Broad Sword/Shields Scrapper

I've got a level 38 Broad Sword/Shields Scrapper running around the Freedom server. I'm pretty happy with it; it's a fun set to play on with decent damage.

I'm concerned about defense, since I don't seem to be doing well in that area, and if there are any ways to improve the damage that would be great too.

Is there anyone out there experienced with this set that would share their build? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

Parry+steadfast+Gausians set= happy scrapper.

By your level, I was running the Head Splitter -> Parry -> Disembowel -> Hack -> Parry chain. I think that's the best chain that double-stacks Parry. For that, you need +108% recharge in Head Splitter, so it takes a little global recharge, or just some serious frankenslotting and living with a half-second pause. Parry needs +20% recharge, Disembowel +38% recharge, and Hack +5% recharge.

Make sure you have Shield Charge. That's big damage AND mitigation, at least when it comes up. Don't Shield Charge into a group; Shield Charge from within the group so you get the Against All Odds buff. Consider Whirling Sword. It's not a great AoE, but almost any AoE is going to do better damage than working your way through a group with a single-target chain.

On the defense side, you should have either Combat Jumping or Hover, and should probably have picked up Tough and Weave by now. I wouldn't bother adding slots to Combat Jumping for defense, but I WOULD put a defense IO in the default slot rather than a jump IO.

All that will have you very close to only needing a single Parry. If you pick up a Steadfast Protection and a Gaussian set as pyrite suggests, you probably will need only a single Parry. I continued double Parrying anyway, because it gets expensive to pull off a single Parry chain without adding another attack, and I don't suggest adding another attack due to it being a "waste" of a power and slots. Besides, double Parry gives you a nice buffer for debuffs and misses.

A good resource is John Printemps' guide to Shields, which also has some hard core IO builds, including a great one for Broad Sword/Shields. Worth a look.

I'll post the end game build I had planned for mine before I decided to retire that toon when I hit 50 and work on a Katana/Dark. Note that this is before Physical Perfection came out, and I'd definitely be trying to fit that in now. Also note that this is a survivability build intended for AE with all of its to-hit buffs and 75% to-hit pets, which is why I'm running around with my melee defense at 81.5%. That's serious overkill for most of the game. DPS is pretty bad as a result of double-stacking Parry and not taking advantage of the Achilles' Heel proc. Now that the luster of AE has worn off, I'd definitely build it a little differently.

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popcorn: subscribed

I'd postulate Parry -> Hack -> Head Splitter -> Hack -> Disembowel as being the best chain for single-stacked Parry, particularly if you can fit an Achilles' Heel in Hack. But it takes a lot of recharge (+219%) in Hack to bookend Head Splitter like that, so it's definitely an end-game chain. And with Shields, you would probably be better off soft-capping melee without Parry and going for Head Splitter -> Hack -> Disembowel -> Hack. That would do some serious damage if built properly.

Yeah, I've been contemplating for a BS/SD Scrapper of my own due to the incredible damage. It'd be difficult to softcap defenses and still mantain the recharge for Head Splitter > Hack > Disembowl > Hack (305% in Hack), though. Seems like a build that would require you to make a few sacrifices.

All good ideas, I hadn't considered those chains you mention before now. I'll check out your build and see if I can tweak it to fit me/add blessing of the zephyr. Thanks for all the help!

Keep the suggestions coming

The thread Werner linked is a great read, and one of the most well written guides I have seen. I managed to get to the soft cap with my build in all but aoe w/o CJ, or Hover. With those two I can hit all three (according to mids, as the toon is only 34). I can say it (Shield) is the most frustrating set I have ever played. It looks great, but has very poor performance till about 30, post 30 it has been great.

This set to me was a late bloomer, but really fun and challenging.

Zyphoid, do you have a copy of your build that we could take a look at?

Here are 2 builds I've been looking at. One has better Defense and lower Resistance, and one has Higher resistance and lower defense. What are your thoughts?

Resistance heavy build:
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.601
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Fheylar: Level 50 Magic Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Broad Sword
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Slash

• (A) Bruising Blow - Accuracy/Damage
• (3) Bruising Blow - Damage/Endurance
• (13) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage
• (17) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (23) Crushing Impact - Damage/Endurance
• (34) Crushing Impact - Damage/Endurance/Recharge

• (A) Defense Buff IO
• (5) Defense Buff IO
• (9) Defense Buff IO
• (48) Resist Damage IO
• (50) Resist Damage IO

• (A) Endurance Reduction IO
• (3) Defense Buff IO
• (7) Defense Buff IO
• (13) Defense Buff IO

• (A) Bruising Blow - Accuracy/Damage
• (5) Bruising Blow - Damage/Endurance
• (15) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage
• (19) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (25) Crushing Impact - Damage/Endurance
• (37) Crushing Impact - Damage/Endurance/Recharge

• (A) Cleaving Blow - Accuracy/Damage
• (7) Cleaving Blow - Damage/Endurance
• (17) Multi Strike - Accuracy/Damage
• (23) Multi Strike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (29) Multi Strike - Damage/Endurance
• (39) Multi Strike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge

• (A) Bruising Blow - Accuracy/Damage
• (9) Bruising Blow - Damage/Endurance
• (15) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage
• (19) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (25) Crushing Impact - Damage/Endurance
• (34) Crushing Impact - Damage/Endurance/Recharge

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
• (11) Recharge Reduction IO
• (11) Recharge Reduction IO

• (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range
• (39) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance
• (39) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)

• (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range
• (40) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance
• (40) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)

• (A) Flight Speed IO

• (A) Miracle - +Recovery

• (A) Endurance Modification IO
• (21) Endurance Modification IO
• (21) Endurance Modification IO

• (A) Endurance Reduction IO

• (A) Accuracy IO

• (A) Bruising Blow - Accuracy/Damage
• (27) Bruising Blow - Damage/Endurance
• (27) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage
• (29) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (43) Crushing Impact - Damage/Endurance
• (43) Crushing Impact - Damage/Endurance/Recharge

• (A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%

• (A) Endurance Reduction IO
• (31) Endurance Reduction IO
• (31) Defense Buff IO
• (31) Defense Buff IO
• (33) Defense Buff IO

• (A) Cleaving Blow - Accuracy/Damage
• (33) Cleaving Blow - Damage/Endurance
• (33) Multi Strike - Accuracy/Damage
• (34) Multi Strike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (43) Multi Strike - Damage/Endurance
• (46) Multi Strike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge

• (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff
• (36) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Recharge
• (36) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Recharge/Endurance
• (36) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Recharge/Endurance
• (37) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Endurance
• (37) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up

• (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range
• (40) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance
• (42) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)

• (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range
• (42) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance
• (42) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)

• (A) Cleaving Blow - Accuracy/Damage
• (45) Cleaving Blow - Damage/Endurance
• (45) Multi Strike - Accuracy/Damage
• (45) Multi Strike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (46) Multi Strike - Damage/Endurance
• (46) Multi Strike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge

• (A) Healing IO
• (48) Healing IO
• (48) Healing IO
• (50) Resist Damage IO
• (50) Resist Damage IO

• (A) Endurance Reduction IO

• (A) Accuracy IO

• (A) Endurance Reduction IO

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO

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Here's my build which works nicely for me, any critique more than welcome

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.601
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Atrum Proleator: Level 50 Magic Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Broad Sword
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Medicine
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Slash -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(25), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(25), Hectmb-Dam%(34)
Level 1: Deflection -- ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+(3), LkGmblr-Def(3), ImpArm-ResDam(40)
Level 2: Battle Agility -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(5), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(5), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 4: True Grit -- Aegis-Psi/Status(A), Aegis-ResDam(34), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(34)
Level 6: Build Up -- GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(7), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(7), GSFC-ToHit(9), GSFC-Build%(9), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(11)
Level 8: Parry -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(46), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(46), LkGmblr-Rchg+(50)
Level 10: Active Defense -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(13), Zephyr-ResKB(13), LkGmblr-Def(15), LkGmblr-Rchg+(15), Winter-ResSlow(33)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(17), Zephyr-ResKB(17)
Level 16: Aid Other -- Empty(A)
Level 18: Whirling Sword -- Oblit-%Dam(A), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), Oblit-Dmg(19), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(21), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(21), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23)
Level 20: Phalanx Fighting -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 22: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 24: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+(36), Numna-Heal(37), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(37), Numna-Heal/Rchg(43), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(45)
Level 26: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(27), EndMod-I(27)
Level 28: Disembowel -- Mako-Dam%(A), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(31), Mako-Acc/Dmg(31), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 30: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 32: Tough -- Aegis-ResDam(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(33), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(33)
Level 35: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(36), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(36), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 38: Shield Charge -- Oblit-%Dam(A), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Oblit-Dmg(39), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(39), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(40), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40)
Level 41: Head Splitter -- Oblit-%Dam(A), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Oblit-Dmg(42), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(42), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(43), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43)
Level 44: Aid Self -- Numna-Heal(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(48), Heal-I(48), RechRdx-I(48), RechRdx-I(50), IntRdx-I(50)
Level 47: Against All Odds -- Taunt-I(A)
Level 49: One with the Shield -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit

I've found the BS/Shield combo to be an incredible killing machine; once it's softcapped defensively it's near unkillable.

I used the Gift of the Ancients set in Deflection, Battle Agility, Phalanx, Grant Cover & Weave (4 pieces in each for the +end and +recovery bonuses) and I have absolutely zero endurance issues; it's like a Regen with QR & Stamina... I literally cannot run myself out of blue.

Boosting my defense to the soft cap I used two sets of 2 Blessing of the Zephyr (combat jump/super jump) and 3 full sets of Mako's Bite (hack, parry & disembowel). For AOE I use 4 sets of 5 Scirocco's Dervish and one common recharge (slice, whirling sword, head splitter & shield charge). With a Steadfast res/def unique in True Grit I'm at the soft cap for Range/AOE and one parry puts me there for Melee.

About the only dangerous mobs are Carnie Master Illusionists with their non-positional attacks that bypass defense. Even so, I've been running lots of Carnie arcs set to +2/6 man and having no insurmountable problems... it's so much fun to simply herd up Carnies instead of either avoiding or moving cautiously through those missions.

My typical method is to aggro a couple of groups to get the aggro cap, hitting Parry while doing so. Then, break line of sight, let the mobs gather in a tight bunch, jump into the middle and Build Up/Shield Charge/Whirling Sword. There's very little other than bosses left alive after that.

lots of good advice so far.

one very useful thing though is proper inspiration management.lucks will stack with your def so always try to keep as many as possible on hand.pop the reds,yellows,oranges,and status protections as fast as you get them,you want to leave as much room of lucks as you can.

greens and blues are a different matter,it is nice to have a few for a rainy day.all the same though early proactive use of a luck can save you the need to pop a lot of greens.

try to lead into a fight with parry.it may not be the flashiest damage,but while it is helping protect you from their return fire,the rest of you high damage attacks can be used to hammer them down.sometimes you may want to pop a luck before you engage also,by the time it wears off you should have thinned the mobs enough that leftover damage will not be a problem

know your foes.a lot of the swords and guns debuff defense,this can sometimes lead to a cascading failure.it may be worth your time to focus on killing a lot of minions fast instead of taking down the boss first.and the crystalline devouring earth that place the emenators?those guys debuff your defense very badly,either avoid them or take them out fast.