Wondering about IOs and how to slot them in my tank?

I'm new to the CoH forum community and I just got back into the game after 3-4 years out of it. A lot has changed in the game since I've been gone and I sort of know how to use IOs but not real well.
Currently I have a level 45 INV/SS tanker and I have enough INF to buy some good IOs for the toon. Im trying to make the toon more of a solo build, so that he could take some damage but also dish out a good amount of damage.
What I don't understand is how to get set bonuses and how to slot the IOs correctly for the toon to become fairly good.
A guide or an outline would be appreciated to how the toon should be built and how to placee IOs since I'm almost completely lost after a few tries myself:P

Welcome back and to the forums!

To get the bonuses for Set IOs you have to slot IOs from the same set into the same power. You can't use duplicate IOs in the same power mind you (so no Crushing Impact: Acc/Dmg more than once in a power). You have to use each piece.

If you're looking at Mids the little info window will tell you what bonuses you'll get for however many pieces of the set you've slotted. In game, hovering you mouse over the IO will do the same.

There is a method of using set IOs to enhance your build on a more limited budget, which is called Frankenslotting. This entails that you mix/match multiple aspect set IOs (acc/dmg/end/rech for example) with common IOs in order to maximize the potential of your powers.

Since you've been away for so long I'm going to assume you don't have billions of influence and would recommend frankenslotting to get you back into the game. As fas as slotting your Inv/SS there are some other threads in the forum discussing it. Top end builds focus on softcapping s/l/e/n defense, if not also f/c (or close to it) while also shooting for extra global recharge to get dull pain up faster.

If you don't have Mids yet, highly recommended you get it as it is a great tool.

The guide that Rodion referred to is Call_Me_Awesome's guide to soft-capping Invulnerability, which you can find here:

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=126983

You may not be able to afford this right away, but IMO this is the sort of thing you should be working toward. There have also been a ton of Inv/SS build threads in this forum, if you search you can probably find them.

I can't use the Mids Hero Planner because I'm on a Mac, but I have played around with it previously. I'm understanding IOs a little more but I'm still confused with set bonuses and how they work. What I'm getting out of it is I can't use an IO that has Acc/Dam or End/Recharge twice in a specific power. In order to get the set bonus I have to use each piece of the IO in that certain power to get the most out of it?
As for the money issue, I don't think it should be a problem. I have about 3 bill so I'm thinking I could get some decent IOs once I figure the whole IO/set bonus thing out.

You got it Z. A set is exactly what it is. lets go with smashing heymaker, its a 5 piece set (could be 4 I cant remember) 1 piece wont give any bonus, 2 piecies will give you your mez resistance, 3pieces will give you a hp bonus, 4 pieces of the set gives you your defense bonus and so on. You can only slot one piece of the same kind in the same power. Also take note that you can only have 5 of the same size bonus. So if smashing haymaler gives 1.25%def then you can only get that specicfic bonus 5 times. Kinetic combat gives 3.75 to def and you can only get that same bonus 5 times.

Okay I definitely understand this more now. I found this guide that helped me further clarify things and to me it seems like a good guide. http://cityofheroes.wikia.com/wiki/I...hancement_Sets
I also checked up on Call me Awesome's guide which helps a lot! Now I just got to get to WW and get my slotting right:P

Oh and can I use 4 pieces of Reactive Armor in one power, for example Resist Physical Damage and then get 4 more pieces and use it in Unyielding?

[QUOTE=Zeus77;3747033]I can't use the Mids Hero Planner because I'm on a Mac, but I have played around with it previously.QUOTE]

You should use the online planner, it can be used on a MAC.

http://planner.cohtitan.com/planner

Hey Zeus,

One thing that may not be obvious at first (certainly took me a while to notice) is that it can be a lot easier to buy recipes through a Merit Vendor than the Auction House. For example if you are following Call_Me_Awesome's excellent build suggestions you will want a few lvl 40 Reactive Armor enhancements. You can buy the recipe for them for 50 Reward Merits, and you can get 50 reward merits just by getting 10 badges

ps: Then you nip over to the AE building to spend your tickets on the necessary salvage.

I finally figured out the IOs and set bonuses. Gotta say, It's easier than I thought. Just requires some explaining and experimenting. Although I noticed that most of my set bonuses say "tiny increase to dam/acc, etc." Is this because the IOs are a lower level? For example getting an impervium armor level 45 to impervium armor level 50?

A lvl 25 Impervium set bonus will be the same as a lvl 50 Impervium set bonus. The enhancement values on the lvl 50 will be higher then the lvl 25. (Ie higher resistance, end reduction, and recharge percentages)

With the level 50 Imperviums, once you exemp below lvl 47 you will lose the set bonuses. The enhancement values will scale down as you exemp down from lvl 50.

With the level 25 Imperviums, once you exemp down below lvl 22 you will lose the set bonuses. The enhancement values will scale down once you get below lvl 25.

If you haven't read it yet, and no one has brought it up yet, remember the Rule of 5.
Only 5 of the same kind and amount of set bonus will take.

Example, lets say you have six attack powers. And you slot each of them with an IO set that gives you a 2.5% Recovery bonus. The sixth will be ignored and you'd only have 12.5% bonus total.

Or say you have three attacks slotted with that same IO set, and three armor toggles with another IO set that also gives you 2.5% Recovery bonuses for it. Again, that sixth 2.5% will not take effect.

But, if you slotted one of those attacks or toggles with an IO set that gives you 3% Recovery bonus, that WOULD take.


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