Matt_B

ELA is a great secondary, probably 1 of my 2 favorites which also includes WP. I like ELA before they changed Conserve Power (IIRC) to Energize. ELA has great utility and really good comprehensive resistance.

I'd take the Flight pool over Leaping, just to get Air Superiority which is a great single target damage mitigation tool. If you're not taking Leaping to get Acrobatics for KB protection, then Flight is the way to go IMHO. Punch and AS are a nice 1-2 punch as they have the same base recharge time. I'd also just stick with Electrifying Fences and Ball Lightning and drop Mu Lightning to keep your focus on AoEs. That's just my take on things. I've got a SS/FA/Mu at lvl 44 and that's the route I've been going.

I've played both secondaries, as well as /ELA and /FA, and I greatly prefer WP over INV. Heck, the Claws/WP Brute is the fastest leveling character I rolled. I made it to lvl 34 in 33 hours just soloing and no PLing.

The thing that love and hate about WP is that it's an auto pilot set. You just slot it up and go smash mobs. Sometimes I like that and other times it kind bit kind of boring to me.

One thing I like about both sets is that they reward you for taking on large spawns which I find more exciting in general. I love the chaos of being surrounded and watching mobs fall like blades of grass as I mow them down with Spin.

Considering that we now can instant access to APPs at level 41, it seems a bit absurd to have to complete missions to gain access to PPPs. When I have to do the PPP missions, I just set the difficulty sliders all the down (-1/1) and superspeed through everything I can.

Post yer build. That would be a big help in trying to help you.

I'd definitely get a PPP starting at lvl 41. I prefer Mu myself for Electrifying Fences and Ball Lightning. EF doesn't do a lot of damage but it adds up with all your other AoEs (Foot Stomp, Fiery Aura and Ball Lightning).

I prefer to PBAoEs because it's easier to hit more mobs and they typically hit more mobs when compared to cone AoEs.

You're on the right track about eating Inspirations like candy. To me, they really start to become a major bonus when you hit 40 and your inspiration tray size maxes out. You may already do this but combine insps as much as possible, particularly for damage.

Do you take Tough? If you do, good. If you don't, that's a problem. FA really needs it, more so than most Brutes. I usually take it about lvl 30.

To play devil's advocate, that screen only indicates the # of players logged in compared to server load. If each server only handled 100 players, would you still be impressed?

I dunno....tweaking something like this years after it was released...that's pretty odd. As a designer, you learn that sometimes you just need to leave well enough alone. This tweak is to adjust player archetype choice which is a bit silly IMHO. All that should matter is that we're paying and playing.

"Numbers" are just an objective way to measure a subjective design decision. What matters is how it feels. Speaking as a designer, we only use numbers because programmers haven't figured out how to have code interpret how we want a feature or mechanic to feel.

Eh, I finally rolled a FM/FA Brute just because I like the effects of fire powers and there's something just purely evil about burning mobs. >

I've been play an SS/FA for a few weeks and now that I've got Foot Stomp slotted up, it's fun. Getting Burn (with the I18) changes is going to rock hard.

I'm playing a claws/WP right now and it's the fastest leveling character I've ever played. Along those lines I've got 2 lvl 50 brutes with /ELA (SS and EM) and I like the ELA secondary. Lots of utility and good overall dmg res, at least for my needs.

Claws and WP is a sleek build. Very fast paced.

I'm playing 3 new brutes right now (claws/WP, SS/FA and BA/ELA) and they all feel a bit different as far their maturity in the context of their respective levels.

The claws/WP has been a beast as far as leveling speed goes. The last time I checked at it had only taken me 33 hours to get to level 34. That's all solo play, no PLing. I was running -1/x7 at level 28. WP is a great compliment to claws' early and awesome AoE (Spin) and the fast charging attacks, backed up Hasten, turn it into a buzz saw. I have so far are SOs in the build.

The SS/FA has been pretty good, leveling speed wise, but no where near what the claws/WP is capable of. I've played SS before so I know it's a slower road to Foot Stomp at 32. I'm excited about the i18 changes to FA because Burn will now become a very usable AoE. I just picked up Tough at lvl 30 (I'm now halfway through lvl 31) and it helped a lot with survivability. I'm also starting to drop in some Franken-sets to maximize my lack of slots so far.

The BA/ELA was really slow until I respec'd it (at level 23) to drop Swoop for Whirling Axe. I just prefer to have 2 single target attacks and 1 AoE as soon as possible.

Nevermind. I found it:

fire aura changes ftw!

Please excuse me but it seems I didn't get the memo on the FA changes. Would someone be so kind as to point me to the post(s) with this info? Thank you.

Post your build.

I just "lost" about 15 mill of salvage I put on the BM tonight. I dropped support a ticket so I'm waiting to see how this is resolved.

I cannot transfer from Victory which is the only server I use now.

I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to write up the most comprehensive and informative guide on the DM/DA combo. I've always admired this combo from afar but for obvious reasons, I've not chosen to take the plunge and build one. However, after reading your fine guide and just leveling a Warshade, I decided to finally roll one up after 24 months of playtime.

I've got about 225 mill inf I'm going to pump into this build so I should be able to do some amazing things with it.

One thing that sealed the deal for me was having the inf to pickup a Steadfast -KB IO for when I hit level 10 and get Obsidian Shield. I can't stand getting knocked back and for economy of build, I would prefer to get Hasten and SS.

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hows this build look?? I plan on farming with him, and street sweeping, hopefully ill be able to fly through missions as well and earn a nice bit of prestige for my new sg...

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From looking at your build, I'm not sure how much you're trying to do in human form. From my experience so far, I only use human form for stealth (SS + Shadow Cloak) to set up my hold/mezz and to activate clickies for use in the other 2 forms (Hasten, Stygian Circle, Eclipse, etc). I have barely slotted anything that's specifically for human form because I find Nova and Dwarf are a lot more useful for minute-to-minute gameplay.

I can tell you that you do not need Stealth or Invisibility because you already have Shadow Cloak and Super Speed. Either alone is equal to Stealth and combined, they are equal to Invisibility.

Stygian Circle doesn't need all those slots either. You can get by just fine with 1-2 more additional slots (end mod and maybe a recharge). One mob will almost fully heal you and 1-2 mobs (with 1-2 end mods) will fill up your end bar.

I would also swap out the 1 of the recharges in your Nova AoEs and replace it with a damage.

Beyond that, I don't feel comfortable making any further comments until you clearly state what you want to use each form for.

I've just started playing again and an AR/Nrg build that Agent Virgo helped me put together is getting put back to work. It's been awhile since I played him so I gave him a minor respec (dropped Stealth for CJ w/Unbounded Leap + Stealth IO and replaced Slug with Burst). The build is a lot fun to play and as long as I don't push my limits too hard, I won't face plant (though I expect to earn all the "Damage Taken" badges )

Anyway, my build is not the Master Of Cones but rather the AoE King. M30 Grenade is a great finishing move and on higher level mobs, it is the "3" in the 1-2-3 punch of FT, Buckshot and M30.

Here's my build as it sits right now, out to level 50. I'm not 100% sold on the Munitions APP but I like passive armor (won't drop when I am mez'd) and LRM Rocket + BU and a few reds = 1 dead even con spawn. I'll play around with the Blaster APPs on my lvl 50 nrg/nrg to figure out which one I want to go with. I also don't mind getting a little blapping in when the situation requires it. The 3 melee attacks I took give me some soft control and good/great damage. Power Boost is there to help the Stuns on Bonesmasher and Total Focus.

BTW, the Set IOs I list in the build are ones I have already.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.153
http://www.onthejazz.co.uk/hu/mhd.php

The AoE King: Level 50 Natural Blaster
Primary Power Set: Assault Rifle
Secondary Power Set: Energy Manipulation
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Munitions Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Burst -- Acc-I:50(A), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg:50(3), Dev'n-Dmg/Rchg:50(5), Dmg-I:50(15), Dmg-I:50(29), RechRdx-I:50(29)
Level 1: Power Thrust -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(11)
Level 2: Buckshot -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(3), Dmg-I:50(5), Dmg-I:50(11), Dmg-I:50(17), RechRdx-I:50(27)
Level 4: Build Up -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(9), RechRdx-I:50(9)
Level 6: M30 Grenade -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(7), Dmg-I:50(7), Dmg-I:50(15), Dmg-I:50(17), RechRdx-I:50(27)
Level 8: Combat Jumping -- ULeap-Stlth:50(A)
Level 10: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 12: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(13), RechRdx-I:50(13)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 16: Health -- Heal-I:50(A), Heal-I:50(43), Heal-I:50(43)
Level 18: Flamethrower -- Acc-I:50(A), Dmg-I:50(19), Dmg-I:50(19), Dmg-I:50(23), RechRdx-I:50(23), EndRdx-I:50(25)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(21), EndMod-I:50(21)
Level 22: Acrobatics -- EndRdx-I:50(A), EndRdx-I:50(43)
Level 24: Bone Smasher -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(25), Dmg-I:50(31), Dmg-I:50(31), Dmg-I:50(37), RechRdx-I:50(37)
Level 26: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(31), RechRdx-I:50(40)
Level 28: Power Boost -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(46), RechRdx-I:50(50)
Level 30: Super Speed -- EndRdx-I:50(A), EndRdx-I:50(34)
Level 32: Full Auto -- Acc-I:50(A), Dmg-I:50(33), Dmg-I:50(33), Dmg-I:50(33), RechRdx-I:50(34), RechRdx-I:50(34)
Level 35: Boost Range -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(36), RechRdx-I:50(36), EndRdx-I:50(36), EndRdx-I:50(37)
Level 38: Total Focus -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(39), Dmg-I:50(39), Dmg-I:50(39), Dmg-I:50(40), RechRdx-I:50(40)
Level 41: Body Armor -- ImpSkn-Status:30(A), Aegis-ResDam:30(42), ResDam-I:30(42), ResDam-I:30(42)
Level 44: Sleep Grenade -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(45), Sleep-I:50(45), Sleep-I:50(45), RechRdx-I:50(46), RechRdx-I:50(46)
Level 47: LRM Rocket -- RechRdx-I:30(A), RechRdx-I:30(48), RechRdx-I:30(48), Dmg-I:30(48), Dmg-I:30(50), Dmg-I:30(50)
Level 49: Swift -- Run-I:30(A)
------------
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)

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It's a byproduct of the way the AI handles movement, and yes, it's a problem.

[/ QUOTE ]It's not a problem - as designed. The Player and the AI will never be created equal. If you want to fight opponents that have to play by the same rules that you do, play PvP.

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Yep - this is the AI change to "fix" herding...

[/ QUOTE ]I know that most likely you wont care about what I have to say, but I think this "fix" isnt fair to those players who happen to like taking on large groups of enemies.

[/ QUOTE ]Com'on, don't BS. The only reason to herd more than 17 mobs is to farm XP. That's why people like taking on large herds of mobs. With the right builds and team, you can easily get beaucoup XP this way very quickly.

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What really needs a fix is powers with 600-1000 second long recharges.

These powers have such high recharges to prevent perma-ing that was once possible with:

50% HOs and
Perma-hasten

Being HOs are down to 33% and Perma hasten is not possible anymore, these powers need their recharge reduced to reflect this.

[/ QUOTE ]Perhaps the devs don't want perma powers. If so, don't expect a change.