AR/Dev is known as a little slower but safe combination and a good starting character for a new player.
What AR/Dev never gets is Aim or Build Up. Why? The devs decided long ago that these 2 power sets would be different. It still makes for a fun toon, but does make the AR/Dev feel a little grindy, especially until you get to level 22 and can start slotting SO enhancers in you powers.
If you like the concept of your character, then keep playing it. It will get more powerful. Finding a friend to team with always makes the grind a little more bearable and fun even.
I have an AR/Dev at 50 that I have played for many years and he is very powerful. I can assure you it does get better, but it takes time investment.
-Largo
Founder of A.G.O.N.Y. Supergroup on Victory
Member of Thought Sanctum VG on Victory
Member of St0rm Batallion SG on Guardian
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Are you playing on a full account, or a trial account? If you're playing on a trial account your characters are limited to level 14. |
Originally Posted by Munitions Expert
Hi everyone I'm somewhat new to the game and decided to roll out a Assault Rifle Primary and Devices secondary set, because I thought the feel of a natural type of hero would be nice. Plus its always cool to be toting a gun around
 It was all good and smooth til about level 11, now I am 14 and it is EXTREMELY slow leveling. Is this whole game that slow? or is it just the type of character I made? |
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| I was under the assumption blasters did alot of damage, but mine is doing mediocre damage even with attack slots in the powers. |
DOs have funky names, but they are twice as effective at enhancing your powers. Assault Rifle is on the lower end of the blaster damage scale (Fire is the top), but it does decent enough damage. Later on you will get a number of cone attacks, which will give you decent AoE ability.
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| Are there any hints from the pro blasters on how i can level faster so I can get some other key powers soon? |
I'll address the lack of teams in the next part of my response.
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| The SG I joined seem to ignore everyone in chat that isn't level 50, and I have never gotten a response when using the broadcast chat channel. |
The reason you're not getting a response in broadcast is because the game is heavily instanced. Since every mission is it's own zone, when you enter one you are cut off from broadcast chat in the zone the mission is in.
Go down to the forum for the server you're playing on and look for the list of global channels for that server. Those are channels that people can talk in no matter where they are in the game. You can talk to someone in the same zone, or a different zone, or a different server completely. Those are much more reliable ways of finding teams and people to ask about stuff than the broadcast channel is, just because the broadcast channel is so limited in the people that will hear it.
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Originally Posted by Dechs Kaison See, it's gems like these that make me check Claws' post history every once in a while to make sure I haven't missed anything good lately. |
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Originally Posted by ClawsandEffect
Are you playing on a full account, or a trial account? If you're playing on a trial account your characters are limited to level 14.
Are you using Dual Origin enhancements or still using Training Origin? That was one of the mistakes I made when I first started. If you don't know what Dual Origins are, then you probably aren't using them. Go to Steel Canyon or Skyway City and look for a dollar sign on your map that matches your origin when you hover your mouse over it (I'm presuming your origin is Natural here) DOs have funky names, but they are twice as effective at enhancing your powers. Assault Rifle is on the lower end of the blaster damage scale (Fire is the top), but it does decent enough damage. Later on you will get a number of cone attacks, which will give you decent AoE ability. Team more. You will level much faster when you regularly play on a team than you will soloing. I'll address the lack of teams in the next part of my response. A lot of SGs look at new members as nothing more than Prestige earning drones, it's possible you've fallen in with one of the bad ones that expects you to just earn them prestige while they ignore your existence. If they continue ignoring you, I suggest finding a new SG. You're not stuck with them forever, you can leave any time you feel like it. And there is nothing they can do to you if you decide to quit. The reason you're not getting a response in broadcast is because the game is heavily instanced. Since every mission is it's own zone, when you enter one you are cut off from broadcast chat in the zone the mission is in. Go down to the forum for the server you're playing on and look for the list of global channels for that server. Those are channels that people can talk in no matter where they are in the game. You can talk to someone in the same zone, or a different zone, or a different server completely. Those are much more reliable ways of finding teams and people to ask about stuff than the broadcast channel is, just because the broadcast channel is so limited in the people that will hear it. |
Yes I purchased the going rogue, so I am not on a trial account with a level cap. I am using dual origins, but even with the slots for damage, by the time i kill 2 or 3 mobs i am totally out of endurance
thanks so much for the advice of the broadcast channel, I will check for the champion server chats to see if i can find some teams.
I'm gonna stick with the toon and hope just as largo said, that it does get better when i get SO's.
I guess until then i will keep playing AE missions and racking up the tickets for those enhancements or recipes.
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What I do at low levels is this: |
Originally Posted by Munitions Expert
Yes I purchased the going rogue, so I am not on a trial account with a level cap. I am using dual origins, but even with the slots for damage, by the time i kill 2 or 3 mobs i am totally out of endurance
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1 Accuracy, 1 Damage, and 1 End Reduction in all my attacks.
With DOs, the gain you get from slotting more than 1 damage isn't enough to make up for the end drain from the attacks.
Also, slot 3 End Mods into Stamina if you haven't already.
If you have Targeting Drone, make sure it has at least 2 DOs of end reduction in it, you can drop it down to 1 end reduction when you get to SOs.
End management is one of the first hurdles a new player has to figure out. Once you get that under control it gets a lot easier.
Another hint: Don't use Buckshot or M30 Grenade on a single target, it burns more end than single target attacks for less damage. I used to do that and was wondering why my end bar kept disappearing so fast. You'll notice that your AoEs do less damage than your single target attacks, that's because they can hit multiple targets at once, and when you're hitting 3 or more the endurance per target is actually better for the damage dealt. It just makes more sense to wait a couple seconds and kill it with Slug or Burst than to use Buckshot and STILL have to use Slug or Burst.
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Originally Posted by Dechs Kaison See, it's gems like these that make me check Claws' post history every once in a while to make sure I haven't missed anything good lately. |
Welcome to the game! AR/Dev is a fun combo and I really enjoy mine. As ClawsandEffect stated, slotting endurance reduction in each of your powers early on REALLY helps as well as 3 slots of end modifications in Stamina.
The devs have done a great job in recent issues in leveling out the playing speed over the levels. Levels 10-20 and 35-40 used to be a horrible grind, but not much anymore.
There are fun Task Forces you can do starting at level 10 which really help you level faster as well. Positron in Steel Canyon offers 2 Task Forces for lvls 10-15+ and Synapse in Skyway City offers a TF for levels 15-20+ (and then there are MANY other task Forces after that). There is also the Cavern of Transcendance Trial in the Hollows for levels 12+. That is fun too.
If you're feeling a grind... it may be because you're in AE. You should really get out and experience the content of the game--it's really quite good and it will get you used to how the game really works. AE is fun and a nice add-on, but you're missing out on a whole amazing world if you keep your nose in the AE building.
You also might be feeling sluggish because, sadly, /Devices is a slow moving set: 1) you don't get any of the melee attacks to add into your attack chain like most of the other blaster secondaries; and 2) in the upper levels 28+... Trip Mine, Time Bomb, and Gun Drone take significant time to set them up and that slow's your damage per second (DPS) down too. (I love those 3 powers and use them all the time, but it does slow you down when solo and are tricky to use when teamed--but fun nonetheless!)
After you join a global chat channel on your server, that should help you team more often and should help you level better. (Also to note, you get an XP bonus when teamed.) Also getting out of AE and/or Atlas Park will help too! Most people who are actually "playing" are not in Atlas Park--Atlas has become a "hang out" spot, a place to hold costume contests, and/or other types of events. Try going to a level appropriate zone King's Row, Steel Canyon, and Skyway City and using "Broadcast" in those zones. You're also coming up on lvl 15 where there is some great content in Faultline form lvl 15-25.
Also, you can try creating other characters on other servers that are a little more active. Champion is probably one of the lesser populated servers (along with Infinity, and Victory). Freedom and Virtue probably have the highest amount of players on them, but that might be too overwhelming and Virtue somehow became the "roleplaying" server--but if you like to roleplay your character that might be a good place to find friends and teammates. Otherwise, I suggest maybe make a character on a moderate to moderately-highly populated server like Guardian, Liberty, Pinnacle, or Protector. You can certainly find readily available teams and yet it's not overly crowded.
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Something to consider before judging them... most SGs have Teamspeak or Ventrillo (or some other voice communication system) so they can talk while playing and not have to type. It's SO much easier. But they typically don't grant the login info to newbies in the SG... they typically want to see if you'll hang with the game and the SG first and/or just get to know your playstyle and "trustworthiness." In other words, they don't want to give their login info to just anyone right off the bat--they want to know you'll be there and be part of the "team" of players. |
Originally Posted by Munitions Expert
The SG I joined seem to ignore everyone in chat that isn't level 50
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Our SG has Teamspeak and sometimes we forget that there are people on the team that can't hear us and we forget to type to them. On behalf of all players/SGs like this.... sorry. But don't be offended. We just get wrapped up in the mission, the slaughter, the retreat, or the jokes we're telling each other.
...or... maybe the SG you joined could, in fact, truly be jerks.
I also have a 50 AR/Dev that is very powerful and very fun to play, so hang in there.
But, to echo what the others are saying, slot for endurance. I find, in order for the game to be fun at lower levels, I concentrate on endurance first and foremost, until level 22, when I can get SOs. Here's what you do:
1) Three slot stamina and get three EndMod DOs in there right away.
2) The first slot in every power gets an EndRed DO.
3) After endurance has been addressed, focus on Accuracy, Recharge, and Damage, in that order.
As a blaster, you do decent damage right out of the box and doing five more points of damage in one attack is NOT going to improve your play one bit. However, not being gassed so often and being able to play through a mish without having to use Rest between every mob, really does improve your gaming experience dramatically.
Never argue with stupid people. They drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
@vanda1 and @nakoa2
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Interesting. I think you're the first person I've heard that slots endurance reduction first. I'm not saying that's bad--it's just interesting to hear other's points of view. I usually hear of people slotting Damage first!|
Originally Posted by PuceNonagon
2) The first slot in every power gets an EndRed DO.
3) After endurance has been addressed, focus on Accuracy, Recharge, and Damage, in that order. |
Personally, I prefer to put an Accuracy in the first slot. Nothing is worse or more aggravating to me than spending endurance (even reduced endurance)on something that misses--if I'm gonna click it, it better hit--even if it does little damage.
Secondly, i slot end redux and thirdly, damage.
I avoid slotting rech in my attacks early on because it causes you to attack faster and thusly, burn more endurance overall. You basically negate the end reduction you slotted. (Hasten does this too early on--and then the end crash on top makes it worse!) At the low levels, I can wait a second or two for a tier 1 or 2 power to recharge. The foes aren't that bad or damaging at the lower levels and I can take a hit or two, or just kite. Plus, I gain endurance during the time the power is recharging.
But that's just my preference, playstyle, and rationale.
Actually not a bad idea at low level to slot end. I usually slot accuracy, but then I H A T E to miss. Yes, hate all caps, lol, because my philosophy is that it is a greater loss of damage to miss entirely than to not have damage enhanced. Once the targetting drone is capable without sucking you dry, you can count on more damage slots. I usually still add an accuracy, even with drone.
I have a 50 AR/DEV blaster who fights x8...-1x8, 1x8, bosses sometimes, none others...really depends on the speed of which I want to blaze through things. He is my main go to guy when I want cash and quick, talking 100s of mil here. End is not a factor with him anymore, though he can still be end heavy with my slotting, but he kills things way to quick for that to be a concern. With AV's or tough bosses, it can become a problem, but, I get so many drops in a single mob that end inspirations are all but unlimited.
Stick with it, you will find AR/Dev very satisfying, and very safe as you learn more and more of the game.
Also, and this is just my advice, some may disagree, but put your settings with no bosses while at lower levels. Without good mez protection, you will not enjoy the trips to the hospital.
To restate others, get out of Architect for a bit. It is good, but you miss out on too much of the real game hanging out there, plus, I find cash influx slows down because of lack of drops. Just my opinion. I do have some published missions, as well as a farm there, so not knocking it at all.
Feel free to look mine up, it was purposefully set for farming from low to high. Look under Luke-Minhere. Good luck!
At training origin levels, I simply go with mostly accuracy in my attacks (until I get to three, then I switch to damage... doesn't happen for too many attacks before you hit dual origin, though). Once I hit DOs, I slot like I do with Single Origins (or their invention origin rough equivalent). Attacks get two accuracy, three damage. AOEs will get an end reduc before the damage, as those tend to suck down endurance a lot.
To the OP, I found AR to go a lot better at low levels when I used Burst, Slug, and Buckshot as my main attacks (Buckshot can work okay as an ST attack, as its end cost is not too high). Wait on getting M80 and your other attacks later, and only use those AOE powers when you'll hit a few targets. That helps out a lot with end use.
Try to never take on too many groups at once, either, and use inspirations to help you with boss fights, etc. That's good to remember for any character, of course.
Guide: Tanking, Wall of Fire Style (Updated for I19!), and the Four Rules of Tanking
Story Arc: Belated Justice, #88003
Synopsis: Explore the fine line between justice and vengeance as you help a hero of Talos Island bring his friend's murderer to justice.
Grey Pilgrim: Fire/Fire Tanker (50), Victory
It's an end hungry set, things pick up once you get full auto (big time) but before that... flamethrower eats a whopping 23.something end, trip mines eat end, gun drone is the highest end drain power in the game short of the crash on a nuke (over 50) time bombs is enormous. It's a bit slower and a bit safer than many sets. You don't have build up or aim... go ahead and take the snipe, you may as well, it's probably the only snipe in the game worth using, seems to work pretty quickly/effectively/looks cool and targeting drone gives it a unique damage bonus.
don't use your toggles if you don't have a purpose too...
Either take this character to Full Auto (level 32) or change characters (for you, anything /willpower or /regen will be a refreshing change... they get a second stronger stamina type power), but DON'T drop it after waiting til like level 30 and stop before full auto, it will change everything.
"Fascinating. I'm not bored at all, I swear." -Kikuchiyo
AR isn't that bad on end once you start slotting multi aspect enhances or sets. Devices can be very bad. The calculations for balancing that had to be have been done by someone while they were taking the acid test.
Anyway to answer your first question, yes it is that slow. It is slower than other combinations soloing. It is indeed safer but safety is a meaningless concept in this game. You can die get revived and be debt free before you exit a mission. I can't recall when was the last time I was worried about debt.
I will be the negative nancy.
AR Device is a great thematically but so is Traps AR Defender or AR Traps Corruptor. Remember you do not have to be a villain anymore and be a Corruptor.
I will simply say please take the time and read the last few pages of the blaster forum or do a search for Dev / Device or AR Device. Take the time to read the Device threads that are posted up. Granted some of them a bit heated, but still give you some decent insight. Then look up Traps or any other AT you might be considering and make your choices from there.
Personally I would have like to have known the ups and downs of a set. Device is a set I consider nice once you have done a bunch of other sets and have the money to properly slot this type of build. With SOs alone you can get some decent numbers out of other builds that you can not obtain with Device.
Personally AR Energy Manipulation is nice, as I mentioned Traps AR Defender is MASSIVE kick butt action. AR Traps Corruptor is also a nice build. I have a AR Device which pretty much is just missing some purple inventions to replace what I have now. Its a good set but I think there are many other sets out there that you can incorporate with AR that are much better. Again not going to go into much detail it is all here on the forums within the last 2 to 5 pages at the most. Read it and make your own decisions.
About Super Groups. Honestly I do not see any reason to be in one at this time. I am a solo player running 2 groups, one on each side. I have done everything in this game with a pick up group. This game unlike other games does not put you in a position where having a SG / VG offers you some benefit for getting a raid done of some sort.
Personally when you start to learn, you will see that all groups regardless of base size all hold the same amount of items. So my little base hold the same amount of salvage and IOs that another large base can hold. Between the unification of all Transport systems and the use of OB portal and some minor temp powers you really do not need that many teleporters in a base. At most you might need one close to a transport system that can get you going where you need. Further all that prestige your creating for the group while your in Super Group Mode does not come with you when you leave a group. I see no reason to give someone a reward for my work and effort. I would rather give it to myself.
Further what happens when the group leader quits and the 2nd in command or even if the Group leader quits but the 2nd in command quit long ago. Then some other group member gets it. It could be someone who either does not care to be leader or knows how to be leader. But the reality is this person now for all intent and purposes due to poor planning now owns this super group. So if he decides to keep the group and make everything as a personal storage base for him, there is nothing you or anyone can do about it. Has this happen before ? It sure has. It happen to me when I first came on the game and was on Guardian. 10 months into the game myself and everyone were bounced from a group and the guy sold the account and the SG. Yea we complained to GM but didn't solve anything.
End result I just don't see the use for them beyond a place to hold more stuff for my toons.
1. Why Soft Cap is Important : http://dechskaison.blogspot.com/2011...important.html
2. Limits: http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Limits
3. Attack Mechanics: http://wiki.cohtitan.com/wiki/Attack_Mechanics
4. Rule of Five: http://wiki.cohtitan.com/wiki/Rule_o...e_Law_of_Fives
i tired something different with my AR/device.. i built for +dam +rchg and +range.. fully io'd, some hami's, and tier 3 incarnate makes for the most fun ive had with an AT in over 69 months of gameplay.
50 fire/dev--50 dark/thug--50 earth/storm--50 fire/regen--50 earth/thorn--50 kin/rad
50 TA/archery--50 stone/mace--50 Rad/em--50 Cold/Energy--48 dark/elec--50 grav/rad--45 SOA--40 PB--46 Bs/Fire--50 Ar/Dev--50 Trapz/Dark--50 elec/em tank--50 elec/earth--50 Ghostwidow--50 elec/Therm--50 cold/dark
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Originally Posted by Crop_of_shaolin
i tired something different with my AR/device.. i built for +dam +rchg and +range.. fully io'd, some hami's, and tier 3 incarnate makes for the most fun ive had with an AT in over 69 months of gameplay.
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It's what I did with my long mothballed AR/Dev (created before Issue 1, fact fans!) and in the last month I've run the last 10 levels to 50 and taken her all the way to Very Rare Alpha.
Dam/Range HOs are cheap, passive perma-hasten from IO sets (and combined with genuine Hasten most of the time) and 8-man teams all the time mean you get to AoE lots of mobs and have piles of fun.
@JohnP - Victory
Also, AE is probably part of the problem. When playing in the Architect, you don't get the mission and story arc completion bonuses. Many story arc bonuses provide nearly a level on their own.
AE is great for experiencing other players' stories and gathering tickets for rewards, but it's fairly inefficient for purely leveling outside of farms.
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I slot 2 acc, then 1 end DO in all my attacks at lvl 12, then add either one more end or damage/recharge depending on the power until 22. |
Originally Posted by Frozen_Burn
Personally, I prefer to put an Accuracy in the first slot. Nothing is worse or more aggravating to me than spending endurance (even reduced endurance)on something that misses--if I'm gonna click it, it better hit--even if it does little damage. Secondly, i slot end redux and thirdly, damage. |
Hitting almost every single time increases damage more effectively than a DO I think, and also decreases end usage by not wasting shots that miss. Also not stopping for end makes the game FEEL faster even if my DPS may be lower.
*up to lvl 12 I slot 3acc TOs
Thanks everyone for such great replies, I stuck it out so far and am level 26, and it is MUCH faster with some Single origins in my powers. I took the advice and foregone damage in favor of 1 accuracy, 2 endurance reduction, and range. I am now easily sniping my missions with +2-+3 difficulty.
I am just wondering if anyone can answer another question I have. I recently got a Unbound Leap +stealth recipe, does this stealth stack with my cloaking device?
Yes. Its stacks. Making you invisible enough to set up a Time Bomb or a Trip Mine in a group of bad guys and remain unseen. (Unless is something that ignores stealth, like Rikti Drone) Of course you can also do that with Cloaking Device and a smoke grenade.
I'm not sure where you plan on placing it, but I recommend sprint. Congrats that you're having fun with your AR/Dev.
-Largo
Founder of A.G.O.N.Y. Supergroup on Victory
Member of Thought Sanctum VG on Victory
Member of St0rm Batallion SG on Guardian
Hi everyone I'm somewhat new to the game and decided to roll out a Assault Rifle Primary and Devices secondary set, because I thought the feel of a natural type of hero would be nice. Plus its always cool to be toting a gun around
It was all good and smooth til about level 11, now I am 14 and it is EXTREMELY slow leveling. Is this whole game that slow? or is it just the type of character I made? I was under the assumption blasters did alot of damage, but mine is doing mediocre damage even with attack slots in the powers.
Are there any hints from the pro blasters on how i can level faster so I can get some other key powers soon?
The SG I joined seem to ignore everyone in chat that isn't level 50, and I have never gotten a response when using the broadcast chat channel.