Tanky Sorcerer

Comments

• flowcyto Posts: 12,859 Arc User

  February 2015 edited February 2015

  Much of ur energy issues prob stems from using IDF over an energy-granting toggle (like Concentration), and having Skarn's Bane. Skarn's is quite good AoE dps, if ya can align it well, but it does devour energy quickly if maintained.
  
  I assume w/ the lack of CripC and CS that this is a solo 'tank', though CripC isn't necc bad even when solo just for the dmg debuff..
  
  I'd swap ur toggle to Conc, trade Ego SS for Dex or Pres SS, put the extra ranks in Unbreakable, trade Feild Surge (which is weak for non-PFF builds) for R2-3 Resurgence or R1 MD, and trade a casted heal like Arcane Vit for R3 Conviction. Also consider replacing Planar Fracture (if its not just there for looks) w/ something like Ascension, Rebirth, or a block enhancer.
  
  It seems ya need to put more points in Con PSS (getting Adren Rush). I would also consider trading Protector for Vindicator- higher Defense and quite better dps, though for solo you'll have longer AD timers (can trade for stronger crit heals and more freq crits for Adren Rush, and/or shorter AO timers). Specs could look like this:
  
  Specializations:
  Constitution: Unyielding (1/2)
  Constitution: Fuel My Fire (3/3)
  Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
  Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
  Constitution: Armored (2/2)
  Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
  Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
  Guardian: Tenacious (2/2)
  Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
  Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
  Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
  Vindicator: Focused Strikes (2/3)
  Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
  Mastery: Constitution Mastery (1/1)
  
  If ya really want to keep Protector, I'd consider using STR/Con/Int SS setup, then- STR PSS provides higher Defense than Con PSS via Juggernaut, similar knock resist, and quite better dps/threat via Brutality's severity (to help make up for Con PSS's lack of dps boosts). Ya could also consider STR/Con/Int w/ the Guardicator setup above, if ya want even more of a crit/defense/offense focus in exchange for some health and longer AD timers.

  <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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• daugryn Posts: 14 Arc User

  February 2015 edited February 2015

  I like your suggestions, but ultimately i'm aiming for tough blaster, and not 'blaster tank'. This was a modification of another build I found in the forums. I like your suggestions and I'll probably drop IDF for Concentration and swap one of the spec trees.
  
  With a little tweaking..
  
  PowerHouse (Link to this build)
  
  Name:
  
  Archetype: Freeform
  
  Super Stats:
  Level 6: Constitution (Primary)
  Level 10: Intelligence (Secondary)
  Level 15: Ego (Secondary)
  
  Talents:
  Level 1: Matter Manipulator
  Level 6: Enduring
  Level 9: Healthy Mind
  Level 12: Ascetic
  Level 15: Academics
  Level 18: Field Ops Training
  Level 21: Command Training
  
  Powers:
  Level 1: Eldritch Bolts
  Level 1: Eldritch Blast (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 6: Pillar of Poz (Rank 2, Dizzying Impact)
  Level 8: Circle of Arcane Power
  Level 11: Arcane Vitality (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 14: Hex of Suffering (Rune of Lethargy, Nailed to the Ground)
  Level 17: Planar Fracture
  Level 20: Skarn's Bane (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 23: Field Surge (Rank 2, Power Swell)
  Level 26: Unbreakable
  Level 29: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 32: Nanobot Swarm (Rejuvinating Injectors)
  Level 35: Molecular Self-Assembly
  Level 38: Concentration
  
  Travel Powers:
  Level 6: Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 35:
  
  Specializations:
  Constitution: Unyielding (2/2)
  Constitution: Fuel My Fire (1/3)
  Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
  Constitution: Quick Healing (3/3)
  Constitution: Armored (2/2)
  Protector: Fortified Gear (3/3)
  Protector: Unrelenting (2/2)
  Protector: Defensive Expertise (3/3)
  Protector: Resolute (2/3)
  Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
  Avenger: Anguish (2/2)
  Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
  Avenger: Preemptive Strike (3/3)
  Mastery: Protector Mastery (1/1)

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• daugryn Posts: 14 Arc User

  February 2015 edited February 2015

  Okay, so I retconned into this, and the glaring problem I have is I get one fully charged EBlast before i'm out of energy and have to wait about 4 seconds to pop an Arcane Circle and really go to town.
  
  Powers:
  Level 1: Eldritch Bolts
  Level 1: Eldritch Blast (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 6: Pillar of Poz (Rank 2, Dizzying Impact)
  Level 8: Circle of Arcane Power
  Level 11: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 14: Molecular Self-Assembly
  Level 17: Concentration
  Level 20: Skarn's Bane (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 23: Field Surge (Rank 2, Power Swell)
  Level 26: Unbreakable
  Level 29: Arcane Vitality (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 32: Nanobot Swarm (Rejuvinating Injectors)
  Level 35: Hex of Suffering (Rune of Lethargy, Nailed to the Ground)
  Level 38: Planar Fracture (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  
  Travel Powers:
  Level 6: Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
  Level 35:
  
  Specializations:
  Constitution: Unyielding (2/2)
  Constitution: Fuel My Fire (1/3)
  Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
  Constitution: Quick Healing (3/3)
  Constitution: Armored (2/2)
  Protector: Fortified Gear (3/3)
  Protector: Unrelenting (2/2)
  Protector: Defensive Expertise (3/3)
  Protector: Resolute (2/3)
  Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
  Avenger: Anguish (2/2)
  Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
  Avenger: Preemptive Strike (3/3)
  Mastery: Protector Mastery (1/1)
  
  I'm trying to keep mobile and be fairly tough, also, trying to avoid using my wholly uninteresting Energy Builder unless necessary.
  
  I looked at the spec trees, I can't see anything what will improve the situation. I'm open to options, can anyone make a suggestion?
  
  Also, I think it's worth noting, I don't know how what to gear and if gear would help correct the energy problem.
  
  Thanks in advance.

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• flowcyto Posts: 12,859 Arc User

  February 2015 edited February 2015

  Proper gearing can def help a lot. Conc's energy return scales w/ the more of Int or Ego ya have, MSA energy scales mostly w/ Int, Int also reduces energy costs a bit on its own, and utility gear slots have cost reduction rating that is about twice as effective as Int at cost discount (only).
  
  Since ya have many energy-related things scaling w/ Int, I'd make Int and Con ur prime stats here. By lvl 40 gearing ya should prob have at least 225 Int, though for a build like this I'd prob push it to the 300+ range. Having some Rec/End on the side is good just to have decent energy reserves for Skarn's.
  
  Another option that gives ya (much) energy for getting hit is taking R1 Defiance over R3 Invuln- w/ the energy scaling from Con. Taking Defiance will mean that trash mobs will deal more dmg to ya, though, since Defiance is suited more to heavy-hitting bosses (the huge added damage resist boost at 6 stacks still is nice when combined w/ a large health pool, though).
  
  I still wouldn't recommend Field Surge as the AD here, nor bothering ranking Planar Fracture. Unbreakable is a good AD to rank, though. Also keep in mind that ur not getting MSA energy unless ur rolling some cd-based abilities (here- mostly Hex, the ADs, and Nanobot Swarm). MSA energy is another reason ya prob want to replace Arcane Vit w/ something like Conviction.

  <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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• jonesing4 Posts: 803 Arc User

  February 2015 edited February 2015

  I really think you could improve this build a lot just by different spec choices. I can't imagine Protector being the best choice for any build other than a dedicated tank, which is apparently not what you're trying to do. Avenger is not terrible, but I'm not sure it's the best choice for what you're going for, either. If you switched over to the tried & true Guardian-Vindicator combo, I imagine you'd be both hardier and more destructive.
  
  I also really don't like the "Quick Healing" spec in the CON tree. You can get much better value out of those points than a minor aid in getting you back to full green when out of combat. Focus everything on what actually happens when you're fighting, and you'll be happier.
  
  My two cents, to use as you see fit:
  
  Specializations:
  Constitution: Fuel My Fire (2/3)
  Constitution: Tough (2/3)
  Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
  Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
  Constitution: Armored (2/2)
  Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
  Guardian: Make It Count (2/3)
  Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
  Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
  Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
  Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
  Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
  Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
  Mastery: Constitution Mastery (1/1)
  
  You won't be suffering much loss of survivability (if any, really), since The Best Defense and Aggressive Stance specs work together to create that nice feedback loop with your Offense and Defense numbers. You'll have a great Defense score, a good Passive, and plenty of HP.
  
  With those changes, I'd also switch from EGO SSS to DEX. EGO is doing very little for you, as the actual bonus the stat gives (+% to your ranged damage) hits a soft cap at 70 EGO and starts suffering from big diminishing returns afterward. You don't need it to scale anything either, as Concentration will work just fine off of your INT. So I'd go heavy on CON/INT, throw a little DEX in, and gear for either crit % or severity. With little effort, you should be sitting pretty at 25-30% crit chance and 75% severity--that's one of the easiest ways to quickly increase damage.
  
  Alternatively, if you're really finding Energy to be a problem, switch DEX out for REC. My gut agrees with Flow, and says that many of those shortcomings with Energy management will be alleviated if not cured when you get better gear. In purely anecdotal experience, I feel a huge difference in blue-bar management when I reach 40 and get into end-game gear (usually Heroic gear, very easy to obtain). You'll have access to higher cost reduction gear and mods, higher stats (meaning more INT and thus more cost reduction), and all of your powers working as intended. But especially for now, picking up a second Energy stat might be a good quality-of-life upgrade. Ideally, you'll be focusing on CON and INT stats, so your third stat will be the baby brother anyway.

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