First try at a STF guide! (Version 1)
By
Cerculeon,
Posted on: 2007-04-13 13:07 in The Market and Inventions
54 views and no responces? =(
~Relen~
Life's absurd events deserve absurd reactions.
Awesome guide, and it's the same thing that I've seen people do it with the STF team I was on.
The only thing that's confusing to me is the tower part, because we ended up getting recluse to bug someone (Don't ask me how, I don't understand it either), and we could just take out the towers without him attacking us. But I think I can see how you would normally do it.
Again, great guide ^_^
[ QUOTE ]
First mission- Destroy Cables (Not exactly sure what the real name of the mish is, but it is the objective anyway)
Enter the mission through a submarine near Statesman, to enter what the Villains call The Fab, and destroy the cables they are producing for Lord Recluses giant web! In this mission, it is probably easier to split up the damage dealers and send them to the web cables to destroy them fast. (I think it is around 40 cables that need to be destroyed). After destroying the cables, you will be sent to a cut scene of Arbiter Sands talking about coffee, and all that garbage about his schedule.. Blah blah blah
Run up to where you entered the mission and you will see a huge mob of Arachnos soldiers waiting for you by a Flier. Buff up the team (Or if youre the non-buffing team send the tank in first), then send the tanker in. Follow up with AoEs/Cones to get rid of the extra mobs around Arbiter Sands (lvl 49 AV, he summons extra drones like he is a Mastermind or something). Then focus on the AV, to take him out fast. Exit mission before the ambushes get to you.
[/ QUOTE ]
Forgot to mention the series of ambushes that spawn after to you finish the cables and the fact that there are more cables lying around than you need to destroy.
A tip to complete this mission faster- Leave 2 cables up top and when you get down to 2 left everyone head up top destroy them and take out the AV.
The author of this post is speaking in generalities from his personal experience.
Your experience may vary.
So defender types aren't discriminated against but Stone or Invul Tanks onry? Wonderful.
I found ice tanks much better than inv, any tank can do with relevant support
Any Tanker that can hold aggro is good as long as he's got buffs to back him up. A team without buffs is where you'll want a Stone tank. In an optimal team with multiple buffers I can't see why you'd need one.
@Demobot
Also on Steam
[ QUOTE ]
Any Tanker that can hold aggro is good as long as he's got buffs to back him up. A team without buffs is where you'll want a Stone tank. In an optimal team with multiple buffers I can't see why you'd need one.
[/ QUOTE ]
Then this needs to be added to the guide. So far the way it reads if you're not a Stone or Invul Tank, your tank isn't welcome.
While the 'red' tower is up, Lord Recluse can one-shot code you at the Tanker hit point cap. The only way to survive that is with massive buffs. That means either a tank in Granite, or another tank getting several different buffs along with a dedicated healer.
There is another way to 'tank' Recluse, not mentioned in the OP. Two Illusion controllers can alternate Phantom Army casts on him. (Or one Illusion controller under enough recharge buffs to give him perma-PA, though this is very risky.) If you use this method, you want to take out the 'yellow' tower first, then the 'red' one. In addition to the +acc that the OP mentioned, the yellow tower also seems to grant +def, which makes it harder for PA to keep aggro. Being indestructable, they don't care as much about being one-shotted.
Oh, and the blue tower is not just endurance, it seems to grant Speed Boost to Recluse. He attacks and moves faster with it up, though he's pretty fast to begin with so this can be hard to notice.
How long does the STF take on average?
Statesman Task Force Guide! V-1 (Beta)
Well, as you all know, issue 9 is bringing some great content along, as well as IOs. The biggest piece of content coming is the STF (Statesman Task Force). And thanks to the Devs it is nothing but a total blast! Allowing for many different team make-ups to work on this, unlike the RSF (Recluse Strike Force), which is fun, but requires a significant force of Corrupters and Brutes. So here is my guide, after completing the STF multiple times with all sorts of different teams.
First is the team make-up-
Many on the STF will proclaim that Rads and Darks are needed over all the other sets. This is NOT true. For example, I ran my first completed STF with a team of buffers-
Spines/Regen Scrapper
Claws/Regen Scrapper
Sonic/Sonic Defender
Emp/Rad Defender
FF/Rad Defender
Emp/Energy Defender
Stone/EM Tanker
Fire/Kin Controller
Now- Let me point out the synergies of the teams make-up.
Both the Sonic and Force Field Defenders complimented each other greatly. Giving the entire team the ability to either avoid getting hit, and resisting incoming damage after being hit. This made for an amazing combo when fighting all the AVs, making us an unstoppable team. Added with the Defense from the Bubbles was of course Fortitude from the empaths, as well as the other buffs for regen/recovery that they offer. Our Kinetic Controller added the needed damage for me and the other Scrapper on the team. As well as the recharge ability to keep on ticking away at the health of the AVs as the fights went on.
So far we covered the buffing part of the team. Lets cover the Offensive part-
Claws/Regen Scrapper, and a Spines/Regen scrapper have about the same ability to survive as the other, and with the buffs we got, we were almost as good as a granite tanker. Both Claws, and Spines, do about the same damage out put in lethal damage, spines just adds a little extra tick or two to just beat Claws. Over all we had an extremely constant stream of damage flowing against all the AVs, and Mobs. And the Stone tanker with all the same buffs was able to grab, and hold the agro from all the AVs even in the final mission.
Here is what a team would look like now since you cant get the exact make-up I had-
Scrapper
Blaster
Tanker (Preferred Stone or Invul)
Defender with Buffs
Defender with Buffs
Blaster
Controller with Buffs
Defender with Debuffs
Now we all know that debuffs arent NEEDED, but they are nice to have. Note that I dont say which debuffs are needed yet. This is because for each AV a different set of debuffs is a good idea, but over all the best Idea is a resistance debuff. Sonic or Rad is a good one. Having the sonic use its toggle resistance debuff on the tanker is awesome for the whole STF.
Basic make-up of the ideal team synergy-
The tanker (Stone or Invul) is needed on the team regardless of the make-up. Of course they are needed for taking agro of AVs, as well as basic mobs. Stone is preferred simply because it has the highest resistance/defence of all the sets. This of course means a Kinetic Defender or Controller is needed. Following that are the damage dealers. The Scrapper and the 2 Blasters, hopefully these arent built around PvP, and have AoEs for the final mission on the Towers.
Scrapper is chosen for 1 reason- Criticals are extremely nice against AVs and they survive easier than the Blasters do. If you have a team of straight up blasters and they die, the DPS is dropped and the whole thing is over. But if 2 blasters drop, and the scrapper is still alive, you can allow time to rez the dead Blasters and Vengeance off them. Keeping some of the DPS rolling with some drop.
Blasters are chosen because of multiple reasons- 1 is that Blasters have a higher damage cap than Scrappers. This is great if you have a Kinetic with you to boost their damage, as well as the blasters using BU + AIM. Add in extra Assualts and Tactics from each of the team mates and they are doing upwards of 450+ dmg with each hit. 2 is because of the AoEs the blasters bring to the table. For the final mission, at the towers just before Recluse you have to use AoEs to take out Repairmen before they fix the towers you have damage/destroyed. Fire/Fire blasters are great for this, or Anything with a /Fire secondary, for the Toggle PBAoE dmg.
Defenders with Buffs are chosen for 2 reasons- Buffs add a HUGE amount of survival to the team, whether it be just empathy buffs to just Sonic buffs, or a mix of all the buffs it is a smarter idea than to have all radiation defenders or controllers on the team. 2nd is that with buffs you can increase your accuracy and damage (Assualt/Tactics/Fortitude) or your defense/resistance to just about everything (Force Field and Sonic Resonance Buffs).
Defenders with Debuffs are chosen for 1 reason- Debuffs are good, but not as good as having a lot of buffs. Debuffs are used mainly for defense, -resistance, and accuracy. I dont mention regen because of the recent buff to AVs regarding regen. (It is now resistable.) While the other debuffs are now more effective. I.E. Resistance/Defense/Acc/Dam.
Controller with buffs is chosen for 2 reasons as well- Control is easily tossed aside in a fight with an AV, thanks to the PtoD, but the pets, (Imps, Phantasm, Sing, Jack, and Poop Soldier) are a decent addition to the team for damage/control abilities (I.E. Sing). The buffs are great on the team again for added ease. I like having another Empath as the controller. (Just helps to have another Fortitude)
Over all your looking at a really decent, fast pace, killing machine that steam rolls through all the AVs.
Now for the second setup for a team-
Radiation Def/Controller
Radiation Def/Controller
Radiation Def/Controller
Stone Tanker
Scrapper/Blaster
Scrapper/Blaster
Scrapper/Blaster
Kinetic Def/Controller
Easy team to assemble, and a high amount of damage. Less balance, and few abilities to add in other players for a great mix of playing.
Radiation- debuffs stack easily coming from different sources. The resistance/-defense/-dmg/-acc debuffs from radiation is great, but if you kill the anchor you have to wait for the debuffs to recharge, leaving gaps in the time where they AVs can, and cant hit you. Toggling the debuffs on the last AV you fight in the final mission is probably the better Idea. (I.E. Black Scorpion). AM is also great when stacked for increasing your damage output. 5% per AM.
Stone tanker - is for the Highest Resistance/Defense and taking on the AVs as you fight easily. Not hard to find a stoner.
Blasters or Scrappers Damage output is high with either. Just gets higher with the resistance debuffs.
Kinetic Def/Controller SB the tanker, and add ANOTHER boost to damage.
Over all it is an easy team to setup, just requires more pickiness than the original build.
Now Extra setup for teams (outside of the team make-up)-
Many like to have Shivans (Elite Boss pets from doing a mission from the scientist in Bloody Bay. 5 summons per Shivan Shard.) I personally like to make sure the team has at least 3 shivans on the team for the Inner Circle of AVs (Ghost Widow, Scirroco, Captn Mako, and Black Scropion.) They do Energy damage, and have a large defense built into each attack. These are great for teams that lack Assualt/Tactics on the team.
Some like to have Nukes from Warburg. You must gain access to codes to unlock a Rocket or Nuke from 3 different scientists you must rescue and deliver to their labs. After gaining 3 codes you may choose from 3 different types of Nukes Chemical Burn, Biochemical, and Nuclear. Chem Burn is a resistance/-dmg, Biochem is a +regen/+dmg for you and your team mates, and Nuclear is a end and high dmg. Preferred is the resistance/-dmg and the +dmg/+regen nukes.
Ok- Now you have everything you need to get started and run the STF and complete it! Right? Wrong! You and your team should make sure you have Inspirations, I like the combination of 5 yellows, and 15 purples. Helps when you dont have 3+ Tactics running on the team (Yellows, aka Insights.)
Now you are ready!
Alright! Start the STF already! I am getting ants in my pants!!!!
First mission- Destroy Cables (Not exactly sure what the real name of the mish is, but it is the objective anyway)
Enter the mission through a submarine near Statesman, to enter what the Villains call The Fab, and destroy the cables they are producing for Lord Recluses giant web! In this mission, it is probably easier to split up the damage dealers and send them to the web cables to destroy them fast. (I think it is around 40 cables that need to be destroyed). After destroying the cables, you will be sent to a cut scene of Arbiter Sands talking about coffee, and all that garbage about his schedule.. Blah blah blah Run up to where you entered the mission and you will see a huge mob of Arachnos soldiers waiting for you by a Flier. Buff up the team (Or if youre the non-buffing team send the tank in first), then send the tanker in. Follow up with AoEs/Cones to get rid of the extra mobs around Arbiter Sands (lvl 49 AV, he summons extra drones like he is a Mastermind or something). Then focus on the AV, to take him out fast. Exit mission before the ambushes get to you.
Second mission- Capture Dr. Aeon
This time the mission is in Peregine Island through one of the Portals in Portal Corp. Move forward once entering the mission to a 4 way spot with a lab door in front of you, then turn to the right and move forward to activate a cut scene of Dr. Aeon acting like a coward and running away through a portal to the Future. After the cut scene follow him into the portal, and you will appear in another lab. Again move forward to activate ANOTHER cut scene, this time with Dr. Aeon lecturing you on how stupid you are for following him here, blah blah. He tells you how to escape, and how to get the codes. Next after the cut scene, run to the right, and turn left into another hall way. There will be some enemies there, just skip past them, and head to the elevator to their right. Once up the elevator you will be outside in the PvP zone of Recluses Victory (dont worry you dont PvP there, just fight 4 AVs)
Jump over the fence, and target the AV Magus Mu Drakahn (Sp?). He will be in a mob near one of the turret points. Fight and Arrest him. Next turn towards what used to be a statue of Atlas, which is now a statue of Lord Recluse, and get over to where Ms. Liberty stands for the lowbies to train at, and target the AV there ( Cant remember her name), be careful with this fight, she does all Psionic Damage. Defeat her, and turn to your right if you are facing the statue of Recluse. Run over to point bravo (I think it is that one) to fight Shadow Spider. She uses caltrops so she is kind of annoying, but an easy fight. Defeat her.
Then run around behind City Hall, and look down the stairs, there should be 2 mobs there. 1 without an AV in it, and one with the AV Viridian in it. Skip the mob without Viridian and take out him as fast as you can. Next you must exit the mission by finding the exit on your own. This is really easy just leap to the right of City Hall until you see 2 giant banners hanging on a building, with Arachnos signs on it. Then just run to the portal exit, and you will complete the mission.
Third mission- Attack the Thorn Tree (The respec mission from CoV)
Ok Head back to Independence Port, your next mission is there.
Leap into the submarine again, to be taken to the Rogue Isles in Nerva. Head straight when exiting the sub past a giant tree to a door. Enter the door, and have either you or one of your team mates with stealth/invis and recall run to the last room with the Thorn Tree is located. Once everyone is in that area, move around the outside of the room and take out the mobs of CoT. Next get in a good group and run around the tree destroying its vines that are attacking you. It is the only way that will allow you to attack the tree and do damage to it. Once all the vines are destroyed the vine counter (80 vines is what it starts at) you may attack the tree. It shouldnt take too long to do this. Once the tree is destroyed, grab the Nexus at the center of the tree. It will give you a temporary power that is used for the fight with Dr. Aeon. Exit the mission.
Fourth mission- Capture Dr. Aeon (This mission is in Cap Au Diable)
Ok Talk to Statesman and head back to the submarine for a trip to Cap Au Diable! Your gonna have to fight alot of Arachnos in this mission to gain access into Aeons lab. Only fight mobs that have a boss in it named Security Chief?, sometimes you get the key on the first try, sometimes you dont get it til the final boss. All the bosses named Security Chief? are Bane Spider Executioners.
Head into Aeons lab, and get ready for an ambush. Take out the ambush and get ready for an assault on the first AV. It switches from Wretch and Silver Mantis every once and a while. Quickly defeat the AV, and move up on to the next floor. (Note: If you get Silver Mantis, watch her dialogue when you hurt her pretty badly. She is really funny). You will have to move up, and up fighting a different AV on each level. Silver Mantis, Wretch, Ice Mistral, and Barracuda. All easy fights. Then you face off against Dr. Aeon in his lab!
He is wearing his armor and has an impenetrable shield that you must use your temporary power you just got from the previous mission on him. This will make him Vulnerable. Beat on him till he falls! Do not pay attention to the Elite Bosses he summons. When you defeat one he will just replace it immediately after. Defeat him, and move onto the next mission.
(Note: For the fight with Aeon, you should clear the mobs around him and his lab to not grab extra agro from them. Also try to not agro him while you and your team are unprepared.)
Fifth mission- Stop Lord Recluse! (This mission takes place in Grandville)
Alright! You made it this far, but can you finish it?! Darn right you can!
Run up to the final mob along the walk way to the first set of AVs (The patrons) and clear away all the Arachnos soldiers there. Here is where everyone kinda argues about. I like Zerg Rushing, with buffs or with all debuffs. This is how it works for Zerging with all Debuffs-
Summon Shivans, and send tanker into the group of AVs to gather them into Melee range. The Debuffs fly onto Black Scorpion first (He isnt moving and you fight him last). The Shivans and Scrappers run in and start to do some insane damage, focusing on ONLY Ghost Widow (The players, not the shivans Stupid non-controlled pets!). Make sure she dies first! Now with the way she is now, she heals after reaching 1/8th HP, no big deal, just beat on her again. She wont heal again for the remainder of the fight. (She just misses a lot). Take her out, then go onto Captn Mako. This is where you usually freak out on a team with low accuracy and little to no Tactics running on the team. He SHOULD be easy considering he is just defense and your team should be built right. Take him out, follow up with Scirrico, he is the easiest of the 4 AVs and goes down FAST. Next is our old buddy Black Scorpion, who debuffed his pals for us! (Toggle radiation debuffs). Take him out fast, he doesnt pop a God Mode or anything so he just dies fast.
Now that that is all over What next, you ask? Well the flier! Look up into the sky and you will see our good friend the flier looking on. Use whatever you can to floor that thing to the ground and beat it to a pulp. Then move on up to the preperation for the fight with the Towers and Lord Recluse!
Here is where things get complicated. If you dont have a stoner or Invul, your gonna be in trouble here. You will also WANT an empathy for this plan. Have the Stone tanker and Empath run up to Recluse and taunt him, the Emp will make sure the tanker stays alive the entire time keeping the AV away from the tower team.
The Dmg dealers, and rads should head over to the red tower first. (Upper right hand corner tower) and take that out, lowering the damage being dealt to the tanker to make the emps job easier. Next is the Yellow Tower (Lower left hand corner). Destroy that to lower Recluses Accuracy. Then move to the Green tower (Upper Left hand corner). Destroy that to lower his regeneration rate. And then onto the Blue Tower (Lower right hand corner). Take that out to lower endurance recovery (Yeah like he even NEEDS that with 1 billion endurance points! =( )
After the Towers are taken down focus on LR. Put debuffs on him, and summon shivans. (if youre a buff heavy team just buff up the team to max, and watch how fast LR dies!) Beat on him for a short while and you will win! CONGRATS YOU BEAT THE STF!
(Note: The towers, when they reach about half will spawn Repairmen. They are level 45, deep gray arachnos that ONLY heal the towers. Use AoEs constantly on the towers to get rid of them fast. They WILL heal the tower about 1/4th per repairman. They spawn in groups of 2-3 at a time.)
Well there you have it all!
(This is my first guide ever so, critique nicely, with constructive comments please! Thanks!)
~Relen~
Lifes absurd events deserve absurd reactions.
P.S. - I didn't really know where to post this so I posted it here, since it is in the testing stages.