"Not without my Freespec" - A True-life drama

Hi folks,
Ok so Freespec is upon us and I've a few questions with my Illusion / Storm Controller. Not posting the entire build as I doen't have it and I'm in work. But a few tweaks I'm pondering...

Group Invis : So whats the story with this new Surpression. It says "when you click on things". So when I click to use an item obviously, that was the point of it. How about :
if I click on a mob to target them?
Click on a teamie?
Use a power on myself or a teamie? ie if I've Haste on Auto will it surpress

Do Steamy Mist & Invis stack at all, even in PvP?

I'm considering removing Group Invis and replacing it with either Confuse or Tornado. I've given out about Tornado before but against an AV it may well be worth it. In PvP it seems to be pretty good too.

The Power Pools : When I got this it was a coin toss between Primal and Ice. I went Primal for Power Boost at 47. However given I'm a bit of a "fire and forget", pet heavy toon Hibernate may be of use to me as a healing & End regener once I've dropped out PAs, Phant, Spectral Terror & Storm Cloud (plus maybe Tornado). Also as a counter to when the PAs drop & I get their aggro it may be very useful. What do people think? It it possible to use it soloing to "hole up" and recoup relatively safely?

With Blizzard does the Scattering affect occur?

Thats all I can think of at the mo. There'll probably be more questions when they occur to me.

Hopefully I can shed some light on this for you

The invisibility suppression on take effect if you;

1- Attack a target
2- Click on an interactive object e.g. A "Glowie"

Clicking other players etc will not unhide you and no self/team powers will drop it either (A least I believe that is correct for the team).

Not sure about the Steamy Mist question, as i've not used Storm before. But there is nothing in the power description about it not being able to stack with other powers. And SS is the only power that doesn't grant it's -perc in PvP.

If you don't use Powerboost (Although an amazing! power for controllers) and plan to solo a lot, Hibernate would be very, very useful. I suppose though being an illusion controller there aren't many 'true' holds and you wouldn't gain much benefit from PB, but your Storm side would

And yes, Blizzard does scatter mobs, but they run very slowly due to -spd and are normally caught through the whole animation period.

Hopw that helps some. Of course any ommissions/corrections are welcome

Hi, I dont know anything about the surpression yet but I can give you some usefull tips on Ill/Storm.

Group Invis is an OK power if your a team orientated person but if your not Sup Invis is way better, with 3 end red in it isn't that end heavy.

GI, in PvP, doesnt stack with steamy mist.

Deffinatly get Tornado, the defence debuff alone is worth it and you cant really go wrong with confuse, now that it has had its animation fixed it is a very usefull power in PvE and PvP and im lovin it atm.

On the Epic pools I guess its a personal choice.

Psi: Indominable will-great for PvP, Mental blast thingie-sux, Mind over body good res to S/L and Psi and Psi Tornado-good AOE dmg but the end cost is a killer.

Primal has so many good things in it-conserve power for us end hungry Ill/stormers, Power blast-good blast power, the shield gives good res to S/L and Power Boost is great.

Ice has a good blast power, Hibernate-great for recovering...crappy recharge , the +def from ice shield stacks nicely with SI and the rain power is great AOE damage.

Fire, its all about the damage, fire blast and fire ball- both good damage, Fire shield-good S/L fire and cold res and Consume..great for us end hoggers shame the recharge is so long(if it wasnt for that fact I would go fire).

Stone is a mixed bag on the one hand you have hurl boulder-good damage but the animation is long, Fissure-dissorient not used it much so cant really coment on it, the shield has good +def S/L good for stacking with sup inv and the best of the set Earths embrace-Its a HEAL and +HP if the other powers in this pool where not so crappy (imo) this would be a winner.

Im gonna be testing them all out tonight but im leaning towards ice/primal, I have used psi quite a bit and im gettin board of it now so that rules that out for me.

I am working on my freespec for WL and once ive finished I'll post it up and see what you think(it will be a full PvP build)

Like wise you should post your's later and see if we cant help each other out.

All the best, Aphex

Excellent. Ta Del. Was concerned about Auto-haste getting me killed

Reckon i'll drop GI anyway. Its a passive power, doesn't really do much in combat and I can't really justify it and Steamy Mist together (even though I've had both since my early 20s).

I know Power Boost would be very useful to Storm but would it affect Tornado & Freezing Rain? I'm guessing with i7 it should but if any Stormies out there have had a chance to test it let me know.

With Blizzard I'll be stacking it with Snow Storm and Freezing Rain too so hopefully they won't be scattering too quickly. OMG. Am I going to become the thing I hate : The idiot scattering the nicely grouped mobs with Rain Ofs...?

With Primal I'd only get a single target blast, an armour (which I don't really want) & Power Boost. With Ice I'd get a single target blast (with no knockback), a nice panic button for when my End drops (happens a lot thanks to Storm) and an AOE attack. So it seems to be a toss up between being a better controller or a more offensive blaster hybrid.

I reckon a quick test of Hibernate this evening is called for, drop PAs & wait a wee while, stand in the middle in ice block mode as they drop and see how it works out (a fiver says it ends in *splat*)

Aphex Twin wrote:
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...I am working on my freespec for WL and once ive finished I'll post it up and see what you think(it will be a full PvP build)

Like wise you should post your's later and see if we cant help each other out.

All the best, Aphex

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Will do indeed. Generally I do end up in PvE teams but I want to play about with different powers too. I could even go the Haste > SS route and drop TP but in the 3vP the TP saved me loads of times against Mesmer and his evil Repel Bubbles.

It's certainly between Primal and Ice for me, both fit the char, the others don't.

I don't want to hijack Carnifax's thread here, but as 4 month old noob with altisis (6 toons, 1 at 23 rest around the 14 mark) is it a good idea to hold onto this freespec until later? I reckon I've screwed my El/El blaster and want to see where I've gone wrong (getting stealth early for one thing...) for a start - my MM has a power he NEVER uses now etc.
Whats the consensus from you guys who've had freespecs and respecs before? Use it now to get back on track or wait till a higher lvl?

I used my first Freespec (the Issue 4 one from over a year ago) when Carni was only about level 16 or 18. There is an advantage to using them at level 27, 32, 37, 42, 47 to get full price for any enhances you dump as part of the respec but I'm level 41 now and I'm freespeccing today anyway.

So i'd say go for it, especially if otherwise you find yourself reluctant to play the char because they feel "gimped".

That supression thing when clicking glowies got me killed a few times last night as we were hunting some AVs. Was used to being unspottable with Superior Invis, but not anymore .

I really like Psi on my Illusion troller (great shield, nice status protection and best AoE attack) although I'm sometimes tempted to try Primal for the effects on the /rad powers, especially if I ever decide to do a PvP respec.

Thanks for the guidance Carni, but...

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...get full price for any enhances you dump as part of the respec...

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So I'll be re-buying all the enhancements?

So heres the build I've cobbled together. The slotting might be slightly all over the place but this is roughly what I'm thinking.

Decieve I left until 30 as I'd nothing else to pick. Might go O2 Boost instead but I fancy the change. Specced GI out and relying on Steamy Mist to keep me covered. The Damage Resist is nicer than Invis. Took Sup Invis at 49 just to have it.
---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder
---------------------------------------------
Name:
Level: 50
Archetype: Controller
Primary: Illusion Control
Secondary: Storm Summoning
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Spectral Wounds==> Acc(1)Dmg(3)Dmg(5)Acc(17)Dmg(17)Rechg(37)
01) --> Gale==> Acc(1)
02) --> Blind==> Acc(2)Hold(3)Hold(5)Acc(7)Hold(11)Rechg(36)
04) --> Snow Storm==> EndRdx(4)
06) --> Flash==> Acc(6)Acc(7)Hold(9)Rechg(9)Rechg(11)Hold(46)
08) --> Recall Friend==> EndRdx(8)
10) --> Hurdle==> Jump(10)
12) --> Steamy Mist==> DmgRes(12)DmgRes(13)EndRdx(13)DmgRes(37)EndRdx(46)
14) --> Teleport==> EndRdx(14)Range(15)Range(15)
16) --> Swift==> Run(16)
18) --> Phantom Army==> Acc(18)Rechg(19)Rechg(19)Dmg(31)Dmg(31)Rechg(34)
20) --> Stamina==> EndMod(20)EndMod(21)EndMod(21)
22) --> Freezing Rain==> DefDeBuf(22)DefDeBuf(23)Rechg(23)DefDeBuf(27)Rechg(27)
24) --> Hurricane==> EndRdx(24)TH_DeBuf(25)TH_DeBuf(25)TH_DeBuf(37)EndRdx(40)
26) --> Spectral Terror==> Acc(26)Fear(34)Acc(40)
28) --> Hasten==> Rechg(28)Rechg(29)Rechg(29)
30) --> Deceive==> Acc(30)ConfDur(31)
32) --> Phantasm==> Acc(32)Dmg(33)Dmg(33)Dmg(33)Acc(34)
35) --> Tornado==> DefDeBuf(35)DefDeBuf(36)DefDeBuf(36)EndRdx(43)
38) --> Lightning Storm==> Acc(38)Dmg(39)Dmg(39)Range(39)Dmg(40)Acc(43)
41) --> Hibernate==> Rechg(41)Rechg(42)Rechg(42)EndMod(42)Heal(43)
44) --> Ice Blast==> Acc(44)Dmg(45)Dmg(45)Dmg(45)Acc(46)Rechg(50)
47) --> Ice Storm==> Acc(47)Dmg(48)Dmg(48)Dmg(48)Acc(50)Rechg(50)
49) --> Superior Invisibility==> EndRdx(49)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Empty(1)
01) --> Brawl==> Empty(1)
01) --> Containment==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> Empty(2)
---------------------------------------------


So basically I've got Deceive, Superior Invis and O2 that are my "play with" powers, with 2 free slots at 30 & 49 to pick them.

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the guidance Carni, but...

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...get full price for any enhances you dump as part of the respec...

[/ QUOTE ]

So I'll be re-buying all the enhancements?


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No, once you've picked powers and slots you get to reslot all the enhances you have or stick them in your Inventory. Any you don't slot / stick in Inv get sold at Purchase price for you. This means if you've a load of Yellow / Reds they aren't wasted but get sold for lots. So it can be useful to do it when you've to start changing enhancements anyway (27, 32 etc) to do it and sell the ones you would be overwriting for loadsomoney

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Clicking other players etc will not unhide you and no self/team powers will drop it either (A least I believe that is correct for the team).

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Just to add to this list - you can summon all your pets as well - its very handy to be able to throw out spectral terror or phantom army while staying invisible in PvP for example.

I don't have a high enough stormy to tell if any of the powers in that set count as pets - I'd guess this applies to anything that shows up in your pet window.

K so this is a build for PvP i've been toying with on test today.

---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder
---------------------------------------------
Name:
Level: 50
Archetype: Controller
Primary: Illusion Control
Secondary: Storm Summoning
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Spectral Wounds==> Acc(1)Acc(3)Dmg(5)Dmg(7)Dmg(11)EndRdx(15)
01) --> Gale==> Acc(1)
02) --> Blind==> Acc(2)Acc(3)PeroxExp(5)Rechg(7)Rechg(11)EndRdx(13)
04) --> Snow Storm==> EndRdx(4)EndRdx(15)Slow(17)
06) --> Swift==> Run(6)
08) --> Superior Invisibility==> EndRdx(8)EndRdx(9)EndRdx(9)
10) --> Hover==> DefBuf(10)
12) --> Deceive==> Acc(12)Acc(13)ConfDur(17)
14) --> Fly==> EndRdx(14)
16) --> Health==> Heal(16)
18) --> Phantom Army==> Rechg(18)Rechg(19)Rechg(19)NucleExp(23)NucleExp(23)EndRdx(25)
20) --> Stamina==> EndMod(20)EndMod(21)EndMod(21)
22) --> Freezing Rain==> Rechg(22)Rechg(31)Rechg(34)DefDeBuf(34)EndRdx(43)EndRdx(45)
24) --> Hurricane==> EndRdx(24)EndRdx(25)TH_DeBuf(46)TH_DeBuf(50)TH_DeBuf(50)
26) --> Spectral Terror==> Acc(26)Acc(27)Fear(27)EndRdx(46)
28) --> Hasten==> Rechg(28)Rechg(29)Rechg(29)
30) --> Teleport Foe==> Acc(30)Acc(31)Acc(31)Range(37)Range(40)EndRdx(46)
32) --> Phantasm==> Acc(32)Acc(33)Dmg(33)Dmg(33)Dmg(34)
35) --> Tornado==> EndRdx(35)EndRdx(36)Rechg(36)Rechg(36)DefDeBuf(37)DefDeBuf(37)
38) --> Lightning Storm==> EndRdx(38)EndRdx(39)Rechg(39)Rechg(39)Dmg(40)Dmg(40)
41) --> Ice Blast==> Acc(41)Acc(42)Dmg(42)Dmg(42)Dmg(43)EndRdx(43)
44) --> Hibernate==> Rechg(44)Rechg(45)Rechg(45)
47) --> Frozen Armor==> DefBuf(47)DefBuf(48)DefBuf(48)EndRdx(48)EndRdx(50)
49) --> Super Speed==> EndRdx(49)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Empty(1)
01) --> Brawl==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> Empty(2)
01) --> Containment==> Empty(1)
---------------------------------------------


I find that end is my biggest problem hence the ott slotting for end reductions, its not far off what I had before apart from last respec I left out Freezing Rain (Duh) and had the Psi epics.

I've left Thunder clap out because of the reduction in toggle dropping it just doesn't seem worth it (used it for toggle dropping more than its dissorient).

So what do you think, feedback welcome,

Aphex

PS: Just testing Spectral Terror and it seams like they have changed fear effect to make more run away, hope this is just a one off but could someone else check and see if they think it is any different thx

Quite like mine really

Went and bit the bullet anyway. Only wee change was getting Freezing Rain at 16 instead of 22 in case I ever end up doing an early TF or Bloody Bay.

Decieve is a superb power. I can't believe I was ignoring it for over a year

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Went and bit the bullet anyway. Only wee change was getting Freezing Rain at 16 instead of 22 in case I ever end up doing an early TF or Bloody Bay.

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But you get sk/exemped to 25 for Bloody bay so even if you did get Freezing Rain at level 22, you would still have it in the zone.

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Went and bit the bullet anyway. Only wee change was getting Freezing Rain at 16 instead of 22 in case I ever end up doing an early TF or Bloody Bay.

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But you get sk/exemped to 25 for Bloody bay so even if you did get Freezing Rain at level 22, you would still have it in the zone.

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Oh, thought it was 20.

Goes to show how often I've been in there (never)