Before I begin the guide, let me start out by saying that I suffer from a firm Scrapper bias. I cannot stand the slow pace of the other ATs, or I simply cannot stand their attraction to face-planting. This entire guide is coming from someone who has taken ALL 18 POWERS OF KATANA AND REGENERATION. So please remember that all guides have some bias in them... Mine is a definite positive towards Scrappers: particularly the Kat/Regen build. I would also like to point out that I'm no genius when it comes to slotting enhancements. I never have been, I never will. The only IOs I have is a set of Freebird on my Flight. I'll be honest, and say that I have never played any OTHER Scrapper build, so my basis of comparison is from what I've seen others play, and the feedback I've gotten from others. I consider myself to be a Katana/Regen specialist and I know what I'm talking about when it comes to an informed opinion on this set. Those are just the things you should know before reading this Guide. Let's get started, shall we?
Part 1: Live By The Sword
Sting of the Wasp:
Minimum Level: 1
My Opinion: This is a very basic power. Moderate damage, quick recharge, a quick swipe and you're done. While it's basic, it's also a very GOOD power, especially for starting. You'll find that your chain will be lacking until you put this baby in there somewhere. There's no simpler power in the entire set than a one-shot, first-tier, moderate-damage-dealing slice like this one. While it's recharge isn't as impressive as Gambler's Cut, and it uses a tiny bit more endurance (an unnoticeable amount), it still outclasses the Gambler in where it matters most: Damage. It's the very best choice at level 1.
Slotting: I put 6 on this bad boy in case some day I decide to decorate it with some fancy IOs.
Final Say: It's either this, or Gambler's Cut. If you've chosen the second, then a Scrapper is not the AT for you.
Gambler's Cut:
Minimum Level: 1
My Opinion: Gambler's Cut is a quick set of two slashes that can Critical Hit with both slashes dealing double damage. It's a very quick attack, and the damage shows this. It could be described as mediocre at best... However, having this little guy since level 2 I grew attached and worked it into my combo chain... Sadly, it's at the very end of it, in case I need to drain the target of the little bit of HP my other attacks didn't. The positives to this attack are it's near-instant recharge and it's good use of endurance. I especially like this power if I'm doing some of the Ouroboros missions. It gives me a bit of an edge to my hacking, slashing, etc.
Slotting: I put a solid 3 slots on this one. It's enough to give it some backbone when needed, but not enough to make you feel negligent over your other powers.
Final Say: If you're looking for a more 'practical' build, then you won't need this power. That goes double if you're looking to make a PvP build. It's good in the earlier levels, but once you get up to Soaring Dragon, or even Divine Avalanche, you'll be looking at it with a /respec typed in.
Flashing Steel:
Minimum Level: 2
My Opinion: You take your katana and made a single, quick, wide arch infront of you that deals moderate damage to those within a 120 degree radius of the target. If that doesn't scream 'Get me!' then I will. Get this power! This power is all kinds of good, is great for combo chains, and is just generally one of those 'Get that power because it's awesome' deals. The only real downside to this power is that if your build is endurance-tight, then you may find using this on a single target to be a bit much. However, when used against 2-3 people, you'll easily thank yourself for picking this gem.
Slotting: Six slots, no questions for me. If you slot this wonderful power with enough to give it some nice IOs it could be a great part of your repertoire.
Final Say: As I've said... Get this power. You. Need. This. Power. If you skip past this for any reason, I advise you to stop reading now... This guide will do you no good.
Build Up:
Minimum Level: 6
My Opinion: This is a MUST for all Scrappers/Blasters/Tankers. Of course, Blasters have Aim rather than Build Up, but you get the idea. This baby not only doubles your damage, but it also increases your accuracy by a good amount. If you don't take this, not only is a Scrapper for you, but this game isn't for you. Cancel your subscription! The only downside I can honestly think about in this power is that it hurts so much more every time you miss. Whenever you see no damage done after Build Up you'll want to smack your monitor for betraying you.
Slotting: I recall putting 3 or 4 on this one... Probably 3, but 4 is good, too. If you want to really be a threat, add some -Recharge Times on them, and coupled with Accelerate Metabolism, or Speed Boost, you'll be waiting for Golden Dragonfly to recharge more than this bad sucker.
Final Say: It's a necessity. It makes Scrappers do more damage. If you haven't been following along: That's their main purpose.
Divine Avalanche:
Minimum Level: 8
My Opinion: Take Gambler's Cut, but turn the animation into a single attack in which you assume a defensive stance and then deliver a wussy strike to your opponent, rather than 2. Doesn't sound too appealing... What if I told you that it gave you about 15% Defense against Smashing and Lethal?! WHOA! I know! And guess what? It's STACKABLE! Oh my word! That's right, this power recharges about as quick as SotW, but the buff makes it easy to stack two, and even three if spammed! Find somewhere in your build for this power. You'll thank me.
Slotting: A decent 4 on this one... Just some to augment the damage it takes, and the defense it gives. Nothing too big, and nothing too small. You'll love this power all the way.
Final Say: Your best bet is taking this over Gambler's Cut. If you had any remorse about not taking that power earlier, this will remove that from you.
Calling The Wolf:
Minimum Level: 12
My Opinion: It's a Taunt power. Most people, including myself, believe that the best way for a Scrapper to taunt a foe is to stab them in the eye. However, this power has it's own personal niche for me: I use it as a social power, of sorts. I like to go around Perez Park helping lowbies who are in over their heads. This way you take their aggro for them, and you don't get any grieving about how you're a kill-stealer. This power is only good if you're a real social butterfly, or you mistook this AT for a Tank.
Slotting: 3 slots is being generous. I put on one for Taunt, one for Accuracy, and one for Range. That's all.
Final Say: Again, it depends on whether or not you're the kind of player. If you enjoy a life of helping lowbies that aren't on your team (random acts of kindness for all!
) or you just plan to team with 4 Defenders and 3 Controllers for eternity, then this power is for you. If not, you won't miss it much.
The Lotus Drops:
Minimum Level: 18
My Opinion: Sweet shishkabab of Jesus' many nipples! Now you've got yourself a PBAoE! With this power, you lift your sword, leap into the air, spin around and bring your blade down to make a complete circle of death around you. Dealing damage should always be the Scrapper's prime concern, so when you've got a PBAoE to choose, you would be smart to choose it, and guess what? It does ADDITIONAL DoT Damage in case you didn't kill them good enough the first time around. Of course, this power isn't without it's downsides... For example, it can be activated anytime, whether or not an enemy is in range. It sounds nice, but for some reason you might have a bit of trouble hitting foes with this. From time to time I'd swear I could reach out and smack them, yet using this power, I don't even get the 'MISS' sign. Doesn't make it any less good, though. The only downside? This power can be a bit end-heavy, so don't bother using it if there's a single foe in front of you and they're almost dead (unless it's an AV).
Slotting: Six Slots. No less. If you're lucky enough to get a hold of some Armageddon Recipes or Enhancements, they belong right here. No questions asked.
Final Say: Take this power. It makes for wonderful crowd control, and even-better damage dealing in-general. Absolutely PERFECT for those who like to play the Tanker and run into the middle of a mob and try and hit as many as possible. However, sources tell me that Jesus doesn't in fact have enough nipples to make a proper shishkabob with. Sorry for the letdown.
Soaring Dragon:
Minimum Level: 26
My Opinion: I've seen one Scrapper without this power, and I kicked him from my team, simply because this power is so utterly godly that it deserves to be a prerequisite for anyone even thinking of choosing Katana. In a wonderfully-graceful movement you spin around and use your blade to administer a fearsome uppercut that keeps the Bosses up in the air, or down on the ground long enough for you to get another good attack or two in. The only downside is the usual... If you're really Endurance-tight, then you don't want to use this when your target has a fraction of their health left (Unless an AV or GM).
Final Say: When your prime focus is to deal damage, shouldn't it be common sense to... Ya' know, choose the powers that do the most damage? Think that + Knock-Up powers. Awesome, I know.
Golden Dragonfly:
Minimum Level: 32
My Opinion: I don't care if the alternate level 32 choice is God Mode. This power is a must. You raise your blade into the air, and come down to make a vicious streak of red rise up from their bodies (not blood, though). Not only does this power look incredible in the air, but it knocks them down! And it gets better! I know, right?! This power can even damage and knock down the foes behind the targetted! And get this... This power has an incredible chance for Critical Hits. Imagine Build Up + Golden Dragonfly + Soaring Dragon. What you've got is unbelievable damage, and a foe who's been kept knocked down or up this entire time, leaving you to inflict more pain.
Slotting: Six slots. Why on earth would you put any less into such a perfect power? If you can get your hands on any, slot this baby with (Superior)s.
Final Say: One of the best Tier 9 powers in the game, especially since it helps the Scrapper do what a Scrapper does best. Take this power without delay. Leave mid-mission if you have to, in order to claim this power.
That's all for now. Stay tuned for frequent updates and the rest of the guide!
