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Mercator

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  1. Mercator
    Also, learn Target Priority when assaulting said packs. Really, there isn't that much psychic in a pack of Arachnos. But there is a serious variety of exotic energies in those groups.
  2. Mercator
    So we're talking a bit of defense toggle juggling. Hmm.

    And I gather that the damage ticks from Death Shroud doesn't interfere with Cloak of Fear too much? I'd think the tick would break fear and the entire pack would then get a chance to initiate an attack and possible trigger a second or third alpha strike.
  3. Mercator
    Yeah, unlimited funds is something I'm working against actually. I'll do some more digging, see if I can find the budget build, or at least one I can measure against.

    Right now i'm caught in an inner struggle for /Inv or /DA on my next scrapper. Sure, /SR was a hoot, but i'm looking for something a little different.

    At this juncture I'm just trying to get my brain around the fight strategy in DA. Like, fear the minions and whittle on the bosses, or let the disorient keep 'em mezzed while you suck the life out of all of them.

    Thanks for your input though. Nice to see one of the power hitters in the Scrapper forums poking in.
  4. Mercator
    So, in /DA is the idea in design to slot and use Oppressive Gloom to handle the mob while you cut them down and let Death Shroud burn them?

    Or is it better (for large pack, solo mission smashing) to mix Touch of Fear with OG and rely on the two for mob management while you whittle down the numbers?

    Ultimately, i'm looking for the idea behind the build that would let me crank my mission difficulty as high as possible with a secondary goal of AV/GM smashing.

    Here's my flat, un-IO'd build. Feel free to mock me and/or suggest as to your hearts content.

    Thanks for any and all input and your patience in some of my newbish questions.

    Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.91
    http://www.cohplanner.com/

    Click this DataLink to open the build!

    Level 50 Magic Scrapper
    Primary Power Set: Katana
    Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor
    Power Pool: Speed
    Power Pool: Leadership
    Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

    Hero Profile:
    Level 1: Gambler's Cut -- Acc(A), Dmg(39), Dmg(40), Dmg(40), EndRdx(40), RechRdx(42)
    Level 1: Dark Embrace -- ResDam(A), ResDam(3), ResDam(3), EndRdx(5), EndRdx(5), EndRdx(7)
    Level 2: Flashing Steel -- Acc(A), Dmg(17), Dmg(19), Dmg(19), EndRdx(21), RechRdx(21)
    Level 4: Murky Cloud -- ResDam(A), ResDam(7), ResDam(9), EndRdx(9), EndRdx(11), EndRdx(11)
    Level 6: Build Up -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(45)
    Level 8: Hasten -- RechRdx(A)
    Level 10: Obsidian Shield -- ResDam(A), ResDam(13), ResDam(13), EndRdx(15), EndRdx(15), EndRdx(17)
    Level 12: Sting of the Wasp -- Empty(A)
    Level 14: Super Speed -- Run(A)
    Level 16: Dark Regeneration -- Acc(A), Acc(37), Heal(37), Heal(37), RechRdx(39), RechRdx(39)
    Level 18: The Lotus Drops -- Acc(A), Dmg(23), Dmg(23), Dmg(25), EndRdx(25), RechRdx(36)
    Level 20: Cloak of Darkness -- EndRdx(A), EndRdx(45)
    Level 22: Death Shroud -- Acc(A), Acc(42), Dmg(42), Dmg(43), Dmg(43), EndRdx(43)
    Level 24: Maneuvers -- EndRdx(A)
    Level 26: Soaring Dragon -- Acc(A), Dmg(27), Dmg(27), Dmg(34), EndRdx(36), RechRdx(36)
    Level 28: Cloak of Fear -- EndRdx(A)
    Level 30: Assault -- EndRdx(A)
    Level 32: Golden Dragonfly -- Acc(A), Dmg(33), Dmg(33), Dmg(33), EndRdx(34), RechRdx(34)
    Level 35: Oppressive Gloom -- Acc(A), Acc(46), Dsrnt(46), Dsrnt(48), EndRdx(48)
    Level 38: Soul Transfer -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(45)
    Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx(A)
    Level 44: Physical Perfection -- EndMod(A), EndMod(46), EndMod(50), Heal(50), Heal(50)
    Level 47: Tactics -- EndRdx(A)
    Level 49: Vengeance -- DefBuff(A)
    ------------
    Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
    Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
    Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
    Level 1: Critical Hit
    Level 4: Ninja Run
    Level 2: Swift -- Run(A), Run(31), Run(48)
    Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump(A)
    Level 2: Health -- Heal(A), Heal(29), Heal(29)
    Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod(A), EndMod(31), EndMod(31)



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  5. Mercator

    An Idea for AR

    POST-ACTION

    I agree with Miladys_Knight. Almost 100%. Except for that bit about Swap Ammo. I actually like that some powers don't have an Aim or Build Up. Like AR doesn't get a buff like that, you have to shop around for that little extra oomph.
  6. Mercator
    Helps if you include the data chunk.

    Thought I could build that into the builder and help out when I realized I'm not familiar enough with the Invention sets to read the abbreviations.
  7. Mercator
    End drain is something I combat on longer fights. If I stop for a few seconds, I can recover sufficiently to keep swinging. But longer fights, like AV's or GM's, i'm fighting not just their health but their regen and that's when my Nemesis attacks. Had my toggles fail me in a WL fight. Took an ugly aoe shortly thereafter. Yeah, I watch my end bar a lot more closely now.

    I considered Medicine as both filler and a necessary heal option. But I don't feel I can slot it to make it effective on top of it being thematically out of character for my scrapper. That being said, it might go in on the next rebuild, to test it's effectiveness. Sacrifice some theme for long-range durability.
  8. Mercator
    So, I'm working out a tank build.. I've heard these stories, of a time when Invulnerability was a tough nut to crack. And I'm thinking, 'Shizzy, I want in on some of that!' (yeah, my inner voice is gangsta).

    So here I am, working out this build, enjoying what little play I've gotten. But I'm asking myself, do I take Unstoppable? Can I make a solid, reliable tank for TF's, Trials and all-around awesomeness without it?

    So, for your perusal, here is my Mids block. Could one of you give me an idea of what I'm looking at? Is this doable? Or am I just going to have to pick it up and actually use it?

    Thanks!

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  9. Mercator
    Saw this mission on my Scrapper and my inner Squid died a little. Was a scary f'ing mission! I'm glad to hear someone managed it on their Kheldian.
  10. Mercator
    I considered Recall as well as a host of other powers in my build for some of the filler and utility. I opted out of Recall because in my experience, we Flyers aren't the first to a mission and Recall gets minimal usage at any point. Personally, I feel the team and the individual is better benefited by any of the leadership toggles. Assault comes to mind for that extra helping of damage.

    But yeah, fiddling with the build brought flight speed to my attention in one of my incarnations and helped me optimize out of wasted slots. Sure, useful if you plan on slotting one of the Flight sets.

    If you put some slots into Build Up instead, slot those all for Adjusted Targeting, then you can squeak in some extra accuracy and 5% recharge which you may or may not need. Compared to the minimal gain on Tough it's something you might consider.
  11. Mercator
    I run a similar build with BS/SR, albeit slightly cheaper. 1, Focused Accuracy caused endurance problems when it was turned on and I really only needed it on for select fights. Fights that could be managed with a single yellow. Arachnos and Rikti Drones come to mind. The former for their blind grenades, the latter for their amazing defense.

    My alternative to the FA build, was instead to take Conserve Power and Physical Perfection coupled with the first three Leadership toggles.

    Maneuvers gave me the defense cap, Tactics and Assault I turned on for teamplay. Otherwise, the combined end drain was staggering with my already hefty sword moves.

    I've sinced evolved into a Tough/Weave combo. I'm still at/over defense soft cap, but I pick up another 15% or so resistance for those occasional hits that do manage to land.

    This is my current build, for posterity.

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  12. Mercator
    The Scrapper forums have a number of good shield builds that are suprisingly relevant to Brute.
  13. Mercator

    Kat/Inv

    POST-ACTION

    So, I took a bet from a friend of mine and am rolling a Kat/Inv scrapper. Unfortunately, in order to make him a badass-caliber character like my bs/sr, i'm finding I don't know what I'm aiming for in design.

    Was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction. Am I shooting for a high s/l resist? or is it about positional defense?

    Thanks for your help.
  14. Mercator

    DB/SR build...

    POST-ACTION

    Odd. I thought I had heard that it was possible to pop elude moments after the first, but that the crash still kicked your butt.

    Man, I really need to bookmark those tidbits I find..
  15. Mercator
    I haven't looked at the hard numbers on either set. But I can speak with some experience to enemy types and some of the set differences.

    /Inv strikes me as a solid set for being tough. There are holes in your armor, Psi being the Major Offender in most arguments. But for those holes you walk away with what I've seen as amazing damage resistance. Coupled with a self-heal you're fairly well packaged in your your secondary. For solo work, Invincibility gives you a aoe taunt with hit bonus.

    /WP is like the middle ground between /Inv and /Regen. You lose some of the awesome damage resistance in favor of a well rounded package of end/hp recovery, defense and resistance. This package includes a self-rez (for when mistakes happen) and an aoe taunt that improves your regen.

    They'll have slightly different playstyles and unfortunately, something you'll have to experiment with or find someone with direct experience to give you their comparison.

    I can tell you, I have a BS/SR that I find is amazing. I don't take damage often, when I do, it HURTS. But i keep a few inspirations on hand for emergencies and otherwise, run my missions at x8. I like a target rich environment. But I do find the allure of Invulnerability enticing.
  16. Mercator

    Assault

    POST-ACTION

    I did with my bs/sr scrapper until just recently. I didn't run the damage boost often, didn't seem to make a big difference. I did run Maneuvers and Tactics though and those did help around the board.
  17. Mercator
    I hit Apex and Tin Mage over the weekend. Running my softcapped bs/sr scrapper, I can say with certainty that while the regular mobs don't seem to have any reasonable chance to hit me, Battle Maidens 'Orbital Sword Drop' and Bobcat are another matter.
  18. Mercator

    BS/SD tips

    POST-ACTION

    My experience is heavily based on BS/SR, which is amazingly Fate-Driven. As for BS, it's a solid single target annihilator with very little AoE. My personal spread is Hack, Slice (for minimal AoE), Disembowel and Headsplitter. Mix in an occasional Whirling Sword for posterity.

    You might need to pick up Parry to splash on an occasional defensive boost but generally for Scrappers we avoid Confront/Taunt.

    Alternate/2nd Build's are switched from the Trainer in each zone, there's an option called iirc, Switch Build. Word of caution, both builds are totally separate with their enhancements.

    I can't speak for SG's, I only just got back after several months and I think a fair amount of the normal population is giving DCUO a spin. But you can look me up @mercator and i'm usually free to answer a question or two.
  19. Mercator
    We had a bad moment before Lag Hill in the ITF when most the team started dying. I'm about 15ft off the ground, hovering with my bs/sr scrapper facing like six EB Cyclops and Mintaurs.

    Mind you, I'd completed my IO build, but I wasn't really fine tuned for soloing AV's or anything extravagant.

    Someone comments "You can't tank."

    And i'm sitting there, thinking.. 'like hell I can't. I can't kill them, but i'm gonna try.'

    Escape didn't even occur to me as eventually something got a lucky hit in and crushed me. Oh, but the single-minded devotion to something's destruction was upon me.
  20. Mercator
    Color would be nice, but I'd be tickled <colour> if they offered in some kind of tone slider. The droning. Jut a pitch up or down, s'all i'm asking.
  21. Mercator
    A shame i won't have my ice/ice blaster around til May.

    I had an idea once to do a whole semi art project with a team of ice toons. Get images of every mob in the game held in a block of ice. AV's included, it would be a heck of a challenge.
  22. Mercator

    Energy Blast?

    POST-ACTION

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Postagulous View Post
    I think this is the reason we don't get more complaints, or as many complaints as I'd expect due to the kb. We have huge and loud effects and flying dead people. The team knows we rock the socks.

    I've got mine colored white with a hint of orange, so they know it's me. I also color fire pure white for the same reason.
    I just went and recolored my blasts to something theme oriented and yet wholly unique from what i've seen on other blasters for a similar reason.

    Energy Blast is a set I'd actually label with a mild learning curve. And it's a curve you don't get with most blasters. Ice, Fire, Psychic. Those generally don't have any knockback worth speaking about, let alone the intensity of knockback involved in EB.
  23. Mercator
    Strangely, i see a new Market Business Strategy forming. Where people build toons and xp lock them at x level, to better farm for recipes and merits to then sell at requested levels.
  24. Mercator

    Energy Blast?

    POST-ACTION

    You could also slot the Force Feedback +recharge proc. Could make for some interesting burst damage during long fights.

    Something Energy gives you leverage over in the long run is enemies with a resistance to particular damage types. iirc, damage is resisted individually and not as a sum vs the stronger resistance like the way that defense is handled. So you can maintain some kind of edge over enemies that are resistant to Energy or Smashing, where Fire gets pushed down in some venues.
  25. Mercator

    Best Secondary

    POST-ACTION

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Blue_Centurion View Post
    Oh, I am not talking about actually tanking with the SCrapper. I am talking about Scranking. I just want the most survivable Scrapper that money can buy, heavy on the I/Os. Cause thats what I enjoy. For tanking, I'll actually bring a tank.
    Oh, well in that case. Super Reflexes. For minimal investment you have a tough nut to crack.