Neiska

thats an interesting build flea, do like how you keep the caps by juggling barrier and support. i didnt think of that, gives wiggle room in the build for other stuff. No idea how effective shatter armor is, i never used it, but looks to be good vs bosses etc. One question though - how is your END management? suprised you dont have to use ageless to keep it up, but on paper yours looks pretty END efficent.

Hello everyone, I am looking for some help and advice on my Crabber's damage. I love her and the At itself, but she struggles with her damage. ATM she only has her t1 cardiac incarnate, was sort of saving stuff until i figured out what the problem was. But here is her build, and yes I have all the IOs listed here - 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! Synthetic Sin: Level 50 Natural Arachnos Soldier Primary Power Set: Crab Spider Soldier Secondary Power Set: Crab Spider Training Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Flight Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Leviathan Mastery Villain Profile: Level 1: Channelgun -- Apc-Dmg/Rchg(A), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), Apc-Acc/Rchg(3), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Apc-Dam%(5) Level 1: Crab Spider Armor Upgrade -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), StdPrt-ResKB(7), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(7), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(9), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(9), Ags-ResDam(11) Level 2: Combat Training: Defensive -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 4: Kick -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A) Level 6: Hover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(13), Rct-ResDam%(15) Level 8: Suppression -- SprSpdBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprSpdBit-Dmg/Rchg(15), SprSpdBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), SprSpdBit-Rchg/Global Toxic(17), AchHee-ResDeb%(19), Ann-ResDeb%(19) Level 10: Tactical Training: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(21), LucoftheG-EndRdx/Rchg(21), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(23), LucoftheG-Def(23) Level 12: Venom Grenade -- SprDmnofA-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDmnofA-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), SprDmnofA-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprDmnofA-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), SprDmnofA-Rchg/DmgFear%(27), Ann-ResDeb%(43) Level 14: Fly -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A) Level 16: Tough -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(29), UnbGrd-Max HP%(29), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(31), UnbGrd-ResDam(31), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(31) Level 18: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33) Level 20: Tactical Training: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 22: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(33), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(33), LucoftheG-EndRdx/Rchg(34), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(34) Level 24: Fortification -- Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Ags-EndRdx/Rchg(34), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Ags-ResDam(36), Ags-Psi/Status(36) Level 26: Tactical Training: Leadership -- GssSynFr--Build%(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(37) Level 28: Mental Training -- Run-I(A) Level 30: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(37), LucoftheG-EndRdx/Rchg(37), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(39), LucoftheG-Def(39) Level 32: Serum -- Prv-Heal/Rchg(A), Prv-Absorb%(46) Level 35: Summon Spiderlings -- CaltoArm-Acc/Rchg(A), CaltoArm-Acc/Dmg(39), CaltoArm-+Def(Pets)(40), CaltoArm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), CaltoArm-Dmg/EndRdx(40) Level 38: Call Reinforcements -- RechRdx-I(A), ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(42), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(42), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(43), EdcoftheM-PetDef(43) Level 41: Spirit Shark -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A) Level 44: Arctic Breath -- SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(A), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(45), SprFrzBls-Rchg/ImmobProc(45), AchHee-ResDeb%(46), Ann-ResDeb%(46) Level 47: Bile Spray -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(48), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(48), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(50), Rgn-Knock%(50) Level 49: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A) 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: Conditioning Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A) Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(11), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(50) Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(13) Level 50: Ion Core Final Judgement Level 50: Degenerative Core Interface Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon Level 50: Support Core Embodiment ------------ ------------ ------------------------ My rotation begins with Venom Grenade - Suppression - Artic Breath - Bile spray. I try to stack up -res debuffs to make her big attack, bile spray, hit as hard as it can. She seems to have decent AOE, but her single target is abysmal. For single target i use the res debuff stacking and use Channelgun. I was in a fire farm with a friend last night, and I had to chase down an elite boss who ran off. It took me longer to kill that single elite boss than it took them (fire farmer) to kill 2 more entire groups. I read people saying that Bile spray was supergood for Crabbers, but either im doing it wrong or Im just not seeing it. Its just a bid depressing to throw everything i have at stuff to see tics of 30 damage while they are doing 300+. So it just feels like im not contributing all that much. (not sure if thats the case or not, just feels that way.) Anyway, some imput or advice on how to get my damage a bit higher would be nice. Like i said, still working on my incarnates, and all she has atm is Teir 1 Cardiac. Everything else is open, and the cardiac is there mostly for the END management. (lotta toggles). Thanks bunches.

This is Synthetic Sin, my cyborg character on Everlasting. She uses crabber pack technology, which can be tricky to make look good. Old look vs New look -

This is the old and new "battle suits" for Synthetic Sin, my Cyborg character. Its kind of tricky to make crabbers look good sometimes.

Been working on my own crab soldier very similar to this, except I went more with the ranged aoe powers, as well as leviathan for the venom grenade/arctic breath/bile spray combo. I think@Hyperstrike's has more defense, but mine has more AoE/Debuffs? Still fine tuning it, but imput is always welcome. I know spirit shark has no slots, its more or less there to grant access to arctic breath/bile spray. The goals for my crabber was to be good for groups, tanky, good aoe, including +4/8 difficulty. Id love to be able to tank AVs and such, but I've never had a character that was to that level, so no idea if this will be able to or not. 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! Tanky Crab Soldier: Level 50 Technology Arachnos Soldier Primary Power Set: Crab Spider Soldier Secondary Power Set: Crab Spider Training Power Pool: Flight Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leadership Power Pool: Speed Ancillary Pool: Leviathan Mastery Villain Profile: Level 1: Channelgun -- Apc-Dmg/Rchg(A), Apc-Dmg(3), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), Apc-Acc/Rchg(5), Apc-Dam%(5), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(7) Level 1: Wolf Spider Armor -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(7), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(9), RctArm-ResDam(9), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(11), GldArm-3defTpProc(11) Level 2: Crab Spider Armor Upgrade -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(21), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(21), RctArm-ResDam(23) Level 4: Combat Training: Defensive -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(17), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(19), Rct-ResDam%(19) Level 6: Hover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(48), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50) Level 8: Suppression -- SprSpdBit-Dmg/Rchg(A), SprSpdBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), SprSpdBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprSpdBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SprSpdBit-Rchg/Global Toxic(15), Ann-ResDeb%(17) Level 10: Tactical Training: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(23), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(25) Level 12: Kick -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A) Level 14: Tough -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(25), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(27), RctArm-ResDam(27) Level 16: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(29), LucoftheG-Def(50) Level 18: Venom Grenade -- SprDmnofA-Rchg/DmgFear%(A), SprDmnofA-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), SprDmnofA-Acc/Dmg(31), SprDmnofA-Dmg/Rchg(31), SprDmnofA-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), SprDmnofA-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33) Level 20: Tactical Training: Leadership -- GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(A), GssSynFr--Build%(33), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(46), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(48) Level 22: Mental Training -- Run-I(A) Level 24: Maneuvers -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(33) Level 26: Fortification -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(34), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(34), RctArm-ResDam(34) Level 28: Serum -- Prv-Absorb%(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(36), Prv-Heal/Rchg(36), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(36), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(37), Prv-Heal(37) Level 30: Tactical Training: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(37) Level 32: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(39) Level 35: Spirit Shark -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A) Level 38: Tactics -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(40) Level 41: Arctic Breath -- Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Rgn-Knock%(42), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(42), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(43), Rgn-Dmg(43) Level 44: Bile Spray -- SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(45), SprFrzBls-Rchg/ImmobProc(45), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx(46), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg(46) Level 47: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(48) Level 49: Combat Training: Offensive -- Acc-I(A), Acc-I(50) 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: Conditioning Level 1: Sprint -- Clr-Stlth(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A) Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(39), Mrc-Rcvry+(39) Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(40), EndMod-I(40), EndMod-I(43) Level 50: Support Core Embodiment Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon Level 50: Ion Core Final Judgement Level 50: Degenerative Interface ------------ ------------ P.S. - only just now noticed i dont have any KB/KD protection.. not sure where I can fit that in at. >.<

@Gulbasaur- mostly i was farming "night at the movies" on +3/8, and they seem resistant to some effects. At least, I noticed things are affected more on say, comic con maps. Usually I do use a big power for an opener, Psi Wail, Aura of Confuse, or the area dominate. If they arent dead or hurting, I use the time to whittle them down. Most of the time, it works. Unless I am on an elite boss that takes a bit longer to take down, and thats when my 6 second gap in Mind Link gets me.

@Gulbasaur- Hi hi! Read your guide, and Ive been using your build with a few minor tweaks in the last two powers. (Still trying things out, nothing set in stone.) but the rest is the same as far as i can tell. Am starting to run into an issue though - Without mind link, i take a lot of damage. Then my hps drops to below 50 and slowly gets chipped away and i die. i simply dont have time for regen to kick in. (this is on a +3/8 map, and ive only unlocked my first t3 alpha power). Now, ive gotten my link mind down to a 96 recharge, and since it lasts 90 seconds theres a 6 second gap in my defenses. So i am wondering what fix you have, because i just get over whelmed so fast if its off. But when the buff is up its fine! Important Notes - it was on a 3/8 map usually. Only first T3 alpha unlocked, currently farming threads. Got all of your IOs except for lunge and psi wail. (saving for those now) but i have everything else. I have given thought to putting in box and tough for my last two power slots, instead of recal friend and provoke, which would get my s/l resist up to mid 40s before anything else kicks in, which might give me a bit more of a buffer? I duno? Anyway, just getting clobbered in that tiny mind link gap and would like some advice. Thanks bunches in advance! And thanks for the fortuna build and guide, its lots of fun!

Thanks to everyone so far for the advice and imput. My own widow just hit 24 last night, and I decided to go for Fort. Only just finished her rebuild, so I hope the difficult part is done. What about incarnates? Any particular ones really stand out for Forta/Widows?

Hello again, Thank you both for your responses and insight. I think I am leaning toward Fortuna based on what I am hearing. And I am guessing you are referring to the Foresight auto power under teamwork? What is the best way to use that exactly, aim for softcap defenses and enjoy higher damage resistances the more damage you take?

Hello forums, Just had a few widow questions. I haven't made one yet, but have definately been chin tapping about it. I've only played the Crab soldier (who is currently my main AT), but sadly felt a bit underwhelming, especially compaired to my scrapper who does twice as good with half the investment. (Crabber was a bit tanky with good aoe, but doesnt hit very hard sadly, and the pets didnt seem that good on max difficulty, even after building for the strongest crabber pets possible. Still lil bummed about that.) But onto questions about widows! 1. Widows, how do they play? Reading the forums, it seems they are sort of all over the place? As i understand them, the night widows are semi stalkers? If so what sets them apart from stalkers? What do they specalize in? 2. Fortunas, what do they bring to the table? Again, going from the forums here, it seems they are quasi tank/brute/stalker/blaster/dominator all in one? I mean, isnt that spreading yourself pretty thin? "Jack of all trades, master of none" as it were? I mean, what are Fortunas exceptionally good at, unless its their varied options that is their specality? And I read on the forums about Fortunas tanking/soloing ATs and so on, but looking at their tools, I'm not sure "how" they do it? Insight would be awesome here! 3. And now for Widows VS Fortunas - whats the difference? They both seem to have similar loadouts. One is stalker like, and the other is more varied? Thanks bunches in advance

Did you take force field generator into account too? Think thats a bit more. Im not sure what the softcap is, but the discussion on discord was you want to focus on resist more than defense, due to how it works mechanically with BG mode? TLDR is its sort of like double dipping the chip? I would like to be able to solo, but still be able to team with friends.

Kay, thank you DR_Mechano, Well I am home now, and here is the build i am currently running after talks on discord. Credit goes to Ardarel for the help and specific chats we had, and this build as posted is theirs. Im still leveling up incarnates and saving for IOs, but i have roughly have of them so far. Shes more or less a fresh 50 incarnate wise, think I only have her t1 alpha. Personally I am thinking about dropping trap mine and maybe field medic. I dont like how trap mine works and I never use field medic. So pondering my options, but so far this one is working great otherwise! Mastermind_-_Robotics_-_Traps Ardael's.mxd

If a new MM pet set would be considered, personally I would like it to be something not currently covered to open up more lore/rp/affilication choices. Currently we have - Animals, Undead, Robots, Demons, Thugs, Mercinaries, and Ninjas. I just think we might get more long term milage out of pets types that arent currently covered such as - Plants, Reptiles, Dinosaurs, Midevil Knights/Squires, Elementals, Angels, Aliens, Drones, Cultists, Spirits, Mythical Creatures, Clones/Copies, Pirates, Mutants, any of these could be fun and fantastic new additions that would also open up new sorts of characters.

@DR_Mechano - another quick question, regarding heat mastery. Is there any particular reason why you took Fire Blast and not fire ball? Fire ball is another AoE that you could add, and they do roughly the same amount of damage. If you swapped a few powers around, you could make it work and keep the same enchancement slots on the same powers if im not mistaken?

Thank you for the feedback. I also got some advice from the discord channel, which was nice. I did hit 50 this weekend, and did my first rebuild. After some guidance from those in discord I did make several changes, I would post it but I'm at work atm and dont have access to my build file. My current build does have provoke, but I dont use it nonstop. I more or less use it to pull mobs off a robo if it gets to half health, but most often I use it to taunt runners. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. But if it does, the enemy stops, turns back around and comes right back, making runners much easier to deal with. @TheSpiritFox- No offense taken! I expected it to be a sort of a mess! Thats why I posted about it. ^.o About tankerminding, So far (with the new build) I have been doing pretty well with it. I'm not spamming provoke nonstop, but it is a nice option to have and has saved my robos more than once. But often enough, once I run in, drop my acid motor, mortar, and caltrops mostly I can hang back and watch, provoking and healing where necessary, but often enough I've found I didnt need to do anything at all. Also you are right my powers were all out of order, and it was meant as a "respec" build, as that would be pretty hard to level with, a well as figuring out what slots can go where at what levels. I have trip mine, and I am sort of experimenting with it, but personally I am not a huge fan. It doesnt seem to hit hard enough to validate the long setup time, which can get interrupted which makes it tricky to use when you are focusing the mobs off your robos. I am using the proc IOs though, mostly on caltrops and a few other powers. Personally I like seeker drones, because its fire and forget, auto targeting. But the main two powers I like to use is Acid Trap and Mortar, and use Caltrops as filler when herding stuff. You are also right about the triage beacon, it alone isnt enough to keep you and your robos healty. To that end I did pick up the medicine pool, with aid self and other which heal for a good bit and are quickly off cooldown. @DR_Mechano- that is an interesting take on robo MMs! Cant say Ive seen it before. Sometimes I do play alone but if given a choice I do perfer to play with friends. And it would be nice to bring more to the table, and yes AoE damage seems to be most of the content. I might have to look into that one. I do worry about your setups defenses/resistances though. I am not sure what difficulty you play on but I am hoping to be able to play on max difficulty. I am still learning about softcap/hardcap values and whatnot, and you say barrier is enough defense, but doesnt that only last so long and have a cooldown peroid? It cant be "constantly" up? There isnt any peroids of defense gaps? Anyway, will post the build I am using currently once I get home. It was recommended to me, and I am still testing things out. I may make tweaks here or there on it, as its still a work in progress and far from perfected for my personal tastes and values. Thank you for the imput! It is appreciated. Will post an updated version of what I am using now when I can.

Hello everyone, I would like a critique from the experts on a Robo/Trap Tankermind setup I have. I doubt this is optimized, so by all means if I missed something or should change stuff point it out. Thanks bunches in advance! http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/download.php?uc=1480&c=683&a=1366&f=HEX&dc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

This is probially a long shot, but it got me once too. But I did try two things that seemed to work when it did. 1. - make a new character on a different server. I have no idea why/how this worked, but when i went back to my "first" server and made a new character, the crabby pack was gone. (maybe a memory sort of issue? Not very computer savvy here when it comes to that stuff.) 2. - have you tried making a costume for said Non-SoA character WITH the pack, and then tried taking it off in the costume/tailor menu? Sorry these are both shots in the dark. It was a weird issue for me too when I was playing a crabber, but trying a different server seemed to help IIRC. Hope it helps. 😕

Okay, thank you DR Mechano and Sovera. I didnt know about the hide effect. Will take a look when I get home at that. @Sovera - by Barrier I assume you mean taking Barrier as the Destiny incarnate (Core for duration and not Radial I would guess?) to smooth out Defense and Resistance. I havent gotten to the Incarnate part yet, as I wasnt sure what sort of holes would need patched. But I was leaning towards - Alpha - Muscleature or possibly Agility. Not sure which would be needed most or if i will have an END problem. Destiny - Typically I took Ageless, for an on demand END refill. But Bio also has some nice END recovery abilities, and this slot I am planning on taking barrier as is strongly suggested. Judgement - I was planning Ion. I know people say this is the best anyway, but my character is a sort of Cyborg sort, so it makes sense for her to have it. (its also why i went electrical melee as a primary.) Interface - I am thinking Diamagnetic here, for the tohit penalty to add to "effective" defense, and the regen debuff could be a nice help for AVs/Bosses. But Reactive might be nice too for more offensive option. Lore - Warworks, because they fit the theme and "cybernetic" feel of the character. Hybrid - Probially take Assualt here, Core embodiment for that 5 stack damage buff.

Okay, here is attempt #2 at my Electric melee/Bio. (Thanks to @Sovera for the superior ENH slotting suggestions and pointing out the things i missed.) Looking at the sheet numbers, I think it will be a bit on the tougher side for a stalker, which is more or less what I am going for. I swapped a few powers around, and still stuck with the powers that I liked (Shadow Meld and Parasite Aura.) It sneds up with 45ish % defense to most, 78% to AoE. Still ends up with 66.5% resistance to S/L, but still has the energy/negative/psi holes, but I dont think thats a suprise to anybody. With Shadow Meld on the defense jumps way up to 76% defense vs most, and 109%(wtf) defense. Pretty sure that goes way past cap though, but its still nice to see on a sheet. And this is without taking things like barrier/incarnate stuff into account. Plus with Sovera's suggestions I think this stalker will still hit pretty hard. Not sure how to test that by looking at it, but, feeling pretty good about this one. Anyway, comments and critiques are always welcome! (sorry Sovera, I dont know how to do the spoiler tag bit. But I think this data link works? If not let me know.) Thanks bunches in advance! http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/download.php?uc=1512&c=712&a=1424&f=HEX&dc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

Hehe, sorry, still learning acyronyms, meant Luck of the Gambler - global recharge. I was asking you need haste, with a reduction IO, plus 5 Gamblers to max your cooldown. I havent really done many Task Forces. Most of playtime has been playing normal missions on +3 or 4/8 difficulty. And as far as my goals? Not looking to solo AVs and whatnot (though that would be pretty neat). Mostly just hoping to be able to play on max difficulty, at least radio/normal missions, finish ouros, badge hunting, max my incarnates. Anything after that is a bonus. And I havent gotten to really join up with the big missions like ITFs or Mothership (whatever that is. keep hearing it mentioned.)

One thing I think worth mentioning is one part of the game that I don't think has really been discussed yet, but I think its linked to the whole PL thing. Some people get great enjoyment in pushing builds, redlining the engine, going as far as they can. I haven't done this in CoH myself yet, as I am still learning powersets and whatnot, but I have done it in other games. To some players, its this part of the game that they get the greatest pleasure from. However, there really isnt a way to test them (at least as far as I am aware. I heard mutterings of test servers but I have never seen links or directions to one.). So for people like me that enjoy the math and game mechanics behind build philisophey and how it all comes together, leveling a character the old way could take weeks of time, not counting the farming for enchancements, badges, accolades and everything else. Only just to get to the end and find out "well, that didnt work." You could be talking weeks if not months of lost time. And if it took this much time to "try" ideas or new play styles "each" time, then people might very quickly get burned out, which would could lead to a massive drop in community numbers. And that is something I think we all agree is bad, no matter what side of the PL fence we are on. I am not defending either side here, or saying one way is better than another. I am only saying that if a tool or playing option wasn't meant to be allowed, then it wouldn't be in the game, or they would remove it. Homecoming has been out for a bit now, and I think the AE is here to stay for the time being. So if you like it, then use it. If you don't, then don't. I still stand by the "live and let live" angle. If person A wants to give person B infamy for a powerlevle, thats between them. Or even if its a powerlevel between friends just to help them catch up, or just to spend time playing together. And while I appreciate the passion and angle of the "get rid of ways to PL" opinion some people have, its a valid option for those that want to utalize it. No one is forcing them or you to use it, or not use it. Its all personal choice. If they want to powerlevel quckly to get to the endgame, then thats their choice. If you or them also want to go "hardcore" and use solely story missions to grind up the levels, thats fine too. Honestly I wish there was a roleplay reward system in place. Some games have such systems, where you could actually level up by hanging out and roleplaying or performing more mundane jobs like bartending or whatever. Just saying, as a newish player, I still think more options are better for the overall enjoyment and longevity of the community as a whole. Not everyone will like, agree, or support each option or style of play. But thats okay! To be expected in fact. But I think splitting hairs about which is "right" and which is "wrong" only ends up dividing an already aged community, when in a game this old we should stick to our guns. I mean the game only just came back. Do we really want to see a mass exedous of players because some people didnt like X way to play? Just my 2 cents!

Okay, then some further questions then, and thank you for being patient and helpful to a new player. 1. - I actually like the idea of perming shadow meld. I assume this takes 5 Rog's with the global reduction and perma haste? (not sure on how the math works on that). 2. - When I messed with tanker and scrapper, genetic and parasitic were the great abilities to have, its what let my TW/Bio scrapper clear everything ive attempted on 4/8. But if genetic and parasitic are "meh" on a stalker, or situational, why do people say Bio is one of the top defensive sets for stalkers? My limited experience so far with /bio was its the combination of regen, recovery, and absorbtion that made it so good. It was like an extra layer of defense that other sets dont get, IE - an "outside the box" layer of defense. So the set isnt so much about front loading defense/resistances, though those of course help. Anyway, point is if you arent relying on the regen/absorb from /bio, why take it on a stalker? Just for the offensive stance for more damage? I mean, there are other sets you could take that might offer better surviveability. Again, new player, so just going off what i have read/heard, not personal experience. 3. So far I have heard two things about bio stalkers, that they are tough nuts to crack like scrappers/brutes, but some here said you still have to be careful and not get swarmed. So which is it? It cant really be both, or does it come down to playstyle and preferance? @Sovera- I do appreciate the advice! I am looking to combine my power selections with some minor tweaks, but with your superior enchancement selections and spacing. (my biggest picks are swapping out the flying pool for soul mastery and parasite aura.) - Shadow Meld looks too good to pass up as an extra emergency button (would be better if you could perma it!) on top of Barrier, and I still would like parasite aura, as I am simply too used to having it when playing a /bio than not having it. Would like to say that threads like this is one thing that makes the community awesome, older players helping newer ones. Sure people dont always agree but thats okay! (and i think a good thing.) But thats far cry better than some games where the reply always is "suck it up" or "git gud" etc. Thanks bunches again! Will be tweaking my planned build again when I get home.

Splitting hairs at this point in the conversation. 😄

Thank you for the feedback Sovera, i definately missed some things. Your loadout does look better than mine for sure. My single complaint is its missing parasite aura, isnt that a big one to have from Bio armor? I mean thats the other absorb/super recovery tool there, and ive always had it. Unless it sucks on stalkers?

Hello again everyone, Well I made her first sort of mock up for the number crunch. I wouldn't mind any critiques or input, or if any veteran stalkers want to point out any misteps I made. (shes my first one). I sort of made her with defenses in mind, she ends up with 32ish defenses vs most things, and 70% S/L res. It has low energy and negative res though. But she does have a shadow shield she can push to go super turtle mode when things get hairy. Would welcome any input! (hope this is linked right) http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/download.php?uc=1507&c=704&a=1408&f=HEX&dc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