For a near melee blaster I like the combination of Sm/Le/Range defense (and you often end up with considerable En/Neg defense this way as well). I'd recommend either Cold or Mace mastery, unless you can invest a lot to have a resist shield as well as lots of IO defense.
Combine inspires into lucks and try to keep 2 to 4 break frees on hand. Do you have Suppressive Fire? If so, make sure to use it early in a fight. After Issue 24, Touch of the Beyond will be a big help and the faster cast times for Empty Clips, Bullet Rain, and Executioner's Shot will also be nice.
It is a shame they haven't increased the radius on some of the /Dark powers, 8 feet is just too small for a blaster (even the 10 feet of Soul Drain should be bigger, IMO).
Why Blasters? Empathy Sucks.
So, you want to be Mental?
What the hell? Let's buff defenders.
Tactics are for those who do not have a big enough hammer. Wisdom is knowing how big your hammer is.
Are there must have enhancements for blasters? I'm really tired of being knocked down and held etc..
Quote:
Getting mezzed some of the time (maybe even frequently) is unavoidable until incarnate powers come into play. But there are some things that can help.|
Originally Posted by USA America
Are there must have enhancements for blasters? I'm really tired of being knocked down and held etc..
|
Break Frees. These aren't really optional for leveling a blaster. You will need some occasionally.
Combat Jumping will prevent immobilizes from stopping you (and is handy for movement anyway).
Acrobatics will protect you from 1 hold as well as prevent almost all KB/KD. But other mezzes will still get you.
One KB protection IO will prevent most KB/KD.
Defense can help mezzes miss, so your instincts to look for defense are good.
In I 24, mez resistance from IOs will become stronger. Combined with toggles that only suppress, it might be possible to use mez resistance to make some noticeable differences, especially if you make sure to keep Touch of the Beyond active. Mez resistance does not prevent mez, but it will shorten the duration and hopefully it will do so noticeably in the the future.
I think one of the items on the Paragon market provides some actual protection if the budget allows.
Why Blasters? Empathy Sucks.
So, you want to be Mental?
What the hell? Let's buff defenders.
Tactics are for those who do not have a big enough hammer. Wisdom is knowing how big your hammer is.
Thanks for the reply stratonexus
This is the build I've come up with if anyone can tell me where I may be lacking.
http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/downl...F77F019FA7FC66
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.957
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Magic Blaster
Primary Power Set: Dual Pistols
Secondary Power Set: Darkness Manipulation
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Concealment
Ancillary Pool: Cold Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dual Wield -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(3), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7)
Level 1: Penumbral Grasp -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(25), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(33), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 2: Empty Clips -- SBlastersW-Acc/Dmg(A), SBlastersW-Dmg/Rchg(7), SBlastersW-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SBlastersW-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(9), SBlastersW-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SBlastersW-Rchg/Dmg%(11)
Level 4: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(13), RechRdx-I(48)
Level 6: Swap Ammo
Level 8: Bullet Rain -- Ragnrk-Dmg(A), Ragnrk-Dmg/Rchg(13), Ragnrk-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), Ragnrk-Acc/Rchg(15), Ragnrk-Dmg/EndRdx(17), Ragnrk-Knock%(17)
Level 10: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 12: Super Jump -- Winter-ResSlow(A)
Level 14: Boxing -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(46), KntkC'bat-Knock%(48), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(48)
Level 16: Soul Drain -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(36), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Oblit-%Dam(37)
Level 18: Executioner's Shot -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(19), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25)
Level 20: Touch of Fear -- Empty(A)
Level 22: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), S'fstPrt-ResKB(23), GA-3defTpProc(23)
Level 24: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 26: Piercing Rounds -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(27), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(27), Posi-Dmg/Rng(29), Posi-Dam%(29)
Level 28: Dark Consumption -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(31), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(31), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Oblit-%Dam(33)
Level 30: Stealth -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 32: Hail of Bullets -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(37), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Oblit-%Dam(40)
Level 35: Dark Pit -- Stpfy-Acc/Rchg(A), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun(40), Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx(40), Stpfy-Stun/Rng(42), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg(42), Stpfy-KB%(42)
Level 38: Flash Freeze -- LgcRps-Acc/Sleep(A), LgcRps-Acc/Rchg(50), LgcRps-EndRdx/Sleep(50), LgcRps-Acc/EndRdx(50)
Level 41: Frozen Armor -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 44: Hoarfrost -- Numna-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-EndRdx/Rchg(45), Numna-Heal/Rchg(45), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(45), Numna-Heal(46), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(46)
Level 47: Hibernate -- Empty(A)
Level 49: Invisibility -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(43), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(43), KntkC'bat-Knock%(43)
Level 1: Defiance
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: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- Empty(A)
Level 6: Chemical Ammunition
Level 6: Cryo Ammunition
Level 6: Incendiary Ammunition
------------
I have never had a Blaster without Hover or Combat Jumping. Not only do they help you with quick repositioning for attacks, but the defensive benefits quickly add up. (Hover is my preference, but it is not always conceptually sound.)
"Pulling" and "line-of-sight" are your friends, especially with /Devices. Set a couple trip mines around a corner, throw a couple of smoke grenades, and then shoot one in the face and make him follow you to your trap. It may take a bit longer, but I promise it will be shorter than face planting and hiking it back from the hospital.
As a long time Brute/Scrapper, I understand your annoyance to mez, but it is part of being a Blaster. Taking a second to analyze the mob in front of you and creating a plan of attack can nearly eliminate it. Use your mez attacks on the mezzers first, and take them out of the fight quickly.
I am a big fan of the Thunderstrike IO set. It has gotten more expensive as its popularity has increased, but it can be a boon for blasters since most sets have at least 3 attacks in which it can be slotted. If memory serves, you get a total of 3.75% Ranged Defense for the whole set, and once you have the set slotted multiple times that can add up, particularly with whatever other defense powers you have.
Specifically for the DP/Dark:
Personally, I hate /Darkness, but I took it as a personal challenge to learn how to play it. If you want to use Soul Drain as your Alpha Strike, slot it up for damage and I would take Stealth. The enemies won't be alerted to your presence until you are pretty much in the mob, plus it is just a bit more defense for you.
Another way to go about it would be to open with Bullet Rain. This may knock down a few of your foes, making the alpha strike on you less intense. Or equip Cryo Ammo and slow them down before jumping into the fray for Soul Drain.
Hope you see some improvement!
[EDIT]
After looking at your build, I have to say that unless you really need the bonuses from Dark Pit's Stupify set, ditch the power and take something more useful. .8 initial To-Hit, abysmally short duration, and only a high enough magnitude to stun minions. It just is not worth taking.
Also, TAKE BOTH PISTOLS AND DUAL WIELD. On a blaster, you can use both those powers (and Penumbral Grasp) while mezzed. Having both my T1 and T2 attacks available while mezzed has saved my health bar more times than I can count.
@Winter. Because I'm Winter. Period.
I am a blaster first, and an alt-oholic second.
I really like Midnight Grasp. I wouldn't want to slot Hoarfrost heavily, since the blaster HP cap is so low. Once I24 comes out Touch of the Beyond (which is currently Touch of Fear) is going to want slots. Not sure how I'd slot it, I am waiting to see how I24 shakes out before I think about it too much.
I would consider swapping out Hibernate for Dark Pit (just one Acc in Dark Pit).
I'd go more like this:
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.96
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Magic Blaster
Primary Power Set: Dual Pistols
Secondary Power Set: Darkness Manipulation
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Concealment
Ancillary Pool: Cold Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dual Wield -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(3), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7)
Level 1: Penumbral Grasp -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(17), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(33), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 2: Empty Clips -- SBlastersW-Acc/Dmg(A), SBlastersW-Dmg/Rchg(7), SBlastersW-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SBlastersW-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(9), SBlastersW-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SBlastersW-Rchg/Dmg%(11)
Level 4: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(13), RechRdx-I(48)
Level 6: Swap Ammo
Level 8: Bullet Rain -- Ragnrk-Dmg(A), Ragnrk-Dmg/Rchg(13), Ragnrk-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), Ragnrk-Acc/Rchg(15), Ragnrk-Knock%(17)
Level 10: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 12: Super Jump -- Winter-ResSlow(A)
Level 14: Boxing -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(46), KntkC'bat-Knock%(48), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(48)
Level 16: Soul Drain -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(36), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Oblit-%Dam(37)
Level 18: Executioner's Shot -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(19), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25)
Level 20: Touch of Fear -- Empty(A), Empty(25), Empty(43), Empty(43), Empty(43)
Level 22: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), S'fstPrt-ResKB(23), GA-3defTpProc(23)
Level 24: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(46), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(46)
Level 26: Piercing Rounds -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(27), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(27), Posi-Dmg/Rng(29), Posi-Dam%(29)
Level 28: Dark Consumption -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(31), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(31), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Oblit-%Dam(33)
Level 30: Stealth -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 32: Hail of Bullets -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(37), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Oblit-%Dam(40)
Level 35: Flash Freeze -- LgcRps-Acc/Rchg(A), LgcRps-Acc/EndRdx(50), LgcRps-Acc/Sleep/Rchg(50), LgcRps-Acc/Sleep(50)
Level 38: Midnight Grasp -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(40), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(40), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Mako-Dam%(42)
Level 41: Frozen Armor -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(45), LkGmblr-Def(45)
Level 44: Hoarfrost -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(45)
Level 47: Hibernate -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Invisibility -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
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: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A)
Level 6: Chemical Ammunition
Level 6: Cryo Ammunition
Level 6: Incendiary Ammunition
------------
------------
Set Bonus Totals:
- 16% DamageBuff(Smashing)
- 16% DamageBuff(Lethal)
- 16% DamageBuff(Fire)
- 16% DamageBuff(Cold)
- 16% DamageBuff(Energy)
- 16% DamageBuff(Negative)
- 16% DamageBuff(Toxic)
- 16% DamageBuff(Psionic)
- 17.25% Defense(Smashing)
- 17.25% Defense(Lethal)
- 6% Defense(Fire)
- 6% Defense(Cold)
- 23.5% Defense(Energy)
- 23.5% Defense(Negative)
- 6% Defense(Psionic)
- 20.06% Defense(Melee)
- 26.94% Defense(Ranged)
- 6% Defense(AoE)
- 10% Enhancement(Range)
- 4% Enhancement(Sleep)
- 87% Enhancement(Accuracy)
- 78.75% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
- 12% SpeedFlying
- 63.25 HP (5.25%) HitPoints
- 12% JumpHeight
- 12% SpeedJumping
- Knockback (Mag -4)
- Knockup (Mag -4)
- MezResist(Held) 3.3%
- MezResist(Immobilized) 6.05%
- MezResist(Stunned) 6.6%
- 14% (0.23 End/sec) Recovery
- 20% (1 HP/sec) Regeneration
- 20% ResEffect(SpeedFlying)
- 20% ResEffect(RechargeTime)
- 20% ResEffect(SpeedRunning)
- 4.1% Resistance(Fire)
- 4.1% Resistance(Cold)
- 12% SpeedRunning
Why Blasters? Empathy Sucks.
So, you want to be Mental?
What the hell? Let's buff defenders.
Tactics are for those who do not have a big enough hammer. Wisdom is knowing how big your hammer is.
Long time brute/scrapper, but new to blasters. Have 30ish eng/devices, dp/dark and leveling up a beam/devices. I'm getting clobbered solo, especially with my dp. She has combat jump, tough/weave and a steadfast protection.
What can I do to increase her survivability? I don't know if I should focus on s/l or range bonus. she gets in the thick of mobs to use soul drain/hail of bullets.
Any advice would be appreciated