You can get decent recharge while softcapping S/L defense (and nearly capping Energy too, if you go villain long enough to snag Scorpion Shield). My softcapped Fire/Fire has 56% global recharge not counting the Spiritual alpha, and that's with no purples. Add a couple of purple sets and Hasten plus the T4 Spiritual alpha and you could get Hasten down to a few seconds downtime without losing defense.
For a team build I'd say max recharge might be more useful, but for soloing you'll probably be better off with decent recharge and high defense unless you plan to use a lot of inspirations and try to steamroll things fast enough to get more insps before your existing ones wear off... I know that works well in ambush farms but in normal content I'd be surprised if it's a reliable tactic.
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
How would I go about softcapping S/L? I'm a bit tired from school and all, but I'm not seeing the appropriate sets that will give me the bonuses necessary. With Thunderstrike and such, I can see the possibility for going after Ranged defense. What am I missing?
To softcap S/L on a Blaster:
1) Start with the Ice epic pool or (better option) the Scorpion patron pool. You'll have to go villain long enough to unlock patron powers but Scorpion Shield is great because it doesn't make you look like a walking ice cube and it gives Energy defense as well as Smashing and Lethal. You can go hero again after getting patron powers and not lose them, so figure on a little over a week total if you play every day to get the shield and go back to being a hero. Just be sure to spend any hero merits before switching alignment since you'll lose them. You'll have around 16-17% S/L defense (and Energy if you go Scorpion) once you slot the shield.
2) Now add additional defense from other powers. Weave is handy.. I tend to take Boxing or Kick and not slot them, take Tough and not actually run it (drop a Steadfast 3% defense IO in it, and a Gladiator's Armor 3% defense IO if you're spending stupid amounts of inf) and then grab Weave. Combat Jumping also adds a bit of defense and so does Maneuvers if you can spare the endurance.
3) Then get the rest of the way to 45% defense with set bonuses. This is the part that gets expensive. Kinetic Combat is handy for melee attacks (probably just Fire Sword unless you slot Boxing as a set mule) and Obliteration for PBAoEs (you'll have several of these). You can also slot two Rectified Reticle in Aim and Build Up (and Tactics if you go Leadership), plus there are a couple of other options depending on your build.
For reference, I use this build:
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.942
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Code:
It's a decent build that wasn't obscenely expensive and works reasonably well. Purples and PvP IOs would make it better but I didn't feel like spending that much...
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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
I went for softcapped S/L/E with 5 seconds downtime in Hasten before Ageless Destiny - all without purple or PVP IOs. There are a few moderately expensive bits in there, but nothing too bad.
Code:
| Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1445;689;1378;HEX;| |78DA6553DB6E1251143DC345848285026DE9552E2D050A96E8BBA6B5A49A36A1ADF| |1CDD4B14C6012323301AA6DD5C46FF0411FB4DE7EC1EBBFE80F78A9FA5EEDB867AF| |438B6112CEDAB3EF6B31676DF76A5088479785125A6AAAEDF6D6229D1DAD15B8A16| |D370CB369D6F77C2B66A7A1A9359F102221C35B1BAA51D76AA58ADED25092EC4636| |772CCB6C75105A530DDDDA69AA1DDD3422D78C86D6D28C4EA96B04AAA6D92C6D5A9| |A560BB2B9AAA9966ED407BB2F35ADD56EE85688DF2B7ABDD1A16862D9D2B74BDD71| |6BEAB633C6B1F74669C33CFDAE88EE63BBC52B82B2F0BC06BC603873C070F734CF2| |BE03A8BF420D2CFBD6128A2AAFC9261914E4556296FD9157887F4F70CE18F0CB14F| |0CC349865D3ADDB2CA7DE4E2C81F86F37F01C7009B61DE492E8B25CAF7CA2AEF07E| |C8E59A318328A21454C2E62568AFE2A1FAF682BBE0278018629E297117F5CE1DD63| |0CCBE41BC02465E019ED1015C1E70C69AA09C99AD017DE2EFF99619F7C83B266103| |561D454C817917B47A0EC10941D82B231283B0665A7A0EC7D3AA398E48D7EA34693| |62EC2B43F207E010B0CFE9E97B0C7B74C6E5AC38944D43D93494CD40D9CC7FCA468| |8D50866B946A0C42C94980D3344292121C925406EEA80E101F9C6F913B0DDE35873| |E23B006BCE63CD98CF39B98398C488157A99965FE634A865519A43691EA50F29232| |539A5B07706D466412D0B6A5950CB8393A3C78CEC3E53E51617D6011B804D86A3B0| |107392FB1C16CB817B0EDC15DABC20372FD4586537B94AD25572849B141E722DC83| |60B6853469B32DA4C784EEE9710B7B94DD2D3BD3DB69DEF0DDBF488853E4FB9CF73| |B1CF73A9CFB3DAEBF1B34455CFC9AD150A2E833F7C7225EDC3008515192E72F8D7A| |94B516E3221D77582ACF8D99B3CC7C9BF4F5D2EE5094F743D66987ACAB01EA55312| |AF069C9EB06FF5D86A8F7DA7C7FE07B1F8F6B4| |-------------------------------------------------------------------|
After fiddling around with Mids', I have come up with the following build:
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.942
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
X32290: 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: Fire Blast -- Decim-Acc/Dmg:40(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx:40(31), Decim-Dmg/Rchg:40(33), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:40(33), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:40(50)
Level 1: Ring of Fire -- Decim-Acc/Dmg:40(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx:40(21), Decim-Dmg/Rchg:40(23), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:40(23), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:40(40)
Level 2: Fire Ball -- Ragnrk-Dmg/Rchg:50(A), Ragnrk-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(17), Ragnrk-Acc/Rchg:50(19), Ragnrk-Dmg/EndRdx:50(19), Ragnrk-Knock%:50(21)
Level 4: Fire Sword -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(5), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(5), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(7)
Level 6: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(7), RechRdx-I:50(9)
Level 8: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A)
Level 10: Fire Sword Circle -- Oblit-Dmg:50(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg:50(11), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg:50(11), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(13), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(15), Oblit-%Dam:50(15)
Level 12: Aim -- Rec'dRet-ToHit:20(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg:20(13)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Zephyr-ResKB:50(A)
Level 16: Build Up -- Rec'dRet-ToHit:20(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg:20(17)
Level 18: Blaze -- Apoc-Dmg/Rchg:50(A), Apoc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(43), Apoc-Acc/Rchg:50(43), Apoc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(43), Apoc-Dam%:50(46)
Level 20: Acrobatics -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 22: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 24: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(A), GA-3defTpProc:50(25), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(25), RctvArm-EndRdx/Rchg:40(29), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(31), RctvArm-EndRdx:40(31)
Level 26: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(A), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg:50(27), LkGmblr-Def:50(27), LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(29)
Level 28: Consume -- Efficacy-EndMod:50(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg:50(33), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg:50(34), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg:50(34), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc:50(34), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx:50(37)
Level 30: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A)
Level 32: Inferno -- Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg:50(A), Armgdn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(48), Armgdn-Acc/Rchg:50(48), Armgdn-Dmg/EndRdx:50(50), Armgdn-Dam%:50(50)
Level 35: Blazing Aura -- M'Strk-Acc/Dmg:50(A), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx:50(36), M'Strk-Dmg/Rchg:50(36), M'Strk-Acc/EndRdx:50(36), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(37), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(37)
Level 38: Hot Feet -- M'Strk-Acc/Dmg:50(A), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx:50(39), M'Strk-Dmg/Rchg:50(39), M'Strk-Acc/EndRdx:50(39), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(40), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(40)
Level 41: Scorpion Shield -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(A), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg:50(42), LkGmblr-Def:50(42), LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(42)
Level 44: Burn -- Oblit-Dmg:50(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg:50(45), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg:50(45), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(45), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(46), Oblit-%Dam:50(46)
Level 47: Tactics -- Rec'dRet-ToHit:20(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg:20(48)
Level 49: Super Speed -- Zephyr-ResKB:50(A)
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
Level 50: Spiritual Radial Paragon
Level 50: Pyronic Radial Final Judgement
Level 50: Diamagnetic Radial Flawless Interface
Level 50: Clarion Radial Epiphany
------------
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 -- Run-I:50(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+:40(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(3)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod:50(A), P'Shift-End%:50(3), EndMod-I:50(9)
Code:
A thought occurs. How well does S/L defense protect me from mezzes? If I am held, won't my defenses go down?| Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1476;707;1414;HEX;| |78DA6593EB4E135110C7CFE9854269A5B585B682D052A0DCBAB4801ABCC48842D44| |052C118BF185261D36ED26CD7B6A8788B0FE0FD0B2A3E81EFE09BF80A5EBEA3AEB3| |F33F8526BB69F73767E63FE7323B67FDF1B590102F2F0B19BE5A2B379B5BCBF46EE| |98DE06D7DBB6AD66BF5CA5ED7DD85F9F9A54240089152D1AD8DB259D177B455A3A1| |2323D38E6CEE5A56BDD14268BD6C1AD66EADDC32EA66F48659D51BBAD9D2DA46B05| |4AFD7B44D4BD777426CAEE965CB302B611EAC1A956A8B467DEDD08EDE68560D2BB5| |6219DB5A7BB9F5F2B6B38C63EF25698779FA5F11EDC7F6897D424E0C7F64A43F019| |F19C503C643B73C0EF900E40390E7205FA6B75472B9E011A228228B8C936780B38C| |F839C623127A21F77A4B8451E1BB056C30BA3619A3545F3FCF6B7BFC33C249ED02B| |A810112042010817EE9B8F668D083B9FD3D87BC5CF00FF09711FAC7386103CE468A| |6285F4BDC892BD07148989D017468296082322C2DF39E7090DFA94B80FE208C4ABE| |48BAA3A44F32C9ED68039A0C0C81719499A3BA6B61FCBF08924B9FAD572FD363DC2| |4B9E843A502241EAD32239CF9B4E0E4BA7F84369C67006C8327C9495C2D4DE54842| |B732A0AC4194328D733520C4AC9B30FBEE25DA55F33326F80B7C03BC6D87B4634E0| |6C03BB3C8D89AED360441D7D64895573E7810B8CE245E012E3A9F381B13FFFA8C54| |7CF3E001A409331D60276192FE83DAEB2C6913581AC09644D202B87AC1CB20E2342| |4CAA5A4CA21653A8C5146A3185233C27C58CAAF40C5A6716AD338BD69945EBE4D13| |A79B44E8C6AA1A96ED0D00D73E8862C450AAA4A05B4CE90EFE85ED1CFF9BC195FFB| |EED8F6B42B5A70798A2ECF82CBB3E8F2ACB93C25DFD19515923D3D91A35B69FF085| |25475A6CC73157F1DBBA4BCC94DE6B9C375FBD9299E64F1EF6397477EE0A37BF619| |DD69169482CE3C58EC5E875DEEB0EF77D81B31270B76367E6C7FEBF07FEDB0FF036| |D13FC16| |-------------------------------------------------------------------|
Thank you to StrykerX and streetlight for their advice. What do you gentlemen think of my build? I trust that I did not gimp my overall performance to achieve the softcap.
Quote:
You didn't have Maneuvers toggled, which puts you significantly over the S/L softcap for anything outside of Incarnate content. Since Incarnate content is heavy in non-S/L attacks, I would look to trade some S/L for E/N.|
Originally Posted by Marka Ragnos
After fiddling around with Mids', I have come up with the following build:
(snip) |
If you don't plan to use Tough, it's hard to argue for slotting it up past the defense uniques. Four slots can go a long way. I'd put two each in Combat Jumping and Maneuvers (LotG Def & Def/End) to bulk up base defenses and make a little more room to trade S/L for E/N. Also, you'll have more defense going this route than you would by keeping the Reactive Armor set. I like to shoot for 20% to everything and 45% to my preferred defense(s).
Hot Feet looks great, but I'm not a big fan of it. The endurance cost is terrible, especially with Blazing Aura already running. Plus, it has a fear effect of the "run away" sort that makes PBAOEs less effective pretty quickly - already a problem with a Fire/Fire, unless you want them running away instead of attacking (a potentially valid strategy, even if it does impact your PBAOEs).
I like Flares more than Fire Blast. They do less damage per activation, but more damage per animation second. You've got enough recharge that you don't need Fire Blast's activation time to create a seamless single-target attack chain. If you do find yourself with a spare second due to slows or exemplaring, I'd recommend using Fire Sword over Fire Blast anyway. It's quicker and hits harder.
I love the Armageddon set, but I'd rather have it in something that was used more often than Inferno. Either FSC or Burn would work out better there - I'd probably go with FSC since it would benefit more from the extra endurance reduction. I might even go with Blazing Aura. Even though the proc has reduced effect, it'd hit more often than I'd throw FSC or Burn in most fights.
You can take a slot out of Hasten and still have that perma, allowing you to move one slot... wherever for whatever. Maybe a Celerity: Stealth in Super Speed, if you hadn't planned on putting that in Sprint already. I also like to slot up Super-Speed so I don't have to run Sprint ever.
I've seen a lot of people refuse to take Rain of Fire lately, which I consider a "must have" attack. The damage is just sick, it covers a huge area, it includes a slow, and it makes things try to run instead of attacking you. I usually place it at the back of a spawn so they run toward me.
Acrobatics is kind of questionable. A single -KB IO covers all but maybe 1 in 1000 KB attacks? If you need that extra 0.1% covered, then Acro makes sense. If you plan to exemplar a lot and want the hold protection at lower levels, then Acro makes sense. If you don't plan to exemp a lot and can grit your teeth through the occasional knock, then I say drop it and save the endurance.
Your to-hit levels are fine, so I'd run Spiritual Core instead of Spiritual Radial. That'll give you some more recharge, too.
Quote:
| A thought occurs. How well does S/L defense protect me from mezzes? If I am held, won't my defenses go down? |
Greetings, Fellow Blaster Enthusiasts!
I am in the process of developing a new Fire/Fire Blaster, and I am looking for advice. It will be an IO build where price is no object. There are three avenues which I am considering:
a) Build for high recharge.
b) Try to softcap defense.
c) Both.
I foresee great difficulty in option C. As for A and B, my gut is telling me to do for defense. I tend to play Scrappers, and high defense has served me well in that regard. On the other hand, I have heard that with a Fire/Fire, recharge may be a better option as my primary means of mitigation is to kill quickly lest I be killed.
I would be primarily soloing with this guy, periodically starting a team for the purpose of TFs and such. Which course would you all recommend? Further, which powers would be most beneficial to the recommended route? Builds would be appreciated, but are not necessary.