My motto:
If you could roll it as a scrapper, ROLL IT AS A SCRAPPER.
When something good happens to me, I can never enjoy it....
I am always too busy looking for the inevitable punchline...
BEHOLD THE POWER OF CHEESE!
Generally, I agree, but I thought I would try a new AT. Looks like I'll be losing a stalker and adding yet another scrapper to my roster. 
I like regen a lot, kind of a rush to come within an inch of death and come back to life.
Broadsword/Nin is a nicer combo, FWIW.
My guides:Dark Melee/Dark Armor/Soul Mastery, Illusion Control/Kinetics/Primal Forces Mastery, Electric Armor
"Dark Armor is a complete waste as a tanking set."
You may enjoy the roller coaster ride, but Stalkers don't really have the HP to handle Regen well. I would not necessarily agree with Test Rat, but IMHO Regen is a better choice to play as a Scrapper.
And that having played both a Regen Scrapper and Stalker.
Stalkers are all about the playing style, and if you don't like it, then there's no sense forcing yourself to endure it. There's a fine balance between doing nothing but Assassin Strike over and over, waiting ten seconds between one shot kills, and scrapping so much you might as well be a Scrapper, but some people enjoy treading that line. There are things I can do as a Stalker that I can't do as a Scrapper, like stealth through an entire mission. (Well, I could, but it would take IOs)
I've found that you can usually tell where a set is going by the 20s. Past that point, there really are no suprises or sudden "oh, now this works!" moments. (Exception: for Warshades it's the 30s) I would try another Stalker, Ninjitsu if it sounds like it appeals to you, but if you reach the same point and still feel the same, don't worry about it. Stalkers are an acquired taste. 
Thanks Jade. Since two out of three respondents have suggested ninjitsu, I might reroll my stalker and give it another go. I like the concept of the AT, and I feel like it has a lot of potential to be a blast. I just feel like my current incarnation is not reaching that porential. Perhaps a dfferent secondary will breathe a little life into it for me. Luckily, I'm one of those sadistic types who really enjoys the early game, (especially since inherent fitness ) so starting over at level 1 isn't much of a deterrent.
Any thoughts on electric melee for stalkers? Does lightning rod crit on all affected enemies if used from hide?
Quote:
It does not appear to, although I haven't used the set myself. I wish I could recommend something other than Ninjitsu but really, I've only ever played that, Regen, and Energy. I think the problem with Electric and Dark is that they aren't as good at avoiding damage in the first place as the Def-based sets. But they both sound like they might be interesting.
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Originally Posted by Irish Fury
Any thoughts on electric melee for stalkers? Does lightning rod crit on all affected enemies if used from hide?
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Quote:
I took regen specifically due to the low HP of the AT. I thought the regen might balance that out nicely, but I do find that sometimes my health drops faster than I can heal it, so I'm with you on going with a defense based set to avoid getting hit altogether. |
Originally Posted by Jade_Dragon
I wish I could recommend something other than Ninjitsu but really, I've only ever played that, Regen, and Energy. I think the problem with Electric and Dark is that they aren't as good at avoiding damage in the first place as the Def-based sets.
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I think I will try elec/nin. I love electric melee for the AOE, although it does feel a bit weak before thunderstrike and lightning rod....worth the time investment? We shall see.
Quote:
Lightning Rod doesn't deliver a critical, but even though it alerts enemies to your presence, it also doesn't break Hide. So you can Rod in and then follow it up with a Thunderstrike (which will guaranteed critical your target with a 50% chance for enemies to get a critical from the the splash damage) for happy happy funtime.
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Originally Posted by Irish Fury
Any thoughts on electric melee for stalkers? Does lightning rod crit on all affected enemies if used from hide?
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LR does not crit from Hidden. However, it also does not break Hidden status, so you can follow up with a crit from Hidden. Like, say, Thunderstrike.
@SPTrashcan
Avatar by Toxic_Shia
Why MA ratings should be changed from stars to "like" or "dislike"
A better algorithm for ordering MA arcs
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Lazarillo
Lightning Rod doesn't deliver a critical, but even though it alerts enemies to your presence, it also doesn't break Hide. So you can Rod in and then follow it up with a Thunderstrike (which will guaranteed critical your target with a 50% chance for enemies to get a critical from the the splash damage) for happy happy funtime.
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Yum....that does sound tasty. Decision made. So long BS/Regen, HEEELLLLLOOOOOO elec/nin!!! Looking way down the road, assuming I eventually hit 50, is this build viable with with SO's or will I need to invest in sets to really be effective? I only ask because I recently emptied my bank to IO my elec/shield brute and I shudder at the thought of marketeering for another multi billion inf build.
Quote:
Anything is merely "viable" on SOs. But it seems likely you'll end up disappointed if you are comparing a billion-inf Brute to an SO'd Stalker. At the very least you will want to get either a -KB IO or pick up Acrobatics since Ninjitsu has no KB protection.
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Originally Posted by Irish Fury
Yum....that does sound tasty. Decision made. So long BS/Regen, HEEELLLLLOOOOOO elec/nin!!! Looking way down the road, assuming I eventually hit 50, is this build viable with with SO's or will I need to invest in sets to really be effective? I only ask because I recently emptied my bank to IO my elec/shield brute and I shudder at the thought of marketeering for another multi billion inf build. |
Villains: Annie Alias, Dr. Amperical, Shade Golem, Knight Marksman
Heroes: The Clockwork Mime, Soccerpunch, The Fissioneer, Samurai Houston, Oversteer
Join The X-Patriots on Virtue!
Quote:
Sage advice on the KB protection. Obviously I would never expect an SO'd stalker to even begin to compare to an multi-billion inf brute. I suppose "viable" was not the best choice of word. I want to be sure that I will be able to actively contribute to a team if I choose not to load up my stalker with shiny IO sets. Perhaps a few select sets ehre and there to fill in any gaping holes in the build would be sufficient. Not sure why I am even thinking that far ahead right now, this guy doesn't even exist yet. |
Originally Posted by Zem
Anything is merely "viable" on SOs. But it seems likely you'll end up disappointed if you are comparing a billion-inf Brute to an SO'd Stalker. At the very least you will want to get either a -KB IO or pick up Acrobatics since Ninjitsu has no KB protection.
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IMO, one of the reasons people dig Stalkers is similar to why many dig Blasters. You do a big chunk of damage fast and hope you kill stuff before it kills you. The curve is somewhat gentler for Stalkers, since they do get armors and mez protection, but it's also somewhat steeper in other ways - like the very narrow single-target focus most Stalker attack sets get.
As mentioned, if you don't enjoy that roller coaster, then Stalkers may just not be for you. (I think it's worth noting that the powersets many people do favor for Stalkers are the ones that I think work hardest to smooth out the ride by providing very high peak damage mitigation.)
Blue
American Steele: 50 BS/Inv
Nightfall: 50 DDD
Sable Slayer: 50 DM/Rgn
Fortune's Shadow: 50 Dark/Psi
WinterStrike: 47 Ice/Dev
Quantum Well: 43 Inv/EM
Twilit Destiny: 43 MA/DA
Red
Shadowslip: 50 DDC
Final Rest: 50 MA/Rgn
Abyssal Frost: 50 Ice/Dark
Golden Ember: 50 SM/FA
I would also suggest using DB as your primary. I'm more of a Brute and Dom player normally but I absolutely love my DB/WP/Soul stalker. IMO stalker have the best combo linking system out of the 4 ATs that have DB. There's nothing quite like starting a fight with Build up -> Assassin -> Ablating Strike = Sweep combo. By the time the mobs get up, you should be at least 2/3 of the way through your Weaken combo of Sweeping Strike -> Power Slice -> 1k Cuts. These two AOE combos will clean up most minions, some lieuts and even a boss if you used assasinate on it. With 42% S/L def (hide suppressed), capped 1606 hp, decent resists, good regen and reconstruction, I often find myself racing against the brutes of the group just to get at the spawns first. Against some tougher spawns or defense debuffing mobs, I just pop Shadow Meld and all is good once more. Of course there are still some encounters that I can't handle alone but still, not bad for a stalker.
Now if WP isn't your thing as secondary, Ninjitsu works just fine too.
As for Regen stalkers, I have one of those too. Personally, I don't think that's a very good secondary for stalkers which could be why you didn't like the experience. Even for someone who is fairly used to playing stalkers such as myself, sometimes it can be hard to stomach Regen and it's.... glaring deficiencies.
My highest lvl stalker (and currently highest non-50 toon) is my lvl41 NB/regen. I personally like how it plays out on Stalkers, if only because of the Placate ability. EB fights are almost always trivial on the many MMs I play, occasionally boring, but I always enjoy the fight more on my stalker. I've gotten Placate to recharge in 30s (or less, with Hasten), so while I enjoy being able to scrap toe-to-toe with Cyclops or Ace McKnight, it's also nice to be able to simply Jedi-Mind-Trick them away if they hit too many times in a row or if they pop their god-mode.
Elec/nin is a great choice. In fact, it's one of only two I would make (the other would be spines/nin). Pretty much everything else is better on a scrapper. But electric melee happens to actually be better on a defense based stalker than on any other AT. If you don't want to invest tons of inf, just spend enough to get yourself to the softcap and you'll be golden.
The Inspiration Maker's Guide [i12] UPDATED with POPMENUS and Movement Binds!
A Flash in the Dark: The Electric/Ninjitsu Stalker [i23]
Kheldian Inspiration Macros UPDATED with POPMENUS and Movement Binds!
Guide to the Katana~Ninja Blade/Electric [i23]
Indeed, defense based stalkers with Electric Melee is win. I got a IO'd Elec/SR stalker and love her. With an occasional Aid Self, I can solo +2/x8 pick your enemy group (except Carnies or Rularuu, which I refuse). SR might be something to consider on the SO side since you may be able to get more defense out of it compared to Ninjitsu. Downside, you don't have the self heal or fun ninja tools.
Tactic advice: BU -> LR -> TS -> CI -> Placate -> TS, once enemy numbers start to go down, placate and AS, but BU + LR = win and generally unless you only got 1-2 enemies left, use it. Mine's down to less than 30 seconds with Hasten active and on +2/x8, I usually use it around 2-4 times, but that's still tons faster than any other Stalker I know on a harder difficulty than most stalkers will do without just stealthing to the end.
50s: Bla- Arch/Mental Cont- Mind/FF, Earth/Cold, Ill/Therm, Earth/Rad Dominator- Plant/Psi, Elec/Earth Corr- Fire/Storm, Arch/Sonic, Rad/Kin, Beam/Sonic, Psi/Time Stalker- Elec/SR Def- Storm/Dark, Emp/Psi, Dark/Elec, FF/Arch, TA/Ice, TA/Elec, Kin/AR, Cold/DP, Traps/Psi Scrap- Fire/Shield Tanker- Dark/Mace, Ice/Kin Brute- Claws/WP, SS/Energy, BS/Elec
I have an elec/nin stalker that made it to 50. Aside from the paltry HP, I love playing him. I agree with what others have said; if you can make it as a scrapper, it will generally be better off. Since ninjitsu is something you can't make as a scrapper, and it offers more tools than /SR on a stalker does, I find it to be awesome. My build was somewhat tight, but thanks to inherent fitness, I can now go back and fit in some powers I couldn't before.
Words to the wise aren't necessary- it's the stupid ones that need them.
"You're right...I forgot...being constantly at or the near the damage cap is a big turn off. Definitely not worth it."
- Vitality
Lot's of great input, thanks a lot guys. I have decided to roll up a elec/nin stalker. SR looks nice, but I can't pass up the shiny ninja toys. I like Micro's advice regarding defense based, so I will invest enough to soft cap. I like regen well enough, I just don't think I am skilled enough to pull it off on a stalker. Perhaps I will take my broadswrod/regen concept, and make it a scrapper. I've heard that it can be godly in PvP. As a newbie to the game (approaching 6 month vet badge ) and also to the forums, it is nice to see so many helpful replies. Thank you all.
Also, if anyone has a good build for an elec/nin, I would love to take a look at it.
Quote:
My fav stalker has historically been NB/Nin (the *only* true ninja |
Originally Posted by Lazarillo
Lightning Rod doesn't deliver a critical, but even though it alerts enemies to your presence, it also doesn't break Hide. So you can Rod in and then follow it up with a Thunderstrike (which will guaranteed critical your target with a 50% chance for enemies to get a critical from the the splash damage) for happy happy funtime.
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), but Ihave to say that my Elec/WP stalker is nearly as beloved these days, and
LR is the reason why.
I especially enjoy it vs Knives of Artemis.... Typically, those hags spot you
before you can get a normal AS off (without some tactical trickery), but with
LR and Tstrike - the entire spawn is crispy-fried before they can even blink.
There's just something about my assassin, assassinating theirs en masse
that just warms my evil heart...
As for the OP's earlier post, I can't change his mind. Stalkers require a certain
mindset to enjoy, I think. Like Goalies in Hockey, or Pitchers in Baseball,
they're quite different from the others.
Personally, I enjoy the slower, more deliberate and tactical approach at
times... A stalker really orchestrates the entire battle like a mini symphony
(ya, I know that sounds ... odd ... It's a difficult thing to describe).
Of course, when I don't want to care about Con or Tactics, I have my
SS/WP Brute who blindly and happily wades into anything without a
thought, and at a pace that would make any of my stalkers dizzy.
Regards,
4
I've been rich, and I've been poor. Rich is definitely better.
Light is faster than sound - that's why some people look smart until they speak.
For every seller who leaves the market dirty stinkin' rich,
there's a buyer who leaves the market dirty stinkin' IOed. - Obitus.
Quote:
This is what has prevented me from deleting my stalker up to this point. I love walking into a room and mapping out the encounter from start to finish before I am even seen. There is something truly villianous in that. I just felt like the execution was a little...lacking. Granted, this is most likely a result of my own lack of skill and experience with the AT, but I believe regen as my choice of secondary was my first and biggest mistake. |
Originally Posted by FourSpeed
Personally, I enjoy the slower, more deliberate and tactical approach at
times... A stalker really orchestrates the entire battle like a mini symphony (ya, I know that sounds ... odd ... It's a difficult thing to describe). |
So, mind changed? I would say yes for the time being. I'm convinced not to throw in the towell on the AT as a whole, I just need to try a different approach.
Here's a build a guy posted a long time ago which I saved as a good middle-of-the-road build. I modified it a little back then for him. Obviously now fitness is inherent, so you can add in caltrops and kuji-in retsu and one other power pick. The build does have one purple set, Coercive Persuasion, because it is both on the cheaper side and gives 5% ranged defense. This build is pretty good for a mostly non-purple one.
Note: Power ordering is completely random; this build is to show a slotting possibility
Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.90
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Natural Stalker
Primary Power Set: Electrical Melee
Secondary Power Set: Ninjitsu
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Legacy Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Leviathan Mastery
Villain Profile:
Level 1: Charged Brawl -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(15), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(15), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), Mako-Dam%(43)
Level 1: Hide -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 2: Jacobs Ladder -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(3), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg(7), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), Sciroc-Dam%(11)
Level 4: Ninja Reflexes -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(5), LkGmblr-Def(5), LkGmblr-Rchg+(7)
Level 6: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(13), RechRdx-I(43)
Level 8: Build Up -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(9), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(9), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(13), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(19), GSFC-Build%(29)
Level 10: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 12: Placate -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 14: Super Speed -- Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(A), Zephyr-Travel(50), Zephyr-ResKB(50)
Level 16: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Numna-Heal(17), Mrcl-Rcvry+(17), Mrcl-Heal(19)
Level 18: Chain Induction -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(37), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(37), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), T'Death-Dam%(46)
Level 20: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(21), EndMod-I(21)
Level 22: Kuji-In Sha -- Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(23), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(23), Dct'dW-Heal(25), Dct'dW-Rchg(25)
Level 24: Kuji-In Rin -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 26: Thunder Strike -- M'Strk-Acc/Dmg(A), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx(27), M'Strk-Dmg/Rchg(27), M'Strk-Acc/EndRdx(31), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 28: Danger Sense -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def(29), LkGmblr-Rchg+(31)
Level 30: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 32: Lightning Rod -- M'Strk-Acc/Dmg(A), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx(33), M'Strk-Dmg/Rchg(33), M'Strk-Acc/EndRdx(33), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 35: Blinding Powder -- CoPers-Conf(A), CoPers-Conf/Rchg(36), CoPers-Acc/Conf/Rchg(36), CoPers-Conf/EndRdx(36), CoPers-Conf%(37), CoPers-Acc/Rchg(42)
Level 38: Assassin's Shock -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(39), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(39), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), T'Death-Dam%(40)
Level 41: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 44: Water Spout -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(45), Achilles-ResDeb%(45), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), Posi-Dam%(46)
Level 47: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(48), LkGmblr-Def(48), LkGmblr-Rchg+(48)
Level 49: Hibernate -- Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Assassination
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 0: LEGACY BUILD
Code:
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The Inspiration Maker's Guide [i12] UPDATED with POPMENUS and Movement Binds!
A Flash in the Dark: The Electric/Ninjitsu Stalker [i23]
Kheldian Inspiration Macros UPDATED with POPMENUS and Movement Binds!
Guide to the Katana~Ninja Blade/Electric [i23]
Quote:
Assassin's Shock at 38?|
Originally Posted by Microcosm
Here's a build a guy posted a long time ago which I saved as a good middle-of-the-road build. I modified it a little back then for him. Obviously now fitness is inherent, so you can add in caltrops and kuji-in retsu and one other power pick. The build does have one purple set, Coercive Persuasion, because it is both on the cheaper side and gives 5% ranged defense. This build is pretty good for a mostly non-purple one.
(Build Snip) |
Pffffahahahahaha no.
My guides:Dark Melee/Dark Armor/Soul Mastery, Illusion Control/Kinetics/Primal Forces Mastery, Electric Armor
"Dark Armor is a complete waste as a tanking set."
Quote:
I found that a bit odd myself. The build looks pretty good, but I don't have access to Mid's to see all the details. Obviously I will take Assassin's Shock MUCH earlier. Thank you very much, Micro. This helps a lot.
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Originally Posted by Nalrok_AthZim
Assassin's Shock at 38?
Pffffahahahahaha no. |
So I have a level 28 Broadsword/Regen staker. I have grinded through 28 levels waiting to hit the sweet spot in the power set and came to the realization that stalkers are just no fun at all. I usually run him as a duo with another stalker buddy of mine, and when we first got our assassin's strike, we were super excited about the characters, but sense then, it's been kind of blah.
Then, I remembered from my brief foray in RV on my main, that a lot of people zone PvP with stalkers. So I ran over to Siren's Call to see what fun could be had there. After ganking a couple people from the shadows, I just felt cheap and dirty. Maybe this isn't the AT for me.
I write this post with one hand on the "delete" button for this toon. Can anyone give me a reason to keep grinding it out? Is there anything on the horizon that I should keep working toward? Or have I seen everything I need to see?