Elec/elec.... what'm I doing wrong?

Looking for some noob-level advice here.

(Background - 4 months in game so far, basically all solo; my one 50 is a fire/regen scrapper, other high level alt is a mid-30s dualblade/will; got a variety of alts in the 5-20 range, mostly scrappers and blasters. Haven't really felt up to soloing anything with more than x1 player difficulty - in the old system, I did diff3 to get bosses, but only once I'd cleared lv30.)


So, I'm trying out an elec/elec scrapper. Currently lv7, with the first three attacks (slotted with double accuracy), charged armor (double end reduce), and Hasten. Hadn't played it in awhile (I'd been concentrating on my mid-30s scrap; and I switch around between alts to get max use of patrol xp).

Went into a CoT radio mission (+0, x1, bosses), and just got mangled by each group of three minions I ran into. First group was three +0 Guards, which left me with just a hair of hp left when I beat them. And this was using insps. I did have my def toggle on, but hadn't used Hasten.

I don't remember getting slammed like that when I played that alt a week or so ago, so.... heck, I'm not even sure what to ask besides "what am I doing wrong?" Are CoT extra effective against /elec? Was my pick of three attacks and one def bad for level 7? (I did that because I'm paranoid about end use.... having played regen and will the most, the idea of playing a many-toggle powerset but not having end regen powers makes me uneasy.)

Any advice would be appreciated (sorry that my statement of the problem is so vague). Thanks

Thornies can be fairly mean early on, especially compared to some of their low-levelled peers, so that's probably a fraction of it. Also, as I recall, several of their sword attacks have a Negative component, which Electric Armor doesn't resist as well. Actually, at low levels, Electric Armor doesn't resist much of anything well, that's just sort of the nature of the beast. Things will likely get better, though. For now, perhaps, look at going after Clockwork, maybe? The tools you have are going to be more effective there.

That and Vahz. Vahz are tough.

I recommend teaming and leveling up to around 30 to really get a feel for any set for scrappers/brutes/tanks. This allows you to have plenty of SO grade enhancements and most of the powers. Until then you are just as weak as anyone else really.

Currently got a level 27 elec/fire scrapper so i can only mention about elec melee [though fire armour and elec are very similar low levels].

Up until roughly level 20/22 my scrapper was VERY weak and i had to constantly rely on inspirations. However once you start slotting your attacks and get the ones like chain induction and the other "hit multiple foes" attacks, then you do become a killing machine Its just a late bloomer of the scrapper sets thats all

I'm playing an /elec scrapper, and I'd have to agree about the sense of squishiness. However, along with what someone else said, it's not so much that the Circle have your number, it is the Vahz. Avoid the Vahz at all costs! lol

Seriously, I just leveled up a traps/arch def soloing a couple of Vahz arcs (including Dr. Vahz) and it was a total cakewalk. I figured I'd do the same with my new scrapper - a juggernaut by comparison to my def - but man ... even blue and green conning Vahz had my number, if they caught me en masse. I'm pretty sure they started smiling when they saw me.

Last night I ran my /elec scrapper through the Synapse TF, which features scads + oodles of Clockwork. It was a much more gratifying experience. No healers or buffs of any sort on the team, just rolling with another scrapper and two blasters. I had to use insps a lot more than normal, and I lacked both Stamina and Health, but I found I was able to herd and clear decent sections of map by myself. That redeemed the toon in my eyes.

Also, once I hit level 20 I was able to grab the self-heal / conserve end power. It recharges pretty quickly, at least with Hasten running. Once I had that I didn't really feel the pinch of not having Fitness (though of course I'll take Fitness now or respec to work it in).

I'd say give it time, you're only at L7, it is too earlier to be worried about your character. It will begin to smooth out eventually around L20.

one peice of advice if your intent on fighting CoT.. is pick up the next sheild with charged armor you only have s/l/en res... the next one conductive shield gives f/c/neg/en, the neg res isnt great but itl help agianst the CoT

Thanks everyone.

Yeah, I learned about Vhaz on my first character - haven't done a mission with them since. And I had no particular need to fight CoT besides getting more credits for an SG badge. Not a big deal....

I'll just have to be more careful til I can get better defenses - guess I got a little spoiled starting with a Regen scrapper

I highly recommend getting air superiority and using it as much as possible. At about 45-55% recharge it can keep 1 target permanently knocked down. That helps tremendously with getting from the early game to the late game when your mitigation gets shored up.

Also, Elec armor (nowadays) doesn't really get good until you can get Energize. Scrappers get it at 20. I wouldn't pick it over Stamina, but if you have sufficient end redux slotting (which you seem to have) Energize's -end cost aspect can hold you for 2 more levels till stamina. The fact that the times you'll be needing the heal the most also matches up pretty well with when you'll need the additional endurance management is a good boon. Really, don't fret too much until you get to 22 and can slot SOs. Before then, just make sure to carry plenty of inspirations and don't get in over your head.

~WP

Scrappers afraid of Vahz you should be ashamed!

Maybe I'm just crazy i usually go for the Doc Vahz mission arc on my lowbies.

I would suggest finding a decent AE farm team and lvling the character to the low 20's when he can...

Oh wait. Scratch that.

Yep. It's going to be a slow and painful road to the mid-20's when your powers will finally synergize to a point when you feel powerful. Until then, choose missions carefully based upon enemy group and mission goal. And, of course, teaming will always be faster and more fun than soloing at the early levels. Even a bad pick up group is at least an adventure!