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Posts
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Joined
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Quote:Thing is, Ninjitsu's Defense is at a lower point than other Defense-dependent sets. So what happens is, if you aren't perfect with your use of the toys, you get beat down pretty quickly. That's not a bad thing though because if you get really good with the toys, you can perform at a level far above what you could with something like SR, or any of the passive sets.I find it weird that the main 'complaint' about Ninjitsu here is the exact same weakness every other defense-based set except /SR and crazy IO/HO SD builds (not available to Stalkers as you all know) has.
Compare to Super Reflexes: SR has the tools needed to survive Knives. Higher Defense means they have a harder time getting that deadly crit on you, and they can't lower that Defense by much. Caltrops may be auto hit, but your scaling resistance helps you survive them and your Slow Resistance helps you get off of them more quickly. It also helps keep your powers recharging as most web grenades miss you and those that do hit are mitigated.
However, I do believe that with proper use of all the tools, Ninjitsu can deal with Knives just as easily, maybe even moreso. That's what this project is all about: coming to grips with Ninjitsu and getting good with it.
I find it encouraging that at level 15, Stalker Street Justice is looking very solid, so I think I'm building on a firmer foundation than I was with Martial Arts. -
It was previously thought Titan Weapons would be right up a Brute's alley with the momentum mechanic making animations faster as you go. Problem: we now know that's not how it works. Every 3 attacks or so, you'll be stuck with a slow animation. And the low levels leave you with nothing but very slow attacks, making Fury building problematic compared to other primaries.
Thoughts? -
It's always okay to skip Hasten as Hasten is not required. Energy Aura has an even easier time skipping it with its inherent +Recharge.
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The optimal IO slotting for Stamina is:
Performance Shifter: ENDMOD;ENDMOD/RECH;ENDMOD/ACC;+END
And yes, you do want to slot a +END into each passive Stamina-like power you have.
And no, I wouldn't bother with anything other than a level 21. -
Quote:Very good point. I was never happy with the damage output of Stalker Claws in the 40+ game, but the mitigation in the set is undeniable.I think the key difference here is Claw.
Yes, the combination of 100% knockdown from Focus and knockback from Shockwave can really improve your survival.
I am like you though, I never find Ninjitsu THAT great. I have several of them but at the end of day, I prefer Willpower over Ninjitsu.
+0x4 on SOs or Generic IOs is a goal I've set for myself. +3x1 is probably the reasonable thing to do, but I need to see if I can do +0x4.
And I'm happy to see I'm not the only one not completely enamored of Ninjitsu. There's two of us I guess.
I am a big fan of Ice Armor. Trust me, I will have an Ice Armor Stalker in the future. I just want my gadget fix first.
The two do seem as if they were meant to go together, don't they? The synergy there is terrific. And caltroping Knives is always funny! -
Quote:That's a very good analogy. Intelligent use of the toys lets you get performance above what the build alone would predict. I'll concentrate on maximizing my skill with the toys this time around.Your problem is like comparing /wp to /regen. /SR is a toggle and forget set. You just wade in and kill things. /Nin is like regen, player skill is vastly more important than the build. If you don't use your toys and if you don't use them intelligently, you will die. Horribly. Again and again and again.
Also, as you say Ninjitsu is a set that "needs" its tier 9 more than a set like Super Reflexes does. I took it before, but was resistant to using it (that deadly phrase "What if I need it even more later?" will get one into trouble every time!) and didn't slot it up.
Also, I don't think IOing for Defense will allow Ninjitsu to skip the tier 9 specifically because it does bring a nice chunk of DDR with it. I actually have no problem with that as I usually take Elude even on SR as a 1 slot wonder. I'll think of it as just another toy to take and intelligently use.
I want to hand the Knives their butts this time, and I think this is the guy to do it.
I'm going to practice and get good with this set and this will be my mantra.
Quote:I find if you want more forgiving sets you might try Energy Aura or Dark Armor...I am surprised you didnt enjoy willpower very much....since you are trying ninja armor....get your self some knock-back resistance invention origins if you can use them.....
I do like Willpower, BTW. I think it's a fine set. It just wasn't the best pick for this concept. Also, I am one of those nutty players who actually likes Stalkers.
And having to spend slots on Knockback resistance is another of my annoyances with Ninjitsu, but I think the set is going to be worth it anyway. -
All unlockable costumes and weapons should be available for purchase in the store. Say, 160 PP per weapon unlock. I'd buy the Carnie hammer immediately.
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Telling my Villains, once again, that they are a mere flea on a dog's butt so they better get jumpin' before the medicated shampoo comes is less of a dovetail and more of a Hardcase-hammer ("Do as I say because you're dead if you don't"). Hardcase-hammers suck.
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So I rerolled my SJ/WP Scrapper to SJ/NIN Stalker. Why? Fits his concept a bit better and I envision much gadgety-goodness from Ninjitsu paired with the Weapons Ancillary Pool (and guess what? Stalkers get Physical Perfection along with their Weapons!)
Question is, am I going to regret the change? Part of my misgivings come from my earlier, less-than-satisfying experiences with Ninjitsu. It's a forum favorite, and I can see what the set is trying to do and appreciate it on a design level, but when I last experienced it (all toys taken and fully slotted) in the 40+ game it just left me cold.
Specifically, my experiences with +0x4 spawns of Knives of Artemis and Awakened PPD. My Claws/SR Stalker had little issue with these, but my then MA/NIN Stalker was getting PWND.
The problem? Knives strip Ninjitsu's Defense completely and then burst it to death very quickly. Awakened strip its defense and wittle it down. The Heal is of little use in these situations.
Up to that point, Ninjitsu was looking like the champ everyone said it was. That 40+ game made me take my ball and go home.
Of course, this is a very different game these days. Fresh new game means a fresh new chance for all the powersets and Archetypes, and Ninjitsu was high on my list, even if I'm coming out of the closet as a non-fan of Ninjitsu. I feel like I'm the only one who doesn't care for it so much.
The promise of Ninjitsu/Weapons is giving me hope that this will be good. I just don't want to have to delete another 40+ character.
SJ/EA Scrapper was another possibility, but the removal of combat stealth from EA's play style gives me sad face.
Here's hoping... -
Ah, but is that on every attack or just on the attack it's slotted into?
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If you have to ask, odds are you're running a real risk of being genericed. Be more creative.
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Quote:Sucks for PvP where pay-to-win is now the norm, but overall I'm pleased with this. There's no reason in the world NCSoft should leave all that money on the table, and it gives players an additional option for IOing a character.The part of this that worries me however, is that you can also now see 'Account Bound' & 'Attuned' versions of all the rarest IO's, PvP IO's and Purples as well.
LotG's, Miracles, Numinas, all the purples, all the PvP IO's..
These days I'm getting the market out of my play style, so Paragon Store Origin IOs are a very nice option to have. My only complaint is they are too expensive right now (at 25-50 cents each, more for rare stuff of course, I'd buy many on a regular basis. At current prices, they are mostly a pass.) -
What Stalkers are missing is damage not Hit Points.
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Quote:You were warned! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBo7piCWRn4I had always hated scrappers. I thought they were ridiculously over-powered. My first toon was, of course, a blaster. It became tiresome and tedious, and the disappointment was earth-shattering when my toon, Mr. Clarke, ended up face down after planning a fight for 5 minutes.
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Once Arcanaville speculated how Sappers' sapper rifles probably make them go sterile, I never looked at Malta the same again.
And I hope the Skulls get their skulls back.
And Positron apparently likes the Rikti-as-aliens bios.
Brave new world...brave new world... -
Imagine a First Ward complete with Hero arcs for the Heroes, Villain arcs for the Villains, and the mud of self-hatred for the Praetorians. That's how it should have gone. IMHO.
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Both answers in the poll are "yes". Must've been written by Emperor Cole.
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Quote:Good point! "I can unleash enough force to end you! Ouch! Stop hitting me!"It's hard for me to take threats from Hardcase seriously when one of the villain alignment tips in the same level range involves releasing some demons just to piss him off and then beating him up.
WTB [Headbutt Hardcase]. Will pay 400 Paragon Points. -
So you go around beating up on the bad guys and get sent to Hardcase to be scolded like a powerless child. It'd been a while since I had done this arc so I forgot how bad it is.
On the upside, her dialogue is written with personality. Not nearly enough to save this thing from being awful, though.
Maybe I should go look her up in the AE to see what people have done with her there. It's got to be an improvement, right?
1 Star. -
1. The set is called Stone Armor. It'd be nice if people who have 3 Stone Armor Tankers knew the name of the set.
2. Roll something other than Stone Armor.
3. ???
4. Profit. -
Complaining about the locked hospital doors in iTrials is like complaining about the food in prison.
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Isn't Vanguard's tagline "Earth for humans"?
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