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If you can do x6 you should do x8 with the same ability.|
Originally Posted by Jim_G
I am really not sure what to put into the Alpha slot for my hero-side brute. Currently he has Energy as his Epic but I am open to changing. He is soft-capped on def for melee, not quite on range and AoE but he will be when I go through the second respec and buy a few more sets. Over the last month I have been buying LotG +recharge and the Numena and Miracle +recovery and regen so the brute is already a very reliable solo toon. Its really easy to keep a purple inspiration up at X6 .
Currently I am mainly soling missions on +1/X6, I could probably bump it up to X8 without it being much harder. I find when I get too many mobs around a hostage its almost impossible to SEE them so X6 seems to be the sweet spot. |
Post the build, it shouldn't be too hard to softcap.
I see three main options:
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Originally Posted by Jim_G
1) Stay with Energy for my Epic but go with Spiritual for the +recharge boost. The thing is, there is a diminishing rate of returns on +recharge and this toon already has a global recharge of about 35%. I would hate to slot this and find my AoE powers recharge .5 seconds faster.
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Spiritual will have no effect on your global recharge, and will be added directly to each individual power that can accept rech rdx SOs.
In which case, ED comes into play.
When the Ultra Rare becomes available it will be a better option, but for now I don't think it will do very much for you (at most it will add a total enhancement of like 5% recharge, I doubt that would shave even a second off of any power fully slotted for rech, say 3 slotted hasten for example.
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Originally Posted by Jim_G
2) Change my epic to Fire to get another AoE attack. In that case I would probably go with the Cardiac for the +endurance since I will be losing the benefits of the Energy epic power
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You do have to choose, more damage or more recovery.
I can tell you that my SS/SD/Soul with the Alpha Cardiac Uncommon is fairing very well and was definitely the right Alpha boost for the build.
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Originally Posted by Jim_G
3) Change to Fire, but go with Musculature for the +damage.
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While the ultra rare will help a Brute reclaim a damage bonus similar to the old top end of fury, I think for a build like SS/SD which has +damage bonuses coming out of the wazoo, that even another 30% damage enhancement on top of it is not going to give you much.
My choice would be cardiac if you take any APP/PPP attacks, it will reduce all of your toggle costs and attack costs across the board.
Consider the following sets that are most likely slotted in your attacks for DEF bonuses:
- ToD
- Mako
- Obliteration
- Scirocco's Dervish
The one with the best endurance slotting is Makos at 66.25%, the rest are all 47% and below.
So just from that, you can imagine the impact the cardiac will have on your overall endurance consumption.
I went for the Endurance reduction in my Alpha slot for my SS/Shield. I built for very high recharge and end consumption was always my Achilles heel. Now it's totally under control.
Freedom: Blazing Larb, Fiery Fulcrum, Sardan Reborn, Arctic-Frenzy, Wasabi Sam, Mr Smashtastic.
I haven't gotten my SS/SD unlocked yet, but I will probably be heading for the -end reduction branch. Even though he got tremendous relief from being given access to Energy Mastery, I think another small boost to that attribute would be great.
Like others have said before me- I think the + dam branch would be a waste. With Rage, Against all Odds, and Fury fueling you, Damage should be the least of your concerns. Recharge provides an interesting option, but if you don't have endurance problems curbed completely, this will only serve to exacerbate the issue. The +acc is interesting, but I think it might be somewhat redundant with Rage already on board boosting +to hit.
Personally, I would consider focusing on Endurance Conservation or Recharge on a ss/sd that is already capped with a somewhat optimal build.
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
Thanks for the responses. I decided to alpha slot for +end and so far I've been happy. I still occasionally run into endurance issues when spamming AOE attacks at difficulty +2 / X8 so I am still undecided on whether I will respec into Fire. I suspect that I would need to take the difficulty down a little so each group doesn't take as long to eliminate.
I am really not sure what to put into the Alpha slot for my hero-side brute. Currently he has Energy as his Epic but I am open to changing. He is soft-capped on def for melee, not quite on range and AoE but he will be when I go through the second respec and buy a few more sets. Over the last month I have been buying LotG +recharge and the Numena and Miracle +recovery and regen so the brute is already a very reliable solo toon. Its really easy to keep a purple inspiration up at X6 .
Currently I am mainly soling missions on +1/X6, I could probably bump it up to X8 without it being much harder. I find when I get too many mobs around a hostage its almost impossible to SEE them so X6 seems to be the sweet spot.
I see three main options:
1) Stay with Energy for my Epic but go with Spiritual for the +recharge boost. The thing is, there is a diminishing rate of returns on +recharge and this toon already has a global recharge of about 35%. I would hate to slot this and find my AoE powers recharge .5 seconds faster.
2) Change my epic to Fire to get another AoE attack. In that case I would probably go with the Cardiac for the +endurance since I will be losing the benefits of the Energy epic power
3) Change to Fire, but go with Musculature for the +damage.
What are other people doing? I know that SS/Shield is a popular combo so I presume there are plenty of other players who have are facing this decision.