City of Heroes: Live Forum Archive

A cheap level 40 crab build

Madadh

By Madadh,
Posted on: 2011-04-22 17:22 in Soldiers of Arachnos

 

Posted

I'm respeccing my level 32 crab and I want to build it so that it'll do great in teams from level 40-50 and hopefully even in incarnate stuff. I use my bane build for soloing, and it can carry me through the next few levels if need be. I wanted something with an MM flavor but that could also do a little damage by itself. Hopefully the end cost isn't such a burden it prevents attacking.

Notes:
-I wasn't able to get Hasten or Serum perma, which is a little annoying, but the pets should be pretty close. It relies on me being able to get lots of Decimation and Positron's Blast IOs and I have no idea how realistic that is (I only have 200m to work with atm).
-I know I really ought to take Aim, but there was always something else I wanted more. Maybe I could take it at 49.
-I had no idea what to put in Vengeance.
-I've done most of the low level content so I'm not worried about exemping below level 30.
-I know the Steadfast Protection IOs are inessential for this build. They're far down my shopping list, but I figured they're cheap enough I shouldn't leave them off the list entirely.

Basically I'm wondering if I'm making any obviously stupid mistakes, and if there are any cheap routes to good performance I'm overlooking.

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.93
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Blastermind: Level 40 Natural Arachnos Soldier
Primary Power Set: Crab Spider Soldier
Secondary Power Set: Crab Spider Training
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Channelgun

  • (A) Decimation - Chance of Build Up: Level 40
  • (3) Decimation - Accuracy/Damage: Level 40
  • (3) Decimation - Damage/Endurance: Level 40
  • (5) Decimation - Damage/Recharge: Level 40
  • (5) Decimation - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 40
Level 1: Crab Spider Armor Upgrade
  • (A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%: Level 30
Level 2: Longfang
  • (A) Decimation - Accuracy/Damage: Level 40
  • (7) Decimation - Damage/Endurance: Level 40
  • (7) Decimation - Damage/Recharge: Level 40
  • (9) Decimation - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge: Level 40
  • (9) Decimation - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 40
Level 4: Combat Training: Defensive
  • (A) Defense Buff IO: Level 40
  • (13) Defense Buff IO: Level 40
  • (13) Defense Buff IO: Level 40
Level 6: Maneuvers
  • (A) Defense Buff IO: Level 40
  • (15) Defense Buff IO: Level 40
  • (15) Defense Buff IO: Level 40
Level 8: Suppression
  • (A) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage: Level 40
  • (17) Positron's Blast - Damage/Endurance: Level 40
  • (17) Positron's Blast - Damage/Recharge: Level 40
  • (19) Positron's Blast - Damage/Range: Level 40
  • (19) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy): Level 40
Level 10: Tactical Training: Maneuvers
  • (A) Defense Buff IO: Level 40
  • (21) Defense Buff IO: Level 40
  • (21) Defense Buff IO: Level 40
Level 12: Venom Grenade
  • (A) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage: Level 40
  • (23) Positron's Blast - Damage/Endurance: Level 40
  • (23) Positron's Blast - Damage/Recharge: Level 40
  • (25) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance: Level 40
  • (25) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy): Level 40
Level 14: Assault
  • (A) Endurance Reduction IO: Level 40
Level 16: Tactical Training: Assault
  • (A) Endurance Reduction IO: Level 40
Level 18: Frag Grenade
  • (A) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage: Level 40
  • (27) Positron's Blast - Damage/Endurance: Level 40
  • (27) Positron's Blast - Damage/Recharge: Level 40
  • (29) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance: Level 40
  • (29) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy): Level 40
Level 20: Tactical Training: Leadership
  • (A) Endurance Reduction IO: Level 40
Level 22: Mental Training
  • (A) Run Speed IO: Level 40
Level 24: Fortification
  • (A) Steadfast Protection - Knockback Protection: Level 30
Level 26: Vengeance
  • (A) Empty
  • (40) Empty
Level 28: Serum
  • (A) Doctored Wounds - Endurance/Recharge: Level 40
  • (31) Doctored Wounds - Heal/Recharge: Level 40
  • (34) Doctored Wounds - Heal/Endurance/Recharge: Level 40
  • (34) Doctored Wounds - Heal: Level 40
  • (37) Doctored Wounds - Recharge: Level 40
Level 30: Hasten
  • (A) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40
  • (31) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40
  • (31) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40
Level 32: Omega Maneuver
  • (A) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage: Level 40
  • (33) Positron's Blast - Damage/Endurance: Level 40
  • (33) Positron's Blast - Damage/Recharge: Level 40
  • (33) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance: Level 40
  • (34) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy): Level 40
Level 35: Summon Spiderlings
  • (A) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Recharge: Level 40
  • (36) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Damage: Level 40
  • (36) Expedient Reinforcement - Damage/Endurance: Level 40
  • (36) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 40
  • (37) Expedient Reinforcement - Endurance/Damage/Recharge: Level 40
  • (37) Expedient Reinforcement - Resist Bonus Aura for Pets: Level 40
Level 38: Call Reinforcements
  • (A) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Recharge: Level 30
  • (39) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Damage: Level 40
  • (39) Expedient Reinforcement - Damage/Endurance: Level 40
  • (39) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 40
  • (40) Expedient Reinforcement - Endurance/Damage/Recharge: Level 40
  • (40) Call to Arms - Defense Bonus Aura for Pets: Level 30
Level 41: [Empty]
Level 44: [Empty]
Level 47: [Empty]
Level 49: [Empty]
------------
Level 1: Brawl
  • (A) Empty
Level 1: Conditioning
Level 1: Sprint
  • (A) Empty
Level 2: Rest
  • (A) Empty
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift
  • (A) Empty
Level 2: Health
  • (A) Empty
Level 2: Hurdle
  • (A) Empty
Level 2: Stamina
  • (A) Endurance Modification IO: Level 40
  • (11) Endurance Modification IO: Level 40
  • (11) Endurance Modification IO: Level 40
------------

 

Posted

Vengeance gets 1 luck of the gambler +recharge. Do 4 days of tip missions and you can get one.

 

Posted

Well, your data link doesn't seem to be working for me,and you didn't post a data chunk, so I can't look at the numbers, but I have a couple of suggestions. They're all fairly general, since Crabs aren't my strong suit, but they may help...

All generic IOs can be made to level 50, if you like, as they don't have any set bonuses to worry about when exemping.

No travel power. Might be an issue, might not, but since you have open power slots, and hasten already, superspeed, and a stealth proc is invis, and that's helpful in a lot of situations.

If you're a little worried about End, and are taking Steadfast Res/Def and Steadfast -KB both anyway, I'd try to get them into the same power for a Recovery bonus. I fell if all else stays as is you can take a slot from Veng, and drop it in the Crab Armour.

If you can find a slot for it, the Explosive Strike Damage Proc is nice to add to Frag Grenade. Last I checked, it was also quite cheap.

The wolf Spider Armour isn't that great, but if taken late is worth it, in my experience. Just the Crab Armour is a mag 4 mez protection. But getting 2 mag 3s stacked is not unusual, in my experience. The Wolf Armour add Mag 2, meaning you'd have mag 6 total, which means 2 stacked mag 3s and you keep on trucking. Also, it's a spot for an Aegis or Impervium Armour Global. They're not super cheap, though, if you're on a tight budget.

Lastly, if you're pet focused, the Patron route, any of them, should get you another pet, once you're past 40.

Hope some of the above helps and is somewhat what you're looking for.

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Madadh View Post
Well, your data link doesn't seem to be working for me,and you didn't post a data chunk, so I can't look at the numbers, but I have a couple of suggestions. They're all fairly general, since Crabs aren't my strong suit, but they may help...

All generic IOs can be made to level 50, if you like, as they don't have any set bonuses to worry about when exemping.

No travel power. Might be an issue, might not, but since you have open power slots, and hasten already, superspeed, and a stealth proc is invis, and that's helpful in a lot of situations.

If you're a little worried about End, and are taking Steadfast Res/Def and Steadfast -KB both anyway, I'd try to get them into the same power for a Recovery bonus. I fell if all else stays as is you can take a slot from Veng, and drop it in the Crab Armour.

If you can find a slot for it, the Explosive Strike Damage Proc is nice to add to Frag Grenade. Last I checked, it was also quite cheap.

The wolf Spider Armour isn't that great, but if taken late is worth it, in my experience. Just the Crab Armour is a mag 4 mez protection. But getting 2 mag 3s stacked is not unusual, in my experience. The Wolf Armour add Mag 2, meaning you'd have mag 6 total, which means 2 stacked mag 3s and you keep on trucking. Also, it's a spot for an Aegis or Impervium Armour Global. They're not super cheap, though, if you're on a tight budget.

Lastly, if you're pet focused, the Patron route, any of them, should get you another pet, once you're past 40.

Hope some of the above helps and is somewhat what you're looking for.
Thank you, and thanks magentrix, that's exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for. Sorry about leaving out the data chunk, I'll post it below.

I just made the IOs 40s so I'd have a snapshot of what the build would look like at 40; I'll definitely replace them with 50s when the time comes.

I love my bane spider so having some stealth on this guy sounds pretty nice. I could take SS instead of Aim at 49, after I get the PPP pet (side note: which one should I shoot for? I like ranged pets, so I'm thinking the Mu Striker)

I tried finding a spot for Wolf Spider Armor but it looked like the only thing I could give up would be TT: Leadership, and I'd really like to keep that so my pets can reliably hit things. Shouldn't leaving Fortitude on be enough protection generally?

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Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pampl View Post
(side note: which one should I shoot for? I like ranged pets, so I'm thinking the Mu Striker)

I tried finding a spot for Wolf Spider Armor but it looked like the only thing I could give up would be TT: Leadership, and I'd really like to keep that so my pets can reliably hit things. Shouldn't leaving Fortitude on be enough protection generally?
As to the Soldier PPP Pets, I've very little experience, so I'll have to leave that commentary for someone else.

And as for Fortification, you are correct now that I look at the numbers. I warned ya Crab's weren't my strong suit. I'd forgotten that it had mez resists in there too. That said, since your Defense numbers are nowhere near capped (except for ranged, which is fairly close) I'd want to make my Resistance numbers higher, and I might try to work a slot or two into Fort to up the resistances.

You're also 3 over the Rule of Five for set bonuses in the 6.25% Recharge Speed bonus. So I think I'd consider changing the Expedient Reinforcements for Blood Mandates for the huge AOE and Ranged Def bonuses. I know that means your pets aren't perma (or in CoRs case, further from Perma), but the best thing about that set (Exped Reinfor I mean), and the main reason it's pricey, is that big recharge bonus, and you're not getting it.

Also, the Miracle Proc will only work after using Serum, which I understand you'll be trying to keep up all the time, but it still makes a lot more sense to me to effectively make that recovery bonus Permanent by slotting it in Health. I'd either slot Doctored Wounds Heal/Recharge (lvl 50) in it's place, or lose the slot, and add it to health.

I really wish I had a good suggestion on how to fix your rule of 5 problem, but I don't really, since there are so few AOE sets, and even fewer Recharge Pets sets.. Hopefully someone else we see an idea I missed. I hope so, because it's really neat build concept,and I'd love to see it work out for ya.

PS: That said, push comes to shove, the build doesn't look bad even with not getting those bonuses. If you want to keep to your concept, and just eat them, it'll most likely still be quite playable and fun. You just won't be getting your Infs worth out of those sets.

 

Posted

Also I'd suggest trying your luck with some of those positrons at the AE, plus it can help build up your funds by crafting and putting IO sets on the market. Resistant set IO's pack a big punch in the funds.

As for level 50 generic IOs don't pack as much of a punch in return investment until you have the funds to kiss away.

 

Posted

Good catch, I completely forgot about the Rule of Five! I dropped both the Decimations for Thunderstrikes for its assortment of small bonuses. I took slots out of Serum, which I plan to use in reaction to damage rather than trying to keep up all the time anyways, and put them in Fort and slotted a Red Fortune set in Maneuvers. I could take the KB protection out of Fort and return the 6th slot to Frag 'nade if you think the smashing damage proc is better than the 1.5% max HP set bonus.

I also changed Exped Reinf to Blood Mandate in the spiderlings. Now they aren't perma, but they're still close, and now they soft cap my ranged defense. The next few levels' slots will go in defense skills to make them Red Fortune sets with an extra slot for a lotg when the time (and inf) comes. My PPP skills will be gimpy but I already have 6 attacks so the non-pet patron skills are a little superfluous anyway.

BeastMan: thanks for the advice! I didn't know that the difference between 40 and 50 IOs was so small. If it matters, many of those IOs will actually be 35s.. still worth putting off the upgrade?

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Posted

Very nice rework. I think you're onto something fairly different, and fun. Should turn out quite nicely.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pampl View Post
If it matters, many of those IOs will actually be 35s.. still worth putting off the upgrade?
In my opinion, 35s, 40s, 45s, and 50s, as far as common IOs are all fairly close. I don't bother to chase upgrades, just craft what drops if I have the salvage handy. Only once I'm better set for cash and level 50 and just putting on the final touches do I bother with it. In a lot of cases I still have an SO or two in a few places even, and don't really find I even notice.

 

Posted

Thanks for your words of encouragement, and a big thanks for all your help I just made it to 35 so this build will start hitting its stride soon!

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pampl View Post
Thanks for your words of encouragement, and a big thanks for all your help I just made it to 35 so this build will start hitting its stride soon!
Sweet! Good luck. Maybe I'll catch ya in game if you play on any of the servers I do. Be fun to see your results in action.