City of Heroes: Live Forum Archive

F3: Death from a Distance?

Katten

By Katten,
Posted on: 2011-02-24 07:06 in Blasters

 

Posted

Help me, blaster gurus! I have a fire/fire blaster (planning on flame epic), currently at lvl 38, who requires build help. ...Or, more specifically, requires a build.
Because he's most often 1/2 of a duo with a SD/KM tank, I've decided to make him a mostly ranged, stealthy hover-blaster. He does currently have combustion, consume, and inferno, (and kick from fighting pool), but no other melee or pnt blnk powers to speak of. I'm enjoying keeping him at range and in the air, but all that is somewhat negotiable.
He's my first fire blaster (after 2 years of play), and I'm finding the smell of charred mobs very satisfying. I ask your help to slather him in awesomesauce.
I'm a Mids-less Mac user, so bear that in mind as you post your builds.
Thanks in advance!

 

Posted

Here is a solid build for a Fire3 ranger.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.92
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Fire3 Ranger: Level 50 Magic Blaster
Primary Power Set: Fire Blast
Secondary Power Set: Fire Manipulation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Concealment
Power Pool: Medicine
Ancillary Pool: Flame Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Flares -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(13), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 1: Ring of Fire -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13), HO:Centri(34)
Level 2: Fire Ball -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(7), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(15), RechRdx-I(40)
Level 4: Fire Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(34), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 6: Hover -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(7), Ksmt-ToHit+(46)
Level 8: Fire Breath -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(9), Det'tn-Dmg/Rng(9), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(15), RechRdx-I(43)
Level 10: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(39), RechRdx-I(39)
Level 12: Aim -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(A), AdjTgt-Rchg(17)
Level 14: Fly -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 16: Build Up -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(A), AdjTgt-Rchg(17)
Level 18: Blaze -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(19), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 20: Stealth -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 22: Aid Other -- Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(A), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(25), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx(36), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(40), IntRdx-I(50)
Level 24: Fire Sword -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(25), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(50), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 26: Blazing Bolt -- Mantic-Acc/Dmg(A), Mantic-Dmg/EndRdx(27), Mantic-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27)
Level 28: Consume -- Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(A), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg(29), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(37)
Level 30: Rain of Fire -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(31), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(31), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(40)
Level 32: Inferno -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(33), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Dmg-I(43)
Level 35: Aid Self -- Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx(A), Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(36), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(39), IntRdx-I(48)
Level 38: Resuscitate -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 41: Char -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(42), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(42), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(42)
Level 44: Fire Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(45), RctvArm-ResDam(45), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(45)
Level 47: Rise of the Phoenix -- Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(A), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 49: Grant Invisibility -- DefBuff-I(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Sprint -- ULeap-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(21), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(21)
Level 4: Ninja Run

Why Blasters? Empathy Sucks.
So, you want to be Mental?
What the hell? Let's buff defenders.
Tactics are for those who do not have a big enough hammer. Wisdom is knowing how big your hammer is.

 

Posted

Thanks, Strato. Looks like a perfect place to start. Cheers!

 

Posted

A few tweaks to reflect my personal choices and playstyle. Thoughts on this?

Beta Minor: Level 50 Mutation Blaster
Primary Power Set: Fire Blast
Secondary Power Set: Fire Manipulation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Concealment
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Flame Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Flares -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(13), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 1: Ring of Fire -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13), HO:Centri(34)
Level 2: Fire Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(34), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 4: Fire Ball -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(7), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(15)
Level 6: Hover -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(7), Ksmt-ToHit+(46)
Level 8: Fire Breath -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(9), Det'tn-Dmg/Rng(9), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(15)
Level 10: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(39), RechRdx-I(39)
Level 12: Aim -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(A), AdjTgt-Rchg(17)
Level 14: Fly -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 16: Build Up -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(A), AdjTgt-Rchg(17)
Level 18: Blaze -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(19), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 20: Kick -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(25), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(50), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 22: Tough -- Aeg's-Stat Res(A), ImpArm-Res, ImpArm-End/Res
Lavel 24: Weave -- Karm-KBProt(A), LotG-Def/End, LotG-Def
Level 26: Rain of Fire -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(31), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(31), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(40)
Level 28: Consume -- Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(A), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg(29), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(37)
Level 30: Blazing Bolt -- Mantic-Acc/Dmg(A), Mantic-Dmg/EndRdx(27), Mantic-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27)
Level 32: Inferno -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(33), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33)
Level 35: Combust -- Oblit-Dam, Oblit-Acc/Rchg, Oblit-Dam/Rchg, Oblit-Acc/Dam/Rchg, Oblit-Acc/Dam/Rchg/EndRdx
Level 38: Stealth -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 41: Char -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(42), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(42), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(42)
Level 44: Fire Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(45), RctvArm-ResDam(45), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(45)
Level 47: Rise of the Phoenix -- Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(A), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 49: Melt Armor -- ToLG-DefDeb/Rchg/EndRdx(A), ToLG-DefDeb/Rchg, ToLG-DefDeb/EndRdx, ToLG-%Dam

------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Sprint -- Cl'ity-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(21), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(21)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 4: Beast Run

 

Posted

comment removed

 

Posted

I am a big fan of Tough and Weave, so I like that you added them.

As a ranger, I'd avoid the PBAoE attacks (except for Inferno). I had chosen Fire Sword because I expect that the few times you would be in melee it would be with only one or two enemies and having the big hit of Fire Sword would be nice. However, if you do want another AoE, I'd recommend FSC over Combustion. FSC hits hard and its effects are immediate. Combustion does have a bigger AoE, but its damage takes 7 seconds to pour out (10 if you include the animation time).

I loathe Melt Armor (the APP version, it is great on corruptors and controllers). Long recharge, high end cost, negligible effect, and they reduced its radius. APP Melt Armor is the single worst designed power ever added for players. I mean that, ever. Fold Space was better. Old Flares and current Barb Swipe were/are better. Unyielding Stance was better. Single target Wormhole was better. I cannot express my contempt towards this power strongly enough in words that do not get censored. Choose Bonfire, a great power for a ranger. Take Stealth instead. Pick up Boxing or Flurry instead. Just do not level to 49 and 50 instead.

Why Blasters? Empathy Sucks.
So, you want to be Mental?
What the hell? Let's buff defenders.
Tactics are for those who do not have a big enough hammer. Wisdom is knowing how big your hammer is.

 

Posted

So, what you're saying, is, NOT a fan of Melt Armor? LOL. Gotcha. I've actually never used the APP. By it's description, it seemed like a good way to add some orange numbers to everything, but I get your point. I'll consider that further. Bonfire did sound like fun...

Also, good point about Combust. I'll look into that further as well. I mostly avoid the sword attacks because of the look of the swords themselves, but perhaps I can convince myself to get over that. I was after a proximity-alert-panic-button, but it seems there are more effective ones. OK.

Ah, yes, Tough & Weave. Lots of my numerous alts picked those up after inherent fitness went live, and I have fallen deeply in love. On this toon, I liked those better than the Med pool because my usual partner is a tank and doesn't need me to heal him very much, and because my goal is for things to be burned to a cinder before they get to me. Plus, thanks to some of the fancy new temp powers, I can keep a heal in my pocket if need be.

So thanks again for your input, Strato! Anyone else with a different perspective, feel free to share.

 

Posted

I have a F3 and I find that it is more death up close and personal. I took both damage auras (blazing aura and hot feet), burn as well. My kill em dead combination is simple. Hot feet and blazing aura on. Stealth IO in SS. BU + AIM, run in, and hit fire sword circle, fire ball, blaze any boss left. For av's, I find burn quite handy or if I get surrounded my mobs and I need to put a little fear in em. It is pretty hard to slot for all three positional defenses without giving something up, so a good goal would the S/L and ranged from a defense point of view, however I just slot for damage and recharge. Dead baddies tend not to shoot back often, but once and awhile, you will faceplant. I do hover blast for a few nasty enemy types, like knives of artemis or romans. Anyway, your build looks pretty good, but you might want to copy over to test and try the melee style powers before you settle. These powers are very hard hitting. Need to go with the aid self power for this playstyle though (hey, just being honest). It's a very exciting way to go. Anyway, now matter how you cut it, F3 is one of the most damaging if not most damaging with sets in the game.

P.S. Melt armor is great for AVs and certein nastys, but overall, i find it just slows me down in the end for the average group. I actually have it and do use it, but there was nothing else that I really wanted at the time.

 

Posted

And the final build, just for grins:

Beta Minor: Level 50 Mutation Blaster
Primary Power Set: Fire Blast
Secondary Power Set: Fire Manipulation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Concealment
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Flame Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Flares -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(13), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 1: Ring of Fire -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13)
Level 2: Fire Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(34), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 4: Fire Ball -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(7), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(15)
Level 6: Hover -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(7), Ksmt-ToHit+(46)
Level 8: Fire Breath -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(9), Det'tn-Dmg/Rng(9), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(15)
Level 10: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(39), RechRdx-I(39)
Level 12: Aim -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(A), AdjTgt-Rchg(17)
Level 14: Fly -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 16: Build Up -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(A), AdjTgt-Rchg(17)
Level 18: Blaze -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(19), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 20: Kick -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(25), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(50), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 22: Tough -- Aeg's-Stat Res(A), ImpArm-Res, ImpArm-End/Res
Lavel 24: Weave -- Karm-KBProt(A), LotG-Def/End, LotG-Def
Level 26: Rain of Fire -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(31), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(31), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(40)
Level 28: Consume -- Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(A), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg(29), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(37)
Level 30: Blazing Bolt -- Mantic-Acc/Dmg(A), Mantic-Dmg/EndRdx(27), Mantic-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27)
Level 32: Inferno -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(33), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33)
Level 35: Fire Sword Circle -- Oblit-Dam, Oblit-Acc/Rchg, Oblit-Dam/Rchg, Oblit-Acc/Dam/Rchg, Oblit-Acc/Dam/Rchg/EndRdx
Level 38: Stealth -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 41: Char -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(42), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(42), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(42)
Level 44: Fire Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(45), RctvArm-ResDam(45), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(45)
Level 47: Bonfire -- Posi-Acc/Dam(A), Posi-Dam/EndRdx, Posi-Dam/Rchg, Posi-Dam/Rng, Posi-Acc/Dam/EndRdx
Level 49: Rise of the Phoenix -- Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(A), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(48)

------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Sprint -- Cl'ity-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(21), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(21)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 4: Beast Run

 

Posted

Looks like fun. I probably would not slot Bonfire that much, it is good with just the base slot filled with a recharge, IMO, and not good enough to add more slots to.

I'd slide one slot into Inferno, pick the cheapest Dam/Rech IO.

I'd put one or two slots into Ring of Fire. If the Centriole is undesired (but these are cheap) then put a generic range in and maybe a 4th Thunderstrike.

Add a slot to Hover, Tough or Weave for a KB protection IO. I did not bother to do this with earlier builds, because it is not the biggest issue for a ranger, but I think it would have more value than adding slots to Bonfire.

Why Blasters? Empathy Sucks.
So, you want to be Mental?
What the hell? Let's buff defenders.
Tactics are for those who do not have a big enough hammer. Wisdom is knowing how big your hammer is.

 

Posted

Yeah, I was on the fence about those slots in Bonfire, but was thinking I'd take advantage of the acc/rchg buffs from the posi's. Not married to this. I'd dismissed the HamiO Centri under the assumption that, like other HamiOs, it was prohibitively expensive. If that's not the case, I might reconsider. I'll look into that.
I've already got the Karma -KB in Weave. I'm a big fan.

 

Posted

I haven't read anything on this thread, nor do I have any info or argument to add.

I just want to say that this subject header made me immediately go to creating a tornadocentric character (Whirlwind/Tornado/Water Spout).

So, thanks for that.

"Fascinating. I'm not bored at all, I swear." -Kikuchiyo