Archery/TA: The Beginning

So, this will be my first foray into the Land of The Bow, and I'd like to see if I hit the bullseye (pun completely intended)

This is obviously not a leveling build, but had the following goals:

Constant 22% to-hit: Check.
Softcapped ranged defense: Check.

Bonus goals met:

Softcapped energy defense: Check
36% S/L/N defense: Check
All TA powers recharge faster than their duration: Check.

I went with Scorpion's pool for Focused Acc and the shield, so Web Envelope was just kind of gravy.

Is there anything glaring I'm missing or have woefully under- or over-slotted?

(P.S. the concept is a Natural Hawkeye-type, hence the lack of travel power and 2 slots in Swift.)

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Natural Corruptor
Primary Power Set: Archery
Secondary Power Set: Trick Arrow
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Aimed Shot -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(9), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(9), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13)
Level 1: Entangling Arrow -- TotHntr-Acc/Rchg(A), TotHntr-Dam%(3), TotHntr-EndRdx/Immob(43), TotHntr-Acc/EndRdx(43), TotHntr-Immob/Acc(46), TotHntr-Acc/Immob/Rchg(46)
Level 2: Flash Arrow -- Cloud-ToHitDeb(A), Cloud-Acc/ToHitDeb(33), Cloud-Acc/Rchg(34), Cloud-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Cloud-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Cloud-%Dam(36)
Level 4: Fistful of Arrows -- OvForce-Acc/Dmg(A), OvForce-End/Rech(13), OvForce-Acc/Dmg/End(15), OvForce-Dmg/End/Rech(15), OvForce-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(17)
Level 6: Blazing Arrow -- Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg(17), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(19), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21)
Level 8: Glue Arrow -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(46)
Level 10: Ice Arrow -- Lock-Acc/Hold(A), Lock-Acc/Rchg(48), Lock-Rchg/Hold(48), Lock-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(48), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(50), Lock-%Hold(50)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- Ksmt-ToHit+(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+(25), ULeap-Stlth(42), Winter-ResSlow(50)
Level 14: Aim -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(23), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(23), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(42), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(42), GSFC-Build%(43)
Level 16: Poison Gas Arrow -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(45)
Level 18: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 20: Acid Arrow -- Achilles-ResDeb%(A)
Level 22: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam(27), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(29), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(29)
Level 24: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(25), LkGmblr-Def(27)
Level 26: Ranged Shot -- ExecCtrt-Acc/Dmg(A), ExecCtrt-Dmg/EndRdx(31), ExecCtrt-Dmg/ActRdx(31), ExecCtrt-Dmg/Rng(31), ExecCtrt-Dmg/Rchg(33), ExecCtrt-Stun%(33)
Level 28: Disruption Arrow -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(39)
Level 30: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 32: Rain of Arrows -- SMotCorruptor-Acc/Dmg(A), SMotCorruptor-Dmg/Rchg(36), SMotCorruptor-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), SMotCorruptor-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SMotCorruptor-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SMotCorruptor-Rchg/Dmg%(37)
Level 35: Oil Slick Arrow -- P'ngTtl-Dmg/Slow(A), P'ngTtl-Acc/EndRdx(39), P'ngTtl-Acc/Slow(39), P'ngTtl-Rng/Slow(40), P'ngTtl-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(40), P'ngTtl--Rchg%(40)
Level 38: EMP Arrow -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 41: Tactics -- ToHit-I(A)
Level 44: Scorpion Shield -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(45), LkGmblr-Def(45)
Level 47: Focused Accuracy -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Web Cocoon -- Hold-I(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: Scourge
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A), Run-I(3)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Heal(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(5), Mrcl-Rcvry+(5)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-End%(7), EndMod-I(7)
Level 50: Agility Radial Paragon
------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarthWyrm But I do understand that there is an internet rule that any bad idea must be presented by someone at least twice a year to remind everyone who hasn't already read every previous thread on the topic precisely why the idea is bad.

Glaring item for me: Ice arrow is slotted and EMP arrow is not... I'd rob all of those slots from Ice and dump 'em into the EMP. It is a much better hold and debuffer.

I did have trouble with those two...but I chose Ice over EMP because Ice will be available more often; even with that limited slotting, EMP is still 147.8% ACC, 165s recharge, and has increased range and duration from set bonuses.

Obviously, if I *did* switch, I'd still use Lockdown, but would it really make that much of a difference? Web Envelope's not slotted either, for the same reasons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarthWyrm But I do understand that there is an internet rule that any bad idea must be presented by someone at least twice a year to remind everyone who hasn't already read every previous thread on the topic precisely why the idea is bad.

It has been a while since I played my ta/arch but my memory of ice arrow is I stopped using it late teens/early 20's once I had my debufs slotted better. EMP is an aoe hold with a significant debuff added to it. It is the best hold in the game (imo)

Well if I was going to short one of the two it would probably be EMP Arrow. It's a nice power but it's good enough unslotted while Ice Arrow really sucks without slotting. That being said I'd also think about do you really need to be at the softcap or are you ok a few percentage points away? You've got Flash Arrow to effectively make up the difference and if you moved a few slots from either Ice Arrow or Oil Slick Arrow to EMP Arrow you could Franken-Slot both powers and maintain their effectiveness at the cost or a few set bonuses.

If you slotted three Dam/Rechs and something else with damage in OSa it'll be fine (I'd recommend a fourth Dam/Rech but that might be expensive). You could then put three slots in EMP (probably a Acc/Hold/Rech, a Acc/End/Rech/Hold and a generic Recharge)/

*This'* is what I'm talkin' about! It would never in a million years occurred to me to put damage in OSA.

>.<

Thanks, Adeon. That actually makes a lot of sense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarthWyrm But I do understand that there is an internet rule that any bad idea must be presented by someone at least twice a year to remind everyone who hasn't already read every previous thread on the topic precisely why the idea is bad.

This is the Archery/TA build I intend to be running. Let me know what you think.

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A few things that immediately made me cringe about this build (no offense, it may perform good for you, I just wouldn't do it that way) are the following :

- You have a damage proc in Flash Arrow. That power doesn't notify mobs, and is in fact there to make them notice you less. HOWEVER, the moment that proc goes off, you'll aggro the whole spawn, because you damaged one of them. and considering that it has a HUGE radius, it could very well affect more than one spawn on big-teams maps.

You just effectively neutered that power, turning it from a fantastic perception debuff (which adds up to your stealth and doesn't suppresses) to a measly to hit debuff that shouts "hey, look at me and shoot me!". I don't care what set bonus you're chasing, get rid of that proc ASAP. IT. WILL. GET. YOU. KILLED.

- You have no accuracy slotted in Acid Arrow ?!? Your single best debuffing power beside OSA, the one that IS up every spawn, that helps you kill stuff faster and hit them more often... And you give it no chance to hit often enough to matter. If there is one power I consider mandatory to six-slot in TA (well, after OSA) it's that one. In fact, I'm pretty sure every time an Acid Arrow misses, Nemesis smothers a kitten somewhere. Please, for the love of kittens, at least slot some accuracy in it. Frankly, you want max acc and recharge on this baby, and decent -def to boot, but if nothing else, at least try to make it hit. Think of the kittens.

[EDIT] Alright, I finally noticed you're going for permasnipe, so your +ToHit should compensate for the lack of accuracy. My bad, the kittens should be somewhat safer than I thought. But still, I find Acid underslotted. and Tactics with no end redux will be HARD on your blue bar, so permasnipe will not be easy to maintain with all those toggles and no Cardiac. As it stands, I fear the main weakness of your build, independantly of any playstyle choice, will be endurance management. No way to maintain permasnipe and softcap when all your toggles go *poof*...

- Since I'm on a roll, I'll add a tip - a damage proc in Glue Arrow turns it from a positional debuff to a potential AoE - and an auto-hit at that, so the damage chance is up to the proc only. Since it notifies mobs anyway, you won't care about additional aggro like you would in Flash. With PPM, it might get even better considering its base recharge. And its duration gives it a chance to proc several times.

- Every thread about PPM ATO procs that I've read seems to indicate that they are not best used in AoE attacks. If you want to maximize its returns, I'd move that ATO set to Blazing Arrow and slot a set of Positrons in RoA. Unless I missed some planned change, that is.

- Max damage on OSA. Trust me, it IS one of your main damage dealer post-36. Heck, on my A/TA magic corruptor I made a macro JUST for the purpose of lighting it up easier, and the orange numbers are GLORIOUS. Blazing arrow or an Interface proc will to the job on a Natural toon.

- Go Intuition for your Alpha. Screw the X% defense Agility could give you, the across-the-board debuff and damage boosts Intuition gives you on Radial will be INFINITELY more important. Heck, the -ToHit boost to Flash can even help make up for the lost defense a bit.

Frankly, I hate to appear so negative, since you obviously put a lot of thought in that build. If soft cap is your thing, then by all mean go for it. Personally, I'd never play a build that gimps major powers so. But I know my playstyle is not yours.

If you don't believe me on all that (no reasons you should, after all) go read Luminara's "Trick Arrow Enchiridion" in the Defenders guides, or "Silas plays support and so can you" in the Corruptors Guides. Both have extensive sections on TA and how it relates to Archery.

*scoff*

I actually played with Lumi's TA/A, son! I'm old school.

On that note, something a little more like this?

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Natural Corruptor
Primary Power Set: Archery
Secondary Power Set: Trick Arrow
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Aimed Shot -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(9), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(9), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13)
Level 1: Entangling Arrow -- TotHntr-Acc/Rchg(A), TotHntr-Dam%(3), TotHntr-EndRdx/Immob(43), TotHntr-Acc/EndRdx(43), TotHntr-Immob/Acc(46), TotHntr-Acc/Immob/Rchg(46)
Level 2: Flash Arrow -- SipInsght-Acc/Rchg(A)
Level 4: Fistful of Arrows -- SMotCorruptor-Acc/Dmg(A), SMotCorruptor-Dmg/Rchg(13), SMotCorruptor-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), SMotCorruptor-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SMotCorruptor-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), SMotCorruptor-Rchg/Dmg%(40)
Level 6: Blazing Arrow -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(17), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(19), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21)
Level 8: Glue Arrow -- RechRdx-I(A), ImpSwft-Dam%(33), RechRdx-I(46)
Level 10: Ice Arrow -- Lock-Acc/Hold(A), Lock-Acc/Rchg(48), Lock-Rchg/Hold(48), Lock-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(48), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(50), Lock-%Hold(50)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- Ksmt-ToHit+(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+(25), ULeap-Stlth(42)
Level 14: Aim -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(23), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(23), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(42), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(42), GSFC-Build%(43)
Level 16: Poison Gas Arrow -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(45)
Level 18: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 20: Acid Arrow -- ShldBrk-Acc/DefDeb(A), ShldBrk-Acc/Rchg(34), LdyGrey-DefDeb/Rchg(34), LdyGrey-%Dam(34), LdyGrey-DefDeb/Rchg/EndRdx(36), LdyGrey-Rchg/EndRdx(37)
Level 22: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def(27), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg(29), LkGmblr-Rchg+(29)
Level 24: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(25), LkGmblr-Def(27)
Level 26: Ranged Shot -- ExecCtrt-Acc/Dmg(A), ExecCtrt-Dmg/EndRdx(31), ExecCtrt-Dmg/ActRdx(31), ExecCtrt-Dmg/Rng(31), ExecCtrt-Dmg/Rchg(33), ExecCtrt-Stun%(33)
Level 28: Disruption Arrow -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(39)
Level 30: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 32: Rain of Arrows -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(36), Posi-Dmg/Rng(37), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37)
Level 35: Oil Slick Arrow -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(39), Posi-Dmg/Rng(40), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40)
Level 38: EMP Arrow -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 41: Tactics -- ToHit-I(A), EndRdx-I(50)
Level 44: Scorpion Shield -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(45), LkGmblr-Def(45)
Level 47: Focused Accuracy -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Web Cocoon -- Hold-I(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: Scourge
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A), Run-I(3)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Heal(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(5), Mrcl-Rcvry+(5)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-End%(7), EndMod-I(7)
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon
------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarthWyrm But I do understand that there is an internet rule that any bad idea must be presented by someone at least twice a year to remind everyone who hasn't already read every previous thread on the topic precisely why the idea is bad.

You've got Weave without the prerequisites to pick it in that build.