I don't know if you understand attack chains completely. The goal of an attack chain is to do as much damage as possible using a repeating combination of attacks with no waiting for powers to recharge. If the difference the Spiritual Alpha makes is .2 seconds, but that allows you to run an attack chain seamlessly, it will make up a decent difference in DPS and likely cause you to do more damage per second, even though the per-hit damage will be lower than if you were using Musculature.
The actual damage difference Musculature makes is very small. Assuming your attack is slotted to 95% enhancement, you will also have 75% damage bonus from Follow-Up being double-stacked. That means a 100 base damage attack does (100 * [1 + .95 + .75] = ) 270 damage without Musculature. The tier 4 Musculature will add approximately 35% enhancement to that attack. Your final damage would be (100 * [1 + .95 + .75 + .35] = ) 305 damage, which is just under a 13% increase in damage.
Let's assume an attack chain has a .5 second gap in it due to one power recharging. The entire chain lasts 6.5 seconds and does 150 DPS. These numbers are approximately what you might be experiencing. Let's say the Spiritual Alpha removes that .25 second gap. You now do the same amount of damage in 7 seconds, which comes out to 162.5 DPS. While that is only an 8% increase in DPS, the other benefits of the Spiritual Alpha make up for it. Your build might be different, too.
The optimal attack chain for Claws on a Scrapper is Follow Up -> Focus -> Slash. Since you like Swipe, putting it after Slash in the chain would be the best place for it. You can't really swap out a power without causing the chain to be too short for the amount of recharge required.
Post your build and a more definitive answer for which will help you more can be given.
To be somewhat contrary, followup -> focus -> slash requires very high global recharge, hasten, the whole shebang. Adding swipe to the chain completely does away with that requirement. If he's happy to run four attacks instead of three for single target, quite possibly because he has swipe slotted with kinetic combats in the first place, well, that's probably an easier solution that trying to come up with a huge recharge build for WP.
As has been established, WP gains literally nothing from recharge. The heal from spiritual also fails to impress. The question now is, what does spiritual do for the attack chain? I'm happy to take your word for the numbers you've got there, Syntax, and in that light it seems that spiritual is plainly worse than musculature. As in, you'd be better off just living with a gap and doing more damage. I find it virtually impossible to believe that spiritual could take a willpower character from a medium chain to a top chain all by itself so I guess musculature looks best?
Are you accounting for the +Regen that will give you? I know on my DB/WP, I'm gaining 8 HP a second on Regen with just 1 target in range of RTTC.
Also, the +RCH helps when hit with a couple slows. Still, I can find myself waiting and waiting for attacks to recharge when hit with massive slows.
I admit, I like the extra survival myself when going up against those single hard targets.
However, if you don't find the +RCH doing anything for you, and the added +HEAL isn't doing much for you (and it likely isn't that much, given it's small numbers), no reason not to go for the +DMG.
With WP you really can't go wrong, as really none of the Alpha slots benefit it to such a great extent.
Eek out a little more survival or eek out a little more damage. Could always go for both and find out which you like more. 
BrandX Future Staff Fighter
The BrandX Collection
Quote:
Yeah, I understand that part, I just haven't bothered to manually work out an attack chain, haven't really given thought to Arcanatime, and don't know if handy attack-chain-calculator apps exist, or if everyone just brute-forces their way through the process of figuring out attack chains.|
Originally Posted by Syntax42
I don't know if you understand attack chains completely. The goal of an attack chain is to do as much damage as possible using a repeating combination of attacks with no waiting for powers to recharge.
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Syntax42
Post your build and a more definitive answer for which will help you more can be given.
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If we are to die, let us die like men. -- Patrick Cleburne
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The rule is that they must be loved. --Jayne Fynes-Clinton, Death of an Abandoned Dog
I don't think that musculature does that much for brutes. relatively anyway
You may want to use the alpha to cover a weakness in your build.
Quote:
Could be. But this is a Scrapper.
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Originally Posted by all_hell
I don't think that musculature does that much for brutes. relatively anyway
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If we are to die, let us die like men. -- Patrick Cleburne
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The rule is that they must be loved. --Jayne Fynes-Clinton, Death of an Abandoned Dog
OK, here is build:
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.942
http://www.cohplanner.com/
American Pit Bull: Level 50 Science Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Claws
Secondary Power Set: Willpower
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Concealment
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery
Hero Profile:
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Level 1: Swipe KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(43), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(45), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 1: High Pain Tolerance Numna-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(3), Numna-Heal(3), Heal-I(46)
Level 2: Slash KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(5), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(5), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), Achilles-ResDeb%(9)
Level 4: Fast Healing Numna-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(9), Numna-Heal(11), Heal-I(46)
Level 6: Spin Erad-Dmg/Rchg(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), C'ngBlow-Dmg/EndRdx(13), C'ngBlow-Dmg/Rchg(15), C'ngBlow-Acc/Rchg(15)
Level 8: Mind Over Body RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(17), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(17), RctvArm-ResDam(19)
Level 10: Indomitable Will Ksmt-ToHit+(A)
Level 12: Follow Up KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(19), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(21), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(23), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23)
Level 14: Boxing KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(25), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(25), KntkC'bat-Knock%(27)
Level 16: Rise to the Challenge Numna-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(27), Numna-Heal(29), H'zdH-Heal/EndRdx(29)
Level 18: Tough RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(31), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(31), RctvArm-ResDam(31)
Level 20: Quick Recovery EndMod-I(A), Efficacy-EndMod(33), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(33)
Level 22: Weave LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(33), LkGmblr-Def(34), LkGmblr-Rchg+(34)
Level 24: Focus Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(34), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(36), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 26: Eviscerate Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(37), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(39)
Level 28: Heightened Senses LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(40), LkGmblr-Def(40), LkGmblr-Rchg+(40)
Level 30: Maneuvers LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 32: Combat Jumping LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 35: Shockwave Ragnrk-Dmg(A), Ragnrk-Dmg/Rchg(42), Ragnrk-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), Ragnrk-Acc/Rchg(42), Ragnrk-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Posi-Dam%(43)
Level 38: Strength of Will S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GA-3defTpProc(50)
Level 41: Focused Accuracy Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-Pcptn(50)
Level 44: Physical Perfection RgnTis-Regen+(A)
Level 47: Tactics Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg(50)
Level 49: Stealth LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Task Force Commander
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Level 1: Brawl KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(48), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48), KntkC'bat-Knock%(48)
Level 1: Sprint Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift Run-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Stamina EndMod-I(A), Efficacy-EndMod(45), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(45)
Level 1: Critical Hit
Level 4: Ninja Run
| Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build |
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I don't actually run Tactics or Focused Accuracy unless I get suddenly run into trouble hitting. Slotting Brawl was a neat trick I blundered across in someone else's build; it lets me have 5 single-target attacks for the KC sets but free up a power pick to take Stealth instead of another attack, which lets me have enough defense powers to slot 5 LOTGs and the Kismet proc without adding another slot for the proc.
The god-awful cost of the Glad 3% Def PVPIO was covered by hero merits ground out over time. I had at first been planning to use it on a different character, before I realized I could just hit the soft-cap with this guy, which seemed like a pretty high-payoff use for it.
If we are to die, let us die like men. -- Patrick Cleburne
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The rule is that they must be loved. --Jayne Fynes-Clinton, Death of an Abandoned Dog
I was just puzzling over this same problem on my Claws/WP scrapper. I too went spiritual to help accelerate my strongest attacks, and the nice bump in regen doesn't hurt. That's the one big problem with a Jack of All Trades set like Willpower. Building an Alpha that only enhances on attribute doesn't gain you a whole lot.
Stay Gold, Paragon. Stay Gold.
Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.
When puzzling out which Alpha to choose, if there isn't an obvious choice, then it seems most sensible to check out what will save the most slots.
Since the sets I use are chosen for the bonuses, I'm not about to break up these sets. The attack sets make up the majority of my full sets, probably yours too. These all have maximum (or higher) damage, and ample accuracy. Also, global accuracy tends to run so high that most of us would need NO accuracy in our powers, I think! That means the damage and the acc. Alphas are immediately disqualified for me - their primary powers would be utterly wasted. That leaves Endurance and Recharge alphas, since neither one or the other of these of attributes seem to be as high as anyone really wants in any given set (Oblits, my blue bar is lookin' at you, fella!).
I check the number of common IO's in my build. In my WP build end and rech IO's were about equal, so I went with Cardiac. Why? Because that also saved a bit on resist enhancements - those powers are now 2-3 slotted, instead of 3-5 slotted. The set bonuses were poor enough that I could get more of the bonuses I wanted by slotting up some of those attack powers.
All told, my end is better (obviously) and I was able to save enough slots that my WP has all of the usual defense-enhancing pool power toggles, and can also 6) slot 6 attacks AND buildup, which for me is an almost obscene abundance of riches.
Just an suggestion, but I'm happy with the choice I made. If you don't "need" any of the Alpha's, then choose the one that frees up the most slots.
I'd also put my hat in for Cardiac.
While willpower already has quick recovery, and physical perfection is easy enough to get, the SoW crash, plus the hasten crash can put a hit on your endurance, as well as running upwards of 6 toggles (keep in mind, willpower has 4 toggle base, then tough and weave make it 6, tactics, focused acc make it 8.. all that endurance usage adds up)
Plus the extra resistance stacks nicely with your already high resistance numbers, and helps you heal more overtime with RttC.
I thought more regen was what you wanted for Willpower.
Uber Talgrim - level 50 emp/dark defender
Uber Rod - level 50 dark melee/regen scrapper
Rod Valdr - level 50 invuln/SS tanker
Talgrim - level 50 ninja/dark mastermind
OMG!! Please add these costume designs now!
I go with Spiritual for one reason:
If you're slotting sets like Kinetic Combat to get set bonuses, the powers they are slotted in are short on recharge. Especially if you're trying to save slots by only 5 slotting and adding a Mako's Bite quad or Hami-O to get more accuracy.
The extra HP and regen are just gravy.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Dechs Kaison See, it's gems like these that make me check Claws' post history every once in a while to make sure I haven't missed anything good lately. |
tl/dr: I'm having a terrible time deciding on which Alpha Incarnate power to slot for my Claws/WP Scrapper.
He's pretty well-slotted by my standards, with few obvious holes of the sort the Alpha slot can fix...soft-capped for s/l/e/n typed damage, with medium global recharge (47.5%), decent accuracy, almost-capped hit points, and high regen.
The obvious choices are
Spiritual would seem like the clear winner, except that:
Also, I typically find that very often, the enemy is a sliver away from defeat. Claws hits fast and I'm not complaining, but it occurs to me that Musculature might make up that sliver and enable me to move on to the next target, which cumulatively would add up to a long0term time savings.
So that might argue for Musculature. Now, it is true that my attack chain is not optimized (I even have Swipe instead of Strike, knowing that Strike is part of the optimal attack chain, because I prefer the look of Swipe on an animal-themed character). I only get 2 attacks off with double-stacked Follow-Up if I am very alert. But I don't think even tier 4 Spiritual Alpha would improve THAT part -- the difference in its recharge is 5.22 seconds vs 4.42 seconds, or 8/10ths of a second.
I ran on a Sutter today, and although the character felt strong (he exemplars acceptably), I often felt like I was still finishing off stragglers as the team moved on. Ah, I thought, Musculature!
But then I got waxed a few times (once by psy enemies despite my middling-good psi protection, and a couple of times by defense-debuffing Sky Skiffs, I think, causing cascading defense failure). Ah, I thought, Spiritual!
(I know neither Alpha will actually work during the Sutter TF, I'm just giving examples of perceived areas for improvement that occurred to me.
I have a good bit of Incarnate salvage piling up on this guy while I overthink things (33 Shards and a few components); obviously I could build something if I ever I make up my mind.
I've compared both choices in Mids, and run searches on the forum and read a bunch of threads on Alpha choices for both my powersets, and I'm STILL not decided.
Thanks for reading, I welcome your thoughts, analysis, or suggestions.
If we are to die, let us die like men. -- Patrick Cleburne
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The rule is that they must be loved. --Jayne Fynes-Clinton, Death of an Abandoned Dog