here's a link to a thread i started a while back pertaining to my Arch/Dev blaster. The build is a hover+range defense build. It's not softcapped but sits at about 43% and I still rarely get hit, even on the few iTrials I've taken him on.
Will at least get you started.
http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=258269
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)
Seldom made a thread a few weeks ago about a "Death from Afar" Archery/Energy blaster built for extreme range. The theory was build for lots of range and range=defense rather than try to focus so so heavily on IO's that provide +DEF.
Its an expensive build (lots of HO's and almost two sets' worth of Purples) but you can sub-out some other things for the purples and still get MOST of the range he advocates. Its funny that you say "cost is not an issue" and then mention you've got a billion to spend. Once you mention HO's and Purple IO sets, you are looking at a starting minimum of about 2 Billion. Could be even more depending on the market.
I've gotten my Archery/Energy to 47 and am currently accumulating HO/Centrioles to help make this a reality. Thus far, I've not been able to abandon Aid Self, but since you pretty much can ignore your blapper powers, still think I can keep it. Right now I'm so far away from the fight most times that I have plenty of time to use Aid Self before anything even gets to me.
Anyways, its a different build design for the set....just thought I'd mention it as something to consider. You can find the thread HERE. Given your comments of range and ranged defense...something to think about. Range itself is pretty much the best "ranged defense" you can get.
What I meant by cost not being an issue is I don't have any problem working towards something. I posted that I had a billion so people knew where I was starting with. In hindsight it was probably not necessary. Thanks for the link I'm looking it over.
I've been playing COH on and off again almost since launch, but Ive never played a character at 50. I have a few 50s but I basically stopped playing them after they hit 50. Because of this I have very little experience with IO sets. I've come back to the game and I want to play a toon to its fullest potential. Now after a month of playing various toons to decide on a main I've settled on an archery/energy blaster. In the past I've always searched the forums for builds and guides. I'm not finding what I'm looking for.
What I want is high recharge, range, and ranched defense hover blaster built for groups. I've found multiple old threads with builds, but they are outdated or not quite what I'm looking for. Cost is not an object I would like the build to be as good as possible. With that being said a build I can achieve quickly and one to work towards would be great. Also if its going to cost billions more for 1% more effectiveness we can pass on it. I currently have about a billion influence if that aids you in planning a build. I really appreciate any help the coh community can provide.