RadicalDude

Hello, I've returned recently to a character I started a while ago, an MA/SD. I've never had a softcapped character before, and I like this character a lot, so I've been building him towards that.

I tried to keep the price of this build within reasonable means. I have nearly a billion right now so it's by no means a budget build, but I tried to avoid the PVP and purples, at least for the moment. The character is only 37 right now, so by the time I get to where I can use all of these, I should have a bit more money and I can see what to do with him then. For now though I'm avoiding them.

Since this is my first time building a big IO build, I was hoping you numbers people could take a look and see if I'm missing anything obvious. I was trying to fit hasten into this build, but I had to drop it for combat jumping. I'm also not committed to the body pool, but focused accuracy seemed like the easiest way to squeeze out a little more def and also get some utility. Let me know if there's anything that I could do to make this more efficient.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.803
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Faded Steel: Level 50 Natural Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Martial Arts
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Medicine
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Storm Kick -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(3), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(3), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), T'Death-Dam%(7)
Level 1: Deflection -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(7), LkGmblr-Rchg+(9)
Level 2: Battle Agility -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(9), LkGmblr-Rchg+(11)
Level 4: Cobra Strike -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(13), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Mako-Dam%(15)
Level 6: True Grit -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx(17), Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(43), Mrcl-Rcvry+(43), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(45), Mrcl-Heal(48)
Level 8: Focus Chi -- GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(A), GSFC-ToHit(37), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(39), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(39), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(39), GSFC-Build%(40)
Level 10: Swift -- Run(A)
Level 12: Active Defense -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(17)
Level 14: Health -- Mrcl-EndRdx/Rchg(A), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx(25), Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(46), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(48), Mrcl-Heal(48)
Level 16: Against All Odds -- EndRdx(A)
Level 18: Crippling Axe Kick -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(19), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(21), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), Mako-Dam%(23)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(23), P'Shift-End%(25)
Level 22: Stimulant -- IntRdx(A)
Level 24: Phalanx Fighting -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 26: Dragon's Tail -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(27), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(27), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), Oblit-%Dam(31)
Level 28: Aid Self -- Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx(A), Mrcl-EndRdx/Rchg(31), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Mrcl-Heal(33), Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(37), IntRdx-I(37)
Level 30: Boxing -- Acc(A)
Level 32: Eagles Claw -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(33), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(33), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Mako-Dam%(34)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(36), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45), Oblit-%Dam(45)
Level 38: Tough -- Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Aegis-ResDam/Rchg(40), Aegis-EndRdx/Rchg(40), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Aegis-ResDam(42)
Level 41: Weave -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(42), LkGmblr-Rchg+(43)
Level 44: Focused Accuracy -- Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg(46), EndRdx-I(46)
Level 47: Grant Cover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Combat Jumping -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(50), DefBuff-I(50), LkGmblr-Rchg+(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit
Level 4: Ninja Run

I currently have a 41 DB/WP brute that I really love. I'm starting to plan out what IOs I'm going to get, and I want to aim for survivability foremost. While I won't mind getting global damage and recharge bonuses, I want to focus on my defenses.

Obviously picking up Tough and Weave is a no-brainer, and I'm also grabbing Darkest Night from the patron pool since I have plenty of end to go around.

What I'm wondering is this: what set bonuses should I focus on to maximize my survivability? I know soft capping is the holy grail nowadays, but that's not really feasible with /WP, is it? I was thinking of focusing on +HP since that would help survive alphas as well as increasing regen. Is this a good plan? What sets should I be looking at to maximize my survivability?

[ QUOTE ]
The Tanker Super Strength power "Knockout Blow" used to be a single-target disorient that did next to no damage? After months of complaints that revolved around how SS utterly lacked any high-damage attacks, this was changed around (I think) Issue 2 or 3. Personally, I cackled with glee when first trying out the "new" KO Blow on the Test server.

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I remember going off the power description from the manual, I couldn't figure out why my tanker friend was so psyched about getting it. I chalked it up to tankers having a lack of status effects... until I saw it for the first time.
Did the old KO Blow have the same animation? It's hard to imagine a target doing anything but soaring into the sky after being with with the current animation.

That epic archetype section is downright brilliant.

Yeah, although that feature didn't exist two years ago...
You know, WHEN THIS POST WAS MADE...

Dude... l33t is a technology title? That's whacky!

Wow, I'm really surprised. Your power choice is almost the same as my planned build (though I hadn't considered Solar Flare. It's looking more interesting now), but yours is more efficient with more timely choices. Though most of the info wasn't new to me, I want to say thanks for helping me refine my build and consider Solar Flare.

But didn't Castle himself state that this change was coming, before I7 hit test even? I'll try to find it on the dev digest, but it might be gone with all the test server posts.
EDIT: Ah, found it. It's in this topic.
The actual quote is this: [ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Has anyone asked _Castle_ If the numbers he is quoting are I6 numbers or I7 numbers?

[/ QUOTE ]

That's actually a good point. The values I stated are I7 values which *may* be different from what is on live currently. I don't specifically remember any changes to SR in this regard, but it certainly could have changed.

*checks*

Yeah, sorry guys. The values I gave *are* for I7. I hate when this happens...considering how often I yell at people around here for doing it, and now, here I am guilty of the same thing!

SR's Passives *are* better in I7 -- from 0.75 scale to 1.00 scale.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, upon re-reading it, it looks like he just was checking the numbers, which may have been changed in error - especially since he didn't know about the changes in his first post in that topic.

It's a cool looking animation, but I wish that was the Dual Wield animation. I'd love to see a really wide, short range arc, starting with crossed arms and overlapping cones of fire until your arms reach their normal positions. Just a dream, I know, but I'd love to see it happen.
As for pistol scrappers, well, being identical to spines with pistol whips would just be lame. The whole set should be short ranged cones, PBAoEs and single target blasts, with maybe one semi-long ranged attack and melee attack. Definitely lower damage than other scrapper sets due to the ease of use and AoE nature.
And as for pistol-wielding heroes? There's always the good ol' Shadow...

Holy crap. Check out those awesome psychic dudes during the police sections. Also note the nice lightning rod animation and the robot legs (complete with robo-stompy noises).

[ QUOTE ]
I thought Galaxy Girl was a relatively modern hero, an Empathy/* Defender who died Absorbing Pain from her BFF Ms. Liberty during the Rikti War to save her life.

[/ QUOTE ]

Huh? Maybe you're thinking of Dauntless, Ms. Liberty's sidekick. I don't think it's really been stated how he died.

Keep in mind that they removed the +def from hasten. Not a big change, but it's worth keeping in mind.

These are good tips, but this is all pretty much common sense, isn't it? I mean, as you said, an AV is pretty much a mob with a lot of HP and damage, and the steps you outline are usually my standard steps in any fight (maybe switching the places of damage and secondary effects).
That said, outlining an order of priorities may be very helpful to those new to support archetypes.

JFS almost sounds like a cult. Spooky.

At the request of Tanick, I uploaded the original .exe of Gnarly's SoD 3.0. You can find it here.

I got in contact with Junction Boy recently, and he sent me a copy of his modified Peacebringer version. I compiled it and uploaded it for anyone who wants it.

Peacebringer SoD

I haven't tested it, as I don't have a Peacebringer yet, but I looked through the files and everything looked like it would work. After running the .exe, you'll need to move the human.txt, nova.txt and dwarf.txt files into the directory where you created the binds. Also, the files are set to the default directory (c:/coh) so if you install them anywhere else, you'll need to change them manually.
I'm not sure, but I believe this program will install the normal SoD binds for non-Kheldians, as well. If not, I have the original copy of SoD 3.0, which I can upload if needed.
Big thanks to Junction Boy!

I can remember entering Perez Park from Atlas the first time, and seeing group after group of heroes fighting their way though the park. Nowadays... I might see one other person if I'm there.

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Well, a big factor in the emptiness of Perez is The Hollows. Really, there's not much of a reason to go over to Perez in the lower levels now.