TerraScorcher

Forgot to answer Hindenburg's other questions,
Pools I'm thinking about are Fitness, leaping, fighting and perhaps leadership,
If hasten didnt make your hands go on bubbly fire I would go with that.
Im pretty sure there was a post in one of Nihilis DB/Inv against stuff that said you could disable the graphic effecty on hasten, if so, then speed is a candidate.

Well sailboat, to be honest, Unarmed combat, the scrapper set that still doesn't exist would suit Cap the best.
Considering the animations from energy melee, Super Strength and MA could be used it would just be a matter of... ok its probably wicked complicated, but at least it wouldnt require new power animations!
The thing is he's going to solo mostly with the odd team here and there, which basically means a scrapper. For scrappers a team = fillers so they get even larger mobs to mob dive into! I have soloed a few tanks to their mid 40s and its hard damn work (at least for me) the exception was my Fire/Fire, but I got him to 38 when Burn still reigned supreme.
Another reason I'm thinking MA/SD is that when he gets to his 50s Id like to try my hand at AV soloing which is easier for scrappers. Notwithstanding one of Nihili's post's in which Nihili says that her SD/Dark tank makes her cry because he's better and more surviveable than her scrapper (thus far).

My SD/SS Man 0'War is level 34 and he is still using SOs.
His focus has been tanking so his primary has been slotted at the expense of his secondary. He's good at staying alive (with inspirations) and grabbing and keeping aggro, but in terms of actually stomping on folks, he is a little less than awesome right now. But since he teams I feel his job is to keep the squishies alive and they can destroy the mobs, so he doesn't have to be amazing at damage. He will get better at damage with some slot love as he gets older and at 38 I'm pretty sure he will hit like a mobile Howitzer, but in terms of the feel of SS, it feels like a very heavy hitting not subtle set. I consider Cap to hit plenty hard but with more grace and poise, plus having the time to explain about leverage in between hits! So thats whats leading me to MA/SD.

Hi all,
I have a burning desire to create a natural origin, "Me, My Shield and My Skills against all of you!" Character.
I have a Shield/SS and while he is great at fulfilling his concept, SS is not going to cut it for my Cap clone.
So its looking like MA/Shield.
I want to basically solo all of the content of the game including TFs. I'll be looking for 5th Column MA mishes but will be doing those with XP off.
Also He needs to be awesome!
My plan is to IO him early to help solo the TFs and respec in stages so his early life build will be different from what he looks like in the end game.
So the question is can anyone with MA or even better MA/SD experience and or IO char building
experience help me out with some builds?
Since the char will be near and dear to my heart and in direct competition to my Fire/SR for coolness, your help will be greatly appreciated.
If any of the big guns weigh in, a word on attack chains at various stages of his career will be greatly appreciated.
I will be using the store bought jet pack for a travel power for the duration of his career.

Oh my God Werner!
You guys so play at a different level than I do! I'm still just mashing the attacks when they recharge!
Sigh, so much to learn.
The thing is, even though I'm sure it sounds like I am, I'm not a complete Noob, I do well on the teams I'm on and have had quite a few people global friend me so they can play with me again (only playing once a week frequently means that we dont actually do so very often but still they wouldnt global me If I sucked)
So its not like I'm hopeless, no one has ever sent me a quiet little tell saying "no offense but you seem a tad gimped, how are you slotted?"
But it seems like theres another level I could aspire to and being me, I want to get there.

So when you make, lets say a DM/SD you already know what your end game attacks are going to be?
Do you have intermediate chains for different stages of development?
How do you figure out whats the best chain for your level, the attacks you have and your recharge rate?
I know probably the best way is to just ask on this forum, but I'd like to understand it a bit better so I can ask the question along the lines of
"Im level X, strictly SOs no hasten, I think me best attack chain would be X, Y and Z, would anyone care to confirm?" rather than
"whats the best chain for BS?"

After 5 years and 4 Months, I have thus far gotten 1 character to level 50! Go me.
So I'm the text book definition of a casual player (I love it but cant play as often as I'd like) coupled with being an unrepentant Altoholic. I love my concept characters and have been known on more than one occasion to start a level 30 over again because I thought a different powerset would have suited him better. So I have been happily playing with SOs and then generic IOs, but now I want a some of my Characters to be Awesome, to be able to stand up to the AVs I see in ouro missions or AE missions.
So I guess Im trying to get as much information as I can about how best to do it.
So Rules of thumb like in general 5 slot rather than 6 slot attacks unless there is a really good reason for it and here are the really good reasons you might want to 6 slot
are going to be most appreciated.

Knowing that it is technically an exercise in futility since there are many paths to Uberness, but also expecting that even though there are different paths, there will be a lot of common ground that must be trodden along the way, are there any broad strokes guidelines or tips gleaned from your experience that you could pass along?

I know that’s an impossible question because the logical thing you would have to do is get specific and ask “Tips on what? Recharge? Def? Endurance?”

But if you look at it slightly differently, I would be willing to bet (based on having no experience doing so myself, talk about Hubris!) that based on your experience you have already answered a lot of those questions before you build your characters. In my minds eye I'm seeing you crack your knuckles in front of the keyboard and go "Muahahahaha (okay the muahahahaha is optional) It is time to build my greatest creation; Werner the Terrible, the most vicious (insert scrapper primary and secondary) ever yet conceived by Mortals!"
"He will be a virtually invincible God of Destruction, destroying AVs and + 5 mobs with equal ease". E/ Opens Mids. "Lets see I know I'm going to need recharge so I'm going to have to some IO set X because they are the most efficient, which means I'll need Power Y to put the set into". "And I know he needs to get to or close to the soft cap so he’s going to need these pool powers which means he will probably have to lose that primary or secondary power (but lets see if we cant do it without losing anything first)” etc.

So based on that scenario (again the Muahahaha, beakers full of boiling uber essence, Jacobs ladder devices and torches are optional) are there any bits of wisdom regarding the basic prerequisites of a great build that you would be comfortable passing on?

Power,
I'm looking at your build and I'm curious,
how do you know to build that way?
Do you have ideas before you start with Mids?
Do you basically know how you are going to achieve lets say soft capped defenses vis a vis what powers you are going to take so you can slot x sets to get what you want ?
Or is it more a case of tinkering with Mids until you have what you want and then tinkering until you have made sure there is no better way to get there?

I'm a total noob at set slotting so please don't read anything snarky into what I ask. I really am just asking so I'll understand better. I don't have any agenda and am not subtly mocking anyone.
Boxing 5 slotted rather than shadow punch?
Howcome?
Is it that its more efficient to your ultimate goal because you need tough and the damage is close enough to SPs that theres not much in it and you need the powerchoice for something different?
Im basically trying to understand when it comes to building an amazing IO'd character what are the compromises you make that tend to yield a stronger character?
Or maybe you already know you are going to have enough recharge that boxing is just a slot mule and you wont be using it, you will be using SM, MG Smite and siphon. was it that? and how did you know that you wouldnt need boxing but would need it to slot it that way?
For instance I have an MA/Shield and took and slotted boxing for concept reasons but was thinking hard about taking thunderkick instead since it does more damage and can take the same sets, I would be willing to bet that you didn't choose boxing for concept reasons (drat that sounded snarky I dont mean it to) I think you chose it as a means to an end.
Hmmm you slotted amaze which is stun, what was that for? (Damnit that sounds snarky too! Don't read anything into that, I just don't know and want to understand better)
And Hammi Os, what is it that makes you decide to go for those as opposed to IOs from a set or 2 IOs from 2 different sets?

Anyway thanks for any insights you can share. It's much appreciated.

I don't know, I'm seeing a fair bit of Noobishness too.
I was in a PUP AE group and the mission being chosen was beating up on "Cows", not my cup of tea exactly but I figured what the heck I'm up for helping beating the snot out of a big bunch of bad guys. So the group had 3 tanks, myself lvl 19 SD/SS tank (no SOs so not exactly tough yet) a lvl 30 Stone/SS tank, a lvl 28 SD/SS tank. Figuring I was off tank I basically shut up and let things get sorted out by the leader and the Stoney.... and nothing happened! So I said "Hey Stones in ya go, I'll be right behind you". Eventually he aggroed the first group and even though I was right behind him promptly face planted. He got rezzed and then face planted again even though I had 70% of the aggro! At that point, I suggested the lvl 28 shielder take over as lead tank, same reluctance to charge into combat, same results. So I took over lead tank and we actually ended up doing ok. Since I had slotted the hell out of my primary, even though they were DO's the healer could keep me up better than the other 2 tanks. I grabbed and held aggro and the damage dealers did their thing, The Empath defender even got to use her secondary!
So I've learned to check character info, lvl 50? Check, Veteran badges = 0 Check.
After that you have to start asking some pretty specific questions.
Did you slot your primary (if its a tanker or defender or controller) did you slot your secondary if its a Scrapper.
Are your slots grey or red?
Usually we can teach them the stuff they need to know from there on out.

Is there a guide for using cubicles to float objects, or could those of you that have done it give us a quick run through of the steps involved?
Your help would be greatfully appreciated.

Techno,

I had the same problem, The game would crash and then I'd get stuck verifying files for long periods of time.
Are you getting stuck fixing Pigg files?
If so, follow ALL the steps in the help file on fixing pigg files.
Sadly in my case it turned out to be corrupted memory (Thats way bad and is the last thing they suggest you check) but once I found the bad stick of memory and removed it I was able to play just fine. Well I did have to turn down the graphics a bit, My machine missed the RAM I had to take out.

Thanks for those 2 very important bits of clarification Snow and Cyber
Its appreciated

Thanks very much for the replies and guides.
That gives me something to work towards.
It's Much appreciated.
Thanks Tankers

Thanks for the response, Just so Im clear,
is the badge for SK'ing fellow SG members
or for SK'ing NON SG members?

Thanks very much for the help.

I thought it was the reward for SKing while in SG mode.
But I have been sking my wifes char and Im not seeing any progress towards the badge.

Thanks for the replys. I didn't know Mids did that!
I look forward to seeing that build Federation.
Atheism, can you expound on that? Howcome its a waste?
Does slotting for speed gimp you for damage or surviveability? Or is it just a given that Stoneys are slow so folks will expect it? Or that Stoneys generally team so chances are there will be a kin around to SB you?
Regarding secondaries,
what is the prevailing wisdom in terms of having some fun beating on stuff?
Does Rage is SS offset the relatively lesser damage?
Does Dark Melees reasonably speedy activation and sould drain help give you enough to do while you are being an aggro magnet?
I read that stone melee had fast attacks does that bear out in practice?
I'm shying away from fire for concept reasons, but perhaps it could be a fire within type of fire.

Greetings all,

I have been trying since I can remember to like stone. Well at least I have been trying since they got rid of the "poo" graphics.
At any rate, I just get frustrated at not being able to move fast.
I know that realistically alot of tankers basically grab aggro and stay put, but I tend not to. So I'm wondering if anyone could help me with a build that gets me MOVING! Money is an object, but with AE I can sometimes get lucky rolls and it seems the prices are going down a bit. If it makes him faster Ill find a way to afford it!
I am thinking Stone/DM for concept but Stone/Stone or even Stone/SS is doable if they benefits those sets confer are better for speed or utility.
Once he gets Granite, I'd like him to stay that way (The character is going to be one of the slabs of Stonehenge magically animated) so the look is rather key.
I would also like to not be an embarrasment to stone tankers when it comes to survivability out of granite on the levels leading up to granite.
I very much appreciate any and all input you can provide.
Thanks kindly

Try this guide, it explains shields theres also a build for Shields/Fire in it.
For Honor! For Glory! Issue 13 Guide to Shields
There is also this guide which describes Fire Melee
The Will to Burn: Fire/Willpower Scrapper I12

Between the two you should be all set.

Hey Tymmeh
was away from the forums for a bit actually playing =).
All tank primaries and secondaries give you the tools to be a good tank. Its up to you to use them that way, but all the choices can equal a great tank.
I like the combo.
I have an Invuln/EM tank in his late 40s and he can take impressive amounts of damage.
I think my Shield EM will be slightly less capable than Invulnerability in taking damage,
but more capable at dealing it!
Not that dealing damage is our primary job, but its still alot of fun to do it.

EM excels at single target damage. On a single target basis it can really dish out the hurt, but it lags behind Axe, Mace, Fire, and DB for Area Of Effect attacks, EM only gets one AOE.
Shields has Against All Odds a handy Taunt aura and damage buff that debuffs bad guys (ensuring they hate you) and boosts the power of all your attacks.
So with shields your attacks do more damage, Your AOE attack whirling hands will make bigger orange numbers go loating up and your really big guns will do the kind of damage thats not covered any medical plan!
Shields also has Shield Charge.
Shield Charge is AOE goodness at its finest!
When it is up and boosted with fully saturated (10 bad guys near you) Against All Odds buffing it, You will feel like the Thing when its CLOBBERIN TIME! You get to hit a pile of guys with about the same damage as your great single target attacks! and they get knocked down to boot!
Well knocking bad guys into piles just makes you feel good all over!
So YES I think you will like it!

E/Weeps
Sniff, that's just beautiful Man.

My base is soooo teeny weeny, I want it to grow up to be big and strong like yours, what are you feeding yours? and were do you get your in game supply of Miracle grow?
Seriously your Base is absolutely amazing.

Wow,
I was hoping someone would post a Dual Blades WP scrapper build. Mine is still in his mid 30s so he still has to grow a bit, but I was feeling a bit frail in the last several mishes I did with him. Admittedly they were either MA or Snap Tooth. Honest to god though snap tooth managed to kill me each time! I'd hosp res and kill him back, but it really hurts your pride when you die to the same guy over and over. So hopefully your build will allow me to put him in his place.

Now I have a question regarding slotting, I recently came accross a thread about when to slot IOs that basically suggested the difference between lvl 30 IOs and lvl 50 IOs was negligible. It basically suggested that slotting at 25 (more of a diff there) or 30 was the way to go because you didn't lose your bonuses if you exemped down.
What are your thoughts on that?
Heavy hitters please weigh in I'm trying to wrap my po lil brain around this idea.

Thanks much Ill give that one a shot and then post back to ask how he did it!

Thematically Masterminds are problematic, I would like all the baddies to be sword weilders. well one of the bosses (mebbe they will be elite bosses testing will tell) will be Dual Blades.
So that being said how do I get hordes of lieutenants to be hordes?
I have tried a few things but don't seem to be getting very far, when I test (only me testing so the enemy count maybe artificially low) I'm getting groups of 3 bad guys, How can I make a horde lets say 20 to 25 and then have more join?

Last thing, my character is 35 theirs are in the high 40s so the sk thing will need to happen in the mish

I would like to have custom enemies (Lots and lots of them).
But I dont want this to be a farm, I just want to have a deadly target rich environment.
Any thoughts on what is the best way to come up with a challenging character to play against for a scrapp? I figure it will be lieutenants and up. So do lots of Scrapper lieutenants at max hard provide a good challenge? Or would Bosses on weak or hard be better? If they dont take up too much file space, Id like to have lieuts, bosses and 3 super bosses come at us.
So that we make great progress fighting different groups of lieutenants but then get slowed down by a boss and need to call the others to help, all the while the lieutenants are piling up and still slashing away at us.
I dont want this to be insta death in order to have fun we will need to be able to make some headway and maybe if we play to the best of our ability and can figure out a strategy maybe even win.
So how do I get lots and lots of bad guys in a mish preferably in the same big room and then in the event the room gets cleared have waves of reinforcements come in?
Your help will be greatly appreciated.