THB's SUPER SECRET WARSHADE BUILD!

Dude.

Didn't even slot brawl.

LOL @Mad Grim.

Thanks a ton for your quick response, THB. You've really shown the extents we can go to in this game with a great build in conjunction with all the goodness offered through the Incarnate System.

One last thing (Sorry...really enjoying getting to pick your brain about this stuff. I've had a long love affair with my WS)...we discussed earlier that you put the -KB proc in Dark Detonation. This I completely LOVE as I can't stand KB. (Not bad-mouthing it, just for ME I hate it). Yet, with the build as you have it posted, you'll have to deal with the KB in Gravitic Emanation. I understand that you wanted that 6th Stupefy in there to give you the added ranged defense numbers, but as a KB hater myself is there perhaps alternate slotting or thoughts on how to avoid this? I love the power while in Nova form (no KB, even though the description says there is), but I've always skipped it on my Human Form builds due to the KB. The "Chance for KB" Stupefy proc would obviously make things "worse". (I use quotes there because I'm speaking for myself...you and/or others may love the KB).

Can I hear your thoughts/insight on this?

Thanks again, THB.

The thing about Gravitic Emenation is that it is a control first, and an attack... well not at all, really. The Knockback adds another layer of control, and the ability to re-position groups or shove them all together in a corner. Due to it being a cone, it is very easily controlled.

The chance for knockback proc probably won't do anything at all, actually, except maybe add another mag of it randomly. It already has a 100% chance for knockback.

If knockback really isn't your thing, I'd sooner put the KB2KD IO in it than actually remove it, and then just deal with the random KB in Detonation. Being able to permastun an entire mob is an invaluable tool.

AH I gotcha. You use it more as a control than an attack. That makes more sense now. It's not a power you use in each mob or all mission long...more used sporadically or as needed. I gotcha.

Was going to edit my last post and add this, but you answered so quickly I will have to just post it here...do you run all your toggles all mission long? Or, do you drop some during the times you have the Eclipse buffs and Barrier buffs going ? (I know you already touched on Endurance concerns, but that's sort of where I'm coming from here)..

I'll have to test it out to see how it actually works in-game...just had SO many end problems with my attempts at similar builds ...then seeing stamina with just the single slot in it had me a bit worried. Not doubting you at all, just my own insecurities.

Ah so you don't run tactics continuously huh? I actually thought you did because of some of the lack of accuracy in some of the attacks (26% in Shadow Blast, Orbiting Death, and Gravity Well). But, perhaps the +69% global accuracy boost negates the need for more accuracy slotting there.

Thanks again for all the insight. It's been eye-opening!!

WHOOPS...forgot to bring down Shadow Cloak and put it in my tray with toggles after the respec and /cleartray. That got the defensive numbers up to 31% before any help from Alpha slot.

As for the Beta question...I actually haven't EVER done anything on Beta...in my many years here. I had the third build to use up anyway...so thought I'd try it out that way.

So I spent some time with this build today THB. Ran some level 50+ missions (baddies ranging in levels from 51 to 54). Still messing with strategies, but am EXTREMELY impressed. In my 6 years here, I think I've gotten a total of 1 compliment in-game on my builds/play of toons *and I have some pretty well built toons if I do say so myself ;o)*. Tonight, I had 3. LOL. So, if the people I was playing with are any indication, then this build is as good as advertised!

Started off the evening running someone's level 51 missions in PI. There were 2 Brutes on the team, but after about the first mob, my WS was leading the way...diving into mobs headfirst, destroying everything in sight, and moving along..mob after mob. Someone even made a comment about how they were glad they had surround-sound because the sounds were incredible! (I have to agree...nothing beats the sounds associated with the WS powers). At the start of the 2nd mission I got a tell from the leader saying how impressed he was with the build. I said thanks, of course, and that it was a THB special!!! He was confused ...LOL.

After those missions, the leader had to bail so the star was passed to me. I promptly put up some Unai missions set at +3 X8 and continued on. These missions were much the same...my WS diving in, barely taking a scratch of damage, and laying down the hurt on everything in sight. It was during these missions that the other compliments started rolling in. I gave credit where credit was due!

Lastly, I ran a Lambda trial...was extremely pleased with the survivability and versatility of the character. Had zero problems during the run...even with a small league of only 8.

After these runs I have a little more of a grasp on how the build plays, but now have a few new questions for you. In terms of Unchain Essence...is there an easier way to get it to target the dead? I LOVE what it does, but in the heat of the battle I find myself sometimes unable to use it because I just can't seem to click on a dead body. (I'm a clicky player, by the way. I don't even use my number keys to activate powers...I actually click them LOL...except for TP which I have in the 0 spot of tray 1). Any suggestions for me in regards to that? I think it's odd that Dark Extraction auto-targets dead bodies when you click it, but Unchain Essence doesn't!

I sensed your frustration a while back in regards to the endurance questions, but this was literally the ONLY drawback to my play tonight. End was such an issue that I even had toggles drop 2 or 3 times. Now I'll admit that some of that could have been my own fault with not using SC enough and I DID have ALL the toggles running, so I think the end issues tonight were more my own fault than any fault of the build.

I did run into mez issues a couple times ...but again, that was more my play than the build. I don't have Clarion or the melee Hybrid (only have the Support one) ...and only used my T3 Barrier a couple times. Also, my defensive numbers are still a bit lower than they will be given that the Alpha I was using tonight was the T1 Cardiac to help offset the end usage. Also, leading the teams and being the first one in meant that I was taking the brunt of those mezzes.

I'd love to hear your strategies on Unchain Essence when you get a chance. Thanks again for posting this...it's been a lot of fun trying out something new!

I'm blown away at how brilliant all that is. I'm also a bit embarrassed that I didn't think to use Dark Extraction to target the dead bodies. DUUUurrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the Unchain Essence bind and Inspiration macros. I'm eager to try all that out!!

I'd probably try it out, but for two reasons I shall not:

1: I'm not a billionare
2: Its not tri-form.