Suggestions for Emp relevance...

Hello fellow Defenders. I’m here to solicit some suggestions on how to keep my Empathy Defender relevant in the game today. I’ve just come back after a few years away, so there is a bit to get used to about how things are now. I’m not the type to sit in the back and try to earn my keep with heals only. I’ve got Rad for the secondary and Psychic Mastery for my ancillary. I have no problem fighting and mez/debuff as best I can within my power sets.

Since I've been back, however, I’ve been running into the issue of people being disinterested in teaming because I’ve got Empathy instead of one of the other primaries. I understand in higher level teams that Empathy isn’t as useful as it is earlier in the game, but getting the cold shoulder for having it is surprising.

I enjoy my build and have fun, but I’d generally rather run with a team than solo. I understand that it’s important for me to have fun, and I am, so I’m not looking to reinvent my character based on the opinions of others. I’m just looking for some tips on how I can tweak things to become a more useful asset to a team. Thanks!

Well part of it is advertising yourself, there are unfortunately a lot of very bad Empathy players out there so the good ones tend to get a bit of backlash from it. My suggestion would be to use your search comments and looking for team messages to subtly emphasize the fact that you aren't a heal0rz. For example, if I see someone advertising as an Emp/Rad defender I'm more likely to select them over someone who advertises as an Empathy defender or a Healer. I have no way of telling how competent any of them are but the first one implies a higher level of competence. Or of course you could just start your own teams .

As for practical build and play advice it sounds like you already know it but I'll give my $0.02. For an Empath in high level play sensible use of the buffs (particularly Fortitude and Adrenaline Boost) is a LOT more important than anything else. I like Empaths who use the auras in combat (even if they miss me with them) more than Empaths who stop the team for auras or who use them right after combat so we waste time walking to the next spawn. For Adrenaline Boost I personally like to see it used on the person who'll get the most benefit from the recharge but I know that there are plenty of people who disagree with that and prefer to use it for the regen or recovery instead. That is a viable choice and at the end of the day as long as the Empath uses it I'm not that fussed about the target .

There are still contents where healing is useful, for example Shadow Shard TF with mainly Rularuu, STF, sewer trial, and Hami raid. If you want to make your character more useful in general, you can invest in +recharge IO bonus such that you can buff more people with fortitude.

I don't know what powers you normally use, but here's a build that I threw together that will hopefully give you some ideas on what inventions to use. There are a few sets that are much better than the ones I used, but are pretty expensive. For example, luck of the gambler's +recharge global is nice in fortitude and vengeance, obliteration would be much better in irradiate, and the apocalypse damage proc is just amazing in neutrino bolt.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.621
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Level 50 Magic Defender
Primary Power Set: Empathy
Secondary Power Set: Radiation Blast
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Psychic Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Healing Aura -- Dct'dW-Heal(A), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(39), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(39), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(40), Dct'dW-Rchg(40)
Level 1: Neutrino Bolt -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(17), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(17), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), Achilles-ResDeb%(21), LdyGrey-%Dam(39)
Level 2: Heal Other -- Dct'dW-Heal(A), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(3), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(3), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Dct'dW-Rchg(11)
Level 4: Irradiate -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(5), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(7), Sciroc-Dam%(7), LdyGrey-%Dam(9)
Level 6: Resurrect -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 8: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(9)
Level 10: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 12: Fortitude -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(13), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(13), RedFtn-Def(15), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(15), Krma-ResKB(46)
Level 14: Super Speed -- Run-I(A)
Level 16: Health -- Empty(A)
Level 18: Recovery Aura -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(19)
Level 20: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(21), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(48), P'Shift-End%(50)
Level 22: Electron Haze -- Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(23), Posi-Dmg/Rng(23), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), Posi-Dam%(34), LdyGrey-%Dam(37)
Level 24: X-Ray Beam -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(25), Decim-Dmg/Rchg(25), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), LdyGrey-%Dam(40)
Level 26: Regeneration Aura -- Dct'dW-Heal(A), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(27), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(27), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Dct'dW-Rchg(33)
Level 28: Cosmic Burst -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Decim-Dmg/Rchg(29), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), Dsrnt-I(42)
Level 30: Clear Mind -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 32: Adrenalin Boost -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33)
Level 35: Neutron Bomb -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(36), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), Posi-Dam%(37), LdyGrey-%Dam(37)
Level 38: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 41: Dominate -- Lock-Acc/Hold(A), Lock-Acc/Rchg(42), Lock-Rchg/Hold(42), Lock-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(43), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(43), Lock-%Hold(43)
Level 44: Mind Over Body -- Aegis-ResDam(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(45), Aegis-ResDam/Rchg(45), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(45), Aegis-Psi/Status(46), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(46)
Level 47: Tactics -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(48), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(48)
Level 49: Vengeance -- LkGmblr-Def/Rchg(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(50), S'dpty-Def/Rchg(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Vigilance
Level 4: Ninja Run

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Homonculus,

Perhaps I have been blessed, or just dont do enough PuGs, but I have never run across many of the problems that I keep hearing about Empathy. I "DO" however avoid PuGs as much as I am able, and group most often with Guildmates.

Concentrate on learning how best to use your buffs. Who to put them on, how best to manage your time casting them, and as Talen_Lee mentioned, enhance them well.
I have seen many posted Emp builds where folks chase IO sets at the expense of how to best slot that particular power. Many veterans have helped me greatly regarding this, so once you have a build from Mid's worked up, please post it and I know we will give you some IO slotting advice. Also, for a really good guide regarding buffs, check out Psyonico's "how to buff" in the guides section.

Empathy, and IMHO any Buff-centric set, is much more enjoyable to play on smaller teams, or even simple Duos. When I play on large teams, I find my "job" is quite demanding, especially on faster moving teams. So I tend to get burnt out faster while doing this. Smaller teams (3-5 players) are absolutely perfect as far as balancing work/fun.
So, one thing I would suggest is to start small. Find a partner, if they are a good player, add them to your friends list and seek them out again. Keep adding people one at a time, and look for them when you log on, rather than going into the 'PuG' world. Form your own SG and deliberately recruit people who are good players and which play during your same "time-frame". This way, you will be more likely to log on and quickly get involved with something.

As far as relevance, I "love" the Empathy powerset, so I am a bit prejudiced, but its a very complete powerset. With all my array of buffs and powers, I can increase a teammates: Accuracy, Defense, Damage, Recharge, Endurance Recovery and Regeneration. Oh, and I can also cast several forms of healing. What more could you ask for in a support character ?

Folks have mentioned it, but I will emphasize it too. You need as much Recharge as you can find. Since you have played Empathy, you probably already know that, but in the time you have been away, this has not changed. Its still the number one IO bonus most Empaths go after.

Good Luck. I hope this helps in some way.

and fyi from another member that has been away from the game. i kinda got sick of my empath, he was hot at low levels, then he kinda wasn't needed as much in the higher levels.

I am doing this now with my emp def. (been away a while, still don't use some of the new stuff that much)

I am using the second build, i guess which was for pvp and stuff, is to build a solo build or a completely different build, and dumping alot of the buff powers. I am dumping res/cm and a few others, and only keeping powers that affect self. I think i took RAs, fort and then the level 32 power, couldn't avoid taking some of the emp powers building.

The rest of the build, is pure attack powers, and stuff like assault,cj, acro, switched to oppressive gloom for damage mitigation to help solo ability.

Now my def, can solo somewhat effectively, i am not reliant on a team to play him. And still have a team build. I figure, i might be able to tweak that second build somewhat, and even team with tankers/scrappers etc, and fight, not only heal some but fight. Blasters can now make break frees and awakens thru the changes to the inspirations over time. I will prob just feed them inspirations and make sure they have one of each, or swab builds to the support build when i get on a squishy heavy team.

An emapth def is a great set, but the changes in the game over time, has actually made it more soloable and not as dep on a large team for xp.

If you need to be overpowered to solo, you're not very good at soloing.

Heroes, Villains ♦ Reviews ♦ Retrospect

Welcome back to the game.

Couple thoughts,

1) Find a group that knows the value, potence and relevance of your buffs. For my empaths on Freedom it's the Repeat Offenders Network and Green Machine (an all empath sg and part of the RO coalition).

2) On most of my empaths I look for recharge, then some more recharge in my sets/set bonuses. My goal is to get the buffs, especially the longer timer Auras and AB, recharged and ready to go asap.

Reyna Morningdew (Emp/Rad/Dark)
Rianna Sidhe (Emp/Sonic/Elec)

I definitely want to thank everyone for the replies. I think, after reading things, that I may be in serious need of slotting advice. I'm going to grab a screenshot of my current slotting when I get home from work tonight and toss it up. It's nice to know that Empathy isn't as disdained as the impression I was getting indicated. I tend to PuG quite a lot, since most of the people I knew in game are long gone. Luckily, I've started finding good people who run about the same schedule I do so hopefully I'll be running with a more regular group now.

One of the things Empaths sometimes run into is "Down here with the rest of us" syndrome. Nobody playing, I dunno, an Elec/Elec blaster ever gets a tell saying "We need an Elec". Nobody playing a Scrapper ever gets "Team in trouble! Could you join us?"

Empaths get a lot of those tells, ESPECIALLY in the low levels and ESPECIALLY from people new to the game/coming from other games. So when you get to the point where people aren't actively hunting you down, you start feeling like everyone hates you.

Sounds like you've managed to find good solutions- rebuilding your friends list is a very good one. Forming your own PuGs and /friending the person or persons who don't suck is another good one. Global channels, very popular ways of finding players too.

If you know what your doin your emp defender should be in high demand.

What do I mean by "if you know what your doin"?

Well,

Clear Mind. Its mez protection and a +perception buff. Tanks/scraps dont need this put on them! Unless your fighting GW in the STF or fighting arachnos and players get "blinded".
Use this for the other def/troller/blaster/khelds on your team.

Fortitude. Its a damage/acc/defense buff. Puttin this on the lead tank and no one else is criminal. Up your blasters/scraps offense/defense instead. Of course, using this on the tank to achieve soft-capped defense is great use for the power. But still, Id rather see as a player an emp spreading fortitude on as many damage dealers as possible. And good emps can keep this up on 3-4 people all the time.

Please dont be a prima donna and insist on the "gather for RA" crap sooo many emps do.

So the way I see it, as an emp def/troller, my job is to grant mez protection first to any def/trollers on my team, and keeping fortitude up on as many peeps as possible.
I think of heals as the "buffs" for tanks. Using my RA's as appropriate.

At any lvl of the game, the relevancy of the above playstyle is never in question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow Ravenwolf My favorite combo is Faceplant/DebtCap with the TeamWipe Ancillary

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dispari Yeah, I like Blasters too.

Again, the advice in this thread has been insanely awesome, thanks to all of you. One thing I am definitely not shy with is attacking. Prior to my return, I pretty much only teamed within my SG and so I tended to solo a lot. In fact, most of the time I'm right out there with the Blasters, pinging away. In reading everyone's comments, I realize I'm doing more right than wrong. (Thanks to luck? Common sense? Who knows.) Although the two things I still need to work on are my LTF comments and my slotting.

Another stupid question from me. I can't access the Titan forums at work so I apologize for asking the question here. I'm trying to set up my build in Mids and I'm only getting the proper SOs for some powers and just Training for others, regardless of what I click. Is there a bug or am I doing something incredibly stupid?