I. Introduction
This is a guide to give you an overview of all the powers in the Energy Melee and Energy Aura powersets and hopefully provide you with a good overview of your choices with these two powersets for your Stalker. Any numbers provided are obtained through City of Data.
II. Energy Melee
A. Overview
This attack powerset is very good for high damage yield. It also has a secondary disorient effect, which can be enhanced on several of the powers. There is no accuracy bonus within this attack powerset. Your damage split is Smashing and Energy with the greater effect on Smashing Damage with a couple of exceptions.
B. The Powers
Barrage (Level 1): The first of your two choices when creating an Energy Melee Stalker. In comparison with your other power choice at creation, you get a longer animation with a faster recharge, lower endurance cost, and a lower damage yield overall. This power does have a secondary disorient effect that can be enhanced.
End Cost: 3.54
Animation Time: 1.33 seconds
Recharge Time: 2 seconds
Energy Punch (Level 1): The second of your two choices at start. It yields a higher damage than Barrage and is a much faster attack, but yields a slower recharge. This power also has a secondary disorient effect that can be enhanced.
End Cost: 5.2
Animation Time: .57 seconds
Recharge Time: 4 seconds
Bone Smasher (Level 2) : A nice heavier attack. A moderate endurance cost, but a fairly long recharge time in comparison to your earlier attacks.
End Cost: 8.53
Animation Time: 1.5 seconds
Recharge Time: 8 seconds
Assassins Strike (Level 6): Now, keep in mind that this is a key power to the concept of the Stalker. It isnt required and with Energy Melee you could make a non-AS Stalker and make it to level 50. It will significantly increase your instant damage output. And its greatest effect is while you are hidden. If you are not hidden your damage is significantly reduced, also note that this attack is interruptible and takes approximately 4 seconds to go off. Unlike other interruptible powers, you cannot enhance for interrupt reduction. It takes only slightly longer to recharge than it takes for you to become hidden again. When hidden Assassins Strike damage is very close to your damage cap. There is NO disorient secondary effect on Assassins Strike.
End Cost: 14.35
Animation Time: 4 seconds
Recharge Time: 15 seconds
Build Up (Level 8): This is your non-hide damage increase power. For a very short duration you will have an increased accuracy and damage (approximately 2-3 hits). This power does work with Assassins Strike, however since AS is so close to the damage cap when hidden, the effect of the bonus to damage on AS is not the maximum Build Up normally grants. But it can still be potent.
End Cost: 5.2
Animation Time: 1.17 seconds
Recharge Time: 90 seconds
Duration: 10 seconds
Placate (Level 12): Jedi Mind Trick. This power is an Instant Hide with a few drawbacks. It removes the aggro from a single target only and places you in hide. If that target had already started an attack against you it will go off and may break your hide (so no increased damage). But after that, he will not see you even if he broke your hide. This power has no other effect. This power does have some range to stop those blasters from attacking, however its duration is not very long, it fades before you re-enter hide. If you attack the placated mob after using this power, the placate effect is negated. The "hide status" of placate is 75% of normal "hide status". This mostly impacts PvP.
End Cost: 2.6
Animation Time: 1.5 seconds
Recharge Time: 60 seconds
Range: 50 feet
Stun (Level 18): This power is strictly for what it says; Stunning. This is a heavy disorient, extremely low damage power. If you want damage, this power is not for you. Barrage does about 3x the damage that stun does.
End Cost: 10.19
Animation Time: 1.8 seconds
Recharge Time: 20 seconds
Energy Transfer (Level 26): This power trades a little self-inflicted damage for a strong energy attack. This is one of the exceptions where your energy damage is greater than your smashing damage. This attack has does not have a secondary disorient effect.
End Cost: 10.19
Animation Time: 1 second
Recharge Time: 20 seconds
Total Focus (Level 32): The damage on this power is slightly less than Energy Transfer, however it has a dual disorient effect. In other words your target can be hit with two disorients in one power. This increases your chance of defeating the resistance of your target and disorienting them. This power will also reach the damage cap under hide alone. Used in combination with Build Up will not yield a greater damage, but will still increase your to hit factor. This is the other exception where your energy damage output is greater than your smashing damage.
End Cost: 18.51
Animation Time: 3.3 seconds
Recharge Time: 20 seconds
III. Energy Aura
A. Overview
The Energy Aura powerset is defense based overall. This means its a prevent you from getting hit versus a reduce the damage per hit effect. However you do get an Energy / Negative Energy protection power available at level 16, it is the only damage resist power within the powerset. This defensive powerset has one of the most effective mez protection powers and it contains a very effective endurance drain coupled with a endurance reduction power. Slotting in this powerset can vary widely depending on your goals and purpose.
B. The Powers
Hide (Level 1): This is your only power to start and a key concept power to playing a stalker. It does exactly what it says, it Hides you from your enemies, and in playing a stalker you have the single bonus of stacking stealth based powers. Hide and Stealth is the more popular combination out there, but not the only one. This power utilizes the Stalker inherent power, which increases your damage output for all of your damage powers, if you are in hidden status. And when used with Assassin Strike, your damage with it increases to almost 6x its base damage. This power also increases your Area of Effect defense and can be slotted for this.
End Cost: .13
Animation Time: .73 seconds
Recharge Time: 20 seconds
Kinetic Shield (Level 2): Your first defensive power. Defense against Energy, Lethal, and Smashing damage.
End Cost: .13
Animation Time: .73 seconds
Recharge Time: 4 seconds
Power Shield (Level 4): Fire, Cold, Energy, and Negative Energy defense.
End Cost: .13
Animation Time: 1.67 seconds
Recharge Time: 4 seconds
Entropy Shield (Level 10): This is your mez protection power. Protects against Knockback, Disorient, Hold, Sleep, Immobilize, Teleportation, and Defense Debuff.
End Cost: .13
Animation Time: .73 seconds
Recharge Time: 10 seconds
Energy Protection (Level 16): Natural resistance to energy and negative energy damage.
Repulse (Level 20): This power will push people away if they get too close to you. Endurance cost increases for each foe, knocked back.
End Cost: .39
Animation Time: 1.67 seconds
Recharge Time: 20 seconds
Energy Drain (Level 28): This is your endurance drain power. Each foe you drain endurance from, increases the endurance you receive. With this power alone you could eliminate Stamina from your build, however it arrives fairly late in the game, so you may want to start with Stamina until you get to level 28. With this power it is possible to have a Stamina-Less build, however that will affect your pre-Energy Drain RSK runs.
End Cost: 13
Animation Time: 2.37 seconds
Recharge Time: 60 seconds
Radius: 10 Feet
Conserve Power (Level 35): This power reduces the endurance cost of all of you powers.
End Cost: 7.8
Animation Time: 1.17 seconds
Recharge Time: 600 seconds
Duration: 90 seconds
Overload (Level 38): This power is a massive defense buff for you. However there is a price to pay. When the power wears off, you will be drained of all of your endurance and will not be able to recover endurance for a short period of time. However you can pop some blue inspirations after this power ends and have some endurance.
End Cost: 2.6
Animation Time: 3 seconds
Recharge Time: 1000 seconds
Duration: 180 seconds
IV. Travel Power Pools
A. Overview
The travel powers in general work well with these powersets. You primary consideration is going to be as a Stalker and how you want to function as one. The other powers within each of the travel powersets can influence your choices so take a good look at them when considering your travel power of choice.
B. The Pools
Flight The flight power pool offers vertically focuses omni-directional movement with the ability to stop in the air. While flight can be hefty on the endurance cost, it can easily be managed through endurance reduction enhancements. This power allows you the best options and control in choosing your targets. There is also Air Superiority and Hover as very good options to go with choosing Flight or just using them on their own merit.
Leaping This pool offers excellent vertical movement, but limited control in that you cannot stop in the air without at least hover from the flight pool. It has a low endurance cost and fast travel rate. The primary negative to this power is that one cannot use Assassin Strike as this has no stationary effect, however your other powers, such as Total Focus or Stun coupled with this power can potentially have nice effects. Combat Jumping provides a nice indoor travel power, with a slight defense buff to enhance your defensive capability, but the nicest bonus to this powerset is Acrobatics, which offers you more mez protection against Holds and Immobilizes in addition to your already potent Entropy Shield.
Teleport Teleport offers an instant travel to desired location and can be very useful, however, its endurance consumption can be a serious drawback on its use. Recall Friend and Teleport Foe can be nice choices to accompany you as a Stalker. You are able to sneak past your enemies and teleport all your friends and surgically eliminate your target. Teleport Foe can be used to bring your enemies within reach if they dont want to play nice with you.
Speed Speed offers you the fastest in and out power for a relatively low endurance cost. However you have no access to vertically traveling opponents, without another power pool. Haste is a very useful power to go with these powerset choices. Faster attacks never hurt and might just keep you alive.
IV. Other Power Pools
A. Overview
As with the travel power pool sets, the other power pools can work well with these powerset overall. Choosing power pools is more a choice of preference than of requirements. However some of these pools are almost the antithesis of what the Stalker concept is perceived as, which may be exactly what you want.
B. The Pools
Concealment This pool is probably the most popular and most effective power pool choice for Stalkers. I say most effective, because this power pool is all about forms of stealth, and stacking stealth is a unique effect of Stalkers. So it is recommended one take advantage of this, since if you dont people will see you and come after you with extreme prejudice. Stealth is the more common power to use with Hide, while Invisibility works a little better it has a downside in the fact that one cannot attack while using this power. And while waiting for invisibility to drop so you can attack, you might find yourself seen. Phase Shift is nice, but it does have 30 second duration factor. But that doesnt mean that Phase Shift cant be used effectively.
NOTE: Grant Invisibility is nice for beating +Per powers, however there is one factor on this power you should be aware of if being the recipient or if being the grantor of this buff. The power grants +stealth and a small +def. The +stealth bonus of this power only lasts until you attack and will only return if Grant Invisibility is re-cast upon you.
Fighting The fighting power pool offers two attacks and two defenses. The attacks arent so big compared to yours, but boxing also offers disorient secondary effect which meshes with Energy Melee. Tough adds Smashing and Lethal resistance, but since you dont have any resistance, the bonus has little effect on you and Weave meshes well with your existing defenses, but to get there, you go through powers you are not as likely to use.
Fitness The fitness power pool can get you through the 20 to 28 range until you pick up Energy Drain. The swift power is a nice offset to the slow effect dropped on you by Stealth and Hurdle can add a nice little vertical capability to a super speeder. It all really is just a matter of what fits your concept and what might you need to get what you want.
Leadership This power pool can boost your defense, to hit, or even damage, as well as that of your team. The nicest fact is that since Energy Aura doesnt have any + Per powers, you can pick one up through Tactics.
Medicine This power pool allows you to heal, mez protect, and rez your teammates. Theres even one for you to heal yourself. And while I wouldnt discourage anyone who wanted to get this powerset if they so chose, you are a Stalker, you purpose is to do damage, not fix it.
Presence Taunt in a four-powered nutshell. For an archetype conceived with hide in mind, why would you want attention. But, if it works for you, go for it.
VI. Patron Power Pools
A. Overview
Introduced in Issue 7, these power pools allow you to pick one patron for your Stalker, and once chosen it cannot be changed. This is to give you a rough idea as to what your choices are, and who you get them from. And with that, to get started on the Patron power pools one must visit Arbiter Rein in Grandville. You will be given your choices of Ghost Widow, Sirocco, Mako, or Black Scorpion for Patron choices. In order get the Patron powers unlocked you must go through the story arc that is specifically tied to the patron you choose. With the badge that determines your powers you will also get a respec so that you can change into your patron powers if you started the arc after getting to level 50, but this respec is available upon completion irregardless of when you complete it.
I will offer my view of the patrons, I find them to be very lacking in general, and while some of the powers/pets can be interesting, dont feel that they really offer as much as advertised or in some cases, that the cost to get the one good power is not worth the reward of what the power offers to the energy melee/energy aura stalker.
B. The Patrons
Black Scorpion Discover Black Scorpions shadowed past.
Power Set: Mace Mastery
Mace Blast Your basic ranged low damage fast recharge attack that syncs well damage wise with the energy melee stalker. However, unless one is pulling targets with it, or combines it with their melee attack chain, you will probably rarely use this attack.
End Cost: 6.5
Animation Time: 2 seconds
Recharge Time: 6 seconds
Range: 60 feet
Effects: Knockback
Damage Type: Energy/Smashing
Mace Beam Your sniper attack and yes, all sniper attacks work through hide to provide a critical, but it is nothing near what Assassin Strike offers.
End Cost: 17.94
Animation Time: 2 seconds
Interrupt Time: 6
Recharge Time: 24 seconds
Range: 150 feet
Effects: Knockback/Interuptible
Damage Type: Energy/Smashing
Web Cocoon A hold power. It has nice secondary effects like -Fly, -Jump and a slow. The -Recharge isnt bad either. And, as with any hold, it is best when stacked, but that doesnt make this one useless, if it isnt.
End Cost: 10.66
Animation Time: 2 seconds
Recharge Time: 32 seconds
Range: 60 feet
Effects: Single Target -Recharge, -Fly, -Jump, Slow
Summon Spiderlings Summon 3 little spider pets. No stealth, no pet controls, and not totally useless, but your style of play will likely be adjusted if you choose to use these guys.
End Cost: 26
Animation Time: 3.03 seconds
Recharge Time: 900 seconds
Effects: Summon 3 Spiderlings (Enhancement Slots uncertain)
Damage Type: Energy/Smashing
Ghost Widow Learn Ghost Widows darkest desires.
Power Set: Soul Mastery
Dark Blast Your basic ranged low damage fast recharge attack that does negative energy damage versus the energy done with mace. However, unless one is pulling targets with it, or combines it with their melee attack chain, you will probably rarely use this attack.
End Cost: 6.5
Animation Time: 1 second
Recharge Time: 6 seconds
Range: 60 feet
Effects: Accuracy Debuff
Damage Type: Neg. Energy
Moonbeam Again, your sniper attack.
End Cost: 17.94
Animation Time: 1.33 seconds
Interrupt Time: 6
Recharge Time: 24 seconds
Range: 150 feet
Effects: Accuracy Debuff/Interruptible
Damage Type: Neg. Energy
Soul Storm A once non-resistable hold. Also does some damage over time.
End Cost: 10.66
Animation Time: 2.17 seconds
Recharge Time: 32 seconds
Range: 80 feet
Effects: Single Target Hold/DoT
Damage Type: Neg. Energy
Summon Widow Night Widow pet, and this pet does have stealth, but is not controllable.
End Cost: 26
Animation Time: 3.2
Recharge Time: 900
Effects: Summon a Ghost Widow
Damage Type: Toxic/Lethal
Mako Uncover Makos dangerous drive.
Power Set: Leviathan Mastery
Spirit Shark The basic ranged attack, and like all Leviathan mastery powers, some really unique and kewl looking power effects.
End Cost: 6.5
Animation Time: 3 seconds
Recharge Time: 6 seconds
Range: 60 feet
Effects: DoT/Knockback
Damage Type: Lethal
Water Spout A PBAoE power that summons a non-controllable, water spout pet which spins and causes one of several secondary effects with a small amount of damage.
End Cost: 26
Animation Time: 1.17 seconds
Recharge Time: 180 seconds
Duration: 30 seconds
Effects: Fear/Disorient/Knockback
Damage Type: Smashing
Spirit Shark Jaws The leviathan version of a hold.
End Cost: 10.66
Animation Time: 1.87 seconds
Recharge Time: 32 seconds
Range: 80 feet
Effects: Single Target Hold/-Fly/DoT
Damage Type: Lethal
Summon Guardian - Captain Mako will show you how to summon a Coralax Guardian Sentinel to do your bidding. These creatures are composed of living coral made from the sea-goddess Merulina.
End Cost: 26
Animation Time: 3.2 seconds
Recharge Time: 900 seconds
Effects: Summon Coralax Guardian Warder
Damage Type: Lethal/Smash
Scirocco Cast light upon Siroccos shocking secret.
Power Set: Mu Mastery
Mu Bolts A ranged attack with a small amount of end drain.
End Cost: 6.5
Animation Time: 1.17 seconds
Recharge Time: 6 seconds
Range: 80 feet
Effects: End Drain
Damage Type: Energy
Zapp A sniper with end drain.
End Cost: 17.94
Animation Time: 1.33 seconds
Recharge Time: 24 seconds
Effects: End Drain/Interruptible
Damage Type: Energy
Electric Shackles A hold with end drain.
End Cost: 8.58
Animation Time: 2.17 seconds
Recharge Time: 32 seconds
Effects: Single Target Hold/End Drain
Damage Type: Energy
Summon Adept Your very own Mu Pet. No stealth, no pet controls.
End Cost: 26
Animation Time: 1.17
Recharge Time: 900 seconds
Effects: Summons Mu Adept
Damage Type: Energy
VII. Slotting
A. Basic Slotting
Slotting is as individual to each person as their costumes (usually). But there are some basic frameworks that will get you to level 50 relatively easy, depending on your choices.
Defense Powers:
* SOs 3 Defense / 2 End Redux
* IOs (pre-level 25) 2 Defense / 2 End Redux
Attack Powers:
* SOs 2 Accuracy / 3 Damage / 1 Other (Optional)
* IOs 2 Accuracy / 3 Damage / 1 Other (Optional)
Recharge Only Powers:
* SOs 3 Recharge
* IOs 2 Recharge
B. Examining Sets:
My Best Recommendation is to pick one or two Primary set bonuses you want and work ways to acquire them.
Now several sets can work well with Energy Melee. Crushing Impact and Makos Bite are two relatively nice sets, with nice bonuses and for Energy Aura, I can definitely say Luck of the Gambler is nice. Red Fortune isnt a bad set either.
To add some details:
Defense Sets:
I've experimented with the following slotting ideas for the defense sets.
Six Slotting: Luck of the Gambler (All Six Slots)
Power Bonuses: Defense: 59.91% Endurance: 73.78% Recharge: 73.78%
Set Bonuses: +10% Regeneration / +13.6 (1.13%) Hitpoints / +9% Accuracy / +MezResist (Held) 2.75% / +3.13% PSI Resist
Enhancement Bonus: +7.5% Recharge Reduction
Six Slotting: Red Fortune (All Six Slots)
Power Bonuses: Defense: 57.52% Endurance: 97.49% Recharge: 73.78%
Set Bonuses: +MezResist (Immob) 2.2% / +1.26% Resist (Fire/Cold) / +2% Dmg Buff / +5% Recharge Reduction / +2.5% Defense (Ranged)
Six Slotting: Red Fortune (Five Slots) Luck of the Gambler (One Slot)
Power Bonuses: Defense: 57.52% Endurance: 73.78% Recharge: 73.78%
Set Bonuses: +MezResist (Immob) 2.2% / +1.26% Resist (Fire/Cold) / +2% Dmg Buff / +5% Recharge Reduction
Enhancement Bonus: +7.5% Recharge Reduction
Unless one is focusing on the Ranged Defense bonus, the sixth enhancement for Red Fortune (Endurance) is really a waste, so always consider replacing this one with something else useful to your build setup.
My preference for this is the Luck of the Gambler set. The overall percentages and set bonuses mesh well with my plans. I recommend taking a look at all the options and make the choice that best fits your plans.
Melee Damage Sets:
I examined both the Crushing Impact and Mako's Bite sets for the melee attacks.
Six Slotting: Crushing Impact (All Six Slots)
Power Bonuses: Accuracy: 68.9% Damage: 101.47% Endurance: 68.9% Recharge: 68.9%
Set Bonuses: +MezResist (Immob) 2.2% / +13.6 (1.13%) Hitpoints / +9% Accuracy / +5% Recharge Reduction / +2.5% Resist (PSI)
Six Slotting: Mako's Bite (All Six Slots)
Power Bonuses: Accuracy: 66.25% Damage: 93.64% Endurance: 66.25% Recharge: 66.25%
Set Bonuses: +MezResist (Immob) 3.3% / +18.1 (1.5%) Hitpoints / +3% Damage Buff / +MezResist (Held) 3.3% / +3.75% Defense (Ranged)
Enhancement Bonus: Chance of Damage (Lethal)
Between the two of these, I like the balance and mesh with Luck of the Gambler that Crushing Impact has. The Accuracy and Recharge mesh in particular.
Set Bonus Meshings:
Luck of the Gambler / Crushing Impact : Accuracy / Recharge Reduction / +Resist (PSI)
Luck of the Gambler / Mako's Bite : +Hitpoint Bonus / +MezResist (Held)
Red Fortune / Mako's Bite : +MezResist (Immob) / +Dmg Buff / +Defense (Ranged)
Red Fortune / Crushing Impact : None
Mako's Bite / Crushing Impact : +MezResist (Immob) / +Hitpoint Bonus
Red Fortune / Luck of the Gambler : Recharge Reduction
Set Bonus Cancellations:
Set Cancellations are where sets cancel out bonuses because they share the same numbers. So if one were to slot more than five of the sets combined, one would lose that particular bonus.
Luck of the Gambler / Crushing Impact : 1.13% Hitpoint Bonus
Luck of the Gambler / Mako's Bite : None
Red Fortune / Mako's Bite : None
Red Fortune / Crushing Impact : +MezResist (Immob) 2.2% / +5% Recharge Reduction
Mako's Bite / Crushing Impact : None
Red Fortune / Luck of the Gambler : None
Another item is, as stealth is the stalkers best weapon, one should consider slotting a stealth enhancement. And my recommendation for slotting this particular enhancement is in ones prestige powers or in sprint and run this toggle with ones travel power of choice, thus leaving you more important options, such and end redux or speed or teleport range for your main travel powers and utilizing another slot more effectively.
VIII. Health and Endurance
For the Energy Melee / Energy Aura Stalker endurance is rarely a consideration, your Energy Drain power recharges fast enough that one is able to refill endurance rather easily and it is an auto-hit, so if the mob is close enough, you are getting endurance. And the ability to get away and rest while hidden for those emergency situations isnt a negative factor at all.
However you have no healing powers and have the health of a squishy. So unless you choose to roll a defensive heavy build, you will want to make sure you keep an eye on your health more so than average, as sometimes the boss mobs will surprise you with a heavy hit. Most AVs will one or two shot you if you arent with a good team. So know when you need to back off, cause there will be times you have to, if you want to stay in the fight without a trip to the hospital or waiting for a rez from a teammate.
IX. Damage and Defense
High end damage is your strongest advantage, rely on that and you can take out mob groups of 6-8 even and plus one con very easily, but dont neglect your defense. Energy Protection is just for Energy and Negative Energy damage. You will need your defensive powers to survive. And unless you plan to only run Overload and take off when it gets close to dropping, you will need to pick up your early defensive powers.
The Accolade: Demonic syncs very nicely with the defensive focus of Energy Aura.
Also be aware, no matter how much defense you pump, it only takes 3 large inspirations to make it seem like you dont have any defense. And while a single radiation def debuff build isnt likely to give you a lot of trouble, several can reduce your defenses effectively.
Here is a rough look at your defenses, but for a more complete understand of defense, I would recommend Arcanas Guide to Defense. Found in Appendix B.
Values given are unslotted.
Hide (1)
* 5.625% Defense vs all but PSI
* 39.4% Defense vs AoE
* Reduced to 1.875% when hide broken.
Kinetic Shield (2)
* 16.5% Defense vs Lethal / Smash
* 2.625% Defense vs Energy
* 17.3% Resist vs Def. Debuff
Power Shield (4)
* 16.5% vs Cold / Energy / Fire
* 12.75% vs Neg. Energy
* 17.3% Resist vs Def. Debuff
Energy Protection (16)
* 7.5% Resist vs Energy
* 5.625% Resist vs Neg. Energy
Overload (38)
* 45% Defense vs all but PSI.
* 34.6% Resist vs Def. Debuff
Total Unslotted (without Overload):
* 22.1% Defense vs Lethal / Smashing / Fire / Cold
* 24.8% Defense vs Energy
* 18.4% Defense vs Neg. Energy
* 39.4% vs AoE
3 Slotted SOs for Defense (without Overload):
* 34.5% Defense vs Lethal / Smashing / Cold / Fire
* 38.6% vs Energy
* 28.7% vs Neg. Energy
* 61.4% vs AoE
2 Slotted IOs for Defense (without Overload):
* 33.1% Defense vs Lethal / Smashing / Cold / Fire
* 37.1% vs Energy
* 27.5% vs Neg. Energy
* 58.9% vs AoE
IX. PvE : Player vs Enemy or You vs the Computer
This is where you can really find the game dull and boring, the computer will rarely see you. Rikti Drones can break your hide, and so can certain ambushes, because these ambushes are specifically set to target you when they are spawned and only death will break that connection.
TP Foe, Recall Friend will really make you handy for many a fight, stealth past all the mobs, pull your friends to the boss, and whittle away his friends until you are ready to take him on.
Stealth increasing powers have no extra effect in PvE play. So if you don't have any plans to do any PvP it isn't necessary. If you are a badge hunter, than you need to consider at least temporarily getting stealth as it will make getting some badges easier.
Your Energy Drain power will be your most important friend depending on how you chose to slot your attacks and how many toggles you run
But the good part is, your ability to dish out damage means you can probably take out mobs in groups of 4 or less at +2 con with relative ease if you get a good attack pattern going.
My usual attack pattern:
1) Sneak into group and pick my first target, build-up and Assassin Strike
2) Placate target #2
3) Total Focus target #3 follow up with Bone Smasher if needed.
4) Energy Transfer #4
5) Use End Drain, then focus on remaining mobs, one at a time.
Stun is very useful in PvE combat vs minions and lieutenants. Boss and above are very resistant and Total Focus is much more likely to stun them. AV's are very unlikely to be stunned.
If you are with a team, your mob sizes will be larger, and aggro is much harder to control, even a brute with taunt can only draw aggro from 5 mobs maximum at a time. Their PBAoE effects are more likely to draw the aggro than having taunt will. Main thing to be aware of: When they draw aggro by entering into combat your placement could mean the difference between successful AS or interruption because of a flame thrower tossed in your general direction. In other words, do not stand in the front, go towards the rear of the mob group and look for your target there.
When teaming, while you excel in the damage department vs minions, lieutenants, and boss', that elite boss' and AV's/AH's are not going to have a major impact from one of your AS attacks. That doesn't mean don't use them, but you are not going to take that much life from them with it. AV's/AH's are usually so loaded on life that you may impact 5% with one AS. That doesn't mean don't use it, but solo'ing AV's/AH's will be impossible, and elite boss' will be difficult, but not impossible.
X. PvP : Player vs Player or You vs Me
Bloody Bay
To Enter Zone : Level 15
Effective Level within Zone : Level 25
Sirens Call
To Enter Zone : Level 20
Effective Level within Zone : Level 35
Warburg
To Enter Zone : Level 30
Effective Level within Zone : Level 40
Recluses Victory
To Enter Zone : Level 40
Effective Level within Zone : Level 50
Each zone plays slightly different, but the overall effect for you as a Stalker is, you hide and can kill many with a good two shot combo. This means, whether or not you pick your Assassin's Strike power or not, you will be treated as though you do. People will see Stalker and assume you are going after them. And if you try to tell them, they are going to laugh and ask why you make a Stalker. I use Stealth a lot in this section, and by saying "Stealth", I'm referring to a supplemental power to your Hide power. This means, Stealth, Invisibility, Grant Invisibility, Combat Invisibility, or any other power or ability, which stacks with Hide to increase your stealth rating.
As an Energy Aura Stalker you have some advantages over other sets defensive wise. You have the best mez protection compared to any stalker and almost compared to any AT out there. You are protected from Teleportation, Knockback, Disorient, Hold, Sleep, Defense Debuff, and Immobilize. Only Confuse will easily hit you as will Fear status effects. Succubus' and some heroes possess this power, however because it isn't a PvE friend power (no xp for kills by the confused mobs) not very many heroes have it. But because of its badge value for heroes (villains confusing heroes to get Reformed badge), quite a few villains are going to have it. Fear status effects are most common in the dark powersets, just be aware, when under effect of fear, it will be possible you can't move, but your toggles wont drop either. The other advantage you have in PvP is that several people have PBAoE powers that push you back and interupt your Assassin's Strike (hurricane and repel). This power allows you to walk right up to them like it wasn't there.
Your disorient effects are less likely to affect a player, as they will have break free's and extra status protections if they are on a team. So I would not count on these aspects to get you through a fight, but should you manage to overload their mez protection and stun them. Do not let up and take full advantage of it for as long as it lasts. Several pvp players have a bind that specifically uses any break free it can find in their inspiration inventory.
A. Bloody Bay
Bloody Bay is a low enough level to be a little fun, but unless you have mez protection, you will find yourself at the south end of a hold. Clear Mind is very present as a power in this zone and stacks, also there are going to be a few with Tactics, so if you don't have Stealth at this point, you are very likely to be spotted, plus several powersets, most of them Scrappers have a + Per power by lvl 25.
B. Siren's Call
A Stalker's nightmare zone if he is the only villain in it. Tactics is excessively present as well as Clear Mind. Most people in this zone will be likely to spot you if you don't have Stealth to combine with Hide. Most large-scale battles tend to occur near the villain base around the oilrig and the capsized ship or around the whole west area around the hero hospital. There is also a Bounty marker. It has a slight delay, but if you stay in one place too long, even with all the stealth in the world, you will be found.
C. Warburg
This zone is a haven for a Stalker. Most of the threats here are of serious consideration to any player. You will find oranges, reds and purples galore. Most large scale fighting occurs near the globe in the center and off the beach near the hero hospital ship. Because this zone allows heroes to attack heroes and more people have heroes that can enter this zone, they don't look for Stalkers nearly as much. The Web offers a great place to disappear and hide if you need to do anything. Stealth is a must here as you will be seen otherwise. And heroes are not your only threat, villains will see an easy target in you if they spot you.
D. Recluse's Victory
My favorite zone. And not for PvP. This zone isnt a great PvP zone. While you might occasionally find a duel or two, and there have been wars in this zone. But it is mostly a farmers haven. Turrets offer the easiest, low-risk rewards. Heavies can also be picked up which offer some protection for non-pvp builds. Although, if you do plan to farm this zone, be aware, there are PvPrs that make it a point to target you for it.
Appendix A: Stealth vs Perception Chart
Stealth vs Perception: The Numbers
Appendix B: Arcanas Guide to Defense
Arcanas Guide to Defense
Appendix C: COH Official Forum: Guide to Guides
COH Official Forum: Guide to Guides
Appendix D: Paragon Wiki: IO Sets page
Paragon Wiki: IO Sets
Appendix E: City of Data
City of Data
Shopans Stalker Guide to Energy Melee / Energy Aura
Issue 9 : Version 3.00 (7/4/2007)
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Energy Melee
A. Overview
B. The Powers
III. Energy Aura
A. Overview
B. The Powers
IV. Travel Power Pools
A. Overview
B. The Pools
V. Other Power Pools
A. Overview
B. The Pools
VI. Patron Power Pools
A. Overview
B. The Patrons
VII. Slotting
A. Basic Slotting
B. Invention Sets
VIII. Health and Endurance
IX. Damage and Defense
X. PvE
A. Solo
B. Duo
C. Large Teams
XI. PvP
A. Bloody Bay
B. Siren's Call
C. Warburg
D. Recluse's Victory
Appendix A: Stealth vs Perception Chart
Appendix B: Arcanas Guide to Defense
Appendix C: COH Forum: Guide to Guides
Appendix D: Paragon Wiki: IO Sets Page
Appendix E: City of Data