You are unlikely to softcap all positions, 33% and using a luck to softcap when necessary is perfectly possible however. If you have Parry (or equivalent) you can then keep melee at softcap any time you're in combat. On the other hand S/L catches more than any single position. S/L/E/N also covers the lower energy resists in DA and protects against the growing profusion of energy typed defence debuffs in newer content.
Softcapping one pair/position gives great protection, except when it doesn't give any. Getting high levels in the top 4 types or all 2+ positions gives a lower level of resilience but with fewer gaps.
Actually, if your primary is Katana, BS, Staff, or TW you can softcap all positions with Agility Alpha on a Dark Armor Toon, I have built Katana, Staff, and TW toons for myself or others that did it. The build will be tight, but it is the best for survivability, because some attacks do not have a "type" flag, but all of them will have a "position" tag.
If you go with a melee set of some kind, then you want to get S/L to 45% or S/L/E/N to 32.5% or better...
Currently Playing:
Rage King - SS/Regen Brute (50+3)
Soulfire Darkness - Dark/Fire Tank (50+2)
Deaths Final Embrace - Kat/Dark Brute (50+3)
ULTIMATE REGEN GUIDE I22
Quote:
Actually there are several attacks without any position tag, mainly the controls used by rikti, Malaise, etc. Since they are typed psy there is relatively little that can be done about them whichever way you decide to build.
|
Originally Posted by planet_J
...because some attacks do not have a "type" flag, but all of them will have a "position" tag.
|
[QUOTE=planet_J;4242182] some attacks do not have a "type" flag, but all of them will have a "position" tag.
QUOTE]
Really? I was aware of non-positional psi attacks, but not positional not-typed attacks. Where does one encounter these? The closest thing I can think of would be 'special' attacks like the crystal titan or hamidon (which also bypass positional defense?) or autohit patches (ditto).
I do agree that positional defense tends to work a little better, as toxic attacks usually carry positional tags, and it's usually impossible to cap all types. That said, of my 3 DA toons, one is built for positional (staff/da, as I can leverage the +def to melee), the other two for s/l/e/n. I feel like e/n defense helps cover the low energy resistance of DA and results in a sturdier feeling toon. (on my ma/da scrap, i got 45% s/l and 38% e/n with no pvp io, it's a very sturdy toon imho)
Flash from Illusion is AoE/None and is used a lot by carnie illusionists. That's the only one that comes to mind that is actually none not just special.
Quote:
Actually, DA does very well versus psy-typed damage.
|
Originally Posted by Edana
Since they are typed psy there is relatively little that can be done about them whichever way you decide to build.
|
Iscariot's Guide to the Tri-Form Warshade, version 2.1
I'm sorry that math > your paranoid delusions, but them's the breaks -- Nethergoat
P.E.R.C. Rep for Liberty server
I've found that the softcap isn't really necessary with DA. I got better results building to 32.5 so that I could also build that much E/N defense. The build I use along with the 54x8 soloing video is posted on my blog. I'm posting from my phone or I'd find the direct link for you.
Where to now?
Check out all my guides and fiction pieces on my blog.
The MFing Warshade | The Last Rule of Tanking | The Got Dam Mastermind
Everything Dark Armor | The Softcap
don'T attempt to read tHis mEssaGe, And believe Me, it is not a codE.
Quote:
Good thing DA has great Psi resistance.|
Originally Posted by Edana
Actually there are several attacks without any position tag, mainly the controls used by rikti, Malaise, etc. Since they are typed psy there is relatively little that can be done about them whichever way you decide to build.
|
I built 32.5% m/r/a on my Claws/DA Brute. I've been building most of my characters this way lately, I highly recommend the approach. Someone already mentioned that sets like Kat and TW with a +def to melee power make it possible to hit 45% to all positions without gimping anything or going without good global recharge.
Quote:
And since Psi resistance is so high on Dark Armor, it doesn't really matter too much if they DO hit you. |
Originally Posted by Edana
Actually there are several attacks without any position tag, mainly the controls used by rikti, Malaise, etc. Since they are typed psy there is relatively little that can be done about them whichever way you decide to build.
|
That said, all the Psi attacks that slow your recharge have a positional vector (ranged), the ones that have no position are almost always mez powers that have no -recharge component. Flash deals no damage, and it won't hold you unless you get hit with 4 of them simultaneously (a Master Illusionist and her 3 Illusionist pets can do this to you)
As far as whether it's better to go with typed or positional, that depends entirely on your primary.
And for the record, you can softcap all positions with Broadsword or Katana without having to use Agility. My BS/DA scrapper was soft-capped for almost 2 years before Incarnates existed.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Dechs Kaison See, it's gems like these that make me check Claws' post history every once in a while to make sure I haven't missed anything good lately. |
Yes Claws, but you have to sacrifice a little more without it. It can be done, but I prefer to use Agility to do it because you can slot a little more for damage and +rech.
Currently Playing:
Rage King - SS/Regen Brute (50+3)
Soulfire Darkness - Dark/Fire Tank (50+2)
Deaths Final Embrace - Kat/Dark Brute (50+3)
ULTIMATE REGEN GUIDE I22
Thanks for the info, everyone! I'll shoot for S/L/E/N cap.
Quote:
Good bloody luck in that pursuit. I managed to cap S/L/E/N on my DA tank, but I wouldn't dream of trying to do that on my DA brute. Aim for 32.5%, that's plenty for most content. In the few cases you need more, just pop a small purple inspie and you will be sitting at the cap.
|
Originally Posted by Jade Ivy
Thanks for the info, everyone! I'll shoot for S/L/E/N cap.
|
Where to now?
Check out all my guides and fiction pieces on my blog.
The MFing Warshade | The Last Rule of Tanking | The Got Dam Mastermind
Everything Dark Armor | The Softcap
don'T attempt to read tHis mEssaGe, And believe Me, it is not a codE.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Dechs Kaison
Good bloody luck in that pursuit. I managed to cap S/L/E/N on my DA tank, but I wouldn't dream of trying to do that on my DA brute. Aim for 32.5%, that's plenty for most content. In the few cases you need more, just pop a small purple inspie and you will be sitting at the cap.
|
Why not? Softcapping s/l/e/n is a stretch, but certainly doable. (do-able? is that a real word?) Especially with all the new shineys we've been given, like agility and another 3% def IO.
For example, here's a fire/dark build that caps s/l/e/n, has good recharge (around 7-10s off perma-hasten), good recovery (2.4 end/s net recovery), 11 pts kb protection. Admittedly, it's not cheap. I said it was doable, not easy.
Why is the softcap important?
http://dechskaison.blogspot.com/2011...important.html
(hehehe
)Or, to put it another way, you can wreck those 4x8 malteds without having to pop purple insps. Pop reds, it's more fun!
Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.955
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Fiery Melee
Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery
Villain Profile:
Level 1: Fire Sword -- Hectmb-Dmg:50(A), Hectmb-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(3), Hectmb-Acc/Rchg:50(3), Hectmb-Dmg/EndRdx:50(5), Hectmb-Dam%:50(40)
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- RctvArm-ResDam:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(9), RctvArm-EndRdx:40(9), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(11), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(43), S'fstPrt-ResKB:30(43)
Level 2: Cremate -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(11), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(13), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(13), HO:Nucle(42)
Level 4: Death Shroud -- Erad-Dmg:30(A), Erad-%Dam:30(15), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(15), FotG-Acc/Dmg:50(17), FotG-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech:50(37), FotG-ResDeb%:50(37)
Level 6: Build Up -- Rec'dRet-ToHit:20(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg:20(17)
Level 8: Incinerate -- SBrutesF-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SBrutesF-Dmg/Rchg:50(19), SBrutesF-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:50(19), SBrutesF-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(21), SBrutesF-Rech/Fury:50(40)
Level 10: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(21)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), LkGmblr-Def:50(42), Ksmt-ToHit+:30(42)
Level 14: Obsidian Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(23), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(23), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(43), GA-3defTpProc:50(45)
Level 16: Dark Regeneration -- Erad-Acc/Rchg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(25), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(25), Theft-+End%:30(27), Nictus-Heal/HP/Regen/Rchg:50(40), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:50(45)
Level 18: Murky Cloud -- RctvArm-ResDam:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(27), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(29), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(29)
Level 20: Cloak of Darkness -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), LkGmblr-Def:50(31), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(31)
Level 22: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 24: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(31), RctvArm-ResDam:40(33), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(33)
Level 26: Fire Sword Circle -- Erad-Acc/Rchg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(33), Erad-Dmg:30(34), C'ngBlow-Acc/Rchg:50(34), C'ngBlow-Dmg/EndRdx:50(34), C'ngBlow-Dmg/Rchg:50(45)
Level 28: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), LkGmblr-Def:50(36), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(36)
Level 30: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), LkGmblr-Def:50(36), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(37), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(46)
Level 32: Super Speed -- Zephyr-ResKB:50(A), Zephyr-Travel:50(50)
Level 35: Superior Conditioning -- P'Shift-End%:50(A)
Level 38: Taunt -- Mocking-Taunt/Rchg:50(A), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg/Rng:50(39), Mocking-Taunt/Rng:50(39), Mocking-Taunt:50(39), Mocking-Acc/Rchg:50(50), Mocking-Rchg:50(50)
Level 41: Physical Perfection -- P'Shift-End%:50(A), P'Shift-EndMod:50(48)
Level 44: Soul Transfer -- Erad-Acc/Rchg:30(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg:30(46), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(46)
Level 47: Tactics -- Rec'dRet-Pcptn:20(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit:20(48)
Level 49: Vengeance -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 1: Sprint -- ULeap-Stlth:50(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 4: Swift -- Run-I:50(A)
Level 4: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+:40(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(7), Mrcl-Heal:40(48)
Level 4: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 4: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%:50(A), P'Shift-EndMod:50(5), EndMod-I:50(7)
Level 50: Agility Core Paragon
Level 0: Born In Battle
Level 0: High Pain Threshold
Level 0: Invader
Level 0: Marshal
------------
Code:
| Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1516;702;1404;HEX;| |78DA65945B4F135110C7CF76B7604B91965EB9B4F402B4B474DBAA4FC64854C0602| |00149D4F8421A38B62BA56DB635D147BF822F2602DE7DF50319BF8017D0671353A7| |67FE94C66EBAF9CDCE9939FF9973E9C6D365CFE7DBCF97843672AB566EB5766EDA4| |FDAD2B951AE58BBBAA06798DEB072EE6CC89A94E6AA25ED676C47D8BF2C1FC97A4B| |9ACB657B7FE7867DD0B07D6BF5AAB465BD6D9E19EECD46A3666E37A5DCF328735D9| |69B56BD32AA3E56AD4AB54D5F6367437BD26E55ADE6C44AD3DA3557EAD2AE9064B9| |D5EE4A2BD1089595A5D7AB093C1D43CC3B842819C291011798469699CE315F75C35| |55EC7299264A40D712106A698EE04331B26468911A64F432AE9699B8424C56E313D| |77C16DE6C235A2A18B43820E3DFD9B43CD73F1143C617AAFEAAAB6D9EBE012739CF| |29CACA7390F29D64FB1474C3F8D0DF3BCC6F05BC4BF033F30031F99E94FCC24EDA7| |8B7334578E5072890018A2B1111E738C043515BF1000FF0A55E73161149AA358BB1| |0D62E348335C3DA2D5E62CDD7143DA669AAFFB1EFDC6F047D477E3227C775C57480| |7316C3CC23CAF2B19EEE83DE24F4A6A1370DBD3714E547FD7ED41F43FD312F53A31| |E83BC9E22D8A147E8E40943218C996398390EC53814428409CE764EA093383A4960| |67130DA1941207CCC53AD3209D29543785EA52A82E85EA7C1413452DD1FF6266119| |3F7C34FB1333819335FF96497BE305D3EA10E76B7CBE44BF675A79943ED7316FBE6| |1F8335B08A79F6C103A687E6CBE0D464305FE105F33D7973EA4E741C39AC49FE078| |8DDF553AD266A358FF9F416709A033456C48E14D1F3B4D1BBD5F4EBEE5276C0531C| |F094063C97073C57063CAB46EFDFA0B37E6ED395E5FE368DDE8D179ACA707969903| |D9D1377EF6E0B3DCF3BFDEBDCE7D0EFF0C919BAC79D15D6F8FBB43F2FC379BFFBF3| |B0CA06567928CE317F420454BBE5EEAE27DBF7FBEC077DF6C33EFB1FC885E365| |-------------------------------------------------------------------|
Hi All,
Is it better to soft cap S/L defense or positional defense on a Dark Armor brute? Thanks!