My second (and main) character is my Kinetics/Radiation Blast defender, and let me say from slow beginnings to fantastic level 50, it was fun. These powersets together have earned me the title of honorary blaster on teams where I was the only (or one of a few) ranged players and was out-gunning blasters and scrappers.
Some thoughts on powers: Radiation Blast is a fantastic set. However, despite being (at least in my practice) one of the best overall defender attack sets, I only have about half of the attacks offered in use. Because I sit just behind the tanks and scrappers (How else are you going to get a great Fulcrum Shift off?), I don't find the need for an attack like Proton Volley (the sniper attack) while Irradiate doesn't offer the necessary range. Neutron Bomb, while not powerful right out of the gate, can become a useful post-aggro attack (that is, once a tank or someone else has grabbed the mob's attention, this attack becomes a quick and clean crowd thinner). If you're sneaky and can Fulcrum Shift then immediately Neutron Bomb, you're looking at substantial damage across an entire mob of enemies in a short time. Plus, it's an awesome animation!
The Kinetics set is awesome. Tankers and scrappers will love you because Transfusion gives them quite a bit of health with minimal recharge time, and since you're using it from a distance, they don't have to worry about their healer getting killed (it happens, but hey, the world isn't exactly perfect, right?). Speed boost will make your a team favorite, especially with tanks who want to keep their endurance up while also attacking as fast as possible. I feel Siphon Speed doesn't get the attention it deserves. Easily one of the best personal powers in the game, it can turn a slow-moving hover into a near-flight speed means of attack, while at the same time slowing down your enemy. Keeping Siphon Speed on you allows you to recharge attacks like Atomic Blast and Fulcrum Shift at a mad rate, which means more bad guys are in for a bad day.
Fulcrum Shift is what every Kinetic defender lives for. The description "will turn the tide of a fight" is no lie. While you have to be relatively close (sometimes melee range) to use it, the rewards for you and anyone in the area is incredible. The trick is pulling it off, which brings me to my next point.
Your ancillary power sets (or epic, if you're not a fan of big words). The one that works out best for me is the Power Mastery set, and for two reasons: Power Build Up and Temporary Invulnerability. Power Build Up dramatically increases your attack and accuracy, meaning if you dive into a group, Fulcrum Shift, Power Build Up, and then Atomic Blast, you're looking at an instant kill on every villain in the area. But how do you swoop in without being beaten to a pulp? Temp. Invulnerability! Who said a defender can't be a tanker (at least for a little while)?
Anyways, I'm rambling at this point. All I'm saying is this is a great set that's a lot of fun to play. Go, Kin/Rad defenders!
