Need some guidance on my first blaster!

Hey all. I am finally moving out of my comfort zone of melee toons and into the world of blasters! Wohoo! However, this means I have almost no experience with their powersets. I had an excellent idea for a character though and i need some guidance on particular powers. The combo is Archery/Ice.

I looked around the forums to see if anyone had a guide or build or something for me to look at, but it seems like an infrequently used combo.

My specific questions are;
Should I bother trying to get between 32.5-45% def to ranged or sm/l? Or would that gimp too many other things?
I would like to go with the Ice epic, but is that worth it?
Is there a way to avoid dying all the time? lolol
Which powers from Ice are skippable with this combo?

I'm sorry I don't have a build posted yet, I just am not sure how to start. I figured I'd play it a little and just see how it feels.

First blasters dont die all the time, if the ones you know do, they are not good blasters.

Achery is among the LOLethal sets, so keep that in mind.

Now days some of the newer sets add alot to possible surival options.

Dark does to hit debuffs, sonic and rad both make them easier to beat down. Some secondaries like dark and mental offer alot of useful utility. Drain Psyche plus a heavy global recharge build can be fantastic at keeping you up.

I tend to stick with force mastery myself, lots of suvival boosting there.

Get phase shift by 20, its the new must have by 20 power IMO for blasters. takinga few seconds breather to let others take off the aggro when you get in to deep is better then letting them do it after your dead.

If you really want a character with ice and achery for concept reasons id probably suggest another AT with access to some form of archery and ice powers.

Bentley Berkeley: 50 Psi/Ment/Force blaster of virtue. Blasters can take point and point blank like a real tank.

Thanks for the tips Demitrios.

It is important to me that I keep this combo though, for concept reasons. It really seems like nobody plays it that much though, as evidenced by your sole response to my post XD

Anyone else have some advice? I'd really appreciate it.

Don't go ranged defense because many of Ice powers are PBAOE. Your best bet is to go S/L Defense cap via Scorpion Shield.

This is a QUICK BUILD I tossed together to give you an idea.
It doesn't break any rules though it could be slightly expensive. You can probably obtain S/L another way, but I went easiest way without purples.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.953
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Technology Blaster
Primary Power Set: Archery
Secondary Power Set: Ice Manipulation
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Snap Shot -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Decim-Dmg/Rchg(36), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Decim-Build%(37), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37)
Level 1: Chilblain -- CtlSpd-Acc/Slow(A), CtlSpd-Dmg/Slow(3), CtlSpd-Acc/EndRdx(3), CtlSpd-Rng/Slow(5), CtlSpd-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(5)
Level 2: Aimed Shot -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A)
Level 4: Fistful of Arrows -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(7), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(9), Posi-Dmg/Rng(15)
Level 6: Blazing Arrow -- Dev'n-Acc/Dmg(A), Dev'n-Dmg/EndRdx(31), Dev'n-Dmg/Rchg(31), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Entrpc-Heal%(36)
Level 8: Aim -- Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg(9)
Level 10: Chilling Embrace -- CtlSpd-Acc/Slow(A), CtlSpd-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(11), CtlSpd-Dmg/Slow(11), CtlSpd-Acc/EndRdx(13), CtlSpd-Rng/Slow(13)
Level 12: Explosive Arrow -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/Rng(15), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(17), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(23), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31)
Level 14: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 16: Build Up -- Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg(17)
Level 18: Ranged Shot -- ExtrmM-Acc/Dmg(A), ExtrmM-Dmg/EndRdx(19), ExtrmM-Acc/ActRdx/Rng(19), ExtrmM-Dmg/ActRdx/Rchg(21), ExtrmM-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), ExtrmM-Acc/Rng/Rchg(23)
Level 20: Ice Patch -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 22: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 24: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(25), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(25)
Level 26: Stunning Shot -- RzDz-Acc/Rchg(A), RzDz-EndRdx/Stun(27), RzDz-Acc/EndRdx(27), RzDz-Stun/Rng(29), RzDz-Acc/Stun/Rchg(29)
Level 28: Shiver -- CtlSpd-Acc/Slow(A), CtlSpd-Dmg/Slow(39), CtlSpd-Acc/EndRdx(40), CtlSpd-Rng/Slow(40), CtlSpd-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(40)
Level 30: Frozen Fists -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(46), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(46), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 32: Rain of Arrows -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(33), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(33), Posi-Dmg/Rng(33), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34)
Level 35: Freezing Touch -- KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(48), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(48), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(50)
Level 38: Scorpion Shield -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(39), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(39)
Level 41: Web Envelope -- Enf'dOp-Acc/Rchg(A), Enf'dOp-EndRdx/Immob(42), Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx(42), Enf'dOp-Immob/Rng(42), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob(43)
Level 44: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(45), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(45)
Level 47: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(48)
Level 49: Super Speed -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
------------
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Heal(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(43)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(43), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(45)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run

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This is my Norse themed Arch/Ice and I have to agree with plainguy that there are lots of melee ranged powers in /Ice. I differ from him in that I went with ranged defense and skimped on the Ice powers.

This was my leveling build. My respec build replaced the medicine pool with the speed pool. I moved one slot from aid self and put it in Super Speed for a Zephyr Set and I moved another slot from aid self to Hover for a Winter's Gift Unique the last 3 slots were for 3 slotted hasten.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.953
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Blaster
Primary Power Set: Archery
Secondary Power Set: Ice Manipulation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Concealment
Power Pool: Medicine
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Force Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Snap Shot -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:50(39), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:50(39), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(40), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(40), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(40)
Level 1: Chilblain -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:50(43), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:50(43), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(43), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(45), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(46)
Level 2: Aimed Shot -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:50(34), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:50(34), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(37), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(37), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(39)
Level 4: Fistful of Arrows -- Posi-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx:50(5), Posi-Dmg/Rchg:50(5), Posi-Dmg/Rng:50(33), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(34)
Level 6: Blazing Arrow -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:50(7), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:50(7), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(25), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(33), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(33)
Level 8: Ice Sword -- Mako-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx:50(9), Mako-Dmg/Rchg:50(9), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:50(23), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(23), Mako-Dam%:50(25)
Level 10: Hover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(11), Zephyr-Travel:50(11), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx:50(46)
Level 12: Explosive Arrow -- Posi-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx:50(13), Posi-Dmg/Rchg:50(13), Posi-Dmg/Rng:50(15), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(21), FrcFbk-Rechg%:50(21)
Level 14: Fly -- Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx:50(A), Zephyr-ResKB:50(15)
Level 16: Build Up -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg:50(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg:50(17), AdjTgt-Rchg:50(17)
Level 18: Aim -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg:50(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg:50(19), AdjTgt-Rchg:50(19)
Level 20: Stealth -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A)
Level 22: Grant Invisibility -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A)
Level 24: Phase Shift -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 26: Stunning Shot -- Stpfy-Acc/Rchg:50(A), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun:50(27), Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx:50(27), Stpfy-Stun/Rng:50(31), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg:50(31), Stpfy-KB%:50(31)
Level 28: Shiver -- TmpRdns-Acc/Slow:50(A), TmpRdns-Acc/EndRdx:50(29), TmpRdns-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow:50(29), TmpRdns-Rng/Slow:50(46)
Level 30: Stimulant -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 32: Rain of Arrows -- Posi-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx:50(48), Posi-Dmg/Rchg:50(48), Posi-Dmg/Rng:50(48), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(50)
Level 35: Aid Self -- Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx:50(A), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg:50(36), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:50(36), Dct'dW-Heal:50(36), Dct'dW-Rchg:50(37)
Level 38: Boxing -- Acc-I:50(A)
Level 41: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(42), RctvArm-ResDam:40(42), RctvArm-EndRdx:40(42)
Level 44: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(45), LkGmblr-Def:50(45)
Level 47: Personal Force Field -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A)
Level 49: Temp Invulnerability -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam:40(50), RctvArm-EndRdx:40(50)
------------
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+:40(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(3)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(3)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Sprint -- ULeap-Stlth:50(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run

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