So a self buffing solo empath might be about as tough as a SoA, with way less damage.
BTW you can soft cap a defenders ranged def fairly easily with IOs, so all that allowing self buffing would do is save the defenders some cash and allow for an easier time doing solo missions on the way up 
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Well, you'd also end up with capped Defense vs AoE and Melee, not just Ranged.|
Originally Posted by Star_Seer
So a self buffing solo empath might be about as tough as a SoA, with way less damage.
BTW you can soft cap a defenders ranged def fairly easily with IOs, so all that allowing self buffing would do is save the defenders some cash and allow for an easier time doing solo missions on the way up |
And with no build sacrifices.
And with 1000% Regen, and enough Recovery to fire a Nuke and still gain Endurance afterwards.
And with +100% Recharge.
Not "about as tough as a SoA", but "about as tough as a SoA with a free fully slotted Regen powerset".
Damage would be lower due to lower base, but defensively it would be the toughest squishy in the game, tougher than Scrappers, probably Brutes, and on a par with most Tanks.
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Don't forget that it will be permanent on all of them, thanks to the fact that AB + Hasten + 5% global recharge = perma-both. And 5% global recharge is a very cheap set bonus to find.
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Originally Posted by BlackSly
Well, you'd also end up with capped Defense vs AoE and Melee, not just Ranged.
And with no build sacrifices. And with 1000% Regen, and enough Recovery to fire a Nuke and still gain Endurance afterwards. And with +100% Recharge. Not "about as tough as a SoA", but "about as tough as a SoA with a free fully slotted Regen powerset". Damage would be lower due to lower base, but defensively it would be the toughest squishy in the game, tougher than Scrappers, probably Brutes, and on a par with most Tanks. |
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Originally Posted by Back Alley Brawler
Did you just use "casual gamer" and "purpled-out warshade" in the same sentence?
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Any Empath can do something like this with the dual build system and still retain a team-friendly other build. Use the fact you only take 3 primary powers to your advantage and take pool powers to boost your defence.
1 Healing Aura (9)(9)(17) - 4 Heal/End or Heal/Rech IOs
1 Power Bolt (3)(5)(7)(17)(23) - Thunderstrike set
2 Power Blast (3)(5)(7)(15)(23) - Thunderstrike set
4 Energy Torrent - single accuracy, used for knockback on groups.
6 Hover (33)(33) - Blessing of the Zephyr set
8 Boxing
10 Power Burst (11)(11)(13)(13)(15) - Thunderstrike set
12 Swift
14 Tough - Steadfast Res/Def IO
16 Health
18 Recovery Aura (19)(19) - Recharge
20 Stamina
22 Fly
24 Weave (25)(25)(29)(29)(31) - Red Fortune
26 Regen Aura (27)(27) - Recharge
28 Manouvers (31)(31)(33)(34)(34) - Red Fortune
30 Aim
32 Power Push or Snipe?
35 Explosive Blast
38 Nova....
You get 19.1% Defence to everything from Manouvers, Weave, Hover and the Steadfast IO.
Set Bonuses make that 38% vs Ranged, 22% vs AoE, 35% vs Energy and Negative.
Two purple pills cap your defence to everything for EB fights.
Tough can be turned on while Recovery Aura is running, or if you're facing high burst damage, but is mainly there for the Steadfast IO and more defence.
The only expensive IOs are the Blessing of the Zephyr set and the Steadfast IO. Drop the BotZ if you cant afford it. Each +Def Io will add +0.5% defence, Maybe one of them and two flight speeds?
The Steadfast IO is yours for only 125 Merits, easily obtainable by doing story arcs, and well worth getting.
Between your high defence, spot healing and +Regen for tough fights, and knockback (or other defensive secondary effects) you should be Ok to survive, as long as you pick your fights.
eg Warriors are bad news with mainly smashing and lethal melee attacks. CoT with lots of ranged attacks and negative energy are easier to fight.
I use Medicine pool (Aid Other/Aid Self) and Caltrops/Smoke Grenade for added defense. Add in the Blaster inherent and the new toggle-suppression and I am pretty solid.
With Dual-Builds, I may have to just try harder.
Making a solo-able defender has always seemed like putting off your group stuff.
Imagine a level 20 Empath getting into a group without any ALLY powers. /chagrin
Oh and definitely PowerPush over Snipe for me. I have respecced both ways and for as many times as I wished I had the snipe, there were alot more times where the Powerpush was more useful.
BIOSPARK :: DARKTHORN :: SKYGUARD :: WILDMAGE
HEATSINK :: FASTHAND :: POWERCELL :: RUNESTAFF