Pink Pom-Pons of Death--The EM/SR Stalker Guide

Hey everyone, Shadow Poison here, to tell you about EM/SR Stalkers! I've gone through 29 levels so far with one, and I enjoy playing with him every minute. I will give you the rundown of the moves, and how to exploit them.

Note: Properly using your Stalker takes some thinking. You're not one of those silly SMASH!!ing Brutes, you're an assassin, and you need to think.

All of this is my opinion, and I know some of you won't agree with it.

ENERGY MELEE--PINK POM-PONS OF DEATH

Energy Melee is my favorite set. Some people don't like the glowing hands, I personally, love em. EM has some nice damage, the good damage being the NRG, which few enemies have resistance to.

1. Barrage
Available: LVL 1
Damage: Minor

I personally did not get Barrage, and never will. I just don't need it. With Quickness, Energy Punch and Bone Smasher come back fast enough.

2. Energy Punch
Available: LVL 1
Damage: Moderate
When I got it: LVL 1
This is what I got at lvl 1. You will be using this your whole Stalker career. Get it, but don't slot it.

Recommended Slotting: 1 ACC

3. Bone Smasher
Available: LVL 2
Damage: High
When I got it: LVL 2
Bone Smasher is just plain awesome. If you get it at lvl 2, you will be one shotting white minions out of Hide. That's what got me to keep playing. I hope you will too.

Recommended Slotting: 3 damage, 1 ACC, 1 Recharge

4. Assassin's Strike
Available: LVL 6
Damage: Special
When I got it: LVL 6
This move....is the best move...ever. If you don't get this at lvl 6, then you should stop playing a Stalker. This move is a move you'll be using constantly. Your most used move. Get it ASAP, and slot it ASAP as well.

Recommended Slotting: 3 damage, 2 ACC, 1 Recharge

5. Build Up
Available: LVL 8
Damage: None
When I got it: LVL 18
Build Up+AS=Dead Enemy. You're gonna need this, great for PvP and PvE. I personally got this later, at lvl 18, to open up for Placate.

Recommended Slotting: 3 Recharge

6. Placate
Available: LVL 12
Damage: None
When I got it: LVL 12
This is another must-have move. When you use this, the enemy just forgets you're there, and you go back in to Hide. Get this at lvl 12, you can thank me later.

Recommended Slotting: 3 Recharge

7. Stun
Available: LVL 18
Damage: Minor

Stun does little damage, but has a great chance of disorienting. It sounds useful, but I just didn't have room for it in my build. There are better powers, and with the cap only being 40, you have to choose wisely.

Recommended Slotting: 1 ACC

8. Energy Transfer
Available: LVL 26
Damage: Extreme
When I got it: LVL 26
I love this move. You do amazing damage, but you sacrifice some of your HP. But when used in Hide, the HP penalty is taken away. After you get this, you're now a boss killer. BU+AS+ET= Dead Boss

Recommended Slotting: 3 damage, 1 ACC, 2 Recharge

9. Total Focus
Available: LVL 32
Damage: Extreme
When I got it: LVL 32
Look at that, two Extreme damage moves in a row. Total Focus does awesome damage, and almost always Disorients, but has a really long animation time, and recharges slow. But thankfully, we can get rid of one of those penalties. Get this ASAP.

Recommended Slotting: 3 damage, 1 ACC, 2 recharge

That's it for Energy Melee. Energy Melee is a really fun, and great set to use. Has the greatest single-target damage in the game, and has disorient, a rare, great side-effect.

SUPER REFLEXES--THE MICHAEL JACKSON OF COH

Super Reflexes has the best defense for a Stalker. And Quickness, now with ED, is even better than before. Here's the rundown.

1. Hide
Available: LVL 1
Type: Toggle
When I got it: LVL 1
Hide is a move you must get, and you would get no matter what anyways. You should have this on constantly. I've only taken it off to show off my costume, or when I was getting stunned before PB.

Recommended Slotting: 3 defense

2. Focused Fighting
Available: LVL 2
Type: Toggle
When I got it: LVL 4
This move is your primary defense to melee attacks. This and Focused Senses are the big mommas of the set, and you need this on all the time. Get this at lvl 4.

Recommended Slotting: 3 defense, 1 end reduc

3. Focused Senses
Available: LVL 4
Type: Toggle
When I got it: LVL 8
Your primary defense to ranged attacks. Slot this exactly the same way as FF and use it the same way.

Recommended Slotting: 3 defense, 1 end reduc

4. Agile
Available: LVL 10
Type: Passive

This is the first of two passive defense moves. This one is the ranged one. Now though, when your health gets lower, Agile and Dodge gives you resistance to damage. Sounds useful, but no room in my build as of now.

Recommended Slotting: 1 defense

5. Practiced Brawler
Available: LVL 16
Type: Click
When I got it: LVL 16
Your resistance to mez, knockback, holds, ETC. You have to take this. It's almost required. After making it perma, put it on Auto.

Recommended Slotting: 2 recharge with Quickness, 3 without.

6. Dodge
Available: LVL 20
Type: Passive

The last of the two defensive passives. This one is melee defense. Just like Agile, couldn't fit it in to my build.

Recommended Slotting: 1 defense

7. Quickness
Available: LVL 28
Type: Passive
When I got it: LVL 28
Another passive. Reduces the recharge of your attacks, makes you faster, and makes you resist Slows. I love this move, helps alot with ED too. Grab it at 28 if you can fit it.

Recommended Slotting: 1 run speed

8. Evasion
Available: LVL 35
Type: Toggle
When I got it: LVL 35
This toggle is unique. It resists AoE attacks. Another reason this set is my favorite, more defense to those annoying AoE's that get you out of Hide. Get this at lvl 35.

Recommended Slotting: 3 defense, 1 end reduc

9. Elude
Available: LVL 38
Type: Click
When I got it: LVL 38
When you use this move, your defenses and your run speed are insane, but when it wears off, you're left with no endurance. Meaning Hide turns off. Might be good for when you're fighting an annoying boss, AV, Hero in PvP, ETC.

Recommended Slotting: 3 defense, 3 Recharge

That about does it for EM and SR, time for the power pools.

Flight: I think Fly is a great travelpower, especially because of it's freedom. May take some slots to go faster, but ED opens them. Also, great for ASing the flyers in PvP. I got Hover at lvl 10 and Fly at lvl 14.

Fitness: EM/SR Stalkers need Stamina. I got Swift at lvl 20, Health at lvl 22, and Stamina at lvl 24.

Invisibility: I'm getting Stealth at lvl 30, because I'm going to PvP alot. It's up to you, if you're a PvP guy/gal or not. If you don't get Stealth, I'd get Agile.

That about does it for my guide to the EM/SR Stalker, thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it.

-Scarred Shadow LVL 29 EM/SR Stalker.

First, just wanted to say thanks for such a fine writeup. The work is appreciated. Now, as for my input... I have a lvl 30 Eng/SR stalker and I've got a little input. I find it disturbing that our builds are so similar (both skipped barrage, both skipped stun, both did the swift/health/stamina at 20-22-24, etc.)

The only real difference is that I went hasten-ss instead of hover-fly.

- Didn't take barrage. I took hasten and quickness, which means that my attack chain of BU - AS - BS - EP - Placate - AS - EP - BS etc. is already pretty solid.

- Kinda surprised you didn't slot EP. I use EP a lot to finish guys.

- Completely agree that stamina is required. I've head some stalkers say they don't need it, but even soloing, it makes my downtime much faster. And in groups, it's amazing how much more effective I am now.

- Why SS? Because in PvP (and somewhat in PvE) speed is king. If a target is low enough to the ground, I joust. (Jousting = key up the attack while a long way from target, run by at full speed, when the target fires, you'll be a distance away on the other side.) If I see the hint of a stun, I'm right back with a placate - AS. But I find SS essential to get into melee. As soon as I see a target struggling (held/slept/stunned, etc.) I can zip in at full speed and start inflicting the pain. And of course I'm maxed out on SS, so if I'm in trouble and bail, no one can catch me. But having said that, i'm thinking hasten + quickness might be overkill, so I'm thinking of respec. I just see all those fat, juicy, hovering targets up there that need a good AS...

[ QUOTE ]
- Why SS? Because in PvP (and somewhat in PvE) speed is king. If a target is low enough to the ground, I joust. (Jousting = key up the attack while a long way from target, run by at full speed, when the target fires, you'll be a distance away on the other side.) If I see the hint of a stun, I'm right back with a placate - AS. But I find SS essential to get into melee. As soon as I see a target struggling (held/slept/stunned, etc.) I can zip in at full speed and start inflicting the pain. And of course I'm maxed out on SS, so if I'm in trouble and bail, no one can catch me. But having said that, i'm thinking hasten + quickness might be overkill, so I'm thinking of respec. I just see all those fat, juicy, hovering targets up there that need a good AS...


[/ QUOTE ] Ah but SS leaves a trail of water, with fly you can hover above heroes in water, and AS them from above their heads, and while I dont have an EM/SR I do have EM/EA and a Kat/SR stalkers, so this guide is helpful, good work.

Thanks King, I actually am level 34 now, and have Energy Punch 5 slotted, 3 DAM, 1 ACC, 1 Recharge. I noticed my mistake.

I just can't stand not having Hasten perma. Just isn't worth it IMO. Plus, the zones in CoV have alot of height involved, and aren't SS friendly.

Oh, I've changed some opinions. I'd try slotting Build Up with 3 recharge, 2 ToHit Buffs for defense based toons.

Practiced Brawler is perma with 2 recharge SO's, if you have quickness or not. My mistake.

[ QUOTE ]
Practiced Brawler is perma with 2 recharge SO's, if you have quickness or not. My mistake.

[/ QUOTE ]
Only if the SOs are white or better.

If they're yellow, you'll have a gap of a couple of seconds. If you're PvPing, that gap can kill you, especially if you're hit with a few Slows.

Still waiting for his Official BackAlleyBrawler No-Prize

Is this with or without Quickness? I don't see why anyone wouldn't get Quickness though, that move is amazing.

I haven't been doing alot of PvPing lately, so that's why I didn't know, thanks.

I finally got my Villain Builder to work, so here's my build.

---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.3.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder - (http://home.comcast.net/~SherkSilver/index.html)
---------------------------------------------
Name: Scarred Shadow
Level: 41
Archetype: Stalker
Primary: Energy Melee
Secondary: Super Reflexes
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Energy Punch==> Acc(1) Dmg(31) Dmg(34) Dmg(37) Rechg(37)
01) --> Hide==> DefBuf(1) DefBuf(19) DefBuf(21)
02) --> Bone Smasher==> Dmg(2) Dmg(3) Acc(3) Dmg(17) Rechg(23) Rechg(31)
04) --> Focused Fighting==> DefBuf(4) DefBuf(5) DefBuf(5) EndRdx(21)
06) --> Assassin's Strike==> Acc(6) Dmg(7) Dmg(7) Dmg(9) Acc(9) Rechg(11)
08) --> Focused Senses==> DefBuf(8) DefBuf(11) DefBuf(15) EndRdx(23)
10) --> Air Superiority==> Acc(10)
12) --> Placate==> Rechg(12) Rechg(13) Rechg(13)
14) --> Fly==> Fly(14) Fly(15) Fly(37)
16) --> Practiced Brawler==> Rechg(16) Rechg(17)
18) --> Build Up==> Rechg(18) Rechg(19) Rechg(31) TH_Buf(40)
20) --> Swift==> Run(20)
22) --> Health==> Heal(22)
24) --> Stamina==> EndMod(24) EndMod(25) EndMod(25)
26) --> Energy Transfer==> Dmg(26) Dmg(27) Dmg(27) Acc(29) Rechg(29)
28) --> Quickness==> Run(28)
30) --> Stealth==> EndRdx(30)
32) --> Total Focus==> Dmg(32) Dmg(33) Dmg(33) Acc(33) EndRdx(34) Rechg(34)
35) --> Evasion==> DefBuf(35) DefBuf(36) DefBuf(36) EndRdx(36)
38) --> Elude==> DefBuf(38) DefBuf(39) DefBuf(39) Rechg(39) Rechg(40) Rechg(40)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Empty(1)
01) --> Brawl==> Empty(1)
01) --> Assassination==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> Empty(2)
---------------------------------------------

I could only fit one ToHit Buff in to Build Up, which isn't that bad. And I got Air Superiority, instead of Hover.

i was thinking of making a EM/SR stalker and thinking of using this guide but the only thing iam questioned about is the travel power pool i dont no wheather to go Fly SS or SJ anyone have any suggestions on which pool i should go for and why?

I'm so sorry everyone, I had to leave for a LONG time, and my account became inactive, resulting in no posting

But I return!

Well Filler, I've changed my opinion on a lot of stuff since I posted this guide, and all Travel Powers have their Pros and Cons. On Scarred Shadow's new build, he has SS because of Hasten. I didn't have room for another travel power.

Here are some P's & C's:

Super Speed: Tied with Teleport for fastest Travel Power. But, (and this is a big but) no vertical movement whatsoever. This is why alot of people prefer SJ. Also leaves trail in water in PvP.

Super Jump: Probably the best travel power IMO. Almost as fast as SS and also has vertical Movement. The only con I see with SJ is that Jump Kick and Combat Jumping suck (For a lot of toons, some use them) compared to Hasten for SS.

Fly: Slowest travel power in the game, yet you have the most freedom. Uses a TON of Endurance, but Hover and Air Superiority both have their uses.

Teleport: I've never used Teleport on any of my toons. I just didn't like it. You have to continually click where to cast, but there are very many binds. Great in PvP, along with TP Foe.

It's really your choice alone. BTW, expect an updated, juicier guide coming soon!