Energy is basically the best secondary. AR can be biannoying at later levels due to the fact that it's mostly smash/lethal damage which is well resisted, but its not that big of a problem. AR is a late bloomer though, of the early attacks buckshot and M30 grenade really aren't that good. Also, with the fact that you have to draw the gun after you use an attack that doesnt use it, it will make your melee attacks less used, and those are possibly your biggest damage dealers.
AR is nice as it has a +5% base accuracy to compensate for draw time.
most people play ice/energy/elecc primaries if they want to be that little bit better, whereas people who play AR 'just want a gun 
', if u like the gun, keep it, i have an AR cos i wanted a gun too.
Plight
AR/Eng can be a very good combination - it's possibly one of the most damaging sets in the normal course of the game, in fact. Don't let the fact that there aren't many guides stop you - there are enough guides about AR/ and /Energy that should give you at least some pointers as to where to go. Combine that with what you'll pick up from playing the build, I think you'll soon figure out where to go with it.
@Synaesthetix
"Here, take some more bees with you. You may need them."
Union: FU//LoUD
"that Syn is that that" - Mothers Love
Ok, I do like the gun.
This is my build so Far
Archetype: Blaster
Primary Powers - Ranged : Assault Rifle
Secondary Powers - Support : Energy Manipulation
01 : Power Thrust
01 : Slug
02 : Buck Shot
04 : Build Up
06 : Hasten
At level 10 i will take bone crusher but i'm not sure what i will take on level 8. any suggestions?
That assault rifle makes nice 'beefy' sounds when it fires (except for the buckshot power which now sounds like a damp squib and is not recommended by many people) and it looks impressive. It actually does less damage and feels like it has a longer recharge time than other blaster primaries. I haven't tried AR with an energy secondary so that might mitigate the AR deficencies, have to try it and see.
At level 5 you really have some way to go before you'll know if you have a good build for the way you play. Without the targetting drone of a devices secondary you'll need to slot your attacks for accuracy, that'll reduce the slots you have for damage and recharge. It's all compromises but it can be fun working out how to get your build just right.
[ QUOTE ]
At level 10 i will take bone crusher but i'm not sure what i will take on level 8. any suggestions?
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Either Beanbag or Energy Punch would be a good choice - Beanbag will stun Lieutenants, making life that much easier; Energy Punch is a good, solid attack.
@Synaesthetix
"Here, take some more bees with you. You may need them."
Union: FU//LoUD
"that Syn is that that" - Mothers Love
my lvl 39 AR/ENG isn't bad, you'll find build up and hasten a useful combo with your more powerful attacks such as snipe, flame + full auto down the line. Energy punch is useful when a big nasty gets too close, slot that baby with acc because you don't want it to miss when you need it! Power boost is handy when used with beanbag and total focus (although I did respec out of Bean + TF as I didn't use them much). Current build is something like this, focusing on damage and damage mitigation and PvE.
---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.5.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder - (http://home.comcast.net/~SherkSilver/index.html)
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Name:
Level: 41
Archetype: Blaster
Primary: Assault Rifle
Secondary: Energy Manipulation
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Burst==> Empty(1)
01) --> Power Thrust==> Empty(1)
02) --> Slug==> Empty(2)
04) --> Build Up==> Empty(4)
06) --> Hasten==> Empty(6)
08) --> Buckshot==> Empty(8)
10) --> Stealth==> Empty(10)
12) --> Sniper Rifle==> Empty(12)
14) --> Super Speed==> Empty(14)
16) --> Hurdle==> Empty(16)
18) --> Health==> Empty(18)
20) --> Stamina==> Empty(20)
22) --> Flamethrower==> Empty(22)
24) --> Combat Jumping==> Empty(24)
26) --> Super Jump==> Empty(26)
28) --> Acrobatics==> Empty(28)
30) --> Power Boost==> Empty(30)
32) --> Full Auto==> Empty(32)
35) --> Invisibility==> Empty(35)
38) --> Phase Shift==> Empty(38)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Empty(1)
01) --> Brawl==> Empty(1)
01) --> Defiance==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> Empty(2)
---------------------------------------------
my 1st char started in beta rebuilt exactly for release is AR/ENG
brilliant combo IMHO also took the munitions epic powers
nothing like freezing a mob then ignite or the crowd pleaser flame thrower / full auto and a m30 grenade to finsh anything standing
and with the energy secondary boost range (awesome) build up for the crowd pleaser combo power boost for ya freeze ray for bosses
and cant forget conserve power nuff said
its just that using AR you're looking at insane aggro :P
but thats the way of the blaster
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Too Many Characters To Name
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T.A.N.C....................
I have an AR/Energy Blapper. You gotta not mind debt, but hey, Blappers aren't for everyone.
My build is something like this at level 17 -
01 Slug
01 Power Thrust
02 Energy Punch
04 Buildup
06 Air Superiority
08 Hover
10 Bone Smasher
12 Sniper Rifle
14 Fly
16 Conserve Power
My attack chain goes - Conserve Power, Buildup, Sniper, ** Slug, Air Sup, Bonesmasher, Power Punch, Power Push, and repeat from ** (firing brawl as an occasional filler, and buildup when it's ready).
If you get a good run, the badguy is constantly flying up, back or down, or is disoriented.
Way too much fun.
I have a Lvl 50 AR/Energy and have tried every power in the set
Powers to avoid are:
M30 Grenade
Ignite
Stun
Pretty much anything else will be good
I say avoid ignite because you have no way of locking people in place so it becomes pretty useless
people have suggested buckshot isn't good, it has fairly low damage to endurance but high knockback chance. Slotted with 2 range SOs it has pretty much the same range as slug and burst.
If you want to see the powers in action look me up in game
(global handles below)
Remember to take a travel power and the fitness pool!
/agree although ignite was handy when you had a mob stuck in a wall just as long as it didn't heal itself too quickly 
I recently made and AR/Energy Blaster and it's fast becoming the most fun build I've played.
The Smoking Demon
Ash/Tar Corruptor
Union
@The Smoking Demon
It's fun as a high level running around AP with power boost and punching bad guys for 1/4 of a mile, trying to figure out how to do a game of CoH golf with it
Trying out an AR/Eng myself after successfully levelling AR/Dev to 38. Good concept choice for your classic guns-n-fists hero
Thus far:
01 Slug
01 Power Thrust
02 Energy Punch
04 Build Up
06 Buckshot
....planned...
08 Air Superiority
10 Bone Crusher
12 Sniper Rifle
14 Fly
16 Swift
18 Health
20 Stamina
22 Flamethrower
24 Stealth
26 Beanbag
28 Conserve Power
30 Power Boost
32 Full Auto
35 Boost Range
38 Total Focus
41 Body Armour
44 Cryo Freeze Ray
47 LRM Missile
49 Sleep Grenade
...thoughts please?
Is it time for the dance of joy yet?
No hasten? Helps alot to get the /nrg boosts a bit faster loaded (3slot powerboost far from nearly-perma).
Boost range with full auto, mayhem 
50)Sinergy X/(50)Mika.
(50)MaceX/(50)Encore
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Point taken...
And what about Full Auto with Boost Range AND Build Up?
Is it time for the dance of joy yet?
Mayhem with massive damage
50)Sinergy X/(50)Mika.
(50)MaceX/(50)Encore
Sign the petition, dont let CoH go down! SIGN!
And what's better than mayhem and chaos?
MORE MAYHEM AND CHAOS!!!!!111eleventy!!!
etc.
OK, slightly remixed...
01 Slug
01 Power Thrust
02 Energy Punch
04 Build Up
06 Buckshot
....planned...
08 Hasten
10 Bone Crusher
12 Sniper Rifle
14 Super Speed
16 Hurdle
18 Health
20 Stamina
22 Flamethrower
24 Combat Jump
26 Beanbag
28 Power Boost
30 Conserve Power
32 Full Auto
35 Boost Range
38 Total Focus
41 Body Armour
44 Cryo Freeze Ray
47 LRM Missile
49 Sleep Grenade
Is it time for the dance of joy yet?
seems way nicer Maybe Force epic or do you like to keep it AR based?
tip, If you time powertrust/TF correcty, the mob will fly back and you start doing TF. Safe and great way to take down a mob's health big time and ready to fire off some AR-shells
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(50)MaceX/(50)Encore
Sign the petition, dont let CoH go down! SIGN!
Already do that - trigger powerthrust with Energy Punch cued and you'll get the double shot. Also good to cue Slug etc - you can have the gun drawn and ready before they hit the floor.
Only thing I'm uncomfortable about is no stealth for PVP, but there's just too many other goodies to play with. Could respec out Energy Punch later though.
Is it time for the dance of joy yet?
From the /nrg attacks i only have powertrust and TF. I gues i'm on a dying race.. the real blasters. Blappers took over.
With boostrange you can stay out of any attacks in PvP alot, even if someone runs off there is a big chance you still can fire some shells at him.
I dont like the -spd of stealth, specialy if you dont have swift. But based on your SS pick, i gues you keep that running nonstop. I stick with fly for now, powerboost pushes it to the cap speed so you can move all directions very fast.
50)Sinergy X/(50)Mika.
(50)MaceX/(50)Encore
Sign the petition, dont let CoH go down! SIGN!
Hi, i'm new to the game and my first char is a Assault Rifle / Energy blaster. I cannot find much info about this combination. Is this a bad choice?
I'm now level 5. Should I make a new char using another combination or is AR/Eng also a good combination.