Tri-form Warshade build - feedback requested

candlelight · 07-30-2012 07:25 AM

Again working with SOs, I'm aiming to build a versatile warshade -- floating damage platform, control / buff human form, and reasonably tanky dwarf form.

Warshades are so very slot-constrained, and so advice about how to re-arrange a few slots to make each form work better in their respective roles would be appreciated; balance is the key and it's a challenge to bring it about.

Also, will quasar become a crashless nuke, just as for other powersets, or will the VEATs be the only powersets left with nukes that crash a player's end?

Thank you in advance for any suggestions provided.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.96
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Science Warshade
Primary Power Set: Umbral Blast
Secondary Power Set: Umbral Aura
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Shadow Bolt -- Acc(A)
Level 1: Absorption -- ResDam(A)
Level 2: Gravimetric Snare -- Acc(A), Acc(3), EndRdx(3)
Level 4: Hasten -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(5), RechRdx(5)
Level 6: Dark Nova -- Flight(A)
Level 8: Starless Step -- Acc(A)
Level 10: Super Speed -- EndRdx(A)
Level 12: Sunless Mire -- Acc(A), Acc(13), RechRdx(13), RechRdx(15), RechRdx(43)
Level 14: Shadow Cloak -- EndRdx(A)
Level 16: Burnout -- RechRdx(A)
Level 18: Gravity Well -- Acc(A), Acc(19), Dmg(19), Dmg(40), RechRdx(42), RechRdx(46)
Level 20: Black Dwarf -- ResDam(A), ResDam(21), ResDam(21)
Level 22: Stygian Circle -- EndMod(A), EndMod(23), Heal(23), RechRdx(46)
Level 24: Assault -- EndRdx(A)
Level 26: Gravitic Emanation -- Acc(A), Acc(27), Dsrnt(29), Dsrnt(29), RechRdx(42)
Level 28: Inky Aspect -- Acc(A), Acc(42), Dsrnt(43)
Level 30: Tactics -- EndRdx(A), ToHit(45), ToHit(46)
Level 32: Dark Extraction -- Acc(A), Dmg(33), Dmg(33), RechRdx(33), RechRdx(34), RechRdx(34)
Level 35: Quasar -- Acc(A), Dmg(37), Dmg(37), RechRdx(37)
Level 38: Eclipse -- Acc(A), Acc(39), ResDam(39), RechRdx(39), RechRdx(40), RechRdx(40)
Level 41: Nebulous Form -- EndRdx(A)
Level 44: Vengeance -- DefBuff(A), DefBuff(45), Range(45)
Level 47: Essence Drain -- Acc(A), Acc(48), Heal(48), Heal(48)
Level 49: Stygian Return -- Heal(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc(A)
Level 1: Dark Sustenance
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: Shadow Step -- Range(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- EndRdx(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Heal(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 10: Shadow Recall -- Range(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Run(A)
Level 2: Health -- Heal(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod(A)
Level 6: Dark Nova Blast -- Acc(A), Dmg(7), Dmg(7), RechRdx(15)
Level 6: Dark Nova Bolt -- Acc(A)
Level 6: Dark Nova Detonation -- Acc(A), Dmg(11), Dmg(11), Dmg(17), RechRdx(50)
Level 6: Dark Nova Emanation -- Acc(A), Dmg(9), Dmg(9), Dmg(17), RechRdx(50)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Antagonize -- Acc(A), Acc(34), Taunt(36)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Drain -- Acc(A), Dmg(31), Dmg(31), Heal(50)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Mire -- Acc(A), Acc(25), RechRdx(25), RechRdx(27), RechRdx(43)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Smite -- Acc(A), Dmg(31), Dmg(36), RechRdx(36)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Step -- EndRdx(A)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Strike -- Acc(A)
------------
------------

A "blastroller" build explanation: electricity / ice / fire

candlelight · 07-30-2012 12:00 PM

I noticed that Mids claims black dwarf antagonize doesn't need a "to hit" check with critters. If that's false, then a little more tweaking is needed. If it's true -- and I'm hoping it's true -- then the revised build (which has some other tweaks) should level up more smoothly.

The build order given below follows a particular path to maturity ...

Low levels: hover-blaster in nova form
20s: transition from hover-blaster to switching between nova / dwarf
30s: dwarf is pretty much mature, tanks for dark extractions solo, for teams can blast or off-tank
late 30s to 50: controls get better developed, buffs as well, and build rounds out

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.96
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Alpha Soul: Level 50 Science Warshade
Primary Power Set: Umbral Blast
Secondary Power Set: Umbral Aura
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Shadow Bolt -- Acc(A)
Level 1: Absorption -- ResDam(A)
Level 2: Gravimetric Snare -- Acc(A), Acc(3), EndRdx(3)
Level 4: Hasten -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(5), RechRdx(5)
Level 6: Dark Nova -- EndMod(A)
Level 8: Super Speed -- Run(A)
Level 10: Starless Step -- Acc(A)
Level 12: Sunless Mire -- Acc(A), Acc(13), RechRdx(13), RechRdx(45)
Level 14: Shadow Cloak -- EndRdx(A)
Level 16: Assault -- EndRdx(A)
Level 18: Gravity Well -- Acc(A), Acc(19), Dmg(19), Dmg(34), RechRdx(45)
Level 20: Black Dwarf -- ResDam(A), ResDam(21), ResDam(21)
Level 22: Stygian Circle -- EndMod(A), EndMod(23), RechRdx(48), EndRdx(50)
Level 24: Tactics -- EndRdx(A), ToHit(43), ToHit(43)
Level 26: Gravitic Emanation -- Acc(A), Acc(37), Dsrnt(37), Dsrnt(37), RechRdx(40), RechRdx(42)
Level 28: Inky Aspect -- Acc(A), Acc(42)
Level 30: Burnout -- RechRdx(A)
Level 32: Dark Extraction -- Acc(A), Dmg(33), Dmg(33), RechRdx(33), RechRdx(34), RechRdx(34)
Level 35: Quasar -- Acc(A), Dmg(36), Dmg(36), RechRdx(36), RechRdx(43)
Level 38: Eclipse -- Acc(A), ResDam(39), ResDam(39), RechRdx(39), RechRdx(40), RechRdx(40)
Level 41: Vengeance -- DefBuff(A), DefBuff(42)
Level 44: Nebulous Form -- EndRdx(A)
Level 47: Stygian Return -- Heal(A)
Level 49: Shadow Slip -- RechRdx(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc(A)
Level 1: Dark Sustenance
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: Shadow Step -- EndRdx(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- EndRdx(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Heal(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 10: Shadow Recall -- Range(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Run(A)
Level 2: Health -- Heal(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod(A)
Level 6: Dark Nova Blast -- Acc(A), Dmg(7), Dmg(7), Dmg(15)
Level 6: Dark Nova Bolt -- Acc(A), Dmg(17)
Level 6: Dark Nova Detonation -- Acc(A), Dmg(11), Dmg(11), Dmg(17), RechRdx(46)
Level 6: Dark Nova Emanation -- Acc(A), Dmg(9), Dmg(9), Dmg(15), RechRdx(46)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Antagonize -- Taunt(A)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Drain -- Acc(A), Acc(27), EndRdx(29), EndRdx(31), Heal(48), RechRdx(50)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Mire -- Acc(A), Acc(23), RechRdx(25), RechRdx(45)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Smite -- Acc(A), Acc(25), Dmg(27), Dmg(31), EndRdx(46), RechRdx(50)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Step -- EndRdx(A)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Strike -- Acc(A), Dmg(29), Dmg(31), EndRdx(48)
------------
------------

A "blastroller" build explanation: electricity / ice / fire

candlelight · 08-15-2012 07:50 AM

I tweaked the build a bit more, in light of Mids suggesting that Black Dwarf antagonize doesn't have a "to hit" check for PvE mobs; I was told in channel, though, that it does have a to hit check for mobs, and not just for PvP.

On a related note, I'm a bit concerned about how well I can tank and solo bosses while in dwarf form, with the slotting as it would be in the 30s. I'm particularly wondering about endurance issues during protracted fights with a tough single boss, while in dwarf form.

To help with interpreting the Mids output, I've respec'd already and the 4 "empty" slots in Gravimetric Snare were actually be put into Nova form, to make it more robust -- 4 slotting detonation and 5 slotting both nova blast and nova emanation was what was actually done.

Any feedback provided would be appreciated.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.96
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Alpha Soul: Level 50 Science Warshade
Primary Power Set: Umbral Blast
Secondary Power Set: Umbral Aura
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Shadow Bolt -- Acc(A)
Level 1: Absorption -- ResDam(A)
Level 2: Gravimetric Snare -- Acc(A), Empty(3), Empty(3), Empty(5), Empty(5)
Level 4: Hasten -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(17), RechRdx(17)
Level 6: Dark Nova -- EndMod(A)
Level 8: Starless Step -- Acc(A)
Level 10: Super Speed -- Run(A)
Level 12: Sunless Mire -- Acc(A), Acc(13), RechRdx(13), RechRdx(15), RechRdx(34)
Level 14: Shadow Cloak -- EndRdx(A)
Level 16: Assault -- EndRdx(A)
Level 18: Gravity Well -- Acc(A), Acc(19), Dmg(19), Dmg(46), Dmg(48), RechRdx(48)
Level 20: Black Dwarf -- ResDam(A), ResDam(21), ResDam(21)
Level 22: Stygian Circle -- EndMod(A), EndMod(23), RechRdx(36), EndRdx(36)
Level 24: Tactics -- EndRdx(A)
Level 26: Gravitic Emanation -- Acc(A), Acc(27), Dsrnt(37), Dsrnt(40), RechRdx(42), RechRdx(42)
Level 28: Unchain Essence -- Acc(A), Acc(45), Dmg(45), Dmg(46), EndRdx(46), RechRdx(50)
Level 30: Burnout -- RechRdx(A)
Level 32: Dark Extraction -- Acc(A), Acc(33), Dmg(33), RechRdx(33), RechRdx(34), RechRdx(34)
Level 35: Quasar -- Acc(A), Dmg(43), Dmg(43), Dmg(43), RechRdx(45), RechRdx(50)
Level 38: Eclipse -- Acc(A), Acc(39), ResDam(39), RechRdx(39), RechRdx(40), RechRdx(40)
Level 41: Vengeance -- DefBuff(A), DefBuff(42)
Level 44: Nebulous Form -- EndRdx(A)
Level 47: Inky Aspect -- Acc(A), Acc(48)
Level 49: Stygian Return -- Heal(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc(A)
Level 1: Dark Sustenance
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: Shadow Step -- EndRdx(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- EndRdx(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Heal(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 10: Shadow Recall -- Range(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Run(A)
Level 2: Health -- Heal(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod(A)
Level 6: Dark Nova Blast -- Acc(A), Dmg(7), Dmg(9), Dmg(15)
Level 6: Dark Nova Bolt -- Acc(A)
Level 6: Dark Nova Detonation -- Acc(A), Dmg(9), Dmg(11)
Level 6: Dark Nova Emanation -- Acc(A), Dmg(7), Dmg(11)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Antagonize -- Taunt(A)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Drain -- Acc(A), Acc(27), EndRdx(29), EndRdx(29), Heal(31), RechRdx(50)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Mire -- Acc(A), Acc(23), RechRdx(25), RechRdx(25), RechRdx(36)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Smite -- Acc(A), Acc(31), Dmg(31), Dmg(37), EndRdx(37)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Step -- EndRdx(A)
Level 20: Black Dwarf Strike -- Acc(A)
------------
------------

A "blastroller" build explanation: electricity / ice / fire

Dechs Kaison · 08-15-2012 09:45 AM

That third build looks really good. If I had any suggestion, it would be to drop one accuracy enhancer from most of your attacks. The Mires should provide enough tohit otherwise. Dwarf Antagonize only has a tohit check against players. Quasar will be crashless in i24.

If you haven't read my MFing Warshade guide, I suggest you do.

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.

candlelight · 08-16-2012 05:44 PM

Thank you for the response and suggested improvement in ACC slotting. The tweaks were in fact pulled from your guide and I'm using the binds from it as well. I'm really liking the teleport bind, in particular, and I like the "E" for dwarf, "Q" for nova arrangement as well.

I think that I can take a second ACC SO out of dwarf attacks, with the dwarf mire being more or less perma; that's a good idea and I'll go ahead and do that. I'll probably keep 2 ACC in gravity well, gravitic emanation, and inky aspect; I find that I fairly frequently use them before using mire, as openers intended to incapacitate mobs.

As one unmentioned tweak, as long as it also helps my warshade I'll switch out Vengeance and replace it with Victory Rush, when i24 arrives, to help further with end management; it seems likely to end up being a particularly thematic power when on teams, sort of like a team-focused stygian circle. Victory Rush can also be useful even when solo, as I can then boost recovery shortly before going to fight an end-of-mission boss.

A "blastroller" build explanation: electricity / ice / fire