BrandX

While we may see a decline in people playing Tanks because they do less damage. I think that'll mean the ones who are tanks will just be more sought after.

Brutes aren't as survivable as Tankers, not to mention I've seen many more Brutes skip Taunt, than Tankers.

So, when I feel the need to look for aggo control...I tend to look at Tankers first.

That said, I tend to tell people to bring what they like and make do with what we get.

As long as people actually know how to slot their toons properly, and not whine at the first few deaths that may happen, I find almost anything can be done in the game.

Admittedly, even with well slotted toons, on some TFs, I've found it can fail because of one bad player (at least when it comes to my favorite TF, the ITF), and even then, I usually believe it can be beat if the team would listen to a strategy, instead of giving up easily (which again, I find alot of people do).

Hmmm...with no procs or +DMG from other sources...it would seem (unless my math is wrong) that there isn't much of a difference in DPS of using...

Incinerate - Cremate - GFS

and

Incinerate - Fire Sword - Cremate - GFS

It's a difference of like 6 DPS...am I wrong?

I'm getting 169 and 163 respectively.

Does the use of procs make that much of a difference?

I usually have one Mocha Latte (1-2 shots) with Caramel (A Milkyway)...on occaission I'll have 2 a day. Not because it wakes me up or anything (I've had one and then fallen asleep...coffee just doesn't keep me awake).

After that, it's most juice, with a pepsi and water thrown in to mix it up! But mostly juice (Orange, Orange/Pinapple, or Pineapple/Mango/Peach).

Love juice!

I'm actually still working on the build as I try to figure out what attack to use.

Now I knew Incinerate -> Cremate -> GFS is the best DPS chain. Was hoping Fire Blast wouldn't hurt the DPS any, but I could always just use it in PvE. The only reason to even use a optimal DPS AC, is in limited top end use.

But if that's the top end AC, what would be the next one down? One that requires just a bit less +RCH?

Trying to figure out a good Fire Melee DPS chain in mids.

I'd love to figure out a really good one that uses a Fire Sword (my toon is at the 4ft tall mark, and GFS animation just looks great on her The Sword is as big as her!).

However, I'd love to throw Fire Blast into the chain too...but with Fire Melee that might actually lessen the DPS of any chain when used with FM. Not sure.

That's why I've come here

I have a thought on how to do it, using your guidelines, Sam.

However, to really get it to work, would require you to be a 60month vet.

Seeing as how it's a concept build...

Dual Blades/Dark Armor/Soul Mastery (Dark Blast/Shadow Mele) Stalker
with Flight (Fly), Fitness (Swift/Health/Stamina), Teleportation (Teleport), Concealment (Stealth/Invisibility/Phase Shift)

Skip the mez auras, 2 of the attacks (1k Cuts would be one of my suggested skips, but I hate the animation for it).

My suggestion for weapons (and I'm loath to do say it, because I I like to see only my DB'we use them ) is Red Cap Daggers.

Seems to have everything you want. Placate is easily the hypnotize type power.

...Flares, should I skip it or take it?

Some thoughts...you have one unique IO in the build, get another...a Steadfast Protection: +3% Defense.

Not knowing if you have any perticular powers you want to take or don't want...for concept or just not liking them...I really can't say much more than that.

For instance, grabbing Combat Jumping is always useful for WP as it adds more defense to take on to the defense WP gives you.

Tough/Weave...mandatory imo if you want the survival WP is known for.

Which is something I think people forget.

They make a shield tanker/scrapper or WP tanker/scrapper, and don't do as well as they see others do. Yes, IOs make them even more godlike, but part of it is taking Tough/Weave (okay shields can probably pull off softcapped defenses without Weave, but not as easily, and if they grab tough, might as well grab Weave.

The Steadfast isn't all that expensive buying it with merits. 125 merits (which is cheap imo...for what it does), and it goes so well with WP (slot it in HPT).

4 slot tough and Mind Over Body, put some cheap Reactive Armors in, for even more Defense (Res/End, Res/Rch, Res/End/Rch, & Res)...I'd even suggest going that route with Strength of Will when you get to that lvl.

Of course you'll want to hit lvl 30 at least imo. But I like to slot lvl 33 IO sets for exemping purposes.

I won't mention anymore IOs other than those, as those I mentioned are pretty easy/cheap to get.

I'd also suggest going for the +HP accolades asap.

Which, seeing as how you're in my SG, and I'm known for running lots of TFs, that shouldn't be hard to do (if you have the time for them). Will also get you the merits for the Steadfast.

I'd write up a build for you, but again, no idea of any concept powers you may or may not want.

Well then...softcapped Ranged Defense & 30% Melee/AoE topped off with ToHit Debuffing, should make up for a lack of Defense Debuff Resistance!

...for a Defender, which is the best route?

I have Manuevers and Tactics on my DARK/SONIC...soloing +1 for 2 players, quite well (and much to my surprise). Admittedly, at lvl 35, I've got quite a few of the IO sets on my Defender.

However, the problem is, I can't decide between Assault or AIM.

Assault, I'm sure would be the bigger draw for teams. But what about solo? Is the 18.8% +DMG that is always on, better than the +50% damage that isn't?

Assault I also don't havew to worry about pressing to get it's DMG buff. I click and go.

However, Assault does have the costant END use.

Just the Dual Blades.

I WISH you could get the the Vanguard Katana as well. And I really don't know why you can't. Since you can use dual katanas.

Though, my only Dual Blade user relies solely on Red Cap Daggers, so it's more of a "I don't see why don't have the options for Vanguard Katana/BRoadsword" more than "I want them!"

It may just be the few Sonics/ I've run with, but the problem may be, that unlike alot of the other Defender Primaries, on some of the tougher AVs/missions, I've seen the need for additional support.

Example...I've run the ITF with just a thermal, just a dark, just a kin, just a cold, just a rad, as the only support, and been able to fly through it.

Just a force field helps survival on the tough missions, but without a good damage team, then I've seen some problems.

Haven't run it with just a TA or Traps yet, so I don't know how those go over (I would think with Traps, the problem maybe traps being destroyed...don't know).

Sonic however, adds just resistance to protect the team, and while alot of +Resist...well, you know how some melee types have complained about the pure resist sets, it's the same thing.

This isn't me saying Sonic is bad. Just saying, I haven't run an ITF yet with just a Sonic and sailed through it (though on the last mission, Id find Sonic more useful than Force Field with all the autohit nictus going on).