I don't start with any kind of IOs until 30 (basic IOs) then wait until maybe the 40s to start working on set bonuses.
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You're better off going for set bonuses in your late thirties and forties, and as an endgame goal. That's when the hardest content is available, and when you'll actually be able to start affording large amounts of IO sets.
Personally, I start building for set bonuses at one of three times:
1) I'm bored.
2) I have a lot of extra money.
3) The character seems to need help surviving.
1 and 2 generally show up in the low 40's; 3) can show up at any time. I have a heavily-IO'd out Stalker at level 34 because he seemed to need it.
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@Boltcutter in game.
I start working on my set bonuses as soon as the IOs with the ones I want are in my lvl range.
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I'd like to emphasize something that you probably know: If you're working on set bonuses at a lower level, watch that you don't get "understrength" in the power itself.
Crushing Impact is a set where you don't have to worry: any five of those at [probably] any level the set exists will get you to the softcap in damage. You can get "enough" Acc or Rech or End, as needed, in five.
Mako's Bite, in contrast, is something where if you get the whole set of 6 at level 40, you end up with [*checks wiki*] 89.2% instead of 94% or whatever at level 50. (it's 98.3 before ED).
Mini-guides: Force Field Defenders, Blasters, Market Self-Defense, Frankenslotting.
So you think you're a hero, huh.
@Boltcutter in game.
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I'd like to emphasize something that you probably know: If you're working on set bonuses at a lower level, watch that you don't get "understrength" in the power itself.
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That's what I was most concerned about when reading that the OP wanted to softcap positional defense. If you go for IO sets and wind up a few percentage points low in damage it's not a big deal. But when the whole point is to softcap defense you don't want to spend lots of inf on your various shields only to find that the cumulative effect of using lower level IOs is that you're not at the softcap.
What I'd suggest is working out your build in Mids and set the IOs all to level 40. You can start slotting those at 37. See if your build at that level gets you to the softcap. If it does, you can keep tweaking the level lower (there's an option that allows you to set the level of all IOs at once, or you can do them individually) until you find out the lower limit that still lets you hit your goal.
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[ QUOTE ]
That's what I was most concerned about when reading that the OP wanted to softcap positional defense. If you go for IO sets and wind up a few percentage points low in damage it's not a big deal. But when the whole point is to softcap defense you don't want to spend lots of inf on your various shields only to find that the cumulative effect of using lower level IOs is that you're not at the softcap.
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A very good point and excellent suggestion.
Though personally I figure so long as he's using level 25+, maybe 30+ IOs in his defense powers he should be okay. But it is a good point to make, because if you're slotting up the +def powers with IOs, you might not actually be getting as much direct +def buff in there as you would with three SOs at the ED line.
Watch the percentages. I was looking at a couple of softcapped builds recently. One used level 25-30 IOs and had a ton of +def set bonuses. The other used level 40-50 IOs and had much fewer few +def bonuses. Both were softcapped, though. The second build still hit the softcap because that guy was getting a few percentage points more +def out of his powers themselves.
The first build was a lot tighter, and the individual powers were slotted less effectively. The second build had a lot more wiggle room, and each power was better slotted. On the other hand, the first guy would perform better when exemp'd down, so it's a tradeoff.
@Acyl
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I don't start slotting Set IOs for bonuses until I have at least 4 slots allocated in the power. 4 slots minimizes compromising on the basic attribute boost percentages. By the time several/enough of my powers have 4 slots to be worthy of using a respec to cash out my common IOs, my character would be in the mid-30s. The mid-30s is a good time anyway, since you get the level ups with 3 slots to allocate, so you won't have to wait too long if you did have to make a compromise.
Of course, I'd try to pre-purchase the mid-30s Set IOs I'd want way before I'd need to use them. I have personal SGs and Bases with lots of bins, plus several semi-retired characters who have spare Market inventory slots to fish with low-ball bids.
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I've read multiple well written and thoughtful guides explaining the hard numbers and benefits of slotting generic IO's and Frankenslotting multi aspect IO's such as these:
Inventions 301 Building Blocks for Superior Slotting
The No Numbers Guide to I9 for the Casual Player
Guide: Introduction to Inventions 1.0
Viva Las Vegas intermediate guide to IOs (I9).
My dilemma is understanding when to start trying to build for a character that's geared towards taking advantage of IO set bonuses. For example, I have a lvl 35 SD/SS Tank that ideally I'd like to soft cap positional defense with (Melee, Ranged, AoE) as well as gaining +Rchg. Is going for something like this more reserved for endgame play or is it something I should be working to build at my current lvl?
My biggest hurdle is not ironing out the specific percentages number wise via Mids, it's knowing when to start purchasing these sets and trying to spec in favor of the set bonuses. Comprehending this "starting point" really affects any character I try and build for with set bonuses in mind. Do I try and build for my current lvl or should I again be thinking of an endgame build?
Any help on understanding this aspect of IO's would help me significantly as right now, it all seems a bit overwhelming.