What kind of Incarnate powers should a controller take?


Amy_Amp

 

Posted

All,

TL/DR: what Incarnate abilities should a controller take? I'm a recharge and proc heavy Earth/Storm/Fire controller.

Full Post:

I have been intending to avoid the Incarnates thing like the plague. I mean, I'm an altaholic with more level 50 characters than I can shake a stick at, and no characters less than level 32. I have a lot of characters. I like getting them to 50 and then considering them "done". I take them out on spins as my mood dictates. So now its like ... hey you've got 50 characters that are no longer finished. Take THAT. I freakin' hate it when level caps get raised in games. I hate incremental endgame improvement systems too, because it says to me "you'll never be done". I have a serious need to finish before I can enjoy. Plus I hate task forces and crap, and so grinding out task forces for shard drops (whatever those are) ... yuck!

Anyway, it looks as if that is the way of things in COH now. I know all my friends I game with are psyched about it. So it looks like I'll get dragged into this, like it or not. So I've decided to take my favorite controller and make her my Incarnate (Earth/Storm/Fire). I'll try to enjoy it as much as I am capable of doing. Blah.

However, I don't even understand the system yet. I grouped with my friends and went through some short quest that unlocked my alpha slot and I got some shard or rock or whatever. I don't quite get it. I even looked at a FAQ about it in the player help forum and I still didn't understand it because it was a giant list, with no real overview section.

But I do know that I'll be tediously collecting another type of salvage and eventually making some new powers. It may take me a year to absorb the system. Seriously, a year. So I'm hoping that some of you more savvy types can give me a good idea of which paths are of most value to controllers.

I do like the idea of level shifted powers ... if that means what I think it means. It may not. I am an Earth/Storm/Fire controller with perma-hasten, 8 damage procs, and 3 other procs. I like to make things into statues and blow them the **** up. So I like overkill control/debuff but I also like damage. Also, I resent the fact that there is even an endurance bar in this game, so I love endurance efficiency too.

So, Earth/Storm/Fire controller with perma-hasten and 8 aoe damage procs. I like Control, Damage, and Endurance/Recovery, in that order.

What path should I pursue?

Thanks,

Lewis

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Li Lung: Level 50 Magic Controller
Primary Power Set: Earth Control
Secondary Power Set: Storm Summoning
Power Pool: Teleportation
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Fire Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Fossilize -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(3), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(3), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(7), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(7)
Level 1: Gale -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: Stone Cages -- GravAnch-Immob/Rchg(A), GravAnch-Acc/Immob/Rchg(5), GravAnch-Acc/Rchg(5), GravAnch-Immob/EndRdx(9), GravAnch-Hold%(9), Posi-Dam%(45)
Level 4: Snow Storm -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 6: Quicksand -- ImpSwft-Dam%(A)
Level 8: Recall Friend -- Zephyr-ResKB(A)
Level 10: Steamy Mist -- TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(11), LkGmblr-Rchg+(11)
Level 12: Stalagmites -- Amaze-Stun(A), Amaze-Stun/Rchg(13), Amaze-Acc/Stun/Rchg(13), Amaze-Acc/Rchg(15), Amaze-EndRdx/Stun(15)
Level 14: Super Speed -- QckFt-EndRdx/RunSpd(A)
Level 16: Freezing Rain -- UndDef-DefDeb/Rchg(A), UndDef-Rchg/EndRdx(17), UndDef-Rchg(17), Achilles-ResDeb%(37), LdyGrey-%Dam(43), Posi-Dam%(43)
Level 18: Earthquake -- UndDef-DefDeb/Rchg(A), UndDef-Rchg/EndRdx(19), UndDef-Rchg(19), Achilles-ResDeb%(46), LdyGrey-%Dam(46), ExStrk-Dam%(46)
Level 20: Hurricane -- DarkWD-ToHitDeb(A), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/Rchg(21), DarkWD-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(21), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(31)
Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(40), RechRdx-I(40)
Level 24: Hover -- Srng-Fly(A), Srng-EndRdx/Fly(25), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(25), LkGmblr-Rchg+(50)
Level 26: Volcanic Gasses -- UbrkCons-Hold(A), UbrkCons-Hold/Rchg(27), UbrkCons-Acc/Hold/Rchg(27), UbrkCons-Acc/Rchg(31), UbrkCons-Dam%(34), G'Wdw-Dam%(34)
Level 28: Thunder Clap -- Stpfy-Acc/Rchg(A), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun(29), Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx(29), Stpfy-Stun/Rng(31), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg(34)
Level 30: O2 Boost -- Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(37), Numna-Heal(37)
Level 32: Animate Stone -- ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(A), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(33), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(33)
Level 35: Tornado -- ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(A), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(36), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(36)
Level 38: Lightning Storm -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Decim-Dmg/Rchg(39), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40)
Level 41: Fire Ball -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(42), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), Posi-Dam%(43)
Level 44: Fire Shield -- TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(45), Aegis-ResDam(45)
Level 47: Salt Crystals -- FtnHyp-Sleep(A), FtnHyp-Sleep/Rchg(48), FtnHyp-Acc/Sleep/Rchg(48), FtnHyp-Acc/Rchg(48), FtnHyp-Sleep/EndRdx(50)
Level 49: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Containment
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(50)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(23), EndMod-I(23)



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Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan

 

Posted

I have taken Cardiac (Endurance Reduction) with all of my */Storm controllers. It makes a HUGE difference. The Damage Resistance helps, also. Your build looks like it could use it. So far, I have Cardiac on my Earth/Storm/Fire, Ice/Storm/Earth, Ill/Storm/Ice. I plan to get it on my Grav/Storm/Ice.

While some of the enhancement from the Alpha slot goes past the ED cap, you get the most benefit from the Alpha slot for powers that are not slotted to the cap. Very few powers are slotted to the ED cap for EndRdx, so it tends to help a lot.

While I have a couple of characters slotted to Tier 4, I find that Tier 3 (which gives you the level shift) is good enough. I haven't yet explored the Incarnate stuff in I-20, so I can't say anything about those.


LOCAL MAN! The most famous hero of all. There are more newspaper stories about me than anyone else. "Local Man wins Medal of Honor." "Local Man opens Animal Shelter." "Local Man Charged with..." (Um, forget about that one.)
Guide Links: Earth/Rad Guide, Illusion/Rad Guide, Electric Control

 

Posted

Yep, any /storm gets an instead nod for Cardiac and I just focus on other stuff and mostly recharge in terms of IOs.


 

Posted

Cool. 2 votes for Cardiac from names I trust. I will go that route ... assuming I can figure out how the system works. I'm still open to alternate views or information / opinion / speculation about some of the new stuff.

I glanced at the new Incarnate abilities and I have to say that I found the control ones mediocre at first glance. I mean, I dont think I can get bonus to fear, stun, hold, etc in one choice. So the control stuff is all split up, and my biggest issue with control is that the devs hate statues and so tons of stuff ignores controls, or ignores enough of them that it all pretty much comes down to damage ... or at least comes down to anything other than control.

So frankly, I'm kinda liking the big Pyro fire AOE thing. Cause you know, I'm a Sorceress raised by Tengu. I have a violent streak and I like elemental chaos and destruction. And stuff.

Lewis


Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan

 

Posted

Well, Nerve is good for my Mind controller, it gives +Acc, +Hold, +Confuse, +Defense, +fly... and +taunt which i don't use.

Though for you, i'll echo Cardiac. You'll get more mileage out of it.

The best way to get your Cardiac Boost quickly is such: Do an ITF, LGTF, and run a Ritki mothership raid (unless you already have more than 150 Vanguard Merits, then you can skip that last part). Select for your reward the incarnate component that each task gives (for the last one, just craft the Ritki Gr'ai matter from a Vanguard worktable). Then you'll have the right components to craft your Cardaic boost.

HOWEVER, it might even be simpler than that! Each "common" component can be crafted with 4 shards. Shards drop from enemies at about the rate of a rare recipe. Doing an ITF will almost always net you enough shards to craft a couple components (especially if you're doing a kill-all ITF). You might even already HAVE a few shards if you play level 50 content regularly.

If you want more than just the basic boost, you'll need more components. You'll have to use Common Components and shards to craft "Uncommon" Components. However, after crafting your first alpha slot, you should be able to easily figure out how to do that.


-STEELE =)


Allied to all sides so that no matter what, I'll come out on top!
Oh, and Crimson demands you play this arc-> Twisted Knives (MA Arc #397769)

 

Posted

Emperor Steele,

Thanks much! I'll give it a shot once we start doing the taskforcy stuff.

Lewis


Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan

 

Posted

I've been thinking about this some too. I have three main characters I've taken into the incarnate zone so far: a Mind/Cold troller, an Ice/Rad troller, and an Ice/Fire Dominator. I've been on a number of successful raids, but have been just kind of haphazard with my reward selections so far. In any case, here are a few things you need to consider:

- Bonuses from alpha and procs from Interface also apply to your pets

- However, procs cannot stack infinitely; there is a limit (I'm unsure of the number), which means if you team a lot you may be better with a less popular proc type

- With the exception of Recharge from Spiritual, any bonuses from your Alpha slot also affect your Judgment blast

- Set bonuses from IOs DO NOT affect the strength of your incarnate abilities, nor do buffs from powers or players, nor do archetype modifiers, but...

- ...debuffs you place on enemies DO increase the damage done, so in practice, many Controller's Judgement power outdamages a Blaster's, at least for that one shot


 

Posted

I seem to think Cardiac is really the only Alpha. I mean...the "only".

Even though I considder myself a decent slotter, my Grav/FF/Psi (Used to be fire) gets buy further using Cardiac.

My defender, Emp/Psi who should be using Spiritual in my oppinion, can't solo without heavy end loss so Ill have to build one Cardiac and one Spiritual.

So far though. Cardiac seems overall best for any toon ever! It's the only Alpha that really benefits almost every AT.

Others may disagree, but if you are Ioing, and slotting etc, Cardiac allows for more possibilites period when it comes to becoming more inventive with slotting.

On your build, it is your best option.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nyx View Post
I seem to think Cardiac is really the only Alpha. I mean...the "only".

Even though I considder myself a decent slotter, my Grav/FF/Psi (Used to be fire) gets buy further using Cardiac.

My defender, Emp/Psi who should be using Spiritual in my oppinion, can't solo without heavy end loss so Ill have to build one Cardiac and one Spiritual.

So far though. Cardiac seems overall best for any toon ever! It's the only Alpha that really benefits almost every AT.

Others may disagree, but if you are Ioing, and slotting etc, Cardiac allows for more possibilites period when it comes to becoming more inventive with slotting.

On your build, it is your best option.



One of the main reasons Cardiac gives you so much bang for your buck is that in general End isn't something you slot for primarily in a power, except in a few case.


So none or very little of the Cardiac bonus is lost to ED, unlike say a Recharge Alpha bonus where the powers you wanted to recharge were slotted for 95% recharge : unless you were going for the Very Rare ED eats a lot of the recharge bonus on you.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carnifax_NA View Post
One of the main reasons Cardiac gives you so much bang for your buck is that in general End isn't something you slot for primarily in a power, except in a few case.


So none or very little of the Cardiac bonus is lost to ED, unlike say a Recharge Alpha bonus where the powers you wanted to recharge were slotted for 95% recharge : unless you were going for the Very Rare ED eats a lot of the recharge bonus on you.


I agree.

I noticed that many of the powers my Defender, Controller and Blaster have available deal with Recharge, Damage, Range, Accuracy and (Hold/Imob/Stun etc)

The IO sets, even common or rare offer a lot, but End reduction is not as common, or as powerfull in some sets. I have noticed this in many of the desired controller effects, especially in group imobs.

Since I am FF as a secondary, I can find some IO's that generally improve defense sets to lower the endurance issues, however thats only because they are defense based sets usuable by other heavier endurance based AT's

Cardiac really is the bang for your buck.

Even as a blaster. The concept of Damage is awesome!!! But since Blasters do amazing damage, and damage can rip aggro off a tank like a shirt from a girls gone wild video, slotting the damage alpha is less appealing because I can Slot IO's for pure damage and allow Cardiac to do the rest. Or at least minimize.

Tank, Brutes depending on builds (Dark Armor really benefits) really benefit from cardiac, because IO's again offer what they need. Perhaps not at the level of an Alpha, but if you remove the concept of annoying end drain, then you can focus your build later on improving what already worked in the first place with this AT's.

Now...that being said, If I was playing a Ill/Something or Plant/Something, I really think Spiritual would be excellent in theory as you can focus on damage and or End redux while improving your recharge using the alpha assisting you in keeping your pets in play all the while increasing your secondary effects.

Even then, Cardiac would still benefit the later. But as far as controllers go, those two pop out in my head first when working with nerve. Mind is also in that field as well, except Mind still benefits from end reduction more than a recharge.


 

Posted

I've been reading up on the system a tiny bit, and I think it is looking a bit grindy to me. I may not actively partake. But if I do nibble, I will definitely go cardiac.

Do the Incarnate powers always work when you are level 50 (like in a scanner mission) or do they only work on Incarnate-flagged stuff (such as the 2 new missions)?

Thanks,

Lewis


Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by UnicyclePeon View Post
I've been reading up on the system a tiny bit, and I think it is looking a bit grindy to me. I may not actively partake. But if I do nibble, I will definitely go cardiac.

Do the Incarnate powers always work when you are level 50 (like in a scanner mission) or do they only work on Incarnate-flagged stuff (such as the 2 new missions)?

Thanks,

Lewis
Only some of the i20 stuff is trials only(and I think that is only the level bumps). The alpha slot is there for normal missions.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by UnicyclePeon View Post
I've been reading up on the system a tiny bit, and I think it is looking a bit grindy to me. I may not actively partake. But if I do nibble, I will definitely go cardiac.

Do the Incarnate powers always work when you are level 50 (like in a scanner mission) or do they only work on Incarnate-flagged stuff (such as the 2 new missions)?

Thanks,

Lewis
Getting a start on a cardiac alpha is actually really easy. You can probably craft and slot a cardiac common just by doing the following on the character in question:

1) Open the alpha slot by running mender remiels arc.
2) Run a Lady Grey Task Force.

The LGTF awards you one of the components needed to craft a cardiac common (Hero 1 DNA sample), the second component can be purchased with vanguard merits (Gr'ai Matter) - which drop in the LGTF and after you open your alpha slot you will start getting incarnate shard drops and you only need 3 more shards (in addition to the 1 shard you get from the mender remiel arc) to craft the third component needed for the common cardiac (an ancient nictus fragment) - you are likely to get at least 3 incarnate shard drops from an LGTF, if not more.

You can also get an ancient nictus fragment as a reward from an ITF. Even if you do get enough shards to craft one, I would suggest also running an ITF this week as it is the weekly strike task and will award you a notice of the well in addition to the ancient nictus fragment. You will need a notice if you want to craft all the way to rare and an ITF is an easy way to get one, plus you should get more shards.

After that what you do depends on which uncommon/rare you want to have in the end. Ultimately you don't need to do anything but open up your alpha slot: all alpha components can be crafted from incarnate shards and once your alpha slot is open anytime your character defeats a mob you have a chance of getting an incarnate shard drop - even when you are SK'ed below 50 now. (new with i20 - you used to only get shard drops from L50+ mobs). You can speed up the process by running selected TF's to get the components they award or just play your character and craft everything out of shards - the one exception to this is the notice of the well: it CAN be crafted with shards these days but costs a LOT, so you are better off running the weekly strike task and getting one as a reward.


Globals: @Midnight Mystique/@Magik13

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by UnicyclePeon View Post
I've been reading up on the system a tiny bit, and I think it is looking a bit grindy to me. I may not actively partake. But if I do nibble, I will definitely go cardiac.

Do the Incarnate powers always work when you are level 50 (like in a scanner mission) or do they only work on Incarnate-flagged stuff (such as the 2 new missions)?

Thanks,

Lewis
So far, I have enjoyed the Incarnate stuff. I haven't found it to be a grind. Each of my level 50 characters had a reason that I liked them enough to take them to level 50. I have enjoyed going back to them to fill the Alpha slot, re-learning to play them, figuring out what they need to be better and going through TFs with them with a lot of good folks. Just run TFs and the shards you need will drop.

In some cases, I have re-considered parts of my build and decided on a respec for a different epic power pool or to change out one or two powers. If you do TFs, the shards you need will eventually drop. It is not difficult at all to get to tier 3. Tier 4, however, can be a bit of a grind. Most of my 50's have tier 3, but only two have tier 4.

The new stuff is interesting -- I have run Lambda 3 times, with one last night being my first success. I have run BAF twice, both successful. The successes are mostly due to a good leader and other competant players. I have found the Lambda very hard on the 3 squishy characters I have run through it (2 controllers, 1 Defender) -- I spent too much time running back from the hospital. The two BAFs (1 controller, 1 scrapper) were much, much easier, especially since our team leader gave great instructions.


LOCAL MAN! The most famous hero of all. There are more newspaper stories about me than anyone else. "Local Man wins Medal of Honor." "Local Man opens Animal Shelter." "Local Man Charged with..." (Um, forget about that one.)
Guide Links: Earth/Rad Guide, Illusion/Rad Guide, Electric Control

 

Posted

I19 wasn't grindy at all. I got 3 toons at T4, 8 at T3 and more at T1 or 2, because we had so many ways to get shards & Alpha components. For I20, there's practically only 2 ways to earn threads and I20 components. Opening your base Judgment & Interface slots may not be so bad, but when I consider the amount of work I'll have to do to get 10+ alts their T4s in all 4 new slots... Yeah, I know, months & months of work, and I don't mind that really, but only 2 trials for those months... just ain't gonna happen. I'm hoping I21 will have more ways to earn incarnate rewards.

(Yes, I know you can convert shards to threads; the rate is pathetic. That's why I said practically above.)

Back on point, for Interface, at least, I'm definitely going Reactive w/my controllers. Extra (and significant!) DoT w/my fast recharging AoE immobs that I spam anyway for containment & proc damage? Yes please. Oh yeah, they give -res too.

Lore & Judgment are easy for me too. Ionic or Pyro for Judgment (Ionic hits more targets, Pyro does more damage, but since I can't CC 40 mobs anyway, prolly Pyro here). Seers for Lore for free Fort and plus they're kinda hawt.

Destiny's the tricky one. First, I gotta think Barrier will be the overwhelmingly popular one, and since it's AoE buffing, it'd pay to pick something else. Ageless might be a bit of a no brainer since it kinda combines Cardiac & Spiritual (the only 2 I pick for my controllers... or anyone else for that matter), so it'll fill whichever hole you didn't address at Alpha. But then I only took IW w/my Fire/Rad so the rest might do better w/Clarion and have better mez prot. Or I can take it w/my Fire/Rad too, cycle w/IW & have complete & perma mez prot (IW is more or less perma, but w/animation times and plain forgetting, it's functionally not). Rebirth would be nice for my /Storm & /Cold who don't have self heals. And then of course Barrier for the +def/+res, and really, who doesn't want those?


An Offensive Guide to Ice Melee

 

Posted

I've got Rares for both Cardiac and Spiritual on my Grav/Storm - both rock, but in different ways. With Cardiac Partial Radial, I can spam powers with no discernable movement in my blue bar (All while running Steamy Mist, Charged Armor, Assault and Hurricane), the resist enhancement very nearly caps out my energy resist, which is great for fighting a wide variety of foes, and the range enhancement makes a nice difference once in a while. Cardiac is my weapon of choice when soloing, especially when trying on Giant Monsters and AVs.

With Spiritual Total Core, I bring my big guns to bare more often, and Hasten is only a few seconds from perma in my build. Freezing Rain stacks a bit more and is ready for just about every spawn when I get to them. This is my weapon of choice for big team activity, especially if there are endurance buffs available so that I don't have to worry about running dry (although if I reduce attacks in favor of O2 boosting, AoE control and using my storm tools, it's not as much an issue as when I'm spamming a nonstop attack chain).

I do plan on eventually obtaining rares in Musculature and Nerve, though the former will likely be more useful from the standpoint of using other Incarnate abilities (eg, Judgement), and the latter only really interests me for seeing how much hold duration I can get on my AoE hold.


 

Posted

my trollers wanna nibble on clarion


 

Posted

My deal is that I dont like task forces. I can count on 2 hands the number of times I've run any kind of task force or trial since the game started. I really have to be in the right mood to even enter one. So to even run an ITF or a Lady Grey task force is stressful to me, and to run through 1 a week for me is grindy ... more in the sense that I can do it, but it isn't activity I enjoy. So doing a bunch of activity I dont enjoy for a goal feels grindy to me .... whereas I'm sure knocking out tip and door missions over and over feels grindy to others.

I guess it comes down to what you like, and while I'd love to have the basic Cardiac or something, to even do a task force is an emotional hit for me; gives me a sense of dread, unless I happen to be in the exact right mood. I wish that weren't the case.

So I unlocked the alpha slot on my favorite level 50 character, but I'll probably leave it at that.

Lewis


Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan

 

Posted

Getting the basic cardiac without task forces will happen fairly quickly. Shards are rare but even on a bad night I tend to get one every hour of just running tips etc. 12 shards is all it takes, so a week or two of playing your favorite character an hour or two *should* do it.


Weight training: Because you'll never hear someone lament "If only I were weaker, I could have saved them."

 

Posted

Cool. That sounds pretty reasonable for my eclectic (dare I say anti-social attention-defecit?) play tendencies. Of course I am an altaholic too, but that means that in about 6 months, I'll get my initial one done on about 12 of them all around the same time!

Lewis


Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan

 

Posted

I get the best results for Shard drops on Mothership raids. Just spam AoEs, and you will get a chance for shard for every Rikti you so much as lightly graze. Plus you can trade the Merits for G'rai matter, which can be converted to shards as well!

Not sure what its like on your server, but on Virtue, just saying the word "Mothership" is like hearing the ice cream man. Folks come a-runnin'!


Stay Gold, Paragon. Stay Gold.
Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.

 

Posted

Make sure you hit each WST once w/each toon you want to Alpha up. Those Notices break apart for shards too. MSR is another great tip. A good run will get you like 2-3 shards and 600+ v-merits which convert to 6 G'rai Matter which basically will net you 8-9 shards over time (the 1 G'rai Matter a day conversion is stupid tho).

Again, talking past Alpha, I picked up Ageless Destiny for my Fire/Rad, T3, and I'm really unimpressed w/it. I'm sorta wishing I'd gone Barrier like everyone else. Reactive Interface is all sorts of awesome though, as I predicted above. Adding more proc damage to my spammed Fire Cages not to mention the debuffs they're doing now, all the while EF is up, and then following up w/a Pyronic nuke is kinda sick. Still haven't decided which Lore pet to take, still leaning towards the Seekers.


An Offensive Guide to Ice Melee