Sgt. Terminus

Just to point something out, all my testing with Burn on my Tanker and Scrapper shows that Burn only hits 4 targets no matter how many are in range. My wild assumption is that because your character is always the 5th target as Burn grants you immobilization. Not sure how it impacts the debuff proc but for my scrapper, I can proc the +50% Crit proc off just myself, no enemy in range.

Or if you have Fiery Aura, just put the proc in Burn and profit. Burn is a very weird power, it doesn't crit, and even though it says it hits five targets, it really only hits 4 enemies max from all my testing, I believe it is because you are always one of the targets, maybe because it grants immob protection, I don't know. Anyway, you are always getting to proc off at least 2 targets and can even proc it with no one around for a snipe or fireball at range perhaps (makes those Blasters envious of your crits). I know everyone talks about the runners from Burn but with my Ice/Fire/Blaze, it is Fiery Embrace, Build Up, Burn(with the proc), Fireball (1 sec activation), Freezing Touch on a boss (1 sec activation), and then Frozen Aura. After that, pretty much nothing left to run. You will occasionally have an Lt on the outside of the spawn or if there is another boss that you will need to run them down, but since you can have Burn in your attack chain, you can repeat and show them they can run but you can't hide. I tried many other things with my build such as Shadow Meld, the Hybrid with the taunt aura but once I switched to all damage (Musculature and Assault), Burn works very well, not needing Ice Patch much at all anymore. Everything just melts and freezes. I am soft capped to S/L and Melee but Fiery Aura still has a lot of holes but embracing Burn and maximizing the very reliable Crit Bonus window has got me playing him again.

Are you talking about Tremor? With its 3.3 sec activation time? Did it get buffed recently or by "very good one" you mean because it is the only one?

I am trying to understand why Super Strength is better for tankers. Brutes don't have to take jab, have the same size of AOE for foot stomp (of course not as many targets 10 vs 16) and with double stack rage it is not out of the question for getting close to the Brute cap outside of farming situations. Maybe there is something obvious I am missing here? Thanks!

I have been rethinking using a snipe too thanks to this thread, I really don't use it that often when I stop and think about it and personally don't like using that many slots just for a mule. The two contenders for me would be Leviathan for a more unconventional Water Spout, more of a temporary pet you set and forget (slotting fun things in it like the FF recharge proc) and of course Blaze Mastery for the Fireball and its glorious 1 sec activation time, if you can spare the extra power. Both pools have a hold as well that would synergize well with Freezing Touch and have multiple procs if you want to have that additional tool.

My main for quite some time has been a Ice/Bio. Below is my current build and here are some things to share based on my experience. 1. I have Genetic Corruption, remember Frozen Aura still has a sleep component as well so when you use it out of hide in a middle of +4/8 group, you will notice the pause in minions and some lts that gives you a small window of them not attacking. Although the build seems so sturdy now I might drop it for ball of lightning. 2. Proc away 3. I focused on Energy Def First since you have no built in resistance for it and end game is full of energy attacks. Shadow Meld takes too long to activate, plus you have Ice Patch one of the set defining powers that you can always find uses for. Even in end game, BAF for example, to help with the prisoner escape phase something that you can still fail at it occasionally. 4. I use ice sword along with the snipe for ST along wih FT and AS. Not sure about putting four damage procs in Freezing Touch, the highest melee DPA attack of them all, doesn't make sense to me. 5 slotting the winter set with the hold proc is awesome, that comes from playing the game, not a simulation or attacking a pylon. You will routinely be holding bosses so they can't run. Plus you can put the other purple damage proc in another attack 5. The downside to Ice is that Frozen Aura is bugged and won't add assassin's focus. Hopefully that will get fixed. 6. I slot as much Range as I could, well over 14ft. Remember to jump up and turn it into a PBAOE. 7. You have so many different levels of protection, don't stress out about the soft cap, with two powers providing absorb, your meager Stalker hit points really aren't so meager so building regen actually helps. I went over board on end recovery just because I never want to run out of end, malta and carnies are no problem, plus it is cool to see your recovery stat go blue when you hit the cap. In my opinion, nothing is going to boost your damage as much as the Hide proc going off in it so you want to keep it as close to 90% chance as possible. Keep your recharge below approx 60% key, you want to try to build some focus anyway. Of course I like my builds to handle all content grouping and solo, I don't see many times where I need repeat an attack chain over and over to worry about it being optimal. Most things are on the ground after a few hits. It is a very powerful combo, hope you enjoy it as much as I have 🙂 Villain Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.7 https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer Click this DataLink to open the build! Level 50 Magic Stalker Primary Power Set: Ice Melee Secondary Power Set: Bio Armor Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery Villain Profile: Level 1: Ice Sword -- SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAssMar-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), SprAssMar-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SprAssMar-Rchg/Rchg Build Up(42) Level 1: Hide -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 2: Hardened Carapace -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam(3), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(5), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(17), GldArm-3defTpProc(34) Level 4: Frost -- AirBrs-Dmg/Rng(A), PstBls-Dmg/Rng(5), SprStlGl-Dmg/Rchg(7), Dtn-Dmg/Rng(11), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), SprStlGl-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36) Level 6: Boundless Energy -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(19), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(19), NmnCnv-Heal(40) Level 8: Assassin's Ice Sword -- Hct-Dam%(A), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(9), TchofDth-Dam%(9), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg(11), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), SprStlGl-Rchg/Hide%(34) Level 10: Environmental Modification -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-ResDam%(13), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(15), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(15), LucoftheG-Def(45), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(46) Level 12: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A) Level 14: Kick -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(42), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(50), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50) Level 16: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 18: Adaptation Level 20: Ablative Carapace -- Prv-Heal/Rchg(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(21), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(21), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(23) Level 22: Ice Patch -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 24: Tough -- UnbGrd-Max HP%(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(25), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(40), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(43), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(43) Level 26: Freezing Touch -- SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(A), UnbCns-Dam%(27), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(27), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(31), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(37) Level 28: DNA Siphon -- TchoftheN-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(A), TchoftheN-Acc/EndRdx/Heal/HP/Regen(29), Obl-%Dam(31), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Erd-%Dam(48), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48) Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31) Level 32: Frozen Aura -- FuroftheG-ResDeb%(A), Arm-Dam%(33), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(33), Arm-Dmg(34), Arm-Acc/Rchg(37) Level 35: Zapp -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(36), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(46) Level 38: Parasitic Aura -- NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(A), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Prv-Heal/Rchg(39), Prv-Absorb%(40) Level 41: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(48) Level 44: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(45), ShlWal-Def(45), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(46), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(50) Level 47: Super Jump -- WntGif-ResSlow(A) Level 49: Genetic Corruption -- FrtHyp-Plct%(A) Level 1: Assassination Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A) Level 2: Health -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A), Pnc-Heal/+End(23) Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(43) Level 18: Defensive Adaptation Level 18: Efficient Adaptation Level 18: Offensive Adaptation Level 50: Barrier Core Epiphany Level 50: Musculature Radial Paragon Level 1: Quick Form ------------

Just a few comments on your ice melee slotting: -Frost is a great power to slot some range IOs, consider swapping your ATO's around to put 3 scrapper strike for the S/L dev and a few range IO like the one from Posi. Makes it even better when you jump up and turn it into a pbaoe. -Strongly consider dumping a couple of the damage procs in Freezing Touch for some recharge. It is the best scrapper DPA attack and using it more often outweighs those procs. One IO I would consider is the winter melee hold proc, has recharge and now you can start holding bosses instantly. I understand you said no winter sets but I would at least get that one. -GIS is horrible, consider replacing it with cross punch if you are set on ancillary pool without a snipe.

I would go ice/bio: All the glorious st and aoe damage of ice and one of the most diverse survival tool kits there is (assuming you take all the Bio powers): -S/L Resists -Energy Def -Great Regen -Great recovery (can cap it with PA) -Reliable Hold (with hold proc in Freezing Touch) -Great Heal -Stacking Sleeps from GC and FA -Ice patch knock down -Damage debuff -Great Absorb (probably the most important) Slot for Def and Recharge to your taste, would definitely soft cap Energy Def first.

Or you are just not seeing because the boss you were targeting when you activated it is already dead and your team has moved on through two more groups of mobs before it hits....

Be silly, keep Ice Patch, it is signature Ice Melee power and very useful for even a Stalker. Need a "Oh Crap" button when you do something stupid? Ice Patch! What to prevent runners? Ice Patch! (You will be wanting to take on x8 groups with all the great AOE of Ice and runners are very annoying". Want to setup a choke point for your group to be even more efficient? Ice Patch. 50+ Vet levels on my Ice/Bio Stalker and a level 50 Ice Melee will all over melee AT's, there is no such thing as too much Ice patch! The other advice I would give and to me this comes down to Theory Crafting Builds vs the actual experience in game. With your slotting for Assassin's Ice Sword and the Agility Alpha, you have 118.85 % recharge slotted. This gives your Hide proc a 72.5% as opposed to the max being 90%. For me, there is nothing more important and fun to see when playing a Stalker then that Hide proc going off. More Hides, more Crits! So to do this, you want to lower your recharge in that power to 67.56% or lower to have a 90% chance (check my math, I may have missed something). You can do this by breaking your Guile set into two sets of 3, leaving the Hide proc and the other minimal recharges in Assassin's and put the other 3 in Frost (with some Dam/Range mentioned above) or Frozen Aura. In the end you will get a benefit of having additional S/L Def from the split and an opening for the Hecatomb proc in Assassin's Ice Sword along with other damage procs.

SS/EA was my original COV main back in the day but with the -DEF now with the rage crash seems like the exact opposite thing you want with EA.

Ice/Bio is my main and even though I have him pretty much maxed out I always seem to find myself going back to play him. It is one of the most durable and overall most powerful characters I have ever played. Nothing like watching that War Mace Scrapper winding up with Clobber only to have you take out that boss with your assassin strike and freezing touch while they are still in their back swing. Couple of recommendations: - Def soft caps are great and all but you have no defense debuffs resistance so they can be shredded like paper. With Bio, you have multi layers of defense, healing, absorb, regen, resistance, and defense so I don't like to focus on enhancing just one. You have stacked sleeps with genetic contamination and frozen aura which really makes a difference when taking on large groups. -Shadow Meld looks great on paper but the long animation that roots you in place is not something you want to be having to using a lot, besides you already have ice patch which not only gives you extra mitigation but also helps preventing runners. -Try 3 damage/range IOs in frost, which gives you almost a 15ft range, even better when you jump up and hit it, turning it into a pbaoe. Makes a big difference in the amount of mobs you routinely hit. -Putting the five piece Blistering Cold set with the hold proc in Freezing Touch allows you to instant hold bosses quite a bit. While Soul Storm looks very cool, its another long animation time that roots you, why take the time for that when you could do the same thing with one of the best DPA attacks in the game. You can then put the purple hold damage proc in the 6th slot and put the other purple damage proc in assassins strike. -Consider adding Hasten to your build, Ice Melee has some of the best attacks (best cone, best ST and a great pbaoe) in the game but you don't have as many as other sets. You want your AS and Freezing Touch firing off as much as possible. Bio's clickies benefit greatly as well Here is my current build, I am only soft capped for Energy (gasp) and I focused more on regen, recovery, and S/L resistance but I have never had a problem taking on any content in the game: Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.962 http://www.cohplanner.com/ Click this DataLink to open the build! Level 50 Magic Stalker Primary Power Set: Ice Melee Secondary Power Set: Bio Armor Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery Villain Profile: Level 1: Ice Sword -- SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAssMar-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), SprAssMar-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SprAssMar-Rchg/Rchg Build Up(42) Level 1: Hide -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A) Level 2: Hardened Carapace -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam(3), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(5), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(17), GldArm-3defTpProc(34) Level 4: Frost -- AirBrs-Dmg/Rng(A), PstBls-Dmg/Rng(5), SprStlGl-Dmg/Rchg(7), Dtn-Dmg/Rng(11), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), SprStlGl-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36) Level 6: Boundless Energy -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(19), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(19), NmnCnv-Heal(40) Level 8: Assassin's Ice Sword -- Hct-Dam%(A), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(9), TchofDth-Dam%(9), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg(11), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), SprStlGl-Rchg/Hide%(34) Level 10: Environmental Modification -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), Rct-ResDam%(13), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(15), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(15), LucoftheG-Def(45), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(46) Level 12: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A) Level 14: Kick -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(42), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(50), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50) Level 16: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A) Level 18: Adaptation Level 20: Ablative Carapace -- Prv-Heal/Rchg(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(21), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(21), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(23) Level 22: Ice Patch -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 24: Tough -- UnbGrd-Max HP%(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(25), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(40), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(43), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(43) Level 26: Freezing Touch -- SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(A), UnbCns-Dam%(27), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(27), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(31), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(37) Level 28: DNA Siphon -- TchoftheN-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(A), TchoftheN-Acc/EndRdx/Heal/HP/Regen(29), Obl-%Dam(31), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Erd-%Dam(48), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48) Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31) Level 32: Frozen Aura -- FuroftheG-ResDeb%(A), Arm-Dam%(33), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(33), Arm-Dmg(34), Arm-Acc/Rchg(37) Level 35: Zapp -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(36), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(46) Level 38: Parasitic Aura -- NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(A), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Prv-Heal/Rchg(39), Prv-Absorb%(40) Level 41: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(48) Level 44: Weave -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(45), ShlWal-Def(45), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(46), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(50) Level 47: Super Jump -- WntGif-ResSlow(A) Level 49: Genetic Corruption -- FrtHyp-Plct%(A) Level 1: Assassination Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A) Level 2: Health -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A), Pnc-Heal/+End(23) Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(43) Level 18: Defensive Adaptation Level 18: Efficient Adaptation Level 18: Offensive Adaptation Level 50: Barrier Core Epiphany Level 50: Musculature Radial Paragon ------------

Hello, Here are two things to consider: 1. Bio is really weak vs energy so I also consider hitting the Energy soft cap a top priority with some much end game stuff blasting away at you with energy attacks. You could swap out the 3 Eff Mod's in DNA Siphon with 3 from Eradication (can add the damage proc for extra fun). You are not losing that much as you have many ways already to gain End. 2. I always try to break up Stalker's Guile to get more S/L Def and to minimize the recharge in the Assassin's "attack". Leave the hide proc and the 2 other minimal recharge ones from the set (Acc/Dam & Acc/Dam/End/Recharge) in Assassin's Blade and then add in some damage proc's and other sets to your own taste but watch the recharge, you want the Hide proc to go off as much as possible. Currently you have 95%+ recharge, way too much to get reliable proc's. You could then put the other 3 Stalker's Guile into Soaring Dragon for example, replacing the Kinetic Combat set and once you get the superior versions, each set of 3 will give you 5% S/L Def.

Unfortunately, Ice Armor for Scrappers does not have a taunt aura built into Chilling Embrace or Icicles (unless there was a change recently). Of course Chilling Embrace makes them run away very slowly and the aoe's for TW already seem pretty big and deadly so they might not have a chance to run away.

My experience shows the same thing, Frozen Aura is not generating Assassin's focus in my many hours of playing my Ice/Bio stalker.

Just to be complete, I would throw a Bio/StJ Tanker in the mix. The downside of StJ to me has been the size of it's AOE's. Well the recent Tanker changes help with that, increasing the targets and size of the Sweeping Cross and Spinning Strike, and they already hit harder then most AOE's. Hitting Spinning Strike with 3 combo points on the group of mobs you just gathered up, very nice indeed!

In case you want to give Ice Melee a try, here is a build I am working towards. Relatively new to Shield Defense but this will be my 5th ice melee to 50 so if you haven't tried ice yet it is very very good. It has better AOE then Fire IMHO because it has better DPA in Frost and Frozen Aura (should be renamed Ice Stomp) even better then the almighty FSC (it is slower). I believe it also has the single best ST melee attack of all sets in Freezing Touch especially with the proc's you can put in it, insta-hold bosses, two purple damage proc's, and what's that? a 1 second animation time? Yes please! The problem with Ice is that the ST's drop off really fast after that. Ice Sword is ok, but Frozen Fists and Greater Ice Sword are horrible. That is where Cross Punch and Gloom come in. The build below is well over the regular soft cap for all positions plus you always have Ice Patch as another layer of mitigation which I still find need for it on all my ice melee characters when things go sideways. Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.962 http://www.cohplanner.com/ Click this DataLink to open the build! Level 50 Magic Tanker Primary Power Set: Shield Defense Secondary Power Set: Ice Melee Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Speed Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Deflection -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), Ags-Psi/Status(3), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(3), Ags-ResDam(5), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(43) Level 1: Frozen Fists -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(15), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), Mk'Bit-Dam%(23) Level 2: Battle Agility -- ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(A), ShlWal-Def(36), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(36), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(37), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(42), LucoftheG-Rchg+(48) Level 4: Frost -- PstBls-Dmg/Rng(A), Dtn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(7), Dtn-Dmg/Rng(7), Ann-ResDeb%(11), Ann-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Ann-Acc/Dmg(13) Level 6: Active Defense -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 8: True Grit -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(9), Pnc-Heal/+End(9), Pnc-Heal(23), GldArm-ResDam(48), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux(48) Level 10: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 12: Kick -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A) Level 14: Tough -- UnbGrd-Max HP%(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(37), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(37), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(40) Level 16: Cross Punch -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), FrcFdb-Rechg%(21) Level 18: Boxing -- Dmg-I(A) Level 20: Ice Patch -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 22: Weave -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(43), LucoftheG-Def(43), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(45), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(45) Level 24: Build Up -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(25), GssSynFr--Build%(25), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(27), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(27), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(29) Level 26: Shield Charge -- SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(33), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(34) Level 28: Freezing Touch -- UnbCns-Dam%(A), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(29), Hct-Dam%(31), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(31), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), Hct-Acc/Rchg(33) Level 30: Taunt -- PrfZng-Dam%(A) Level 32: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A) Level 35: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(36) Level 38: Frozen Aura -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Dmg/Rchg(39), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(40), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40) Level 41: Gloom -- Apc-Dam%(A), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Apc-Acc/Rchg(42), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), Apc-Dmg/Rchg(46) Level 44: Phalanx Fighting -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A) Level 47: One with the Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(50), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(50) Level 49: Grant Cover -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Gauntlet Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A) Level 2: Health -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(46) Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(46), PrfShf-EndMod/Rchg(50) Level 50: Musculature Radial Paragon Level 50: Ageless Radial Epiphany ------------

Here are some builds along with the pros and cons of a ice/fire scrapper.

A stj/rad brute wearing gold plated diapers....Never question Bruce Dickinson! Sadly, if only you could truly have more Whirlwind, it just doesn't hit enough for the end drain it has.

If you are open to something a little different, I recommend Ice Melee. It has one the best cones in Frost and 10 ft pbaoe's in Frozen Aura "Ice Stomp". What it lacks for in number AOE's it makes up for in shorter activation times (Frost is 2.27 and Frozen Aura is 2.10) and a less resisted damage type. In the end, animation time is the one thing you can't change, can't enhance, or shorten (yes I know Titan Weapons has momentum which helps makes it the king). For me when you get to the end game, things move so fast that I avoid anything with a long activation times otherwise I just end up hitting a bunch of already "arrested" mobs. And for ST, you have Freezing Touch, just as much raw damage as Clobber, but a 1 second activation time (compared to 1.23 for clobber)! Plus it holds and can be slotted with another hold proc to instant hold bosses and can take the purple hold damage proc. Yes it is a DOT but it goes really quick. The weakness of Ice is that you often have to find replacements for its bad DPA attacks in Frozen Fists and Greater Ice Sword. That is where Cross Punch (a little more AOE + buffs) and a patron power pool snipe can help you out. Let's not forget if things do go south, drop your ice patch and you will be the fixed point your team can rally around while you continue to pump out your attacks and show them who the quicker killer is. For secondaries, the usual suspects Bio and Shield but for something different go Fire (ice patch + burn, damage aura, all the AOE you would ever need), unfortunately your activation time is through the roof then.

I just wish you got a badge from taking down Frostfire. Something like "The Original Bro" or "Bro before there were Bros" would be good names. Also they should all be doing bicep curls on squat racks during the cut scene.

Ok, still trying to get over the GIS thing. Having a lvl 50 ice/bio brute, lvl 50 ice/fire scrapper, and lvl 50 ice/bio stalker (my favorite), ice is a under rated melee set. I am assuming your build above is for general content? If it is for farming, disregard all this. Things to consider: 1. Swap your ATO's between Burn and Blazing Aura. You will get more out of the Fury proc in your damage aura then burn. 2. Go for S/L Def soft cap, I can't tell exactly from build but you will not be able to live on resists alone and you can only fire healing flames so much. 3. Break up your Superior Brute fury into 2 sets of 3 between Blazing Aura and Frost, getting 5% S/L def twice. 4. Putting a Kinetic Combat set in Ice Sword. 5. Put a -res proc in Frost or Blazing Aura. 6. Use a damage/range IO in Frost to make it even better 7. Instead of Arctic, consider Soul Mastery for Gloom, much better DPA then ice blast and you don't need a prerequisite. You want another hard hitting ST with Ice. Dark Oblit is open too. 8. Take Taunt to pull ranged mobs closer and get some cool set bonuses (more S/L Def). I wish I had this for my scrapper, those robots with guns for hands or floating seers just love to sit outside my burn batch blasting away at me. At the end of the day you are still Fiery Aura will too many holes to plug and no real debuff resistance. Ice Patch will be the key to your survival many times but Ice Patch + Burn is over 6 seconds of activation time, plus more if you fire your build ups before then. Standing in place that long in end game content will feel like an eternity so you need to be very strategic where you drop your patches otherwise you find yourself left behind or dead.

Definitely take Freezing Touch over Greater Ice Sword. GIS is horrible DPA, unless you must take the swords for concept. Plus the hold proc can stack with Freezing Touch's hold to hold bosses in one shot.

Below is the build I am slowly working towards. 45% Melee Def, 75% S/L/F Res., very close to yours but I am using Cross Punch for fun and extra recharge. The part I didn't mention which is the most frustrating thing about this build, the activation time. Ice Patch + Burn is almost 6 seconds of standing still, unable to do anything. I didn't notice it as much pre-50, you might often find yourself playing the role of tank even, but post 50, I often find everything dead or dying before Burn kicks in, or you end up fighting all hovering mobs (seers, mu, etc.) immune to ice patch or robots happy to shoot at you from 12 to 15 feet away where controller on your the team has them immobilized. Shadow Meld helps survival but that is another 3 seconds of activation time. Ice Patch really needs a bit of boost by at least lowering the activation time especially since everyone and their brother now has a better version of ice patch thanks to the KB to KD IO. Fiery Aura does have a lot of holes and I don't see the point in trying to sacrifice everything to squeeze out any more defense/resistance. You don't really have any debuff resistance anyway. You might not just be able to jump in middle of +4/x8 groups and survive while eating a sandwich like other secondaries, but rather have to take the time to look for corners to hide behind or think about where the mobs are doing to end up after the alpha. Why not play to your strengths. Your a scrapper with Burn and great Ice melee attacks like Frost and Freezing Touch, pick your spots and freeze/melt faces! Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.962 http://www.cohplanner.com/ Click this DataLink to open the build! Level 50 Mutation Scrapper Primary Power Set: Ice Melee Secondary Power Set: Fiery Aura Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Speed Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Ice Sword -- TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(A), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx(3), TchofDth-Dmg/Rchg(3), TchofDth-Dam%(5), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43) Level 1: Fire Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(5), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(7), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(7), GldArm-3defTpProc(45) Level 2: Frost -- SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprScrStr-Dmg/Rchg(9), SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SprScrStr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprScrStr-Rchg/+Crit(13) Level 4: Blazing Aura -- FuroftheG-ResDeb%(A), Arm-Dam%(13), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(15), ScrDrv-Dam%(15), ScrDrv-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), ScrDrv-Dmg/EndRdx(17) Level 6: Healing Flames -- Prv-Absorb%(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg(19), Prv-Heal(46), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(50), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(50), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(50) Level 8: Ice Patch -- RechRdx(A) Level 10: Kick -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A) Level 12: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(46), GssSynFr--ToHit(46), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(48), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(48), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(48) Level 14: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A) Level 16: Plasma Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(31), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(33), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(33) Level 18: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-Max HP%(19), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(21), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(21) Level 20: Cross Punch -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(23), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), FrcFdb-Rechg%(27) Level 22: Combat Jumping -- ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(A), Rct-ResDam%(37), LucoftheG-Rchg+(37), Krm-ResKB(43) Level 24: Temperature Protection -- StdPrt-ResKB(A), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(43) Level 26: Freezing Touch -- TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(A), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx(11), TchofDth-Dmg/Rchg(29), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(29), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), TchofDth-Dam%(31) Level 28: Burn -- SprCrtStr-Rchg/+50% Crit(A), SprCrtStr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprCrtStr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SprCrtStr-Acc/Dmg(40), SprCrtStr-Dmg/Rchg(40), SprCrtStr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40) Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(42) Level 32: Frozen Aura -- Obl-%Dam(A), Obl-Dmg(34), Obl-Acc/Rchg(34), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(36), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36) Level 35: Moonbeam -- StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), StnoftheM-Acc/ActRdx/Rng(37), StnoftheM-Dmg/ActRdx/Rchg(39) Level 38: Weave -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(39), LucoftheG-Def(42) Level 41: Fiery Embrace -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 44: Consume -- EffAdp-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(A), EffAdp-Acc/Rchg(45) Level 47: Boxing -- Acc(A) Level 49: Shadow Meld -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Critical Hit Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A) Level 2: Health -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(45) Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(39) Level 50: Agility Radial Paragon Level 50: Pyronic Core Final Judgement Level 50: Reactive Core Flawless Interface Level 50: Assault Core Embodiment Level 50: Ageless Core Epiphany ------------ | Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1502;709;1418;HEX;| |78DA65944B4F135114C7EF6DA7424B81420B2D6FA84069298502BE120D31A246A50| |949131780D6B15CB1B1699BB6C4D7CA053BA3891B36BE163E70E307F11975E1C60F| |E00B35512306B59ECEFFD89ACCA493DF9DFF79DE33771A3B37ED7C78F0D294900DF| |BD27AA1908827F37A2EA7F2B5B1E5A25E4C6533A27CD5D0EDFB674AC4545AA9C8A1| |A4C2AAA3629856A754A6A02207522A7F3EB17739AF8BFAD96C364DC2D2E9622AB3E| |4349E66949EA30787F110CF29B5E864AF6246150A6DFB73A964245ED4D36728673C| |BB9C4EC4F4429152FAA88D10DDE180E0AB64137304BF262CF3CC05504B80C163C48| |02642C7C1F1F25EA411AB896F5621A2E4FB1DDCB2C1FC0186C7C1910087503DF908| |5AED63E613B0FD29E878063A9F831354CF8A7A36EB14DBF6580C36EC665E2473972| |65C1784F1EC3A0B4E52AC8D636DEB886DFEC03DBD05A3EF98EF991FC1D1005E1BC5| |8A9A268266151612ECACD9572CC67C22E457C77BAB7B807E46D69877C0D1BBCC7BC| |CFBA097F2D573BEFA37D0B693D6889EAD8D3CDF6E9E6B2FCFB997E76B25DF26F66D| |62DFE69FA0877D3D1C7B79400837F7E9BEAE195AEB6DE60DD07793790B6C5F414FA| |D54A785EBB41C41BEFEAFCCB28118DAC03BD846BE5EF84AAF4F1A5AC80B8ED3ACDA| |B887B6399C27C73CD8B9C0E4F3D6CDE7AD3B01EEA4BC1D1CDBA1D05FEF22D897040| |327983AF324E8A7D82EEEA96B186723C89CA09E7A386F8FC09EFA36B1EFBE5FE0D6| |DFCC3FCC12583E427EC45AFCAF90AFFF0538F812D4A8F6006A5B067856832E30E80| |17791CF109F8321EE6B0769C3C6575392C357502F7C1594648BB0BF413A9B1B4E21| |C6581BE33A9D5AE53BA71F5DA247AB7CBDA590C93A6652A22665C2A44C9A9419933| |2AB55FE01843414BB4B94A76D74B2EE20ABFCDFFAB9AA487914BB091F96C649F864| |F2FEE2A864977215331ABC066EB61278C77E4F75FDDA5D5DAFD14B8C722FABEEEAF| |A2F6903FAD9| |-------------------------------------------------------------------|

My Ice/Fire scrapper was my first 50 on Homecoming and it is a blast. Ice patch and Burn really do work great together but you really need to think about where you are going to setup, especially on a team where everyone is jumping around. I didn't take Frozen Fists or GIS since they are very bad DPA, but instead took Cross Punch with a +Recharge proc and use it as a ST/AOE because of the bonuses and it looks/feels awesome. Putting the Critical Strike proc in Burn almost guarantees it will go off each time. I also took Soul Mastery for the snipe to help my ST weakness and Shadow Meld to give me some extra defense before running in and dropping patches, watching everything melt. I also took all 3 Knock Back protections IOs, if you get knocked down and can't fire off Healing Flames you are dead meat. Other fun things you can do, put some Range in Frost to make it even better and put a proc in Frozen Aura to heal you when you stomp.