My first thought is that the best way to survive for a person who doubts their technique would be to go mostly single target. Ice/ has lots of control, and for melee mitigation there's /energy.
But, really, thinking about that combo seems like a very strange and complex setup.
I think you should pick anything and just learn. Faceplanting is pretty well expected on low level blasters. My most fun is fire/ice [but I only take build-up and shiver from ice]. But it's an aggro pig. I use bouncing around with CJ as mitigation, and saying "Help! Too Much Aggro!"
But, ST and target through the tank will keep you alive. That and 3+ controllers on the team. 
Energy/Energy is a great "training wheels" blaster. Each set adds to your survivability through knockback/stuns and it is a solid middle of the pack damage dealer. I didn't really get hugely into blasters until I rolled one of those and she became my main from that point on. Too much fun and a great starting point.
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Eh, I've gotta disagree. I find the dynamics of Energy^2 to be really complex due to the kb of the primary and the heavy melee of the secondary. |
Originally Posted by Lillika
Energy/Energy is a great "training wheels" blaster.
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Archery is liked by a lot of people and I've always thought it was simple. It doesn't hold my interest past the low 20s, and I hate the redraw, but it's simple. AR is also simple, but I've played it enough I can't recommend it.
Does Smashing/Lethal damage type vs. an elemental damage type matter for a blaster? I mean, are Archery and AR somehow weaker overall than fire/ice/electrical blasts?
I don't think I'm ready to blap, but I wouldn't mind having a trick up my sleeve for an enemy that just won't lay down. I would prefer to stay at range when possible.
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It does matter a bit, there are more enemies who resist smashing/lethal damage than the elemental damage type.|
Originally Posted by AllYourBase
Does Smashing/Lethal damage type vs. an elemental damage type matter for a blaster? I mean, are Archery and AR somehow weaker overall than fire/ice/electrical blasts?
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For a starter solo blaster you might like Fire/Ice. Fire has slightly higher damage than other sets so you'll kill faster and Ice provides good mitigation from level 20 onwards. You'll have to be careful with the AoEs on teams but other than that it should be good.
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Originally Posted by Postagulous
Eh, I've gotta disagree. I find the dynamics of Energy^2 to be really complex due to the kb of the primary and the heavy melee of the secondary.
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Energy? Complex? Never found it to be that all. Blast at range til KB doesn't keep the badguys away, stun them when they get close and continue with kb spam. Even learning how to maximize kb in a team isn't terribly hard or complex (even less so when faced with aoe immob spamming controllers.)
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Agreed. E^2 is a nice simple single target Blaster with plenty of mitigation with all of it's Knockback. 3 man spawn. Kill one with Build Up+Power Bolt+Power Blast. Kill the second on the way in with Power Bolt+Power Burt. Smack the third one away from you with Power Thrust and blast it to pieces with whatever you want.|
Originally Posted by Lillika
Energy? Complex? Never found it to be that all. Blast at range til KB doesn't keep the badguys away, stun them when they get close and continue with kb spam. Even learning how to maximize kb in a team isn't terribly hard or complex (even less so when faced with aoe immob spamming controllers.)
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AllYourBase, if you do decide to go with E^2, Power Thrust is your "Get away from me!" bread and butter power. Don't bother slotting it, but make sure it's Accurate and you will be amazed at how much less damage it provides you. Heck, when I play a /Energy character I usually have Power Thrust on Auto-Fire until I get around to taking Hasten in the late 20's or late 30's.
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I would suggest an Ice/Ice Blaster. Decent control in 2 ranged single target holds, good single target damage, good AoE speed/recharge debuffs in Ice Storm + Shiver. All good tools for a beginner Blaster, and it doesn't require you to be in the risk of melee.
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Ok, I'm on teams and I have to be careful not to irritate the RttC types. I guess the only difficult part is making sure I bounce the badguys into the wall or wait until they're locked down by a controller.|
Originally Posted by Lillika
Energy? Complex? Never found it to be that all. Blast at range til KB doesn't keep the badguys away, stun them when they get close and continue with kb spam. Even learning how to maximize kb in a team isn't terribly hard or complex (even less so when faced with aoe immob spamming controllers.)
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And I really don't blap, but in /energy you're pretty much forced into the role. I mean, if you don't take if for the melee, what else? [boost range]
And yeah, like you say, you have to learn to deal with the kb in a team. I guess that's what I haven't mastered and I've only teamed with one who has. And, yeah, he rocked.
EDIT - Beowulf2010, yes, he shouldn't slot powerthrust unless he considers it a party game to see how many feet he can chuck a mob.
AND - Silverado, I agree. Ice/ice is what I'd suggest. It could also be considered a controller in training.
I don't know if I'd recommend Fire/* for a new blaster. It's really short on active mitigation. On the other hand, if you WANT to know if Blasting is for you, I recommend the following:
Sewer (or whatever) up to level 8 on a Fire/En blaster, taking Fireball at 2, Fire Breath at 8, and Build Up at 4 or 6.
Go to the "Racetrack" in Perez. Target someone near the back of a nice big group of 8 or 10.
Hit Build Up, Fireball, Firebreath, running in until the Firebreath goes off.
Shoot the 1 or 2 survivors.
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I'd recomend Ice/Ice or Fire/Ice.
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Hi. I'm a total n00b when it comes to blasters, but I'd like to get into blasting. Over the last 6 years I have made about as many blasters, but just couldn't get my head around active defense, so my highest blaster is level 20 of so.
So, the purpose of this thread: Is there a "training wheels" blaster with which I can get my feet wet? Or perhaps some kind of Blaster Boot Camp?
Sorry of this seems silly, and thanks in advance.
Edited to add: oh, and I would like to stick with an SO build with a couple exceptions (like -kb).
"If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end, as to be worthy of remembrance."
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