+ For a Blapper, mobility is key. Hurdle + Combat Jumping at least. Fly is not great for a Blapper.
+ Aid Self is underslotted. 2-3 Heals minimum. Interupt Reductions and Recharges/Endreds are good too.
+ Short Circuit wants Accuracies
+ Get Stamina. Yes, even with Power Sink. And Health to put the unique IOs in. And Hurdle for movement.
+ EndRdx is your friend before you get Power Sink. Toggles besides "Combat Jumping" always want EndRdx.
+ EM Pulse for Blasters is pants, especially without duration or accuracy slotting.
+ Voltaic Sentinel wants Accuracy and Recharge.
+ You will get mezzed. A LOT. Consider getting Acrobatics and/or the ranged Hold from the Elec Epic pool.
That's about it. Most of the attacks are fine if you can handle the endurance. There's some powers in there I wouldn't pick (Lightning Clap, Recall Friend, EM Pulse, Static Discharge), but nothing that's really awful.
The below is probably how I personally would build an Elec^3 "blapper" with SOs/Common IOs. Tesla Cage can be taken earlier if needed. There's two slots in Health for the Numina/Miracle Uniques.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.30
http://www.honourableunited.org.uk/mhd.php
Level 50 Magic Blaster
Primary Power Set: Electrical Blast
Secondary Power Set: Electricity Manipulation
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Medicine
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Electric Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Lightning Bolt -- Acc(A), Dmg(3), Dmg(3), Dmg(7), EndRdx(23), RechRdx(48)
Level 1: Electric Fence -- Acc(A)
Level 2: Charged Bolts -- Acc(A), Dmg(40), Dmg(43), Dmg(46), EndRdx(50)
Level 4: Charged Brawl -- Acc(A), Dmg(5), Dmg(5), Dmg(7), EndRdx(17), RechRdx(23)
Level 6: Hurdle -- Jump(A), Jump(50)
Level 8: Short Circuit -- Acc(A), EndMod(9), EndMod(9), EndMod(13), RechRdx(15), RechRdx(15)
Level 10: Havoc Punch -- Acc(A), Dmg(11), Dmg(11), Dmg(13), EndRdx(17), RechRdx(19)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- DefBuff(A)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Jump(A)
Level 16: Health -- Heal(A), Heal(50)
Level 18: Aim -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(19), RechRdx(37)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod(A), EndMod(21), EndMod(21)
Level 22: Stimulant -- EndRdx(A)
Level 24: Aid Self -- Heal(A), Heal(25), Heal(25), EndRdx(27), RechRdx(34), IntRdx(46)
Level 26: Build Up -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(27), RechRdx(37)
Level 28: Thunder Strike -- Acc(A), Dmg(29), Dmg(29), Dmg(31), EndRdx(31), RechRdx(31)
Level 30: Acrobatics -- EndRdx(A)
Level 32: Thunderous Blast -- Dmg(A), Dmg(33), Dmg(33), RechRdx(33), RechRdx(34), RechRdx(34)
Level 35: Power Sink -- EndMod(A), EndMod(36), EndMod(36), RechRdx(36), RechRdx(37)
Level 38: Tesla Cage -- Acc(A), Acc(39), Hold(39), Hold(39), RechRdx(40), RechRdx(40)
Level 41: Shocking Bolt -- Acc(A), Acc(42), Hold(42), Hold(42), RechRdx(43), RechRdx(43)
Level 44: Charged Armor -- EndRdx(A), ResDam(45), ResDam(45), ResDam(45), EndRdx(46)
Level 47: Hasten -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(48), RechRdx(48)
Level 49: Super Speed -- Run(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Run(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx(A)
Level 1: Defiance
------------
Code:[/color]| Copy & Paste this data chunk into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|MHDz;3153;686;916;|
>-KEELUNVS`,Q^\!\@Y]@0RF)']AIQ7ID`[+)0-V-Q(U->`X0>(`*R#XV4?*L23,5)N>AS0I\1--_D7
JPRM]/BZKKOJMSY?ZV'Z%+VH^,^MJ7V_-8U-=.GV>SYX:O>W.];9J'BPS(ZB[MX=UU=:G:U-U^+AY;E
_U6;>=^5YWK;Y<S$]=G>IV;]9ZA^ZM-K].6N]<`'R:4KS-9XD9/F!2TW_;;GOHDU[ULA<ETGYYV".1(
Q%WD,ST3^UNL_N#,'=NZ+?1V]<!@^,JQRP+<"+H=RK#N0R_:N("$Q6RG"`UU:I23JPJ?4
L;G:R&FL
.PA;&\CXVF#-K`P2DMZ$]#^NAQ-YJ=$K95@X@=Q.8CJ!W$I9'W<(LQ$6=T.(-!14E#M)U"].TK1ED-R
%Q&?*"D6PG@";!':AZY?'Z\L+>KHJ`@2.$AVI']-BXY!K$U"?!/5II:N&W/P231D8-@IRN[1C=<VCLV
&YS`)5M%Q)%]?'DJ,BB5"G5M"FL)5C-GM0.$&-%H:;/`XQ4$4@DR;28(EQG]ONAH.M[D61]&BI<93GV
?NEMI%SC)PQ:QL')D=G<0^2;(F)LEK"%M$))",M"H\X^E>0YG]3,\>J8!$K1<3;$^%>$NW*W"AN%4J>
IC'*YDJCK02G@?8CUTH<F"#LV^K84&Z`#R&;N8QR5Q5%ISEW&:GII:F`21Z%[-4LHMR=+$JB(F'8[:E
LGR_+ZD"/%PZKSV(F=+"756:H:3&Q6?2]X\/W$55@9'OF;ZXM>97.RUTA]!7#.1A[:QE<V#B!#\W`[E
7VD!\K/L2Z/71[<A'\_6^0JH$[9#&<8"!3W!^%L/=U%IB9-\&9:>%IXFGIJ?#FZ#LF53<=^(X`,J=4T
CKFA3=+9Q-\&;PIO2FSY8D7K3QRTR;ZJ;.9_]!;W(*CD`
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Thanks for the help! I'm sure it'll be very useful.
Now I just need to work out the key skills of blapping
Not entirly correct. Are you intending to be a PvP or PvE blapper, because that makes a big difference?
As a PvE player: fly will always be the safest way for a blaster to travel, EM Pulse is good for a panic button when soloing, a quick bit of crowd control in a team and a pre-nuke power, keeping you safe from any not knocked out or missed by your big boom.
If it's PvP advice you're after, then I haven't a clue...
It looks a none [censored] up build, but remember to keep hold of your respecs and try out any changes on the test server.
[ QUOTE ]
Not entirly correct. Are you intending to be a PvP or PvE blapper, because that makes a big difference?
[/ QUOTE ]
My post assumed the OP was talking (at least mainly) about PvE. For PvP, the Leaping, Speed, Fitness and Medicine pools are practically a given. And you'll have a choice between the Force and Ice Epic Pools.
[ QUOTE ]
As a PvE player: fly will always be the safest way for a blaster to travel, EM Pulse is good for a panic button when soloing, a quick bit of crowd control in a team and a pre-nuke power, keeping you safe from any not knocked out or missed by your big boom.
[/ QUOTE ]
Fly is only the "safest" method of travel if you like to go AFK a lot between missions. It is the least safe travel power when used in fights, because of the speed suppression and the fact that a lot of enemies have -fly powers. All the flight pool offers to a Blaster is "Hoversniping", which a "Blapper" will have no use for.
Elec's Nuke is ranged, so you really don't need a mez to keep you safe from retaliation. Blaster "EM Pulse" isn't a hold but a Stun, you've nothing to stack with it and it takes nearly as long to animate as "Short Circuit". Anything that you can't drain via "Short Circuit + Power Sink" you've probably got no business soloing anyway.
A "Blapper" will want at least Combat Jumping and Hurdle if they plan on being mobile in fights. And if a Blapper isn't mobile, they're dead. It doesn't really matter if we're talking about PvE or PvP, though someone with poor movement (only having "fly" counts as poor movement) will likely die that much faster in PvP.
[ QUOTE ]
Now I just need to work out the key skills of blapping
[/ QUOTE ]
Stay mobile, practice "jousting" (using melee attacks whilst jumping past enemies), ramp up your unsuppressed movement as much as possible, get a good targetting bind and always carry plenty of breakfrees. 
Elec/Elec is actually one of the safer Blapper options since you can keep everything around you drained of endurance (with Short Circuit, Power Sink and Tesla Cage) whilst you hit them with melee attacks.
It seems that you are defining blapping as a single style, when there are as many as you would want there to be. Everything I've said works, everything you've said works, neither are wrong, it depends on how you enjoy playing.
[ QUOTE ]
It seems that you are defining blapping as a single style, when there are as many as you would want there to be. Everything I've said works, everything you've said works, neither are wrong, it depends on how you enjoy playing.
[/ QUOTE ]
Unfortunately this is not a "shades of grey" situation, for Blasters this is black and white: survive or die.
Blapping can be defined as a single style. "Blapping" Blasters use their melee attacks in combat- the point of Blapping is to inflict massive amounts of melee damage to your opponents, and survive whilst doing so. Since Blasters are lacking defensively, above level 25ish you will need to find a way to stop every mob you encounter from two-shotting you. So you will need to either incapacitate them, or be extremely mobile.
Of all Blaster combinations, only /Ice (Ice Patch), Elec/ (Short Circuit) and possibly Sonic/ (Siren's Song) can incapacitate entire mobs at a time. The OP is Elec/, but they will not be able to completely two-shot-drain a mob until level 35. Until then, they'll need to be very mobile when "scrapping" with melee attacks.
You cannot use your melee attacks in combat effectively with just "fly" and bad unsuppressed movement.
Can you use melee attacks without unsuppressed movement? Yes, but you will suck and you will die.
If you want to use Fly (or to a lesser extent, Teleport) as a Blaster; then either you will find yourself relying much more on ranged than melee attacks, or you will find yourself being a very regular visitor to the Hospital.
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It seems that you are defining blapping as a single style, when there are as many as you would want there to be. Everything I've said works, everything you've said works, neither are wrong, it depends on how you enjoy playing.
[/ QUOTE ]
Unfortunately this is not a "shades of grey" situation, for Blasters this is black and white: survive or die.
Blapping can be defined as a single style. "Blapping" Blasters use their melee attacks in combat- the point of Blapping is to inflict massive amounts of melee damage to your opponents, and survive whilst doing so. Since Blasters are lacking defensively, above level 25ish you will need to find a way to stop every mob you encounter from two-shotting you. So you will need to either incapacitate them, or be extremely mobile.
Of all Blaster combinations, only /Ice (Ice Patch), Elec/ (Short Circuit) and possibly Sonic/ (Siren's Song) can incapacitate entire mobs at a time. The OP is Elec/, but they will not be able to completely two-shot-drain a mob until level 35. Until then, they'll need to be very mobile when "scrapping" with melee attacks.
You cannot use your melee attacks in combat effectively with just "fly" and bad unsuppressed movement.
Can you use melee attacks without unsuppressed movement? Yes, but you will suck and you will die.
If you want to use Fly (or to a lesser extent, Teleport) as a Blaster; then either you will find yourself relying much more on ranged than melee attacks, or you will find yourself being a very regular visitor to the Hospital.
[/ QUOTE ]
Riiight. So rarely faceplanting these past 2 1/2 years or so when either in a team or soloing has been either my imagination or just a run of incredible luck?
And being in a Blaster only SG where for years, everyone plays a little (or lot) different means we're all clueless, and we should have been playing your way all this time as that's the ONLY way to be a blapper?
Glad you put me straight on that one...
Not that I want to sound rude but do you think you could keep your posts to relevance to the thread? Ideally not debates on which way of blapping works best, but rather blapping techniques overall and how to improve my build.
Cheers
Pull to avoid aggro, supplement hand to hand with insp, aim and build up.
My usual technique against a small group is to snipe one mob, queue up shocking bolt against another while snipe is activating, pile in and clean up.
When in a team against a bigger group, blast at first to thin out the crowd, then pile in and lay about you, perhaps targeting through a scrapper. Concentrate on downing one mob at a time rather than spreading damage.
I'd suggest leaning a play style of your own, having fun is more important than doing things by the book.
Lastly, remember that debt is the constant companion of the Blaster, get used to it and it isn't so bad.
This:
[ QUOTE ]
My usual technique against a small group is to snipe one mob, queue up shocking bolt against another while snipe is activating, pile in and clean up.
When in a team against a bigger group, blast at first to thin out the crowd, then pile in and lay about you, perhaps targeting through a scrapper. Concentrate on downing one mob at a time rather than spreading damage.
[/ QUOTE ]
isn't "Blapping", it's "Blasting".
Blapping is when a Blaster uses melee attacks. The word "Blapper" is taken from a combination of "Blaster" and "Scrapper". Literally meaning: "a Blaster that uses melee attacks like a Scrapper".
[ QUOTE ]
Glad you put me straight on that one...
[/ QUOTE ]
Whilst this is no doubt meant as sarcasm, given that you appear to think there are different "styles of Blapping" including using ranged attacks to "blast to thin out the crowd" and "snipe", something definately needs to be clarified. Frankly I don't care whether or not you've played in a Blaster-only SG for two years or ten years, you are arguing that "Blappers" play essentially just like a normal Blaster, which is incorrect.
There are many, many ways to play the Blaster AT: Ranged, Melee, Controllery, Full-on-offense, etc. But the "Blapper" subset is built and intended to use melee attacks over ranged attacks.
It is pointless to advise the OP on Ranged blasting techniques when they have stated they are building a Blapper, and it is equally pointless to try to argue that using ranged attacks constitute "Blapping".
Also (and as an aside):
[ QUOTE ]
Riiight. So rarely faceplanting these past 2 1/2 years or so when either in a team or soloing has been either my imagination or just a run of incredible luck?
[/ QUOTE ]
The above quote appears to be at odds with this one:
[ QUOTE ]
Lastly, remember that debt is the constant companion of the Blaster, get used to it and it isn't so bad.
[/ QUOTE ]
Debt is part and parcel of playing most toons, and Blasters are no exception. However since Blasters have next to no defences, their survivability can be improved astonomically... simply by taking the appropriate powers to give yourself good movement and the ability to get in and out of fights quickly. This is important for any Blaster, but as I pointed out in my previous post, it is vital for "Blappers".
There is not "only one way" to build a "Blapper" Blaster, but there is only one guideline that works well and consistently: get good movement. Combat Jumping + Hurdle, Sprint + Swift, Superjump, Superspeed, whatever combination of powers you choose to take and use to achieve this goal is entirely up to you.
"Jousting" enemies (whether by running or jumping past them) is far, far safer than simply standing or floating in melee range. And there are only a limited number of methods to do that. Combat Jumping + Hurdle is arguably the best, since your movement won't be slowed when you attack... but Fly is simply not even on the list.
Fly is great for using ranged attacks on foes from a distance, but for the vast majority of the time Blappers will not be using their ranged attacks. Some won't even have taken or slotted their ranged attacks.
Taking "Fly" will simply not help a Blapper. If you believe otherwise, I would genuinely like to know what you base that belief on... since I have never once encountered a good Blapper that used Fly in combat.
[ QUOTE ]
Not that I want to sound rude but do you think you could keep your posts to relevance to the thread? Ideally not debates on which way of blapping works best, but rather blapping techniques overall and how to improve my build.
Cheers
[/ QUOTE ]
The build I've commented on directly already, but whilst I can give you a few pointers on the Art of Blapping it's largely something you're going to have to experience and learn for yourself.
You'll need to learn what mobs have AoE mezzes, what mobs have ranged mezzes, what mobs can reliably kill you before you can get "Short Circuit"'s animation off successfully and what mobs resist your own mezzes (virtually nothing is fully protected from endurance drain, but there are plenty of mobs that have light protection from Stuns, Sleeps and Holds). In terms of actually playing your toon, good movement and Aid Self will go a long, long way towards making you the best soloer you can possibly be, and it'll help considerably in teams too.
In teams, PBAoEs around the tanker are going to be your biggest headache as a Blapper. Again, good movement and Aid Self will help, as will essentially any buff from your teammates (but especially mez protection). Always position yourself carefully (out of range of any Cone Attacks that might be centred on the Tanker), carry plenty of breakfrees, use what you've learned whilst soloing in order to target the most dangerous enemies first without stealing aggro from the tanker and/or killing yourself in the process. And "Good Hunting!"
[ QUOTE ]
You cannot use your melee attacks in combat effectively with just "fly" and bad unsuppressed movement.
Can you use melee attacks without unsuppressed movement? Yes, but you will suck and you will die.
[/ QUOTE ]My blapper doesn't do too bad with fly...
Although I will probably 'spec for more unsupressed movement at some point, but the lack of it certainly isn't that big a disadvantage.
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You cannot use your melee attacks in combat effectively with just "fly" and bad unsuppressed movement.
Can you use melee attacks without unsuppressed movement? Yes, but you will suck and you will die.
[/ QUOTE ]My blapper doesn't do too bad with fly...
Although I will probably 'spec for more unsupressed movement at some point, but the lack of it certainly isn't that big a disadvantage.
[/ QUOTE ]
Do you actually use Fly in combat, and if so what do you do to overcome the suppression weakness? I ask because I fail to see how a Flying Blapper could be as survivable or effective as one with another travel power.
They could certainly fly in whilst queuing an attack... but when that first attack triggers, movement suppression kicks in which vastly reduces their flight speed. The result is that they can't get away in time before their enemies counterattack. However with CJ + Hurdle, SuperSpeed, SuperJump, or even Teleport (if you're quick) you can "joust" so that when your melee attack lands you're out of the mob's melee range. With Fly, you're always going to remain within the mobs' melee range when you use a melee attack.
Against mobs at higher levels on higher-difficulty missions, staying within your foes' melee range is practically a death sentence unless you possess the means to mez or otherwise incapacitate them.
Fly also adversely affects your ability to heal yourself with 'Aid Self', since it always takes a second or two for you to actually "coast to a halt" in mid-air so that you can successfully activate an interruptable power. With any other travel power, once you stop moving you can always activate 'Aid Self' instantly.
Note that I'm not saying Fly is bad, just that it's the least-suited travel power for a Blapper.
[ QUOTE ]
Do you actually use Fly in combat, and if so what do you do to overcome the suppression weakness? I ask because I fail to see how a Flying Blapper could be as survivable or effective as one with another travel power.
[/ QUOTE ]Fly to combat, use sprint for combat movement.
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Do you actually use Fly in combat, and if so what do you do to overcome the suppression weakness? I ask because I fail to see how a Flying Blapper could be as survivable or effective as one with another travel power.
[/ QUOTE ]Fly to combat, use sprint for combat movement.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well there you go, you could have had combat jumping that you already get from the SJ pool and hurdle from fitness to make a smaller unsuppressed SJ for combat, which in my opinion is far better than sprint(which seems to drain quite the bit of end if you ask me 
)
Personally, i think 3-slotted hover's pretty quick, plus it tends to keep you out of melee range for their attacks, and lets you pop in and whack them yourselves.
Your Voltaic Sentinel needs many more extra slots. Since it was upgraded in I11 it is very worthwhile and will make you proud.
You're not sapping enough. Elec doesn't do the biggest damage but you've got two advantages over other power sets - holds and end drain. Getting the balance right between those three can be a tough ask but I guess you need to experiment.
It also makes a difference if you want to be PVP and/or PVE.
EM Pulse is truly pants. Lose it.
You've 6 slotted Thunderous blast with 3 rech redux. If you take hasten you can make it work much more quickly and give it greater acc/end mod. If you take Hasten it will also help your Power Sink (I have mine slotted with 3 End Mod IOs and 1 Rech Redux.
Lighting Clap... why?
You have 2 travel powers. I would suggest that if you want to blap you could lose recall friend for Hasten and if PVPing then as has been said Combat Jumping/Superspeed is apparently a great combo.
Shocking Bolt; Take it. It has a hold marginally as good as Tesla Cage with much more range. Cool animation too
Thelonious Monk
i'm currently playing a lvl 23 elec/elec blapper (Brazon Bolt, go say hello) and i'm still trying to tweak the slottage for best end drain. i have some expieriance of blapping, mainly of the pbaoe variety ( lvl 50 fire/fire/fire, i AM the fire ball!) i would suggest finding large mobs of -2s and jumping in solo, hitting aload of buttons and observing what happens. so far i'm starting off with the pbaoe end drain followed by the aoe and then hitting what evers recharged
I'd say unsuppressed movement is really important on a blapper to cycle from a foe to another the quickest the possible. Acrob is a must imo, too
hover with 3 slots and perma powerboost works for blapping too.
Yeah but that would require a heavy set build and wasting 2 slots on a pre-travel
not really :P you dont need that much recharge to get perma power boost
Well I thought I'd try some elec elec blapping and so I've whacked up a build from what I've looked up on the boards, and here's my result
so if you can see any fatal flaws or even minor flaws, point them out thanks!
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.30
http://www.honourableunited.org.uk/mhd.php
Level 50 Natural Blaster
Primary Power Set: Electrical Blast
Secondary Power Set: Electricity Manipulation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Medicine
Power Pool: Teleportation
Power Pool: Concealment
Ancillary Pool: Electric Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Charged Bolts -- Dmg(A), Dmg(5), Dmg(5), Acc(13), RechRdx(21), Acc(43)
Level 1: Electric Fence -- Acc(A)
Level 2: Charged Brawl -- Dmg(A), Dmg(3), Dmg(3), Acc(13), RechRdx(21), Acc(43)
Level 4: Lightning Bolt -- Dmg(A), Dmg(37), Dmg(40), Acc(42), RechRdx(42), Acc(43)
Level 6: Short Circuit -- EndMod(A), EndMod(7), EndMod(7), RechRdx(11), RechRdx(11), EndRdx(46)
Level 8: Aim -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(9), RechRdx(9)
Level 10: Havoc Punch -- Dmg(A), Dmg(23), Dmg(23), Acc(34), RechRdx(42), Acc(45)
Level 12: Hover -- Flight(A), Flight(46), Flight(46)
Level 14: Fly -- Flight(A), Flight(15), Flight(15)
Level 16: Build Up -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(17), RechRdx(17)
Level 18: Tesla Cage -- Acc(A), Hold(19), Hold(19), Hold(25), RechRdx(48), RechRdx(50)
Level 20: Lightning Clap -- Acc(A)
Level 22: Aid Other -- Heal(A)
Level 24: Aid Self -- Heal(A), IntRdx(25)
Level 26: Voltaic Sentinel -- Dmg(A), Dmg(27), Dmg(27)
Level 28: Thunder Strike -- Acc(A), Acc(29), Dmg(29), Dmg(31), Dmg(31), RechRdx(31)
Level 30: Recall Friend -- EndRdx(A)
Level 32: Thunderous Blast -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(33), RechRdx(33), Dmg(33), Dmg(34), Dmg(34)
Level 35: Power Sink -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(36), RechRdx(36), EndMod(36), EndMod(37), EndMod(37)
Level 38: Shocking Grasp -- Acc(A), Hold(39), Hold(39), Hold(39), RechRdx(40), RechRdx(40)
Level 41: Stealth -- EndRdx(A)
Level 44: Static Discharge -- Acc(A), Range(45), RechRdx(45)
Level 47: Charged Armor -- ResDam(A), ResDam(48), ResDam(48)
Level 49: EM Pulse -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(50), RechRdx(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
------------
[u]Set Bonus Totals:[u]------------
[u]Set Bonuses:[u]
Code:[/color]
I'm sure I've made several classic errors in this build