DM/Shield:Where to Put Guassian's Chance For Build Up?

Hey guys,

My latest toon to go to 50 is probably going to be my DM/Shield (what a wicked fun set).

I don't have a lot of the fancy I/O's like the rest of you but I did come into possession of one Guassian's Chance for Build Up.

I just want to be sure where I should put it so it gets the best possible use. I am thinking of putting into Focused Accuracy. (I think the power is 'ok' for this build but can't figure out where else to put it and have it firing off at any moment?)

Here is my build for referencewithout slotting since most of it is poopy)

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.91
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Srixxon Base: Level 48 Mutation Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Smite -- Empty(A), Empty(3), Empty(9), Empty(23), Empty(39), Empty(43)
Level 1: Deflection -- Empty(A), Empty(3), Empty(7), Empty(13), Empty(19), Empty(25)
Level 2: Shadow Maul -- Empty(A), Empty(5), Empty(5), Empty(9), Empty(21), Empty(31)
Level 4: True Grit -- Empty(A), Empty(7), Empty(17)
Level 6: Combat Jumping -- Empty(A)
Level 8: Siphon Life -- Empty(A), Empty(11), Empty(11), Empty(21), Empty(34), Empty(42)
Level 10: Battle Agility -- Empty(A), Empty(13), Empty(40)
Level 12: Active Defense -- Empty(A), Empty(15)
Level 14: Boxing -- Empty(A), Empty(15), Empty(17), Empty(40), Empty(43), Empty(43)
Level 16: Against All Odds -- Empty(A)
Level 18: Dark Consumption -- Empty(A), Empty(19), Empty(29), Empty(31), Empty(42)
Level 20: Phalanx Fighting -- Empty(A)
Level 22: Tough -- Empty(A), Empty(23), Empty(39)
Level 24: Weave -- Empty(A), Empty(25), Empty(40)
Level 26: Soul Drain -- Empty(A), Empty(27), Empty(27), Empty(31), Empty(37), Empty(39)
Level 28: Hasten -- Empty(A), Empty(29)
Level 30: Super Jump -- Empty(A)
Level 32: Midnight Grasp -- Empty(A), Empty(33), Empty(33), Empty(33), Empty(34), Empty(34)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- Empty(A), Empty(36), Empty(36), Empty(36), Empty(37), Empty(37)
Level 38: One with the Shield -- Empty(A)
Level 41: Focused Accuracy -- Empty(A), Empty(42)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- Empty(A), Empty(45), Empty(45), Empty(45)
Level 47: [Empty]
Level 49: [Empty]
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- Empty(A)



So.... is there a better spot than Focused Accuracy?

5% chance of +100% damage for 5.25 seconds every 10 seconds = 2.625% base damage buff = maybe 1% actual damage buff. So think of it as a passable +damage set bonus, which is to say not very important. The main use of the Gaussian proc is to complete the Gaussian set. The damage buff might be minor, but the +2.5% defense from a full Gaussian set is exactly what Shield Defense needs during its quest to hit 45% defense. Either way though, Focused Accuracy is going to be the best spot with your current power picks, so you got it right.

Thanks Werner, and thanks for clearing up what that IO actually does in game. I was mistaken about its actual performance.

I thought I'd be running around getting a 'free build up' every couple of seconds. lol

Now that would be awesome. And I'll try to complete the set.

To be honest I have been labouring over which character to put this into. I have my Dual Pistols Blaster, and this DM/Shields Scrapper that could both use it. But my dilemma is I could really only afford to complete one set. So which guy would use it better? Any guesses?

The Shield Scrapper will likely get more benefit from a Gaussian set. The higher the defense you're starting at, the more a given amount of additional defense will contribute to your survivability. Now, if you were sitting on a ton of influence, you might be going for, say, a range-soft-capped Blaster build, and the set might be useful (though that's a lot of slots for 2.5% ranged defense). But as is, I'd definitely be putting it in the Scrapper.

Also, before I spent any influence on a Gaussian set, I'd spend it on a Steadfast Protection unique, which gives you even better defense and for just a single slot. You may already have that, though.

Actually I do have that steadfast on my Scrapper.... thanks for the additional input. You make me think I should try to acquire this for my blaster.

Is there a 'best' way to get it? (I honestly got it so long ago I can't remember how I got it.)

While we are on the subject. I just got a Recipe Drop for a 'Touch of Death: Chance for negative energy damage.'

With my build, would Smite be the best place for that?

May not be that big of an issue for you then. Your post states "my latest toon to go to 50 is..." Personally, I dont care much about IO sets untill 50. Sure, I'll get the uniques and other "level indepenent" IO's asap, but I'll only concentrate on the fully matured build until 50- so start doing the alignment merits then. You can only do 5 missions a day and with that build that wont take long at all. Do one or two while you compile your team, and make a hero merit team or w/e. You can have fun building your toon the old fashoned way.

Also, if your running mission archs, you likely have some regular merits. Use the random recipe option around lvl 30+ (the recipe lvl will actually be at least your level or as high as possible if your 50) when you're able to then sell what you dont need. You still will likely get some good drops. Work the system- at least a little.

Yes, I totally agree with that.

Last night I dinged 47 with him so that's why I'm looking for input.

If he slots the Gaussian set in his Soul Drain and is surrounded by a good number of mobs, won't he get a bunch of independent attempts for the Proc to fire, similar to how the Forced Feedback Proc works in Foot Stomp?

But my understanding is that the proc will only fire while the power is initiated. So by putting it into something like Focused Accuracy, then it should always have a chance to go off.... unless the toggle drops.

To me that seems better than only having a chance for it to fire while using a 'click' power.

I'd say put it into FA or Tactics. It will increase the likely hood of the proc going off.

You also want Soul Drain to have good accuracy. There is no accuracy enhancement in the Gaussian set. Having Soul Drain hit reliably will do a lot more for your damage than the proc.

I can see I'm going to have to come up with a build here..... I didn't lock in that Guassian's quite yet even though I'm pretty confident it will go in Focused Accuracy. (Don't have tactics).

Believe it or not I have my freespec and haven't used it since inherent fitness so I am definitely wanting to swap in Hasten for shield charge/Soul Drain.

But I notice I'm getting hit a lot more in melee than I should be... at +2 even I am getting a few crit deaths..... I guess I should start a new post. Iron this out.

Check out the thread in my signature and post up your build there, there are tons of Dark/Shield builds there.

Yea I've read the thread a few times.... I don't know that I'm in that league of uber slotting builds to be honest.

I remember when Shields first came out, and we used to have some 'discount' build conversations... you probably don't remember as that was nearly a year ago to the month.

Maybe I'll throw my build in there... I'm at work right now but I'll try to remember my slotting.... see what we can figure out.

6-slot Focused Accuracy and put Gaussian's in there.

The set bonuses are way more beneficial than the chance for build up. Though it does add a nice damage spike every now and then, it is totally unpredictable and holistically speaking really not much of a buff on average.

Gaussian's is a pretty affordable set, and the broad 2.5% DEF bonus for 6 pieces is solid. It also helps bring the END cost on FA down a bit, and buffs the to hit bonus to something youll actually notice.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say, FA by itself is kind of a stinker; high END cost for very modest benefit. FA+Gaussian (6) is painful in terms of slots but does grant a collection of noticeable buffs.