Gruumch

I started my first stalker over the double xp weekend and I have been enjoying the build so far. I am currently at level 31 and starting to look at IO slotting. Since this is my first stalker I wanted to ask for some advice on my build.

I have my defenses softcapped, but am not sure if my Patron pool is the best selection. Shadowmeld looks good for when I run into heavy defense debuff and the snipe does great damage, but does it crit from hide.

So, take a look and tell me what I could do better and it is a PvE build though if it might be good for PvP I may try it out.

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.601
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Stalker
Primary Power Set: Electrical Melee
Secondary Power Set: Energy Aura
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Havoc Punch -- Mako-Acc/Dmg:30(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx:30(3), Mako-Dmg/Rchg:30(9), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:30(13), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(17), Mako-Dam%:30(39)
Level 1: Hide -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:30(A)
Level 2: Jacobs Ladder -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:30(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:30(3), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:30(5), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:30(13), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:30(17), Sciroc-Dam%:30(39)
Level 4: Kinetic Shield -- S'dpty-Def:30(A), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx:30(5), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:30(19), LkGmblr-Def:30(31)
Level 6: Assassin's Shock -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:30(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:30(7), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:30(7), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(11), F'dSmite-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:30(15), F'dSmite-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(34)
Level 8: Build Up -- GSFC-ToHit:30(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg:30(9), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx:30(11), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx:30(50), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx:30(50), GSFC-Build%:30(50)
Level 10: Hurdle -- Jump-I:30(A)
Level 12: Placate -- RechRdx-I:30(A), RechRdx-I:30(15), RechRdx-I:30(45)
Level 14: Entropy Shield -- EndRdx-I:30(A)
Level 16: Health -- Heal-I:30(A)
Level 18: Power Shield -- S'dpty-Def/EndRdx:30(A), S'dpty-Def:30(19), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:30(21), LkGmblr-Def:30(33)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod-I:30(A), EndMod-I:30(21)
Level 22: Chain Induction -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:30(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:30(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:30(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(25), F'dSmite-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:30(25), F'dSmite-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(37)
Level 24: Boxing -- Stpfy-Acc/Rchg:30(A), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun:30(39), Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx:30(40), Stpfy-Stun/Rng:30(40), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg:30(40)
Level 26: Thunder Strike -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:30(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:30(27), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:30(27), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:30(29), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:30(31), Sciroc-Dam%:30(37)
Level 28: Energy Drain -- H'zdH-Heal/Rchg:30(A), H'zdH-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:30(29), Tr'ge-Heal/Rchg:30(46), Tr'ge-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:30(46), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg:30(46), EndMod-I:30(48)
Level 30: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/EndRdx:30(A), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(31)
Level 32: Lightning Rod -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:30(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:30(33), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:30(33), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:30(34), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:30(34), Sciroc-Dam%:30(37)
Level 35: Weave -- S'dpty-Def/EndRdx:30(A), S'dpty-Def:30(36), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:30(36), LkGmblr-Def:30(36)
Level 38: Energy Protection -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:30(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:30(43), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:30(45), RctvArm-ResDam:30(45)
Level 41: Moonbeam -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg:30(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:30(42), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:30(42), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(42), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:30(43), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(43)
Level 44: Shadow Meld -- RechRdx-I:30(A)
Level 47: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:30(A), RechRdx-I:30(48), RechRdx-I:30(48)
Level 49: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:30(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I:30(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth:30(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I:30(A)
Level 1: Assassination

I am pretty sure the defense part does not suppress on CoD, only the stealth part.

CoD also offers +perception which is nice as well as immob protection. As far as all the other toggles on Dark Armor, I have never found CoF very useful on my brutes and OG doesn't use much endurance. I do run Death Shroud and seven other toggles. The build requires heavy use of IO set to keep endurance usage under control and get the defense/resist numbers I wanted.

This depends on what character I am playing at the time.

I love fighting Malta on my /Elec Brute. I completely ignore the Sappers and just laugh as they try to drain my endurance.

Carnies are my favorite when I play my /Dark Brute. There is nothing that they bring to the fight I can't counter.

Elec/Fire/Mu would probably fit what you are looking for. It has a lot of AoE which comes early in the build and fire armor requires a lot of attention.

AoE attacks: Jacobs Ladder, Thunder Strike, Chain Induction, Lightning Rod, Blazing Aura, Burn, Electrifying Fences, and Ball Lightning

I have one of these and it does kill things very fast, but you have to pay attention.

I find ToF to be very useful in the pre-22 levels. After that I generally respec out of it and don't miss it. It is a good power, but on a brute I just find it better to take another attack and kill faster.

It's too bad you can't afford both games. STO and CoX are both great games. You will be missed and hope you return soon.

I love what you have done. I have always liked the look of the sewer items myself. They just look awesome. I have built an underground submarine base using them and the Iron Giant. You can build some nice stuff using them. Good job and keep it up.

edit: I may just have to borrow that telepad design...

I made my first stalker Friday and got him up to level 24 by the time I logged out last night. I know that isn't a whole lot, but I was also playing STO at times and doing some work around the house.

The most memorable PUG I was in was one in PO where after a mission the team leader asked me to set my difficulty to the highest for better XP. I should have known better, but went ahead and did it. With everything conning purple we quickly team wiped, so I went and turned it back down. We then tried for 15 minutes to explain to the leader how to reset a mission, but utterly failed.

I did enjoy the weekend a lot and the stalker was fun. I have been finding myself a little burned out after taking 6 brutes to 50 and the different play style brought my interest back.

I had a sonic/archery defender I played for a while get kicked from a team for not being a healer. I never even got a chance to run any missions with the team as the leader wanted a "healer" so I was kicked and this was a defender in the high 20's so I had all the team buffs. I didn't argue as I was better off not being on that team.

Also, this is a behavior I see more on blue side than red.

I use brutes to farm missions. They have good defenses and do very good damage. I have managed to get about 5 purples so far, but I haven't been playing a lot lately or it would be more.

Every once in a while you have to take a break or you run the risk of burning out. I have done it several times in the last 4 years. I am currently playing STO and enjoying it, but I have kept my sub active so I can hop in occasionally. I find being away for short periods of time can make the game fun again.

The devs have stated there will be a reward for staying true to your side but not what it is. Wes just have to wait and see. You will still be limited to one market at any one time though.

I used to use it all the time back when my EM/Elec brute only had SO's. Now that I have him IO'ed and around 25% defense to everything and my resistances I just don't find I ever need it. I respecced out of it awhile back and don't miss it at all.

I will actually be taking my characters to the blue side. In 4 years I haven't done all the hero side content because I just don't like the AT's offered on that side. Once GR hits I can take Brutes and Masterminds over and be able to enjoy the content with AT's I like to play.

I have been playing brutes for a very long time and I have quite a few of them also. They are my favorite AT to play overall and I can’t wait for GR so I can invade Paragon with them.

Gruumch, SM/SA, level 50 – this is my oldest brute and my first 50. I made 50 with him 6 months after I started playing almost 4 years ago. He is a lot of fun and definitely a tough cookie. There isn’t much he can’t handle and I still play him pretty often for strike forces.

Much Payne, SS/Invuln , level 24 – I made this one shortly after making Gruumch, but he has been sitting neglected for many years on Pinnacle. I recently moved him to Virtue and plan on leveling him up sometime soon, he is currently in his mid 20’s.

Loc-motive, EM/Elec, level 50 – I really enjoyed leveling this one up 50. I made him before EM was nerfed and the amount of damage I could put out was just crazy. After the nerf he sat unused for a long time till Elec Armor finally got a buff and he is pretty fun to play again now.

Kunundrum, FM/DA, level 50 – I found this combo to be a real chore to play and it took me forever to get to 50. Endurance was a real problem and I always found myself empty about the time fury was really rolling. After IO’s came out and I spent a considerable amount on him he is much better now.

Arc Overkill, Elec/FA, level 50 – I started this one intending on making a farming brute. What I ended up doing instead is playing the market and getting field crafter for the first time. I did eventually get to 50 when I wasn’t buying and selling stuff.

Bubbagimp, WM/EA, level 50 – I created this guy after reading the strong and pretty thread just to see how bad the combo really was. I was pretty successful, but probably more to the fact of how many brutes I had already played to that point. Just before I reach 50 both sets got buffed and I softcapped my defenses. At this point he became extremely tough and I found myself tanking those +4 boss farms with him. He is still one of my favorites.

EternalTorment, DM/WP, level 50 – I don’t think I have found anything that can kill this guy. This combo is definitely CoV on easy mode. I have yet to IO him out, but have thought about it so I can take on AV’s.

Temporal Void, SS/WP, level 40 – I thought I would enjoy this one as much as the DM/WP, but I found it to be kind of boring. I know it is one of the best farmers, I just haven’t been able to finish him yet.

Crazee Payne, DB/Invuln, level 42 – This is one I am currently leveling. I really enjoy the play style of this one and can’t wait to start putting IO’s on it.

DedMeat, DM/DA, level 24 – Another project I am leveling again after he spend a couple years on Pinnacle gathering dust. This is a concept character and so far pretty fun.

As you can see I like playing brutes and have a lot of them. I have managed to level a couple of heroes, but always go back to brutes. When GR comes out I will be able to enjoy hero side stuff with my favorite AT finally.

Invuln is a late blooming set, so I would take a primary that provides some early form of mitigation like SS, SM, or WM

OK, it's been awhile since I posted, but I can't resist when advice is asked on WM/EA. I have one at 50 that is softcapped and it is one of my favorite characters.

You really don't need aid self, slot ED different and take advantage of the heal it offers. Yes , you will hear a bunch of people complain it isn't much of a heal, but it works real well when you are in the center of a large mob. I have mine slotted to max out heal and recharge first, then slot for end mod and end after. What this will give you is about a 45% heal every 25-30 seconds with moderate global recharge. The way I play mine I am always surrounded by the aggro cap in mobs and with softcapped defenses it provides all the heal you will need. You can now either take the other passive and overload, or takw a patron pool for a little more AoE. I would take the passive and overload myself to avoid redraw. Other than that the build looks pretty good.

Just wanted to update my progress. I finally found the problem. I did a bios update back in December to increase the amount of memory the board would handle to 16gig and when I rolled that back to the previous bios version everything now runs stable. I was able to install the ati hotfix and play the game again.

I do like the look of the new ati card now. I am able to run the game at higher settings than I did with the old 8600gt. Don't let the problems I had discourage you form upgrading.

I downloaded sp2 last night after I noticed it wasn't installed, I'll have to see if that helps later today. I also did a complete reinstall last month after a hard drive failure and after that is when the random crashing started. I did update the bios on the motherboard at that time, so that may be related.

I hesitate to do a lot as the system is stable right now. I'll definitely get sp2 installed and see if I can install the ati hotfix again without losing stability.