Returning player - IO slotting help!

Hi all,

Thanks in advance for opening *another* one of these threads. Hopefully there's no really obvious thread on this topic that I've missed... =/

I've just returned to COH after an extended break; I'm a VIP subscriber again and have picked up my old character. He's a Shields/SS tanker and I'm just trying to really nail down IOs.

I've got the basics and have begun to track down some of the pieces I want - this is the first character I played to 50 (I started way back in I3 and never got a character above level 35~, took a long break and picked up Shields when I returned) and I love playing him. I'd love to pour some more energy into him and really max him out... it might take a long while, but that's what I'd like to work towards.

I've started playing with the incarnate content and have a good idea as to where I want to be with that - but the IO system is considerably more complex. I've had a play around with MIDs, but I was hoping I could get some advice from people here regarding what I'd like to achieve. I'm sure with experience you get better at seeing exactly how to do everything with a character... personally, I just can't see it.

Here's what I'd like to achieve (in order of importance) - really appreciate any help:

- Stick to concept. He's SD/SS... and my epic is currently Pyre. I picked it because it was the best (at the time, at least), and I *super* regret breaking concept to do it. I'd like to respec to Energy, since it fits best. I'm happy to include any of the epic pools (to hold sets) if I don't have to use them, but I'd rather stick to energy.

As mentioned, I'm pretty happy with Incarnate content, although I'm happy to switch my Alpha and Destiny slots to whatever I need to if it helps.

- Max out Defence Debuff Resistance. I'm rocking 60odd% at the moment which is great, but I have eaten a fair bit of floor fighting the Romans

- Achieve 59% (or as close as possible) to my positional defenses for the high-end content. My understanding is that this is the cap for the incarnate mobs and I'd like to be as tough as possible.

- Permahasten (or as close to); mainly to ensure a solid attack chain. I suspect it is necessary for the DDR.

- Other defenses; currently I'm running a Rebirth for the regeneration and my resistances are ok. Any extra HP/resists are obviously worthwhile to maintain my tankiness.

- Damage; I've a preference for AOE... mainly so I can efficiently pay for the build! Is Energy Torrent a *reasonable* replacement for Fireball? I'd like to maintain damage based slotting for my attacks - I'm not really interested in gimping my output for Stun sets and the like, although if slots permit, that's an option for things that wouldn't appear in the attack chain.

- Jab; I'd like to fill the thing with a bunch of Procs rather than a standard slotting. This would give me something to do during a rage crash and I like the concept of it as a 'signature move'.

- Fly; somehow, I'd like to include Fly in the build. I just don't see it as a possibility: I'm currently running Combat Jumping, Aid Self, Hasten and Tough/Weave for my pool powers. CJ might be possible to drop, but as-is, I'm only at 46% def to all and CJ is a big part of that. I guess when I finally get the PVP 3% IO I could swap CJ for Fly...?

- Rage/End Issues; I'm not convinced I need more than 1 stack of Rage at a time. I've noticed that while I'm fighting, the end crashes can run me out of end sometimes too quickly. That's a little frustrating.

I realise I've basically asked "what would you do to max out Shields/SS if you had unlimited inf?", but I appreciate any help nonetheless: primarily for the very high-end elements that I just can't seem to work out for my build. Is it even possible to do all of these things? I can't figure it, if it is.

Again, thanks very much for your time.

Cheers!

I will not be able to help much, since my SD/SS tank is still low level, but the first thing you really need to do is post his current build. You can use Titan Sentinel to export your current build into Mids, then post it here on the board so the knowledgeable SD people can have a better idea of what you need to do.

I've run a couple of Shield characters up to 50, one a SD/Fire/Pyre tanker and one BS/Shield/Pyre scrapper so I'm somewhat familiar with the set. Both of them I settled for ~47% defense and called it good as both were leveled pre-incarnate.

For a SD tanker getting the normal soft cap is a cakewalk... you can nearly do it on SO's alone. Add in a Steadfast 3% and you're there; so I focused on other bonuses for my tanker. I'm partial to the Gift of the Ancients set in my shields; 4 of them make for a nice endurance boost and recovery boost. On my scrapper slotting all the defenses that way made a character with 9 toggles who could fight for 10 minutes straight against AV/GM's without dropping the blue below 70%.

With your goals of perma hasten though you may be looking at the Luck of the Gambler for 10% regen & 7.5% recharge... expect it to be pricey unless you can buy those 7.5% global recharge IO's with A-Merits though, they usually run $150-200 million each. You can grab another 5% recharge from each set of 5 Crushing Impact slotted in your ST attacks. One thought that occurs to me though is what are you looking to accomplish with perma-hasten? You should have a nice attack chain already and One with the Shield is unaffected by recharge. Are you looking to maximize Shield Charge?

Thanks to the way the SD set works with Active Defense providing a chunk of Debuff Resistance you can increase that by double stacking your mez protection. You can also increase the DDR in the power by slotting Membrane (def buff/recharge) Hami-O's into it thanks to the loophole in defense slotting boosting defense debuff resistance. My BS/SD scrapper runs with AD double stacked about 50% of the time giving capped (95%) DDR and ~70% DDR when I've only a single stack. The tanker would, with the same slotting, have considerably more while AD is only single stacked.

You'll be hard put to get much additional in the way of resistance beyond Tough from the Fighting Pool; there's just not much resistance available in IO bonuses.

I find it hard to recommend any Destiny other than the Rebirth Radial tree (Regeneration side); at tier 3 you can have a perma 200% regen buff and half the time considerably more.

On your epic choice you'll need to determine which you want more, damage or utility and concept. Energy Torrent is really something of a disappointment, it's a cone so you'll have problems using it effectively when you're tanking and surrounded by mobs. It isn't bad, but the cone is an issue for a tank. Fire Ball is really the best AOE epic attack out there and Fire Blast isn't bad as a ranged single target attack, considerably better than Laser Beam Eyes.

Since you've already invested in Leaping you may want to consider Spring Attack; it's kind of a "Shield Charge Lite" power and will be a decent filler to alternate with SC. It's a bit shorter radius AOE and lower damage but it isn't bad from my brief testing.

You could put together a very solid build for around 300 million; the sky's the limit on the upper end if you feel like spending the money. The HO's are expensive options for minor improvement in DDR yet I tossed them in both of my SD characters since I have a sizeable stash of them from the old time Hami raids.

I suggest you use the Titan Sentinel program to export your current build into Mids and play around with your slotting and power choices then post your build here and we'll help you fine tune it.

Thanks for the initial advice; I'll upload my build as it stands when I'm at my main PC and can use the Titan Sentinel program.

I already have the LOTG sets (incl. 5 +recharges); I've also got the miracle proc and 2 HOs for Active Defence. I'm missing any PVP/Purple Sets currently, but I'm happy to work towards them.

As to the suggestion about the Jumping Pool attack - I haven't actually seen it in action although I did read the "Charleston Chew" thread and that put me off. Is it as bad as all that? Charleston Chew *is* terrible, after all!

Cheers for the quick replies - I'll get my current build up tonight hopefully.

Here's a build I worked out on Mids' - my current build isn't as good, but is fairly similar. I don't yet have the purps/pvp bits, but I either have everything else or can easily pick it up. It *almost* does everything I want - I'd like to squeeze in more defense and I'm just a few seconds from genuine perma-haste (which is fine really).

I'm willing to entertain suggestions re: the epic pool and any other power changes. I haven't tested out the jumping attack, but I'm keen to play around with that.

I should have 95% def debuff resist, but I can't figure out how to have two stacks of Active D in Mids.

Thanks again for thoughts!

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When you do the incarnate trial, do you take into account 3 allies next to you giving you additional defense via Phalanx? If taken into account then the 59% is already there without combat jump and so fly could be taken now. I wouldn't slot Jab with just procs, sure there is a rage crash but most the time there isn't, you'd lose dps by doing so. Are you on Justice by any chance?

I hadn't considered the extra Def from Phalanx Fighting. Seems like a silly thing to forget, but it does seem like it would make more sense to give myself some wiggle-room (aim for 50~% def) and then rely on PF to carry me the rest of the way. If I didn't have at least a couple in range, I'd be doing it wrong - if I were pulling the AVs on BAF, the guntowers don't care about my DEF anyway.

I'm also over on Virtue. Cheers for your thoughts!

Not a bad build, MrMajesty, but as the others have suggested, you don't need to build for so much defense. And considering how easy it is to soft-cap Shield Defense on a Tank, I think the GA +Def is a huge waste of money. If you don't have one, save your money. If you do, use it on a character that's more difficult to soft-cap.

The Shield Wall +Resistance is even worse, IMO. The amount of additional survivability that 3% more resistance will get you is miniscule, and you can make up for some of the lost S/L resistance by simply slotting Deflection better. My recommendation is to drop both PvP IOs and don't look back.

Some other slotting issues:

Move the Steadfast +Def to True Grit, replacing one of the resist commons, and move the resist common to Deflection.

You have much more Melee defense than you need, even without the GA +Def. I'd replace the ToD set with 5 slots of Crushing Impact.

Drop the Reactive Armor End IO from Tough, and move that slot plus the one used by the GA +Def somewhere else--Health or Stamina would be good choice.

The three Interrupt Reduction IOs in Aid Self is really overkill, especially on a high defense build. Use one of the slots elsewhere.

Phalanx Fighting really doesn't benefit much from defense slotting. I'd move the LotG recharge to Grant Cover and slot a Kismet +Acc in PF.

Here's your build with those changes. I think you'll find that this will give you a lot more bang for the buck than the original build with the PvP IOs.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.952
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Mutation Tanker
Primary Power Set: Shield Defense
Secondary Power Set: Super Strength
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Medicine
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Deflection -- LkGmblr-Def:50(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(3), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(3), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(5), ResDam-I:50(5), ResDam-I:50(7)
Level 1: Jab -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:50(A), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(11), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(36), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(36), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx:50(37)
Level 2: Battle Agility -- LkGmblr-Def:50(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(7), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(9), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(9)
Level 4: Haymaker -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:50(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx:50(37), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg:50(37), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(40), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(40)
Level 6: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 8: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 10: Active Defense -- HO:Membr(A), HO:Membr(11)
Level 12: True Grit -- Numna-Heal:50(A), Numna-Heal/Rchg:50(13), Numna-Heal/EndRdx:50(13), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(15), ResDam-I:50(15), ResDam-I:50(17)
Level 14: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(17), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(19), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(19)
Level 16: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), LkGmblr-Def:50(21), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(33), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(34)
Level 18: Aid Other -- Empty(A)
Level 20: Knockout Blow -- Mako-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx:50(42), Mako-Dmg/Rchg:50(42), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:50(42), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(43), Mako-Dam%:50(50)
Level 22: Aid Self -- Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:50(A), Numna-Heal/Rchg:50(23), Numna-Heal:50(23), IntRdx-I:50(25), IntRdx-I:50(25)
Level 24: Taunt -- Taunt-I:50(A)
Level 26: Shield Charge -- Oblit-Dmg:50(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg:50(27), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg:50(34), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(34), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(36), Oblit-%Dam:50(48)
Level 28: Rage -- GSFC-ToHit:50(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg:50(29), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx:50(29), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx:50(31), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx:50(31), GSFC-Build%:50(31)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(33), RechRdx-I:50(33)
Level 32: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A)
Level 35: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 38: Foot Stomp -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(39), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:50(39), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(39), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:50(40), FrcFbk-Rechg%:50(50)
Level 41: Physical Perfection -- P'Shift-End%:50(A), RgnTis-Regen+:30(43), Panac-Heal/+End:40(43), P'Shift-EndMod:50(48)
Level 44: Laser Beam Eyes -- Apoc-Dmg:50(A), Apoc-Dmg/Rchg:50(46), Apoc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(46), Apoc-Acc/Rchg:50(46), Apoc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(48)
Level 47: Phalanx Fighting -- Ksmt-ToHit+:30(A)
Level 49: Grant Cover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A)
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
Level 50: Spiritual Core Paragon
Level 50: Ion Core Final Judgement
Level 50: Reactive Radial Flawless Interface
Level 50: Warworks Core Superior Ally
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(A), Numna-Heal:50(21), Mrcl-Rcvry+:40(45), Mrcl-Heal:40(50)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%:50(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg:50(27), P'Shift-EndMod:50(45), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc:50(45)
------------
Set Bonus Totals:

• 12.5% DamageBuff(Smashing)
• 12.5% DamageBuff(Lethal)
• 12.5% DamageBuff(Fire)
• 12.5% DamageBuff(Cold)
• 12.5% DamageBuff(Energy)
• 12.5% DamageBuff(Negative)
• 12.5% DamageBuff(Toxic)
• 12.5% DamageBuff(Psionic)
• 9.88% Defense(Melee)
• 7.38% Defense(Smashing)
• 7.38% Defense(Lethal)
• 5.81% Defense(Fire)
• 5.81% Defense(Cold)
• 7.38% Defense(Energy)
• 7.38% Defense(Negative)
• 3% Defense(Psionic)
• 9.88% Defense(Ranged)
• 8.63% Defense(AoE)
• 59% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 62.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 15% FlySpeed
• 330.3 HP (17.63%) HitPoints
• 15% JumpHeight
• 15% JumpSpeed
• MezResist(Held) 3.3%
• MezResist(Immobilize) 8.8%
• MezResist(Stun) 2.2%
• 7.5% (0.13 End/sec) Recovery
• 92% (7.18 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 3.13% Resistance(Negative)
• 15% RunSpeed

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