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Guide to Four 100% Dodge Builds
monsterdaddy
Posts: 795 Arc User
With the Fire and Ice Rampage, Cryptic has really challenged the durability of many tank builds -- especially in unsupported situations like a random PUG. The main challenge is Frosticus' base 20,000 Frost Dagger attack that just hits again and again without warning and also when you're held in a Frost Spire. I've tried many builds and I find the most durable for F&I is dodge builds centered on Lightning Reflexes.
I've found four main avenues to reaching and sustaining 100% dodge:
Stand and Fight Builds
1) CON PSS, Lightning Reflexes, Elusive Monk, Thundering Kicks
2) DEX PSS, Lightning Reflexes, Elusive Monk, Thundering Kicks
Sturdy Evasive Maneuvers Builds
1) STR PSS, Juggernaut/Aggressive Stance/Best Defense, Lightning Reflexes, Thundering Kicks, Laser Knight, Evasive Maneuvers
2) Non STR PSS
Other Builds
1) Crashing Wave Kick where this is used to bridge Dodge to 100% (Not discussed here)
Of course, additional requirements to tank Frosticus unsupported are self healing (the more the better) and damage debuffs like Crippling Challenge, Fear, Miniaturization Device, etc.
Necrullitic Elixirs are very good and they can be boosted by Support role, Seraphim, Ascension and Compassion stacks (if you have time to prepare before you attack.) Ascension is good to keep around in any case as an emergency heal and as a BCR/healing buff.
Stand and Fight Builds
Both CON and DEX PSS has specs that add to Dodge Rating. You will need to max this spec out and load up on Dodge. Another requirement is a Legion Elusiveness BP with 2x Gambler's Luck Rank 9 preferably (required with DEX PSS).
Both builds can use Brawler which is really good at increasing DPS.
DEX PSS is superior DPS thanks to Expose Weakness and DEX Mastery. CON PSS has higher HP, you don't need all your secondaries to buff DEX, has a heal, and knock resistance which may be key. Will-O-Wisp (see below) is my hero with CON PSS and surprisingly, she has the highest DPS of all the builds I'm listing below.
Sturdy Evasive Maneuvers Builds
I never liked using Evasive Maneuvers before because it is a major DPS killer. It wasn't reliable (for me) to get out of Gravitar bubbles in time due to lag. So why use it if I could do the above builds? The answer is FLEXIBILITY.
What if I could combine high Defense from Juggernaut/Aggressive Stance/Best Defense with Laser Knight, high HP and high crit (Nimble Mind) from statting all CON plus the ability to hit 100% dodge whenever I needed to? It would almost be like having Masterful Dodge on demand (while keeping the real Masterful Dodge in reserve for being held in a Frost Spire).
So I could fight Gravitar without ever touching EM, and with Frosticus I would only use EM whenever I got hit hard.
I made three builds:
1) Elle the Ghost Blade has been retconned and is my second highest single target DPS dodge tank build
2) Raijin, my thematic Lightning and Thunder HW hero that is all AoE.
3) Major Vengeance, a melee/ranged toon with 100% dodge while under Bullet Beatdown or Lead Tempest
A weakness of these builds is a lack of free powers and advantage points.
I'll discuss the actual builds in more detail below:
I've found four main avenues to reaching and sustaining 100% dodge:
Stand and Fight Builds
1) CON PSS, Lightning Reflexes, Elusive Monk, Thundering Kicks
2) DEX PSS, Lightning Reflexes, Elusive Monk, Thundering Kicks
Sturdy Evasive Maneuvers Builds
1) STR PSS, Juggernaut/Aggressive Stance/Best Defense, Lightning Reflexes, Thundering Kicks, Laser Knight, Evasive Maneuvers
2) Non STR PSS
Other Builds
1) Crashing Wave Kick where this is used to bridge Dodge to 100% (Not discussed here)
Of course, additional requirements to tank Frosticus unsupported are self healing (the more the better) and damage debuffs like Crippling Challenge, Fear, Miniaturization Device, etc.
Necrullitic Elixirs are very good and they can be boosted by Support role, Seraphim, Ascension and Compassion stacks (if you have time to prepare before you attack.) Ascension is good to keep around in any case as an emergency heal and as a BCR/healing buff.
Stand and Fight Builds
Both CON and DEX PSS has specs that add to Dodge Rating. You will need to max this spec out and load up on Dodge. Another requirement is a Legion Elusiveness BP with 2x Gambler's Luck Rank 9 preferably (required with DEX PSS).
Both builds can use Brawler which is really good at increasing DPS.
DEX PSS is superior DPS thanks to Expose Weakness and DEX Mastery. CON PSS has higher HP, you don't need all your secondaries to buff DEX, has a heal, and knock resistance which may be key. Will-O-Wisp (see below) is my hero with CON PSS and surprisingly, she has the highest DPS of all the builds I'm listing below.
Sturdy Evasive Maneuvers Builds
I never liked using Evasive Maneuvers before because it is a major DPS killer. It wasn't reliable (for me) to get out of Gravitar bubbles in time due to lag. So why use it if I could do the above builds? The answer is FLEXIBILITY.
What if I could combine high Defense from Juggernaut/Aggressive Stance/Best Defense with Laser Knight, high HP and high crit (Nimble Mind) from statting all CON plus the ability to hit 100% dodge whenever I needed to? It would almost be like having Masterful Dodge on demand (while keeping the real Masterful Dodge in reserve for being held in a Frost Spire).
So I could fight Gravitar without ever touching EM, and with Frosticus I would only use EM whenever I got hit hard.
I made three builds:
1) Elle the Ghost Blade has been retconned and is my second highest single target DPS dodge tank build
2) Raijin, my thematic Lightning and Thunder HW hero that is all AoE.
3) Major Vengeance, a melee/ranged toon with 100% dodge while under Bullet Beatdown or Lead Tempest
A weakness of these builds is a lack of free powers and advantage points.
I'll discuss the actual builds in more detail below:
Post edited by monsterdaddy on
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PowerHouse (Link to this build)
Name: Will-O-Wisp
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Constitution (Primary)
Level 10: Dexterity (Secondary)
Level 15: Strength (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Master
Level 6: Agile
Level 9: Acrobat
Level 12: Martial Focus
Level 15: Finesse
Level 18: Accurate
Level 21: Covert Ops Training
Powers:
Level 1: Hawk's Talons
Level 1: Viper's Fangs (Rank 2, Crippling Challenge)
Level 6: Lightning Reflexes (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Masterful Dodge
Level 11: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Resurgent Reiki)
Level 14: Form of the Tempest
Level 17: Thundering Kicks (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Dragon's Wrath (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Lock N Load (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Seraphim
Level 29: Ascension (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Void Shift (Emerging Nightmares)
Level 35: Sword Cyclone (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Parry (The Elusive Monk)
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Lightspeed
Level 35: Heroic Flight
Specializations:
Constitution: Tough (3/3)
Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
Constitution: Deflection (3/3)
Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Initiative (2/2)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Brawler: No Escape (1/3)
Brawler: Penetrating Strikes (2/2)
Brawler: Ruthless (2/2)
Brawler: Finishing Blow (3/3)
Brawler: Setup (2/2)
Mastery: Constitution Mastery (1/1)
Gear
Justice Healing (Severity 5, DUC, Dex 9 x2)
Legion Elusiveness (DEX 9 x2, Luck 9 x2)
Justice Speed (Dex 9 x2, Imp 7 x2)
Dextrous Belt
Vigilante Blostering
Vigilante Hastened
Necrullitic Elixir
Neuroelectric Pulse Generator
Very weak in armor but high in DPS due to Brawler. At just 10K HP she's vulnerable to being one-shotted by Frosticus when held or knocked away (Elusive Monk last only 2 seconds). Added Sword Cyclone because it's pretty deadly with Setup's 20% damage buff and Shredded. Nice for hitting Frosticus and Kenina simultaneously. (3K DPS vs. RTDs in PH)
PowerHouse (Link to this build)
Name: Elle the Ghost Blade
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Master
Level 6: Covert Ops Training
Level 9: Accurate
Level 12: Bodybuilder
Level 15: Martial Focus
Level 18: Acrobat
Level 21: Physical Conditioning
Powers:
Level 1: Bestial Fury
Level 1: Shred (Rank 2, Penetrating Strikes)
Level 6: Unleashed Rage (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Lightning Reflexes (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Energy Shield (Laser Knight)
Level 14: Aspect of the Bestial
Level 17: Thundering Kicks (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Resurgent Reiki)
Level 23: Ego Surge (Rank 2, Nimble Mind)
Level 26: Evasive Maneuvers (Rank 2)
Level 29: Ascension (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Molecular Self Assembly
Level 35: Masterful Dodge
Level 38: Void Shift (Emerging Nightmares, Crippling Challenge)
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Lightspeed
Level 35: Heroic Flight
Specializations:
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Slaughter (2/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)
Gear
Justice Precision (Luck 7, DUC, Con 7 x2)
Justice Fitness (Con 7 x2, Luck 9 x2)
Justice Speed (Con 7 x2, Imp 7 x2)
Vigilante Critical
Vigilante Armored
Vigilante Hastened
Necrullitic Elixir
Neuroelectric Pulse Generator
Wonderful Elle in her new costume (she still has her invisible ghost blades). I thought I would miss Massacre a lot but surprise surprise, Shred Rank 2 w/PS outdamages Massacre R3 buffed with Shredded due to lack of energy. I do miss Endorphin Rush but Elle is a very sturdy with 119% damage resistance with 3 stacks of Grit.
Another weird surprise, adding Reaper's Caress did not increase my DPS either. So Elle will simply stick to slashing away with her invisible blades (2.7K DPS vs. RTDs in PH)
PowerHouse (Link to this build)
Name: Raijin
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Devastator
Level 6: Bodybuilder
Level 9: Boundless Reserves
Level 12: Investigator
Level 15: Body and Mind
Level 18: Healthy Mind
Level 21: Physical Conditioning
Powers:
Level 1: Bludgeon
Level 1: Cleave (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Unleashed Rage (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Lightning Reflexes (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Energy Shield (Laser Knight)
Level 14: Enrage (Endorphin Rush)
Level 17: Thundering Kicks (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Resurgent Reiki)
Level 23: Ego Surge (Rank 2, Nimble Mind)
Level 26: Evasive Maneuvers (Rank 2)
Level 29: Ascension (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 35: Masterful Dodge
Level 38: Decimate (Crippling Challenge)
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Lightspeed
Level 35: Fire Flight
Specializations:
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Slaughter (2/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)
Gear
Justice Precision (Luck 7, DUC, Con 7 x2)
Justice Fitness (Con 7 x2, Luck 9 x2)
Justice Speed (Con 7 x2, Imp 7 x2)
Vigilante Critical
Vigilante Blostering
Hospitable Eyepiece
Necrullitic Elixir
Neuroelectric Pulse Generator
Empowered Dragon Staff
Well now you know why I've been collecting Empowered Dragon Staves -- for Raijin! Looks so cool to shoot Gigabolts out of her sword and covers her lack of ranged powers nicely. Since she is named for the Shinto god of lightning and thunder, we'll add Unleashed Rage for the thunder effect! (2.2K DPS vs. RTDs in PH)
PowerHouse (Link to this build)
Name: Major Vengeance
Archetype: Freeform
Super Stats:
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Invincible
Level 6: Covert Ops Training
Level 9: Discipline Training
Level 12: Brilliant
Level 15: Body and Mind
Level 18: Healthy Mind
Level 21: Physical Conditioning
Powers:
Level 1: Clobber
Level 1: Thundering Kicks (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Lightning Reflexes (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Concentration
Level 11: Energy Shield (Laser Knight)
Level 14: Bullet Beatdown (Rank 2, Not Without Incident)
Level 17: Evasive Maneuvers (Rank 2)
Level 20: Holdout Shot (Stim Pack)
Level 23: Ego Surge (Rank 2, Nimble Mind)
Level 26: Lead Tempest (Rank 2, Tread Softly)
Level 29: Ascension (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 35: Masterful Dodge
Level 38: Void Shift (Emerging Nightmares, Crippling Challenge)
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Athletics
Level 35: Hover Disk
Specializations:
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Slaughter (2/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Warden Mastery (1/1)
Gear
Justice Precision (Luck 7, Imp 7, Con 7 x2)
Justice Agility (Con 7 x2, Luck 7 x2)
Justice Speed (Con 7, Int 8, Imp 7 x2)
Vigilante Critical
Barricade Bracer
Hospitable Eyepiece
Necrullitic Elixir
Neuroelectric Pulse Generator
"I'm taking both of you down!"
Yes, Major Vengeance can tank both Frosticus and Kenina simultaneously from start to finish! And of course spraying Lead Tempest all over place covers Living Fire/Ice, Cages and Spires (plus the occasional mailbox.) But if he needs to stop Gravitar he can just smack her around with Bullet Beatdown! Overall, his DPS is nothing spectacular but very useful in multi-target situations. Plus, it's a pretty fun build. Only annoying issue is trying to keep Concentration up while using Bullet Beatdown.
Nice guidelines here. W/ TK, EM, LR, Parry, Elusive, Tread Softly, etc, there's a decent amount of options to get to 100% dodge out there. Still kinda restrictive in terms of playstyle and power options, but even w/ not-great gear its still attainable.
As far as Shred vs. Massacre, it may be due to the differences in bleed stacks. Their base dps is pretty close (rank for rank- but that's w/ the inaccurate tooltips), but certain things can boost the combo to be better (Warden tree), and 5x bleed is better than 0-1x.
- Be safe and have fun, champs - for science!
Now if you plan on charging Massacre I think you lose even more DPS because of the time lost holding down the attack when there is no energy, depressing and repressing to charge up.
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The poster formerly known as Lightwave!
the secondary Con on str primary has been used often as well
I've haven't played around much with the dodge/avoidance system yet... but maybe my next hero will try and dodge a few bullets.
How much dodge/avoidance could an AoPM hero reasonably get? I'm guessing you would need to take dex PSS... then take the options for dodge from dex, and avoidance from secondary superstats.
I was playing around with an AoPM build focusing on stacking dex for crit damage (seemed quite promising), and was wondering if I could improve it by adding a dodge component.
actually no, you take con as a Primary , the spec in the con tree adds dodge based on dex, as well as energy and healing options. you take dex as a secondary but stack it real high 450+ you get avoidance from gear or powers
The poster formerly known as Lightwave!