Grey Pilgrim

Dang, Rox, no wonder you're burnt out. I haven't even got the first badge on GP yet... I've run the TFs 2-3 times, but always on different characters that needed them (GP always gets one spot). I thought that 50 was ridiculous when I saw it, and after they just lowered the ridiculous badges down (and GP STILL does not have his last damage or influence badge, even with their requirements lowered. He's getting close, but he's not there yet).

I doubt I'm ever going to get it if they keep it at 50, but I probably should work on it some week. Maybe get a couple in on Apex, that's a fun TF (though not more than that, I don't want to get burnt out on it, either).

Anyway, I do rather like that some other non-WTF are being run this week. I was getting a little depressed at not being able to get much else going the past few weeks. I wish the devs would allow shards to drop on any content now... I want to be able to run regular story arcs with a team again. I've had a few small teams going, but most everyone has been running a WTF.

I wish I had some bad groups to talk about, but I've always had a few veterans with me, and the newbies I've had are always open to hearing about what's up. Though part of the reason for my good experience might be because I either have the star, or I'm teaming with a leader that I know already. Can't honestly say I've joined anything else in a long while.

While I wish the bigger nukes didn't punish you quite so much, it's fair to say that if Thunderous Blast didn't have a crash, it would be rather unfair. Decent thread in the Blaster forums on the subject of nukes and their crashes, for what it's worth.

It's a fun nuke, though. Love the visuals on it.

At training origin levels, I simply go with mostly accuracy in my attacks (until I get to three, then I switch to damage... doesn't happen for too many attacks before you hit dual origin, though). Once I hit DOs, I slot like I do with Single Origins (or their invention origin rough equivalent). Attacks get two accuracy, three damage. AOEs will get an end reduc before the damage, as those tend to suck down endurance a lot.

To the OP, I found AR to go a lot better at low levels when I used Burst, Slug, and Buckshot as my main attacks (Buckshot can work okay as an ST attack, as its end cost is not too high). Wait on getting M80 and your other attacks later, and only use those AOE powers when you'll hit a few targets. That helps out a lot with end use.

Try to never take on too many groups at once, either, and use inspirations to help you with boss fights, etc. That's good to remember for any character, of course.

Yup. It's worth noting that I soloed (and teamed) through a bunch of Carnie and Rikti content, so holds were about in plenty. Before Acro, I actually had to reduce the number of enemies a notch for this guy, as I was getting sick of being defeated occasionally from all the Illusionists that were around and holding me. One was okay as their holds could miss sometimes, but two (or a Master) made for a lot more holds being tossed about.

Just to toss it out there, I'd say Acrobatics is certainly worth it, and especially on a defensive build like Obitus said. My En/En Blaster was dealing with the mez train of mobs in the 40s, and it was like night and day after he picked up Acrobatics... sure, Rikti could still sleep him, and Malta could still stun him, but those mezzes aren't too common, and can be avoided a little easier than all the holds out there can.

Yes, you can still be held if more than one mob hits you, but I think that has only happened once or twice in a lot of levels soloing for a blaster at x3 or x2. I've soloed a lot of Blasters without Acrobatics, but I'm kind of wanting to fit it in all of their builds (which won't work, alas). I really did like the change that much.

For what it's worth, if you don't want to look like an ice cube while you are an electricity blaster, you can dump Frozen Armor (or go for scorpion armor from the patron pool). You won't be at the defense cap, but you'll be close, and a small purple will still get you there.

I have about 33% defense to S/L on my Elec/Elec blaster, and he did great solo: he beat Nosferatu solo (as an EB, but that's still nothing to sneeze at). Alternatively, you could keep the epic shield and dump the kinetic combats on Ele's build for... Focused Smite, which would lower the S/L just a tad, but lower your costs dramatically. Kinetic Combats are not cheap... I know, I just slotted some more on some of my characters. Merits can help out a lot with the cost of them via influence, but merits are money as well.

Thank goodness they let him do that monthly letter, where he has been a little lower on the producer-speak. Blech. I had to re-read that response to the F2P about three times to realize that yes, he was just saying that companies need to learn from the F2P model, but in a way that is more than just trying to get a little more money from a game that is shrinking.

It's pretty clear that they need to do something on the PvP front, too. I'm more for the endgame and content than PvP, but what he said is the best that can be said of what they have been doing for PvP... as in nothing for a couple years.

Really? You like having a huge row of mastermind bots in your face when you are trying to hand out awards?

Heh, I wasn't aware they weren't wanted out for the oil patch stuff. I'm always thinking about the aggro kind of things, and I know how random pets can be... though hopefully a couple pets here or there aren't going to pull aggro off of tank or brute taunting. Probably me being overly cautious.

Thinking about it, I really don't think I would want to bring an MM on a Hami raid. Pets were always a nightmare on any ship raids I joined in on. Hami could be better if aggro is under control, but still. All that needed re-summoning, blech.

Yes, you would be nutty not to take Fiery Embrace now. Fire Damage is not heavily resisted in game, so most mobs will not resist this extra damage you are doing. Also, there is no bias as to the attack set you are paired with, so Axe benefits from this as much as Fiery Aura.

Although (as noted earlier), the damage buffs you are under at the time will affect how much extra fire damage you do. So enhancement slotting in an attack, build up, and inspirations will all help Fiery Embrace do more damage. This might help some sets and builds over others.

Yup, these are quite nice. I remember the raids way back when, and I could never quite figure out what was going on. These are pretty nice for new and experienced people.

Though there are still those random geniuses with pets running about, even though everyone shouts out to dismiss them. Heh.

Heh, I honestly don't know why I poke fun at Stalkers. I like the one I have and would certainly not exclude any Stalker from my team. I think it's mostly just fun to joke around with MG.

I have my Corruptor in Pocket D, ready to join the fun in Praetoria.

Random comment, but did someone nominate Samuel L. Jackson and Natalie Portman to be permanent characters in geek culture movies and shows? You just can't avoid those two.

I dunno, I think Portman is a good actress, but it would almost have been nice to see this movie populated by lesser known actors (well... maybe keep Anthony Hopkins, depending on how he does). I don't know much about Thor, but... the actor's take on him is interesting. I like that ringing, lower tone he delivers his lines with. Very Norse god-ish, there.

So jealous of the cash some people have. I'd love to get Grey Pilgrim to 86% res to s/l, but I'll be happy with almost 77% after I get the cardiac rare on him. He's already quite tough at just rare levels. Heck, Lady Grey and ITF were noticeably easier with just the uncommon slotted.

I'm sure I'll be wishing for more when we hit more incarnate trials, but that's the way it's going to be.

I like the -recovery idea, actually, or at least to shorten the duration. Makes you give up something to do that much damage, but it doesn't keep you from getting back into the fight for too long.

Even popping a blue after using a nuke, you can easily use up that endurance (and want more) if you are on a team. I dunno, there has to be a better balance point between crashing and non-crashing nukes, especially with Lightning Rod and Shield Charge still out there (though the crashing nukes can do more).