Currenty dinged lvl16 on my AR/ice blaster, also based on the fact i just like AR and ice was (imho) the best fit.
At 16 you get BuildUp, many blasters dont have both BU and Aim, so it aint really that big issue. I chosen for ice for the extra mezz it gets, chillblain at lvl10 makes you run around and blow out bullets as you run (CB has -slow -recharge and -dmg). Ice sword i use for the melee range short attack, even though its not 1 of the highest damage powers.
I planned my entire build already, as i already have experience with /ice on my 37 nrg/ice blaster.
I gues at later lvl this toon will shine more, ice slick for ignite (or just the imm-power) and FullAuto, frozen touch for the melee 'panic' button and the aoe-sleep (small radius) for the extra panic button.
When i'm home i'll post my build.
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AR/Ice has the ice patch+ignite combo, which is just beautiful. Other than that, it doesn't have too much going for it.
Hey, don´t neglect the opportunities for unique character background concepts. You could build a hero who sells ice cream by day and saves the world by night or Santa Claus who is fed up with naughty children or a yeti with a machine gun or... 
If it has eyes, you can blind it, if it has blood, you can make it bleed, if it has a mouth, you can make it scream.
[ QUOTE ]
AR/Ice has the ice patch+ignite combo, which is just beautiful. Other than that, it doesn't have too much going for it.
[/ QUOTE ]
Or Chilblain+Ignite, for a touch of variety. Shiver might conceivably be useful in keeping mobs together for your big cones (Flamethrower, Full Auto), but you'll probably just be better off firing them off on their own in most cases...
... hey, at least Build Up is nice. 
And the sword, that's quite pretty too.
@Synaesthetix
"Here, take some more bees with you. You may need them."
Union: FU//LoUD
"that Syn is that that" - Mothers Love
Took some time off to level up my Tank and do Patron arc for my MM, but now I'm getting back to this concept. After reading the suggestions, I think the key powers I'll be toying with will be Ice Patch + Ignite and Shiver + Flamethrower/Full Auto(/Buckshot). Aid self and Chilling Embrace are for added survivability plus a couple of strong ST attacks (Ice Sword, Slug) to finish off bosses. Didn't take the Grenade because of the knockback and Snipe just didn't feel to fit there with the other powers that well. Question about slotting - Does AR have enough inbuilt Accuracy to pull this off with just one Accuracy in AR powers?
Stealth edit note: Might be changing Beanbag to Fly. Not sure.
---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder
---------------------------------------------
Name: Future of War
Level: 50
Archetype: Blaster
Primary: Assault Rifle
Secondary: Ice Manipulation
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Slug==> Dmg(1)Dmg(3)Dmg(3)Acc(11)Rechg(11)EndRdx(13)
01) --> Chilblain==> Acc(1)
02) --> Buckshot==> Dmg(2)Dmg(5)Dmg(5)Acc(13)Rechg(15)EndRdx(15)
04) --> Ice Sword==> Dmg(4)Dmg(7)Dmg(7)Acc(19)Acc(19)EndRdx(46)
06) --> Hasten==> Rechg(6)Rechg(9)Rechg(9)
08) --> Swift==> Run(8)
10) --> Chilling Embrace==> EndRdx(10)EndRdx(43)EndRdx(45)Slow(45)Slow(45)Slow(46)
12) --> Hurdle==> Jump(12)
14) --> Super Speed==> Acc(14)
16) --> Build Up==> Rechg(16)Rechg(17)Rechg(17)TH_Buf(43)TH_Buf(43)
18) --> Hover==> Fly(18)Fly(23)Fly(23)
20) --> Stamina==> EndMod(20)EndMod(21)EndMod(21)
22) --> Ice Patch==> Rechg(22)Rechg(25)Rechg(25)EndRdx(27)EndRdx(27)
24) --> Beanbag==> Acc(24)Rechg(29)
26) --> Ignite==> Dmg(26)Dmg(29)Dmg(31)Acc(31)Acc(31)Rechg(33)
28) --> Stimulant==> Rechg(28)
30) --> Aid Self==> IntRdx(30)IntRdx(33)Rechg(33)Heal(36)Heal(37)Heal(37)
32) --> Full Auto==> Dmg(32)Dmg(34)Dmg(34)Acc(34)Rechg(36)Rechg(36)
35) --> Shiver==> Acc(35)Acc(37)Slow(39)Slow(39)EndRdx(46)
38) --> Flamethrower==> Acc(38)Dmg(39)Dmg(40)Dmg(40)Rechg(40)EndRdx(42)
41) --> Personal Force Field==> DefBuf(41)DefBuf(42)DefBuf(42)
44) --> Temp Invulnerability==> EndRdx(44)
47) --> Force of Nature==> DmgRes(47)DmgRes(48)DmgRes(48)Rechg(48)
49) --> Freezing Touch==> Empty(49)Acc(50)Hold(50)Hold(50)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Empty(1)
01) --> Brawl==> Empty(1)
01) --> Defiance==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> Empty(2)
---------------------------------------------
[b][color=blue]Coldest War /[color=red]/ Omega Patient[/b]
[url="http://www.the-cow.net/"][color=red]The CoW Network (Blog) /[/url][url="http://www.collegeofwar.com/"][color=blue]/ College of War[/url]
[ QUOTE ]
Does AR have enough inbuilt Accuracy to pull this off with just one Accuracy in AR powers?
[/ QUOTE ] Depends, what levels are you planning to face? Personally all my PvE builds only have 1 ACC.
I'd say get snipe, it's one of THE attacks in AR IMO. Swap it for beanbag, and get those two tohit from BU into snipe instead. Also, take flamethrower ASAP, it's another of your main powers.
Well, from previous play experience, going against +2s isn't far fetched.
I'll have to see about moving powers about a bit and see how well I can manage to slip the snipe in. Probably easier done than thought - Beanbag can go to heck easilly.
[b][color=blue]Coldest War /[color=red]/ Omega Patient[/b]
[url="http://www.the-cow.net/"][color=red]The CoW Network (Blog) /[/url][url="http://www.collegeofwar.com/"][color=blue]/ College of War[/url]
Bump ftw! 
I hit 20 yesterday with my blaster, finaly stamina time. Now i can run CE nonstop, lvling seems to get alot easier.
Currently i have the 2 single targets, the flametrower, beanbag and snipe shot. CE, chillblain, Buildup and ice sword from the secondairy. No travel power yet, sprint/swift is just ok for me now
My rest of the plan:
Full auto, ignite
Ice patch, frozen touch, aoe sleep
leaping (accro)
hasten
medicine pool
50)Sinergy X/(50)Mika.
(50)MaceX/(50)Encore
Sign the petition, dont let CoH go down! SIGN!
Well, I'm stuck at lv 11 (because I can't play right now), and looking at 10ish levels of grinding without new "real" powers
Moved around the powers and slots a bit, decided to skip Flight, because it's a slot-hogger for a power, resorting to just using Superspeed and Hover to get around.
---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder
---------------------------------------------
Name: Future of War
Level: 50
Archetype: Blaster
Primary: Assault Rifle
Secondary: Ice Manipulation
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Slug==> Acc(1)Dmg(3)Dmg(3)Dmg(13)Rechg(37)EndRdx(43)
01) --> Chilblain==> Acc(1)
02) --> Buckshot==> Acc(2)Dmg(5)Dmg(5)Dmg(13)Rechg(37)EndRdx(43)
04) --> Ice Sword==> Acc(4)Acc(7)Dmg(7)Dmg(15)Dmg(15)EndRdx(37)
06) --> Hasten==> Rechg(6)Rechg(9)Rechg(9)
08) --> Swift==> Run(8)
10) --> Chilling Embrace==> EndRdx(10)EndRdx(11)Slow(11)Slow(31)EndRdx(46)
12) --> Hurdle==> Jump(12)
14) --> Super Speed==> EndRdx(14)
16) --> Build Up==> Rechg(16)Rechg(17)Rechg(17)
18) --> Hover==> Fly(18)Fly(19)Fly(19)
20) --> Stamina==> EndMod(20)EndMod(21)EndMod(21)
22) --> Ice Patch==> Rechg(22)Rechg(23)Rechg(23)EndRdx(45)EndRdx(46)
24) --> Sniper Rifle==> Acc(24)Dmg(25)Dmg(25)Dmg(34)Rechg(42)Rechg(45)
26) --> Ignite==> Acc(26)Dmg(27)Dmg(27)Dmg(36)EndRdx(40)Rechg(43)
28) --> Flamethrower==> Acc(28)Dmg(29)Dmg(29)Dmg(36)EndRdx(42)Rechg(45)
30) --> Shiver==> Acc(30)Acc(31)Slow(31)Slow(36)Slow(46)EndRdx(50)
32) --> Full Auto==> Acc(32)Dmg(33)Dmg(33)Dmg(33)Rechg(34)Rechg(34)
35) --> Stimulant==> IntRdx(35)
38) --> Aid Self==> IntRdx(38)IntRdx(39)Rechg(39)Heal(39)Heal(40)Heal(40)
41) --> Personal Force Field==> DefBuf(41)DefBuf(42)
44) --> Temp Invulnerability==> EndRdx(44)
47) --> Force of Nature==> DmgRes(47)DmgRes(48)DmgRes(48)Rechg(48)
49) --> Freezing Touch==> Acc(49)Acc(50)Hold(50)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Empty(1)
01) --> Brawl==> Empty(1)
01) --> Defiance==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> Empty(2)
---------------------------------------------
[b][color=blue]Coldest War /[color=red]/ Omega Patient[/b]
[url="http://www.the-cow.net/"][color=red]The CoW Network (Blog) /[/url][url="http://www.collegeofwar.com/"][color=blue]/ College of War[/url]
I should try to put freezing touch at the moment you can get it. Its a awsome fast animation melee range power with some pretty nice damage (3.2 BI base iirc). I love that power on my nrg/ice blaster.
1 power i never found use off.. shiver. It forces a redraw animation of your weapon, while in that time you can pop flametrower or buckshot already. Though i have to say, i never took this power
50)Sinergy X/(50)Mika.
(50)MaceX/(50)Encore
Sign the petition, dont let CoH go down! SIGN!
I'd say swap BU with snipe and hover with flamethrower, will make the low levels much more interesting.
A couple of things.
1. Chilling embrace only really needs 2 end redx.
2. Ice patch only needs the standard slot with a recharge in it to be perma, unless you're going for multiple ice patches. Won't really need the endurance redx though.
Bump FTW!
Due happy double exp weekend i bumbed my AR/ice from 22 upto 27, it becomes a quite enjoyable toon to play with (kinda par with nrg/ice).
So i have:
AR
Burst (acc/3xdmg)
Slug (acc/3xdmg/rech)
beanbag (acc/2x rech)
Sniper (acc/3xdmg/rech)
Flametrower (acc/2xdmg)
Ignite (acc/2xdmg)
Ice
Chillblain (acc - gonna slot more)
Ice Sword (acc/3xdmg)
Chillin Embrace (1x EndRed)
Buildup (3x rech)
Ice patch (1x rech - going for 3)
Fitness set and CJ (jump, lvl27 and no travelpower yet )
With BU->snipe you take 1, followup by burst/slug and 2nd is down. Beanbag on the 3rd, let all recharge and finish. But my favo attack remains icepatch/ignite. Specialy with the temp stealth power you sneak up a boss, icepatch and hit CE. Walk back a bit, BU and spam ignite. Specialy with several mobs on the ice patch its really like fishes in a pan being fried. The damage of Ignite is really nice, add teh fact is has a base recharge of 4 seconds (mind it has a really tiny radius - they say 8ft, i think its more a 4ft). Add a Flametrower on it, and mobs seem to go down rather fast. Minor downside is the bitty long animation of Ice patch, wich sometimes can be very dangerous.
I gonna go for 3 recharge on ice patch, i noticed pretty often mobs seem to able to stand up and walk a bit on the patch or able to run of it when they near the edge. Thats the reason also i gonna slot Chillblain more, in case a mob tend to get off (or a boss), spam a few immobilises and then hit ignite.
Favorite teamplayer, the controller. Get a bunch packed up on hold or immobilise, start spamming ignite/flametrower.
For upcomming, 28 SJ, 30 hasten, 32 Full auto, 35 Frozen touch, 38 add other, 41 Epic shield, 44 Epic hold / 47 aidother. If i go Elec epic, 49 will be EMP (awsome power).
50)Sinergy X/(50)Mika.
(50)MaceX/(50)Encore
Sign the petition, dont let CoH go down! SIGN!
[ QUOTE ]
If i go Elec epic, 49 will be EMP (awsome power).
[/ QUOTE ]It's not the same power as the defender/controller EMP, this is a stun instead of hold, and not too good.
I've been using EMP alot on my main 50 blaster, i really love that power. Downside is the 1000sec recharge (unlike the def/troller/MM version) but its a very nice panic button, vangaurd+3holds = 1,5 minute disorient. (and i cant find anything else for mass AoE mez effect).
50)Sinergy X/(50)Mika.
(50)MaceX/(50)Encore
Sign the petition, dont let CoH go down! SIGN!
Random Update. Got Future of War (my AR/Ice) to 15 during the Double XP and 16 today. Chilling Embrace is making me feel almost like a scrapper. I accidently chose Burst instead of Ice Sword so haven't tested that power out yet, but on the up side I'm getting close to being through my "oh my god, 10 levels of grind" -phase
[b][color=blue]Coldest War /[color=red]/ Omega Patient[/b]
[url="http://www.the-cow.net/"][color=red]The CoW Network (Blog) /[/url][url="http://www.collegeofwar.com/"][color=blue]/ College of War[/url]
Random resurrection of an old thread, but since it's the same old same old, might as well reply to this and not start a new one - managed to bring War Jr. to lv 27 finally, did the respec and respeced with the following looking build in mind:
---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder - (http://sherksilver.coldfront.net/index.php)
---------------------------------------------
Name: Future of War
Level: 50
Archetype: Blaster
Primary: Assault Rifle
Secondary: Ice Manipulation
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Slug==> Acc(1) EndRdx(3) Dmg(3) Dmg(5) Dmg(5) Range(36)
01) --> Chilblain==> Acc(1)
02) --> Buckshot==> Acc(2) EndRdx(7) Dmg(7) Dmg(9) Dmg(9) Acc(40)
04) --> Ice Sword==> Acc(4) Acc(11) Dmg(11) Dmg(13) Dmg(13)
06) --> Hasten==> Rechg(6) Rechg(15) Rechg(15)
08) --> Swift==> Fly(8) Fly(17) Fly(17)
10) --> Hover==> Fly(10) Fly(19) Fly(19)
12) --> Hurdle==> Jump(12)
14) --> Super Speed==> EndRdx(14) EndRdx(48)
16) --> Build Up==> Rechg(16) Rechg(21) Rechg(21) TH_Buf(40) TH_Buf(46)
18) --> Flamethrower==> Acc(18) Acc(23) Dmg(23) Dmg(25) Dmg(25)
20) --> Stamina==> EndMod(20) EndMod(29) EndMod(29)
22) --> Ice Patch==> Rechg(22) Rechg(46)
24) --> Chilling Embrace==> EndRdx(24) EndRdx(43) Slow(45) Slow(46)
26) --> Ignite==> Dmg(26) Dmg(27) Dmg(27)
28) --> Aid Other==> IntRdx(28)
30) --> Aid Self==> IntRdx(30) IntRdx(31) Rechg(31) Heal(31) Heal(34) Heal(37)
32) --> Full Auto==> Acc(32) Rechg(33) Rechg(33) Dmg(33) Dmg(34) Dmg(34)
35) --> Shiver==> Acc(35) Acc(36) EndRdx(36) Slow(37) Slow(37)
38) --> Sniper Rifle==> Acc(38) IntRdx(39) Dmg(39) Dmg(39) Dmg(40)
41) --> Cryo Freeze Ray==> Acc(41) Acc(42) Hold(42) Hold(42) Rechg(43) Rechg(43)
44) --> Body Armor==> DmgRes(44) DmgRes(45) DmgRes(45)
47) --> LRM Missile==> Acc(47) Acc(48) IntRdx(48) Dmg(50) Dmg(50) Dmg(50)
49) --> Resuscitate==> IntRdx(49)
---------------------------------------------
Some thoughts about this:
The 3+3 slot sollution in Hover+Sprint is surprisingly nice. It's been a while since 6-slotting Hover was possible, but I actually feel the speed with these compares quite well. And more importantly the combo passed the test - Navigating Terra Volta in humane speeds means the travel powers don't need to be worried about
Lack of Immob protection isn't that bad - Ice Patch will help with survivability if you get immobed. Also have bound my Ice Patch so that it first shuts down Hover before it tries to Patch the ground.
Decided to opt-out of taking the Force pool at the end, going for the munition mastery just for the extra snipe and a proper ranged hold to take out Sappers. (As an added bonus, a hold that doesn't make me need to redraw the rifle)
Chilling Embrace got a downgrade to "Nice but not essential" as Ice Patch does the deed in melee more effectively. Shiver apparently has quite a huge area (Range of 60 and a 60 degree cone), so CE will really be outshone at that point anyways.
As I noted earlier, I took burst by accident and even if the damage was nice, it had half a second longer activation time than slug or buckshot, which made me get caught by enemies more times than not. Gone now, replaced by Ice Sword (with faster activation and better damage), not really sad about it.
Everything positive mentioned in this thread about Ice Patch + Ignite holds true - the combination is brutal and effective. Could easilly solo a +5 minion with only one slot in each, and normal bosses that you meet in missions are fun and games. One thing that's a bit disapointing is the fact Chilblain roots the enemy and thus negates the effects of Ice Patch, causing a lot of bad things.
[b][color=blue]Coldest War /[color=red]/ Omega Patient[/b]
[url="http://www.the-cow.net/"][color=red]The CoW Network (Blog) /[/url][url="http://www.collegeofwar.com/"][color=blue]/ College of War[/url]
Ar/Ice rocks end, combined with all the slows, the ice patch - ignite AND thel ong range its beautiful, I would go for flight or maybejust hover, but flight would offer you more flexibility, because most people do have SJ, so will easily be able to reach you, so i would personaly go with flight, maybe stacki the slows, using chilling embrace, ice sword, etc. then going into flight, using snipe, and your long range as the advantage.
Well, I started a new blaster a while ago, just because I hadn't seen such a thing around before. An Assault Rifle / Ice Manipulation combination. There are big downsides in the sets combined I've already noticed (at level 10), biggest I've found so-far being the lack of Aim.
But. I've been wondering what sort of a creation would the forumites make out of this combo. I know there is a horde of AR/s out there and must be more than one /Ice, so I have to ask you - What would you think are the good points of the sets, what are the powers to avoid, and what could you see working in strange synergy.
And yes, I know, AR/ sucks. And yes, I know /Ice blows. And I absolutely understand why no-one wants to play the combo. But amuse an old man. How to make it work?
(For PvE purposes)
[b][color=blue]Coldest War /[color=red]/ Omega Patient[/b]
[url="http://www.the-cow.net/"][color=red]The CoW Network (Blog) /[/url][url="http://www.collegeofwar.com/"][color=blue]/ College of War[/url]