Your guide to Coldest War (Ice/Dev/Flame)


Alvan

 

Posted

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Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder - (http://sherksilver.coldfront.net/index.php)
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Name: Coldest War
Level: 50
Archetype: Blaster
Primary: Ice Blast
Secondary: Devices
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01) --> Ice Bolt==> Acc Acc Dmg Dmg Dmg
01) --> Web Grenade==> Acc Acc
02) --> Ice Blast==> Acc Acc Dmg Dmg Dmg
04) --> Caltrops==> Rechg Rechg
06) --> Swift==> Fly
08) --> Aim==> Rechg Rechg Rechg TH_Buf TH_Buf TH_Buf
10) --> Targeting Drone==> EndRdx EndRdx EndRdx TH_Buf TH_Buf TH_Buf
12) --> Air Superiority==> Acc
14) --> Fly==> EndRdx EndRdx EndRdx Fly Fly Fly
16) --> Hurdle==> Jump
18) --> Bitter Ice Blast==> Acc NucleExp Dmg Dmg EndRdx Rechg
20) --> Stamina==> EndMod EndMod EndMod
22) --> Assault==> EndRdx EndRdx EndRdx
24) --> Tactics==> EndRdx EndRdx EndRdx
26) --> Freeze Ray==> Acc Acc Hold Hold Rechg Rechg
28) --> Hasten==> Rechg Rechg Rechg
30) --> Cloaking Device==> EndRdx EndRdx EndRdx
32) --> Smoke Grenade==> Acc Acc
35) --> Frost Breath==> Acc Acc Dmg Dmg Dmg EndRdx
38) --> Bitter Freeze Ray==> Acc Acc Hold Hold
41) --> Char==> Acc Acc Rechg Rechg Hold Hold
44) --> Blizzard==> Rechg Rechg Rechg Dmg Dmg Dmg
47) --> Bonfire==> KB_Dist KB_Dist
49) --> Rise of the Phoenix==> Rechg Rechg Rechg
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First of all, thank you for all the answers regarding the Trip Mines / BFR / Ice Storm question earlier. This is the build I most likely will be going for when I'm getting the Veteran Respec. I decided to take BFR - I can live with the activation time and the extra hold does a world of difference.

Comments and critique are appreciated, but only if you bother to read through my reasoning for the picks, below.

This version of Coldest War is a suicidal blaster built for Zonal PvP and high-level team PvE. This is a Respec build, so levels of slotting is irrelevant and I would neve level up a character like this.

Should be noted that for PvP, the build really doesn't assume you are fighting to get most kills with as few deaths as possible. At lower-levels it is pretty much a counter-stalker build, either going against solo Stalkers or protecting your team from them. Higher levels it's more about taking down a target, or keeping him busy so your team can do what they are doing (like take down pillboxes while you keep guard). The number of times you or your target get killed matters not as no-one is keeping score of that - reason to fight in the zone is something else anyways (Getting specific kills for bounty at Siren's, Pillboxes at RV, having fun at the two other zones)

It is not a perfect build, but that fits the feel of a slightly insane Russian blaster. It also is geared towards mobility, even if that is a swearword for the Device Blaster. Thus no Trip Mines or the like. The rest of the team will most likely want to push forward anyways.

And last but not least, most of these are fun powers to have. They make playing a bit different from normal blasting, but it's "fun" -different, not "odd" -different.

Power-by-power walkthru:

01) --> Ice Bolt==> Acc Acc Dmg Dmg Dmg
02) --> Ice Blast==> Acc Acc Dmg Dmg Dmg
18) --> Bitter Ice Blast==> Acc NucleExp Dmg Dmg EndRdx Rechg
35) --> Frost Breath==> Acc Acc Dmg Dmg Dmg EndRdx

The basic attack package.
PvE and PvP: Not much to say, 2 Accuracies, 3 Damages in all, with additional enhances in the high-costing powers to keep them manageable.

01) --> Web Grenade==> Acc Acc
PvE: A nice addition to the pile of -recharge the attacks keep providing. Also useful against flying/fleeing enemies (Diabolique, I'm looking at you)
PvP: The critical power against those nasty Melee types - 2 accuracies to better guarantee a hit of -jump/-fly (everyone has Combat Jumping so the Immob part doesn't really matter).

04) --> Caltrops==> Rechg Rechg
PvE: Form of crowd control to steer the enemies in a proper direction. Works quite well with Bonfire and teams with other blasters who can dish out AoE Damage to the enemies stuck in the 'trops.
PvP: Protection against getting ASd. Annoying power against all other people, works in nice combination with Web Grenade. Recharges to be able to keep a couple up at a time if needed.

06) --> Swift==> Fly
16) --> Hurdle==> Jump
20) --> Stamina==> EndMod EndMod EndMod

Fitness Package.
PvE and PvP: Nothing interesting here.

08) --> Aim==> Rechg Rechg Rechg TH_Buf TH_Buf TH_Buf
10) --> Targeting Drone==> EndRdx EndRdx EndRdx TH_Buf TH_Buf TH_Buf
24) --> Tactics==> EndRdx EndRdx EndRdx

The +ToHit package.
PvE: I'm only running Targetting Drone and have my Aim on Auto-Activcation. Tactics is too big of an endurance hog to use in PvE-style action. Might turn it on if fighting Nemesis or other foes with +defense powers to give a marginal boost to the team.
PvP: I'm running both Targetting Drone and Tactics for the stacked +Perception bonus. Aim is not on Auto-Activation, but used when going in.

12) --> Air Superiority==> Acc
PvE: This is a nice power, can juggle a Freakshow Tanker with it if you time it right.
PvP: Not that much use in PvP. Against people who are not running Acrobatics, the Knockdown is useful to buy time with. To be frank, Devices has a better -Fly power available, so I really don't use this so much.

14) --> Fly==> EndRdx EndRdx EndRdx Fly Fly Fly
PvE and PvP: Not taking Hover is a question of slotting. For me to be comfortable with Hover I have to have it 3-slotted with Fly Speeds and Swift 3-slotted with them as well. Because of this build is constantly in endurance problems, I would have to put in a EndRdx there as well, and still take Fly with 3 Flight Speeds and at least one EndRdx for Movement Power. So, I took Fly with 3 EndRdx and 3 Flight Speeds instead. Saves some slots, at bearable price.

22) --> Assault==> EndRdx EndRdx EndRdx
PvE: As it boosts the team's damage, it is quite useful to run in PvE, even if the amount of damage isn't that high.
PvP: The +Damage is not really worth mentioning as I don't find myself in large teams or huddled up with others in PvP, but Res(Placate, Taunt) is worth taking this baby over Maneuvers (as the +Defense isn't really that good either).

26) --> Freeze Ray==> Acc Acc Hold Hold Rechg Rechg
38) --> Bitter Freeze Ray==> Acc Acc Hold Hold
41) --> Char==> Acc Acc Rechg Rechg Hold Hold

The Hold package.
PvE: Mostly use Freeze Ray and Char to keep a nasty boss in place. I can pretty much run an attack chain with the three powers, but I usually substitute BFR in it for BIB, which deals with the enemy faster.
PvP: A chain of 5 stacked holds pushes nicely through a decent mez-resistance. With Hasten running Char -> FR -> BFR -> FR -> Char can be fired neatly so that they still overlap each other. With Geas of the Kind Ones and Vanguard, even more holds can be pushed through

28) --> Hasten==> Rechg Rechg Rechg
PvE and PvP: It's Hasten.

30) --> Cloaking Device==> EndRdx EndRdx EndRdx
32) --> Smoke Grenade==> Acc Acc

Stealth Package
PvE: I still haven't figured out the way Smoke Grenade works. If I hit every enemy in the group with it, about 50% of the time they still attack me, and about 50% of the time they actually get their Perception range reduced. Not using these all that much. But they have their uses sometimes.
PvP: It isn't Stalker-level stealth, but the -Perception, combined with +Stealth, allows speedy getaways and annoyance.

44) --> Blizzard==> Rechg Rechg Rechg Dmg Dmg Dmg
PvE: The Blaster Nuke. Quite good if you get boosted with external sources. Devices blasters suffer from the lack of Build Up, so the damage from this is far from perfect.
PvP: Taking Blizzard at 44 to keep it out of Warburg. Blizzard isn't really a PvP power, and having it at Warburg levels is a waste of time.

47) --> Bonfire==> KB_Dist KB_Dist
PvE: Form of crowd control. If you manage to get enemies cornered with it, you have a great situation. Otherwise you'll just annoy your teammates to heck with KB.
PvP: This is here for two reasons: To kick people off pillboxes in RV, and to separate a Mastermind from their pets. Automatically hitting Knockback is a better thing than most people give it credit for. The damage in it is minimal, but with a couple of Knockback Distances, it scatters things around like there is no tomorrow.

49) --> Rise of the Phoenix==> Rechg Rechg Rechg
PvE and PvP: I die a lot. In fact I love to die a lot. Ever since I got my hands on RotP, it has been my favorite power. The Disorient it does is great fun in both PvE and PvP and justifies the insane tactics I love to use. The 10 second invulnerability it grants isn't a bad thing either.

Routes not taken

Ice Storm
I have used this power a lot, and it's great. The slow it provides makes Blizzarding a lot easier. The damage isn't worth mentioning, and if you get mezzed after firing this and before Blizzard, the result usually is death. It is the power I'm most regretting not having. Used to have Caltrops/Ice Storm/Bonfire for a remote herding combination of making enemies go where you want as well.

Taser
Not regretting skipping this power. Rest of the Devices powerset assumes that you want to keep your distance, yet this power is melee-ranged. Those two things don't go well together. Would work better with a primary that has a Disorient power.

Trip Mine
Another great power that I am not taking for this particular build. I think I've explained my reasons for not having it, but summa summarum - Regular Devices (with Trip Mine) assumes you want enemies to come towards you, every other powerset assumes you want to go towards the enemies. To make my build more compatible with the other players' builds in teams, I am not taking powers that require setting up.

Time Bomb
The same reasoning I have for Trip Mines stands for Time Bomb. Time Bomb is affected even more by the chaotic nature of High-level combat as you can never be sure where you will be standing 15 seconds from now.

Auto Turret
Same reason - needs to be set up, even if the bugger is great when it is actually there.

Cold Mastery
Snow Storm and Hibernate would have been the really useful powers for me in this set, but I would have been left with just 1 fast hold (BFR doesn't count), which would have been a bit problematic considering how used I am to having 2, to the point that I rely on having 2. Also, my leading cause of death is still getting Mezzed, not taking damage in a fair fight - Hibernate might not have been successful all that often. For generic Ice/Devices, Cold works wonders. As you'll be Single-target attacking anyways, you won't be breaking the Sleep. And the Slow is good with Blizzard (as you don't get Shiver from /Ice)

Electrical Mastery
My second choise for an Epic. Would have geared the character more towards PvE with a secondary "Nuke" (against machines) and another Cone attack, giving Ice/Dev the AoE it is lacking. But as I am emphasize my strengths, not trying to even out the small bumps, I chose Flame Mastery (with the tricks rather than attacks)

Force Mastery
With Force Mastery, the reason for not choosing was the same as with Cold. There is no additional hold in this set. Ignoring the lack of hold, the set outperforms Flame Mastery in every way - Repulsion Field trumps Bonfire and Force of Nature trumps Rise of the Phoenix in usefulness.

Munitions Mastery
Munitions Mastery balances out Ice/Devices near-perfectly. It has a Armor that does not cost endurance, a secondary Hold and a Snipe. Coldest War was originally a Ice/Dev/Mun, but I respecced out of it to get something a bit less careful.

Last Words?

I have no idea why I wrote this. No-one sane would ever want to play an Ice/Dev/Flame anyways.


[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]

 

Posted

I think you are overslotting toggles with endurance slots when there is room to slot all the attacks commonly used in your attack chain first and have more attack chains per end bar.

Your acc will be through the roof with aim and TD which seems a little overkill imo id not tohit buff aim.

Powerchoice wise is an each to their own thing so good luck with it.


He will honor his words; he will definitely carry out his actions. What he promises he will fulfill. He does not care about his bodily self, putting his life and death aside to come forward for another's troubled besiegement. He does not boast about his ability, or shamelessly extol his own virtues. - Sima Qian.

 

Posted

As Shannon suggests, moving a slot or two from Assault, Tactics and Cloaking Device to Ice Bolt, Ice Blast, Web Grenade, Smoke Grenade and Bonfire (depending on how much you use WG, SG and Bonfire) could improve your endurance situation.

Also converting one or two To-Hit Buffs in Aim to Endurance Reduction would likely help, especially if you keep it on auto.


 

Posted

Thanks for the comments, will definitely toy around with these ideas later.

One ToHit -> EndRed might not be a bad idea with Aim, good point. Also moving slots to Ice Bolt and Blast will be taken into a test server build once I get a respec to try them out.

The reason for ToHit overkilling is based on the PvP role of taking down people with high Defense values. Enemies with Personal Force Fields, Eludes and other high-end boosts to Defense. Also as a single hit from a Mez or firing of Blizzard brings my toggles down, I can't be relying on them for being on always when fighting, thus the Accuracy Enhancements in all attacks. When detoggled, I'm still running on a good 88% total hit probability on PvP zones (vs. even level foes), 95% in PvE.

(Disclaimer: Following numbers are approximates that are based on calculations that ignore the degrading effect of ED on the third enhancement on a power) With TD running, both (PvE and PvP) are roofed against moderate (15%) levels of defense. With Aim and TD, I have a shot against someone with PFF or MoG, depending on their slotting. (Around 90% hit probability vs. unslotted Defender PFF, some 15% vs. fully slotted Defender PFF)


[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]

 

Posted

Updated build, for Hami-Os:

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Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder - (http://sherksilver.coldfront.net/index.php)
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Name: Coldest War
Level: 50
Archetype: Blaster
Primary: Ice Blast
Secondary: Devices
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Ice Bolt==> Acc(1) Acc(45) Dmg(48) Dmg(48) Dmg(48) EndRdx(50)
01) --> Web Grenade==> Acc(1) Acc(25) Range(25) Range(45) Range(45) Rechg(46)
02) --> Ice Blast==> Acc(2) Acc(3) Dmg(3) Dmg(5) Dmg(40) EndRdx(43)
04) --> Caltrops==> Rechg(4) Rechg(5)
06) --> Aim==> MembrExp(6) MembrExp(7) MembrExp(7)
08) --> Hasten==> Rechg(8) Rechg(9) Rechg(9)
10) --> Targeting Drone==> CytosExp(10) CytosExp(11) CytosExp(11)
12) --> Hover==> Fly(12) Fly(13) Fly(13)
14) --> Fly==> MicroExp(14) MicroExp(15) Fly(15)
16) --> Assault==> EndRdx(16) EndRdx(17) EndRdx(17)
18) --> Bitter Ice Blast==> NucleExp(18) NucleExp(19) CentiExp(19) Range(37) EndRdx(37) Rechg(37)
20) --> Tactics==> EndRdx(20) EndRdx(21) EndRdx(21)
22) --> Swift==> Fly(22) Fly(23) Fly(23)
24) --> Hurdle==> Jump(24)
26) --> Freeze Ray==> EndopExp(26) EndopExp(27) Hold(27) Rechg(31) Rechg(34) Rechg(36)
28) --> Stamina==> EndMod(28) EndMod(29) EndMod(29)
30) --> Cloaking Device==> EndRdx(30) EndRdx(31) EndRdx(31)
32) --> Blizzard==> CentiExp(32) CentiExp(33) CentiExp(33) Rechg(33) Rechg(34) Rechg(34)
35) --> Vengeance==> EnzymExp(35) CytosExp(36) CytosExp(36)
38) --> Frost Breath==> Acc(38) Acc(39) Dmg(39) CentiExp(39) CentiExp(40) EndRdx(40)
41) --> Char==> EndopExp(41) EndopExp(42) Hold(42) Rechg(42) Rechg(43) Rechg(43)
44) --> Bitter Freeze Ray==> EndopExp(44) EndopExp(46) Hold(46)
47) --> Bonfire==> Rechg(47) Rechg(50)
49) --> Rise of the Phoenix==> Rechg(49) Rechg(50)
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That's what I'll most likely be respeccing next week. Things that have changed:

Powers Dropped:
Smoke Grenade - way too situational power. I think the only real use I've ever had with it has been killing Max Khaos standing next to a Pillbox in RV.
Air Superiority - Web Grenade and Bonfire do the job so much better. I think I've used Air Sup once or twice in the past half a year on Coldest.

New Powers:
Hover - a slight bonus to the endurance use of the build doesn't hurt.
Vengeance - People die, and getting a very good +dmg/+acc/+def from it doesn't hurt.

Other Stuff
Web Grenade - mmm, Ranges. Should get nearly the same range as the blasts with those 3xSOs.


[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]

 

Posted

I wanted to reply to this earlier but somit was up with the boards but anyway I think i can see what you are doing.

Hard to get all the right powers in before Bloody Bay so maybe making sacrifices here and there which is why leaderships is so early and stamina so late I am assuming.
It has improved on endurance but especially due to hami-os and i suspect you are having certain slotting awaiting more hami-os. With the following when ya get Hami's u have the right amount of slots immediately.

14) --> Fly==> MicroExp(14) MicroExp(15) Fly(15)
20) --> Tactics==> EndRdx(20) EndRdx(21) EndRdx(21)

But on both these powers you have got the 3rd slot of end redux each saving .03 eps. With CD 2 hami-os to buff def and reduce end would still be all i'd feel worth it.

30) --> Cloaking Device==> EndRdx(30) EndRdx(31) EndRdx(31)
16) --> Assault==> EndRdx(16) EndRdx(17) EndRdx(17)

The 3rd end slots would come out for me as they should be rather unnoticeable and personally would rather slows on caltrops or an extra recharge on bonfire or RotP or an end redux on hover unless that gets hami'd later.


He will honor his words; he will definitely carry out his actions. What he promises he will fulfill. He does not care about his bodily self, putting his life and death aside to come forward for another's troubled besiegement. He does not boast about his ability, or shamelessly extol his own virtues. - Sima Qian.

 

Posted

A practical point I've found with HOs.

Acc/Dam can be traded for just about anything if you persevere. Dam/Range are just as common, but there's far fewer powers they can be used in overall - pretty hard to swap in other words. Basically slotting an Acc/Dam HO, and a range enhancer in a power is a bit of a waste.

In a power like Bitter Ice Blast I'd slot regular accuracies (with only two you're going to get a better return from having effective 52 or 53s anyway and in PvP it does all help) and then slot dam/range HOs (taking one or two from blizzard). Use at least one of the Acc/Dam HO in another power (maybe Ice Blast, to then allow you to pop another endurance reducer/recharge in there).

Chances are you'll pick up more dam/ranges at some point in the future to put in blizzard.

I'd also take Ice Storm and slot it just with three slows for pre-blizzard use in preference to vengeance. I like using blizzard. A lot.

A lot of the build (pools and epic) are nothing like what I'd play (although I like a couple of the slotting changes you've made, web grenade, ditching air superiority, adding flights to hover and swift) but I know it works for you - also a manically over-agressive playstyle does make you fun and easy to team with when I'm playing my Kinetic in RV, assuming I can keep up.


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
it is pretty much a counter-stalker build, either going against solo Stalkers or protecting your team from them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oi! no more coldest war easy kill? Nooooooooooooooooooooooes!!! I do want to try it out tho