Build Up and... Build Up?

Quick question here that has probably been asked before, but:

I've got an MA/SR scrapper and I'm considering six-slotting her Focus Chi with Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control for the defensive bonuses. One of them is a Chance For Build Up though. Assuming it fires, does this give the toon a double-build up effect?

Exactly how does the game define "a build up effect" anyway? I checked the wiki for that but didn't have any luck.

Yes, both can trigger. On a scrapper I think build-up is +20% accuracy, +100% damage, but it might only be +80% damage.

http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Build_Up
http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Electric...ation#Build_Up
http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Energy_M...ation#Build_Up
http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Fire_Manipulation#Build_Up
http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Ice_Manipulation#Build_Up
http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Mental_M...#Concentration

Hmm... what do all of these have in common... oh yeah!

Well, in addion to all that, if the Gaussian proc does fire you will see an icon under the your health and endurance meters that is labled "Boost Up." The icon looks like hasten but is purple (exactly like quickness). You should also note that the percent boost base numbers not your slotted numbers. I forgot the exact times but I believe the build up (focus chi in your case) will last about 10.24 seconds and the boost up effects about 5.24 - during that 5sec window you could notice a big difference in damage. The likelihood of it triggering, tho, is what - 5%? And is neither predicable nor worth building around. 100% build up at 1/20 of the time for 5sec is ~1% overall? It is meh. Just be happy getting the 2.5% def to the 3 positions for the set.

Scrapper build up is +100% damage and 20% to-hit base, and the build up proc is an extra 100% damage and 40% to-hit, so when it procs you'll have +200% damage and (over) +60% to-hit for your next couple attacks. Although focus chi lasts longer than the build up proc, so try to get your best attack in next whenever it procs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BackAlleyBrawler That...was a Herocon 09 exclusive easter egg. The powerset will not have doves associated with it. Namely because you guys would want to color tint the damn doves, or make them hawks/ravens/flying sharks/etc and that's just a headache I do...not...want...to deal with.

If you have a power pick to spare you could grab tactics and put it in there. The end drain for tactics is fairly small and it will be up much more often. All depends on your build.

The only issue with slotting it in Tactics is that it'll just trigger randomly (selling enhancements, chatting in Atlas Park, etc..). If you slot it in Build-Up, it'll at least run the 5% chance when you actually need it. I can see the pros and cons for both slotting methods though.

I can see the pros and cons for both slotting methods though.

The BU proc actually gives you a power called "Boost Up" which has numbers that vary by AT. It actually gives more ToHit than BU does, but the same damage boost. So yeah, it gives 100% and 40%.

I've never used the proc for the proc since the rate is low and the duration is short. I only use it in Tactics for the DEF bonus. It goes off randomly so it's not very useful. But if it was in BU it would at least be guaranteed to go off when you're actually wanting a damage buff, so there's that.

Incidentally it's even possible to stack BU. Stalkers with KM can use BU and then recharge it instantly with their t9 and use it again. With a lot of luck you could even get a Boost Up or two in there and damage cap yourself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRAF68_EU Dispari has more than enough credability, and certainly doesn't need to borrow any from you.

Super Reflexes doesn't need set bonuses to softcap. My main is MA/SR and I'm softcapped with zero positional Defense set bonuses, and one Steadfast 3% Def IO. I have all that bonus room to do other things instead, and it's really paid off.

To softcap SR sans bonuses: 5 50 Def IOs in toggles (or equivalent from Defense sets); 2 50 Def IOs in passives; 2 50 Def IOs in Maneuvers; 2 50 Def IOs in Weave; 1 3% Def Steadfast in Tough, 1 50 Def IO in Combat Jumping. I don't recommend you put sets in the 2 slotted passives but you can mix and match the toggles for some sweet bonuses.

On my Body build I use: Red Fortune - all but Endurance/Recharge + level 50 Luck of the Gambler +7.5% Recharge for the toggles; for Weave and Maneuvers 3-slotted I use: Luck of the gambler Defense, Defense/Endurance, Defense/Recharge. Passives: 2 50 Defense IOs with a third slot in Agile for the +6% ToHit IO. This gives some really great bonuses, but you can mix and match depending on your build goals.

At the very least, you can think about exploiting SR's softcap friendliness with this strategy, the beauty of which is it lets you concentrate your set bonuses on areas other than Defense (such as bonuses that go great with Defense: Regeneration, +HPs, etc.)

The downside of the method is it does cost you a power pick or two. My MA/SR is travelless (uses Ninja Run) so it isn't a problem but again it depends on whether you'd prefer spending the power picks or the set bonus opportunities. I went with the power picks and it's now my favorite way to build any SR character. For a Stalker, hitting the softcap is even easier, which is good because you'll want to build for more than 45% Defense as Stalkers only get around 85% DDR.

The Buildup Proc in Focus Chi, which I had for the longest time, is just a waste. It contributes practically nothing. It lasts 5 seconds if it goes off, and in Focus Chi, it'll be going off once every 3-4 minutes. In other words, useless. A real waste of a slot IMHO (unless you really do want that set bonus, but I've showed you that you don't need that set bonus.)

P.S. On a Scrapper/Brute the 3% PvP Def IO will bring you to 48% Defense for insurance against ever dropping below 45%.

WARNING: I bold names.

I rarely end up playing a toon all the way to 50 and pretty much never after that (at least in the old days... maybe I'll get a taste of the new end-game stuff and change later) so slotting with 50 level IOs is probably out for me right now, not to mention the cost in time/inf of getting LotG +rech. Still, that's a good point Daemodand, I've been wondering about that stuff as of late. I'll definitely be keeping it mind for this toon as well as an SR stalker I have - thanks for the info.

before ditching the bu proc I noticed it would go off even when tactics wasn't toggled on

One other thing to consider when comparing slotting it in Tactics or Build Up is that you lose some of the time while the Build Up animation is completing. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the boost starts at or near the beginning of the Build Up animation, which means you're not even getting the full 5 seconds of use out of the boost. I'd guess somewhere closer to 4 seconds.

Eh, I don't use BU the second it's recharged. I'll save it for certain situations, i.e. when my ToHit is debuffed, the spawn is huddled for an AoE, I actually remember its there, etc.

Unless it's on auto (which, IMO, is probably as wasteful as just occasionally forgetting you have it) or you're constantly eying if its recharged or not, I find using it in a toggle to have its benefits.

I probably wouldn't try slotting it in Soul Drain. I think it checks per-target for the proc, but the animation of SD is rather long, you'd be wasting 2/3 of the buff most likely.

I find it fun in Follow up, which is probably the better power to but it in. In powers like Tactics or Focused Accuracy, I find putting the BU proc in there as an incentive to run the power. When you're already hitting the foe at max chance, you don't really need either...unless you want the occasional damage buff on top of that.