SnipeFu's Definitive Guide to Energy Blasters V3.0

Devin_Lacer · 01-22-2005 03:32 PM

Hey all, Raedien here, Nrg/Nrg blaster, very char concept oriented. Been playing around for awhile and was asking for help on the blaster boards. Didn't happen. Eventually someone pointed me here, THANK YOU! I didn't learn that much, the specific slot options are really nice though. I do have a few questions, and eventually (once I catch up on my college HW, i just spend 3 horus reading this ENTIRE THING, and the energy manipulation guide) will post my planned build for your expert(s) review(s). In the meantime, the post that got me here was concerning the dmg descriptor on the nrg snipe attack. It says 'Superior' as opposed to 'Extreme.' I was told that superior is lower than extreme and I am irked by this. NRG is supposed to be mainly single target, so why is our main single target attack lower than everyone elses? One idea was how early it was available. This makes sense, except that other archtypes get 'staple' moves early as well and they don't get jipped on dmg...Fireball being my main arguement, I have a high level Fire Blaster friend and that is his clean up move. Also, other powersets get snipe (except for Fire, but we know why there, although it is still extreme dmg) only one option lower! Also, the defender secondary sets Dark Blast and Psychic Blast get their 'Snipe' attacks in the 3RD SLOT! And both are EXTREME! [censored]?! Two levels is all the difference! Now I know that two levesl is important, but for a supposedly single target power set, it seems unfair...We should have Extreme on our snipe.
Second issue-As Raedien is a highly RP char (At least in power set, I don't tend to do the whole speech rp thing *shrug*) I took Teloportation as my travel power, much to the chagrin of many of my close friends. I can see why, high end cost, interruptible, no combat bonuses, and it requires slotting to be useful just for traveling! Still, I can't break out of it, no other travel power makes sense. I also plan on going through the Stealth tree and getting phase shift or invisibility. I also plan on picking up the Force Mastery defensive powers (not sure which). So I guess my question is what do you(meaning anyone on here) suggest for working Nova into the build?
I have more but can't remember it all, I'm kinda sick right now
On a final note, I did not pick up Power Bolt, have worked fine without it, don't plan on getting Bonesmasher or Energy Punch (Still totally getting Total Focus though ) I love Energy Torrent with all my heart, and I am really hoping Energy Blast isn't as bad as I hear. Was thinking of getting Power Push....hmmm

deadboy_champion · 01-23-2005 10:59 PM

[ QUOTE ]
In the meantime, the post that got me here was concerning the dmg descriptor on the nrg snipe attack. It says 'Superior' as opposed to 'Extreme.' I was told that superior is lower than extreme and I am irked by this. NRG is supposed to be mainly single target, so why is our main single target attack lower than everyone elses?

[/ QUOTE ]

AFAIK all the Sniper attacks do the same amount of damage (for Blasters relatively speaking) - Compare the base of a level 26 Blazing Bolt to a level 26 SniperBlast and they should be around the same (should be in the brawl index).

[ QUOTE ]
Also, the defender secondary sets Dark Blast and Psychic Blast get their 'Snipe' attacks in the 3RD SLOT! And both are EXTREME! [censored]?!

[/ QUOTE ]

Defenders also do 64.99% of Blaster Damage so again the EXTREME thing may be related to a it's specific archetype.

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Teloportation as my travel power, much to the chagrin of many of my close friends. I can see why, high end cost, interruptible, no combat bonuses, and it requires slotting to be useful just for traveling!

[/ QUOTE ]

I had Teleport and I used it for combat with my Invulnerability Scrapper (before they removed the self root from Unyielding). I have Stamina and TP is slotted with a single Reduce Endurance.

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I also plan on going through the Stealth tree and getting phase shift or invisibility.

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If you are going for Phase Shift take Stealth then Grant Invisibility then Phase Shift.

Stealth and Phase Shift = the same effect as Invisibility

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I also plan on picking up the Force Mastery defensive powers (not sure which).

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Personal Force Field, Repulsion Field, Temporary Invulnerability, Force of Nature

Either take PFF and slot it or take Phase Shift (if you're looking for that oh heck button). Even slotted up mobs will still have a 5% chance to hit you with PFF on. However unlike Phase Shift you can use powers that affect self like Aid Self for example.

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So I guess my question is what do you(meaning anyone on here) suggest for working Nova into the build?

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IMO, Nova should be taken at 32 when it is available.

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Was thinking of getting Power Push....hmmm

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If you solo frequently Power Push is highly recommended in my book for keeping stuff on it's backside.

@Deadboy

SnipeFu · 01-24-2005 12:39 AM

Hi Radien,

thanks for posting now regarding your issues:

The snipe description is wrong, all blaster snipes like deadboy mentioned do the same base damage, so don't worry about it too much.

Teleportation is a tough one for a blaster, but since you are working off of concept, if it fits into youre concept I highly recommend picking uphover for several reasons. Number one, when teleporting, lag can and will kill you many times. You can be in the middle of a port, the game lags, and you drop into the middle of a very ugly crowd and bang! instant death. Even if you don't use it for combat purposes, which is also a fantastic use for hover (but again I know you're working off concept) use it to stay alive when teleporting. I don't know if you have an extra pool to open up or not for hover but if you do it will save you much grief.

For dropping a nova, you may have to stealth+phase in, then power up, drop phase, and nova. This will take a little practice to get the timing right, but should work most of the time. The problem here is, and you have to be careful for it, that when you drop phase and start the nova activation, mobs will be able to see you, and have 3 seconds to pound on you. This is quite dangerous and can lead to death very fast. With practice however you should be able to master this technique. Also there is a way of doing a running nova where you activate nova as you are jumping over the group, you will land far away, but the nova will go off exactly where you activated it which is hopefully directly above the group you are trying to kill. This also takes practice, the few times I tried I was unsuccessful but I have seen it done.

I agree with deadboy again in that if you are tasking the stealth line go stealth, grant invis, phase.

Power push is a great defensive tool.

Explosive blast is not AS BAD as you hear. It's good, just don't expect too much damage out of it.

Hope this has helped, good luck.

The Legion of Freedom

Dysmal · 01-24-2005 10:16 AM

[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
Also, the defender secondary sets Dark Blast and Psychic Blast get their 'Snipe' attacks in the 3RD SLOT! And both are EXTREME! [censored]?!

[/ QUOTE ]

Defenders also do 64.99% of Blaster Damage so again the EXTREME thing may be related to a it's specific archetype.

[/ QUOTE ]

It is. Last time I checked, I dont think my snipe on Dysmal, slotted with 5 damage SOs and one ACC cant even one shot an even minion. Trust me, blasters have nothing to fear from Defender snipes.

The qualatative damage descriptions are, AFAIK, in reference to each ATs specific damage level, not a scale that applies to all ATs.

Heroes
Dysmal
Lumynous
Sam Steele
Pluck
Wile
Slagheap
Pressure Wave
Rhiannon Bel
Verified
Stellaric
Syd Mallorn

Villains
Jotunheim Skald
Saer Maen
Jen Corbae
Illuminance
Venator Arawn
Taiga Dryad
Tarranos

Devin_Lacer · 01-24-2005 10:34 AM

Awesome, thanks guys.
As for my Nova question, I was refering to what SnipeFu answered, so I'm thinking I can pull it off, maybe...lol
As for the Stealth tree, taking Grant Invis was the plan, I already have Stealth, was just debating between Invisibility and Phase Shift...If I take personal forcefield isn't it kind of redundent to have Phaseshift? IDK what would be better, I might get repulsion field simply because it follows the char concept more and that would give Phaseshift some more usability...I don't think I have room for hover, although I can see where it would be useful. I already knew that the otehr AT's can't do as much damage as Blasters but I would like it if the Dev's would pay attention to the minor details of their changes too. For example, my tanker has Unyielding stance, but the descriptor in the general window still tells you that you can't move. I noticed something else yesterday that was of this nature but can't remember I think that is it for now...
Thanks again for the detailed comments, and the great guide.

Starfire_One · 01-25-2005 01:04 PM

Slot[01] Level 1 : Power Bolt /Acc,Dmg,Dmg,EndRdx,Dmg,Dmg
Slot[02] Level 1 : Power Thrust /Acc
Slot[03] Level 2 : Power Blast /Acc,Dmg,Dmg,EndRdx,Dmg,Dmg
Slot[04] Level 4 : Energy Torrent /Acc,Dmg,Dmg,Cone,Dmg,Dmg
Slot[05] Level 6 : Hover /DefBuf,DefBuf,DefBuf
Slot[06] Level 8 : Sniper Blast /Acc,Dmg,Dmg,Inter,Dmg,Dmg
Slot[07] Level 10 : Power Burst /Acc,Dmg,Dmg,EndRdx,Dmg,Dmg
Slot[08] Level 12 : Swift /Run
Slot[09] Level 14 : Fly /Fly,Fly,Fly
Slot[10] Level 16 : Health /Heal,Heal,Heal,Heal,Heal,Heal
Slot[11] Level 18 : Power Push /Acc
Slot[12] Level 20 : Stamina /EndRec,EndRec,EndRec,EndRec,EndRec,EndRec
Slot[13] Level 22 : Hasten /Rchg,Rchg,Rchg,Rchg,Rchg,Rchg
Slot[14] Level 24 : Conserve Power /Rchg,Rchg,Rchg
Slot[15] Level 26 : Explosive Blast /Acc,Dmg,Dmg,EndRdx,Dmg,Dmg
Slot[16] Level 28 : Build Up /Rchg,Rchg,Rchg
Slot[17] Level 30 : Stealth /EndRdx,DefBuf
Slot[18] Level 32 : Nova /Rchg,Dmg,Dmg,Rchg,Dmg,Dmg
Slot[19] Level 35 : Aid Other /Rchg
Slot[20] Level 38 : Aid Self /Rchg
Slot[21] Level 41 : Repulsion Field /Acc, EndRdx, EndRdx
Slot[22] Level 44 : Personal Force Field /EndRdx,DefBuf,DefBuf
Slot[23] Level 47 : Temp Invulnerability /EndRdx,ResDmg,ResDmg
Slot[24] Level 49 : Force of Nature /Rchg,Rchg,Rchg

My character is, above all else, a sniper. Whether I kite from the range of my sniper blast, or stealth within range of the majority of my powers, I still consider myself a Sniper.

This build has helped me up to level 31 and will continue to help me through to 50 and my Kheldian. With it, I can also earn ALL my badges (Heal Other helps towards the medical badges).

Thank you SnipeFu, your Guide has helped me a great deal.

SnipeFu · 01-25-2005 06:42 PM

Starfire, I like your build. I have one suggestion and that is to take the slots out of Health because they really don't do much for you in combat and only really serve to speed up down time in between fights. Since you already have aid self, you can throw those extra five slots in stealth or hover or aid other/aid self. Otherwise it looks like a great build. Have fun.

The Legion of Freedom

Blaster_Babe · 01-26-2005 02:34 AM

Hi,

Ive been trying to figure out what Mastery pool to take for a few days now after hitting 41 and very nearly 42 recently.

After reading this excellent guide and all the comments I think Im going with Force Mastery for my Eng/Eng blaster, it seems to fit best with my setup.

I think I'll take :-

41: Personal Force field / DefBuf
44: Temp Invuln / ResDam
47: Force of Nature / Rchrg

I assume I get 3 slots at 42,43,45,46,48 and 49 and another power at 50 or am I wrong?
Any suggestions as to extra slotting of the above powers?
Thanks!

SnipeFu · 01-26-2005 03:50 AM

Hey Blaster Babe,

I personally haven't even taken the epic pool yet because I need to test more to see what I prefer, but what you have chosen is a great way to go. As far as powers you get your last power at 49 and three more slots at 50. Good luck.

The Legion of Freedom

Starfire_One · 01-26-2005 09:13 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Starfire, I like your build. I have one suggestion and that is to take the slots out of Health because they really don't do much for you in combat and only really serve to speed up down time in between fights. Since you already have aid self, you can throw those extra five slots in stealth or hover or aid other/aid self. Otherwise it looks like a great build. Have fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you are right. All 6-slotting (Well it's 4-slotted right now) gets me is a couple more seconds of fight before debt (sorry, blaster humor). I think I'll put a Defense Buff in Stealth (and change one of the End. Discounts to a Defense Buff, also, and an Interrupt and Recharge into Aid Other and Aid Self. Any comments on this matter would be appreciated.

Another question, does anyone know how many recharges it would take to make Build Up and Conserve Power perma (or near-perma for that matter)?

SnipeFu · 01-27-2005 02:19 PM

Guys it seems I may have been wrong about the BU+Aim+ET+EB combo taking out white minions. It has been brought to my attention that someone has tested this on numerous enemies and found they are all left with a sliver of health. Can you all do some testing as well and tell me what you find?

If this is true I will have to revise the guide. Thanks in advance.

The Legion of Freedom

ATRAtwo · 01-27-2005 03:09 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Slot[05] Level 6 : Hover /DefBuf,DefBuf,DefBuf
Slot[08] Level 12 : Swift /Run
Slot[09] Level 14 : Fly /Fly,Fly,Fly
Slot[10] Level 16 : Health /Heal,Heal,Heal,Heal,Heal,Heal
Slot[12] Level 20 : Stamina /EndRec,EndRec,EndRec,EndRec,EndRec,EndRec
Slot[13] Level 22 : Hasten /Rchg,Rchg,Rchg,Rchg,Rchg,Rchg
Slot[17] Level 30 : Stealth /EndRdx,DefBuf
Slot[19] Level 35 : Aid Other /Rchg
Slot[20] Level 38 : Aid Self /Rchg

This build has helped me up to level 31 and will continue to help me through to 50 and my Kheldian. With it, I can also earn ALL my badges (Heal Other helps towards the medical badges).

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok, much deleted, but take a look at what I've left up there:

I count FIVE power pools. If they ever make Stamina an
inherent power, great!

But, it looks like you'll find yourself unable to take the healing
powers next level.

You could respec and throw out flight, take superspeed for your
travel power, and fit in the medicine pool that way but...

I ran into the same issue recently. I wanted to add teleport
to my flight, for character concept (was a paper RPG char
before CoH) but Hasten, even though I don't slot it, was
simply too useful, even if I only turn it on for big boss battles,
or the horde of mobs facing a 6+ team of heroes.

I'm happy with my blaster's build, though I might redo some
things for Exemplaring purposes with a respec, IF Stamina
becomes an Inherent power.

(Health is nice, but I'd dump it and Swift, despite me having
Stealth, to free up more early power choices.)

Airhammer · 01-27-2005 06:39 PM

Snipe will you post your build ?????

The hard things I can do--- The impossible just take a little bit longer.

If numbers are so much more important than a teammate who is fun to play with, forget about the game altogether and go play with a calculator instead. -Claws and Effect-

EnergyStar_MsK · 01-28-2005 08:32 AM

Pre I-3 I had these powers 4 slotted for dmg and used Aim + BU on even con (50) Nemesis minions...yes on slivers of health remaining. I don't think the minor differential (3-4%) to the 400% dmg would've taken them out completely. I'm sure I've used a rage here and there, and I've never completely taken out even-con (white) minions w/ the combo. It's still fun tho', and might be accurate (in completely taking them out) in the lower/mid level game.

Arcanaville · 01-28-2005 07:27 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Guys it seems I may have been wrong about the BU+Aim+ET+EB combo taking out white minions. It has been brought to my attention that someone has tested this on numerous enemies and found they are all left with a sliver of health. Can you all do some testing as well and tell me what you find?

If this is true I will have to revise the guide. Thanks in advance.

[/ QUOTE ]

I did testing of this at lvl50 against possessed scientists and nemesis minions about a week ago for another thread. BU+torrent+EB leaves them with a little bit of health left (on the order of 45 or so). This is with torrent and EB 5+1slotted with ++ enhancements. Aim doesn't have much to do under that slotting condition, and with BU+Aim+torrent+EB minions have something like 17 health left. Shame. BUT, BU+Aim+Torrent+EB is so close to taking out minions, its possible that it might at some level. Someone should test this at various other levels, or alternatively if someone knows of a table of minion health out there, we might be able to calculate this.

Also, anything with a vulnerability to smash or energy might go down with the combo. Freakshow in particular, or some of the DE, I think, have vulnerabilities to energy and smashing respectively.

Might as well wait on the snipe-testing also, SnipeFu, before making guide changes.

[Guide to Defense] [Scrapper Secondaries Comparison] [Archetype Popularity Analysis]

In one little corner of the universe, there's nothing more irritating than a misfile...
(Please support the best webcomic about a cosmic universal realignment by impaired angelic interference resulting in identity crisis angst. Or I release the pigmy water thieves.)

VA_Belle · 01-30-2005 10:30 AM

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Snipe will you post your build ?????

[/ QUOTE ]

NEVER ask a lady her age, or her build.

ranger498x · 01-30-2005 11:31 AM

great info

SnipeFu · 01-30-2005 12:01 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Snipe will you post your build ?????

[/ QUOTE ]

NEVER ask a lady her age, or her build.

[/ QUOTE ]

Who are you calling a lady? I will post my build soon, working on my twins' B-Day party today, no time to look it all up.

The Legion of Freedom

VA_Belle · 01-30-2005 03:05 PM

Pass on my "Happy Birthday" wishes to your twins!

We just celebrated our twins' (boy and girl) birthdays last month, so I know what it's like!

EnergyStar_MsK · 01-30-2005 10:41 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Snipe will you post your build ?????

[/ QUOTE ]

NEVER ask a lady her age, or her build.

[/ QUOTE ]

Who are you calling a lady? I will post my build soon, working on my twins' B-Day party today, no time to look it all up.

[/ QUOTE ]

I can attest...Snipe ain't no LADY!

Starfire_One · 02-03-2005 04:24 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I count FIVE power pools. If they ever make Stamina an inherent power, great!

But, it looks like you'll find yourself unable to take the healing
powers next level.

You could respec and throw out flight, take superspeed for your travel power, and fit in the medicine pool that way but...

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for pointing that out... caught me... I've changed the post to what everyone has said is a good build and am waiting for comments... again, thanks for the info.

Starfire_One · 02-03-2005 04:28 PM

Slot[01] Level 1 : Power Bolt /Acc,Dmg,Dmg,EndRdx,Dmg,Dmg
Slot[02] Level 1 : Power Thrust /Acc
Slot[03] Level 2 : Power Blast /Acc,Dmg,Dmg,EndRdx,Dmg,Dmg
Slot[04] Level 4 : Energy Torrent /Acc,Dmg,Dmg,Cone,Dmg,Dmg
Slot[05] Level 6 : Hover /EndRdx,DefBuf,DefBuf
Slot[06] Level 8 : Sniper Blast /Acc,Dmg,Dmg,Inter,Dmg,Dmg
Slot[07] Level 10 : Power Burst /Acc,Dmg,Dmg,EndRdx,Dmg,Dmg
Slot[08] Level 12 : Swift /Run
Slot[09] Level 14 : Fly /Fly,Fly,Fly
Slot[10] Level 16 : Health /Heal
Slot[11] Level 18 : Power Push /Acc
Slot[12] Level 20 : Stamina /EndRec,EndRec,EndRec,EndRec,EndRec,EndRec
Slot[13] Level 22 : Hasten /Rchg,Rchg,Rchg,Rchg,Rchg,Rchg
Slot[14] Level 24 : Conserve Power /Rchg,Rchg,Rchg,Rchg
Slot[15] Level 26 : Explosive Blast /Acc,Dmg,Dmg,EndRdx,Dmg,Dmg
Slot[16] Level 28 : Build Up /Rchg,Rchg,Rchg,Rchg
Slot[17] Level 30 : Stealth /EndRdx,DefBuf,DefBuf,EndRdx,DefBuf,DefBuf
Slot[18] Level 32 : Nova /Rchg,Dmg,Dmg,Rchg,Dmg,Dmg
Slot[19] Level 35 : Super Speed /EndRdx
Slot[20] Level 38 : Whirlwind /EndRdx,EndRdx
Slot[21] Level 41 : Repulsion Field /Acc, EndRdx, EndRdx
Slot[22] Level 44 : Personal Force Field /EndRdx
Slot[23] Level 47 : Temp Invulnerability /EndRdx,ResDmg,ResDmg
Slot[24] Level 49 : Force of Nature /Rchg,Rchg,Rchg

Airhammer · 02-05-2005 05:51 PM

Why have flight and SS.. why not try the six slotted hover ???

The hard things I can do--- The impossible just take a little bit longer.

If numbers are so much more important than a teammate who is fun to play with, forget about the game altogether and go play with a calculator instead. -Claws and Effect-

Redeucer · 02-09-2005 12:17 PM

I have a question based on the guide, SnipeFu. You say:

[ QUOTE ]
Large groups of minions up to +4 Buildup, Aim, Nova. Done.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am finding that I am missing far to many and getting killed after doing this. All it takes is one or two +4 minion with no damage and a couple more damaged ones to give you a world of hurt while you are low on END. I have gotten so I keep some CaBs handy so I can get some endurance back to keep from getting destroyed after doing this. I have Nova 4 slotted with damage. What am I missing here?

Thanks!

Novem · 02-09-2005 12:46 PM

Redeucer,

At what lvl is your blaster at currently, what do you have buildup/aim/nova slotted with? If you can supply this information I think it will be easier for us to help you with your question.