StormyDarkness
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Posts
586 -
Joined
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I believe the general (though somewhat arguable) ideology for defenders is as follows:
Non-AV mobs:
Buffing > Debuffing > Damage > Healing
AV mobs:
Debuffing > Buffing > Damage > Healing
I think you're getting the most of the defender headbutt from so much emphasis on healing, when Empathy is a buffing set, not a healing set. If you decided to consider rez a heal, it's a 5 to 4 buff to heal ratio. They give the heals earlier because your buffs alone won't be able to stop the team from face planting. However, as everyone matures, the need for heals is decreased as the need for buffing increases. Your set defines this ideology as you get your buffs later in the set.
Because of the long recharge of the buffs in Empathy (because you're a buffer, not a healer), this is why you should take, slot, and use your secondary. -
Quote:*gasp*Originally Posted by Biospark
Rez will actually find its way onto my team build
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Note: I wouldn't go with this exact level up wise, but slot wise, it's pretty secure.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.707
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Arrow of Theta v4: Level 50 Natural Defender
Primary Power Set: Trick Arrow
Secondary Power Set: Ice Blast
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Dark Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Flash Arrow -- DampS-ToHitDeb(A), DampS-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(13), DampS-ToHitDeb/Rchg(15)
Level 1: Ice Bolt -- Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), Dev'n-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Dev'n-Dmg/Rchg(5)
Level 2: Ice Blast -- Dev'n-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Dev'n-Dmg/Rchg(7)
Level 4: Glue Arrow -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(13)
Level 6: Maneuvers -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(9), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(9), RedFtn-Def(11), RedFtn-EndRdx(11), LkGmblr-Rchg+(50)
Level 8: Poison Gas Arrow -- FtnHyp-Sleep/Rchg(A), FtnHyp-Acc/Sleep/Rchg(15), FtnHyp-Acc/Rchg(36), FtnHyp-Sleep/EndRdx(37), FtnHyp-Plct%(37)
Level 10: Aim -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(37), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg(39), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx(39), AdjTgt-Rchg(39)
Level 12: Acid Arrow -- UndDef-Rchg(A), UndDef-Rchg/EndRdx(40), ShldBrk-Acc/Rchg(40), ShldBrk-%Dam(40), Achilles-ResDeb%(43)
Level 14: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 16: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Numna-Heal(17), Mrcl-Rcvry+(17), Mrcl-Heal(19)
Level 18: Disruption Arrow -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(19)
Level 20: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(21), EndMod-I(21)
Level 22: Ice Storm -- Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(23), Posi-Dmg/Rng(23), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), Posi-Dam%(36)
Level 24: Freeze Ray -- BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(A), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(25), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(25), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(34)
Level 26: Oil Slick Arrow -- Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(27), Posi-Dmg/Rng(27), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), Posi-Acc/Dmg(34)
Level 28: Bitter Ice Blast -- Dev'n-Dmg/Rchg(A), Dev'n-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31), RechRdx-I(31)
Level 32: EMP Arrow -- BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(33), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(33), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(33)
Level 35: Super Speed -- Zephyr-ResKB(A), Zephyr-Travel(45)
Level 38: Blizzard -- Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(45), Posi-Dmg/Rng(46), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), Posi-Acc/Dmg(46)
Level 41: Dark Consumption -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(42), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(42), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), Oblit-%Dam(43)
Level 44: Dark Embrace -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), S'fstPrt-ResKB(45)
Level 47: Soul Drain -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(48), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(48), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50), Oblit-%Dam(50)
Level 49: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
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Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Vigilance
Level 6: Ninja Run -
Here's my topic I started and had a bit of discussion about it.
http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=233095 -
FR - More than 1 can be used at the same time
LS - More than 1 can be used at the same time
Tornado - Unsure, as I've not personally had the recharge or situation to see if I can get two at the same time or not. Last I heard on the defender forums, you can not. -
Quote:For some reason when I was playing WoW (yeah... about that), I played a discipline priest. I don't think people understood what I was attempting to do their either when I was using my wand because the tank was safe for a while because of my bubble. I also tended to get pushed to do dps because the druid's heals did larger green numbers. I wanted to argue my point then, but figured it'd be lost and get me too worked up to actually play at all. Might as well just conform to stupid when most are of the stupid mentality.Originally Posted by ShadowsBetween
Some people, especially those who mostly have experience with that Other MMO, tend to expect Controllers and Defenders to be Healers, and seem to feel that anything *else* a Controller or Defender can do is beside the point, if not actually a waste of time.
As for this incident, don't let it bother you. Just go to a team that you'll be more valued instead of kicked (assuming it somehow wasn't an intentional kick). My Elec/SR stalker would gladly have you on her team, as I did a Citadel today where the Cold Dom could of soft capped me using the shields that he had chosen, but decided not to, so I was a bit squishier than soft capped. -
I have about 25 characters on Virtue, 12 of which are 50 (look at signature for what they are). I've deleted numerous characters and have poked other servers so I have another probably 25 there, but only 4 over level 20 (3 on Liberty, 1 on Triumph). Overall, I just log on, click Virtue, scan through my characters and pick whichever has the most draw at the time, assuming when I was driving home or walking from my bed to the computer I didn't have a character in the back of my head already.
My most recent project has been my Elec/SR stalker. It's quite a bit of a change up from my usual support feel. Yes, my support (including my Empath) are not healers, they are support with or without a heal or heals. -
Quote:Welcome to the mid west. Enjoy your stay.Originally Posted by DreamsRazor
Umm I always put it and CM on my emp/defender partner..and no for other reasons besides shes my wife and her father owns more firearms than a milita group
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Actually, it's Glue Arrow and all your cold attacks that are doing the -recharge, PGA is sleep (weak imo, but to each their own) and -damage (the real worthwhile thing).
However, when I compare mine to several of my other characters (Storm/Dark, Dark/Elec defenders, etc.) he seems much less safe. Maybe that has to do with my playing him less controllery and more blasty. -
Quote:To each their own.Originally Posted by KonekoMeow
I knew someone was going to say that. I tried it and respeced out in favor of more single target control and attacks.
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Quote:To continue raving about this post, I joined much later in the game. I bash those type of empathy builds for one reason. Since I've joined, pure healing empathy builds are not anywhere as useful as an empathy actually using their secondary. This goes with all builds though. If your a kin with only kins and pools, then I'd heckle you about being a bad kin.Originally Posted by Transhade
It really is quite simple. There is a vocal group that likes to bash empathy set with - he4l0r references, rocking the auras, pure heal spec and no secondary comments.
From the begining there were countless posts about not being able to get groups because everyone wanted an empathy defender because they could heal. Who did the defendes blame? They blamed the empathy defender not those that were asking.
That perception was the begining and lingers in the corners of the Defender forums.
I hate all poorly built/played characters equally. -
Quote:Ball Lightning?Originally Posted by KonekoMeow
Even with Short Circuit being my only AoE...
The only major problem with soloing with a Sonic Defender is that 5 of Sonic's powers are ally centered. Since Sparky can't be targeted, there's no great solo synergy instantly. Your solo build might consider PPPs so you have a pet to use disruption field, etc on. That being said, the AI usually never does what you want it to.
I tried it once, but for one reason or another ended up deleting it, which is Sonic/Dark. You get Dark Pit as an opener, and several -to-hit debuff cones and a self heal. That way you'll have the resistance from your big bubble, including some mez protection, and you'll have some enemies whiffing because of your attacking them.
Just to give you a couple of ideas. -
I have an Archery/Sonic Corruptor and am quite happy with him. Find a secondary that you like as Sonic is a pretty easy to set and go support set. You'll find yourself with lots of blasting time. As for this, that's why I'd consider a weapon set as a viable option for those redraw haters.
AR can be probably just as successful as my Archery blast. -
I have a level (now) 45 TA/Ice Defender. I consider him my Blastfender (most would probably say offender, but meh on terms). He's pretty fun and I consider him my most blaster like character, except maybe my Rad/Ice, but even then.
As for his stats, with Hasten going, he's got 141.3% Haste, 60% accuracy, and 41.8% damage bonus without Soul Drain. Double damage bonus to 89.7% with one enemy and max it at 161.8% damage bonus with a 10 person soul drain (current recharges have it down to 36 second recharge for soul drain with 30 second duration, so start some math there). With that damage bonus, Ice storm does 430 damage over 15 seconds, OSA does 903 over 30, and Blizzard does 1806 over 15. If Aim is used (my build doesn't have gaussian proc, sadly) that's 488 Ice Storm, 1028 OSA, and 2056.
For recharges, my translation is 30 second = 1 mob on usual teams. With this in mind, Ice storm every mob, OSA every other mob, and Blizzard is up every 4 mobs approximately (give or take a mob).
Epics can be done many ways, between dark consumption and soul drain, I've decided to take dark pool. Psi if you want to be more control like, Elec is a good mix of nuking recharging and controls, and power can just add to your grab bag of powers and actually make your nuke not insta-crash you with conserve power. Not too certain of PPPs, but yeah, there's little that's on your bad side, other than the lack of a self heal, but TA isn't the only one with this problem. -
Quote:Jetpack/Raptor pack ftw.Originally Posted by Crimson_Archer_EU
That might work if I had Hover. This toon doesn't have travel powers at all!
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Quote:Although it could be endurance heavy, you may consider telekinesis. If you can manage the repel well enough, you can get enemies stuck held in a corner, being debuffed, while you fire AoE them to death. Just as an option.Originally Posted by Quaver
I myself use Power Mastery with kin/sonic, and Psi Mastery with rad/rad. Power is great fun with Force of Nature, as kinetics can overcome the crash. With radiation, having all your toggles drop could be disastrous so I'd recommend against that. I have World of Confusion with my rad/rad Defender and have filled it with procs. The confuse is rare/low, but with the procs and Choking Cloud's procs going off it's pretty vicious, and lots of fun! Dominate is also a great hold, but don't dismiss the mass sleep...it allows you to lay your debuffs without much of an alpha. Based on your 3 options, I would gun for Psi Mastery.
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Quote:*cough*FF*cough*Originally Posted by Biospark
I did not mean to suggest though that certain Defender sets are "unsafe".
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Quote:Based on my experiences, I'd debate safety for sure and maybe dps/speed depending on the sets. Buffing though, there's several powers that are the same values of defenders as they are corruptors/controllers. It's all perspective, but I'm glad there's several of us non-anti-Defenders out there (Yes, I realize that's a double negative).Originally Posted by Biospark
Despite what others here have said to point you back to corruptors or controllers, Defenders are the BEST at Buffing, Healing and/or Debuffing. You will be trading solo speed, safety and dps to get the best Buffs in the game.
As for the Corruptor/Controller comments, it really depends on what the OP wants to gear himself towards. -
Quote:Try hovering over your glue/OSA. That'll knock them into the ground and they won't scatter at all.Originally Posted by Crimson_Archer_EU
I might try respeccing into it with an alternate build and see if I can change my opinion of it. Seems a few people enjoy it, so I'm open to being convinced!
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Quote:It'd be funny if this did damage to the tanker (on a strickly non-mechanic standpoint, because of lack of heal it'd actually kinda suck); however, with your FF buffs it'd be rare, if it happened.Originally Posted by McNum
Still, I prefer actually hitting the Tanker/Scrapper with the enemy. A nice clean delivery.
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Quote:A FF character is good with only the buffs in play, which most average players can achieve. FF becomes awesome with proper use of KB which is much rarer and usually ignored side of FF.Originally Posted by McNum
Nah, I'm good. FF can be pretty easy to play, compared to some of the other supports. There's a knack you need to learn concerning the proper use of Knockback, but other than that it's pretty easy.
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Quote:/bind NUMPAD1 "+ $$teamselect 1$$powexec_name Speed Boost"Originally Posted by Carnifax_NA
You can also bind the number-pad keys to target a specific team member for quick healing / buffing.
Change accordingly with the numpad and the team select. Also, if I'm not mistaken, you can somehow make it shift numpad, etc and you can change which power you do, making it an all in one buff numpad and you can get all your heals, buffs, etc. that way. I've not officially done this bind, but it'll be hella useful for my Illusion/Thermal due to all his buffs he has. I could also use the number 9 to give a quick summon of pets too, now that I think on it. -
As it seems, Dark/Elec seems to come up every couple weeks and here's my build (again)
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.707
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Eldritch Green v2: Level 50 Magic Defender
Primary Power Set: Dark Miasma
Secondary Power Set: Electrical Blast
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Dark Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Twilight Grasp -- Nictus-Heal/HP/Regen/Rchg(A), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(3), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Heal/HP/Regen(5)
Level 1: Charged Bolts -- Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 2: Tar Patch -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(3)
Level 4: Lightning Bolt -- Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 6: Ball Lightning -- Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(7), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(7), Posi-Dmg/Rng(40), Posi-Dam%(43)
Level 8: Shadow Fall -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(9), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(9), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(11), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(11), RctvArm-ResDam(13)
Level 10: Short Circuit -- Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(33), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(46), Erad-%Dam(46), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 12: Fearsome Stare -- SipInsght-ToHitDeb(A), SipInsght-Acc/ToHitDeb(13), SipInsght-Acc/Rchg(15), SipInsght-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SipInsght-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(17), DefEgo-RecDeb%(34)
Level 14: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 16: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Numna-Heal(17), Mrcl-Rcvry+(19), Mrcl-Heal(19), RgnTis-Regen+(31)
Level 18: Boxing -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(31), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(33), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33)
Level 20: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(21), EndMod-I(21)
Level 22: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), S'fstPrt-ResKB(23), Aegis-Psi/Status(23), ImpSkn-Status(27), S'fstPrt-ResDam/EndRdx(27)
Level 24: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(25), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(25)
Level 26: Howling Twilight -- TmpRdns-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(A), P'ngTtl-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(29)
Level 28: Darkest Night -- DisWord-ToHitDeb(A), DisWord-ToHitDeb/Rchg(29), DisWord-ToHitDeb/Rchg/EndRdx(31)
Level 30: Tesla Cage -- BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(A), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(45), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(50), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(50)
Level 32: Dark Servant -- SipInsght-ToHitDeb(A), SipInsght-Acc/ToHitDeb(34), SipInsght-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SipInsght-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(36), SipInsght-Acc/Rchg(36), DefEgo-RecDeb%(36)
Level 35: Voltaic Sentinel -- BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx(37), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx(37), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37), BldM'dt-Acc(39), BldM'dt-Dmg(40)
Level 38: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(39), Zephyr-ResKB(39)
Level 41: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(43), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(45)
Level 44: Oppressive Gloom -- Rope-Acc/Stun/Rchg(A), Rope-Acc/Stun(45)
Level 47: Dark Embrace -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(48), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(48), RctvArm-ResDam(48)
Level 49: Soul Transfer -- RechRdx-I(A)
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Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- ULeap-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Vigilance
Level 6: Ninja Run -
Quote:This is what my Storm/Dark does: Steamy Mist/Maneuvers/Fly/Temp Invuln/Hurricane, fly about pulling the mob to a nice herding spot for the 2-4 mobs worth. Once in herding location I summon Lightning Storm while the enemies are coming while turning Hover on (and Fly off) and hurricane off. When the enemies are where I want them, Freezing Rain. Then floating to the middle of the group hitting Power Build Up then Blackstar slotted for damage.Originally Posted by Vel_Overload
So? How would that be anymore overpowered than what trick arrow already does: -40% resistance. Every 3 minutes isn't that big a deal.
Personally, I don't care either way if this was implemented or not. It wouldn't change much other than some more people actually taking and using their nukes.
Does anyone actually use their nuke for the debuff? Or a more accurate question: do you use your nuke at the right timing to use the debuff? Do you slot to enhance the debuff portion?
So far Defender nukes do less damage that a blasters. Thisi s normal and I wouldn't change that. But it's implied use isn't part of the defender's overall role: buff/debuff/heal/DEFEND.
I'd just like to see some theorycraft about how this would change the way defenders are played on teams if at all. I doubt it would change much but new things and ways of play are fun.
P.S. Biospark's idea is genious.
Result: over 500 damage (without FR regards) and -124% To-Hit Debuff (that's no To-Hit Debuff slotted, only out of the box and PBU). Yeah, that's generally how I do my Ouroboros defeat alls in the upper level range. Switch my nuke for Nightfall/TT when it's down or it's only a 1 mob spawn. It's all pretty delicious in my book. Other things that I can do depending on enemy group and whatnot, I can Dark Pit them before nuking or hit Force of Nature to have crazy resists while my defense via toggles is shot.
I also would love to see a Vigilance bar, especially if there was a (regardless of team size) proportional values of End Redux to Damage. A zero on the meter means 100% of the damage increase (not saying 100% dmg buff, but 100% of the dmg buff) with 0% end redux and as allies are hurt, having it effect the % end redux and dmg buff. But that'd require (another) revision to Vigilance after they just did something with it. -
Quote:You said terribad. Hehe.Originally Posted by Silas
...depressing that so many Emps are terribad
