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Posts
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And now that Fitness is Inherent, you have the space to take and use ALL of your attacks and all of your Combos.
Be Well!
Fireheart -
After leaving Peregrine Island, Castle becomes the next big star of the Luchador circuit.
Be Well!
Fireheart -
Quote:No. Primary/Secondary powersets cannot be changed once selected. You have to create a new character. It's one of the very few things the devs have flat out told us they will never let us do.
Edit: On a basic North American account we can make 144 characters, and up to 396 if we buy extra character slots. That's more than any of us will ever use. If the game only allowed us 2-3 characters total then the devs might have allowed us to change powersets.
I have over 100 characters spread across 2 accounts.Quote:Don't be blue. Look at it this way, You'll have somthing different to switch to if you want a change of pace. Even powersets within an archetype play differently from each other.
This is an opportunity to build your own Legion of Super Heroes. Join us on the dark side of Altaholics Anonymous. We have ponies, pie, and punch.
Sometimes you might have an idea for a character and/or a costume and then spend an hour wrestling with the character creator, trying to bring them to life. Sometimes you meet somebody cool and decide to create a new character on their 'home' server, so you can spend more time with them. Sometimes you get fed up with the atmosphere on one server and decide to start fresh on another one.
Whatever the motivation, Alts are fun.
Be Well!
Fireheart -
Hello Talley, I'm glad you're enjoying the attention, but that's what happens when you wave the 'Free Art' flag around here.
And I'd like to join the parade, myself, though I don't have a lot of pictures.
Quote:"Let her out and give her your coat."
"Why me?"
"Because you're perfect."
"You have a point there."
This is Peregrine Lucius Smythe, better known as Perfect Perry. He is an 'Anti-Batman' - for every dark, tortured aspect of 'The Dark Knight', Perry has one full of light.
So...
Wealthy Scion - check.
Dead Parents - nope they're alive.
Dilettante Playboy - check.
Driven by Revenge - nope, he was initially driven by boredom, to become an amateur boxer, but as he got more into it, he 'Naturally' began to wanted to get better at it. Pride and a sense of personal accomplishment - something that was not simply 'given to him' due to family wealth, drove him to study and improve. Pure, 'Natural' talent, plus a lot of hard work, discipline, and practice... okay, and opportunities for utterly first-class training due to the family wealth, are the source of his powers. He got so good at boxing, due to his emerging powers, that he had to quit. It just wasn't Fair to the other (non-powered) contestants.
Criminal Encounter at a Movie Theater - check, it went badly for the thugs and Perry realized that his skills and powers could be used more positively, as a Hero.
Secret Identity - nope, like other wealthy people in the public spotlight, Perry has a 'public persona' for displaying to the photographers, news hounds, and hero-groupies, instead. The fact that it closely resembles his 'private self' just makes it easier to maintain.
Flashy Outfit - check... well, it's not so much that the outfit is especially flashy, except insofar as it it pristine white. Rather, being a 'Lightshow/Pom-poms' Tanker (Invulnerability/Energy Melee) means that it's nigh impossible to hide. His very every move is 'flashy'.
While his costume can pick up dirt, the material is protected by the 'Hero-Cloth' process (a Smythe Co. product), which renders it nigh impervious to stains and damage. How else do you think heroes can trek through the Paragon City Sewer System and come out victorious and still looking great?
Bat-cave, -belt, -car, -boat, -binoculars, -rope, -hula-hoop, etc. - nope, Perry maintains an apartment in the city. He may have several extras, besides the family mansion, various commercial office buildings, and of course his official fan-club maintains a mailbox and clubhouse. Otherwise, Perry utilizes a few common tools, plus his skills and abilities to fight crime and he gets around town just like everybody else - he walks (or super-jumps) or he takes the tram.
I could go on, but this is getting long and I think you get the picture.
Pretty simple outfit, so Have Fun!
Be Well!
Fireheart -
An alternative to playing a PB 'Iron Man' would be the 'Tin Canon' of a Radiation/Energy Blaster...
However:
I play a Human-form PB as a 'Cosmic-powered College Professor' and have often posted my experiences. For me, the key to success is to be mobile and leverage dynamic range changes to use all of your powers to your advantage. My base attack chain is Bolt-Eye-Bolt-Blast with others tossed in as applicable.
You won't dish out as much damage as a Blaster, but you'll be more resilient, able to take a few hits. You'll also have 'Dull Pain', 'Reconstruction', and 'Heal Other' clones, to help you deal with the damage. Work with a team (It Doesn't Have To Be A Big Team!) and you'll be even more effective.
(Sorry, just a a little lingering ire over the people who think that a team of 8 is the only 'good' team. I commonly run on teams of 3-4 and have a blast. So, getting invited to a team and then being forced to sit and wait, while the leader cries and begs, desperately searching for more players, just irritates the heck out of me.)
Anyway, Because you're not a Blaster, or Scrapper, you may find leveling (solo) to be slow, but it's completely doable. Deliberately seek out enemy that are weak to Energy damage and you may have a fun experience.
For your edification, this is my current build, at level 33. It's slightly experimental, I think it may need more EndRed in the powers that aren't already slotted for it.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.91
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Starlight Saint: Level 36 Natural Peacebringer
Primary Power Set: Luminous Blast
Secondary Power Set: Luminous Aura
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Gleaming Bolt -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21)
Level 1: Incandescence -- S'fstPrt-ResKB(A)
Level 2: Glinting Eye -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23)
Level 4: Gleaming Blast -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25)
Level 6: Shining Shield -- TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(A), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(9), TtmC'tng-ResDam(11), ImpSkn-Status(13)
Level 8: Radiant Strike -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25)
Level 10: Essence Boost -- Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(A), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Empty(34)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- Krma-ResKB(A)
Level 14: Proton Scatter -- ShldBrk-Acc/DefDeb(A), ShldBrk-Acc/Rchg(15), ShldBrk-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(27)
Level 16: Luminous Detonation -- ShldBrk-Acc/DefDeb(A), ShldBrk-Acc/Rchg(17), ShldBrk-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(29)
Level 18: Incandescent Strike -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 20: Quantum Shield -- ImpSkn-Status(A)
Level 22: Reform Essence -- Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(A), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(23), Numna-Heal/Rchg(31), Empty(34)
Level 24: Thermal Shield -- ImpSkn-Status(A)
Level 26: Glowing Touch -- Numna-Heal/Rchg(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(27)
Level 28: Solar Flare -- ShldBrk-Acc/DefDeb(A), ShldBrk-Acc/Rchg(29), ShldBrk-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(33)
Level 30: Build Up -- AdjTgt-Rchg(A)
Level 32: Photon Seekers -- ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(33), Empty(34)
Level 35: Dawn Strike -- Empty(A)
Level 38: Light Form -- Empty(A)
Level 41: Conserve Energy -- Empty(A)
Level 44: Assault -- Empty(A)
Level 47: Tactics -- Empty(A)
Level 49: Maneuvers -- Empty(A)
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Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Cosmic Balance
Level 1: Energy Flight -- Winter-ResSlow(A)
Level 10: Combat Flight -- Ksmt-ToHit+(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Heal(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- Efficacy-EndMod(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(21), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(33)
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Be Well!
Fireheart -
Costume file is actually a plain-text file that is saved in the 'Costumes' folder in your CoH folder. You can read and even edit the thing with Notepad. Or you can just attach the untouched file to a message. We can post the (rather lengthy) text of a costume file in the forums by wrapping a [code] [/code] tag around it.
You see this from time to time on the Costume (Re)Design forum.
Be Well!
Fireheart -
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I'm not an expert, myself, but I've been tracking both sides of the Dark, from all the way back when The Gamemaster's DM/DA Bible was all we had. So I'd like to address this bit.
Quote:Siphon Life used to be a pretty good small heal, which did some damage. However, a few issues back, that was changed. Now, Siphon Life is an excellent single-target attack that just happens to have a self-heal component.Siphon Life, so far my experience with it has been mediocre at best, it seems like a weak single target heal with a large end cost for what it heals, as such I'm having a hard time fitting it into my build.
That's why I have it slotted like an attack in all of my builds. If I had a 6th slot available for it, I'd slot 2 Accurate Healing IOs, to buff the healing component slightly. My advice is Get it, Slot it, Love it - lock it in at level 16.
Shadow Punch, Smite, and Siphon Life are the components of your single-target chain until MG comes online. Take a jump to the left... and unleash Shadow Maul. Take a step to the right... Sands of Mu. Then a pelvic thrust... woops, that's the Time Warp.
But really, 'herding' doesn't stop with Taunt and break LoS, you gotta keep 'dancing' to make them fall down fast. I suspect you know that, though.
Be Well!
Fireheart -
How about Fire/Dark, Jebe? Twice the Consume, two kinds of self-heal, Damage Aura and single-target buzz-saw attacks, Burn patches without fear... Flame and Shadow. Mine is a 'Balrog'.
Be Well!
Fireheart -
Jebe, I'm not married to the Regen, I was simply looking for more EndRed, plus some Acc and Dam. The Regen from Sirocco's was simply the best bonus I could pull out of two slots. Similarly, I have no energy on the OG. If I had 3 slots to spare, I could take Energy Torrent and drop in a fifth set of Eradication.
If you find a set/slotting/power option that makes the character work Better, then please share it, so we can all gaze with awe on the new shiny.
Be Well!
Fireheart -
She sat there, half the night, waiting for you... You'd better have some milk and cookies fast! Dear lord, don't let her get Bored!
Be Well!
Fireheart -
No problem, Dechs. Holidays can be rough on us.
I want to sincerely thank you for the advice on making the build, without breaking the bank. I can apply those ideas to paying for my Lightshow/Pom-poms tanker's build, as well. Perhaps I'll be reminded of why he was so much fun, before.
I took your finished approach to my second build and spent some time tweaking and flipping slots and comparing totals and came out with one that is even smoother.
We managed 46% Defense to S/L - Ding! just over the cap. A smidge more accuracy is some powers, while maintaining high damage, recharge and endurance efficiency. And better still, more Regeneration and Endurance - now at 1.9/sec over usage with all toggles running. With Dark Consumption in the mix, I don't see that as any kind of problem.
I noticed that you had burned an extra slot to pull Smite down to 3 seconds recharge, from my 4 - I presume that's based on experience, but I just couldn't bear to pull a slot from everything else. I may find myself having the same experience and being forced to pull the slot from somewhere. On the other hand, experimenting with that showed me how to pull more performance from Midnight Grasp - check out the Focused Smite combo there.
I noted the extra Defense in Combat Jumping and thought it was a fine idea, but after playing with the numbers, I finally flipped that slot over to Soul Drain and the double Rectified Reticle. I may have to pop a yellow to get Soul Drain to stick on tougher targets...
Anyway, there's a few other changes I made, after analysis, but I'm happy enough with the result.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.91
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Draco Nox 2: Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Dark Armor
Secondary Power Set: Dark Melee
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(5), RctvArm-ResDam(9), RctvArm-EndRdx(11), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(46)
Level 1: Shadow Punch -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(7), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Acc-I(40)
Level 2: Smite -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(7), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Acc-I(40)
Level 4: Shadow Maul -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Rchg(5), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40)
Level 6: Obsidian Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(34), RctvArm-ResDam(43), RctvArm-EndRdx(46)
Level 8: Murky Cloud -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(34), RctvArm-ResDam(45), RctvArm-EndRdx(46)
Level 10: Taunt -- Mocking-Taunt/Rchg/Rng(A)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- Ksmt-ToHit+(A)
Level 14: Super Jump -- SprngFt-EndRdx/Jump(A)
Level 16: Siphon Life -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(17), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(17), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), Acc-I(42)
Level 18: Death Shroud -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Rchg(19), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(37), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48)
Level 20: Acrobatics -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 22: Dark Regeneration -- Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Heal(A), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(23), Theft-+End%(23), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Heal/HP/Regen(25), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 24: Cloak of Darkness -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(25), LkGmblr-Def(34), LkGmblr-Rchg+(45)
Level 26: Boxing -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(27), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(27), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 28: Soul Drain -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(29), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Rec'dRet-ToHit(48), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg(50)
Level 30: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(31), RctvArm-ResDam(33), RctvArm-EndRdx(37)
Level 32: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-EndRdx/Rchg(33), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(33), LkGmblr-Rchg+(37)
Level 35: Dark Consumption -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(36), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(42)
Level 38: Midnight Grasp -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(39), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(39), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), F'dSmite-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(50), F'dSmite-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(50)
Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(45)
Level 47: Oppressive Gloom -- Acc-I(A)
Level 49: Soul Transfer -- RechRdx-I(A)
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Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Heal(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+(43), Numna-Heal(43), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(48)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(15), EndMod-I(15)
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Be Well!
Fireheart -
So, then.
I decided to go back and start over again, this time, building... a different sort of tanker. I'm not at all certain it is possible to 'grow' a tanker this way, but I was looking at what was desired and what might not be useful and what could be traded for something else.
I started by dropping in Acrobatics at 20. This means that, at level 15+ I do not have to worry about KB (much) and I can use the slots that might hold KB IOs to enhance other things.
Next, I considered that this was going to be a Defense capped build, so other forms of mitigation would be... less important. Consequently, I dropped out both Cloak and Touch of Fear - no more Tank-troller. Finally, I dropped Assault and Tactics. That means I have room for a APP - like Energy Mastery for PP and an end to my End woes.
Sadly, that leaves the build... Incomplete and I no longer have any idea what needs slotting or what powers to take, because I didn't take the ones I usually do and didn't slot like I usually would.
Good news is, I've got 41% S/L and 35% E/N Defense and a little more slotting can bring us the rest of the way to the cap. Can Kinetic Combat be bought with Hero Merits? I'm going to have to be doing a LOT of work in that direction, or something.
So, what can we do with this build? How do we spend the last powers and slots? Or do we change everything and re-balance for better performance?
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.91
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Incomplete: Level 48 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Dark Armor
Secondary Power Set: Dark Melee
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(5), RctvArm-ResDam(9), RctvArm-EndRdx(11)
Level 1: Shadow Punch -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(7), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Acc-I(40)
Level 2: Smite -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(7), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Acc-I(40)
Level 4: Shadow Maul -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Rchg(5), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40)
Level 6: Obsidian Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(34), RctvArm-ResDam(43), RctvArm-EndRdx(46)
Level 8: Murky Cloud -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(34), RctvArm-ResDam(45), RctvArm-EndRdx(46)
Level 10: Taunt -- Empty(A)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- Ksmt-ToHit+(A)
Level 14: Super Jump -- SprngFt-EndRdx/Jump(A)
Level 16: Siphon Life -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(17), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(17), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), Acc-I(42)
Level 18: Death Shroud -- EndRdx-I(A), Erad-Dmg(19), Erad-Acc/Rchg(21), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 20: Acrobatics -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 22: Dark Regeneration -- Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Heal(A), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(23), Theft-+End%(23), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Heal/HP/Regen(25), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 24: Cloak of Darkness -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(25), LkGmblr-Def(34), LkGmblr-Rchg+(45)
Level 26: Boxing -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(27), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(27), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Acc-I(46)
Level 28: Soul Drain -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(29), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 30: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(31), RctvArm-ResDam(33), RctvArm-EndRdx(37)
Level 32: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-EndRdx/Rchg(33), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(33), LkGmblr-Rchg+(37)
Level 35: Dark Consumption -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(36), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(42)
Level 38: Midnight Grasp -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(39), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(39), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39)
Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(45)
Level 47: [Empty]
Level 49: [Empty]
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-Heal(43), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(43)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(15), P'Shift-End%(15)
Code:Questions:| Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1527;724;1448;HEX;| |78DAA5534B4F135118BDD3192C6DA7F4456929501EE5551E8D464D7C2C8C114C486| |8521059A9CD50AF65429936D3C6C8CE1FE0C2B8D09571EF1F50C43FE40375E52BC2| |F83D2EA504774ED27366BE3973BF73BEDB5B7CB4600AF1F89AD0CC1B35ABD92CAF5| |9CE9674BB8A56D5AE04979C4A7DBB51932DE91742F4F3BBF2827C209DA62C2C58EE| |56F9BABB5D7753EA4D51D6A4AAD36D6CC9D994AE745A85A31BB354AFD70ACBD26AD| |84E354C0F37EDEA660B9E2247AFEE4BB7B9693762F4BCE43CB49BF6865DB35B3B89| |C5865D292C3AD2ADEE948B56B325DD9D3418BB08BFB701000D7EC2D345166EA6843| |14AD43D4614CC117D471D5D9E214A4063C2B74274669528788B682A2350FE23A056| |05B9F62FB97942FE13E4BA92EB1F7C420C09E32351F76722739F68AA2590DE81BC4| |B99EE62D3A36C7A864DCFB3E95DD0F995CE7F42377742F70B749CCF13010F2ED107| |1B17E22F45E8809AA6A01456A2B0F0E177BFE1A388B21DE194514E19E594714E99E| |7946F401E53F2D82895E21CB697C3F672D8710E9B868609D530C1F23D5821A969B4| |4232AAA3AA2FC614274AF7E9A8CBA788DE833CA5F2A7A214359DE031F4F21892441| |A74EA57C6FA394786736438479673CC738E3FB0EC006DAFA70FB0F3C14F4C1C20CB| |0174587648B51FE2F16779FC233CFE711EBF01BA61A51B669B237126763BCE360F0| |26882D38F71DF1CF7CD71DF1CF7CD3FA5DD3904F904A7D22738D524A79AE454939C| |EA15CC6A5ACD797A9612BE868D9E6547DAEC0895E698BCF63568B44F84103C9865A| |37D98E00F45264A46FB20088D17CF1FABFEEBDA358F0C045683806B08258475843B| |087711EE2158081B0815046FAFFD75E4121ABA8C7005E12A42320AF00495FE10400| |8C1440823F4204410A20809840CC24B042F106D1F676F1FD6D0D44CB4791AC097CE| |D23495BE1E977CDA0A1FE5DB4CEB44DF3A05CF68B43DCF995E109DEDDC0E3E2D339| |D253AD6E74E552E9CAA9C3F55391EF95FA8052214| |-------------------------------------------------------------------|
** Is it practical to develop Defense without Kinetic Combat? I honestly can't see any other place/way to get those numbers up. 6-slotting Touch of Death and Obliteration gives us Melee Defense, at the cost of other positions.
** Even with the toggles pushing for EndRed, the endurance usage/recovery ratio is not quite up to the +2/second that Rangle M Down mentioned. Depending on what is done with the last 2 powers and 6 slots, that could be brought up, or other weaknesses shored up, but it becomes a matter of choosing what aspects to ignore.
** It seems to me that, If our Defense holds up and we have sufficient Endurance, then there is nothing that needs Hasten. Although it would still enhance the performance of Dark Regeneration and Consumption, and Soul Drain... Nothing else needs it. So, the 30-50% recharge in my last build must be considered equally redundant. Or is it?
Be Well!
Fireheart -
Quote:Dechs, I apologize. It was not my intention to insult you, or anyone.I keep seeing my name mentioned in this thread, so I guess I should respond.
To begin my retort, however, I shall state that recharge yields diminishing returns, particularly in regards to survivability. Recharge will allow you to Dark Regen one more time every two minutes than me, but the defense I've built means I take less than one fourth of the damage you do. Hit points, likewise, are adding only 20% to your hit point pool. I've accomplished 13.5% in my own build, which also has softcapped defenses and therefore multiply the survivability of that 13.5% hit points. Accuracy is only needed to a point where you can hit things reliably, and considering you won't survive alone against +4s, I don't see what good it does you to be able to hit them.
I have a life, too. I may not have as many alts as you, but I have a family and a full time job and a house to take care of. I have friends and relatives I manage to visit, as well as clubs to which I belong. I am highly insulted by your insinuation that I cannot have these things because of the "elite loot" I've been able to attain.
The sentiment you've highlighted was not intended as a reaction to you. I invoked you, because I have read your posts and found them valuable and I have found your insight useful and intelligent. Even in your scathing retort, you have made a valid point and I find myself re-examining my build in that light.
I guess I'm frustrated at all of these builds that, inevitably, include every rare and/or expensive IO one could ask for - which _I_ cannot afford. The casual talk of +4x8 soloing similarly irks me, because I have never been able to get away with that. My one level 50 Tanker is Inv/EM and he was able to hunt Rikti on Unyielding (back in the day), but he can't do that now.
In my experience, Especially with my EM tankers (yes, I have several), but similarly with the rest, I positively HATE missing - So I value that 200% accuracy. Missing is time and endurance (and HPs) that I'll never get back. I want to hit more often, but I find Hasten to be too much for my needs and I don't want to be watching another recharge-counter, when I'm trying to watch the enemy and the squishies.
And, as I said, I'm not going to blow my entire build budget on a handful of IOs. I do have several hundred million Influence - and it's spread between those 130+ toons. My main character has a total build budget of about 150 million - What he doesn't have is a half-billion, so spending 10 million on a single recipe and another million on some Alchemical Silver to create the thing is just not going to happen!
Because I have read the forums and I have seen the discussion, and Defense appears to be a sort of 'diminishing returns proposition' also. Investing a lot of effort in achieving 30% defense is not very effective, because the last 15% to the Cap is the part that is actually valuable. Granted, if one is capped on Resistance, then that 30% Defense is still useful. So it becomes a race between what you are giving up, in terms of accuracy, endurance, and other functions, and the defense that is supposed to protect you.
So, I'm sorry if it insults anyone, but I cannot afford to make a defense-capped build out of a non-Defense-based character. Trying to do so, without being able to Actually do so, leaves me with a character that is 'gimped' and unable to do anything well enough to be 'fun'. And this Is a game that I play for fun - as well as enjoying the company of the finest Community of players I've ever encountered.
Thank you all for your feedback, I'm going to go off and compare the resulting builds, to see what I can extract from it all.
Be Well
Fireheart -
I've explored the forum and the guides and absorbed as much wisdom as I could, but now it's time to face the judgment of my peers.
This is meant to be a 'simple fun tanker' in PvE. Not one for extreme challenges, not one for soloing pylons, but a decent all-arounder that won't be immediately booted from a team, because he can't perform.
That said, I do expect to be soloing standard content, simply because I sometimes don't want to put up with PUG-drama and won't always have SG or static-team support.
The character is currently level 23, with this intended to be the build that levels him and beyond.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.90
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Draco Nox: Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Dark Armor
Secondary Power Set: Dark Melee
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Fighting
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(A), S'fstPrt-ResDam/EndRdx(5), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(9), S'fstPrt-ResKB(13)
Level 1: Shadow Punch -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(3), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40)
Level 2: Smite -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(3), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40)
Level 4: Shadow Maul -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Rchg(5), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42)
Level 6: Obsidian Shield -- ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 8: Dark Regeneration -- Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Heal(A), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Theft-+End%(15), Nictus-Acc/Heal(34), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Heal/HP/Regen(43), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 10: Taunt -- Mocking-Taunt/Rchg/Rng(A)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- Krma-ResKB(A)
Level 14: Super Jump -- SprngFt-EndRdx/Jump(A)
Level 16: Siphon Life -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(17), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 18: Death Shroud -- M'Strk-Acc/Dmg(A), M'Strk-Acc/EndRdx(19), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(27), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46)
Level 20: Murky Cloud -- ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(21)
Level 22: Cloak of Darkness -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-EndRdx/Rchg(23), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(37), LkGmblr-Rchg+(37)
Level 24: Cloak of Fear -- Abys-EndRdx/Fear(A), Abys-Acc/EndRdx(25), Abys-Acc/Fear/Rchg(37), N'mare-Acc/EndRdx(40)
Level 26: Touch of Fear -- Abys-Acc/Rchg(A), Abys-EndRdx/Fear(27), Abys-Acc/EndRdx(31), Abys-Acc/Fear/Rchg(34)
Level 28: Soul Drain -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(29), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(42), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 30: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(31)
Level 32: Tactics -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(33), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(33), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(33)
Level 35: Dark Consumption -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(36), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(43)
Level 38: Midnight Grasp -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(39), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 41: Kick -- Acc-I(A)
Level 44: Tough -- TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(A), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(45), TtmC'tng-ResDam(45), TtmC'tng-EndRdx(45)
Level 47: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-EndRdx/Rchg(48), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(48), LkGmblr-Rchg+(48)
Level 49: Soul Transfer -- Rope-Acc/Stun/Rchg(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Heal(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+(50), Numna-Heal(50), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(50)
Level 2: Stamina -- Efficacy-EndMod(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(21), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(23)
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* Swapping Acrobatics (earlier in the build) for Soul Transfer.
* Going Villainous, just long enough to pick up Soul Mastery and slotting in Gloom instead of Soul Transfer - although that would surely call for a re-shuffling of powers. An option might be to swap out Leadership for the Soul Mastery.
* Looking at the Endurance ratios, there is the possibility of swapping Leadership for Body Mastery.
- - An issue with both of those solutions is that I really like leadership.
Finally, Yes, I Could change all of my slotting and (frankly) gimp my build pushing for Defense with Reactive Armor and Smashing/Kinetic IOs. If you suggest this, please explain how this is better than Recharge, Hit Points, Accuracy, and how I'm going to pay for it? Because this is only one of over 130+ 'children' (characters) I have to support and I have a life outside of the game that I can't sacrifice in the name of grinding the elite loot.
Be Well!
Fireheart
PS: I guess this would be a case of Evoke: Dechs Kaison... so be it!
I'd also call upon the power of Rangle M Down, whose Dark/Dark build provided some of the inspiration. -
Love & Light, Lady C.
Be Well!
Fireheart -
That sketch/character is really interesting Cami! I saw her and just, immediately Liked her. Your painting is really developing her, too. Don't stop!
I find myself wondering what her story is... And wondering if, if someone asked, she'd tell it to you straight, or make up some fantastic tale on the spot. Is her name Scheherazade?
Be Well!
Fireheart -
I don't know... Elric was cool, but possibly the Hardest person to actually Like. I mean, he can rescue you from some horrible monster, and the next day he might 'accidentally' sacrifice your soul to that damned sword!
I think Erekosë was easier to like, but he was Also cursed to remain loveless.
And possibly Moorcock just accidentally wrote a lot of really good stories while experimenting with drugs, after a particularly bad relationship - I don't know. The Eternal Champion is certainly a fiendishly Compelling meme!
I do like the multi-dimensional man concept that you're playing with, Ironik! Instead of being a single conceptual explication of the Spines/Dark set, you can explore several.
Be Well!
Fireheart -
Hercules, you have to host the picture at a site, somewhere. Try www.photobucket.com or www.deviantart.com or wherever you like. Is Facebook a possibility, too?
Then you post a linkage to the picture, using image-tags.
Be Well!
Fireheart -
Yeah, a lot of costume artistry is in knowing when to 'correct' the Devs and 'flip' your colors. I actually wish that was a button we had in the Creator UI, so I could switch how the colors applied to the part or pattern, without actually Changing the colors. Of course, the Other 'problem' is when your costume piece has a Texture that changes the apparent color. Irks me, that.
Be Well!
Fireheart -
I could tell you a bit about my own very first Spines guy, a Spines/Regen I made way back when we could only have 15 leters in our names. Here's the hyper-text plot notes I made for myself, though I never got around to writing the whole tale of 'Lord Blackthorne' down.
Ancient line of knights – cursed bloodline – magical blackthorn bramble bush/tree (maze?) – ‘black’ paladins, serving the King in obscurity, doing what can’t be admitted to.
Aidan Blackthorne knew the family legend, but never thought it might apply to him! He was from a collateral branch of the family, emigrated to America, well off, but not rich.
And one day, that all changed.
Family stewards – manor house in Paragon – Title defaults to him – The Blackthorn appears in the gardens – curse/power claims him – now he must serve, but there is no King – still, he serves as he can.
So, for your guy, we could choose that sort of route and 'gift' him with the power. Or we could follow another course - it could be 'natural' for him to explode with spikes all over his body, regardless of 'Origin'. He could be a 'magical beast' or similar creature.
I have one character (Spines/Invuln) who is an alien creature of unknown origin, possibly extra-planar or alternate-planar. He is a sort of strange silicon-based lizard-man-thing. He's attached himself to his 'owner' as a sort of semi-sentient attack-beast. Point being that he is composed entirely of 'stone' and the Spines are a natural response to danger.
[Edit: Scooped by Sapphic Neko!]
Another is a half-Dryad, half Daemon (Spines/Fire). Pyracantha is her name - the Firethorn.
But enough about Mine. I like the idea of the /Dark as a cloud of Nanites. However, our hero doesn't have to be a Robot. They could be the victim of some horrific experiment, with a 'Venom'-like symbiotic life-form taking up residence in their body. Perhaps a swarm of tiny demons, some sort of T-1000 liquid metal, nanite-colony, or some artifact, like the Witchblade.
This sybiote helps keep body and soul together, protects them, but uses a LOT of energy in doing so, making the hero easily tired, at first. For the major healing, the symbiont reaches out and steals energy from enemies, to feed its hunger. And, to help protect the hero, it produces spikes, spines, spears, blades... whatever look you choose.
Other than that idea, I do like Johnstone's concept of a Voodoo-warrior, or perhaps 'Kimimaro' from Naruto, force-growing weapons from his own bones, or summoning them from some primordial god-being. Also, while Voodoo is a convenient mythology to call from, there are lots of other dark-blood-magical options. Perhaps the hero accidentally called Hastur too many times?
[Edit: Or even a god of stone and ash, like Ironik suggested. Dang! Great ideas here!]
Be Well!
Fireheart -
Maiden America must be a Wiccan, since she's going about 'sky-clad'...
Be Well!
Fireheart -
I disagree. The performance Shifter proc is only worth an additional 2% per second, while a even SO or better makes Stamina much stronger than that. As the 3rd, or 4th enhancement, when you're up against ED, it makes more sense.
Be Well!
Fireheart -
Ah, Hover-blasting, yes. You can do that in Human-form as well and have one extra attack, too.
Be Well!
Fireheart