blueruckus

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  1. Quote:
    Originally Posted by Reppu View Post
    The moments you pets explode or don't focus, your DPS tanks. That's pretty much why they aren't 'holy grail' in the least. And their personal attacks are largely lackluster.

    Crab damage is almost entirely their pets. Uncontrollable, derpy pets.

    But I'll see if I can't convince some nerfs at the Pummit. Probably need the Pets HP and Damage cut in Half. And for Crabs to lose their self heal, and half of their resistance. And their mez protection.

    Yeah. Need to scale them back.

    TL;DR - Your All Pylon Solo Run pretty much meant Nothing. That was your pets being in their absolute best case scenario - impossible to receive damage and focusing on a single target. This isn't remotely as easy to duplicate in a Trial, unless it's a Tank and Spank AV that nobody cares about. But one wild AoE and your DPS tanks!

    Although, I can admit they're good. Very much so. But there's some 'out of REAL control' quirks to their supreme STDPS, which is why when I look at your Pylon run, I go "Cool, but that's beyond optimal circumstances and really is worth nothing for data."
    I respect your analysis and agree that without the pets, these low pylon times wouldn't be possible. I would be the insane one to ever argue that.

    However, if we're talking trial AVs, even without the pets, direct single target can be 'okay'. At that point though, the crab can be contributing double assault/double maneuvers/double tactics, -20 res from Venom Grenade, another -20 if you're taking Shatter from PPP, another -20 from slotting Achilles (yes, i know this isn't exclusive as others may be slotting this also), -dmg from SoA proc, and some -def. We all realize how much this game revolves around buffs/debuffs, right?

    Really though, if the trial AV does turn in to tank and spank (and most of them are), just drop down pets on top of that and you're golden. There's so much +team def flying around from leaguemates that pet durability isn't a big liability. So, throw the Pylon runs out of the window if you'd like, but the results are still similar on 90ish % of the hard targets in this game... if you actually go out of the way to heavily slot and invest in to the pets, which to my understanding, most Crabs do not.
  2. Quote:
    Originally Posted by Mr. DJ View Post
    You must think I'm referring to an AE fire farm. In normal content, crab aoe blast chain is more efficient than a brute jumping in, waiting for everyone to circle around, then start burn/foot stomp. This is why people make these type of characters as AE farmers. If you're steamrolling group to group you're better off with quick ranged aoe blasts. No one's going to be waiting around for brute herding in to burn patches.

    If the gripe is theme/aesthetics then I completely understand, but to call their performance average is an understatement.
  3. Really surprised at some of the anti-crab comments on here, especially some coming from 'reputable' members. Tank Mage, superb aoe with built in debuffing, passive support toggles that buff the entire team, heal w +max hp, good resists, mez protect, lots of pets for ridiculous, +recharge passive... this is "all around average"?

    Weird how these average crabs put nearly everyone to shame on pylon runs. Where's the solo scrapper/brute/stalker all pylon run? To the rebuttal that pylon runs aren't everything, yep, aoe is king in this game and yeah crabs have that covered. That SS/Fire brute with burn and foot stomp pales in aoe speed to a crab's aoe chain. Crabs pretty much have it all. How could you not see this?

    But hey, if the consensus is that they're average, then that's okay with me. It's just keeps the nerf bat away from the best AT/powerset in the game. And yes, Holy Grail is an accurate title.
  4. Quote:
    Originally Posted by Johnny_Butane View Post
    And Synapse says they're going to convert all procs to PPM, so the thread is now moot.


    .
    I'm not trying to be contrary, but where was this mentioned? This is great news and I hope this happens soon.
  5. Quote:
    Originally Posted by Hopeling View Post
    Edit: A word of caution: despite extensive discussion in the beta feedback thread, the last we heard on the disparity between PPM and normal procs was basically 'we'll think about it and get back to you'. We haven't yet heard back on that, and now Hecatomb is live, which I would like to think implies they've decided to leave it as-is. Still, without an actual comment, we don't yet know if that was in fact the decision.
    Also, they can change the PPM values on these at any time. So even if they're great now, they may be not so great later, and you're not entitled to any form of compensation regardless of the fact that you purchased these with real money.

    Source: Performance Shifter
  6. Quote:
    Originally Posted by Johnny_Butane View Post
    I must have missed the discussion of these.

    I've seen the procs on these use Proc Per Minute like ATOs, rather than the 33% chance their tradeable counterparts have. 4.5 PPM versus 33% chance sounds like a better deal in powers like Foot Stomp and KO Blow. Are they?


    .
    Yes.
  7. blueruckus

    Eye of the Storm

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Leo_G View Post
    That video was most likely made during beta and is therefore outdated (read: wrong) from the current version.

    -Does Form of the Soul grant +regen and recovery when used with either Eye of the Storm or Sky Splitter? I was under the impression that buff is only attached to Sky Splitter.

    -Precise Strike is only a single target attack, not a cone.

    -Serpent's Reach is only a single target ranged attack, not any kind of AoE.

    -Does Sky Splitter hit more than one target? I was under the impression it was a single target attack.

    If Serpent's Reach was AoE (or at least the Knockback) and if Mind and Soul forms granted their buff tied to Sky Splitter with EotS too, I'd certainly wouldn't have anything to complain about. Personally, I don't want more damage from this set, just better, more reliable, *useful* utility. Currently, the forms are kind of just fluff to me...but you gave up Build up for that fluff! And BU isn't fluff.
    Soul Form only grants the regen/recov bonus on Sky Splitter. In general, Sky Splitters form bonus is a buff, EotS' bonus is a debuff. The bonuses are very minimal and if you're looking for endurance management you're better off keeping the Perfection stack on Soul Form and NOT using a finisher. Also, Sky Splitter is not AoE.

    I like Staff but my biggest gripe is that the Perfection bonuses seem very lacking.
  8. blueruckus

    Eye of the Storm

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Eldagore View Post
    IMO, I like it better then innocuous strikes, stabbing feet like 10 times is rather blah to me.
    Another reason I like using this set with Hover. Stabbing people in the face is much more gratifying than stabbing them in the feet.
  9. blueruckus

    staff forms?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Necrotech_Master View Post
    the +dmg on my brute hits about 63% dmg bonus with 3 stack of perfection
    Whaaaat? Are you certain? Checking combat numbers I remember the 3 stack on dmg and recharge only being about 15%. Pretty lackluster.
  10. I was disappointed that there was no Linkin Park, Evanescence, or Drowning Pool music in this YouTube video.

    In all seriousness, I enjoyed the vid and was not aware of this tip. Thank you.
  11. blueruckus

    Eye of the Storm

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Xyzor View Post
    Aren't you giving missing out on a pretty good auto power in ELA (Grounded) by hovering on an ELA?

    Maybe that's a noob question, but I am currently working on my first ELA toon (also Staff/Ela Brute), and would hate not having that -KB protection (though I guess Hover helps with that, too).
    I'm taking Combat Jumping for added def, Lotg mule, and immob protect I'm missing in grounded. For KB I just slotted a -KB IO. 4 protect is enough to deal with a large majority of KB in this game. Anything else that happens to KB over 4 has to get past SL soft cap first and even then I'm hovering so I get the psuedo protection from KB (flipping animation).

    I may still take it at 49 for the end drain protect and minor negative res but haven't decided. Lack of Grounded hasn't provided any significant annoyance so far.
  12. You're right, the inherent is pretty bland but it goes a long way. Keep in mind that every bonus we get to regen/recovery from IOs or powers is based off of base numbers. Considering all other ATs have the same base numbers, SoA get a pretty good advantage when you're completely IO'd.

    That said, I would welcome any additional bonuses to it as you mentioned but I would not want to see any drops to the current values. Considering the lore behind SoA are that they're 'power in numbers', I think the inherent bonus should have some element to incorporate that.
  13. blueruckus

    Eye of the Storm

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Rigel_Kent View Post
    Having two cones in the set is, I'd say, another reason to be thinking about going with hover. Though I haven't rolled a staffer, I can tell you I've gotten good results on a hover claws scrapper.
    Agreed. I you can get some good mileage from hover cones. Since the ST attack range is 9, it makes life easier if you're hovering around also. Another neat circus trick is if you're hovering sorta horizontal above the enemy as you hit Sky Splitter, the animation follows your orientation so you end up sorta yo-yo'ing side to side, kinda neat.
  14. Got my staff/elec brute at 46 and here's my thoughts so far.

    - Form of the Soul has been a godsend as it has allowed me to run a lot of toggles without ever worrying much about the blue bar. This has made the low-mid level game a breeze. However, I'm concerned there may be a bug because from looking at the numbers in combat attributes, it seems that when it's at 3 stack, it applies the buff twice. When I use Energize and Soul Form, I notice that this double stack scenario does not occur. Really a shame if this is a bug because the other forms seem a bit lacking.

    - The buffs on Body/Mind don't really seem too... great. I really like the idea behind it but I just think the numbers should be adjusted a bit higher. 40 dmg, 30 recharge at full stack? Also, the Sky Splitter "buff" on Mind grants an 8% tohit... I dunno, this just seems lousy. Would also be nice to see these buffs last longer. I know I'm calling for a lot of buffs on the Perfection system, but really, outside of the probably bugged Soul Form everything else is kinda blah. StJ combo system seems to be much stronger to me AND you don't need to waste a power pick for it.

    - I am willing to accept that maybe numbers are a tad lower on staff because overall its range is higher on attacks, but if that's the case make Eye of the Storm have a larger radius. Standard melee pbaoe is 10 so why does the "higher ranged melee set" follow this standard? I think 15 is reasonable just like Titan Weapons.

    - I know knockdown is more desirable than knockback usually, but Serpents Reach really seems like it SHOULD do knockback from the animation alone. Also, I think the damage is respectable but it feels like the set is missing a hard hitting ST aside from Sky Splitter. I know each set can't have everything so this is more of a less serious request.

    - Going back to the Perfection system, why isn't this sort of thing just part of the powerset's Inherent? Why do we need to spend a whole power pick on this and lose out on another power (build up) because of this? For no apparent, Stalkers get Body Form for free AND still keep Build Up? Huh? DB, StJ, TW all get their gimmick for free to further complicate the matter. Make this free and give Staff Build Up. Also, do the same for Dual Pistols.
  15. blueruckus

    Eye of the Storm

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by MisterD View Post
    Totally..its an awful pose. Considering how good the TW, and especially staff, animations ARE...the hover pose is just so dumb and lazy looking. Is not how I imagine a guy holding a long weapon, and hovering, would move. Then there are the times when your toon sort of leaaans forward, and looks about to tip over, in mid air? Yeah..not a fan at all. I was tempted to actually make a hover scrapper..the animation for confront and serpents reach look awesome in the air..but that hover pose..
    I ended up setting a macro for fly/afterburner and one for hover/toggle off afterburner, set them both to thumb buttons on my mouse. This has helped things tremendously. Also, my character is female with the high collar cape so even though she hovers with the dumb pose, the cape obstructs most of the awkwardness. One other thing, if you hover sideways you don't have the dumb pose so there's that alternative.

    I'm at 46 on my staff/elec hover brute and have been able to deal with it using the above methods. Still not too happy about it though.
  16. blueruckus

    Eye of the Storm

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by MisterD View Post
    I am with Blue on this. I am seriously considering having a hover scrapper..and I HATE flying melees with a passion.

    Although I do 'like' the animation..if you have seen the Star Wars Kid (it might still be on youtube) it is impossible to use this power without thinking of that guy. When hovering, there is a neat lil spin at teh end that looks really pretty.

    Changed my mind..did an alt build with hover..the pose for hovering forward, with teh staff out, looks totally dumb. Is there anyway I can change that?
    I hate the pose too, I first noticed it with Titan Weapons. I just click between fly and hover a lot to avoid it. Whoever came up with that pose should be shot. It looks like you're about to drop a deuce on those unfortunate enough to be below you.
  17. blueruckus

    Eye of the Storm

    If you use Hover there is no breakdancing involved. Sooo... use Staff/Whatever/Whatever with Hover.
  18. Quote:
    Originally Posted by RaikenX View Post
    While this does apply to scrappers, brutes, and tanks...stalkers get a permanant Form of Body AND build up. Which only helps the "this is best on stalkers" argument.
    Plus, Stalkers don't need to spend a power choice to receive this benefit. It just feels like this kinda mechanic (Dual Pistols also) should just be part of the set inherently. Seriously, what's the design reasoning behind Stalkers getting it for free while the other sets have to spend a pick on it and lose out on build up?
  19. Another nice perk on this set is having access to several -RES proc'able attacks early on. Mercurial Blow accepts Achilles Proc and Guarded Spin/Eye of the Storm take Fury of the Gladiator. You can be debuffing with all of this by level 10 on Scrap/Brute.
  20. Form of the Soul(?) is great for early level play. The endurance discount lets you run a lot of toggles without any problems. My staff/elec brute's been on cruise control up to 23 so far.
  21. Quote:
    Originally Posted by TrueMetal View Post
    "settle for 'just for fun' " LOL.

    Even after 10 something years of online gaming across genres attitudes like this still crack me up.
    By no means was I trying to be any type of elitist in my comments. I just gave my opinion of the powerset in comparison to what else is available. I realize it's the new shiny and you're breakdancing with a stick so it's fun, but that doesn't change the fact it's not top tier. A lot of us have been playing this game for long enough to know how this whole thing works so don't act like I'm being ridiculous. I've already rolled up a staff brute and stalker and I've been enjoying it despite knowing that it more than likely won't be an "OMG!!" character. I've already got my crab for that sorta thing.

    Please don't mistake my honest opinion as any form of attack against you and your staff wielders you've been anxiously awaiting.
  22. Theme wise, we know it's great. We get it.

    Performance wise, I wouldn't personally consider it top tier and it seems I'm not alone in this opinion. Yes, every set can be made to work out if you're a good player with a good build, no one is questioning that. However, if you start talking min/max and sheer numbers then we come to the conclusion many have already mentioned here.

    Stalker seems to be the AT that makes out the best with this set. The other ATs will have to settle for 'just for fun'.
  23. Any videos of the Eye of the Storm while in Granite Armor yet? I could use a good laugh.
  24. I've actually been to RV a few times recently and had a surprisingly good time.

    The one thing I DON'T like about PvP zones are those who go there for badges and complain when they get PvP'd. This just irks me.