Jibikao

I prefer Blinding Powder.. Smoke Flash? Not so much. The best panic button is to just run away.

I don't play Brute/Scrapper. How is SJ performing for them? Is SJ over-shadowing MA and other sets?

I am asking this because while I think SJ is a great set for Stalker (burst damage nature always favors Stalker's style), SJ has limited aoe ability (pretty small pbaoe) and it has two not so high damage (and Stalker doesn't get -resistance and -damage in Rib Cracker).

To some degree, SJ only looks so good because MA has no aoe. I've played both MA and SJ to level 50 and in incarnate trials. I don't feel MA's ST damage is that inferior to SJ. SJ has one tiny problem, which is overkill on the last hit. It's not uncommon that the final hit is way overkill. MA has more "smooth dps" because each attack hits similarly hard. The only problem I have with MA is the lack of the only aoe.


Other sets like Claw and Ninja, they are some of the top performing dps sets for Scrapper but the Stalker version is inferior.


SJ Stalker didn't lose any of the aoe but with the new AS change, it gains an amazing ST attack.

I was leveling my old Elec/Will Stalker from 37 to 50 and I feel his performance is just as good as my SJ/Ice and in some cases better because of a much better aoe potential.

I think the root of the problem is that some of the old sets just need some improvements. There is no secret that Spine, Elec and SJ are performing so well because they weren't that "nerfed" to begin with. Some old sets lose one critical pbaoe and get nothing in return. (read my signature!)

SJ, MA, DM, and KM are top ones IMO. EM has good burst damage but I feel it suffers quite a bit when the last two attacks can't critical or can't have full critical and they are freaking slow too. If you are are on a full team, EM's effectiveness drops.

DM, on paper, looks good to me. It may be boring but a mix of dark/smashing damage is good. Smashing damage is not as bad as lethal.

Claw is just messed up. I think it's rare for a reason. One of the best pbaoe Spin is taken out. Its other pbaoe is changed to ST attack which has LESS DPA than Focus and Slash. Stalker AT is built for burst damage and not full of low damage, fast recharge attacks. Claw Scrapper can stack Focus buff to make Claw a very good dps but Stalker only has build up. Its recharge is discounted but not including the "stacking" potential.


I think Dual Blade can be good too but that set is tricky. Ninja Blade has great potential with procs.



Conclusion, if you are looking for the best ST while having the benefit of some pbaoe aoe, then Street Justice is a clear winner IMO, followed by Kinetic.

The best place to put full set of ATO is still in Assassin Strike. Gambler Cuts already has fast enough recharge so the amazing +recharge from the full set won't benefit Gambler Cuts that much and besides, once your Assassin Strike has good enough, you may end up using an interruptable version of AS during your attack chain.

I have a lvl 50 Kin/Dark who took both Weave/Tough. His survival is not bad. I think it's good enough in most cases.

The thing with Stalker is that you are never going to be the main focus on a team. If you are soloing, you have enough burst damage to receive less damage.

I am going to try out Electricity Armor. I think resistance-based sets work well when you have good defensive set bonuses to back up.


One thing I've noticed with DA content is that mobs there have very high chance to hit and they deal a lot of "exotic" damage. My Ice Armor has good S/L defense but when I fought some of the mobs there, they cut through me like butter. I wish I had more resistance.

I think resistance based sets are a bit more favored in itrials/DA.


PS: If you want to try a resistance-based, I would choose Elec Armor over Dark Armor. The reason is that Elec Armor has 20% +recharge and it has endurance management. Dark Armor is an endurance hog until you have good set bonuses and unique and procs. With the new Assassin Strike, endurance management needs to be taken into consideration. In that regard, I think I'll favor Elec Armor over Dark Armor. I also hate carrying Acrobatic and one -kb proc is not good enough against some knock back attacks (IE: Pylon!!!). The knock back hole in Dark Armor makes soloing pylon annoying.

I just 6-slotted my Dire Wolf. With SOs, I go for one Acc, three Damage and one -End. So far it has worked out much better with one -end.

I created this thread 'cause I was amazed by how fast Dire Wolf burns endurance with just one upgrade. Like I've said, I know other pets can burn through endurance quick but usually with two upgrades. My Dire Wolf was literally dried on endurance in two semi-long fights. When I solo, I tend to do x2 players as a MM. Maybe it was using more end 'cause we needed more attacks to kill the mobs.


Now, on the POSITIVE SIDE, I have noticed that with Dire Wolf, I gain Pack Mentality much better. In fact, I saw 10 stacks several times. Before Dire Wolf, I could barely get 7 stacks on a regular basis. With 10 stacks of PM, Beast's damage is good. I can't compare with Ninja yet until I have two upgrades. I just know that at lvl 29, my Beast/Time's damage is not low at all.

I would gladly buy Crown set if they can make it funny and interesting. I would love to see a lot of random joke attacks like you throw out a gift box and it has random effects.

Funny 3 years ago, I saw plenty of EM Brutes but now I can barely see one.


It's a set that is too ST-oriented with quite a few skippable powers. Duplicated purposes (Stun for example). And Stalker version doesn't even have one aoe.


The weird thing is EM was seen as "overpowered" before they introduced more game settings, but even if it got its old ET back, would it still be seen as overpowered considering people love to brag about doing +4x8. I doubt EM with the old ET is a great farming set.

Ok, so I hit 26 last night and tried my Dire Wolf.

Not bad... but it has one big problem. His endurance usage!!!

My Dire Wolf can run low on endurance just from two fights and I don't even have 2nd upgrade.


This is a big issue. I have experience with Demon Prince, Commando and Oni. They mostly only run low on endurance with two upgrades but my Dire Wolf is low on endurance all the time at lvl 26.


Am I the only one noticing this?? Yes, I will put some -endurance in it but I don't know if 2nd upgrade will cause it using even more endurance. I just think it's a bit too much? I don't have any pet sets right now (won't get any until lvl 35) so I had to keep passing blue inspirations to it!