First off be sure to grab a Perception IO and put it into build-up. As far as devices blasters you should be able to see just about anybody from a distance with 1 Stealth power on just with Heightened Senses, however more than one, like Dev with a Stealth IO, and you should only see them closer up, and with the Percep IO, slightly farther still. Of course for me, living with a Zero Perception Stalker, Heightened Senses and that IO seems like it will suit all of your needs because you'll need to be close to charge up that Assassin Strike anyways...
For non-stalkers, the stealth cap (at level 50) is only 571 feet, while base perception is 500 feet for all ATs (VEAT stealth and perception caps are somewhat different, and I can't seem to track down the exact numbers, but you shouldn't have to worry about them anyway). Heightened senses (and other similar powers) are 300 feet of perception, while cloaking device (and many other basic stealth powers) are 389 feet of stealth.
So, your base perception will allow you to see a blaster using just cloaking device at 500 - 389 = 111 feet, which is not very far - it's almost within range for some longer-ranged blasts (or boost range). If said blaster has cloaking device and a stealth IO (which I believe are also 389 feet of stealth edit: actually, it's 300 feet, but that's still enough to stealth cap him), he would be at the stealth cap and you wouldn't be able to see him at all with base perception. With just heightened senses, your perception is at 800 feet, letting you see that blaster who is simply cloaked at 411 feet, and even a stealth capped one will be visible out to 229 feet.
If you added a perception IO into buildup (which would give you an extra 100 feet of perception for 120 seconds after you use build up), you would be able to see basic stealthed characters out to 511 feet, and stealth capped ones out to 329 feet.
(There are no real changes to the above conclusions for lower levels than 50 - the non-stalker stealth cap slowly goes down, making a stealth capped character visible slightly farther away, but otherwise nothing major changes.)
Personally, for a villain I think that a single source of 300+ foot perception is adequate - especially for a stalker, who should have enough stealth to not be visible at 200 feet anyway. You can always stack the perception IO on top of that though, if you like.
@MuonNeutrino
Student, Gamer, Altaholic, and future Astronomer.
This is what it means to be a tank!
Thank you _Blu_ and Muon_Neutrino for the information. I am going to go with just heightened senses for my perception and see how it goes from there.
[ QUOTE ]
If you added a perception IO into buildup (which would give you an extra 100 feet of perception for 120 seconds after you use build up), you would be able to see basic stealthed characters out to 511 feet, and stealth capped ones out to 329 feet.
[/ QUOTE ]
Rectified Reticle: Increased Perception is a global unique IO. It acts as its own set bonus, and is always on, regardless of the power you've slotted it in. In fact, it will continue to give benefit as long as you are within 3 levels of the IO, even if you ex/mal below the point at which you took the power it's slotted in.
@Liz!
sketches on tumblr | finished pieces and resources on dA
Currently most active:
Shining Finger: 40 Elec/Titan][Summer's Son: 38 Fire/Fire/Pyre
Badgers:
Hyperion Tekk][Dark-stream
City of Heroes LiveJournal community.
Friendly, helpful and surprisingly light on the drama.
Save our game Master post.
yup I was about to say "wasn't +perception IO a global unique one?"
I am making a stalker for pvp with Will Power as my secondary. Will the plus perception from Heigthened Senses be enough to see cloaked adversaries like the Device Blasters, or will it be wise to pick up Tactics along the way also?