Quote:
My highest level blaster was 47 and Also Energy/Devices. He has been retired so I could play him as an Energy/Energy. I wanted to try a Blapper for... forever |
Originally Posted by Mithos_Aurion
Some things I'd really like to know: Is Gun Drone worth taking now? Are Caltrops still useful on a Ranged build for the 'fear' to reduce amount of incoming attacks while enemies flee? Do I really need Cloaking Device or ANY stealth at all? Its just more of an end-drain, and I've never been that interested in toe-bombing- I simply drop a mine around a corner and pull if I need to weaken mobs first. Which Blaster epic shield/set would be most beneficial? Energy Torrent + Explosive Blast is not near enough AoE damage to two-shot a spawn without Buildup, so is there a strong case for the Elec set which has another Cone? I appreciate any advice on build/some cheap IOs to pick up that would greatly help my survival. I've got to run for the day, but I'd be back later tonight to read up. I really want to get my first Blaster to 50- I can see her potential, but as she is now, its very iffy. I am NOT on unlimited funds, nor am I even on 100mill+, to be honest. So, please take that into consideration! Not saying I won't get there eventually, but for the time being... |
With that being said I can tell you quite alot about Energy-Devices.
I built mine as a Hover-blaster with Ranged Defense as the main IO bonus.
Gun Drone, I skipped. In fact I tried every single device power at one point or another and in the end I had ONLY Web Grenade, Caltrops and Smoke Grenade. I was debating about adding back in cloaking device or Targeting Drone at 49, but had not decided. Energy Blast played at range works just fine without Gun Drone. But I just have never been into sommoning things like pets on any characters. Damage wise, its not bad, and gives a pretty nice Defiance boost, operates while you are mezzed etc...
Caltrops are AWESOME on a range focused character. Think of them as a castle wall that blocks a passageway or area from melee villains to approach you. They dont do great damage, but if you Web Grenade a target that is standing on a caltrop patch, its extra damage. Even as a hover blaster, you can pick your spot to hover over, drop a patch below you and still have a buffer zone in a low ceiling area. Not to mention any flyers that come over to you drop right onto the caltrop patch if you web-nade them.
Cloaking Device is a good power, For stealth. If you take it for defense also, like I did, you will be somewhat disappointed since the defense suppresses in combat. Take it if you can fit it in, but only run it for stealth.
For epic powers my first choice was Electric. I wanted a third AoE to try and shore up the one weakness of Energy Blast. I was not that impressed. You could have different results, but I switched my plan after I got an epic resist shield and never looked back. My build had Boxing/Tough/Weave and Electric Mastery at 45, I dropped the fighting pool and electric mastery to pick up Medicine pool (Aid Other/Aid Self) and Power Mastery (Personal Force Field). I admit that I generally play support characters and have a "defensive" outlook on making characters, but PFF+Aid Self is flat excellent on a Blaster.
Some IO advice. Hover slotted with Blessing of the Zephyr WAS the way to go, after the coming Nerf its still probably the way I would slot Hover and may even become cheaper than it currently is. Most BoTZ IOs I have were dropped or gotten thru Merits purchases, so I have not spent nearly as much as some folks have.
For your Blasts, Thunderstike all the way. This set is affordable and 6-slotted on Power Bolt, Power Blast and Power Burst is really solid attack Chain.
For a cheap defense set, Red Fortune is not bad, but requires 6-slots for the Range defense boost.
Gaussians in Targeting drone is also good, but again takes 6-slots.
I do reccommend getting MID's to help with respec planning, or you can use "Sucker Punch" online to see how many slots you can get into different build plans.
From your listed power choices, I think you have the right ideas. I went Power Push over the Snipe. Sniper attacks just dont seem to be worth the time spent, not to mention that being interrupted is BAD. Power Push was the difference between soloing Paragon Protectors and NOT soloing them. Its that good at knocking things down.
One other thing about this combination that I found was on teams I would WebNade a target and that would be the one I would single target to death. If this was a target of a melee character I would not be sending them flying on the first blast, so I didnt get many complaints about my Knockback on teams. I also did less AoE blasting on teams and just picked Hard targets to "assist" in their defeat.
Hope this helped a little
BIOSPARK :: DARKTHORN :: SKYGUARD :: WILDMAGE
HEATSINK :: FASTHAND :: POWERCELL :: RUNESTAFF
Quote:
*shrug* I like it, even if I forget to bring it out half the time. :P While it only does tier 1 level damage every 5 seconds while it's out, every little bit helps and it does seem to sometimes draw a bit of aggro.|
Originally Posted by Mithos_Aurion
Is Gun Drone worth taking now?
|
Quote:
| Are Caltrops still useful on a Ranged build for the 'fear' to reduce amount of incoming attacks while enemies flee? |
Quote:
| Do I really need Cloaking Device or ANY stealth at all? Its just more of an end-drain, and I've never been that interested in toe-bombing- I simply drop a mine around a corner and pull if I need to weaken mobs first. |
Quote:
CD is mostly useful if you either want to be able to ghost mission (especially if you take recall friend) or as an IO mule (either a Red fortune set if you have spare slots or a Luck of the Gambler 7.5% in the base slot).|
Originally Posted by Mithos_Aurion
Do I really need Cloaking Device or ANY stealth at all? Its just more of an end-drain, and I've never been that interested in toe-bombing- I simply drop a mine around a corner and pull if I need to weaken mobs first.
|
Quote:
| Which Blaster epic shield/set would be most beneficial? Energy Torrent + Explosive Blast is not near enough AoE damage to two-shot a spawn without Buildup, so is there a strong case for the Elec set which has another Cone? |
Quote:
| I appreciate any advice on build/some cheap IOs to pick up that would greatly help my survival. I've got to run for the day, but I'd be back later tonight to read up. I really want to get my first Blaster to 50- I can see her potential, but as she is now, its very iffy. |
Positron's Blast is a nice set for your AoEs, it's more expensive but if you're patient it's not two bad (just watch out on how much you pay for salvage)
If you take Gun Drone then Expedient Reinforcement is a VERY nice set, the recipes are normally very cheap as well, it does require rare salvage though so factor that in
Red Fortune is a cheap set with nice bonuses, the downside is that on a blaster you only really get the set bonuses, the defense powers you have (CD, Hover, CJ etc) aren't really worth enhancing for defense.
Trap of the Hunter is a nice set for Web Grenade if you have spare slots.
Hmm see if this build I just made gives you some ideas (tried to make it affordable). Range should be at 42%ish (41.46% acording to my calcs) with Hover on and Cloaking Device on but suppressed. I'm taking in consideration the incoming BoTZ nerf (so ranged def for each one will be 1.25% not 3.13%) and that they will drop in prices a LOT (except for the -KB one which I didn't use). Nova has no acc slotted since its base acc is high and you'll probably use Aim before. The downside of the build is that Tough is not slotted except for the Steadfast unique.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1,621
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Level 50 Technology Blaster
Primary Power Set: Energy Blast
Secondary Power Set: Devices
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Force Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Power Bolt -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(3), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7)
Level 1: Web Grenade -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: Power Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(9), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 4: Energy Torrent -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(13), Posi-Dmg/Rng(15), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15)
Level 6: Power Burst -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(17), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(17), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21)
Level 8: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 10: Targeting Drone -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(21), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(23), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(23), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(25), GSFC-Build%(25)
Level 12: Hover -- Krma-ResKB(A), Zephyr-Travel(27), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(27), DefBuff-I(48)
Level 14: Health -- Heal-I(A)
Level 16: Fly -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(29)
Level 18: Power Push -- ExStrk-Dmg/KB(A), ExStrk-Acc/KB(29), ExStrk-Dam%(31)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(39), P'Shift-End%(40)
Level 22: Aim -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(A), RechRdx-I(31), RechRdx-I(31)
Level 24: Cloaking Device -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(33), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(33), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(33), RedFtn-Def(34), RedFtn-EndRdx(34)
Level 26: Explosive Blast -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(34), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(36), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), Posi-Dam%(36)
Level 28: Trip Mine -- C'ngBlow-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngBlow-Dmg/Rchg(46), C'ngBlow-Acc/Rchg(46), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(48), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 30: Sniper Blast -- ExecCtrt-Acc/Dmg(A), ExecCtrt-Dmg/EndRdx(37), ExecCtrt-Dmg/ActRdx(37), ExecCtrt-Dmg/Rng(37), ExecCtrt-Dmg/Rchg(39), ExecCtrt-Stun%(39)
Level 32: Nova -- C'ngBlow-Dmg/Rchg(A), M'Strk-Dmg/Rchg(43), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(43), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 35: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 38: Gun Drone -- ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(40), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(40), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(42), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(42)
Level 41: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 44: Weave -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(45), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(45), RedFtn-Def(45), RedFtn-EndRdx(46)
Level 47: Personal Force Field -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Temp Invulnerability -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(50), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(50), RctvArm-ResDam(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
Level 4: Ninja Run
------------
Set Bonus Totals:
- 11% DamageBuff(Smashing)
- 11% DamageBuff(Lethal)
- 11% DamageBuff(Fire)
- 11% DamageBuff(Cold)
- 11% DamageBuff(Energy)
- 11% DamageBuff(Negative)
- 11% DamageBuff(Toxic)
- 11% DamageBuff(Psionic)
- 5,5% Defense(Smashing)
- 5,5% Defense(Lethal)
- 4,25% Defense(Fire)
- 4,25% Defense(Cold)
- 26,4% Defense(Energy)
- 26,4% Defense(Negative)
- 3% Defense(Psionic)
- 6,13% Defense(Melee)
- 34,9% Defense(Ranged)
- 5,5% Defense(AoE)
- 28,8% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
- 39% Enhancement(Accuracy)
- 17% FlySpeed
- 22,6 HP (1,87%) HitPoints
- 17% JumpHeight
- 17% JumpSpeed
- Knockback (Mag -4)
- Knockup (Mag -4)
- MezResist(Confused) 2,5%
- MezResist(Held) 5,25%
- MezResist(Immobilize) 8%
- MezResist(Sleep) 4,15%
- MezResist(Stun) 2,5%
- MezResist(Terrorized) 2,5%
- 16,5% (0,28 End/sec) Recovery
- 10% (0,5 HP/sec) Regeneration
- 10% Resistance(Smashing)
- 10% Resistance(Lethal)
- 15,7% Resistance(Fire)
- 18,8% Resistance(Cold)
- 10% Resistance(Energy)
- 10% Resistance(Negative)
- 10% Resistance(Toxic)
- 10% Resistance(Psionic)
- 17% RunSpeed
- 2,5% XPDebtProtection
Code:
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So I'm dusting off this old Blaster, the highest one I've ever had. Played her for about twenty minutes and hit 41..
With the invention of IO's (yes, that is how long it has been...). I'm wondering what powers are worth taking/skipping/slotting and how.
I'm planning on being a Flyer, and looking to get a decent amount of +ranged and +aoe defense.
I don't have a build planner on this computer, but here was a rough draft of the POWERS I was planning to take (I don't know the blaster 41+ pools either).
1: Power Bolt
1: Web Grenade
2: Power Blast
4: Energy Torrent
6: Power Burst
8: Swift
10: Targeting Drone
12: Health
14: Hover
16: Fly
18: Power Push
20: Stamina
22: Aim
24:
26: Explosive Blast
28: Trip Mine
30:
32: Nova(cuz its a NUKE!)
35:
38:
41:
44:
47:
49/50: (I don't remember when you get the last power, it's been awhile since I played or respec'd a 50).
Some things I'd really like to know:
Is Gun Drone worth taking now?
Are Caltrops still useful on a Ranged build for the 'fear' to reduce amount of incoming attacks while enemies flee?
Do I really need Cloaking Device or ANY stealth at all? Its just more of an end-drain, and I've never been that interested in toe-bombing- I simply drop a mine around a corner and pull if I need to weaken mobs first.
Which Blaster epic shield/set would be most beneficial? Energy Torrent + Explosive Blast is not near enough AoE damage to two-shot a spawn without Buildup, so is there a strong case for the Elec set which has another Cone?
I appreciate any advice on build/some cheap IOs to pick up that would greatly help my survival. I've got to run for the day, but I'd be back later tonight to read up. I really want to get my first Blaster to 50- I can see her potential, but as she is now, its very iffy.
I am NOT on unlimited funds, nor am I even on 100mill+, to be honest. So, please take that into consideration! Not saying I won't get there eventually, but for the time being...