question about frankenslotting

I understand slotting to a point but I still feel very ignorant overall. Specifically regading IOs and sets etc...

So "regular" IOs that only enhance one attribute start to lose there luster if you slot more than three because diminishing returns kick in... I understand that...

But what makes sets different besides the set bonuses? I've seen some people's builds that have say, 4 damage but 2 of those cover acc and the other 2 cover end reduction... is the damage "portion" not affected by the same diminishing returns that nonset IOs are?

I'm not even sure if I'm asking this right but it makes sense in my head lol

DR affects every enhancement in the game, not just IOs. Slotting for sets goes against the very grain of frankenslotting. Frankenslotting instead relies on the fact that multi-aspect IOs have a higher enhancement value than single IOs. Therefore, the more multi-aspects you enhance separately, the higher the end total.

Think about it a different way: enhancements are currency. Each power can only hold "one dollars" worth.

One basic IO is a dollar coin, with Susan B Anthony on the front. (Apologies if you aren't American). You get special benefits for the number of Susans you put into a power. Two Susans give you +5% damage, and three Susans give you +10% recharge. That could be nice.

But then you look in your pocket, and you see that your money is acting weird. Each half-dollar piece is actually worth 55 cents. Each quarter is actually worth 35 cents. Your nickles are worth 10 cents.

So sure, you could work to get as many Susans in there for the set bonuses, or you could slot two half-dollar pieces, and still end up with 110 cents. How did that happen? Scratch that, use only nickles. Now your power has two dollars slotted into it, even though it can only hold one.

Gah. Thus ends my horribly ham-fisted attempt. The more aspects an IO enhances, the higher it boosts them. The total enhancement power of an even-con old-school SO is 33.33%. The total enhancement power of an IO at level 50 is 42.4%. But if you add up all the separate enhancing aspects of, say, a level 50 three-way enhancing IO...you get 63.6%

It's a way for people to further enhance their characters that ignores set bonuses. It can be advantageous for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that it isn't tremendously popular and requires a bit of work. Therefore, it can be incredibly cost efficient.

Thanks to both of you, I think I understand, at least better than I did... one other question then, is it even worth worrying about before lvl 50? My initial impression tells me no but I'm sure I could be wrong.

First, let me address the same point, trying to make it even simpler.

Let's say I have only 3 slots to spare for an attack and I am using level 35 invention origin enhancements (IO's). If I slot one each of accuracy, damage and recharge, I get 37% on each.

However, if I slot 'triple aspect' IO's (i.e. accuracy/damage/recharge pieces from 3 different sets), each piece adds 18% / 18% / 18%. One IO would give 18% each to accuracy, damage and recharge. Since I have 3 slots, I end up with 54% to each of these attributes.

Just for reference: a level 35 IO affecting two attributes gives 23/23 and a 'quad' (four attributes) gives 16/16/16/16. Please note, these numbers only apply for 'schedule A' powers (accuracy, damage, recharge, end reduction, healing, etc). Some power use different 'schedules' (defense, resistance, interrupt reduction, etc).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radubadu one other question then, is it even worth worrying about before lvl 50? My initial impression tells me no but I'm sure I could be wrong.

Ah, and now we get to why I used level 35 in my example. I, and many others, place a considerable value on the ability to spend some extra time enhancing the character somewhere in the 30's and NEVER DOING IT AGAIN. I fully enhance my characters with IO's around level 35 and never have to touch those slots again. I only have to enhance additional slots as I gain them and then never touch them again. Also, I get to keep my set bonuses when exemping for many of the task forces.

...whereas I enjoy set bonuses, slot as such, and prefer to work at things from the perspective of level 50. I have a Defender with better regen and hp than a regen Scrapper, and a Soldier with nearly 200% recharge.

Those are all decisions you'll have to make yourself, though.

I usually start switching to using Set IOs around the low to mid-30s. I've never had much luck accumulating enough of the pieces I want to use with the less than level 30s before I blow past that level range. There is just better availability for the 30+ stuff even if they cost a bit more. Plus, I like to enjoy the special benefits of (possibly expensive) Set IO slotting for 15-20 levels as I'm playing my character.

This being said, I slot powers picked up prior to mid-30s with low to mid-30s Set IOs. Powers picked up above mid-30s, get corresponding level Set IOs--if available. Note, this goes for Set IOs where I'm trying to stack for (same) attributes. If it is for a slot on it's own, I'll put in the highest level (cheap!) IO piece I can lay my hands on.