Mesmer

For FF:
skippable: Repulsion Bomb, Repulsion Field. These were made useless by the Devs. Don't bother with them.

Everything else is good depending on your playstyle. I personally didn't get the buffs, because I don't like buffing and I don't play very defensively.

For Mind:
It's all good, but it completely depends on your playstyle.

you should defenitely get aim and build up. It's what seperates Blasters from Spines Scrappers really. Like the others, I also recommend getting Ice patch, as it's a fantastic power when used properly.

Here's what I would probably go with for a pure PVE build:
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Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder
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Name: 1
Level: 50
Archetype: Blaster
Primary: Ice Blast
Secondary: Ice Manipulation
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01) --> Ice Blast==> AccEndRdxDmgDmgDmgRechg
01) --> Chilblain==> AccEndRdxRechg
02) --> Ice Bolt==> AccEndRdxDmgDmgDmg
04) --> Ice Sword==> AccEndRdxDmgDmgDmgRechg
06) --> Hurdle==> Jump
08) --> Freeze Ray==> AccEndRdxHoldHoldRechgRechg
10) --> Aim==> RechgRechgRechg
12) --> Combat Jumping==> Jump
14) --> Super Jump==> JumpJump
16) --> Build Up==> RechgRechgRechg
18) --> Bitter Ice Blast==> AccEndRdxDmgDmgDmgRechg
20) --> Swift==> Run
22) --> Stamina==> EndModEndModEndMod
24) --> Ice Patch==> RechgRechg
26) --> Hasten==> RechgRechgRechg
28) --> Frost Breath==> AccEndRdxDmgDmgDmgRange
30) --> Acrobatics==> EndRdx
32) --> Blizzard==> DmgDmgDmgRechg
35) --> Freezing Touch==> AccEndRdxHoldHoldRechgRechg
38) --> Shiver==> AccAccSlowSlowSlow
41) --> Snow Storm==> EndRdxEndRdxEndRdxSlowSlowSlow
44) --> Frozen Armor==> DefBufDefBufDefBufEndRdx
47) --> Hibernate==> RechgRechgRechgHeal
49) --> Chilling Embrace==> EndRdxSlowSlowSlow
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01) --> Power Slide==> Empty
01) --> Power Quick==> Empty
01) --> Sprint==> Empty
01) --> Brawl==> Empty
01) --> Defiance==> Empty
02) --> Rest==> Empty
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for PVP i go with this:
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Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder
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Name: Frostblaze
Level: 50
Archetype: Blaster
Primary: Ice Blast
Secondary: Ice Manipulation
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01) --> Ice Blast==> AccAccDmgDmgDmgRechg
01) --> Chilblain==> AccAccImmobRechg
02) --> Ice Bolt==> AccAccDmgDmgDmg
04) --> Ice Sword==> AccAccDmgDmgDmgRechg
06) --> Hurdle==> JumpJumpJump
08) --> Freeze Ray==> AccAccHoldHoldRechgRechg
10) --> Aim==> RechgRechgRechgTH_BufTH_Buf
12) --> Hasten==> RechgRechgRechg
14) --> Super Speed==> RunEndRdx
16) --> Build Up==> RechgRechgRechgTH_BufTH_Buf
18) --> Bitter Ice Blast==> AccAccDmgDmgDmgRechg
20) --> Swift==> Run
22) --> Stamina==> EndModEndModEndMod
24) --> Combat Jumping==> JumpJump
26) --> Super Jump==> Jump
28) --> Chilling Embrace==> EndRdxEndRdxSlowSlowSlow
30) --> Acrobatics==> EndRdx
32) --> Teleport Foe==> AccAccRangeIntRdx
35) --> Freezing Touch==> AccAccHoldHoldRechgRechg
38) --> Shiver==> AccAccSlowSlowSlowRechg
41) --> Snow Storm==> EndRdxEndRdxEndRdxSlowSlowRechg
44) --> Ice Patch==> Rechg
47) --> Frozen Armor==> DefBuf
49) --> Hibernate==> RechgRechgRechg
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Run
01) --> Brawl==> Empty
01) --> Defiance==> Empty
02) --> Rest==> Empty
01) --> Power Slide==> Empty
01) --> Power Quick==> Empty
---------------------------------------------

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I agree with Shannons build as a pure PVE build, except maybe for 1 thing. I don't understand the reason for slotting Chilling Embrace with slow in PVE. I don't see the point in slowing PVE mobs as they don't exactly move very fast.

[/ QUOTE ]Personally would never put slow in it for PvE, since it has a negative impact on grouping them as they move so darn slow.

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And only putting 1 taunt in CE is negative to grouping - I've tried it

[/ QUOTE ]I have 0 and I group just fine

Much better putting those than slows there tho'

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I do notice a difference though. You don't really need extra taunts for getting aggro, but keeping it over time. I go into Hibernate for 10 seconds sometimes and not lose the aggro, because I slot a lot of taunt durations on CE. Very handy if you plan on using Hibernate in PVE.

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Given the rarity of fire in PvP, it isnt really attractive in this regard either.

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Slowing powers aren't rare in PVP though and seeing that people tend to stack slows, it can be very handy to have 3 forms of slow protection. That's the only reason I took this power.

I agree with Shannons build as a pure PVE build, except maybe for 1 thing. I don't understand the reason for slotting Chilling Embrace with slow in PVE. I don't see the point in slowing PVE mobs as they don't exactly move very fast.

If you wanna do damage on a Tank go Fire/SS or Fire/Nrg. You'll be a bit more squishy, but with both Fiery Embrace + Rage/Build up, you could do some serious damage.

Your Elec/Elec still has a very good chance of dropping toggles with the Short Circuit/Power Sink combo. Also, I wouldn't call any blaster Flavour of the Month anymore since I8 came out. Everyone is playing scrappers.... again.

Why would you want to detoggle someone btw? The most powerful and most underestimated aspect of detoggling always was the deactivation of travel powers, so that people could run off as quickly as then can. Most people will tell you that knocking off mez protection was the most important thing, but those people probably never heard of break free's. Knocking off shields... meh, AT's with shields also have high hit points and self heals, so detoggling those don't help as much as you might think, especially as they can be toggled back on in a second or 2. No travel powers = No running ... No running = death. Seems to me that with your Fire/Dev blaster you already have a pretty good tool to stop people from running off with both Web Grenade and Caltrops available.

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... but I look for something that's original and works great.

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hehe, that doesn't exist. If you find something that works great, next week everyone will have one. That's just how it works.

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I wanna make my next toon a detoggler...

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Roll an I6 Blaster

if you can't do that, don't even bother.

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... and then they hit hibernate - and you have to start right back from square one and... get this... manage to take them down before Hibernate recharges again! (which isnt to shabby with 3xSO in it).

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hehe, recharge is about 30 secs when hasten is up.. maybe even less. If Hoarfrost is up that means you'll have to do about 3100+(depending a bit on which accolades the Tank has) damage within 30 secs after Hibernate drop to kill an Ice Tank. I highly doubt any one character can achieve that, so a decent team is required. And that's assuming the Ice tank will just stand there to take that punishment, which he/she most likely wont.

Hibernate is awesome indeed .

ps. I do also like it a lot in PVE as well though, not sure why people don't like it for PVE.

as for which powersets are good in PVP.... I'd take anything but Stone primary... don't know enough about all the secondaries to comment.

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Which do you think would have the edge in pvp situation? is power boost a must?

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Boost Range however is one, if not the best powers a Blaster can have in PVP. I'd take that before Power Boost any day.


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I used to think exactly this, but I have recently begun to favour power boost for it's extreme versatility.

I wouldnt have a build at 50 without either.

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Agreed.

I guess it kinda depends on the primary you pick. Personally I really enjoy having Boost Range on my Fire/Nrg because I can snipe from uber distance and can drop Blaze from quite far away. Boost range on an Ice/Nrg is already ridiculous because Ice has great range already. I like it on Elec as well, because of the ranged Nuke.

I could see some potential in using it on Sonic primary, except maybe for the rooting issues that has. Archery might benefit greatly as well, with Boost Range + Blazing Arrow(should give you about Snipe range, without the animation time, or interrupt times) and only slightly less damage than Blazing Bolt

However, I don't know how useful it really is on the primaries like Energy or Assault Rifle. Basically any primary that can't do significant ranged damage will not benefit as greatly from it.

Power Boost is usefull for hitting through ridiculously high defense and it can buff self heals like Aid self. I know very few people that actually use it for boosting their hold duraction or other secondary effect in PVP as it's usually just quicker and easier to just beat the [censored] out of someone.

I'm up for this

Why on the 24th though? You could probably do it sooner. Do we really need that much time to get the word out to anyone who wants to join?

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Which do you think would have the edge in pvp situation? is power boost a must?

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Nope. It's nice to have, but not needed. It depends somewhat on your primary, playstyle and if you have aid self in your build.

Boost Range however is one, if not the best powers a Blaster can have in PVP. I'd take that before Power Boost any day.

Both Power Boost and Boost Range are what makes the biggest difference between /Elec and /Energy.

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Can I not be a skilled pvper with this set? A valued team member, respected one. I dunno. I dont want to give up what I enjoy but at the same time I hate being lumped into that majority who took it for an easy ride.

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Play what you want, eventually something else will be the new "FOTM", it's just a matter of time. People's perspectives and tactics change. There have been many builds/powersets that have been considered FOTM. Broadsword/Regen used to be top PVP FOTM, then Spines/Regen and now people are already discovering Spines/SR etc.. I'd just keeps going on like this. Eventually Dark/Dark will be considered teh uber... no really . The same goes for every AT.

Consider this though, when Stalkers first came out, everyone started building their toons toward defeating them, so being "FOTM" is not necessarily easy mode gameplay wise. Eventually there will be a lot of toons specializing in taking out a particular "FOTM" build, so while currently Spines/Regen may seem uber, once people learn how to defeat them, they will be considered weak and the next "FOTM" will be considered uber.

You seriously planning on doing PVP with this toon? People just tend to ignore Stoneys in PVP, so it would seem quite boring to play one in PVP.

I'd probably slot 3 end reducs on Mudpots, seeing how much end it drains. Maybe put a Taunt duration in there as well, seeing as it's really handy for keeping aggro.

Other than that, I see no problems. This thing should be quite unkillable.

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*/Sonic am teh gimp!!!

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Hehe... you said it, not me... oh wait... I did too .

Thanks to all those who teamed with me along the way, particularly the other Union Overlords and all the 1AT folk. And Mesmer, my next troller (ice/storm) is 16 and given how he burns through endurance, I just hope yours is a kin .

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I'm RAD baby!!! I've got AM, which kinda helps a little bit.

You've got Chilling Embrace, which is a fantastic taunt tool. Getting Taunt shouldn't be a priority, but it depends a bit on your playstyle.

Gratz man, and great timing as well.

If you wanna start up a new toon, my new troller is still in it the early teens, so it should be fairly easy to catch up to it. We could duo to our next 50

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Gratz Mesmer!!! Glad I got to team a few times with you on Grav... What's next?

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New troller, he's around lv 9 now . Should be great fun

Judging by all the Stone Tanks I've seen, it seems that Jump Kick is the most awesome power EVER!! It's strange really, because I've always found it [censored], apart from the amusing animation.

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i can only see that build being hard to drop unless i was mastermind/corrupter/dominator and some brutes from a villains point of view and if i was a stalker id be looking at other ATs to take out mainly.

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Meh, a coordinated multiple Stalker attack can easily take it out. Too bad the words Stalker and coordinated are hardly ever in the same sentence though, so there's not that much chance of it actually happening.

I've always found that being a certain AT no matter slotting, or powersets gives the best protection in PVP. As a Tank most people don't even bother to go for you nowadays, unlike the way it was before I7. Bit boring to be honest.

gratz man, I'll be right behind you.... on Union this time though

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Kill more than get killed?

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I was thinking more about clearing the zone, but if you're happy with that, go for it.

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Well, my archery/energy does fine in pvp, without stamina.

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I think your definition of "does fine" probably greatly differs from mine

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Well, has he said once anything about PvP? And secondly, Explosive arrow is end light I find, as is fistful of arrow, this is what I'm finding.

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should be good in both pvp and pve

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yes he did

I don't recommend running any blaster, except maybe Elec/Elec without Stamina.

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And if he's a pure ranger, surely a big damage melee attack that stuns well would be better as a 'last resort' for the enemy that comes into melee?

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No, because you can kill someone in the time he triggers Total Focus and before it actually hits. The animation is too long. I've gotten 3 attacks off in PVP fights before the actual damage of Total Focus was applied, killing the target and actually nullifying the damage of Total Focus. Don't underestimate the speed at which a squishy can be killed. Total Focus is not as uber as people think it is.

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where's explosive arrow? Stunning Shot? Those are all handy for the ranged blaster, and you can put out stamina for them

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I also would strongly advise against this. Both those attacks together will drain you of a quarter of your End bar. You'll end up gasping for air REALLY quick. Even worse if you add Total Focus as it's a huuuge end drainer.

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My problem with that build is, where's explosive arrow? Stunning Shot? Those are all handy for the ranged blaster, and you can put out stamina for them, and one more power, I'd advise move ranged shot earlier and take total focus. If an enemy runs up to you, you hit that, they're stunned and heavily damaged.

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I might take those for PVE only build, but not if you're planning on doing any PVP. Explosive shot is a fairly low damage, high end cost AOE, with a MASSIVE animation time. That's just asking a Stalker to AS you really. Same goes for Stunning shot, massive animation = insta death in PVP and it doesn't even have a 100% chance of disorient, so skip it.

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yeah i forgot about total focus

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always get Bone Smasher before Total Focus, it's lower damage, but a much better attack overall. Fast animation, lower end use, quicker recharge and still great damage.