Hi there, Progressman. 
There is a current discussion about FF/Beam here:
http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=275643
Not sure if that covers some questions you have, but thought I'd point you there, nonetheless.
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Because of the prevalence of Defense from higher-end IO builds, Force Fields is sometimes said to be marginalized in the late game since its primary focus is on +Defense buffs. If a given player is already at or near softcap on multiple types of damage or multiple positions, then the +Def from Force Fields adds very little.
That said, the softcap is higher in incarnate Trials and few players in my experience are built to that new softcap. Even factoring in frequent use of Destiny buffs like Barrier, I would say Force Fields still has a place there. The positioning (mostly KB or KD) powers are also very useful if you get good at using them intelligently - that is, NOT scattering mobs about to be AoE'd to death or pushing the tanker's targets away from him, etc - and Detention Field while situational is very useful in certain circumstances.
Also keep in mind the above only applies to people with IO builds that build for Defense, which while a significant part of IO builds is not everyone, and automatically excludes free to play players who must upgrade to VIP or buy a license to use Inventions at all. FF is a still a great set, you just have to understand the current environment you're stepping into.
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I think that both FF and Beam are somewhat underpowered individually and still underpowered together BUT:
* They do have synergy, both thematically and mechanically.
* Just take pff, the two ally shields, dispersion, force bubble from FF. The other abilities are of too marginal use to be worthwhile. Force bubble will satisfy any repel/knockback needs you might occasionally have and mean you don't need the other gimmicks.
* Take all or pretty much all from Beam. Since FF is so passive, you will hardly ever watch redraw and can just blast all day.
It's no uber set and it gets a little tiresome looking at the beam attacks all day, but it gets the job done.
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Quote:
Just want to note, don't skip repulsion bomb. It's not a gimmick, it's a nice AoE attack with knockdown. With the AoE-light nature of beam, if your primary is offering extra, perfectly usable AoE damage you don't want to skip it. Just make it the first attack you use on a spawn and then you don't need to worry about redraw.
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Originally Posted by _Ail_
* Just take pff, the two ally shields, dispersion, force bubble from FF. The other abilities are of too marginal use to be worthwhile. Force bubble will satisfy any repel/knockback needs you might occasionally have and mean you don't need the other gimmicks.
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@MuonNeutrino
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Quote:
If you have access to Mids, take a gander at this build.|
Originally Posted by Progressman
Hello everyone, I've been trying to get into defenders and I think I've settled on a FF/Beam Defender. I've grown to like beam more than either DP or AR.
Can anyone comment on how good Bubblers are at L50? |
You're essentially a blaster with shields capped PLUS to AoE and Ranged. And if you miss something, you REALLY weren't trying to hit it.
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Level 50 Magic Defender
Primary Power Set: Force Field
Secondary Power Set: Beam Rifle
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Electricity Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Personal Force Field -- LkGmblr-Def(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+(3)
Level 1: Single Shot -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(5), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(7), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7)
Level 2: Charged Shot -- Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg(9), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(9), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(11), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13)
Level 4: Cutting Beam -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(15), Det'tn-Dmg/Rng(15), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(17)
Level 6: Hover -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(19)
Level 8: Fly -- Winter-ResSlow(A)
Level 10: Disintegrate -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(21), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23)
Level 12: Dispersion Bubble -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(25), DefBuff-I(25)
Level 14: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 16: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 18: Weave -- DefBuff-I(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+(27)
Level 20: Maneuvers -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+(29), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(50)
Level 22: Aim -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(31), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(31), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(31), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(33), GSFC-Build%(33)
Level 24: Lancer Shot -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(33), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(34), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36)
Level 26: Repulsion Bomb -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(36), Det'tn-Dmg/Rng(37), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(37)
Level 28: Penetrating Ray -- ExtrmM-Acc/Dmg(A), ExtrmM-Dmg/EndRdx(39), ExtrmM-Acc/ActRdx/Rng(39), ExtrmM-Dmg/ActRdx/Rchg(39), ExtrmM-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), ExtrmM-Acc/Rng/Rchg(40)
Level 30: Deflection Shield -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 32: Force Bubble -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(40)
Level 35: Insulation Shield -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 38: Piercing Beam -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(42), Det'tn-Dmg/Rng(42), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(43)
Level 41: Overcharge -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(45), Det'tn-Dmg/Rng(45), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(46)
Level 44: Thunder Strike -- Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 47: Charged Armor -- Aegis-ResDam(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(48), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 49: Power Sink -- P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(50)
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon
------------
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Heal-I(A), Heal-I(27)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), P'Shift-EndMod(29), P'Shift-End%(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Vigilance
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Code:
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Hello everyone, I've been trying to get into defenders and I think I've settled on a FF/Beam Defender. I've grown to like beam more than either DP or AR.
Can anyone comment on how good Bubblers are at L50?
"If Pro is the opposite of Con, then what is the opposite of Congress?"
Progressman - Level 50 - Energy/Energy Blaster - 500 Badges
~Virtue~