PvP n00b : build advice

I'm going spec a toon for PvP and give it a spin. I've got an L50 Sonic/EM blaster and from reading threads here that should be allright to give it a go. Psy/EM gets better reviews but I'd like to get something going now and see if it is any fun. I'll think about other sets later. From the reading, the buff/debuff/control sets have really been leveled so I'll be curious to see what people are doing with them.

I'm looking for a basic, cheap build. I cribbed from the Psy/EM builds by macskull & psyrene (thanks), and came up with this. I'll probably start in RV and go from there.

Comments appreciated.

/w

Click this DataLink to open the build!


Sonic/EM Blaster
Level 1: Shriek -- Dev'n-Acc/Dmg(A), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Dev'n-Dmg/Rchg(9), Apoc-Dam%(11), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 1: Power Thrust -- KinCrsh-Dmg/KB(A), KinCrsh-Acc/KB(3), KinCrsh-Rchg/KB(3), KinCrsh-Rechg/EndRdx(5), KinCrsh-Dmg/EndRdx/KB(5), KinCrsh-Acc/Dmg/KB(7)
Level 2: Scream -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Decim-Dmg/Rchg(13), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17)
Level 4: Build Up -- AdjTgt-ToHit(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(17), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(19), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg(19), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx(21)
Level 6: Combat Jumping -- Krma-ResKB(A), Zephyr-ResKB(25), Winter-ResSlow(42)
Level 8: Shout -- Dev'n-Acc/Dmg(A), Dev'n-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Range-I(34)
Level 10: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(27), RechRdx-I(27)
Level 12: Amplify -- AdjTgt-ToHit(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(21), AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(23), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg(23), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx(25)
Level 14: Super Speed -- Zephyr-ResKB(A), QckFt-EndRdx/RunSpd(34)
Level 16: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 18: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(29)
Level 20: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(37), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(37), Efficacy-EndMod(37), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(39)
Level 22: Super Jump -- Zephyr-ResKB(A), SprngFt-EndRdx/Jump(36)
Level 24: Acrobatics -- EndRdx-I(A), KBDist-I(42)
Level 26: Screech -- Stpfy-Acc/Rchg(A), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun(39), Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx(39), Stpfy-Stun/Rng(40), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg(40)
Level 28: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 30: Tactics -- AdjTgt-ToHit(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(31), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(31), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg(31), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx(33), Rec'dRet-Pcptn(40)
Level 32: Vengeance -- Krma-ResKB(A)
Level 35: Boost Range -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(36), EndRdx-I(36)
Level 38: Total Focus -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(43), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 41: Snow Storm -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 44: Frozen Armor -- Krma-ResKB(A), S'fstPrt-ResKB(45), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(45), LkGmblr-Def(45), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(46), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 47: Hoarfrost -- S'fstPrt-ResKB(A), Numna-Heal(48), Numna-Heal/Rchg(48), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(48), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(50), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(50)
Level 49: Hibernate -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)

Data chunks are awesome if you want someone to really take a look at it.

There is a data link at the top of the post, click it and you'll download the .mxd build from cohplanner directly. Below is a data chunk as well. I have a set of Apocs on hand, was thinking about putting them in Shriek and adding the Devastation hold proc.

Thanks,
/w

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If you slot the apoc set, go for 5 apoc + 1 dmg/range in shriek for now.

In scream I'd go 4 Deva's 1 Nuc 1 Centriole

Combat Jumping, that res slow IO.... for the most part its a wasted slot I think.

Shout 4 Deva 2 Dmg/Ranges is how I'd go.

Travel powers need much more speed slotting 66% at the very least, otherwise you limited ability to evade will be even more screwed over.

Screech I'd take a slot from TF and put in an Acc/Mez IO until you can afford the purple stun set.

Skip assault for maneuvers. With DR on Damage, it isn't going to do much in the long run. You'd get more out of a LoTG 7.5 and a Karma KB IO.

I'd drop total focus all together. You'll do more damage from range and don't have to deal with that nasty root. Take powerboost instead and powerboost the stun. You can get it near 6 seconds, in zones if you do something like PB/Build up Shriek Scream Screech you can really wreck someones day. If you are part of an actual spike, lead with the stun. Don't worry about the hold procs, they'll just mess with your mez suppression.

Hoarfrost doesn't need to be slotted as much as it is. 3 Miracles (or Numina's) for the HP bonus, 1 KB IO.

Drop the 3% Defense IO for another piece of LoTG more acc helps with defense builds.

If you mix around some of the slots you can ditch snow storm and fit in the cheap purple sleep set with flashfreeze.

Last thing I saw as a second slot in hurdle is huge, especially for sonic with its root times after the first attack.

Thanks much, that's what I was looking for. Is the Winter's Gift not much use because the 20% doesn't help enough, or because there's not many people slowing out there?

/w

yeah, I would put a second slot in Hurdle and 1 or 2 more slots in SJ.

and I've never seen the use for KB IO's in Acrobatics as it can be surpressed (altho I see people doing this often. am I missing something?).


I kinda like the idea of having TF on a sonic blaster..
slap a -res on target, then slap a 2nd -res/stun on target, then come in with the TF.

This is just theory on my part tho. More likely the -res have worn off by the time you close melee range

This is what i got planned for mine. Gotta respec him though.

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Thanks for the advice and builds, all. I've been spending a little time in RV on Virute (yes, yes, lol) figuring things out. The build seems good, I'm working on my timing, enjoying it.

I'm thinking about what to run on Freedom.

/w