Understanding Defiance [i11]
This is a good start, but it's not telling us much more about the mechanics of the new defiance than the patch notes already told us (or the in-game description). Could you gather the numbers of the bonuses that were posted (hopefully, the recent forum purge didn't take them).
And there's not a lot in the guide in telling us how to leverage the new defiance with game-play tactics, and what's there is limited to fire.
You certainly have more, though, than what ParagonWiki has. This does need a comprehensive treatment.
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Is it just me, or is anyone else finding that while Defiance 2.0 is good at 50, it's definitely lacking any oomph at lower levels? My level 31 Ice Blaster and my level 24 Fire Blaster don't seem to get much benefit from the new version.
At least this is how it "feels." I, too, would love to see some numbers on this.
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Ironik: Well, that could be because you have less attacks, and less sets giving you global recharge, so you're not attacking as often. So while you may have a full chain of attacks, chances are that at those levels, you've skipped a few attacks for travel, health, and or some other power pool.
Plus, you only have lvl 30 IOs slotted as opposed to level 50. Defiance doesn't replace the need for enhancement, after all.
On my 39 fire blaster, there is a big contrast between old and new, though now that I've gotten used to D2, i find myself lacking the same "rush of the awesomesauce" i first felt when i plowed through an entire thorns missions after the changes went Live. In short, maybe you just... got used to it.
-STEELE =)
Allied to all sides so that no matter what, I'll come out on top!
Oh, and Crimson demands you play this arc-> Twisted Knives (MA Arc #397769)
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Someone needs to copy the formulas that Castle had posted before (the ones where we see how Cast Time plays a key role in the magnitude and duration of the defiance buff.)
And from what I heard, the activation / recharge times of the Blaster powers (probably just the first 2 or 3) have been changed. I'm hoping someone figures out how much of that has changed (and update either City of Data or Mid's builder).
get out of mah forums Camo!!
good guide tho..
Meanie Blue!
But anyway...thanks for the advice. I'll update the guide when i'm done with my homework. Why am I not doing my homework now? Because.
I just updated it with some tactics. Just 2 questions- Is my estimation of 7.5 seconds for the damage bonus right? Also, I'm having trouble finding the amount of the damage bonus. Anyone know?
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Is it just me, or is anyone else finding that while Defiance 2.0 is good at 50, it's definitely lacking any oomph at lower levels? My level 31 Ice Blaster and my level 24 Fire Blaster don't seem to get much benefit from the new version.
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On my fire/nrg hover blaster, the effects of the Defiance didn't become very noticeable until I reslotted for recharge - then it became very noticeable, doubly so when SBed.
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Soon after Issue 11, another big update came along. This included a few minor fixes to Issue 11 and some new costumes but the best part of this update? Blasters got a new Defiance.
Blasters' earliest abilities come so naturally to them, that they are accessible even in states that normally prevent them from using powers, such as being Held, Slept or Stunned.
What does that mean? If you are Sleeping, Held, or Stunned, you can still attack with *some* of your powers. Although you still cant move normally, you can attack with your first 2 primary powers and your first seconday power. It doesnt seem like much, but its a huge advantage when fighting mez-heavy enemy groups, such as Circle of Thorns or Malta. It can easily help you win a fight. This update is a very good reason to take both of your first 2 primary powers.
Another fantastic part of the new defiance is the way the damage buff works. Instead of higher damage for lower health, its a bit more like Brutes Fury. Every time you attack, you get a small damage buff. The buff depends on the attack, but single target attacks give more than AoEs. These buffs are stackable if you can keep up with the recharge. This change is a good reason to slot up some recharge in your attacks if you have space, since it is quite easy to stack these buffs. Personally, on my level 50 Fire/Ice/Flame Blaster with Hasten, I can keep up about 2 Flares, 2 Fire Blast, 1-2 Blaze, and usually 1 Fire Breath or Fire Ball in a large fight. It helps my damage tremendously.
Obviously, this new Defiance changes the way that Blasters fight. With the old Defiance, Blasters had to be a bit more aggressive and try to purposely get hit for their damage buff. Now, you get your damage buff by attacking, making recharge much more critical. The buffs last for about 7.5 seconds. If you have a power that takes 2 seconds to recharge with a 1 second animation, that makes it stack 2 times with a 2 second downtime of only 1 buff, if you repeatedly use that attack. Use this to your advantage! Stack buffs! A good thing to do is use weaker powers first to get your damage going, then have a really strong blow from your strongest attack using the buffs from your less damaging attacks. This can be a good idea for right before you use a nuke, as long as you can survive the aggro for long enough.
Remember that all Primary and Secondary powers that hit enemies, whether they do damage or not, give a buff through Defiance. For example, Shiver from the Ice Manip. set and Smoke Grenade from the Devices set. Some powers that attack and do not aggro, such as Smoke Grenade, can be used tactically for a small build up-type power before a battle.
Hopefully by now I have answered any questions you may have had about the new Defiance, AKA Defiance 2.0. Get out there and get blasting!