Chain and Jacob are both pretty good attacks, honestly. With
the powers you've taken, if I had to get rid of one to pick up
Chain, I would ditch Lightning Clap. But if you've been getting
good use from the Clap, YMMV. I find it to be a skippable power
personally.
The jumping occurs fairly often, but as for "worth it versus",
it probably depends on how comfortable you are with melee
cones yourself. Some people really, really hate them, and
others are fine with them. If you hate them, Chain will make
you feel better. If you're fine, then there's no stark advantage
one way or the other, though Chain makes more targets
easier.
Optimally, since they both contribute to electric's AOE carnage,
I think you'd want both if at all possible.
CI arcs 100% of the time with some caveats:
1) there must be another target in melee range of the last affected target;
2) it will not affect same target more than once per application;
3) if any target is defeated, it stops there; and
4) if you slot a proc in it, then it arcs at the % of the proc (not a good idea, find another place for that proc).
There is also the odd chance that in a large spawn, all at/near full HP, CI will go on a tangent to the outskirts of that spawn and find no legal targets even though there is more than the max targets for it surrounding you.
Also, CI has a lower activation time than JL, in fact only Charged Brawl is faster in the whole set. And JL is the only cone attack Electric melee has so unless you have Sands of MU, is it really worth it lining up 1 single cone attack?
Well I do like Lightning Clap and currently have it slotted with Razzle Dazzle. It can buy me some time when I'm taking a beating(usually from things with toxic damage...like Banes and Tarantulas) and is a good AoE stun.
What I CAN get rid of(now that I look back at my build...is Conserve Power). I practically never use it anyway.
My other concern is that the game doesn't show the numbers in relation to the jumping effect of CI. I dont' know what its base damage is or that it jumps 100% of the time as long as a melee target is in range. I only knew they fixed the Fury and confuse issues it had. Also...its lower numbers were a deterrent for me as well.
I really disliked Jacob's ladder. Long animation and tiny, tiny cone.
Chain Induction I really like. Very fast animation and I can use it as a filler between spamming other attacks.
YMMV.
[ QUOTE ]
I really disliked Jacob's ladder. Long animation and tiny, tiny cone.
Chain Induction I really like. Very fast animation and I can use it as a filler between spamming other attacks.
YMMV.
[/ QUOTE ]
They tweaked the cone a bit. It's slightly wider now...hits easier than before...but its still a cone...
As a player with a lvl 50 Elec/* Brute, I wouldn't skip either, but if I had to skip one, I guess it'd be Jacob's Ladder (and not because its a bad power at all... despite its longish animation time).
From a pure fun perspective, CI is a more enjoyable power.
You open your attack chain with it, and it goes around tagging several other mobs near the one you hit while you go house with your other attacks. Just remember to use it on mobs that aren't left with only a sliver of health, because the chain stops when a mob drops even if the maximum number of targets are in range of that mob.
As food for thought, its worth mentioning that a good Fury-fueled JL can drop 3-4 hurting mobs at once... which is nothing to sneeze at in terms of either Endurance savings or reduced take-down time.
Hmmm...I may just drop conserve power then...
I do like the idea of CI a lot and it looks like a fun power!
some people dont like JL because of the narrow cone. i dont worry about that, its still a high damage attack with a fast enough animation to build fury (1.67, almost as fast as havoc's 1.5) that dosent have a smash component. i dont even bother aiming it, if it hits extras its a bonus.
but ci gets more targets more easily, no need for a cone shape, it can also hit targets out of range because it only needs to be in range of the last guy it sparked to. its mixed damage on the first target, but all energy like JL on others. it also seems to sleep enemies more often than other attacks, but that may be just me, the detailed info says the same chance...
but id definately grab both, i guess conserve is a good choice if you dont use it. i never much liked thunder strike tbqh, now there's a slow animation...
Of the two, Chain Induction is probably the better choice. Jacob's Ladder is neat looking with impressive damage (And I've had enough practice with Shadow Maul and Sands of Mu to make lining it up fairly easy), but it has a really long animation time that can slow down your fury building. Chain Induction is fast and a good way of taking down minions and lieutenants who have somehow survived Lightning Rod and Thunder Strike while still focusing on the bigger threats in the mob.
Too many alts to list.
I keep both, and have no problem with building Fury (unless the Masterminds are hogging the Aggro - *shakes metal fist*).
Take both, Ditch the Clap.
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
"The tip of a shoelace is called an aglet, its true purpose is sinister." The Question
[ QUOTE ]
Take both, Ditch the Clap.
[/ QUOTE ]
Doesn't that require medicine?
Branching Paragon Police Department Epic Archetype, please!
I'd ditch Jacob's Ladder. I hate the pause before the power fires. Damage is decent but nothing you'd miss. CI is pretty good even as a single target attack. The fact that it happens to arc and hit other targets is pure gravy.
Another thing you need to consider with CI is it's increased aggro. Anyone you didn't previously want your hide...probably will after you use it.
[ QUOTE ]
I keep both, and have no problem with building Fury (unless the Masterminds are hogging the Aggro - *shakes metal fist*).
Take both, Ditch the Clap.
[/ QUOTE ]
I'll ditch Conserve Power instead. I never use it. Even when I didn't have Power Sink I'd always think to myself that I'd use it and then REALLY want it later on(recharge time is stupid long)...Power Sink I use whenever I need end and 2 foes can refill my bar no problem.
So I'll get CI and lose CP.
Ok...I specced out of CP and into CI. Best move I've made in a while! The AoE chain shock plus LR and JL is a nice combo!
I fought and beat Silver Mantis as a +1 EB last night...although I did end up using 3 greens. I got cocky and thought I could do it without Power Surge...but when she hit me for 429 damage I had to rethink things...fast 
Anyway...thanks to all for the help and suggestions!
Glad you enjoy it.
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
"The tip of a shoelace is called an aglet, its true purpose is sinister." The Question
I'm thinking of respeccing into Chain Induction and out of Jacob's Ladder on my elec/elec brute.
I'm wondering if this is a good move or not. I currently have Charged Brawl, Havok Punch, Thunder Strike, Jacob's Ladder, Lightning Clap and Lightning Rod.
I notice that Jacob's Ladder does more damage and costs less end though...and its damage is pure energy. Also, Jacob's Ladder recharges faster. How often does the jumping occur in Chain Induction? And is it worth it versus having to line up the cone in Jacob's Ladder?
Any feedback you give will be appreciated.