Thugs/Poison

Just got my thugs/poison to 44. I cant make a good build for him in mids and was wondering if anyone had a range soft capped build

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Softcapping Ranged defense on Thugs/Poison is going to be extremely hard. You have no defense powers to stack with your IOs and you can't pile on a bunch of Thunderstrikes like a Blaster can because you have few if any ranged attacks (please tell me you didn't take both single target pistol shots ).

Your best bet is to Slot both Pet Defense IOs (Gang War can hold both), make sure your Enforcers have a couple Defense IOs, and slot up Maneuvers. You won't have a lot of defense, but yor pets will and you have that nice tough Bruiser to take the aggro for you. You also have Weaken to reduce hard hitting enemies' to-hit.

You should be able to get around 25% defense to all on your pets from Maneuvers, the two pet defense IOs, and the Enforcers (assuming two Defense IOs or Hami-Os). Add in Weaken's debuff and they'll have close to 40% effective defense... that's a lot more than you'll be able to get for yourself without gimping your build. I'd recommend just letting your pets take the aggro and focusing on supporting them...

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Cascade, level 50 Blaster (NRG/NRG since before it was cool)
Mechmeister, level 50 Bots / Traps MM
FAR too many non-50 alts to name

[u]Arcs[u]
The Scavenger Hunt: 187076
The Instant Lair Delivery Service: 206636

-Only took one of the pistol attacks (only to show off my guns) i didn't slot it
-What other routes are there besides trying to cap range defense

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I think StrykerX is right that going for personal defence isn't the best choice. You are better off taking powers and IO's to increase your pets survivability, and stand back debuffing and healing while your pets take all the damage.

To that end I would aim for recharge, the leadership pool, and making sure you keep an eye on your endurance management.

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Sorry if this is a bit of a necro post, but it really caught my imagination.

Here is a high defense build for you to peruse at your leisure:


Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.90
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Mastermind
Primary Power Set: Thugs
Secondary Power Set: Poison
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Teleportation
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Call Thugs -- BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(3), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx(3), BldM'dt-Dmg(5), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx(5), BldM'dt-Acc(7)
Level 1: Alkaloid -- Numna-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-EndRdx/Rchg(7), Numna-Heal/Rchg(9), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(9), Numna-Heal(11), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(11)
Level 2: Envenom -- ShldBrk-Acc/Rchg(A), ShldBrk-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(17), ShldBrk-DefDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(19), ShldBrk-Acc/DefDeb(34), RechRdx-I(46)
Level 4: Weaken -- SipInsght-ToHitDeb(A), SipInsght-Acc/ToHitDeb(19), SipInsght-Acc/Rchg(21), SipInsght-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SipInsght-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(23), SipInsght-%ToHit(23)
Level 6: Equip Thugs -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 8: Combat Jumping -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(34), Zephyr-ResKB(40)
Level 10: Neurotoxic Breath -- Acc-I(A), RechRdx-I(39), Slow-I(46), RechRdx-I(48)
Level 12: Call Enforcer -- BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx(13), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx(13), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), BldM'dt-Acc(15), BldM'dt-Dmg(17)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(34), Zephyr-ResKB(40)
Level 16: Maneuvers -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(25), DefBuff-I(25)
Level 18: Gang War -- EdctM'r-PetDef(A), SvgnRt-PetResDam(37), C'Arms-+Def(Pets)(39), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(39), RechRdx-I(50), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 20: Tactics -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(36), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(36), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(36), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(37), GSFC-Build%(37)
Level 22: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 24: Dual Wield -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(43), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45)
Level 26: Call Bruiser -- BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx(27), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx(27), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(29), BldM'dt-Acc(29), BldM'dt-Dmg(31)
Level 28: Paralytic Poison -- Lock-Acc/Hold(A), Lock-Acc/Rchg(31), Lock-Rchg/Hold(31), Lock-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(33), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(33), Lock-%Hold(33)
Level 30: Kick -- ExStrk-Dmg/KB(A), ExStrk-Acc/KB(42), ExStrk-Dam%(43)
Level 32: Upgrade Equipment -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 35: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 38: Noxious Gas -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(40)
Level 41: Scorpion Shield -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(42), DefBuff-I(42)
Level 44: Power Boost -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(46)
Level 47: Weave -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(48), DefBuff-I(48)
Level 49: Recall Friend -- Range-I(A)
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Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Supremacy
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(50)


P.S. I do realize some of the slotting is a little bit off; 3 defense in maneuvers and weave without any end reduction for instance. Such slotting is intended as more of a reference if I was to have a combination of set IOs that would provide the 56% defense I'm looking for in addition to some endurance reduction and such.

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