Koujirou

Ah, the description of SF makes it sound like it does the same thing as placate but as an AoE. Thanks for clearing that up, I should be good now.

I actually have one more question after having a day to look over the build you posted. Is there a benefit to taking placate and not smoke flash? Smoke flash seems like a better 'oh s' button due to being an aoe. Is there something I'm not considering, or are those powers interchangeable?

Thanks for the input, that'll definitely help me refine the build. I was aware of the issues with DP before I made the character(maybe not so much on dark), but I'm up for the challenge. Just hope it ends up being fun haha.

I based this off a couple builds I saw around here, but I have very little idea of just what I'm doing, so some help with this would be appreciated. I was thinking of something that adds a fair amount of defense to complement the emphasis on shorter range and PBAoE with this powerset combo. Advice on incarnate powers would be great as well.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.954
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Blaster
Primary Power Set: Dual Pistols
Secondary Power Set: Darkness Manipulation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Medicine
Ancillary Pool: Force Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Pistols -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(3), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5)
Level 1: Penumbral Grasp -- Dev'n-Acc/Dmg(A), Dev'n-Dmg/Rchg(33), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Dev'n-Hold%(34)
Level 2: Dual Wield -- Dev'n-Acc/Dmg(A), Dev'n-Dmg/Rchg(7), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), Dev'n-Hold%(9)
Level 4: Empty Clips -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(11), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), Posi-Dam%(13)
Level 6: Swap Ammo
Level 8: Smite -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(15), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 10: Fly -- Flight-I(A)
Level 12: Bullet Rain -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(17), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(17), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), Posi-Dam%(19)
Level 14: Death Shroud -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(21), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(25), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), Oblit-%Dam(27)
Level 16: Shadow Maul -- Armgdn-Dmg(A), Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg(34), Armgdn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Armgdn-Acc/Rchg(36), Armgdn-Dam%(36)
Level 18: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 20: Tough -- Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Aegis-Psi/Status(21)
Level 22: Weave -- SW-Def/EndRdx(A), SW-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(23), SW-Def(23)
Level 24: Soul Drain -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(29), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg(31), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46)
Level 26: Executioner's Shot -- Dev'n-Acc/Dmg(A), Dev'n-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Dev'n-Dmg/Rchg(37), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37)
Level 28: Piercing Rounds -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(40), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), Posi-Dam%(42)
Level 30: Dark Consumption -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(31), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(31), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 32: Hail of Bullets -- SBlastersW-Acc/Dmg(A), SBlastersW-Dmg/Rchg(37), SBlastersW-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), SBlastersW-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), SBlastersW-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), SBlastersW-Rchg/Dmg%(40)
Level 35: Dark Pit -- Amaze-Acc/Stun/Rchg(A), Amaze-Acc/Rchg(43), Amaze-Stun/Rchg(45), Amaze-Stun(46)
Level 38: Midnight Grasp -- Hectmb-Dmg(A), Hectmb-Dmg/Rchg(42), Hectmb-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Hectmb-Acc/Rchg(43), Hectmb-Dmg/EndRdx(46)
Level 41: Aid Other -- Heal-I(A)
Level 44: Aid Self -- Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Numna-Heal/Rchg(45), Numna-Heal(45)
Level 47: Personal Force Field -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def(48)
Level 49: Temp Invulnerability -- EndRdx-I(A)
------------
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Heal(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(50)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(50), P'Shift-End%(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 6: Chemical Ammunition
Level 6: Cryo Ammunition
Level 6: Incendiary Ammunition

Ah, that does make a lot of sense. It's interesting how much I don't know about this game. Definitely good to finally learn this stuff. Thanks again for the help and advice.

Thanks for the input. As you can probably tell, I have very little idea as to what I'm doing haha. I completely forgot about the incarnate abilities when I was putting this together, so the advice on that is appreciated as well.

I am curious though. Boxing and kick both seemed like filler abilities just to get to tough and weave. I'm assuming since you slotted it up as much as you did, boxing is worth using at least semi-regularly?

I'd like to get some input on my DB/Nin stalker build. Now, despite being off-and-on with this game since initial release, I've never stuck around long enough to get a character to 50. So I'm pretty off-base that's probably a reason why, haha. Of note, heal other and heal self are more or less fillers. Didn't see anything else I would've wanted for my last two powers.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.954
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Stalker
Primary Power Set: Dual Blades
Secondary Power Set: Ninjitsu
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Medicine
Ancillary Pool: Weapon Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Nimble Slash -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(3), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5)
Level 1: Hide -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(7), LkGmblr-Def(7)
Level 2: Power Slice -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(9), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(9), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 4: Ninja Reflexes -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg(13), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(13), LkGmblr-Def(15)
Level 6: Danger Sense -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg(15), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(17), LkGmblr-Def(17)
Level 8: Ablating Strike -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(19), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(21), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21)
Level 10: Assassin's Blades -- SStalkersG-Acc/Dmg(A), SStalkersG-Dmg/Rchg(23), SStalkersG-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), SStalkersG-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SStalkersG-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SStalkersG-Rchg/Hide%(27)
Level 12: Fly -- Flight-I(A)
Level 14: Build Up -- GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(27), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(29), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(50)
Level 16: Caltrops -- P'ngTtl-Acc/Slow(A), P'ngTtl-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(29), P'ngTtl--Rchg%(50)
Level 18: Kuji-In Rin -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 20: Vengeful Slice -- Hectmb-Dmg(A), Hectmb-Dmg/Rchg(31), Hectmb-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), Hectmb-Acc/Rchg(33), Hectmb-Dmg/EndRdx(33), Hectmb-Dam%(33)
Level 22: Kuji-In Sha -- Numna-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-Heal/Rchg(34), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Numna-Heal(34)
Level 24: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Tough -- Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Aegis-ResDam(36), Aegis-Psi/Status(48)
Level 28: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-EndRdx/Rchg(36), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 30: Sweeping Strike -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(37), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(37), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Oblit-%Dam(46)
Level 32: Smoke Flash -- Acc-I(A), RechRdx-I(39), RechRdx-I(40)
Level 35: One Thousand Cuts -- Armgdn-Dmg(A), Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg(40), Armgdn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Armgdn-Acc/Rchg(42), Armgdn-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Armgdn-Dam%(42)
Level 38: Blinding Powder -- Mlais-Acc/Rchg(A), Mlais-Acc/Conf/Rchg(43), Mlais-Dam%(43)
Level 41: Kuji-In Retsu -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg(43), LkGmblr-EndRdx/Rchg(45), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(45), LkGmblr-Rchg+(48)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(45), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(46)
Level 47: Aid Other -- Heal-I(A)
Level 49: Aid Self -- Heal-I(A)
------------
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Heal(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(48)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-End%(46)
Level 1: Assassination
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run

I'm gonna cast my vote for stalker, especially with the buffs they got fairly recently. My DB/NIN stalker has been working out for me better than any other AT/powerset I've tried over the years as an off and on player.

I also agree with the view of making a blaster to get a better understaning and feel for things. I'd even go a step further and suggest dual pistol if a person's willing to buy it or go VIP.

Thanks Tsuji, I'll give that a try. I don't even remember seeing the AI option before you mentioned it. On a related note, I did revert to driver version 11.1 which also resolved the issues. Just in case Tsuji's suggestion doesn't work for you Outa.

I have a Radeon HD 5770, and right now I'm running the game on recommended settings with advanced options turned off(after trying various setups with advanced options on; nothing worked here). /showfps command reports 60ish fps.

The other day I was able to play fine with older drivers. Don't remember which ones. Then I updated to 11.5 yesterday, and the textures would glitch out after a bit. Also experienced shadow flickering. I installed the 11.5b hotfix, which got rid of the texture and shadow issues, but now the framerate stutters every few steps and ultimately freezes after about 10 minutes of play, give or take a few. I've tried uninstalling the drivers and using an older version, but then the texture and shadow issues come back. This is the ONLY game I've ever had a problem with since I've had my current computer/video card(if it matters at all in terms of comparison, I can run Rift at mid-high settings with no problems). I also never had these issues back when I played before(played at release of both CoH and CoV).

Anyone have any insights? Something I might not have thought to try?

edit: I should also note, the problems I've been happening only occur in the outdoor areas. Mission maps have so far not been affected.

edit2: ran the repair tool from the NCSoft launcher. No improvement.

edit3: rolled a villain after reading a topic about people having some performance issues in Praetoria(character I was having the above issues with was Praetorian). With graphics set to recommended things seem to be running smoothly so far. Bumping it up to quality setting caused a freeze within maybe 30-60 seconds, however.