I've never played this particular combination, but I have played both sets separately with other primaries/secondaries, so take this advice with a grain of salt.
Electric blast is rather lacking in single target damage. You have charged bolts, lightning bolt but no true tier 3 (blaze, bitter ice blast). This is somewhat similar to AR which has slug, burst and then a choice of AoE powers. What I've done with my AR/Mental is slot out subdual. Subdual is a damage over time but does as much damage as charged bolts. Plus the power charges up fast and is an immobilize. At early levels, subdual, charged bolts and lightning bolt can be pretty much continually chained, with subdual used as a decent filler attack.
Most folks that who the electric primary also use ball lightning and short circuit as utility powers rather than just as attacks. Early on, I'd slot them as normal attacks and then slot them for end drain when you get into IOs or at least SOs. Though admittedly, I've never bothered as slotting them that way...just traditional damage slotting.
Powers which I like from both power sets:
Electric Blast
* Charged Bolts - tier 1 blast, should take it because you can fire it off when mezzed
* Lightning Bolt - tier 2 blast, should take it because you can fire it off when mezzed
* Ball Lightning - long ranged targeted AoE, not the best damage, and endurance expensive. I'd still take it, though don't expect that it will be anything like fire ball.
* Short Circuit - end drain + decent damage PBAoE
* Aim - of course
* Tesla Cage - ranged hold, the only thing I don't like about it is I find the animation slow
* Thunderous Blast - a ranged nuke, which is nice since it doesn't force you to go into the middle of a dangerous spawn
Mental Manipulation
* Subdual - 60' attack/immobilize - should be slotted out with damage
* TK Thrust - a good get away from my face power, point blank knockback. Good to take for ranged builds since it will knockback and force an enemy to ragdoll
* Psychic Scream - a very good cone attack that deals psychic damage. The cone is pretty wide and it also does -50% recharge.
* Concentration - aka build up - of course, you take it
* Drain Psyche - definitely *NOT* the dominator version, but still worth taking. Probably good to use after short circuit.
* Psychic Shockwave - PBAoE damage, stun - I'm looking forward to this power, but admittedly, I haven't gotten high enough on a blaster to try this yet.
I think the rest of the powers are more situational or can be skipped entirely. I'm not a fan of world of confusion for example or scare (unless you can stack it). I'd put voltaic sentinel and zapp in the same category.
In terms of synergies, ball lightning + short circuit + drain psyche should be fun as well as nuking via psychic shockwave and thunderous blast. Early AoE damage can also be had via ball lightning and psychic scream.
It should be a very playable combination.
I just started out with this myself. Most of the power selections I am going for are the 60' or more ranged ones of which there are plenty. One of the things not mentioned about subdual yet is that it gives you a 11% damage bonus for 9s. If you have some recharge in there, it can stack.
My Elec/Mental is at 36 right now. The best way to play the combination (at least, in my experience) is with a combination of ranged and melee fighting. If you always stay at range, you lose a lot of damage potential. My single target chain utilizes Charged Bolts, Lightning Bolt, Subdual, and Mind Probe. For AoE I use Ball Lightning, Psychic Scream, and Short Circuit, and I will add Psychic Shockwave and Static Discharge once I level up enough to get them. When circumstances allow (endurance and aggro control, mainly), I add in World of Confusion for even higher DPS. The total amount of AoE available to the combination is impressive, and by moving from range to melee and back you can maximize your output.
Beyond power selection, if you venture into IOs you can garner some really interesting results. I have made Elec/Mental concept builds with as high as 55% damage bonus from set bonuses, which is more than a Tier 3 damage inspiration.
I love the potential my Elec/Mental has, and I strongly disagree that the two don't sync well. The huge AoE potential of the build is what attracted me to it in the first place, and it has not disappointed.
Right, I'm just afraid that since she plans on playing at range as much as possible, she'll be missing out on a lot of damage. Maybe I can ease her into the idea of going into melee with some of her attacks.
I have an elec/elec myself, as well as a Kin/Elec defender, but I also know that my playstyle is much different than someone who's new at the game, so I thought I'd seek some outside advice from the rest of the Blaster crowd. Thanks!
-STEELE =)
Allied to all sides so that no matter what, I'll come out on top!
Oh, and Crimson demands you play this arc-> Twisted Knives (MA Arc #397769)
So I just got a new friend into the game. For her first toon, she choose Elec/Mental. Doesn't seem to have great synergy, but it doesn't seem to be a bad combo, either. Lots of PBAoE damage, at least... though she "gets" that Blasters are "supposed" to play from range, so that may be an issue. Any general advice on how it'll play so I can help her work around the rough spots as she levels up?
-STEELE =)
Allied to all sides so that no matter what, I'll come out on top!
Oh, and Crimson demands you play this arc-> Twisted Knives (MA Arc #397769)