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I know what you mean. Im finding it hard to find one too. What is going on? I have had to face switching toons or the dreaded solo which Jack isnt suited for. Im getting a tad frustrated that he levels so slow because I cant find a team. Infact Gand here has read my comments about lack of teams with my emp a few times.
WellI have to disagree with the point empaths are redundant high levels unless you are trying to prove a point they are not needed. We help AV missions to be sure and we dont just heal. CM is needed for even the high level teams. As is fort and RA.
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Hi Lode - only just notice your post. Have to say, I'm amazed at your comment about slow levelling - not that I don't believe you, I'm just genunely shocked. My experience with my empath is quite the opposite - not only does she get regular team calls, but she's often invited to much higher level teams. They'll often offer to SK her very favourably so that she can get the best XP, that's how keen they seem to be to have her along. As a result, she just rockets up the levels. I can usually get as much XP in a couple of weekday evenings with her as either of my AR/Dev blasters can grind in a full week including the weekend. Only downside being that she has outlevelled loads of contacts and story arcs.
maybe an empath is not as important any more because almost every origin can choose powers for healing and stuff i think these powers only should be availeble to defenders only but that would probably will be to difficult to do
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maybe an empath is not as important any more because almost every origin can choose powers for healing and stuff i think these powers only should be availeble to defenders only but that would probably will be to difficult to do
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Well, my AR/Devices blaster has Aid Self, partly because it fits nicely with the theme of my character, but also because I'm a solo. Still, it is severely limited compared to 'proper' empath heals, and I would in no way consider it any kind of substitute - merely the best I can do under the circumstances, being the ONLY self-healing option open to me. Given the chance of an empath as backup (for heals AND buffs) solo or teamed, I would jump at the opportunity every time, absolutely no doubt about it.
can only say ED....
What ever...
Just get it...
Over with all ready...
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can only say ED....
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I'm really not so sure I'd agree with that - my empath was effectively ED-slotted well before ED was even a glimmer in some malevolent developers eye. All my heals were slotted 3 heal, 3 recharge reduction, the theory being that players rarely die because a heal isn't big enough - they usually die because it's just not there (i.e. it's still recharging)
Personally I'm 100% happy with the way my ED slotted empath plays, no regrets at all - even if ED was rescinded tomorrow I wouldn't go back to 6-slotting with heal SO's.
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But, at lvls 30+ i find empaths a bit redudant to be honest.
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To me that just shows a lack of understanding of the empathy set. Having experienced empathy on both sides (being one and teaming with one), I can sfaely say that having a good empath on the team makes a huge difference. Regen Aura + Recovery Aura + Fort + AB + Ice/En Blaster = Uber Ice/En/Regen Scrapper! And having 2 empaths just makes you godlike.
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I'm really not so sure I'd agree with that - my empath was effectively ED-slotted well before ED was even a glimmer in some malevolent developers eye. All my heals were slotted 3 heal, 3 recharge reduction, the theory being that players rarely die because a heal isn't big enough - they usually die because it's just not there (i.e. it's still recharging)
Personally I'm 100% happy with the way my ED slotted empath plays, no regrets at all - even if ED was rescinded tomorrow I wouldn't go back to 6-slotting with heal SO's.
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Fullly agree with you there, I love how Empath is slotted now...I wish I'd used this build on my way to 50.
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Hi Lode - only just notice your post. Have to say, I'm amazed at your comment about slow levelling - not that I don't believe you, I'm just genunely shocked.
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I do get what he means, sometimes there just seem to be periods when teams dry up. When that happens a team based empathy build is a real pain. But once the teams role in, it can get stupidly fast, especially since they upped the xp.
Yeah, I guess it can be a 2-edged sword with my empath. On the one hand, I can't complain about XP and levelling - she outstrips my other alts hands down and has done pretty much since day one.
OTOH, as seems to be the way with all the PUG's I play with, no one ever wants to do her missions. Being a full team empath build with minimal apttack powers, soloing (particularly now she's mid-40's) is well nigh impossible. She is getting SO far behind with her missions it's ridiculous.
Getting to L50 isn't a big deal to me, and I actually enjoy working through the content a lot, so it's not an ideal situation. Then again, I guess it's an imperfect world.
Any defenders always welcome on a team! In fact, anyone always welcome on a team!
Its only my 2 infleunce, but playing a tank up to lvl 30, my feelings of safety where:
Bathing in radiation > Bating in dark > In a bubble > with an empath covering me.
Now this was a style of play when everything was clustered around me. In this, i could get 90-100% in "radiation" or "dark" debuff zone, and things would drop like flies. i.e. a tight team. Hence my view that in a "good" team these sets are more potent. However, in a "loose"/PuG team, no comparison, radation is next to uselss, empaths rule (and this is my perspective from a lvl 37 rad defender).
So agree to disagree by all means, but if you look at the sets, Radiation (for instannce) is all AoE effects, and Empaths has a fair number of "single target" effects. Therefore, mathimatically, on a large team / large enemy numbers, radation will be more effective.
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OTOH, as seems to be the way with all the PUG's I play with, no one ever wants to do her missions.
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Yeah, that was always Empath's problem. I probably experienced all the content through other peoples missions...but my souviner collection is pretty pathetic on Emp.
That's the main reason I went for a regen scrapper second. I wanted something that was easy to solo, just so I could experience all the arcs I missed.
Both games are somewhat quieter since Xmas but my defender has experienced all sorts.
He is designed as a side kick and soloing is a last resort (or to catch up on missions) but some nights i'll use broadcast, request etc to no avail. He's lvl 18 & willing to sk or exemp but no action. Only the other night in Pocket D, I ran round asking for a team yelling healer, buffs and so on but ended up panhandling and propping up the bar!
Yet other days I've had to turn people down coz the Tells (a lot blind) from all levels are going mad! That or ending up on an 8 hero team with 3 Empaths!
On my blaster I know a top AR blaster to team with & we've literally blasted thru some missions, always glad to have her on board!
Similar can be said of my blaster when's soloing, i'll get a tell from one of my trusted SG empaths (maybe they can't find work?) we'll join up, i'll bump my difficulty up, go into suicidal mode and make them work! We have a few laughs on the way and their aid is always welcome.
Is your Empath under using their heals? Get the difficulty bumped up! (or go to the Hollows for a work out 
)
"Like War_Hero said, leave it as it is, it toughens up the softies." - Naz Nomad
Union Heroes
War Borg - Leader of The Paragon Knights
Union Villains
McCabe - Co-leader of The Rogue Knights
Defiant - Supreme Hero
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Yet other days I've had to turn people down coz the Tells (a lot blind) from all levels are going mad! That or ending up on an 8 hero team with 3 Empaths!
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Yeah, I found that as well. When I actually had a team, I'd get loads of /tells asking for help, but when I needed a team...nobody wanted me!
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Yet other days I've had to turn people down coz the Tells (a lot blind) from all levels are going mad! That or ending up on an 8 hero team with 3 Empaths!
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Yeah, I found that as well. When I actually had a team, I'd get loads of /tells asking for help, but when I needed a team...nobody wanted me!
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My empath is well stuck. Its not very pleasent logging on as him these days and people keep asking for Lodestar for some reason. I actually find this amusing at times.
i reckon this is cause trollers can heals okish and hav ecrows control pets like BOB i mean my phantasm XD
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Well I have topped my poor old empath for not wanted in a team. I joined one with my AR/Dev blaster, entered the mission and was told, "sorry we wanted a real blaster" and got kicked from the team.
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Sorry, but if a team leader did this, whilst I was in the team, i would be saying goodbye... Its pretty outrageous.
ED 'should' have made the game harder and forced empaths to heal more. It didnt. in the late game, i can still get away without healing at all on some AV fights. The only time when healing is necessary is against PSI mobs. SS TFs for example.
Good job i have a rad defender too.
Empaths are really fun to play at low levels where heals are needed in a fast and frantic fashion, but getting to 40+ and sitting amongst uber scrappers/tankers wont exactly have you draining your endurance to keep them alive. I'd very much like the opportunity to take Chaplain out in a 7 Blaster 1 Defender team, at least then I might be busy...
I am a lvl 37 empath.
I certainly have not seen any severe drop-offs in invites - whether PUG or coalition members. However, I have noticed a severe drop in my necessity in a team.
I often feel that 'it would be nice' to have me a long; but ultimately not necessary.
Was in an exceptional team last nite - kudos to Phobos of the Femmes - with buffs; the team was just going from one mob to the other. But to be honest; they could hav coped with it even w/o me; albeit a little slower.
But empaths - like all other support ATs - are never essential. But then again - CoH is abt the teaming (for me anyways) - its abt the mix, not the indiv content which makes for a fun evening! 
My impression of empaths at higher levels is this: rather pointless UNTIL the plan goes awry, in which case yummy!
I regular team my rad defender with a couple of skilled tanks - cluster, debuff, slay, anchor left last, kill. I rarely need even my own rather limited heal. Empath would really add very little to the team NORMALLY.
But, every once in a while, the brown stuff hits the whirly thing. I get mezzed and toggles drop, team panics and splits, clustered enemies falls apart. Now, often we have enough slack in the system with panic powers (unyeliding, EMP, etc) and just guts, to pull it together again. But, these are the times an empath is nice on the team.
I kinda feel like empaths are "safety nets" or "plan B's". Most of the time not adding much, but when it goes a bit awry, thankyou very much folks!
And i would never kick ANY toon for having a certain power-set, such as AR. However, i would be a bit reluctant to invite an empath into a small tank/rad def (me)/damage toon for instance, as really wouldnt add much.
I think there are two issues here:
In the 30s, an Empathy defenders focus changes, it goes from being a primarily healing set to a primarily buffing one and far too many prople see empaths as 'healers' rather than defenders. In the 30s, Tanks are pretty Uber as there is not so many exotix damage types and alot of prople think I don't need a healer so don't get an empath.
I love having Empaths on a team, the buffage is superb and the added healing if thing do go pearshaped is great.
The other issue is that many empathy defenders semm to give up in the 30s for the above reasons. As such there are actually relatively few high lvl empathy defenders. Hang around Peregrine isle and you will soon be picked up by someone doing AVs.
In the 40s, the usefullness for good defenders goes through the roof and a good empath is worth every bit as much as the other defender types.
DO not dispair, you are needed!
I love teaming with an empathy defender, being a dark defender sometimes i get unwanted aggro from all the debuffs i fire off and my heals are not guarunteed, do miss at times. There feels like less pressure on me to get that critical heal off leaving me to concentrate on debuffing.
P.s chicken1013, it was a great team, we would have had more ko's without you
I've been on both sides of an Empath, both being the Empath and being the one healed. My 50 is an emp defender, and i've joined teams where they weren't that bothered about me, and left them with the team sorry to see me leave saying "now we need to find another healer". From what i'm picking up for a lot of the tankers who have posted here, you don't really seem to understand much about empaths, or haven't teamed with good ones. My buffs kick [censored]. RA/Regen Aura are so powerful when i cast them on the team fighting an AV the other day, neither the health bars nor end bars of ANY of the characters even moved until the troller got 1-shotted as a result of the AV using Nova. Empaths rock. IMO defenders are the best AT in the game. As a tanker who's nearly 30, i LOVE teaming with Empaths. I never feel safter than knowing that theres someone in the team who can (and will) keep my health at full/safe. Even if they can't give me endurance back, they can keep me alive long enough for me to stop attacking/switch off toggles and stand there to recover it. Hell, even my dark/dark def SG friend i met at lvl 16 (and i still team with today) used to say things like "wheres my healer?" when i logged on or joined the team.
As a lvl 22 regen scrapper, i still love empaths. I love Empaths with everyone. Its not always safe to have the whole team grouped together so that transferance can hit everyone, or something like that. having the range of Heal Other, as well as Healing Aura is great. and i can remember joining a team where we were getting confused/held all the time cos we had no one to CM us.
Empaths rock. Anyone who thinks they're useless in the high levels is wrong, they just haven't teamed with good ones.
sorry, rant over. 
@Willow R
Main Hero:
Willow R (Emp/Rad Defender, lvl 50)
Matakoshi (kat/regen Scrapper, lvl 50)
Just a question... You say that your tank feels safe with an empath behind him. My tank does too...
But have you actually compared that with other defenders "behind" you. The glutton of empaths around means you may not have.
Have you tanked with a clustered set of enemies debuffed by dark / radation. That made me feel much safer than any empath to be honest, because they just flailed uselessly at me. So please give your opinion about RELATIVE safety of defenders behind you
I would agree that defenders are great AT. Its just that empaths have more single target heals/ buffs than other defenders, so their relative effectiveness compares to other defender AT naturally decreases as group size increases. I cant see how anyone can argue against this (Its the same as spine scrappers being more effective in large teams than martial artists - because of AoE attacks).
To be honest, At lvl 39, I only want empaths for clear mind. Id just as soon have a sonic defender casting clarity, buffing the tanks RES to maxout, and debuffing the enemies resistance so they die faster. Id actually prefer a sonic defender to be honest. But then, I usually prefer a defender to any other AT
Any other experiences about? About how RELATIVELY safe do you feel with different defender primaries. Rad is my vote from when I tanked. Inspired me to roll a rad toon, and my tank freinds feel safer in the Rad provided they can cluster the enemies (which they normally can).
Sorry, i went off on one a bit. Cos i love my empath defender so much.
I've teamed with a kinetics defender, and a rad defender, and think i've teamed with a dark defender too. tbh, whilst i felt a lot safer having the defender around, i still felt safer with an empath behind me, but i'm still in the 20s. Plus, i really hate Speed Boost, cos i always find i overshoot the target etc and just generally can't use it very well, so whenever a kinetics defender is on the team i politely ask them not to give me SB.
in general i love defenders or any variety (except those fools who try to turn them into blasters. i don't quite see how they manage cos even slotted with damage you still do sod all), but i felt like everyone was knocking empathy. sorry.
@Willow R
Main Hero:
Willow R (Emp/Rad Defender, lvl 50)
Matakoshi (kat/regen Scrapper, lvl 50)
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Any other experiences about? About how RELATIVELY safe do you feel with different defender primaries. Rad is my vote from when I tanked. Inspired me to roll a rad toon, and my tank friends feel safer in the Rad provided they can cluster the enemies (which they normally can).
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I got frustrated with my Rad/Archery defender, mainly because I was spoilt by teaming with a certain ice tank who managed to pack the enemies into lovely little packets of debuffery that I could AoE in relatively perfect safety. After that I couldn't play in pickup teams anymore.
I would say that Rad and Dark feel safer than Empathy, they can heal worse but have tools to vastly reduce the speed of damage you take, meaning it is less dependent on human reaction time. Kin and empath are about the same, but I prefer Kin against AVs as they debuff as well as heal and buff. The bubblers I'm not sure about.
However any defender is a bonus.
@Unthing ... Mostly on Union.
Ice tanks + Rad defenders are an unbeilavable combination.
Pack them incredibly densely, and the Ice tank debuffs aswell.
My ideal team: 2 ice tanks, 3 rad defenders, 3 fire blasters
Ice in - cluster, debuff
Rad on - everything floored out to minumum def/res/acc/dam
Fireblasters AoE
Wash, rinse, repeat...
My level 50 Empathy Defender has never had trouble getting a team at any level... I've even gotten e-mails where people ask if I want to team with them again... 
A good idea when searching for team is to "advitice" a little... Just include your "key powers" into the search message...
I've made a macro which says:
Level (X) healer/buffer with TP, Leadership and Grant Invisibility is looking for team...
Here is the command to make it:
/macro "LFT" "broadcast Level $level healer/buffer with TP, Leadership and Grant Invisibility is looking for team..."
(You can copy and paste it to your chat bar and it will be there. Remember to copy ALL the signs.)
Also write your "key powers" in your search comment is a good idea... This usually gets me a team in no time... 
You've got me baffled there, because that completely goes against my experiences so far. My Empath/Energy blast defender (heavy on the empath, blaster side almost non-existant) has been extremely popular with teams since the day I first logged into Atlas, remaining so to this very day (currently L43) Many times I'm fighting off random team offers with a bat almost as soon as I log on! (I wish my AR/Dev blasters were even half a popular)
It's not like I have a regular group I play with, or even a few regular friends. I only joined my first SG around L35, and have yet to actually team with anyone from either SG I've been in. Nope, I'm a complete freelancer and it's been non-stop random PUG's all the way for me. Whilst that's never really been what I wanted I have to say it's worked out fine for me, and as long as it continues to do so I'm not complaining.
I have noticed a lot more empaths around my level online recently - was on a team the other day that had THREE of us for a while! - a first for me. I'd also have to agree that the job often seems to be money for old rope now, even if I'm the only medic/buffer on the team. Lately I almost feel embarrased at how little I have to do, or even CAN do in a resonably organised/competant team. Even so, I've never been made to feel like I'm deadweight or leeching even if I've had flat zero to do. I really don't know what to say to those emps who are having lean times getting onto teams - serious case of YMMV going on here
A final thought - perhaps it might be worth actively looking for AR-blasters to team with? Both mine are having a real hard time getting teams, and I don't think they're the only ones. Until reading this thread, and based on my own empaths ability to pick and choose her company, I would never have dreamed of trying to invite an empath to team. Just assumed I'd have been turned down faster than a tramp asking a supermodel for a date!