Replace the Medicine Pool with Assault and Tactics. Get 5 full sets of Red Fortune in your 4 shields and Maneuvers. Use 5 sets of Ruin/Detonation in your attacks. This will greatly boost your personal Range and AOE defense while Force Bubble/Repulsion Field makes melee defense less necessary. You'll rarely get hit and Assault/Tactics will boost your offense. Plus the Red Fortune set will enhance your recharge & damage to boot. All 3 of these sets are cheap and none require rare salvage. Crafting costs are miniscule if you get the recipes at a level between 30 and 35 to maximize your bang for the buck. You'll need to slot your bubbles/maneuvers more, but the extra recharge from IO sets will allow you to maintain a continuous attack chain with fewer attacks.
Get Power Build Up and Conserve Power in your epic pool so that you can further increase your sustained DPS as well as overcap teammates' defense during late game challenges such as the STF.
Later, if you have some money, slot the Blessing of the Zephyr set in your travel powers. On top of the already existing bonuses, this addition will basically cap your Ranged/AOE defense and you'll get to feel as untouchable as those you bubble.
PRTECTR4EVR
I was pretty bored with my FF/Sonic, until I respecced him to emphasize +def for ranged and AoE. He reached the softcap for ranged at lvl 36 and is over 40 and 30 respectively for AoE/Melee at present.
It did cost a couple of my useful knockback powers (which I'll pick up at 38 and 41, probably) in exchange for Tough (so far only for the Steadfast res/def) and Weave, which I sacrificed mainly because I wanted to try out Force Bubble.
It's a treat to draw the alpha-strike (I've tried up to a team of six, so far) when you've got a slightly timid tank or scrapper as the other non-squishies, especially when you rarely have to resort to PFF. Even if *certain people* want healers when they're fighting +5/+6s and not dying.
This build is entertaining enough that I'm planning on doing the same thing for my Cold/Ice defender, who will have to use full sets of Lockdown in the plan, and some of the debuff sets that have nice 6-slot def bonuses.
FF/Ice was my first defender. I had loads of fun leveling him up. This is my current build atm. I respec'd into this a while back for soft-capped range defense, just so you know this isn't the actual build I leveled with.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/
[u]Click this DataLink to open the build![u]
Level 50 Magic Defender
Primary Power Set: Force Field
Secondary Power Set: Ice Blast
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Power Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Deflection Shield -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(3), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(9), RedFtn-Def(33), RedFtn-EndRdx(34)
Level 1: Ice Bolt -- Dev'n-Acc/Dmg(A), Dev'n-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Dev'n-Dmg/Rchg(11), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15)
Level 2: Ice Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(9), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 4: Personal Force Field -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(5), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(5), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(19), RedFtn-Def(37), RedFtn-EndRdx(40)
Level 6: Insulation Shield -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(7), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(7), RedFtn-Def(33), RedFtn-EndRdx(34)
Level 8: Hover -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(42)
Level 10: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 12: Dispersion Bubble -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(13), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(13), RedFtn-Def(33), RedFtn-EndRdx(34)
Level 14: Fly -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(43)
Level 16: Freeze Ray -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(17), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(17), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(19)
Level 18: Health -- Heal-I(A)
Level 20: Stamina -- Efficacy-EndMod(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(21), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(21)
Level 22: Force Bolt -- KinCrsh-Dmg/KB(A), KinCrsh-Acc/KB(23), KinCrsh-Rchg/KB(23), KinCrsh-Rechg/EndRdx(43), KinCrsh-Dmg/EndRdx/KB(43), KinCrsh-Acc/Dmg/KB(46)
Level 24: Aim -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(25), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(25), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(27), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(27), GSFC-Build%(40)
Level 26: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 28: Bitter Ice Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(29), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(37)
Level 32: Maneuvers -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 35: Bitter Freeze Ray -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(36), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(36), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(36)
Level 38: Blizzard -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(39), Posi-Dmg/Rng(39), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40)
Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(42), RechRdx-I(42)
Level 44: Power Build Up -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(45), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg(45), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx(45), AdjTgt-Rchg(46)
Level 47: Repulsion Bomb -- Stpfy-Acc/Rchg(A), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun(48), Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx(48), Stpfy-Stun/Rng(48), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg(50)
Level 49: Temp Invulnerability -- ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(50), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Vigilance
------------
[u]Set Bonus Totals:[u]<ul type="square">[*]15.5% DamageBuff(Smashing)[*]15.5% DamageBuff(Lethal)[*]15.5% DamageBuff(Fire)[*]15.5% DamageBuff(Cold)[*]15.5% DamageBuff(Energy)[*]15.5% DamageBuff(Negative)[*]15.5% DamageBuff(Toxic)[*]15.5% DamageBuff(Psionic)[*]4.25% Defense(Smashing)[*]4.25% Defense(Lethal)[*]4.25% Defense(Fire)[*]4.25% Defense(Cold)[*]21.1% Defense(Energy)[*]21.1% Defense(Negative)[*]3% Defense(Psionic)[*]5.5% Defense(Melee)[*]24.3% Defense(Ranged)[*]5.5% Defense(AoE)[*]60% Enhancement(RechargeTime)[*]3% Enhancement(Stun)[*]32% Enhancement(Accuracy)[*]13% FlySpeed[*]72.5 HP (7.13%) HitPoints[*]13% JumpHeight[*]13% JumpSpeed[*]Knockback (Mag -3)[*]Knockup (Mag -3)[*]MezResist(Immobilize) 8.8%[*]19.5% (0.33 End/sec) Recovery[*]18% (0.76 HP/sec) Regeneration[*]2.5% Resistance(Smashing)[*]6.62% Resistance(Fire)[*]6.62% Resistance(Cold)[*]1.26% Resistance(Energy)[*]1.26% Resistance(Negative)[*]16% RunSpeed[/list]
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Tankers have 0.80 melee damage mod. Defenders are at 0.65 ranged.
[ QUOTE ]
Also, for your power pools, you've picked very team oriented powers. Maneuvers is great for keeping up your defense for those hard enemies and for yourself, but doesn't really do anything for your teammates with your bubbles and your big bubble. Assault will raise your (and your team's) damage.
[/ QUOTE ]
Indeed Assault will adds the team damage but with Maneuver, your teammates can hit their soft cap on defense when bubbled with easy.
[ QUOTE ]
You've also taken Aid Other and Heal Self, to which you may find a better solution by taking the fighting power pool, increasing your Smashing/Lethal resistances and increasing your defenses with more personal toggles. Sure your epic will help with the damage resistances, but straight up personal defense is always a plus.
[/ QUOTE ]
Personally I always thought taking Heal Self on my FF/Elec defender was one of the smartest moves I ever did with her. Hit PFF, then Heal Self, drop PFF and get back into the fight without those pesky interruptions.
/Empaths can turn three people into Jesus, one person into God, and everyone else into the twelve apostles.~Angry_Citizen
Don't you know that discussion of power selection/slotting can ONLY be based on hearsay, rumor, idle speculation, and bald-faced lies??!? ~Elf_Sniper
[ QUOTE ]
Personally I always thought taking Heal Self on my FF/Elec defender was one of the smartest moves I ever did with her. Hit PFF, then Heal Self, drop PFF and get back into the fight without those pesky interruptions.
[/ QUOTE ]
Isn't that a rather pesky interruption itself? I was much happier when I dropped Aid Other (stop running away, dagnabbit!) and Aid Self and went for +def.
[ QUOTE ]
Isn't that a rather pesky interruption itself? I was much happier when I dropped Aid Other (stop running away, dagnabbit!) and Aid Self and went for +def.
[/ QUOTE ]
Not really, since my whole PFF/Self Heal does gives me a few seconds to reevaluate how the battle is going besides getting some important toggles back-up. But I do agree, its a personal choice and a matter of play style. Some groups still think they need heals when I just capped their +def with my bubbles, even once when I was teamed with a sonic defender. I spent a few minutes telling the leader that a emp wasn't need that day, and only after steamrolling three door missions did he finally agree.
But Self Heal is nice for the damage that does get through your PFF when you're fighting reds and taking the alpha strike for the team to get them moving.
/Empaths can turn three people into Jesus, one person into God, and everyone else into the twelve apostles.~Angry_Citizen
Don't you know that discussion of power selection/slotting can ONLY be based on hearsay, rumor, idle speculation, and bald-faced lies??!? ~Elf_Sniper
You know it would be very simple for them to fix defender damage, just reduce sonic blast's debuffs and increase base defender damage all around. Since nothing remotely like that has happened it can only be assumed the devs want defenders to have ultra crappy damage for anything that isn't sonic blast or the rain powers in Ice Blast.
[ QUOTE ]
when you're fighting reds and taking the alpha strike for the team to get them moving.
[/ QUOTE ]
That was always one of my favorite tricks when I was playing FF. It would shame skittish tankers and scrappers into actually STARTING a fight for once.
[ QUOTE ]
You know it would be very simple for them to fix defender damage, just reduce sonic blast's debuffs and increase base defender damage all around. Since nothing remotely like that has happened it can only be assumed the devs want defenders to have ultra crappy damage for anything that isn't sonic blast or the rain powers in Ice Blast.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well, if Going Rogue allows Corrupters to come blue side, I guess that may just happen indirectly. 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You know it would be very simple for them to fix defender damage, just reduce sonic blast's debuffs and increase base defender damage all around. Since nothing remotely like that has happened it can only be assumed the devs want defenders to have ultra crappy damage for anything that isn't sonic blast or the rain powers in Ice Blast.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well, if Going Rogue allows Corrupters to come blue side, I guess that may just happen indirectly.
[/ QUOTE ]
I suspect Defender number to drop dramatically after Corruptors are available Blue Side.
Maybe then the Devs will finally take a look at the AT...
-This Space Intentionally Left Blank.-
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You know it would be very simple for them to fix defender damage, just reduce sonic blast's debuffs and increase base defender damage all around. Since nothing remotely like that has happened it can only be assumed the devs want defenders to have ultra crappy damage for anything that isn't sonic blast or the rain powers in Ice Blast.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well, if Going Rogue allows Corrupters to come blue side, I guess that may just happen indirectly.
[/ QUOTE ]
I suspect Defender number to drop dramatically after Corruptors are available Blue Side.
Maybe then the Devs will finally take a look at the AT...
[/ QUOTE ]
heck, I would delete and reroll all my defenders except TA/A when that happens (assuming TA/A isn't proliferated before that). Corr and troller damage trumps the primary benefits defenders get, only except is sonic blast which honestly is overpowered when compared to its alternatives for defenders.
Still no FF for Corruptors though. And honestly, I WOULD roll up a */FF Corruptor blueside instead of a Defender if I could.
Personally, I love playing defenders. Even so, I can't stand playing corrupters for long. I play one for maybe half hour, then that's all I can stand.
"The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern." Lord Acton
Madam Enigma's History
[ QUOTE ]
Personally, I love playing defenders. Even so, I can't stand playing corrupters for long. I play one for maybe half hour, then that's all I can stand.
[/ QUOTE ]
Then you really haven't played corruptors at all if you haven't even played past lvl 10 on one.
That's part of the problem. They take so freaking long to get their 'core' defensive powers. Made a rad/rad, and it was soo painful trying to get the two toggle debuffs. When I was running a rad/rad defender the set was a joy to play. Corrupters to me take too long to get the fun powers.
"The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern." Lord Acton
Madam Enigma's History
[ QUOTE ]
That's part of the problem. They take so freaking long to get their 'core' defensive powers. Made a rad/rad, and it was soo painful trying to get the two toggle debuffs. When I was running a rad/rad defender the set was a joy to play. Corrupters to me take too long to get the fun powers.
[/ QUOTE ]
Defenders take too long to get their good blasts and when they do get them they don't make up for the wait to get them because defender base damage is so pitifully low. Not really the case with offensive support powers being secondaries on Corruptors.
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
That's part of the problem. They take so freaking long to get their 'core' defensive powers. Made a rad/rad, and it was soo painful trying to get the two toggle debuffs. When I was running a rad/rad defender the set was a joy to play. Corrupters to me take too long to get the fun powers.
[/ QUOTE ]
Defenders take too long to get their good blasts and when they do get them they don't make up for the wait to get them because defender base damage is so pitifully low. Not really the case with offensive support powers being secondaries on Corruptors.
[/ QUOTE ]
Ah, but to me the blasts are gravy with defenders. It's the primary I find most fun. That's one reason I favor stuff like dark miasma and trick arrow. So many yummy active powers instead of toggles. The blasts are just there to kill things, and don't matter which one I take. With corrupters I get the blasts quickly sure, but the yummy debuffs I really want are slow in coming. I'm happy with two or three decent blasts until the mid to late 20's if I get a fun debuff set..
"The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern." Lord Acton
Madam Enigma's History
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
That's part of the problem. They take so freaking long to get their 'core' defensive powers. Made a rad/rad, and it was soo painful trying to get the two toggle debuffs. When I was running a rad/rad defender the set was a joy to play. Corrupters to me take too long to get the fun powers.
[/ QUOTE ]
Defenders take too long to get their good blasts and when they do get them they don't make up for the wait to get them because defender base damage is so pitifully low. Not really the case with offensive support powers being secondaries on Corruptors.
[/ QUOTE ]It takes all kinds to make the world go round, Turbo. Some people find the support powers more fun, others find the blasts more fun. No one's fun is more "right" than anyone else's in this case.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Back Alley Brawler
Did you just use "casual gamer" and "purpled-out warshade" in the same sentence?
|
[ QUOTE ]
Tankers? I'd say they do about as much damage as Defenders. Just up close.
[/ QUOTE ]Got any mid-high level tankers?
I don't, but I do know that outside of oil slick, my level 18 tanker does comparable damage to my higher level defenders usually. Really sad too, but then I don't play defenders for the damage.
"The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern." Lord Acton
Madam Enigma's History
[ QUOTE ]
I don't, but I do know that outside of oil slick, my level 18 tanker does comparable damage to my higher level defenders usually. Really sad too, but then I don't play defenders for the damage.
[/ QUOTE ]Yeah, that was what I was thinking. My tankers massively outdo my defenders for damage. I have primarily offense-oriented tankers, though.
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I don't, but I do know that outside of oil slick, my level 18 tanker does comparable damage to my higher level defenders usually. Really sad too, but then I don't play defenders for the damage.
[/ QUOTE ]Yeah, that was what I was thinking. My tankers massively outdo my defenders for damage. I have primarily offense-oriented tankers, though.
[/ QUOTE ]
It's sad cause right now my ice/mace tanker is slotted 1 ACC/2 END.
"The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern." Lord Acton
Madam Enigma's History
That's a thought...
Compared to Scrappers, Tankers used to do low damage but now do burst damage. The Tanker secondaries typically do poor DPS but pack a nice "Sunday Punch" every 20 seconds or so - KO Blow, ET+TF, Clobber and so on.
These powers were often originally just controls, KO Blow and Clobber certainly were, I'm not sure on the history of Energy Melee.
So rather than giving Defenders a smooth overall damage increase, what if burst damage were added to selected powers?
I'm looking at... Stunning Shot, Power Push, Bitter Freeze Ray, Life Drain, Scramble Thoughts and Screech.
Cosmic Burst and Tesla Cage are too frequent (potentially every 5 seconds) and are mezzes, so maybe add damage to the snipes for Elec and Rad?
This doesn't feel 100% right, but it popped into my head while reading this and I'd love to know what others think.
A lot of truth from other posters in this thread. But, umm, of course your damage stinks. You've underslotted your blasts (looks like 3 slotted ice bolt and 5 slotted ice blast if I'm reading your build right?). And not even taking bitter ice blast until 38? Which means you don't have it yet.
Not that you won't still be able to come back and post a nice rant about subpar damage once you do fix your build (to you know, actually do damage), but at least then you'll have a bit more backing for your position.