Back after a couple years, Fire/Fire IO advice/build

Hey, as title states, back after a few years, looking for some Fire/Fire blaster advice. I know some changes were made with flares, is it worth taking now? Have any build suggestions, I've had this character since 2004 and know it very well, just not sure quite how to build with all the new game changes and such.

Any help or builds would be appreciated

Can't really comment on your questions about the powers. However, there are a few routes you can take with your build.

1 - Extreme recharge. Basically try to get as much global recharge as you can and kill things before they get a chance to kill you.

2 - Smash/Lethal Defense. Softcap (45%) defense to these two damage types is a bit easier with Epic pool shields and preferable if you like to blap. Can potentially softcap energy defense, too, if you take the shield from Mace Mastery (requiring an alignment change).

3 - Range Defense + Hover. A bit harder to achieve than s/l defense but very safe and protects you from mezzes (except mind) because a majority of mezzes are ranged. I personally use this on my Arch/Dev blaster.

Going with s/l defense will allow you to get some more recharge in the build since most of the defense will come from an epic shield. Going with range defense will get you even less recharge, but still a healthy amount.

Those three definitely aren't the only ways to build a blaster, but the three that I think of first. For more leeway in building if you choose to build for defense, you can aim to hit 32.5% defense (type or positional) and utilize Lucks to hit the softcap.

I suggest you read Peg's guide to get a feel for fire/fire and check out what io sets can do.

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=121836

I'm running an updated version of the pve build and I think it's one of the more balanced builds out there.

Oh and download the latest version of Mids' Hero designer so you can mess around with your own bluilds.

Below is what I am working towards with my Blaster. I've got a bundle of Hero Merits that I need to spend before I can start the trip redside to pick up Scorpion Shield, which is the only thing stalling the build at the moment.

Endurance is harsh, but Consume & Ageless Destiny keep it in check. Ageless also helps recharge, which will help you chain AOEs. You'll need to keep a few Break Free insps around in case of mez, but softcapped S/L/E will help a lot there.

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Hothead: Level 50 Technology 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: Flares -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thundr-Acc/Dmg(7)
Level 1: Ring of Fire -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(46), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(50)
Level 2: Fire Ball -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(15), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), Posi-Dam%(21), EndRdx-I(23)
Level 4: Combustion -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(23), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(33), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Oblit-%Dam(45)
Level 6: Rain of Fire -- Posi-Dmg/Rng(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), Posi-Dam%(25), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(46), EndRdx-I(46)
Level 8: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(9)
Level 10: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(11)
Level 12: Aim -- Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg(13)
Level 14: Super Speed -- Zephyr-ResKB(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(43)
Level 16: Build Up -- Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg(17)
Level 18: Blaze -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(27), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(50)
Level 20: Blazing Aura -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg(27), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(36)
Level 22: Fire Sword Circle -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(36), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Oblit-%Dam(45)
Level 24: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(39), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(39)
Level 26: Vengeance -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 28: Consume -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(29), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45)
Level 30: Fire Sword -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(31), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(31), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 32: Inferno -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(40), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 35: Burn -- Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Oblit-Dmg(37), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(39), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(40), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Oblit-%Dam(43)
Level 38: Boxing -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(A)
Level 41: Scorpion Shield -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(42), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(42)
Level 44: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 47: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(48), LkGmblr-Def(48)
Level 49: Tactics -- Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg(50)
Level 50: Spiritual Core Paragon
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A)
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+(3)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(A), P'Shift-EndMod(3), P'Shift-End%(48)

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