Just a some initial thoughts I noticed...
Capped defenses are always good, but only really necessary when soloing, imo. When teamed, you'll be splitting aggro, which means less attacks you have to 'deflect' and less chances of you being hit. So with that in mind....
Do you really need 3 travel powers? I realize you're going for the BotZ ranged set bonus, but it's quite a minor bonus to warrant taking 2 extra travel powers, imo. I think you would have a better overall build if you took other powers. If you need 3 travel powers for a concept, that is one thing... but if you're going just for that measely 1.25% range bonus, I think you would be better served taking more useful powers...
Ice Sword is a nice melee power for those times when foes rush you. And they will rush you occassionally--otherwise, ice patch has no use! 
You can also 6 slot it with Mako's and get a really nice ranged def bonus.
Picking up Manaeuvers can also help your ranged (and overall) def.
Hibernate is a great power for when things just get totally overwhelming.
Frozen Armor is a good S/L def power too for those times you get bum-rushed (ice patch is good, but won't stop all incoming attacks--sometimes they get an attack or 2 in first before they 'slip').
Freezing Touch is another great hold and an opportunity to slot more Basilisk's Gaze. It can be useful for when bosses (or others) rush you and you don't want to work through the animation of Bitter Freeze Ray (assuming you've already used Freeze Ray on it or something else). Plus having 3 holds is REALLY nice.
As for Blizzard slotting, I hate to see you gimp the damage of the power by slotting for ToHitDebuff. I realize you're going for the ranged def set bonus, but that isn't a trade off worth making, imo. If you're using your 'nuke' and dropping your end bar... you want your foes dead. Even though Blizzard is DoT, they still won't be hitting you: they'll be too busy flopping, running (slooowly), or they'll miss with just the base -20% THdeBuff +whatever def you have.
Ideal slotting for Blizzard, imo, is 5 Ragnarok's (no proc needed) and a generic recharge IO. If you are the type to not use your nuke that often and only on rare occassions, then 5 Posi's and a recharge IO is ok. Otherwise, forget about set bonuses and franken-slot it for full damage and recharge.
Hoarfrost may not be needed if you can get to HP cap (1606 HP) with set bonuses.
Again, you don't have to have capped defenses to have a strong and survivable character. You can also always chew a luck insp for when things get heated and until you can cool it down.
thanks for the tips. as for the travels, since im dipping into them anyway, and botz is a 2 slot bonus, its one of the most efficient ranged def/slot bonuses out there. and since ill be using hover, i thought taking a melee attack would be a bit redundant. you're right though that the set bonuses for them can be really nice. perhaps if i stole slots from boxing i could 6 slot makos and lose 1 travel. i was considering posis in blizzard, and i guess its hard to say if dipping below the cap is worth it, but then again, ona team, someones running maneuvers or shielding, so probably better to have a big dmg nuke than go for that extra 2% defense.
thanks for your insights sir
bit more well-rounded. but now sitting around 34% ranged defense.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.92
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Magic Blaster
Primary Power Set: Ice Blast
Secondary Power Set: Ice Manipulation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Cold Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Ice Bolt -- Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:40(A), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:40(3), Decim-Dmg/Rchg:40(3), Decim-Acc/Dmg:40(5), Decim-Build%:40(5)
Level 1: Chilblain -- TotHntr-Immob/Acc:50(A), TotHntr-Dam%:50(7), TotHntr-Acc/EndRdx:50(25), TotHntr-EndRdx/Immob:50(39), TotHntr-Acc/Immob/Rchg:50(40), TotHntr-Acc/Rchg:50(40)
Level 2: Ice Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(29), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(29), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:50(31), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:50(31), Thundr-Acc/Dmg:50(34)
Level 4: Frost Breath -- Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(A), Posi-Acc/Dmg:50(7), Posi-Dmg/Rchg:50(37), Posi-Dmg/Rng:50(37), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx:50(37)
Level 6: Aim -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 8: Hover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), Zephyr-ResKB:50(17)
Level 10: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(23)
Level 12: Ice Storm -- Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx:50(19), Posi-Dam%:50(25), Posi-Acc/Dmg:50(27), Posi-Dmg/Rchg:50(27)
Level 14: Freeze Ray -- BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(A), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(15), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg:30(15), BasGaze-Acc/Hold:30(17)
Level 16: Build Up -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 18: Bitter Ice Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(19), Thundr-Acc/Dmg:50(21), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:50(21), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:50(23), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(39)
Level 20: Ice Patch -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 22: Kick -- ExStrk-Dam%:20(A)
Level 24: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(A)
Level 26: Super Speed -- Zephyr-ResKB:50(A), Zephyr-Travel:50(31)
Level 28: Shiver -- P'ngTtl-Rng/Slow:50(A), P'ngTtl-Acc/EndRdx:50(40), P'ngTtl-Dmg/Slow:50(43), P'ngTtl-Acc/Slow:50(43), P'ngTtl-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow:50(46), P'ngTtl--Rchg%:50(48)
Level 30: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A)
Level 32: Blizzard -- Posi-Dam%:50(A), Posi-Dmg/Rchg:50(33), Posi-Acc/Dmg:50(33), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(33), Posi-Dmg/Rng:50(34)
Level 35: Bitter Freeze Ray -- BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(A), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(36), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg:30(36), BasGaze-Acc/Hold:30(36)
Level 38: Freezing Touch -- BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(A), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(39), BasGaze-Acc/Hold:30(45), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold:30(50)
Level 41: Flash Freeze -- FtnHyp-Sleep/EndRdx:50(A), FtnHyp-Plct%:50(42), FtnHyp-Sleep:50(42), FtnHyp-Sleep/Rchg:50(42), FtnHyp-Acc/Sleep/Rchg:50(43)
Level 44: Hoarfrost -- Dct'dW-Rchg:40(A), Dct'dW-Heal:40(45), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg:40(46), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:40(46), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg:50(48)
Level 47: Fly -- Zephyr-ResKB:50(A), Zephyr-Travel:50(48)
Level 49: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), LkGmblr-Def:50(50), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(50)
Level 50: Spiritual Partial Core Revamp
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I:50(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(A), Numna-Heal:50(11), Numna-Heal/EndRdx:50(13), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:50(13), Numna-Heal/Rchg:50(34), Numna-EndRdx/Rchg:50(45)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%:50(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc:50(9), P'Shift-EndMod:50(9), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg:50(11)
hey. im a bit new to blasters and seeking some help. i managed to get this guy softcapped to ranged, but feel like the slotting of some powers (specifically blizzard) are less than ideal. any ideas of a better way to go about this?
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.92
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Magic Blaster
Primary Power Set: Ice Blast
Secondary Power Set: Ice Manipulation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Cold Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Ice Bolt -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:50(3), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:50(3), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(5), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(5), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(17)
Level 1: Chilblain -- TotHntr-Immob/Acc:50(A), TotHntr-Dam%:50(7), TotHntr-Acc/EndRdx:50(25), TotHntr-EndRdx/Immob:50(39), TotHntr-Acc/Immob/Rchg:50(40), TotHntr-Acc/Rchg:50(40)
Level 2: Ice Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(29), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(29), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:50(31), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:50(31), Thundr-Acc/Dmg:50(34)
Level 4: Frost Breath -- Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(A), Posi-Acc/Dmg:50(7), Posi-Dmg/Rchg:50(37), Posi-Dmg/Rng:50(37), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx:50(37)
Level 6: Aim -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 8: Hover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A)
Level 10: Super Jump -- Zephyr-ResKB:50(A), Zephyr-Travel:50(50)
Level 12: Ice Storm -- Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx:50(19), Posi-Dam%:50(25), Posi-Acc/Dmg:50(27), Posi-Dmg/Rchg:50(27)
Level 14: Freeze Ray -- BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(A), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(15), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg:30(15), BasGaze-Acc/Hold:30(17)
Level 16: Build Up -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 18: Bitter Ice Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(19), Thundr-Acc/Dmg:50(21), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:50(21), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:50(23), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(39)
Level 20: Ice Patch -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 22: Kick -- ExStrk-Dam%:20(A), ExStrk-Acc/KB:20(23), ExStrk-Dmg/KB:20(39)
Level 24: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam:40(A), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(45), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(46), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(50)
Level 26: Super Speed -- Zephyr-ResKB:50(A), Zephyr-Travel:50(45)
Level 28: Shiver -- P'ngTtl-Rng/Slow:50(A), P'ngTtl-Acc/EndRdx:50(40), P'ngTtl-Dmg/Slow:50(43), P'ngTtl-Acc/Slow:50(43), P'ngTtl-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow:50(46), P'ngTtl--Rchg%:50(48)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(31)
Level 32: Blizzard -- Cloud-ToHitDeb:30(A), Cloud-Acc/ToHitDeb:30(33), Cloud-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:30(33), Cloud-%Dam:30(33), Cloud-Acc/Rchg:30(34), Cloud-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg:30(34)
Level 35: Bitter Freeze Ray -- BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(A), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(36), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg:30(36), BasGaze-Acc/Hold:30(36)
Level 38: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A)
Level 41: Flash Freeze -- FtnHyp-Sleep/EndRdx:50(A), FtnHyp-Plct%:50(42), FtnHyp-Sleep:50(42), FtnHyp-Sleep/Rchg:50(42), FtnHyp-Acc/Sleep/Rchg:50(43)
Level 44: Hoarfrost -- Mrcl-Heal:30(A), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx:40(48)
Level 47: Fly -- Zephyr-ResKB:50(A), Zephyr-Travel:50(48)
Level 49: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), LkGmblr-Def:50(50)
Level 50: Spiritual Partial Core Revamp
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I:50(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(A), Numna-Heal:50(11), Numna-Heal/EndRdx:50(13), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:50(13), Numna-EndRdx/Rchg:50(45), Numna-Heal/Rchg:50(46)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%:50(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc:50(9), P'Shift-EndMod:50(9), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg:50(11)