Nemu

The numbers don't lie! Buff Blasters!

Everyone does, that still doesn't give me much to work with. Playstyle is important. I can give you a melee blaster build and if you are timid about going into melee then it's not a good fit, for example. There's also the matter of budget, I don't know how much you have to work with. A lot of people will say budget is not an issue but the reality is that quite a few of those builds are copied/abandoned because it didn't click with the player, especially if they have no idea how the build plays. Based on the evidence I see, here's a moderately budget friendly beginner blaster build that will do well. Game plan with this build is simple. Hover and keep out of range and shoot stuff. It has softcapped range defense, which means mobs have a much harder time hitting you as long as you keep your distance. It also has invisibility through stealth and the stealth IO in sprint so you can keep a low profile and zip to mission objectives if you solo. And late game it also has 2 holds to help you keep 1 boss in check, as well as Bonfire as area control. You will most likely need the newest version of mids to open this build, you can get that here: https://midsreborn.com/ This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.4.5 https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn Click this DataLink to open the build! Level 50 Magic Blaster Primary Power Set: Dark Blast Secondary Power Set: Fire Manipulation Power Pool: Flight Power Pool: Concealment Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Ancillary Pool: Flame Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Gloom -- SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(7) Level 1: Ring of Fire -- Acc-I(A) Level 2: Umbral Torrent -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(7), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(9), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(9), FrcFdb-Rechg%(11) Level 4: Fly -- BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(A), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(11) Level 6: Aim -- GssSynFr--Build%(A) Level 8: Moonbeam -- StnoftheM-Acc/Dmg(A), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx(13), StnoftheM-Acc/ActRdx/Rng(13), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), StnoftheM-Dam%(15) Level 10: Hover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Ksm-ToHit+(17), BlsoftheZ-Travel(17), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(19), HypSnc-+Special(19) Level 12: Tenebrous Tentacles -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(21), Artl-Dam/Rech(21), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(23), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(23), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(25) Level 14: Stealth -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-ResDam%(25), Rct-Def/EndRdx(27) Level 16: Build Up -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 18: Abyssal Gaze -- Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), Thn-Acc/Dmg(29), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(29), NrnSht-Dam%(31), CldSns-%Dam(31) Level 20: Cauterizing Aura -- NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx(A), NmnCnv-EndRdx/Rchg(31), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(33), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(33), NmnCnv-Heal(33), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(34) Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(34) Level 24: Kick -- ExpStr-Dmg/KB(A), ExpStr-Acc/KB(34), ExpStr-Dam%(36) Level 26: Life Drain -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(37), Prv-Heal(37), Prv-Absorb%(37) Level 28: Tough -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(39), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(39), RctArm-ResDam(39), UnbGrd-Max HP%(40) Level 30: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(40), ShlWal-Def(40), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(42) Level 32: Blackstar -- SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(42), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(43) Level 35: Bonfire -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A), FrcFdb-Rechg%(45) Level 38: Evasive Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(45), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(45) Level 41: Fire Shield -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(46), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(46), RctArm-ResDam(46) Level 44: Char -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(48), BslGaz-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(48), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(48), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(50), NrnSht-Dam%(50) Level 47: Rise of the Phoenix -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 49: Grant Invisibility -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Defiance Level 1: Sprint -- UnbLea-Stlth(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 1: Swift -- Empty(A) Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A) Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PwrTrns-+Heal(50) Level 4: Afterburner Level 49: Quick Form ------------ | Copy & Paste this data into Mids Reborn : Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1634;711;1422;HEX;| |78DA75944B4F135114C7FFF3A2402948296F0A4E11411E15FC044691448104A9BA6| |D4668EA48699B521074ED673051015D297E0CD71A356234EAC6B86183989898B830| |F5CC9C3972B1719299FE7ACFB9E77DEFECFA64C3CB173367A145CEE79C9595F439F| |A9633256BD6C9BA0BF09E10BD9DC1727ADEC967338BC949A7B4C4AAB64852ABC562| |A1544E4EB9A54C7AD6C9BBC5D59C53760B7984E70A855C722AE7666F949B7DBE985| |F7357DCEB6ECE2D6FD4FB2BA96226B31861454FCFCD67A3178AEE026D73963D7B9E| |8F8D0E0AC5A6D78DD147833C158B3E263061428726A0339830044C861A580C6B386| |A86DE2EF8929B314FF0575431351856B0D964A8458DC017C3877ADCD57D0853C90C| |1CDAD50C7CD20395CF0C4BE4C0521CD09F1D96E448125282324378C54135E0B5C01| |B8646BC15D865A823D775EAEE3AB46ABEE4187ED342DC838FEC292AC14411E55496| |C97758AD6B58D28E49DA31580C6D927F1B420C1DA86588501011C58C1E91203AF08| |36BD5850386DBA4D0A4F6A009239C4A9E8269568369C61682CD8F187AB029B0CC0E| |7AE1687E96BDD8D37DB8431A2DAA99165C16DD7986E348095C11B8CA60E31A43827| |26A55CC68AD12A72DA0934ABB76D853BD1DB72886164F659DA11F1B0C054AAE5319| |11AB5352E997E4FAF198E104B605F68C00F6190C72D9ADB6BB1B67587212BDB43EE| |8812D906018C42FD6A1D1425CD96DC4A54F83983202B8C4700AD30C458ABC4FAD67| |1FEE8BCA0381870CC3D814D812D86678423F09A5585A025FF9548ECA317A3E0C0CA| |8633420E18DCA791A9511DE2173436A2A43D40ABFFF6352883129C49814E2296D1A| |515319C12E0FCD69BC13782FF0816142466D4246ED199949AA239C948968A4028FA| |B9271C9A0C784FA78574F851ED8E6D12BA93253AD6870CA73A6AA49128D4DECD757| |DD6AFEFA41F5BACDBDF8F69F1DDFFF5927BCA707B9FFE466D1E93F72D555A6A969E| |3EAC21F1942C7B4| |-------------------------------------------------------------------|

Good covers a lot: Good for teaming? good for solo? good for dying? good for trolling and getting kicked off the team? More context is needed, the devil is in the details. What are your goals? What do you want to accomplish with the build? What's your preferred playstyle? Ranged vs melee? Hover or on the ground? Mostly Team or Solo? Must have powers?/pools? Based on @Meknomancer's feedback it sounds like you missed some must have picks and you have some bad slotting on key powers. His templates are a good starting point. If going off his templates you'll need figure out whether you want to fully take advantage of the melee range attacks from fire manipulation or if you'd rather hang back and use ranged blasts.

That definitely can happen, especially with superspeed where you can zoom into the next mob. There are very few scenarios where I'll joust with super speed on. You can also hop joust with combat jumping. That's more controlled and precise to where you want to land. It's still a great tool for when you want to inferno those 3 mobs on the towers that the tank is grouping together but doesn't have full aggro control, and you don't want to be right in the thick of it for your animation. Definitely agreed on separation from the team, that can start off cascading deaths. But jousting still has it's place when used correctly/wisely.

I took my Fire/Elec as is (40% s/l def 45% Range Def and no notable S/L resistance, no melee core, no rune of prot) to hardmode Aeon and ITF and it does just fine, I even stood next to stuff and punched them in the face. You'll probably die a few or a lot on your first tries but as soon as you learn the mechanics (bricknauts boom, Nictus posession, Rom void judgement, etc...) you can avoid those completely avoidable sources of death if you pay attention. As I noted in another post, most often people die on those TFs because of the following: 1 - Not moving/poor positioning/getting stuck in animation (learn to joust people!) 2 - Lack of awareness 3 - Stubborness (scrapperlock or whatever you want to call it, especially stupid when one dies and resurrects and for whatever reason believes the power of Thor has been bestowed upon him and decides to single-handedly take revenge against the 6 EBs that swatted them) 4 - Poor priorities. A lot of people still tab - closest target and call it a day. And support that doesn't buff Rezzed teammates. 5 - Getting separated from the team. Like the blaster that thinks backing away from the lone EB chasing it and distancing himself farther and farther away from the team, while continuing to shoot the said EB is a good idea. This list is no different than how people die on normal content. It's just more pronounced for HM. Start with how you play and not the build. Playstyle and understanding game mechanics > build. But the build has some impact on your performance too. some observations from dying a few times with my Fire/Elec on these runs. Sustain auras that aggro can be bad for your health, especially after you rez. You are at your most vulnerable after you rez and a sustain aura that aggros is just inviting death. Also not too great if you are speeding because you can't wait 5 seconds for it to suppress and it'll invite extra pokes as you speed by mobs.. Flying, at least for ITF is OP. You can avoid a lot of things with fly. About the only thing that is highly recommended from a loadout perspective is T4 barrier. Strategic cycling of that among you and your teammates is how you power through stuff like the vanguard encounter in Aeon. I also recommend T4 void judgement, the -dmg it does helps you and the team.

I run tactics because I hate blind. It's rather selfish, but it helps the team, so it's not selfish. I don't know what I am, maybe a panda.

Leadership toggles cost a lot of end! Proceeds to take focused accuracy... I don't see leadership as selfish or selfless though. I see people skipping or not using clear mind and the like with the justification that "I am busy doing damage and that's helping too" using that lens, however. Oh here is a power that can help about half of all ATs cover a major hole for the majority of their leveling career. Nope, gonna skip it because everyone has access to clarion... at level 50.

8 Staff/Regen Brutes with Whirlwind. SPIN to WIN!

I see the same things that cause people to die in regular content: 1 - Not moving/poor positioning/getting stuck in animation (learn to joust people!) 2 - Lack of awareness 3 - Stubborness (scrapperlock or whatever you want to call it, especially stupid when one dies and resurrects and for whatever reason believes the power of Thor has been bestowed upon him and decides to single-handedly take revenge against the 6 EBs that swatted them) 4 - Poor priorities. A lot of people still tab - closest target and call it a day. And support that doesn't buff Rezzed teammates. 5 - Getting separated from the team. Like the blaster that thinks backing away from the lone EB chasing it and distancing himself farther and farther away from the team, while continuing to shoot the said EB is a good idea. Player build is a factor, but at the same time you don't need a 45%/75% build to run 4 stars either. Learning the fundamentals of gameplay will do more in the long run than any "maxxed out" build will.

It won't be all that effective. As much as I endorse whirlwind it's only suited for certain sets that can handle the end drain, and when you stuff a KB>KD proc in it the pulse goes down dramatically. I use it on my staff/regen brute because it can handle the end drain and regen can use all the help it can get, but for a nature defender, not so much. Ice blasts slows won't be enough to hinder mobs, you'll need a lot of slow to really mess with mob ai. You might find more success with stacking weak mez auras is if there is another source to stack with it. I have an ice control/earth assault/psi mastery Dominator that stacks arctic air + mud pots + world of confusion. With domination it can help punch through the mez protection that hardmode grants mobs AND the slows give you additional mitigation (ice slick is also very useful). Although even if you have the best luck in the world with that combo surviving melee, if you don't learn to move you'll be sure to get possessed by Nictus from dead EBs on hardmode ITF.

It's not. As a squishy the tankmage playstyle that IOs accords you for easy content reverts back to keeping your distance for hardmode content. That's not to say you can't use melee range powers like PBAOEs but you'll really want to minimize your exposure to melee through jousting/hovering above/staying on the fringe. Standing your ground in the middle of a thick pack of mobs is a sure way to rack up deaths for that type of content and a Mag 1 sporadic hold that needs to hit is laughably inconsequential as a means of mitigation when a lot of hardmode mobs have beefed up mez protection/resistance/defense. Besides, even if you are able to subdue a few minions, it's the bosses/EBs that will happily ignore the hold and kill you. Those are the real threats and the aura does nothing to hinder them. Best case scenario you use it as a set mule and remove it from your tray. It's not worth the end drain. I'd go as far to say it's not all that useful for regular content as well, its useful/uselessness is just masked by how powerful IOs are at augmenting survival. It does look pretty though. I'd take it for theme and aesthetics, but never for it's utility.

Actually it's a bunch of empty longboats (because ninjas), and It's hidden history.

I did a 3 star ITF yesterday on my Staff/Regen Brute with Whirlwind. She SPIN so hard, and kept SPINNING through Nictus possession, and we won. End of story. Forget Brute ATOs, SPINNING is OP.

It's tough to pay the KB tax and fit FF procs in and shoot for high recharge + softcap, AND take the teleport pool for fold space. This took me a few iterations and I had to drop munitions to squeeze more recharge in. This is what I ended up with. This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.2.17 https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn Click this DataLink to open the build! Level 50 Natural Blaster Primary Power Set: Assault Rifle Secondary Power Set: Devices Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Teleportation Ancillary Pool: Force Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Burst -- SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(7) Level 1: Toxic Web Grenade -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(7), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(9), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(11) Level 2: Slug -- Apc-Dmg(A), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Apc-Acc/Rchg(13), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Apc-Dam%(15) Level 4: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Ksm-ToHit+(15), LucoftheG-Def(17), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(17) Level 6: M30 Grenade -- SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg(A), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), Bmbdmt-+FireDmg(19), Ann-ResDeb%(21), SuddAcc--KB/+KD(21), FrcFdb-Rechg%(23) Level 8: Super Speed -- WntGif-ResSlow(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(23), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(25) Level 10: Targeting Drone -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 12: Sniper Rifle -- StnoftheM-Acc/Dmg(A), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx(25), StnoftheM-Acc/ActRdx/Rng(27), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), StnoftheM-Dam%(29), FrcFdb-Rechg%(29) Level 14: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31) Level 16: Kick -- ExpStr-Dmg/KB(A), ExpStr-Acc/KB(31), ExpStr-Dam%(50) Level 18: Flamethrower -- SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(31), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(33), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(34) Level 20: Field Operative -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Prv-Absorb%(34), PwrTrns-+Heal(34) Level 22: Tough -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A) Level 24: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(36), Rct-ResDam%(36), Rct-Def(36) Level 26: Ignite -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(37), Artl-Dam/Rech(37), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(37), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(39), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(39) Level 28: Trip Mine -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), Arm-Dam%(40), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(40), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(40), FrcFdb-Rechg%(42) Level 30: Combat Teleport -- BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(A), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(42) Level 32: Full Auto -- Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(A), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(43), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Rgn-Knock%(43) Level 35: Personal Force Field -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 38: Gun Drone -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(45), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(45), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(46), ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(46) Level 41: Caltrops -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(46), Artl-Dam/Rech(48), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(48), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(48), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(50) Level 44: Temp Invulnerability -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A) Level 47: Teleport -- BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(A), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(50) Level 49: Fold Space -- DS:DSyncThreatAccRech(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Defiance Level 1: Sprint -- Clr-Stlth(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 1: Swift -- Empty(A) Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A) Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A) Level 8: Speed Phase Level 49: Quick Form Level 50: Musculature Radial Paragon ------------ | Copy & Paste this data into Mids Reborn : Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1410;677;1354;HEX;| |78DA65934D4F13511486EFCCDCA114A8400B2D08144B85420BD316BF56C66F5C008| |680FB6602436DD2D0A61D22AC3446E24F3051C4AD11D919FF803F408DEE74635CB8| |E24331EE4C3D33EFB941E2A4D3A7F79CF3DE73EE39BDB36BD7DB9697A72E0B2D74A| |D6CD7EB85ABF4ED3AB5C02DDB5DADD965E13D017AFBD95198B7578ACE9275A55EB7| |57CB6E61BEB45C7662CAB9B05AAD566AAE75D35E2A3A6E5DB4CD552A656BC6B1ABA| |595628BBF58A83ACE52C8FF39552ADE71C911F657B79DB2E3896DB7545909DFA896| |16ADA94A6DD129CCFA7BAFF7501543F40E7B25697E610D530829445E0A5D63EAA03| |498126C32C17BFF88A578C1CE9760F336F315D8B2038E781A25D2C675382DB02DCB| |CC8127F26094BA66B0C830BA3538FFD072408A8E2EAC3BA60D9FA364365157C3345| |F236DF80D53377D767D4770D737D8A31BC8940C60449E580FF42128FA19CE9E2FE0| |03F206B91C114C08DF9826B46A9CB6F51D8C3DEFC1931F981FC1FE4F4C4E3B44394| |3BCA316CA78CEA088337572B6F3CE7AFB5D5244A488AF81F975D08BED5493EC7C82| |C2E34FC1539BCC67CC2D30F11C7C48AA088BF508F737B1CB41BFD12283CAE856A7E| |E9E84539231A626136365721FCEE421730F1CA7A85E5563AF81499C964C93D9048E| |0498CDE006A9FA547FFB36F9DFB405A62EA28FA94BC894FA0A8E717F47A8CC01D5D| |F011EE7188F7382AC833C733978869D67C1F439E679E60570DBC00DF2BB31C4077F| |E45D2975C0E17D448E1F307F307F72DA43E62FF03EA94679477394BB33C1DDC9727| |7B2DC9D2C7727CFDDD9A172326A38196F22743352746A4B9DDAE253E7F9D4465488| |9C52E426BDDB6F887E29D4D3A00F3D22218F6E7963E6983F889DE6A40A20A3E68B7| |65B8E44BCCFFE315302F3D9FB3FEEE098E93152BC4D1F5DCBC6342D726A3113A100| |55DE5F5529C79F| |-------------------------------------------------------------------|

I'm so glad you asked. 1 it's a fairly rare combo mostly on account that Axe is overshadowed by Mace. 2 It's unthematically thematic - a Viking Ninja? A Ninja Firefighter? A Dwarf Ninja? An Axe Wielding Panda Ninja? The possibilities are limitless (as long as they are ninjas)! 3 It's about the feels. All the Knockup/Knockdown feels powerful and fun, much more fun than making drunk mobs stagger out of melee range. 4: Synergies a) Defense sets that are easier to softcap lend better to stuffing more procs into attacks This is not exclusive to Nin but it does help with Axe's damage type b) Procs = heavier endurance usage which Nin can very easily address through it's recovery tool, which is pretty unique in that it's unaffected by -recovery debuffs c) That above recovery tool and the heal both benefit from more recharge and you can slot an FF proc into all Axe attacks (not that you need to) d) With all the FF procs you may not need hasten, which gives you room to experiment with other pools (or just be a hipster and not take hasten) e) The knockdowns can help with keeping stuff in melee range, to somewhat offset the lack of a taunt aura f) Did I mention you are a Ninja?

What are your goals with the build? Optimization really depends on context. You can max out a build designed to do damage at the cost of safety, or you can max it out on the other extreme and focus on extreme levels of safety at the cost of (a lot of) damage. Most people settle somewhere in between. Your power selections and pool choices greatly impact how to design and optimize your build. So what do you want to accomplish with the build? What's your playstyle? All ranged/hover blasting or do you mind stepping into melee range to drop a bomb every once in a while? Is this strictly for teaming or would you like to hold your own solo? What are must have power picks for you? What are nice to haves? Anything else that help define the parameters of your build/goals?

Also ran - Rad/Ice. It's different and has a bunch of synergies with two auras, ice slowing down incoming damage and managing endurance and Rad providing a heal. Group B - Broadsword/Radiation, because it's not fair to pick all defense based builds and BS/Rad is a mix of old and new with room to experiment on procs and non-traditional build making. Group A - Martial/Shield because Cap Murica! Since you mentioned that "The One" can be a new entry completely different from the list. I stand by Axe/Ninjitsu. Forever. And you should too. Also this: Please don't fix that typo 😁

If you want survival above all else then I recommend defense bonuses as a priority like @Meknomancer suggested. The standard way to augment your defense for a melee-centric blaster is to take scorpion shield for an easy boost to S/L defense and build upon that. Another way that you can approach defense is to use power boost to give you enough defense to handle alpha strikes but that's much more clicky. With power boost you can also cut the +acc build. If you took tactics/build up/aim you should have no problems hitting stuff when those are boosted by power boost. I've often emphasized the need for range defense even on melee centric builds. I believe that's even more relevant with the defense and mob aggro AI changes that came with page 4. Range defense is a bit more of a catch all for all the ranged stuff things mobs throw at you. Think of maps where mobs are spread out and are all too happy to shoot you at a distance, or if you hit a few ambush/adds and mobs start shooting at you from range. Even at maximum melee range saturation you will still have mobs unable to reach you and resort to shooting. Often times you'll get range attacks that don't have an S/L component and some of those carry nasty debuffs. As long as you can move and keep a little bit of distance between you are the mob you are effectively using range defense to your advantage. There's no difference in being 50 feet away or 10 feet away, as long as mobs can't melee you, they are either shooting you are chasing you. And if you leverage jousting mechanics you can maximize the work that high range defense does on such a build. Also treat energize as an autofire power that keeps your endurance usage manageable, not primarily as an on-demand heal. A few issues back I toyed with my build with the goal of hitting high defenses and good resists without using scorpion shield. Mostly because I wanted a build that had both Total focus and Knockout blow. This is what I came up with, I considered hitting those goals a success. This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.2.17 https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn Click this DataLink to open the build! Thunda Panda Tough: Level 50 Technology Blaster Primary Power Set: Electrical Blast Secondary Power Set: Energy Manipulation Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Concealment Power Pool: Leadership Power Pool: Fighting Ancillary Pool: Leviathan Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Lightning Bolt -- SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(40), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(48) Level 1: Power Thrust -- Empty(A) Level 2: Ball Lightning -- SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(7) Level 4: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Ksm-ToHit+(7) Level 6: Short Circuit -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(9), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(9), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(11) Level 8: Charge Up -- RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(A), RctRtc-Pcptn(13), GssSynFr--Build%(13) Level 10: Stealth -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 12: Zapp -- StnoftheM-Acc/Dmg(A), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx(15), StnoftheM-Acc/ActRdx/Rng(15), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), StnoftheM-Dam%(17) Level 14: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A), WntGif-ResSlow(19) Level 16: Energize -- NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx(A), NmnCnv-EndRdx/Rchg(19), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(21), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(21), NmnCnv-Heal(23), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(23) Level 18: Build Up -- RctRtc-ToHit(A), RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(25) Level 20: Bone Smasher -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(25), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), KntCmb-Knock%(27), HO:Nucle(29) Level 22: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-Def(29), Rct-Def/EndRdx(31), Rct-ResDam%(31) Level 24: Boxing -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(31), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), KntCmb-Knock%(33) Level 26: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A) Level 28: Power Boost -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33) Level 30: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(34), ShlWal-Def(34), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(34) Level 32: Thunderous Blast -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(36), Artl-Dam/Rech(36), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(36), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(37), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(37) Level 35: Tactics -- RctRtc-ToHit(A), RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(37) Level 38: Total Focus -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(39), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), KntCmb-Knock%(39), HO:Nucle(40) Level 41: Bile Spray -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(42), Artl-Dam/Rech(42), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(42), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(43), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(43) Level 44: Knockout Blow -- SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(A), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(45), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(45), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(46), FrcFdb-Rechg%(46) Level 47: Shark Skin -- GldArm-End/Res(A), GldArm-RechRes(47), GldArm-RechEnd(47), GldArm-Res/Rech/End(47), GldArm-ResDam(48), GldArm-3defTpProc(48) Level 49: Vengeance -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 1: Defiance Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- UnbLea-Stlth(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 1: Swift -- Empty(A) Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A) Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A) Level 1: Shocked Level 49: Quick Form Level 14: Double Jump Level 50: Agility Core Paragon Level 50: Portal Jockey Level 50: Task Force Commander Level 50: The Atlas Medallion Level 50: Freedom Phalanx Reserve ------------ | Copy & Paste this data into Mids Reborn : Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1528;720;1440;HEX;| |78DA65945B6F125110C7CFB2674B4BC14AE9D5DEA0F7822EB4353EF960D49268DB8| |4B6E89B215BD8C249B6BB2B2C8D7C00DFD5684CEC457DF45DBF81EF6AF4D1AFD0D6| |C4371383C3CE1C4BD30DEC2F3367CECC7F8673587F7237BCB393BDC594C81DCBA8D| |50AB7E1ED99D550DE2C566CC772CA0D064F6FBE52B74B463C67B4DE79A75EAE04C1| |3D41D1854DC32E9B257DC5328B5E55140D0BF34CC9F5ADBAEB3A554F5FB1CD6AB95| |158376CE1D62DC3138ECDC239C7B1F435D370855D8EFAC63D7B4FD4C4B6B084D7E8| |91CB25B35AAB0837E2DB5951AE78109F587145515FF7ABEC0ABB545833F784E1550| 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You are the one advertising and people are just taking you up on your offer. Nothing wrong with that. If you need to know who they switched to, left click their local name in chat and get their global, you can repeat this even if they go offline and you can grab their new local name via that action (on their previous name) once they are back online. I find it strange that some team leaders don't take the time to read all chat. I've been on more than one team where the team leader is advertising in LFG and there's a dude standing right next to them asking "LF X TF" or "Do you still have room?" That's followed by minutes of silence and then they invite a few more people (presumably those that sent tells) to fill the team. That behavior annoys me, like at least have the courtesy to tell the guy standing right next to you that the team is filled or that you got a few people coming. Same thing with group leaders that advertise in LFG then ignore the people asking to join via LFG. To me it's all fair game and I find it unfair to those asking in LFG to get invited ignored in favor of those that send tells. If a player can't be bothered to pay attention to chat, that speaks to me about the kind of player they are. Though it's hardly relevant for EZPZ content I'd be sure to attribute that inability to read chat for more difficult content that requires following instructions or coordination. This also applies to advertisements that specifically ask players to send tells when in zone and players that ignore that specific instruction (I totally get the reasoning for that as well for co-op events, for example).

Fire/fire is not really a high damage AoE tank. It has a good number of AoEs but the Fire melee AoEs are mediocre at best. Combustion and FSC take up about 6 seconds of cast time, and that's a lot of time for a mediocre amount of damage with standard slotting, and it's a lot of time for PuG teammates to mess with mob positioning. I believe the gripe here is rooted partly in the inability of that combo to kill stuff fast. I think there is a psychological "feel bad" of having mobs knocked about before you can kill a few of them, and I wonder if your perspective would change if you played a high AoE damage tank instead. I'd recommend playing an AoE tank with good alpha strike capabilities and compare that experience against your Fire/Fire tank, like a Rad/SS proc build.

The thumbs down wasn’t about the claim. It’s more about the effort put into actually helping the reader understand the claim. There are many posts out there that are in the tune of XYZ is bad, do ABC instead but lack the proper context and explanation. Those posts have little value IMO. I am weary of build posts that just offer a build and no explanation. I don’t think those empower the reader to get any better and make their own decisions. That’s all.

Those are fake Pandas. Real pandas have few words and let their Bonking speak for them. Bonk Bonk!

I use Pandas. They hide behind the blasters. TFs go faster when you have a Panda on the team, and everyone smiles.

Sometimes. I occasionally participate in 801s and relentless Aeons but my experiences with the former has really soured me on actively participating in such activities. To me, hardmode represents a fairly rare opportunity in this game to work together as a team. However, more often than not when I join an 801 it's just a bunch of people soloing and leaning heavily on their builds. I think any hardmode content that involves "vanilla" groups of mobs can be overcome with intelligent play and I'd love to see more teammates pull, position tactically, use line of sight, and employ any number of basic game mechanics to overcome difficult odds. Instead I just see people with a speed running mentality zerg such content and overtune their builds to compensate, it's not the experience I want. Like @The_Warpact, my SG is a bunch of casuals that sometime even has trouble running LRSF (yes, those folks exist. Not everyone can speed run MLTF/LRSF in under 30 minutes), and I tend to PuG a lot which is both a blessing and a curse. PuGs are not the best option for difficult content when badges are involved, unfortunately. If I run such hard content I do it to see how my non-overtuned/optimized for hard content build can go on my skills alone. Whether the team succeeds or not, it's rewarding enough for me to know that I can hang.

I should clarify, I mean the end discount applies to all his attacks too. So if you look at recovery through the lens of a normal build with no end discounts at all it's low, but factor in that all his toggles and attacks/clicks now cost 60% less end, on top of the end redux he's slotting into the powers themselves, that recovery becomes good enough that he shouldn't be running out of end super fast even if he's spamming attacks non-stop. For normal engagements that last all of 10-30 seconds before you move on to the next spawn it's good enough, the time spent traveling to the next spawn should be enough time for you to recover. For prolonged AV/GM fights you will see the blue bar dip but that's nothing that few blue pills/team mate buffs, recovery serums can't fix. Now that I've looked at the build in mids, there are a few areas of optimization: 1) 3 slots hasten - +5 2 of the IOs and save a slot 2) 6 slot tactics - I'd rather have guassians in aim for on-demand build up proc to punch through nemesis vengeance or Paragon Protector Moment of Glory. The proc rate in tactics is poor unless you are on a huge team/league. 3) I'd take power boost, maybe that's what the empty slot is for, maybe it's for vengeance for another LOTG 4) I'd drop assault, the damage bonus is deceptive and not all that impactful for blasters. (now you can fit both power boost and vengeance in!) 5) I'd replace the miracle with a panacea unique, and slot the performance shift +end in stamina, the sudden bursts of endurance do far more than static recovery, and gets around -recovery debuffs. 6) 2 slotting your travel powers with blessing of zephyr is a super efficient way to get both KB protection and range defense. 7) At decent enough recharge you'll almost never use power blast as a part of your regular rotation. If you want to eek out a bit more recovery and get a better heal in the process, put those slots from power blast into energize and 6 slot it with the Numina set. Here's a re-work, keeping it cheapish and shuffled some slots so you can exemp better. Most people don't care what order they take powers but it matters a great deal if you want to do lower level content like those WST positrons and such. The way this build progresses you will have softcapped range + SL defense by the time you exemp for Citadel. This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.2.17 https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn Click this DataLink to open the build! Powerbolt: Level 50 Magic Blaster Primary Power Set: Energy Blast Secondary Power Set: Energy Manipulation Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Power Blast -- Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg(3), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(3) Level 1: Power Thrust -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(5), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(5), KntCmb-Knock%(7) Level 2: Energy Torrent -- SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(7), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(9), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(11) Level 4: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 6: Build Up -- RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(A), RctRtc-Pcptn(13), RechRdx-I(50) Level 8: Power Burst -- SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(13), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(17) Level 10: Bone Smasher -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dam%(19), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(21), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(21), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(23) Level 12: Sniper Blast -- StnoftheM-Acc/Dmg(A), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx(23), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), StnoftheM-Acc/ActRdx/Rng(25), StnoftheM-Dmg/ActRdx/Rchg(27), Dvs-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27) Level 14: Super Speed -- BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(A), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(29) Level 16: Energize -- NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx(A), NmnCnv-EndRdx/Rchg(29), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(31), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(31), NmnCnv-Heal(31), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(33) Level 18: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33) Level 20: Aim -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(33), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(34), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(34), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(34), GssSynFr--Build%(36) Level 22: Kick -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(36), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(36), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37) Level 24: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(37), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(37) Level 26: Explosive Blast -- OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg(A), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(39), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(39), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(39), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(40), FrcFdb-Rechg%(40) Level 28: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(40), UnbGrd-ResDam(42), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(42), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(42), UnbGrd-Max HP%(43) Level 30: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(43), LucoftheG-Def(43) Level 32: Nova -- Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45), Erd-Dmg/Rchg(45), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(45), SuddAcc--KB/+KD(46) Level 35: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(46), LucoftheG-Def(46) Level 38: Power Boost -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 41: Tactics -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 44: Energy Punch -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(48), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(48), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50), Mk'Bit-Dam%(50) Level 47: Vengeance -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 49: Super Jump -- WntGif-ResSlow(A) Level 1: Defiance Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- Clr-Stlth(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A) Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A) Level 49: Quick Form Level 49: Double Jump 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 4: Ninja Run Level 14: Speed Phase ------------ | Copy & Paste this data into Mids Reborn : Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1554;703;1406;HEX;| |78DA65944B4F135114C7EF3C0A165A01CBD382500A82832D545D881A350A6CA449A| |1E8968C3094D1DA19DB12E503F8194C147C248AFA3974EF6B29F111978ABAD044E3| |623C9DF3BFD4A693747E73FFE7DE73FE73EF99A66F4E85565666CE0A257C3E6F964| |A8BE7E85EB68A81B499B397045DC18C73C32A5E76F2E5461A45115F9C370B396B39| |395DB08AB9755E1597B1EC9AEB3AC5B20CA6CD82EDAEE5CDB2ED144428E338F9E4A| 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