Well, there is no SoA build that "does not work". SoA is just that good, even if you only use Mace Range Attacks.
Your ST dps will be somewhat gimped especially you won't be using Venom Grenade to increase your Poisonous Ray's damage.
I thought about this "theme" build but I just can't stand 2s activation time on every attack, including the first tier 4s attack.
Yes, you do want that Mace Beam from Patron because that hits harder than Bane's regular Mace Beam.
Your goal is to get as many proc damage as possible because your DPA (damage per activation) will be low (due to 2s activation time). You can easily get Chance for Smashing from knock back set and the two aoe can take both knock back and positron's chance for energy.
Well, why don't you give it a try and let us know how it works? I mean you may just kill slower but SoA is strong enough that you shouldn't gimp yourself too much. Another thing with all-range Bane build is that you don't get critical damage from range attacks. 
(I still think you should take Venom Grenade though)
What's left is to normalize all Assassin Strikes and improve Stalker's old sets (Claw, MA and EM)! You don't need to bring back the missing PbAoE attack. You just need to make the existing ones better! For example, make Slice a WIDER and LONGER cone.
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If he takes VG (which he should IMO since it's a ranged attack) and invests in procs like you suggest I can see a potential for some serious damage for a few reasons: gladiator javlin's proc is a 20% chance for toxic (which would be augmented by VG's +40%) and he could put a +chance of BU in each attack as well. Also, poisonous ray accepts the achilles heel -res proc. Also take bile spray from mako's pool and he'd have an interesting combo.|
Originally Posted by Jibikao
Your goal is to get as many proc damage as possible because your DPA (damage per activation) will be low (due to 2s activation time). You can easily get Chance for Smashing from knock back set and the two aoe can take both knock back and positron's chance for energy. Well, why don't you give it a try and let us know how it works? I mean you may just killer slow but SoA is strong enough that you shouldn't gimp yourself too much. Another thing with all-range Bane build is that you don't get critical damage from range attacks |
If a melee crab can work I don't see how this couldn't.
ty for ur input, i'll have to ponder these suggestions... like i said i have a weird dislike of redraw...
Bane Spiders can be quite durable and have excellent melee capabilities. I think that taking only ranged attacks is needlessly limiting and makes the character far weaker in the long run. Poisonous Ray is one of your best ranged mace attacks and it has a rather short range, and there are lots of mission maps in which hovering offers no protection from melee combat. Being able to punish melee attackers with Shatter seems like a far better plan.
I hate redraw myself and I am not a big fan of Venom Grenade. Regardless of how much damage it does, my attack chain is more fun without it. I currently do have Venom Grenade, but it's not part of my regular attack chain. It's there for special occasions.
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You could go the Huntsman route, and stick with three automatic weapons attacks and two grenade attacks (no redraw required). This would give you two area attacks and one cone attack. The only breaks from the chain would be for surveillance and buildup. It plays quite well without the buildup.|
Originally Posted by MoonlightSonata
ty for ur input, i'll have to ponder these suggestions... like i said i have a weird dislike of redraw...
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Redlynne developed a very good build plan at http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=248244 .
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What he said, if by ranged bane you mean taking the bane template, and using the rifle attacks, in other words a Huntsman build, it works out very well actually|
Originally Posted by Spearpoint
You could go the Huntsman route, and stick with three automatic weapons attacks and two grenade attacks (no redraw required). This would give you two area attacks and one cone attack. The only breaks from the chain would be for surveillance and buildup. It plays quite well without the buildup.
Redlynne developed a very good build plan at http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=248244 . |
If you mean using the bane ranged mace attacks, on paper it looks like a good idea, but in practice not so well( and I have tried to make it work)
Was just wondering how an all ranged Bane would do? My plan, take Hover and stay out of melee as much as possible, but still soft-cap all positions; take all ranged mace blasts even from mace mastery; because i don't like the idea of redraw and for concept purposes i won't be taking any of the rifle attacks (i.e. Venom Grenade)... will this work or am i completely daft?