I teamed all the way to footstomp, the damage is bad until rage with single targets then bad until footstomp versus mobs. I would possibly consider taking my latest a shield/ss off of the low pop server now that ya made me think of this. Solo, prior to 38 no ty.
He will honor his words; he will definitely carry out his actions. What he promises he will fulfill. He does not care about his bodily self, putting his life and death aside to come forward for another's troubled besiegement. He does not boast about his ability, or shamelessly extol his own virtues. - Sima Qian.
I have no trouble with my own Inv/SS Tanker, or Fire/SS, or WP/SS. I take (almost) all of the attacks and slot with 2 Acc, 1 EndRed, 2 Dam SOs, and go to town. Yes, large mobs of mobs can be difficult and tedious, when solo, so I arrange to have fewer, but Tougher mobs. When the game gives me large clusters anyway, I just use pulling tactics to break off bite-sized chunks, then it's just Jab, Punch, Jab, Haymaker, Jab, Punch, Jab, K.O. until the baddies don't get up anymore.
This generally sucks for End, until you get SOs and Stamina (or another Endurance generation power) after which, you're golden. You still have to take a knee from time to time, but it's not a huge issue - IMO.
Granted, SS doesn't have AoE attacks, until Footstomp and it's an ungodly long climb to L38, but Footstomp makes you feel Super! - Boom! Every nearby enemy falls down and flops on his back. Combine that with a Damage Aura or a Burn Patch, and stuff just dies!
But You have Invulnerability, which means you ignore the dozen piddly minions trying to stab you in the back, while You go up to the biggest, Ugliest baddie in the bunch and hammer him into the ground. Then find the next biggest and repeat.
And if you want to make a new Tanker, with an eye towards mass minion death, instead, then I suggest Fire/** or Electric/**, coupled with **/Fire, **/ Electric, or **/Axe or **/Mace, or even **/Dual Blades, each of which is well known for AoE attacks.
Be Well!
Fireheart
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Okay, before your one and only PBAoE attack, it can sometimes be a bit of a slog with Inv/SS.|
Originally Posted by Tara_Fury
Everyone keeps saying, "Wait for foot stomp! Wait for foot stomp!" I believe them that foot stomp will probably help a lot, but in the meantime, I feel a little useless offensively to my team (and to myself).
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Sure, minions go away with a quickie KO Blow. Lts go away with a decent attack chain. But bosses can be problematic and killing mobs solo can be slow. Additionally, pacing can be a problem, as one can easily become prone to button-mashery which will slurp down your end bar.
Don't simply rely on your biggest hitters. Use your Tier 1 and 2 attacks.
Use Brawl. Brawl doesn't do much, but it costs no end.
Another thing you could try is frankenslotting for EndRed.
Look for 40+% addition to accuracy
Try to max your damage if you can.
Get as large a bonus to EndRed as you can wrangle.
Also, try to keep Rage up as much as possible. The damage bonus is NOT to be overlooked, and the to-hit bonus means you miss even less.
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So I guess I have two questions: 1) How do I make the most of SS without getting drained dry every mob? 2) Is there a more efficient secondary that might be more solo-friendly? |
Also, take a look for Call Me Awesome's guide to softcapping your Inv tanker. Do NOT try to use it as leveling build below level 30-35 or so. But look at it for future reference when it comes time to take certain powers.
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At L36, you're probably running L35 SOs, right? So you're down a little from par on your percentages and that can add up when it hits every power multiple times. At L37, you'll have access to L40 SOs, which should help a bit across the board. Levels 31, 36, 41, and 46 can be a little painful if you're going the SO route (and most do).
Inv/SS is all about Rage for damage. Smashing damage is commonly resisted and most SS attacks don't exactly light up the board anyway. Add in an 80% damage buff though, and that all changes. Outside of that, you're stuck with a slow and low damage powerset. Temps (especially AOEs) help early on, but are generally inaccurate later on.
I've got three possible things that can help endurance and damage...
1) Gaussian's proc slotted in Invincibility: nothing like a nice build up that checks itself every couple minutes. You'll definitely notice when it goes off.
2) Perfect Zinger proc slotted in Taunt: Taunt autohits up to five enemies at range. This adds a 20% chance for each of those enemies to take moderate Psi damage. All this for no endurance, plus it helps fulfill tanking duties.
3) Brawl: not going to give you big orange numbers, but free damage is free damage. Single-slot for accuracy and call it a day. Put it on auto and let it fill in your attack chain if you want.
Yeah, once you get Footstomp you should be good. Not Scrapper good of course...but good nonetheless.
When I solo...I target the boss...move in...Footstomp...single target attack the boss inbetween footstomps.
Thanks, all! These are some very good suggestions!
I am currently running common defense IOs (L35) in all of my powers. I was able to get them all for about 6 million. I consider that pretty cheap. The fact that they never fade is attractive to me, since the 35-40 slog seems INFINITE, so I'll be keeping them a while. I'll add in some 40s here and there as cash becomes available. I should be able to do the 40s for about the same price.
Anyway, I guess for now it's just, "Hang in there, kid." 
I'm not going to give up on her, because she is so much fun, but I am sort of kicking myself for not taking something like Elec or DB instead...
By the way, on a related but not really related subject:
Am I counting my damres correctly? If I go through all of the numbers from my toggles and my inherents (including two slotted Tough), I get the following:
Smashing Damage: 47.07+7.85+15.69+21.54= 92.15%
Lethal Damage: 47.07+7.85+15.69+21.54= 92.15%
Fire Damage: 15.69+21.54= 37.23%
Cold Damage: 15.69+21.54= 37.23%
Energy Damage: 15.69+12.2+21.54= 49.43%
Negative Damage: 15.69+12.2+21.54= 49.43%
Toxic Damage: 15.69+21.54= 37.23%
So I'm at 92.15% damage resistance to Smashing/Lethal, about 50% damage resistance to Energy (both positive and negative), and 37% damage resistance to Fire, Cold and Toxic. (And apparently 0% resistant to Psychic, which makes me shiver.)
Does that sound about right for a L36 Invuln tank?
Edit: My defenses appear to be:
Smashing Defense: 1.57(15.7)+7.85+3.59 = 13.01%(27.14%)
Lethal Defense: 1.57(15.7)+7.85+3.59 = 13.01%(27.14%)
Fire Defense: 1.57(15.7)+7.85+3.59 = 13.01%(27.14%)
Cold Defense: 1.57(15.7)+ 7.85+3.59 = 13.01%(27.14%)
Energy Defense: 1.57(15.7)+7.85+3.59 = 13.01%(27.14%)
Negative Defense: 1.57(15.7)+7.85+3.59 = 13.01%(27.14%)
Toxic Defense: 1.57(15.7)++3.59 = 13.01%(27.14%)
So that's 13% defense base, and 27% defense when I've got 10 mobs on me. That seems pretty low. I've got all the defense toggles, plus two-slotted Combat Jumping. I plan to get Weave at 41. But I'm nowhere near soft-capped. How can I get there? I'm assuming sets are going to have to get involved at some point. What's the most I should be expecting out of my commonIO strategy?
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Good. Those IOs will save you money in the long run. And I wouldn't really worry a horrendous amount about replacing them at 40. The amount they're going to REALISTICALLY up your defense is fractions of a percent.|
Originally Posted by Tara_Fury
Thanks, all! These are some very good suggestions!
I am currently running common defense IOs (L35) in all of my powers. I was able to get them all for about 6 million. I consider that pretty cheap. The fact that they never fade is attractive to me, since the 35-40 slog seems INFINITE, so I'll be keeping them a while. I'll add in some 40s here and there as cash becomes available. I should be able to do the 40s for about the same price. |
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Anyway, I guess for now it's just, "Hang in there, kid." I'm not going to give up on her, because she is so much fun, but I am sort of kicking myself for not taking something like Elec or DB instead...
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By the way, on a related but not really related subject: Am I counting my damres correctly? If I go through all of the numbers from my toggles and my inherents (including two slotted Tough), I get the following: Smashing Damage: 47.07+7.85+15.69+21.54= 92.15% Lethal Damage: 47.07+7.85+15.69+21.54= 92.15% Fire Damage: 15.69+21.54= 37.23% Cold Damage: 15.69+21.54= 37.23% Energy Damage: 15.69+12.2+21.54= 49.43% Negative Damage: 15.69+12.2+21.54= 49.43% Toxic Damage: 15.69+21.54= 37.23% So I'm at 92.15% damage resistance to Smashing/Lethal, about 50% damage resistance to Energy (both positive and negative), and 37% damage resistance to Fire, Cold and Toxic. (And apparently 0% resistant to Psychic, which makes me shiver.) Does that sound about right for a L36 Invuln tank? |
And, as to the Psi resist, I wouldn't worry a tremendous amount. You don't find a whole lot of unalloyed psi damage in the game. And while you can build for psi-resist, it's somewhat self-defeating since the enhancement process would lead you to gimp yourself in other areas.
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Edit: My defenses appear to be: Smashing Defense: 1.57(15.7)+7.85+3.59 = 13.01%(27.14%) Lethal Defense: 1.57(15.7)+7.85+3.59 = 13.01%(27.14%) Fire Defense: 1.57(15.7)+7.85+3.59 = 13.01%(27.14%) Cold Defense: 1.57(15.7)+ 7.85+3.59 = 13.01%(27.14%) Energy Defense: 1.57(15.7)+7.85+3.59 = 13.01%(27.14%) Negative Defense: 1.57(15.7)+7.85+3.59 = 13.01%(27.14%) Toxic Defense: 1.57(15.7)++3.59 = 13.01%(27.14%) So that's 13% defense base, and 27% defense when I've got 10 mobs on me. That seems pretty low. I've got all the defense toggles, plus two-slotted Combat Jumping. I plan to get Weave at 41. But I'm nowhere near soft-capped. How can I get there? I'm assuming sets are going to have to get involved at some point. What's the most I should be expecting out of my commonIO strategy? |
If you're looking to soft-cap your defenses, take a good read of Call Me Awesome's guide. Followed faithfully, you'll be around 28% defense WITH NO TOGGLES ON.
My main's soft cap build is actually just below soft cap with zero enemies in range. Once the first enemy steps in range, boom. Soft cap. With 10 enemies in range, way WAY beyond soft cap (helping offset effects of defense debuffs).
The difference in play and feel of the tank at that point is QUITE dramatic, it quite literally feels like a whole new tank.
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Well, I had such a issue with my SD/Axe Tanker till I figured out that 1-2 End Redux SOs and putting 1-2 End Redux SOs in all of my attacks would work better, and it does.
I tend to start running out of end by the 2-3 mob (Depending on what im fighting) before i need to sit still to recover a bit.Before that, a couple swings and I my self was winded.
I took every single attack and every single shield power for this Tanker and have yet to regret forcing my self to switch 1-2 end redux slots from my armor sets toggles to redux for my attacks.
The toggles dont really take much endurance after just 1 SO redux, and its just pure WIN when i can go through every one of my attacks and still have over half my Stamina bar by the time its time for my second BU+Shield Charge+Whirling Axe+Pendulum combo.
Very much worth trying this method.
Just a quick note on brawl use. As previously mentioned it costs zero endurance and recharges fast. With a single level 40 ACC it should hit reliably particularly since you have invincibility and rage to boost your tohit. If you can spare the slots I highly recommend slotting a handful of damage procs. They should boost your ST dmg a tidy bit while having the added benefit of bypassing both your foes resistances and your own rage crashes.
Taking It On the Chin I-16 Tanker Guide
Repeat Offenders
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Don't run Tough when soloing, it's overkill. Invincibility is pretty optional, too.|
Originally Posted by Tara_Fury
But here's the thing: I just don't do enough damage. I can't solo at all; it'd take me a million years to defeat the same mob by myself, and I tend to run out of endurance pretty quickly, even with a three-slotted Stamina and an end redux in all of my toggles and attacks. I mean, I'm running all three Inv toggles, plus Tough and Combat Jumping. With five toggles, a couple of Haymakers and KO blows, and I'm sucking wind...
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Apart from that, Endurance really shouldn't be a problem, assuming you have your attacks decently slotted.
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It's really just Carnies that have been kicking the bejeezus out of me when I team with higher level guys. All that Psi is insane. But yeah, most of the time, I don't run into it, so I guess I won't worry that much. |
Originally Posted by Hyperstrike
And, as to the Psi resist, I wouldn't worry a tremendous amount. You don't find a whole lot of unalloyed psi damage in the game. And while you can build for psi-resist, it's somewhat self-defeating since the enhancement process would lead you to gimp yourself in other areas.
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Originally Posted by Hyperstrike
If you're looking to soft-cap your defenses, take a good read of Call Me Awesome's guide. Followed faithfully, you'll be around 28% defense WITH NO TOGGLES ON.
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Originally Posted by Tara_Fury
I've been following both guys, but his second guide is built around sets, and as Reactive Armor tends to be really expensive just for -one- of the Enhancements, I think I'm going to have to wait a while to get it. I don't have unlimited funds, and I can't really afford to spend 100 million to get full sets at 40 and then do it again at 50. I dunno...that may change once I can solo. I might be better equipped to build up a cash stockpile at that point.
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Lowball your bids and be patient.
Also, remember that your resists are going to be near maxed even if you don't take max-level sets.
Plus, by taking sets at below max level, you gain breathing room for exemplaring.
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What Hyper said, so far ive paid around 150 millions for ALL my enhencements wich include Steadfast protection unique, the regenerative tissue unique and 4/5 set of kinetic combat set (wich gets ridiculously overpriced). Im not gonna repeat the whole post of Callmeawesome but DO follow it Get as close as possible to softcapping S/L/E/N defenses (F/C wouldnt hurt too for some CoT demons large mobs or some AV's) and get S/L resist to 90%. I didnt bother getting level 40 sets and it does just as great.
You will need to get sets with recovery or +end for the rage crashing and the end-heavy SS attacks but once you're there its a smooth sail.
For the psi I have purple insps.. because yes... my 18% doesn't cut it and lets just say that the Praetorian Malaise isn't my favourite AV :P
Have fun
Beware what lurks in the Shadows
Not to be a recidivist jerk, but I really don't like the results of CMA's guide. Yes, you are relatively bulletproof, but terribly lacking in +Accuracy, +Recharge, and Endurance. The Reactive Armors aren't bad (except for the Price), but they only give you 5-6% or so. The Kinetic Combat or Smashing Haymaker are fantastically expensive - if they can be had at all!
What I did was follow the general pattern of the guide, shoehorned in the Fighting Pool, and paid attention to my slotting. I still managed +90% Resistance and 35% Defense. If the game is 'balanced around SOs' like they say, then this ought to be Plenty! And if you're into 'extreme sports', well, you can pay for the privilege and like it, 'The Full Awesome' certainly will make you hard to kill.
Be Well!
Fireheart
Hi, all:
I am currently playing a SS/INV tanker, and let me start off by saying that I love her. I think she is really fun to play, and I am enjoying how tough she is becoming. I am currently Level 36. Yesterday, I confidently jumped into a horde of purple 5th Column and giggled as they tried in vain to even hit me, let alone hurt me, while my comrades blasted the crap out of them. I felt very tanky.
But here's the thing: I just don't do enough damage. I can't solo at all; it'd take me a million years to defeat the same mob by myself, and I tend to run out of endurance pretty quickly, even with a three-slotted Stamina and an end redux in all of my toggles and attacks. I mean, I'm running all three Inv toggles, plus Tough and Combat Jumping. With five toggles, a couple of Haymakers and KO blows, and I'm sucking wind...
Everyone keeps saying, "Wait for foot stomp! Wait for foot stomp!" I believe them that foot stomp will probably help a lot, but in the meantime, I feel a little useless offensively to my team (and to myself).
I'm thinking of starting a new Inv tank with another secondary that features more AoE, like Electricity or Fire. Then again, Fire doesn't help my problem at all, because it's also an End sucker. Electricity gives you back a little End, which is good, but the animations on all the attacks are SUPER slow, and that (theoretically) affects my ability to taunt effectively.
So I guess I have two questions:
1) How do I make the most of SS without getting drained dry every mob?
2) Is there a more efficient secondary that might be more solo-friendly?
I don't PVP at all, so that's not a consideration. I just want to be able to play by myself every now and then efficiently, for those times when it's hard to find a group.
Thanks in advance!