defiance I feel like i'm required to build for tanking... Which is why the only one of my 26 characters who has Defiance is my tank...
  

  flowcyto wrote: »

  Ur prob going to have to use MSA. Fortunately ya got Particle Smash as one good thematic cd. Could also add something like Sonic Device or Mini Drive if ur going for a tech theme. Energy Wave w/ Rev Polarity is another tech CD that can be useful for clumping mobs for Lightwave and Particle Smash.

  As I said, I'm not opposed to using MSA so long as it is worked naturally into the build. MSA procing off one spammable cooldown that isn't needed all the time certainly isn't natural. Gadgeteer powers are also, definitely within her theme, so long as they arn't guns... Gizmo's and devices are fine.
  

  flowcyto wrote: »

  The other EU that could fit here is Thermal Reverb w/ Flashfire- though you'd have to be fine w/ the Fire theme (burning plasma, or w/e). Because you may be end building more, I'd also consider getting a ranged end builder so ya dun need to be in melee range to get energy.

  Honestly, would prefer not to taake TR w/FF for her EU... it's really theme breaking for me... would also prefer to not switch to a ranged EB, it just doesn't feel right to me for my EB to be a ranged attack while the rest of my attacks are primarily melee... Even my Melee/Ranged hybrid builds don't seem right when I give them a ranged EB...
  

  flowcyto wrote: »

  I'd def not take Particle Accel adv on the basic combo, though, seeing as the build already is going to have energy issues, and the energy penalty on that adv is final/multiplicative. It'll cause you to have to end build even more, which defeats the purpose of getting the adv.

  Fair enough...
  

  flowcyto wrote: »

  PowerHouse (Link to this build)
  
  Going the MSA route here, but TR would work w/ Flashfire instead of one of the other cds. Could also take Field Surge, more defensive cds and/or a threat wipe, and/or STR PSS (+ 2 energy stats) as good alternative options.

  Will definitely take Field Surge... I don't know why I forgot to include it in the OP (will fix that)... I always get Field Surge with PFF... Also, I would have never thought to include LnL w/2SB for this build... that's actually a pretty good idea... I was honestly thinking ES w/NM...
  

  oddbirdy wrote: »

  Alright, I took what you had and made it MSA compatible.
  
  PowerHouse (Link to this build)
  
  Two heals that will proc MSA as well as two Active Offenses. I don't know if Grapple Gun has a cooldown, but that will allow you to pop Circle of Arcane Power and bring the enemy to you. Theoretically, at least. I don't know how well that works in practice.

  A couple things to say to this build... Electric Sheath & Shadow Shroud, while I know both of them provide some energy benefits while active, the visuals from them are far to pronounced and don't fit the character's theme... while yes Electric Sheath can fit most tech-based themes, I see Valiant as having a cleaner approach to her technology and Electric Sheath just doesn't fit that...
  
  BCR on a build that is already pretty low on damage? No... not happening...
  
  As for CoAP, this was suggested to me a few times before when I started working on Valiant the first time, and it is still not going into her build. Being stuck in one place all the time is not good for her, and the magic runes are out of theme. Plain and simple...
  
  
  
  Ok so a couple things I feel I should have mentioned in the OP...
  - Feel free to change up her stats and specs, I'm not attached to her stats or specs as it is.
  - Gadgeteer powers are in theme (no guns though)
  - Keep visuals clean for out of set powers
  - I'm aiming for a crit based build, and perhaps some dodge/avoid mixed in would be good too

  ^-^ cute, cuddly, @Pandabutt ^-^
  

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• aiqa Posts: 2,620 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  With PFF you are not meant to constantly use your heals.
  For only a MSA procs both BCR and BS are bad choices.
  BS does not proc MSA at all, it does not have a normal cooldown.
  BCR reduces your base damage by 10%, which is a huge disadvantage just to proc MSA.

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• raighn Posts: 2,339 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  aiqa wrote: »

  With PFF you are not meant to constantly use your heals.
  For only a MSA procs both BCR and BS are bad choices.
  BS does not proc MSA at all, it does not have a normal cooldown.
  BCR reduces your base damage by 10%, which is a huge disadvantage just to proc MSA.

  
  Nothing to worry... I'm not going to use BCR in her build, and I'd rather take Conviction as her heal than BS...

  ^-^ cute, cuddly, @Pandabutt ^-^
  

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• flowcyto Posts: 12,852 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  aiqa wrote: »

  With PFF you are not meant to constantly use your heals.
  For only a MSA procs both BCR and BS are bad choices.
  BS does not proc MSA at all, it does not have a normal cooldown.
  BCR reduces your base damage by 10%, which is a huge disadvantage just to proc MSA.

  That's true. I should note that I only included BSheilding here because it seemed more thematic, and I figured she was getting tired of seeing Conviction everywhere. If the heal isn't going to be used often (in a PFF build, ofc one should strive for that) it shouldn't really matter too much either way (there's still health packs too, ofc).
  
  But yes, even though its a PFF build, ye old Conviction is the most practical match w/ an MSA build. Def go for it if ya have no qualms w/ using it.

  <CO stuff> .: Petco :. // A basic FF building guide (see 1st reply) // PSA on Power Activation Delay // Ayonachan's Gift Horse (misc stat data)
  - Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!

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• raighn Posts: 2,339 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  I am a bit tired of seeing conviction everywhere, but, it's easier to use than BS, and it's passable as a protective force field visually...
  
  Personally I'd prefer reconstruction circuits, but since it's a PA toggle it would lock me out of everything else, and is out of the question.
  
  There really aren't a ton of options for self-healing... BCR - damage penalty isn't worth it, Resurgence - AD, and Conviction are really about it for self heals. The rest are targeted heals, and would need a special bind setup for easy self healing...
  
  I actually used to have a PFF build with Bionic Shielding as it's heal though and I will say, it was very effective... in PvP it often acted like a second layer to PFF when PFF broke and Field Surge was on CD... the build that used it has sense moved to Protection Field and Conviction, since with Protection Field & PFF having proper layering now, Protection Field can be spammed on yourself while PFF is down and Field Surge is on CD to help restore your PFF little by little...
  
  
  Speaking of Protection Field... should I add protection field to my build as a secondary shield and for some more energy management? (I don't remember if PF returns energy only when applied on an ally or not)

  ^-^ cute, cuddly, @Pandabutt ^-^
  

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• rykus83 Posts: 337 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  I've noticed in a lot of laser knight builds don't use the powers Plasma Cutter, Particle Accelerator, Unified Theory, Particle Smash. Is it because the burns are to hard to stack (I thought I read that some where) to use plasma cutter to its fulliest, and does the Particle Accelerator, Unified Theory, Particle Smash abilities that benefit P Smash not worth investing into?

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• flowcyto Posts: 12,852 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  rykus83 wrote: »

  I've noticed in a lot of laser knight builds don't use the powers Plasma Cutter, Particle Accelerator, Unified Theory, Particle Smash. Is it because the burns are to hard to stack (I thought I read that some where) to use plasma cutter to its fulliest, and does the Particle Accelerator, Unified Theory, Particle Smash abilities that benefit P Smash not worth investing into?

  
  Its kinda like all of that combined. The full set can be worthwhile for dps, but its a ton of upkeep for questionable gains, and also many devoted power slots just to making the whole mini-set work. PB having a shorter duration and harder refresh conditions than Bleed also doesn't help.
  
  It's also simply because the basic laser sword combo and PSmash are powerful on their own. Most players would prob take the much easier, but still potent option.. over the higher potential, but RNG-prone and messy full-set option.

  <CO stuff> .: Petco :. // A basic FF building guide (see 1st reply) // PSA on Power Activation Delay // Ayonachan's Gift Horse (misc stat data)
  - Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!

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• raighn Posts: 2,339 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  Ok... so with my updated OP... and lets say I wanted to work PF in there as well... how would you go about completing the build?

  ^-^ cute, cuddly, @Pandabutt ^-^
  

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• avianos Posts: 6,178 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  rykus83 wrote: »

  I've noticed in a lot of laser knight builds don't use the powers Plasma Cutter, Particle Accelerator, Unified Theory, Particle Smash. Is it because the burns are to hard to stack (I thought I read that some where) to use plasma cutter to its fulliest, and does the Particle Accelerator, Unified Theory, Particle Smash abilities that benefit P Smash not worth investing into?

  
  Particle Accelerator and Unified Theory are Horrible Gimmicky Unflixible powers with ankward animation
  
  Yes you may put up high DPS Numbers but the whole Gimmick just ruins it
  
  
  Surprisly, Particle Smash is the only power that works great even Alone and has synergy with the old Laser Sword powers

  POWERFRAME REVAMPS, NEW POWERS and BUG FIXES > Recycled Content and Events and even costumes at this point Introvert guy who use CO to make his characters playable and get experimental with Viable FF Theme builds! Running out of Unique FF builds due to the lack of updates and synergies! Playing since 1 February 2011 128 + Characters (21 ATs, 107 FFs) ALTitis for Life!

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• jasinblaze Posts: 1,360 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  Honestly these are the worst posts in asking for things. I want to do more damage but I don't want to change anything that effects damage. When you take a defensive passive and a defensive toggle don't expect to do much damage.
  That being said take strength as a main we so it buffs the damage some and take int and rec as secondaries. Load up on active (click) offenses and grab nanites to wipe cool downs
  If I were you I would take unleashed rage and enrage and swap between pff and enrage sort of a defensive and offensive form

  [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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• felcrow68 Posts: 27 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  I have been using the build in this link recently. I don't know if I will stick with it to the letter as I am still levelling but it certainly works so far. I will tweak it to my own taste later. Its a good guideline at least
  
  http://co-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=149891

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• flowcyto Posts: 12,852 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  raighn wrote:

  Ok... so with my updated OP... and lets say I wanted to work PF in there as well... how would you go about completing the build?

  
  Prob like this, assuming ya still keeping IDF and PF + PFF:
  
  PowerHouse (Link to this build)
  
  Super Stats:
  Level 6: Strength (Primary)
  Level 10: Intelligence (Secondary)
  Level 15: Endurance (Secondary)
  
  Talents:
  Level 1: The Glacier
  Level 6: Body and Mind
  Level 9: Bodybuilder
  Level 12: Investigator
  Level 15: Relentless
  Level 18: Negotiator
  Level 21: Amazing Stamina
  
  Powers:
  Level 1: Laser Edge (Accelerated Metabolism)
  Level 1: Laser Sword (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 6: Lightwave Slash (Rank 2)
  Level 8: Lightspeed Dash
  Level 11: Energy Shield (Rank 2, Laser Knight)
  Level 14: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 17: Personal Force Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 20: Inertial Dampening Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 23: Field Surge (Rank 2)
  Level 26: Molecular Self-Assembly
  Level 29: Electric Sheath (Matter – Energy Union)
  Level 32: Energy Wave (Reverse Polarity)
  Level 35: Protection Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 38: Lock N Load
  
  Travel Powers:
  Level 6: Rocket Jump
  Level 35: Jet Boots (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  
  Specializations:
  Strength: Swole (2/3)
  Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
  Strength: Brutality (2/2)
  Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
  Warden: Fortified Gear (2/3)
  Warden: Slaughter (3/3)
  Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
  Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
  Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
  Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
  Vindicator: Initiative (2/2)
  Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
  Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)
  
  I'd also get Pres to ~70 to soft-cap its bonus heal, and consider at least one bonus heal mod in the Offense gear slots, in light of ya wanting more from PF.
  
  Would gear mostly for Int here, w/ some in End and Rec.
  
  

  jasinblaze wrote:

  Honestly these are the worst posts in asking for things. I want to do more damage but I don't want to change anything that effects damage. When you take a defensive passive and a defensive toggle don't expect to do much damage.
  That being said take strength as a main we so it buffs the damage some and take int and rec as secondaries. Load up on active (click) offenses and grab nanites to wipe cool downs
  If I were you I would take unleashed rage and enrage and swap between pff and enrage sort of a defensive and offensive form

  I'm not quite sure what ur trying to say here- though Raighn was mostly concerned about energy, and seems to be aware of how much taking IDF could hamper energy + dmg. I've included Str PSS as an option here and before, + 2 AOs to help w/ the dmg. Given the restrictions that's a decent compromise.
  
  Its def not how I'd go about a laser sword build, but then again I'm biased against PFF and IDF atm.
  
  (also, ya can't swap between Enrage and PFF; I assume ya mean IDF instead of PFF, but in that case I'd just drop IDF altogether.. its just eating 4 adv points to not be used all the time then; UR and Enrage is also prob too out-of-theme for the concept)

  <CO stuff> .: Petco :. // A basic FF building guide (see 1st reply) // PSA on Power Activation Delay // Ayonachan's Gift Horse (misc stat data)
  - Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!

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• raighn Posts: 2,339 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  I think that will work for me Flowcyto... though I'd prefer to not take Electric Sheath on her still, will likely swap that for Ego Surge w/Nimble Mind... plus Matter - Energy Union on a character that's already strapped for energy might be a poor choice...
  
  

  jasinblaze wrote: »

  Honestly these are the worst posts in asking for things. I want to do more damage but I don't want to change anything that effects damage. When you take a defensive passive and a defensive toggle don't expect to do much damage.
  That being said take strength as a main we so it buffs the damage some and take int and rec as secondaries. Load up on active (click) offenses and grab nanites to wipe cool downs
  If I were you I would take unleashed rage and enrage and swap between pff and enrage sort of a defensive and offensive form

  
  I'm perfectly aware of how much PFF & IDF impact my damage potential and the hit IDF takes on my energy. And honestly, those two aspects plus her theme are the only things I'm not really willing to budge on. Besides, I was primarily asking for help with energy management, I already stated that her damage increase will most likely have to come from AOs and specs, the main issue has been and always was energy.
  
  Assuming that this new build solves her energy issue, her damage output should correct itself. Since mostly my low damage is due to running out of energy constantly and spending nearly half of every combat using my EB. Sure her damage could be even higher with an offensive passive and or offensive form, but I wanted her to use PFF & IDF and am perfectly aware of where that will put her damage wise. The problem though is that her damage output has been at only a fraction of where it should be due to not having the energy to keep up her attacks.

  ^-^ cute, cuddly, @Pandabutt ^-^
  

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• flowcyto Posts: 12,852 Arc User

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  raighn wrote: »

  I think that will work for me Flowcyto... though I'd prefer to not take Electric Sheath on her still, will likely swap that for Ego Surge w/Nimble Mind... plus Matter - Energy Union on a character that's already strapped for energy might be a poor choice...

  
  Fair enough. I was considering the shielding being of extra help for a PFF build. Ya have to deal w/ the energy, but the AO intrinsically helps w/ that if ya end build some. But if ya want to take ES/NM or LnL instead (or even Immolation), go ahead- either would work well, and are likely better offensively.
  
  On end building: in this sort of build ur going to have some of that inevitably. The only builds where an EU alone can cover all energy needs boil down to those using very cheap attacks. Still.. w/ good energy stats, end building recovers ur reserves quickly so its not such a big issue.

  <CO stuff> .: Petco :. // A basic FF building guide (see 1st reply) // PSA on Power Activation Delay // Ayonachan's Gift Horse (misc stat data)
  - Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!

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