My Katana Regen 1-50 Solo Personal Challenge
By
Arkadian_NA,
Posted on: 2010-10-05 08:12 in Scrappers
Interesting build, I like what you did on a number of things. I'm no master builder myself but kat/regen was the first toon i ever made it past 20 with in this game (back in the summer of '04). Back then kat/regen was much loved and discussed on the VN boards. Only concern i'd have is the lack of Flashing Steel...such a glorious, glorious power to have early on, especially soloing.
Good Luck with your experiment, and enjoy the ride!
From Wikipedia: KENSEI
In ancient Japan, a kensei (剣聖?, sword's saint; sometimes rendered in English as Kensai, Ken Sai, Kansei, or Kenshei) was an honorary title given to a warrior of legendary skill in swordsmanship. The literal translation of "kensei" is "sword saint". Thus, the term is considered by some to imply a higher degree of perfection (possibly also encompassing a moral dimension) than the more commonly used kengō (剣豪?) or "great sword." This is not to be confused with the word kenshi (剣士), meaning "swordsman".
(anyone here ever play Baldur's Gate 2 back in the day?)
Looks like you did well for an end game build. Soft capped melee and lethal with a double stack, good ranged and AoE. Good recharge. Good resistance. Over 90% to hit +4s without Focused Accuracy. Capped hit points with perma Dull Pain, but not by a large margin so there's not a lot of waste. Moment of Glory in barely over a minute. Endurance is probably sustainable, though I haven't checked.
Without digging in, the only thing jumping out at me is your slotting of Gambler's Cut and Golden Dragonfly. In Gambler's Cut, swap out the damage/recharge for the damage proc. That adds over 30 points of damage to your most frequent attack, and it still recharges plenty fast. Assuming you're settling for the survivability chain instead of DPS chain (for which you'd need different tweaks), do the same in Golden Dragonfly for almost 30 points of damage.
If money is no issue, consider picking up a Gladiator's Armor +3% defense, but availability is low, and honestly, it won't make nearly as much difference in this build as in most. You could also consider the Shield Wall +3% resistance, and I'm not just saying that because I have one up for sale. 
If you're willing to suffer the inconvenience, you could Ninja Run instead of Super Jumping, and add in Assault for that extra bit of damage. Probably not worth the trade off for most people, at least until you can pick up Hurdle in I19. But my theory is that I'd rather carve through the mission faster than get to the mission faster. And I'd personally go with Tactics over Focused Accuracy, but it's probably arguable either way.
Lookin' good. 
"That's because Werner can't do maths." - BunnyAnomaly
"Four hours in, and I was no longer making mistakes, no longer detoggling. I was a machine." - Werner
Videos of Other Stupid Scrapper Tricks
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Arkadian_NA
...
(anyone here ever play Baldur's Gate 2 back in the day?) |
back in the day? I still do, now and then <.<
to the OP:
Kat/Regen was my first 50 and is still one of my favorite scrappers to play.
I agree with Arkadian on Flashing Steel...since you're planning on Lotus Drops anyway, you can respec out of it, then; but if you solo exclusively from 1 to 50, i'd pick that little gem up.
I dick pick up FS for leveling last night and it really is worth it. :X Thanks for the tip.
Also, Werner, what would I need to do for the DPS chain in terms of tweaks?
Quote:
The top DPS chain for katana is Golden Dragonfly -> Gambler's Cut -> Soaring Dragon -> Gambler's Cut. To get there, you need the recharge on Golden Dragonfly down to 3.43 seconds, and you're at 3.48. But on further thought, I'm betting that living with a 0.05-second gap (if you can stand the "not ready" noise) will be better than giving up the Fury of the Gladiator proc for more recharge (which was my initial thought). So then it's just a question of if you can pull off a little more global recharge from somewhere for that last little bit of DPS. You could give up a little ranged defense and slot five Crushing Impacts and a Luck of the Gambler global in Divine Avalanche. Then you're over the cap for 5% bonuses, and either Build Up or Instant Healing then look like good candidates to me for getting some slots back and using them somewhere else. For instance, drop to three recharges in Build Up, then slot the Gladiator's Armor +3% defense and Shield Wall +3% resistance. Or you could switch to a Panacea set in Instant Healing for another 7.5% recharge. You might be able to squeeze in another purple set if you drop Super Jump, though that would probably take additional sacrifices. Lots of expensive possibilities.
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Originally Posted by Nokua
Also, Werner, what would I need to do for the DPS chain in terms of tweaks?
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"That's because Werner can't do maths." - BunnyAnomaly
"Four hours in, and I was no longer making mistakes, no longer detoggling. I was a machine." - Werner
Videos of Other Stupid Scrapper Tricks
Quote:
All right! Thanks! I'll see what I can do. I just hit 18 now in Praetoria. Been going pretty smoothly leveling up. I appreciate the advice.
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Originally Posted by Werner
The top DPS chain for katana is Golden Dragonfly -> Gambler's Cut -> Soaring Dragon -> Gambler's Cut. To get there, you need the recharge on Golden Dragonfly down to 3.43 seconds, and you're at 3.48. But on further thought, I'm betting that living with a 0.05-second gap (if you can stand the "not ready" noise) will be better than giving up the Fury of the Gladiator proc for more recharge (which was my initial thought). So then it's just a question of if you can pull off a little more global recharge from somewhere for that last little bit of DPS. You could give up a little ranged defense and slot five Crushing Impacts and a Luck of the Gambler global in Divine Avalanche. Then you're over the cap for 5% bonuses, and either Build Up or Instant Healing then look like good candidates to me for getting some slots back and using them somewhere else. For instance, drop to three recharges in Build Up, then slot the Gladiator's Armor +3% defense and Shield Wall +3% resistance. Or you could switch to a Panacea set in Instant Healing for another 7.5% recharge. You might be able to squeeze in another purple set if you drop Super Jump, though that would probably take additional sacrifices. Lots of expensive possibilities.
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a couple things that pop out at me:
You won't need any hp set bonuses (Save 1) if you get the accolades (which we highly recommend). With that, you can steal 2 slots from weave and maneuvers, and slot them with a LotG 7.5% rech and an enzyme (each). (you lose 2% def per toggle, but that's up to you). Or you could keep the slots the same, and replace the +def with an enzyme. That way, you get 20% regen, a tiny bit more defense (practically negligible), and, more importantly, more end reduction.
QR can lose the end/acc/rech and flip it with a generic End Mod IO for the same reason,
and Integration can take another slot for a hard-ED regen bonus.
You could flip DA to be a crushing impact 5 set with 1 lotG 7.5% rech, but that gives you six 5% sets, so you could take IH down to 3 (rech, rech, heal/rech).
Those extra slots can go to integration (4 slotted for hard ED, as above) and FH for a regen tissue.
Last thing: depending on what you want, with the changes above I listed (if you use them) That could leave you to decide between BU or IH having 5 slots. Either way, the other will have 3 and be just as effective, but I think i'd rather take BU to 3 and keep IH at 5.
Not enough time to fully write out over it, and you may want to consider holding off until i19 before making a final spec like this. By the time you get there, you'll have inherit fitness and won't even need CP or PP.
Food for thought.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Iggy_Kamakaze
I hate to be the bringer of bad news... but Willpower sucks!!! you're better off rolling a regen
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^Professional Katana/regen build thread
Quote:
Very true. Some really useful pointers. I'll try to work with what you and Werner have pointed out. Also, you're most likely right. I19 may hit before I'll ever have to worry about an endgame spec. But just in case!
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Originally Posted by Elegost
a couple things that pop out at me:
You won't need any hp set bonuses (Save 1) if you get the accolades (which we highly recommend). With that, you can steal 2 slots from weave and maneuvers, and slot them with a LotG 7.5% rech and an enzyme (each). (you lose 2% def per toggle, but that's up to you). Or you could keep the slots the same, and replace the +def with an enzyme. That way, you get 20% regen, a tiny bit more defense (practically negligible), and, more importantly, more end reduction. QR can lose the end/acc/rech and flip it with a generic End Mod IO for the same reason, and Integration can take another slot for a hard-ED regen bonus. You could flip DA to be a crushing impact 5 set with 1 lotG 7.5% rech, but that gives you six 5% sets, so you could take IH down to 3 (rech, rech, heal/rech). Those extra slots can go to integration (4 slotted for hard ED, as above) and FH for a regen tissue. Last thing: depending on what you want, with the changes above I listed (if you use them) That could leave you to decide between BU or IH having 5 slots. Either way, the other will have 3 and be just as effective, but I think i'd rather take BU to 3 and keep IH at 5. Not enough time to fully write out over it, and you may want to consider holding off until i19 before making a final spec like this. By the time you get there, you'll have inherit fitness and won't even need CP or PP. Food for thought. |
Yeah, I kept fiddling with it for a few more minutes after I posted, and I ended up with Enzymes in the defense powers for the reason Elegost gave - not needing the hit points. I put two in each because I like chasing defense. But that might be overkill. Maybe two in Weave, one in Combat Jumping, one in Maneuvers. Add the super-expensive uniques and a Panacea set in Instant Healing. I'm guessing you can get better defense, better resistance, and better recharge that way, for the low low price of probably seven billion more influence. 
Haven't actually tried it out in Mids', though.
But yeah, by the time you can purchase the Gladiator's Armor, even if you put in a 2 billion influence bid now, it'll probably be I19, and you get to make a different plan.
"That's because Werner can't do maths." - BunnyAnomaly
"Four hours in, and I was no longer making mistakes, no longer detoggling. I was a machine." - Werner
Videos of Other Stupid Scrapper Tricks
So, I figured I'd start using the forums after playing this game for a handful of years. I've always lurked, but rarely ever posted much. However, today I figured I'd set a challenge for myself and that is to level a Katana/Regeneration scrapper to fifty from level one solo. I don't know why, but I want to. Challenges make me bloodthirsty.
My mains have mostly been team oriented picks. My Dark/Dark 'Fender, my Stone/Fire Tank, my Earth/Rad 'Troller. I'll save you the list of all my toons, because that would turn into an essay really fast, but those are my three mains. But I always read about people soloing things, like Werner for example, and I use him as an example because this is the scrapper forums. But even in the blasters and the 'Trollers! I want something like that, if only just for a neat little challenge to change my play style for a little.
Now, the questions as to why Katana and why Regen? Well, I chose Katana mainly because it's a set I've seen many people play, but never actually tried, and it looks really fun. That's really it. And the feel is pretty neat, too.
Also, before someone asks why Regen and not WP, it's because my very first toon I got to fifty was a spines/regen and I adore regen. I will always believe in it, and, quite frankly, WP comes off as extremely boring to me. Very flat play. To each his or her own, no? Also, I like to pvp. And the fact that I have things to click makes it nicer.
I have one issue, though. It's been a while since I've leveled a scrapper. I referenced one of Iggy's builds and sort of shaped it up into what powers I would take and when. I still give all credit to him for everything since I used him as a reference for IOs and stuff since I'm fairly new to it.
So, here's what I have. Money is no issue. So when critiquing, keep that in mind.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.803
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Natural Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Katana
Secondary Power Set: Regeneration
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Gambler's Cut -- Hectmb-Dmg(A), Hectmb-Dmg/Rchg(37), Hectmb-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Hectmb-Acc/Rchg(40), Hectmb-Dmg/EndRdx(40), Achilles-ResDeb%(40)
Level 1: Fast Healing -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Heal(3)
Level 2: Reconstruction -- Dct'dW-Rchg(A), Dct'dW-Heal(3), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(7), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(15)
Level 4: Quick Recovery -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(5), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(5)
Level 6: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(13), RechRdx-I(13)
Level 8: Divine Avalanche -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(9), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(9), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), Mako-Dam%(23)
Level 10: Dull Pain -- Dct'dW-Heal(A), Dct'dW-Rchg(11), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(11), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(21), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(23)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(45)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Jump-I(A)
Level 16: Integration -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Numna-Heal(17), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(17)
Level 18: The Lotus Drops -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(19), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(19), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Oblit-%Dam(31)
Level 20: Build Up -- AdjTgt-Rchg(A), AdjTgt-ToHit(25), AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(25), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(37), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 22: Resilience -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 24: Boxing -- Amaze-Stun(A), Amaze-Stun/Rchg(46), Amaze-Acc/Stun/Rchg(46), Amaze-Acc/Rchg(46), Amaze-EndRdx/Stun(50)
Level 26: Soaring Dragon -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(27), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(27), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(29), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), Mako-Dam%(43)
Level 28: Instant Healing -- Dct'dW-Rchg(A), Dct'dW-Heal(43), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(43), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(45), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(45)
Level 30: Tough -- Aegis-ResDam(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(36)
Level 32: Golden Dragonfly -- Armgdn-Dmg(A), Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg(33), Armgdn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Armgdn-Acc/Rchg(33), Armgdn-Dmg/EndRdx(34), FotG-ResDeb%(34)
Level 35: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(36), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(36)
Level 38: Moment of Glory -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg(39), RechRdx-I(39), RechRdx-I(42)
Level 41: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(42), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(42)
Level 44: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 47: Focused Accuracy -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(48), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(48), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(48), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(50), GSFC-Build%(50)
Level 49: Physical Perfection -- P'Shift-End%(A)
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Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit
Level 4: Ninja Run
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Set Bonus Totals: