Caps & Build Advice


Adeon Hawkwood

 

Posted

I’ve been retired from this game for a long time and I decided to invest some time into my Energy/Energy/Force character. I’m doing my best to educate myself about defensive caps and wise power selection, but I think I need a little help. Below you will find my build idea. I’m going for a decent amount of defense, but I notice many blasters favoring Ranged Defense. I’ll mostly start off fights hover-blasting but I’ll quickly melee anything that comes into range.

I basically have three questions:

#1. Should I concentrate on Ranged Defense like everyone else or should I add a little to all the defenses? I solo a lot so I need to survive. Currently my build allows for 10% Smashing/Lethal Defense. Is that decent for a blaster or can I get that a lot higher? I have Ranged Defense at 21% and AoE at 17%. Are these numbers alright?

#2. Am I making any obvious errors in my power/slot/enhancement selection? I enjoy global enhancements but I thought I had to have them added to “always on” powers to enjoy their benefits all the time. For example, I’m guessing I’d have to have Hover on for the Kismet +6 global accuracy bonus to effect me, right? Am I missing any obviously beneficial global enhancements?

#3. Without lighting off Power Boost, Build Up, or Aim, I have an Accuracy bonus of 41% and Damage of 11%. How do these numbers look to you guys? Do blasters usually just worry about Defense, or should I be looking at other things as well?

I appreciate anyone’s constructive comments/criticisms with this!

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.942
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Megaburst: Level 50 Technology Blaster
Primary Power Set: Energy Blast
Secondary Power Set: Energy Manipulation
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Medicine
Ancillary Pool: Force Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Power Blast

  • (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage
  • (3) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance
  • (3) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge
  • (5) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
  • (5) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  • (7) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
Level 1: Power Thrust
  • (A) Accuracy IO
Level 2: Energy Torrent
  • (A) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage
  • (7) Positron's Blast - Damage/Endurance
  • (9) Positron's Blast - Damage/Recharge
  • (9) Positron's Blast - Damage/Range
  • (11) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  • (11) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy)
Level 4: Build Up
  • (A) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff
  • (13) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff/Recharge
  • (13) Adjusted Targeting - Recharge
Level 6: Hasten
  • (A) Recharge Reduction IO
  • (15) Recharge Reduction IO
  • (15) Recharge Reduction IO
Level 8: Power Burst
  • (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage
  • (17) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance
  • (17) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge
  • (19) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
  • (19) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  • (21) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
Level 10: Hover
  • (A) Kismet - Accuracy +6%
Level 12: Bone Smasher
  • (A) Touch of Death - Accuracy/Damage
  • (21) Touch of Death - Damage/Endurance
  • (23) Touch of Death - Damage/Recharge
  • (23) Touch of Death - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  • (25) Touch of Death - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  • (25) Touch of Death - Chance of Damage(Negative)
Level 14: Fly
  • (A) Flight Speed IO
Level 16: Aim
  • (A) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff
  • (27) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff/Recharge
  • (27) Adjusted Targeting - Recharge
Level 18: Boxing
  • (A) Accuracy IO
Level 20: Tough
  • (A) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance
  • (29) Aegis - Resistance/Recharge
  • (29) Aegis - Endurance/Recharge
  • (42) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge
  • (42) Aegis - Resistance
  • (42) Aegis - Psionic/Status Resistance
Level 22: Aid Other
  • (A) Healing IO
Level 24: Power Push
  • (A) Accuracy IO
Level 26: Weave
  • (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance
  • (31) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Recharge
  • (31) Luck of the Gambler - Endurance/Recharge
  • (37) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance/Recharge
  • (37) Luck of the Gambler - Defense
  • (40) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed
Level 28: Aid Self
  • (A) Healing IO
  • (31) Healing IO
  • (33) Healing IO
Level 30: Power Boost
  • (A) Recharge Reduction IO
Level 32: Nova
  • (A) Scirocco's Dervish - Accuracy/Damage
  • (33) Scirocco's Dervish - Damage/Endurance
  • (33) Scirocco's Dervish - Damage/Recharge
  • (34) Scirocco's Dervish - Accuracy/Recharge
  • (34) Scirocco's Dervish - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  • (34) Scirocco's Dervish - Chance of Damage(Lethal)
Level 35: Sniper Blast
  • (A) Extreme Measures - Accuracy/Damage
  • (45) Extreme Measures - Damage/Endurance
  • (46) Extreme Measures - Accuracy/Interrupt/Range
  • (46) Extreme Measures - Damage/Interrupt/Recharge
  • (46) Extreme Measures - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  • (50) Extreme Measures - Accuracy/Range/Recharge
Level 38: Total Focus
  • (A) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Damage
  • (39) Mako's Bite - Damage/Endurance
  • (39) Mako's Bite - Damage/Recharge
  • (39) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge
  • (40) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  • (40) Mako's Bite - Chance of Damage(Lethal)
Level 41: Stun
  • (A) Disorient Duration IO
Level 44: Personal Force Field
  • (A) Defense Buff IO
  • (45) Defense Buff IO
  • (45) Defense Buff IO
Level 47: Temp Invulnerability
  • (A) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance
  • (48) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Recharge
  • (48) Reactive Armor - Endurance/Recharge
  • (48) Reactive Armor - Resistance
  • (50) Reactive Armor - Endurance
  • (50) Steadfast Protection - Knockback Protection
Level 49: Force of Nature
  • (A) Resist Damage IO
------------
Level 1: Brawl
  • (A) Empty
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Sprint
  • (A) Empty
Level 2: Rest
  • (A) Empty
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift
  • (A) Run Speed IO
Level 2: Health
  • (A) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Endurance
  • (36) Numina's Convalescence - Endurance/Recharge
  • (37) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Recharge
  • (43) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Endurance/Recharge
  • (43) Numina's Convalescence - Heal
  • (43) Numina's Convalescence - +Regeneration/+Recovery
Level 2: Hurdle
  • (A) Jumping IO
Level 2: Stamina
  • (A) Endurance Modification IO
  • (36) Endurance Modification IO
  • (36) Endurance Modification IO


 

Posted

When slotting your defense, you really should pick either range or s/l. If you play at range most of the, I'd shoot for as much range defense as possible. It also allows you to avoid some mezz attacks that are used at range.


SG: Guadians of Paragon - VG: Paragon's Darkness
The Usual Suspects: Fimboolvetr (Icer Tank), Tsukiyomi (Mind/Psi/Ice Dom), Smiting Dragon (Dm/Sr Scrap), Widow Mortis (NW)
Up and Comers: Ameterasu (Km/Reg Scrap), Arrhymian (Elec/Nin Stalk), TDMKII (Bot/Traps MM)

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Funboy View Post
#1. Should I concentrate on Ranged Defense like everyone else or should I add a little to all the defenses? I solo a lot so I need to survive. Currently my build allows for 10% Smashing/Lethal Defense. Is that decent for a blaster or can I get that a lot higher? I have Ranged Defense at 21% and AoE at 17%. Are these numbers alright?
This one can go in a few directions. Blasters cannot realistically pick up that many different defenses so most blasters opt for one or two. The most popular options are either Ranged defense or Smashing and Lethal defense.

Ranged defense is popular when combined with hover since on more open maps you can use your mobility to stay out of melee range and therefore are primarily facing ranged attacks with a few AoEs mixed in. 21% ranged defense is a little low, I find that ~30% is where you really notice a difference.

Taking Smashing and Lethal Defense is more popular with Blappers. Smashing and Lethal defense will protect you against a largish portion of melee attacks and will also protect against some ranged attacks (primarily those used by gun armed enemies such as Council). The other advantage of S/L for a Blaster is that you can take Scorpion Shield or Frozen Armor in your Epic Pool to get some easy S/L Defense.

Quote:
#2. Am I making any obvious errors in my power/slot/enhancement selection? I enjoy global enhancements but I thought I had to have them added to “always on” powers to enjoy their benefits all the time. For example, I’m guessing I’d have to have Hover on for the Kismet +6 global accuracy bonus to effect me, right? Am I missing any obviously beneficial global enhancements?
Some global IOs work even if the power is turned off (the actual global IOs), others are called Proc120s and only work when the power is on. In a passive or toggle the proc120 only works while the power is active, in a click power the proc120 will remain on for 120 seconds after the power is clicked. Kismet is a Proc120.

In terms of global IOs, the obvious one you are missing is the Steadfast Protection +3% defense IO. These are a pretty cheap way to get some more defense.

In terms of general slotting I don't have mids with me at the moment so doing this by eye.

1. For Energy Torrent I'd remove the Dam/Range and see if you can find a better use for the slot elsewhere. Positron's Blast is overslotted for damage anyway and the Range bonus won't make much of a difference anyway (if you take Boost Range that will overwhelm it and if you don't you really need another range boost to notice the difference).

2. Speaking of Boost Range I'd try to take it (possibly dropping Power Boost) but YMMV.

3. For Bone Smasher I'd go for another Mako's Bite over Touch of Death. You don't want to spend much, if any, time in melee range anyway.

4. For Tough I'd lose one of the Aegis pieces, either the Res/Rech or the Global. Aegis is slightly overslotted for Resistance so losing the Res/Rech shouldn't cost you much. Alternative the Global in Aegis is one that sounds a lot more useful than it is.

5. For Weave Luck of the Gambler is not really that great a set. I'd suggest either the LotG Global Recharge bonus and five pieces of Red Fortune or 6-slotting Red Fortune (depending on whether you consider a 7.5% recharge bonus or a 2.5% ranged defense bonus more useful).

6. For Hover I'd add another slot (taken from Energy Torrent or Tough) and add a LotG global recharge bonus (remember, you can slot that one up to 5 times).

7. For Fly I would take the other slot you saved from Tough/Energy Torrent and 2-slot Blessing of the Zephyr (specifically the Fly Speed and Knockback protection IOs).

8. Since you have Knockback protection in Fly replace the KB protection IO in Temp Invulnerability with a Steadfast Protection +3% defense IO.

9. I'd replace the Dam/End in Nova with a Multi-Strike: Dam/Rech. The 6th bonus in Dervish isn't that great and having more recharge in your nuke is better than endurance reduction.

10. I'd replace the Executioner's Contract in Sniper Blast with 5-pieces of Sting of the Manticore. Save the extra slot for now, more in a sec.

11. Personal Force Field doesn't really need any slotting beyond the base. It puts you comfortably over the soft cap anyway. So take two slots out of that.

12. Take the three slots form those and add them to build up which can not take a full set of Gaussian's.

Ok, that's all I can think of for now.

Quote:
#3. Without lighting off Power Boost, Build Up, or Aim, I have an Accuracy bonus of 41% and Damage of 11%. How do these numbers look to you guys? Do blasters usually just worry about Defense, or should I be looking at other things as well?
41% accuracy should be fine. If you're planning to do the incarnate trials you really want to hit +4s reliably. To test this you can change the base to hit in Mids to 39% and then see what your final to hit is for each power.

Damage bonuses are less of a concern, it's hard to build up an appreciable damage bonus through IOs so my advice is to take whatever you get incidentally and don't worry about the rest.


 

Posted

I hope you have renamed him Captain Knockback.


 

Posted

Ok Hawkwood, I completed all of your suggestions (with the exception of Boost Range). You have some great ideas! Many of my stats have changed; Damage increased from 11% to 15.5%. Accuracy decreased from 41% to 32%. Ranged Defense increased from 21% to 35.6%. AoE Defense increased from 17% to 22.2%. And Smashing/Lethal Defense increased from 10% to 13%. Not to mention I have a few more status resistances now. Here’s the improved build:

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.942
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Megaburst: Level 50 Technology Blaster
Primary Power Set: Energy Blast
Secondary Power Set: Energy Manipulation
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Medicine
Ancillary Pool: Force Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Power Blast

  • (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage
  • (3) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance
  • (3) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge
  • (5) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
  • (5) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  • (7) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
Level 1: Power Thrust
  • (A) Accuracy IO
Level 2: Energy Torrent
  • (A) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage
  • (7) Positron's Blast - Damage/Endurance
  • (9) Positron's Blast - Damage/Recharge
  • (9) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  • (11) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy)
Level 4: Build Up
  • (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff
  • (13) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Recharge
  • (13) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Recharge/Endurance
  • (45) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Recharge/Endurance
  • (45) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Endurance
  • (50) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up
Level 6: Hasten
  • (A) Recharge Reduction IO
  • (15) Recharge Reduction IO
  • (15) Recharge Reduction IO
Level 8: Power Burst
  • (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage
  • (17) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance
  • (17) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge
  • (19) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
  • (19) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  • (21) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
Level 10: Hover
  • (A) Kismet - Accuracy +6%
  • (11) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed
Level 12: Bone Smasher
  • (A) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Damage
  • (21) Mako's Bite - Damage/Endurance
  • (23) Mako's Bite - Damage/Recharge
  • (23) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge
  • (25) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  • (25) Mako's Bite - Chance of Damage(Lethal)
Level 14: Fly
  • (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range
  • (42) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)
Level 16: Aim
  • (A) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff
  • (27) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff/Recharge
  • (27) Adjusted Targeting - Recharge
Level 18: Boxing
  • (A) Accuracy IO
Level 20: Tough
  • (A) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance
  • (29) Aegis - Endurance/Recharge
  • (29) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge
  • (42) Aegis - Resistance
  • (42) Aegis - Psionic/Status Resistance
Level 22: Aid Other
  • (A) Healing IO
Level 24: Power Push
  • (A) Accuracy IO
Level 26: Weave
  • (A) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance
  • (31) Red Fortune - Defense/Recharge
  • (31) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance/Recharge
  • (37) Red Fortune - Defense
  • (37) Red Fortune - Endurance
  • (40) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed
Level 28: Aid Self
  • (A) Healing IO
  • (31) Healing IO
  • (33) Healing IO
Level 30: Power Boost
  • (A) Recharge Reduction IO
Level 32: Nova
  • (A) Scirocco's Dervish - Accuracy/Damage
  • (33) Scirocco's Dervish - Damage/Recharge
  • (33) Scirocco's Dervish - Accuracy/Recharge
  • (34) Scirocco's Dervish - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  • (34) Scirocco's Dervish - Chance of Damage(Lethal)
  • (34) Multi Strike - Damage/Recharge
Level 35: Sniper Blast
  • (A) Sting of the Manticore - Accuracy/Damage
  • (45) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Endurance
  • (46) Sting of the Manticore - Accuracy/Interrupt/Range
  • (46) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Interrupt/Recharge
  • (46) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
Level 38: Total Focus
  • (A) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Damage
  • (39) Mako's Bite - Damage/Endurance
  • (39) Mako's Bite - Damage/Recharge
  • (39) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge
  • (40) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  • (40) Mako's Bite - Chance of Damage(Lethal)
Level 41: Stun
  • (A) Disorient Duration IO
Level 44: Personal Force Field
  • (A) Defense Buff IO
Level 47: Temp Invulnerability
  • (A) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance
  • (48) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Recharge
  • (48) Reactive Armor - Endurance/Recharge
  • (48) Reactive Armor - Resistance
  • (50) Reactive Armor - Endurance
  • (50) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
Level 49: Force of Nature
  • (A) Resist Damage IO
------------
Level 1: Brawl
  • (A) Empty
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Sprint
  • (A) Empty
Level 2: Rest
  • (A) Empty
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift
  • (A) Run Speed IO
Level 2: Health
  • (A) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Endurance
  • (36) Numina's Convalescence - Endurance/Recharge
  • (37) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Recharge
  • (43) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Endurance/Recharge
  • (43) Numina's Convalescence - Heal
  • (43) Numina's Convalescence - +Regeneration/+Recovery
Level 2: Hurdle
  • (A) Jumping IO
Level 2: Stamina
  • (A) Endurance Modification IO
  • (36) Endurance Modification IO
  • (36) Endurance Modification IO


 

Posted

[color:#489AFF]Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.92[/color]
[color:#489AFF]http://www.cohplanner.com/[/color]
[color:#B1C9F5]Click this DataLink to open the build![/color]

Fiddled for a bit and got you to 44.7 ranged with your power choices (personally i'd go boost range instead of power boost as was recommended before and i'd dump snipe since it now aggros whole mobs, replacing it with the tier 1 slotted the same) - that's only with tier 3 or 4 nerve getting you the last 1% though.
Mine's a little more expensive than yours but nothing a couple weeks of running tips won't get you.
Hope this helps.


 

Posted

Oh, forgot to mention conserve power instead of power push, though i doubt you'll have endurance problems other than nuke crash - you already have power thrust. Could go boost range there as well if you wanted to keep power boost.


 

Posted

Well, since I'm a big fan of using my melee attacks on blasters while dodging ranged attacks, here is a decent build for an energy/energy/scorp. This build has softcapped smash/lethal/range (very close)/energy defense along with some room to wiggle in a little more defense or some better slotting. I also just like the ease of use for Explosive Blast instead of Torrent but you can switch those interchangably without affecting the defense numbers. You'll also see spiderlings and stun to stack with Total Focus/etc. Now, a few caveats:

1) I've never played an energy/energy, and slotting is a bit to taste
2) I'm a huge fan of the blaster Scorpion patron
3) While I don't slot PVP I/O's or expensive purples, I did add some semi-expensive sets.
4) I consider the Alpha Slot an easily obtainable lvl 50 buff, but other incarnate powers, such as Destiny's Clarion, a long term goal. Therefore, make sure you turn on incarnate once you open the build (along with accolades).
5) I took out hasten, but since you have so many attacks and presumably not soloing pylons and AVs, I figure something is recharged that is worth using almost all the time.

http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/downl...52F11F6ED3FCF2

And another one just in case Power Boost and a fully slotted Aid Self are your preferance (fully softcapped to range also):
http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/downl...C0FA3FFD62F3F9


 

Posted

Makos Bit and Thunderstrike along with combat jump 3 slotted, Maneuvers 3 slotted, Tough with the steadfast unique to +3 to defenses, Tactics with Gaussian I think you should be able to cap out Range defense cap. You will also have room for Aid self.

Further take boost range. I am sure many will agree Boost range for what it only does really is useful.


1. Why Soft Cap is Important : http://dechskaison.blogspot.com/2011...important.html
2. Limits: http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Limits
3. Attack Mechanics: http://wiki.cohtitan.com/wiki/Attack_Mechanics
4. Rule of Five: http://wiki.cohtitan.com/wiki/Rule_o...e_Law_of_Fives

 

Posted

Wow! I'll look into switching to Boost Range for sure! Loading up these builds now...

This community rocks!


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Funboy View Post
#1. Should I concentrate on Ranged Defense like everyone else or should I add a little to all the defenses? I solo a lot so I need to survive. Currently my build allows for 10% Smashing/Lethal Defense. Is that decent for a blaster or can I get that a lot higher? I have Ranged Defense at 21% and AoE at 17%. Are these numbers alright?
For most enemies defense softcaps at 45%. That means that 45% is the point where their chance to hit you is minimized (it can't go below 5% * their accuracy) and therefore any additional defense only serves to protect against defense debuffs or enemy to-hit buffs. Softcapping a Blaster is hard, so the other important number is 32.5% defense, which is one small Luck away from softcapped. I find that I don't really notice defense helping much until it gets into the 20-25% range... at 20% you effectively double the number of incoming attacks it takes to kill you which is noticeable but not great. 32.5% doubles that number again, and I do find 30-35% a nice amount of defense. Softcapping is great... it makes you about 10 times harder to kill. But it's also very hard to do without using the Ice or Mace epic pool so on Nrg/Nrg/Force it's not really an option without a very expensive build that sacrifices a lot of offensive power.

I'd go with decent Ranged defense and rely on your stuns and knockback to keep you safe in melee. Try to avoid meleeing more than one thing at a time and that one target will be stunned pretty fast.

Quote:
#2. Am I making any obvious errors in my power/slot/enhancement selection? I enjoy global enhancements but I thought I had to have them added to “always on” powers to enjoy their benefits all the time. For example, I’m guessing I’d have to have Hover on for the Kismet +6 global accuracy bonus to effect me, right? Am I missing any obviously beneficial global enhancements?
The best globals are the 6% accuracy (which does only work when the power it's in is turned on unless it's in a click, in which case it lasts 2 minutes after clicking), the Numina's and Miracle recovery uniques (which also have to be in an active power or work for 2 minutes after using a click, so put them in Health since that's always on), the Steadfast 3% Defense IO (which just has to be slotted and not more than three levels above your current combat level to work, you don't need to use the power it's in), and the KB protection IOs (which also just have to be slotted and not too high level). If you are very rich the Gladiator's Armor Teleport protection / 3% defense / massive inf drain IO is good too. (Seriously, it's around 3 billion inf.)

Quote:
#3. Without lighting off Power Boost, Build Up, or Aim, I have an Accuracy bonus of 41% and Damage of 11%. How do these numbers look to you guys? Do blasters usually just worry about Defense, or should I be looking at other things as well?
In my opinion, a Blaster should worry first and foremost about killing things. The best way to be good at killing things is to not miss often, so you want enough accuracy and to-hit to have a 95% to hit chance against the toughest things you plan to fight regularly. Once you get a Rare or Very Rare Alpha slot ability you'll be effectively +1 level so the worst you'll need to worry about fighting is +3s. Your base chance to hit a +3 is 48%, or 54% with a Kismet 6% Accuracy (actually gives 6% to hit) IO... that means you need around 76% accuracy to cap your to hit against a +3 target (54 * 1.76 = 95). Since that 76% includes enhancements, 41% global should be fine... you just need 35% accuracy slotted per power and that's easy. Once you can hit reliably, you'll want decent recharge... enough for a good attack chain at the least. Once you have that, then worry about defense.

As for damage bonuses, they are pretty weak on Blasters. You'll be running around 190-195% damage from enhancements, plus maybe 30% or so from Defiance. That means your 11% global damage bonus takes a well slotted attack from around 220% to 231%... not a big difference. More damage is always good, but I wouldn't worry about slotting for it, just take whatever you get while slotting for other things (like recharge).


Cascade, level 50 Blaster (NRG/NRG since before it was cool)
Mechmeister, level 50 Bots / Traps MM
FAR too many non-50 alts to name

[u]Arcs[u]
The Scavenger Hunt: 187076
The Instant Lair Delivery Service: 206636

 

Posted

This is some amazing advice. I’ve gleaned a little from everyone’s responses and applied this info to my main blaster (who, until now I thought was good enough). Now that I know what I know, I see much more room for improvement. I’ve refocused my efforts on the blaster below. He’s a Fire/Fire (and recently changed) Mace ancillary (for more defense).

Take a look at what I’ve done below. I did what I could to get the defensive numbers that I’m happy with, but I had to sacrifice some things I normally would not have.

The following points are my concerns:

#1. Instead of 5-slotting Health, I’ve reduced it to just two slots for 2 healing globals. Bad idea?

#2. Hasten and Stamina went from a 3-slot to 2-slot (now at 83%). Bad idea?

#3. Summon Spiderlings is a power I will never use (for theme reasons). However, I 5-slotted it for the set bonuses. Same probably goes for Ring of Fire, and 2 more slots in Kick. Bad idea?

I’ve included some of the values at the top. Can anyone spot any deficiencies, such as recovery, regen, etc? This does not include accolades or incarnate and such.



Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.942
http://www.cohplanner.com/

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Hotdamn: Level 50 Science Blaster
Primary Power Set: Fire Blast
Secondary Power Set: Fire Manipulation
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Fire Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(46), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(48), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 1: Ring of Fire -- TotHntr-Acc/Rchg(A), TotHntr-EndRdx/Immob(40), TotHntr-Acc/EndRdx(42), TotHntr-Immob/Acc(43), TotHntr-Acc/Immob/Rchg(43), TotHntr-Dam%(43)
Level 2: Fire Sword -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(3), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(23), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), Mako-Dam%(40)
Level 4: Fire Ball -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(5), Posi-Dmg/Rng(21), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21)
Level 6: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(7)
Level 8: Combat Jumping -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(9), Ksmt-ToHit+(9)
Level 10: Fire Sword Circle -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(11), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg(17), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17)
Level 12: Fire Breath -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(13), Posi-Dmg/Rng(15), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15)
Level 14: Super Speed -- Run-I(A)
Level 16: Super Jump -- Jump-I(A)
Level 18: Kick -- ExStrk-Dmg/KB(A), ExStrk-Acc/KB(19), ExStrk-Dam%(19)
Level 20: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), S'fstPrt-ResKB(50)
Level 22: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Def(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+(23)
Level 24: Build Up -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(25), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(25), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(27), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(27), GSFC-Build%(39)
Level 26: Aim -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 28: Weave -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(29), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(29), RedFtn-Def(37), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(39), RedFtn-EndRdx(39)
Level 30: Blaze -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(31), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(31), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 32: Blazing Bolt -- ExecCtrt-Acc/Dmg(A), ExecCtrt-Dmg/EndRdx(33), ExecCtrt-Dmg/ActRdx(33), ExecCtrt-Dmg/Rng(33), ExecCtrt-Dmg/Rchg(34), ExecCtrt-Stun%(34)
Level 35: Inferno -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(36), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg(36), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37)
Level 38: Consume -- EndMod-I(A)
Level 41: Scorpion Shield -- LkGmblr-Def(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+(42), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(42)
Level 44: Summon Spiderlings -- ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(45), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(45), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(46), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(46)
Level 47: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Vengeance -- Heal-I(A)
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Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+(50)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(7)