Pure defense sets with Incarnate content?

All,

My incarnate experience is low. I have a single +2 controller, and about three more +1 controllers. Thats it. With the incarnate-level Dark Astoria zone changes coming, I have to wonder about something.

How do pure defense sets, such as super reflexes, deal with the fact that 59% or whatever is the new defense cap? I remember when my scrappers were 10% to 15% below the cap, and it was a time of misery.

I can see SR tankers being able to get closer, and I have designed trapper defenders on paper who hit 60%.

But the idea of taking my SR scrappers into Dark Astoria makes me regret my preference for defense characters. What is a good solo solution?

Thanks,

Lewis

I don't know how well most of them perform but you will need Aid Self because there are quite a bit of "auto damage" in the new trials. You need to have something to counter that. Aid Self or Rebirth Destiny.

The most defense-oriented toon I have is Ninja/FF and I can tell you that my pets still get hit pretty often even with +5 level shifts and power boost force shields.

I guess I am screwed in that case, as I cant stand aid self. Hmm.

Ok, thanks.

Lewis

Seeing as my main is /sr, it's not as horrible as one would think. In trials you're surrounded by teammates, a good number of whom probably will have defense auras that will easily bring you up to the higher softcap. I don't have any numbers handy, but ancedotally speaking, my time on the beta in Dark Astoria wasn't outrageously difficult. In fact, until now I assumed the enemies had the normal tohit chance - this coming from someone who was soloing at +2/x8 with 3 shifts.

Either way, I'd highly recommend picking up Rebirth for incarnate stuff. I alternate between that and Ageless (for "regular" content).

It's not bad at all, as you usually have teammates to cover for that extra defense, and there are always purple insps.

The bad part is in TPN, as the sudden -5% def/res stacking tears my SR scrapper apart.

My SS/SR brute did fine as I was running her in trials. As others have said the buffs and heals of teammates more than compensates for any issues with the higher cap. Also on meleers that don't have a self heal I usually go rebirth as well.

Well, I dont actually like trials, so I was really concerned about general missions and street sweeping solo with no aid self in the new Dark Astoria where 59% is the cap. I may have to pass on it. But I will give it a try I suppose.

Thanks,

Lewis

They... do not handle too well.


I'm currently running content with my widow that alternates between Fortunata and Nightwidow. Night Widow goes up to 56/64/56 defenses and has a few -ToHit powers, so it isn't much of a problem.

But my Fortunata build has 47/57/49 defenses, and during incarnate content she is essentially a squishie. I have to alter my behavior with her from a tank mage style to a dominator style. I imagine that a pure defense scrapper, brute, or talk would have to alter their tactics in a similar fashion.

When I say "dominator style" I don't mean just mezz. I am referring to the method of target selection and damage focus. Using your offensive power to quickly dispatch targets that are at threat to reduce the amount of damage that you are taking. It isn't the best way to deal with enemies, but unless you are dealing with large spawns/ambushes by yourself it should be enough to get by.

Just put rest back onto your power tray, since You'll be using it again.

My 50(+3) StJ/SR Scrapper has done very well on the iTrials, and when I copied him to Beta he was not having any problems in DA with the lvl 54 groups there, or on the new missions when set to +4. My build is soft-capped(48%ish to M/R/A), has Aid Self and t4 Rebirth, although I remember having to use both powers liberally.

As Arcanaville said, I would just make good use of inspirations. Solo, you should be getting them quite often, and if you're at the normal soft cap, then one purple will get you pretty close to the new one, or at least close enough that you shouldn't be getting faceplanted often.

Don't forget how much Shockwave ever 4-5 seconds helps, too.

Thanks for the replies. I'll just buck up and give it a whirl.

Lewis

SR can hit 45% Defense without a single set bonus, so if you want the Incarnate cap of 59% it's a mere 14% away. Should be pretty easy to get with set bonuses or simple Defense Inspirations which fall like rain (and on a 50 you have a lot of Inspiration slots). So SR is in a better position to deal with the Incarnate cap than any other set.

Goes double if you're a SR Tanker. Triple if you're a SR/MA Tanker.

And Bill Z Bubba is one of the very few players of this game who truly understands SR. It's a very misunderstood set.

WARNING: I bold names.