Tri-Form PB Build Theory

I'm currently in class, wasting my mental faculties pondering a build for my new PB. Ever since Freedom hit, I've been struck with heavy altitis. However, the PB is one of a small subset of my characters that I'm extremely happy with conceptually. The problem is that his concept largely revolves around the shapeshifting nature of Peacebringers. It seems that the changes to PBs largely inspired human-only builds. So, I'm attempting to figure out a theory behind a build for a Tri-Form, but need some more experienced Kheld players to look it over. Basically, my idea is this:

Start out by firing Inner Light and Light Form (both of which I aim to have perma).

Shift to Nova for AoE attacks.

Shift to Human to finish off remaining targets.

If mezzed or surrounded (or just for kicks) shift to Dwarf for Sublimation and Dwarf Flare.


That's the general idea I've come up with. This is born primarily from the fact that I love the way the forms look, and I'm not a fan of the hand clap animation Solar Flare has now. So I figure Dwarf could be used for grabbing aggro, the better (and KD rather than KB) animation of Dwarf Flare, and another self heal.

The perceived disadvantage of this strategy is that it will have to sacrifice some defense to avoid the annoyance of toggles. I'm wondering presently if that problem could be solved by using T4 Barrier instead of Clarion for the Destiny power once I hit 50. Most Khelds seem to take Clarion for the mez protection, but I have no problem using Dwarf for that.

Thoughts/suggestions? I'll take everything said here into account when designing the build and post what I come up with.

@Rorn ---- Blue Baron ---- Guardian

The disadvantage to using the forms is that they're largely unnecessary. That's not to say that if you enjoy them you shouldn't use them, just that human form only gives you better or at the very least comparable AoE damage to Nova, and is more survivable than Dwarf- Essence Boost is pretty easy to perma so you'll have the same HP as Dwarf in human form on top of being able to add a very substantial amount of defense. Light Form offers status protection, and there's also the possibility of clarion and the handiness of a break free macro.

That being said, Tri Form isn't completely bad by any stretch... Especially in the pre 50 no IO's game, it is actually probably the way to go. Nova gives you 4 attacks early when most people still have brawl in their attack chain. Dwarf gives you a "get out of jail free" card against mezzers and some nice resists and HP before you have LF and before E Boost can be made perma.

In terms of a finalized level 50 build, if you get to that point and decide you still want to use forms it is actually still possible to build up some s/l defense through set bonuses and that helps quite a bit. Your best single target damage is going to be in human form no matter what, so you should still slot those attacks well.

Since defensive powers are needed to slot LOTG +recharge bonuses (very helpful for perma LF) there's no harm in trying to allocate some extra defense/endurance values to those powers too. A lot of the end game involves team VS. AV fights, so you can leverage that extra survivability from defense while using your ST attacks.

That is how I play mine actually, although I'm switching to human only for the benefit of prema-light form and also soft capped smashing/lethal defense.

I'd say the new powers do inspire human only builds, but it brings a tremendous amount of power to tri-formers simply because light form carries over to forms now, and inner light lasts long enough for it to benefit forms.

Well, I'm up to level 10. Greatly enjoying the ability to drop from Nova to hit Radiant Strike and switch back to keep blasting away. It's a very fast paced playstyle. I hope it stays that way all 50 levels.

@Rorn ---- Blue Baron ---- Guardian