Electricity^3: The Blaptroller in Issue 5


Adam_Amp

 

Posted

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True enough. But Myst throwing a hissy fit about short circuit at 50 is what led to my post. And the fact that this is about Elec^3 blasters means we're talking level 41+.

Even with ED, a level 50 Elec^3 blaster still has 3 holds, two end drains (1 with end recovering), the ability to gain back any end you drain from enemies with your powers, a mass stun, an energy/smash/lethal shield, and even a mobile pet.

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I'm not "throwing a hissy fit."

But, as has been pointed how, who wants to wait 38 levels to be an effective drainer? That's a long time. The guide was made for others, not out of narcissism--what's it matter if I already have access to Power Sink?

Electric Blasters have universely be considered to be the weakest Primary for Blasters, even with endurance drain, which was their solace. Taking down everything in the game a few pegs with ED makes them that much less fun.

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I don't understand this mentality? Mystic took a Blaster AT and worked on it to make it one of the better sets with the pre I6 build.

Why not just do the same thing again? Take something that isn't that great compared to others and find a way to use it under the current rules. Adapt and conquer baby!!!!!!

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That's true, should focus on bringing the underdog to the top again...


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
I'm thinking into respeccing out of Short Circuit as well... the three holds just outclass it when soloing... and in teams, its a bit riskier when it's not a guranteed drain. Although I do like the ability of "stacking" it with Power Sink still to drain higher level mobs... hm.

Really liking T-Strike eh?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's the ragdoll physics! :\

Seriously, I really like the nearly guaranteed knockback, plus the great damage.


Doom.

Yep.

This is really doom.

 

Posted

Apriciate you posting the build for I6. I do think that we can make the best of these changes. I'm having way too much fun with with my Blaptroller (even knowing that he is less affective now) to just scrap him. My other main toon is a SS/Inv tank wanna talk about nervs...dont get me started. So unless I want to start over from lvl 1, with what ever was nerved the least, this Blaptroller has to work! (sound of desperation there!)

I'll do some testing in the test server using this build and let you know what I think.

Thanks!


 

Posted

Reading this with interest, I LOVE my elec/elec blaster, my highest and favorite hero and I just hit level 26. From Hero Planner:

Exported from version 1.5B of CoH Planner
http://joechott.com/coh

Archetype: Blaster
Primary Powers - Ranged : Electrical Blast
Secondary Powers - Support : Electricity Manipulation

01 : Electric Fence dam(01) dam(3) dam(13) recred(15) endred(15) immdur(17)
01 : Lightning Bolt dam(01) dam(3) dam(5) acc(5) endred(7) recred(7)
02 : Charged Bolts dam(02) dam(9) dam(9) acc(11) endred(11) recred(13)
04 : Charged Brawl dam(04) dam(48)
06 : Hover defbuf(06)
08 : Aim recred(08) recred(48) endred(48)
10 : Hurdle jmp(10)
12 : Hasten recred(12) recred(19) recred(23)
14 : Super Speed endred(14)
16 : Health hel(16) hel(43) hel(46)
18 : Tesla Cage dam(18) dam(23) hlddur(25) acc(25) endred(27) recred(27)
20 : Stamina endrec(20) endrec(21) endrec(21)
22 : Build Up recred(22) recred(37) recred(37) endred(37)
24 : Maneuvers recred(24) defbuf(46) recred(50)
26 : Voltaic Sentinel dam(26) dam(29) dam(29) acc(31) endred(33) recred(34)
28 : Thunder Strike dam(28) dam(31) dam(31) acc(33) endred(33) recred(34)
30 : Assault recred(30) recred(46) endred(50)
32 : Thunderous Blast dam(32) dam(34) dam(36) acc(39) endred(40) recred(42)
35 : Power Sink recred(35) recred(36) recred(36) endred(39) enddrn(40) endrec(42)
38 : Shocking Grasp dam(38) dam(39) endred(40) hlddur(42) acc(43) recred(43)
41 : Body Armor damres(41) damres(45) damres(45)
44 : Tactics recred(44) recred(45) endred(50)
47 : Vengeance defbuf(47)
49 : Cryo Freeze Ray endred(49)

-------------------------------------------

01 : Brawl dam(01)
01 : Sprint endred(01)
02 : Rest recred(02) recred(17) recred(19)

And it's working pretty well for me. I did respec with the I6 freee respec but the only thing I changed, really, was to take 3 slots from Hasten and replace Combat Jump with Hover. I like my Hero and he holds his own, mostly on teams, with +3 mobs. Even solo I have no trouble with +1-2 baddies.

I've only run out of end once or twice since I got stamina and I'm the one passing out blues to my teammates. I've got no problems with ED, I thought I would from all the hooting and hollering about it before it came out, but it's ok by me.

I've only been playing since late June, about 4 months, but I'm still having a blast and will probably still continue to play.

I like teaming better than soloing because of the synergy. It's (mostly) fast paced and action packed. Most of my power/slotting picks are pretty much along those lines.

I'd welcome any input, good or bad on my guy. The powers and slotting are accurate up to 26, and I plan to keep to the rest as planned unless I get info to the contrary. The slotting choices may not be as accurate. I was just putting into the planner what I *thought* I'd be using. Most of the main powers up to 26 have DO's but the choices my vary due to finances and or availability.

Thanks.


 

Posted

Ok Mystic_Amethyst I've used your concept once again and it worked fairly well. I had to fine-tune a few things to adjust to my playing style… I have to say it worked rather well.

Last night on the test server and I was able to take on groups of 4-5 with a boss in it at 1 or 2 lvls above me. Currently I'm at lvl32.

I had a hard time deciding if I should have chosen Thunder Strike or Thunderous Blast for my lvl 32 power. I went with Thunder Strike, I felt that it made a good addition to my initial attack combo...
Build Up + Aim + Ball Lightning + Short Circuit + Havok Punch +Charged Brawl + (then if anyone is still standing) Thunder Strike + (if any one is still coming at me) start to hold with Tesla Cage + then start blasting with Lightning Bolt ...by this time I have all attacks recharged and I can start the cycle again!

My build is below. Also the lvls of when I added a enhancement may not be 100% correct. Please take a look and let me know what you think.


Exported from version 1.5B of CoH Planner
http://joechott.com/coh

Archetype: Blaster
Primary Powers - Ranged : Electrical Blast
Secondary Powers - Support : Electricity Manipulation

01 : Electric Fence acc(01)
01 : Lightning Bolt acc(01) dam(3) dam(7) dam(19) recred(29)
02 : Ball Lightning acc(02) dam(3) dam(5) dam(13) recred(31)
04 : Charged Brawl acc(04) dam(5) dam(7) dam(17) recred(27) endred(31)
06 : swift runspeed(06)
08 : Short Circuit enddrn(08) enddrn(9) enddrn(9) recred(15) recred(15) recred(17)
10 : Havok Punch acc(10) dam(11) dam(11) dam(13) recred(27) endred(31)
12 : Hasten recred(12) recred(19) recred(25)
14 : Super Speed runspd(14)
16 : Health hel(16) hel (25) hel (29)
18 : Tesla Cage acc(18)
20 : Stamina endrec(20) endrec(21) endrec(21)
22 : Combat Jumping DefBuff(22)
24 : Build Up recred(24)
26 : Aim recred(26)
28 : Stealth defBuff(28)
30 : Super Jump Jump(30)
32 : Thunder Strike dam(32)
-------------------------------------------

01 : Brawl Empty(01)
01 : Sprint Empty(01)
02 : Rest recred (02) recred (23) recred (23)


 

Posted

I'm reactivating after many months for the holidays. I read (with a growing sense of horror) all about ED and I6 and I'm sure my level 36 elec/elec blaster will be suffering.

I should have a free respec left, I think, and I was intrigued by the idea of blapping so I think I'll need to give it a shot. Is there anything new I should know Mystic_Amythest? Is Short Circuit still worth fully slotting?

Ohmi on Victory


 

Posted

I tried. I really did. I was playing Elec/Elec. I couldn't make it work for me with the changes. I gave up and re-rolled into another AT. I'm not sorry I changed over. I'm sad an originally fun character was torn to shreds.

I honestly hope you guys can make it work. After I don't know how many respecs on Test, I couldn't make it fun for myself any longer--it was just no longer for me.


 

Posted

Sorry to hear you couldn't work it out. I haven't really seen all that much change on my Elec/Elec. I still run solo missions on Invincible, just have to be a little more careful. Things are a bit more on the edge with SC being cut back in effectiveness with ED, but it just adds to the fun. (At least for me)

As far as I'm concerned, blapping is still alive and well for Elec/Elec.


 

Posted

Well, I respecced but couldn't bring myself to go full blapper - I simply couldn't give up Zapp for Stealth. I did drop Charged Bolts and took Havoc Punch and Charged Brawl but had to drop Thunderous Strike (I'm 36). I found that ED allowed me to spread out my slots making LB a real threat for me for the first time.

I am living a bit more on the edge, even though I am a mere Heroic character. I most regret losing perma-hasten because I spend more time waiting in a solo mission before engaging a group of yellows. The end drain tactic is definitely less effective, particularly solo, but combined with Power Sink is still useful, especially for large teams vs. large groups and bosses. All in all, I would've been happy if ED had been in from the beginning. I am enjoying the quickness of HP/CP/LB.

Ohmi on Victory


 

Posted

First off, thanks to everyone for the great discussion here.

I'm starting an E3 blaster in CoH (I love the way the electrical powers look). Does anyone have any thoughts/builds for an E3 post Issue 6? Any updates on MA's builds and ideas that take into account the ED? Thanks!


 

Posted

Brian,

I posted my new build. I used the concepts that Mystic_Amethyst started with and then customized it a to my playing style. We are definitely not as powerful as we use to be but it can be played successfully. Check out what I've done and feel free to tweak it later on if you need to.

Also want to thank Mystic_Amethyst for all the useful advice on his Blaptroller concept. It has been very fun to play.

Archetype: Blaster
Primary Powers - Ranged : Electrical Blast
Secondary Powers - Support : Electricity Manipulation

01 : Electric Fence acc(01)
01 : Lightning Bolt acc(01) dam(3) dam(7) dam(19) recred(29)
02 : Ball Lightning acc(02) dam(3) dam(5) dam(13) recred(31)
04 : Charged Brawl acc(04) dam(5) dam(7) dam(17) recred(27) endred(31)
06 : swift runspeed(06)
08 : Short Circuit enddrn(08) enddrn(9) enddrn(9) recred(15) recred(15) recred(17)
10 : Havok Punch acc(10) dam(11) dam(11) dam(13) recred(27) endred(31)
12 : Hasten recred(12) recred(19) recred(25)
14 : Super Speed runspd(14)
16 : Health hel(16) hel (25) hel (29)
18 : Tesla Cage acc(18)
20 : Stamina endrec(20) endrec(21) endrec(21)
22 : Combat Jumping DefBuff(22)
24 : Build Up recred(24)
26 : Aim recred(26)
28 : Stealth defBuff(28)
30 : Super Jump Jump(30)
32 : Thunder Strike dam(32)
-------------------------------------------


 

Posted

figured i would post my post ED build here since i happen to love it. and it does very very well in pvp. i am at work and dont have hero planner so bear with me. i think i managed to squeeze out every thing i could out of it with the help of hami's.

elec fence - acc
charged brawl - dam/acc, 2 dam, 1 end mod, 1 end red, 1 rec
havoc punch - same
lightning bolt - dam/acc, 2 dam/range, 1endmod, 1endred, 1rec
ball lightning - same
Thunder strike- 1 dam/acc, 2 dam, 1 end red, 1 rec (no end drain from this power i dont know if that is a mistake in the power noted or not, but i didnt slot for it, i want to put another rec here because the wait for TS to come up is horrendous)
short circuit - three end mod, 3 rec
powersink- same
shocking grasp- dam/acc, 2 dam/mez, 1end mod, 1 end red, 1 rec
tesla cage - 1 acc/mez, 1 dam/range, 1 rec (has a shorter distance than shocking bolt, so i extended the range to be on par with shocking bolt..so i could mez from a distance)
shocking bolt 1 acc/mez, 1 dam/mez, 1 rec
aim - 3 tohit buff/attack rate
build up- 3 to hit buff/attack rate
---------
swift - 3 run
health - 2 heal(lvl 53)had them both..figured "why not use em"
hurdle - 3 jump
stamina - 3 end mod
---------
combat jumping - 1 travel/end red, 1 jump, 2 def buff
super leap -1 jump
acrobatics 2 end red (the stamina nerf makes this power a little heavier on the end)
---------
hasten -3 rec
super speed- 1 run
whirlwind- 2 end red (now you can only enhance the end the power uses, not the end per person in your area of effect)
---------
charged armor 5 hami def res/end red - i know i wasted slots here, but i had them and didnt want to give them away or waste them...so i decided to use them all.

now the basis of my build is simple...fast damage. elec lacks in the damage dept so i make up for it by cycling my attacks faster. i take turns keeping aim and build up active so i rarely miss. i can hit thru elude, mog, hurricane, rad infection, and any of the dark debuffs. i could slot my attacks with two recharges for slightly faster attack times, but they are slotted for drain and end reduction. even though the end drain from the elec attacks are barely noticeable, all that matters is that complement the drain from short circuit and powersink. i can keep regens drained if they are dumb enough to stay in meleee range, and that is with stamina and quick recovery fully slotted.

another aspect of the build i would like to comment on is the end reducers in the attacks. with the new end return to single target attacks from the primary and secondary, if you use less end to perfrom the attack you get more in return. you have a 50% chance to get end back on every single target attack. so if you reduce your end usage in half, you will gain alot more than you use over time.

the reason i slotted the fitness pool is to combat slows in pvp. the same with combat jumping.

with the combination of aim+build up and any attack i can do damage from range or up close, even though the majority of my damage is up close, i can still take out stormers and other annoying controllers from a good distance. the range enhancers for LB and BL make a nice addition to an already impressive range.

i didnt take thunderous blast because i dont like the stamina downtime after the fact. i move fast and kill alot, so the no end thing brought me down a bit. even with power sink, i would need to pop a cab before i used it and i would rather carry break free's than blues.

thats about it.


 

Posted

Sorry for the bit of forum hiatus

As of having played extensively since my last post, I'd recommend something more along the lines of this: (Best of luck! I'll consider revising the guide once I7 comes out. The blaptroller definitely did not die with ED. The control has just slightly shifted from endurance drain to holds, and in return we can increase our AoE damage a bit as well as lessen endurance worries thanks to the small buff endurance draining powers got.)

---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.5.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder
---------------------------------------------
Name:
Level: 50
Archetype: Blaster
Primary: Electrical Blast
Secondary: Electricity Manipulation
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Lightning Bolt==> Acc(1)Dmg(3)Dmg(7)Dmg(13)Rechg(29)
01) --> Electric Fence==> Acc(1)
02) --> Charged Brawl==> Acc(2)Dmg(3)Dmg(7)Dmg(9)Rechg(29)
04) --> Ball Lightning==> Acc(4)Dmg(5)Dmg(5)Dmg(9)Rechg(27)Rechg(50)
06) --> Short Circuit==> EndMod(6)EndMod(17)EndMod(17)Dmg(19)Dmg(19)Dmg(25)
08) --> Hasten==> Rechg(8)Rechg(15)Rechg(15)
10) --> Havoc Punch==> Acc(10)Dmg(11)Dmg(11)Dmg(13)Rechg(27)
12) --> Hurdle==> Jump(12)
14) --> Super Speed==> Run(14)
16) --> Health==> Heal(16)
18) --> Tesla Cage==> Acc(18)Hold(40)Hold(43)Hold(46)
20) --> Stamina==> EndMod(20)EndMod(21)EndMod(21)
22) --> Charged Bolts==> Acc(22)Dmg(23)Dmg(23)Dmg(25)Rechg(37)
24) --> Build Up==> Rechg(24)Rechg(39)Rechg(39)
26) --> Aim==> Rechg(26)Rechg(39)Rechg(40)
28) --> Aid Other==> Heal(28)
30) --> Aid Self==> Heal(30)Heal(31)Heal(31)IntRdx(31)Rechg(34)Rechg(46)
32) --> Thunderous Blast==> Dmg(32)Dmg(33)Dmg(33)Rechg(33)Rechg(34)Rechg(34)
35) --> Power Sink==> EndMod(35)EndMod(36)EndMod(36)Rechg(36)Rechg(37)Rechg(37)
38) --> Shocking Grasp==> Acc(38)Hold(40)Hold(43)Hold(46)EndRdx(50)
41) --> Static Discharge==> Acc(41)Dmg(42)Dmg(42)Dmg(42)Rechg(43)Rechg(50)
44) --> Charged Armor==> DmgRes(44)DmgRes(45)DmgRes(45)EndRdx(45)
47) --> Shocking Bolt==> Acc(47)Hold(48)Hold(48)Hold(48)
49) --> Stealth==> EndRdx(49)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Empty(1)
01) --> Brawl==> Empty(1)
01) --> Defiance==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> Empty(2)
---------------------------------------------


You're still a Blaptroller. Solo, you'll most often be using your three holds to lock down the spawns and safely shred them in melee. Although endurance drain is substantially less handy, it is still quite useful in teams for great crowd control. Short Circuit is still excellent, it just has a different use than before-- now, you can slot it to beef up your AoE damage, which was somewhat lacking, but also utilize it as another pseudo-Power Sink, to not only drain the bad guys of some endurance, but gain quite a bit back yourself thanks to the new changes to electric powers that allow their endurance drain to grant a chance of recovery. I really like the inclusion of Aid Other/Self, since Aid Self not only provides reliable, great survivability in terms of health, but also mez protection versus disorientation.


And because I've received PMs with interest, here's a PvP build, using the Force Mastery Epic. If you're interested in retaining concept of all electricity, that's viable too. Go for Shocking Bolt + Charged Armour from the epic, and probably another power such as Super Speed. Maybe Lightning Field, which looks good on paper versus stalkers and such, but I think just to keep moving is a safer tactic. You don't need to run Assault all the time, leadership is there for the +perception of Tactics.

---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.5.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder
---------------------------------------------
Name: mystic pvp
Level: 50
Archetype: Blaster
Primary: Electrical Blast
Secondary: Electricity Manipulation
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Lightning Bolt==> Acc(1)Dmg(3)Dmg(7)Dmg(15)Rechg(34)Acc(40)
01) --> Electric Fence==> Acc(1)
02) --> Charged Brawl==> Acc(2)Dmg(3)Dmg(5)Dmg(13)Rechg(17)Acc(40)
04) --> Charged Bolts==> Acc(4)Dmg(5)Dmg(7)Dmg(15)Rechg(34)Acc(40)
06) --> Combat Jumping==> Jump(6)
08) --> Hasten==> Rechg(8)Rechg(9)Rechg(9)
10) --> Havoc Punch==> Acc(10)Dmg(11)Dmg(11)Dmg(13)Rechg(17)Acc(33)
12) --> Hurdle==> Jump(12)Jump(42)Jump(46)
14) --> Super Jump==> Jump(14)
16) --> Health==> Heal(16)Heal(37)Heal(39)
18) --> Tesla Cage==> Acc(18)Acc(19)Hold(19)Hold(46)
20) --> Stamina==> EndMod(20)EndMod(21)EndMod(21)
22) --> Build Up==> Rechg(22)Rechg(23)Rechg(23)TH_Buf(43)TH_Buf(43)
24) --> Aim==> Rechg(24)Rechg(25)Rechg(25)TH_Buf(42)TH_Buf(43)
26) --> Zapp==> Dmg(26)Dmg(27)Dmg(27)IntRdx(31)Rechg(33)Acc(34)
28) --> Thunder Strike==> Acc(28)Dmg(29)Dmg(29)Dmg(31)Acc(31)Rechg(33)
30) --> Acrobatics==> EndRdx(30)
32) --> Assault==> EndRdx(32)
35) --> Power Sink==> Rechg(35)Rechg(36)Rechg(36)EndMod(36)EndMod(37)EndMod(37)
38) --> Tactics==> TH_Buf(38)TH_Buf(39)TH_Buf(39)EndRdx(46)
41) --> Personal Force Field==> DefBuf(41)DefBuf(42)
44) --> Temp Invulnerability==> DmgRes(44)DmgRes(45)DmgRes(45)EndRdx(45)
47) --> Force of Nature==> Rechg(47)Rechg(48)Rechg(48)DmgRes(48)DmgRes(50)DmgRes(50)
49) --> Shocking Grasp==> Acc(49)Acc(50)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Empty(1)
01) --> Brawl==> Empty(1)
01) --> Defiance==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> Empty(2)
---------------------------------------------


This build has an excellent mix of both melee + ranged, and ridiculous survivability for a blaster-- Acrobatics, Temporary Invulnerability, Force of Nature, and Personal Force Field make you quite hard to kill. There's good unsupresable movement in Hurdle + CJ, and decreased downtime in health. Two holds can be helpful to catch someone off guard, Tactics helps versus any stealthers, and the tohit buffs in Aim and Buildup as well as the recharges let them be rotated to ensure you break through annoying defenses such as /SR, /Ice, /FF, etc.

Cheers! Keep the blaptroller alive


 

Posted

This has to be one of the most detailed guides I've seen on the boards. I was making a defender until I started to read your guide and got excited about playing an ele^3. Thanks for making it so clear and concise.


 

Posted

My pleasure

Keep in mind that Lieutenants/Bosses/Elite Bosses just got a buff in endurance... so endurance drain is less effective. _Castle_ has said that this will be looked into, but for the moment, endurance drain keeps taking hits left and right. You still have all the other tools of Electricity at your disposal, though


 

Posted

I had enough endurance drain to last me a life time as an ice tanker.. so the hit to drain doesn't bother me. It's the multiuse capability that I'm excited about. A bit of AoE, great target damage, endurance drain, holds, strong damage.. a very versatile and well liked addition to groups I imagine. I built up my toon today on CoX builder and used your I6 template with minor changes. Well done.


 

Posted

Awesome guide man, really appreciate it.
Thanks for taking the time


 

Posted

Great guide! I kind of despaired that you (Mystic) had given up in disgust at ED and wouldn't be revising your I5 build, which I've been following for an alt and enjoying a lot. I'd done some of my own tweaks, but I'm no number cruncher. Luckily the toon is only level 15 so I don't have to burn a respec switching to your new build.

One question for the floor though: why Charged Bolts at 22? Or at all, for that matter? With Lightning Bolt, Ball Lightning, and Thunderous Blast for ranged damage, plus all the AOE and Hold choices, isn't CB kind of superfluous? Might it be more efficient to take Aim, Build Up, or Aid Other (and hence Aid Self) earlier?

If there's a good reason behind it then I'm all for it, but maybe I'm just not seeing it.

Thanks!
Ryan


 

Posted

Just a small correction:

Short Circuit will not work as a "mini-Power Sink". The changes to the electric powers' secondary effects only impacts the single-target powers. None of the Area of Effect attacks will give any Endurance drained back to the user.


40062: The World's Worst PUG
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Posted

I'd actually like to fit in Charged Bolts earlier-- it smooths out the attack chain. You can pretty much attack indefinitely with CBo/LB/CBr/HP with enhancements/Hasten; I also found that one single target ranged attack was really just not enough, and the ability to string together more ranged attacks, beyond the situational TB and without wasting endurance on BL, was pivotal for versatility and better damage per second/endurance.

[ QUOTE ]
Just a small correction:

Short Circuit will not work as a "mini-Power Sink". The changes to the electric powers' secondary effects only impacts the single-target powers. None of the Area of Effect attacks will give any Endurance drained back to the user.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're right.. I had made that post when the change to allow a small percentage return of endurance on electric attacks was newly introduced. It's only the single target attacks that return an admittedly trivial amount of endurance.



Waitin on I7, hoping that a suitable adjustment to endurance drain has come. Hopefully it's effective enough to warrant a guide revision


 

Posted

In my experiences, Charged Bolts just gets used too rarely. I still run Hasten. Between all the melee attacks, Lightning Bolt, and Ball Lightning, and cycling Aim and BU, I rarely find time to use Charged Bolts. When I exemp beneath it (took it at 47 I believe), I simply don't miss it.

I've been thinking of respeccing into Voltaic Sentinel. It fires the same damage as Charged Bolts, doesn't it? And you don't have to activate it except at the beginning, so it's like a free bit of damage every once in a while.


Doom.

Yep.

This is really doom.

 

Posted

I think you run with Thunderous Strike, though, and if you also use Shocking Grasp very offensively, CB would have much less use...

I'm still not sold on Voltaic Sentinel since it was so eh with the original Blaptroller playstyle and disrupted careful setup.. if the endurance drain changes in I7 are anything like I picture them to be (aka, crap), VS could work its way in the build. It can still draw unwanted aggro, has a slow rate of fire, and often doesn't really shoot the bad guy that you need it to-- the only plus sides I'm really seeing are worry-free extra damage and good DPE... but Elec/Elec rarely has endurance troubles as it is, and often my burst damage is too good for Voltaic Sentinel to be a noteworthy contributor. AoEs outclass it in teams, melee outclasses it solo. It's good for EB and AV fights I suppose.

What's nice (and in some ways, a pain in the [censored]) about Elec/Elec is that it isn't as obvious as Fire Breath + Fireball... you can come up with a litany of builds each as arguably effective as the next =)


 

Posted

Yes, I use Thunderous Strike 'cause it's *almost* Total Focus damage. Shocking Grasp with Lightning Bolt damage means I use it offensively, but still try and use it to greatest effect I can, I.E. setting it on a troublesome lieutenant and letting it tick away. Makes for a nice attack chain.


Doom.

Yep.

This is really doom.

 

Posted

Hmm, that helps actually. Even at 15 I have little downtime between attacks, since I slotted Acc and EndRed in my main attacks first. I think I'll skip CB and shift BU, Aim, and the two Aids up one slot, taking Thunder Strike at 30. TS may not be the most efficient choice, but it sounds like fun to send crowds of mobs flying in all directions.


 

Posted

That's one of Thunder Strike's main abilities, the ability to send several things flying while a lot of times just outright killing the selected one. It's a very powerful attack in my opinion, and wish Master Mystic would come to love it as I have


Doom.

Yep.

This is really doom.