Crysis

I’ve already got a AR/Devices and an Ice/Devices. Both were fun but I’d like to trade out the primary. Which and would you use....Beam or DP? Im thinking DP and Devices synergize well. But really struggling to hit defense caps in MIDS without gimping my damage. Anyone have a DP/Devices build that at least softcaps positional or S/L Def?

First, credit to @Apparitionwho posted a build some time ago I used as the basis for my own. But they had Hover/Fly/Afterburner and I went down the Sorcery pool to get Mystic Flight and Rune instead. What you end up with is S/L softcapped +DEF and when Rune is active you hit mid 40's to low 50's in +RES for all but Negative and Psi damage, plus it's a good always-available Breakfree. With Burnout you can do some neat party tricks like double Hail of Bullets every so often....makes the ITF's a lot of fun. 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! Muzzle Velocity: Level 50 Science Blaster Primary Power Set: Dual Pistols Secondary Power Set: Temporal Manipulation Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Sorcery Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leaping Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery Villain Profile: Level 1: Pistols -- SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(A), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), AchHee-ResDeb%(46) Level 1: Time Wall -- EnfOpr-Acc/Rchg(A), EnfOpr-Immob/Rng(3), EnfOpr-Acc/Immob/Rchg(11), EnfOpr-Acc/Immob(25) Level 2: Aging Touch -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(5), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(13), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Hct-Dam%(46) Level 4: Time Stop -- UnbCns-Acc/Hold/Rchg(A), UnbCns-EndRdx/Hold(7) Level 6: Swap Ammo Level 8: Bullet Rain -- SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(A), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(39), Ann-ResDeb%(48) Level 10: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(11) Level 12: Chronos -- RctRtc-ToHit(A), RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(13), GssSynFr--Build%(17), RechRdx-I(34) Level 14: Super Speed -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A) Level 16: End of Time -- SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(A), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(40) Level 18: Executioner's Shot -- Apc-Dmg/Rchg(A), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), Apc-Acc/Rchg(21), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(34), Apc-Dam%(40) Level 20: Temporal Healing -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(21), Prv-Heal/Rchg(23), PrfShf-EndMod(36), PrfShf-EndMod/Rchg(40), PrfShf-End%(50) Level 22: Mystic Flight -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(23) Level 24: Spirit Ward -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A) Level 26: Piercing Rounds -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(27), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(37), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Ann-ResDeb%(50) Level 28: Rune of Protection -- Ags-Psi/Status(A), Ags-ResDam(29), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(29) Level 30: Boxing -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(31), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(31), KntCmb-Knock%(37) Level 32: Hail of Bullets -- Arm-Dmg/Rchg(A), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Arm-Acc/Rchg(33), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(37), Arm-Dam%(43), FrcFdb-Rechg%(50) Level 35: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def(36), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(36) Level 38: Time Lord -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A) Level 41: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def(42), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(42), Rct-ResDam%(42), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(43) Level 44: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(45), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(45), UnbGrd-Max HP%(45), GldArm-3defTpProc(46) Level 47: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(48), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(48) Level 49: Burnout -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Defiance Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Clr-Stlth(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 -- IntRdx-I(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A) Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Prv-Absorb%(5) Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-EndMod/Acc(7), PrfShf-End%(15) Level 6: Chemical Ammunition Level 6: Cryo Ammunition Level 6: Incendiary Ammunition Level 0: Born In Battle Level 0: High Pain Threshold Level 0: Invader Level 0: Marshal Level 50: Musculature Core Paragon Level 50: Reactive Radial Flawless Interface Level 50: Ion Core Final Judgement Level 50: Longbow Radial Superior Ally Level 50: Melee Core Embodiment Level 1: Quick Form Level 50: Ageless Radial Epiphany ------------

I really see no way around it now. If you want to min/max your influence accumulation, you have to mix and match the below: 1) AFK Farming while playing normal content on a different account (mind the multi-box rules). If low pop server/times, multi-account AFK farm. 2) Run for AE tix, roll low Bronze rewards, craft and converter flip into 3-7MM rare IO’s on the marketplace (Marketeer) 3) Rather than “buy it NAO” when influence was easy to get, Marketeer to get nearby IO fodder you can convert into what you want Basically, while most farmers were also Marketeering before, now you have to do a lot more of standing around and playing the market if you want to get even close to where you were. I already was at the influence cap on all my 50’s, and was already AFK farming AND Marketeering both, but I reckon this new influence-while-examplared nerf has reduced my influence gain by about 25-40% per hour. It’s also far busier as you now doing a lot more Marketeering to compensate. Which for me wasn’t/isn’t fun in the least bit, but then neither was having to build for +DEF on my nerfed Regen’s back in the day. Adapt and overcome. Or just be compliant. Not like we’ve got a lot of choice. It’s not really “Just play the game” it’s more like “Just play the game THIS way or don’t play it at all.”

Don’t know if anyone has actually played with procc’ing out Caltrops but you really, really should. Not for damage....but for slows and holds and all kinds of other goodies. The DOT goes bezerk with procs.

Taunt is valuable to a tanker, ill agree to that. But level 10-20 is done in a matter of hours to normal players, and skipped entirely by many. Any benchmark for how a build should work really should be focused on the levels 25-50, as that’s where most of the leveling time exists.

Repair has limited value to a Bots/EA MM. Skip it. Amp Up has very limited value soloing, and marginal value when teaming unless you team with a player who can get value from the things Amp Up actually “amps.” The Power Info tab is absolutely erroneous for the power and it boosts only half of what it’s showing. Power Boost from Epic pools would be a better choice and it actually boosts some of your own powers. Amp Up has almost no effect on Henchmen. Defibrillate has almost zero value late game. Draining mobs is useless for a steamrolling team in the mid 40’s and up. The sleep is wasted when nothing survives the first five seconds anyways. I would take at least Photon attack....procc’ed out it does ok damage but the Stun is nice. Almost a dozen Bots/EA Builds in this thread. EA is “ok” as a set. Hard to beat /Time.

Photon Grenade procc’ed out ain’t horrible. It’s not good either but it’s at least better than a temp power and since you’ll skip Repair on the primary for Bots it’s likely worth it. Def better than Arcane Bolt.

Just dinged 50 today on a AR/Tactical Arrow Blaster. Ranged softcap. Works perfect for getting the cones lined up and I actually LOVE Ignite as a follow up to an immobilized spawn from my ESD arrow. Also a nice trick to run into your own Ignite patch as it doubles as a melee safe zone since everything is trying to Baywatch themselves out of there very, very slowly while you just cackle and kill. Might be my new favorite Blaster.

Yes you can but again, at least on teams, holds/sleeps/immobilize have little use. Solo it’s marginally useful.

Yes it takes Targeted AOE damage IO's, Knockback IO's and Universal Damage. Like I said earlier, it's a two-slot wonder with a SA Knockback to Knockdown and a FF +Recharge Proc. Or you can throw in an Annhilation -RES proc and use it against hard targets like AV's.

There’s a half dozen or so Bots/EA builds posted here: Personally, I think Amp Up is fairly useless outside of teaming with certain kinds of characters. Has no effect on your own henchmen. PowerBoost would be a better alternative if you want to increase some of your own power effects while simultaneously more broadly useful for a variety of teammates. And I haven’t even triggered Defibrillate since maybe level 42. Nobody needs a Rez (or triggers their own self-Rez before I can get to them), and the draining function isn’t insta, nor even all that useful when stuff is dying too fast. So I’ll respec out of it at 50. All those stacks of Static will just be wasted Other than increasing the chaining, but that’s kind of stupid mechanic anyways. It feels a lot like the Sentinel inherent....hey look it, I can paint a big cross hair on that tar....oh nvm, team killed it already. All in all, it’s a decent set with bots, but Bots/Time....really ANYTHING/Time, just blows it out of the water.

I normally play Storm as a secondary on my MM and Corruptor classes. Gale is two slotted with a Knockdown and a FF +Recharge proc. It triggers often. I don’t even use Hurricane past level 30. Just not needed.

This. Or if I’m really wishing. Give all powers with Knock-anything- a toggle switch in settings to let player choose for Back, Up, or Down. No IO’s needed.

Which is why most farmers have switched to AE ticket rewards now, which also is indicative of prices dropping on market as supply increases even while exemplaring influence decreases.

Haven’t solo’d any AV’s with my Blaster but have almost all of them (minus a few like LR) On my Beam/Traps Corruptor. Ranged damage isn’t the hard part, staying alive when you are the focal point of their anger is. But if you used Temp powers like the Signature tank summon to keep aggro off of you (or Lore Pets for same) and stuff like Envenomed Daggers or Shivans I think it’s possible to do with a good high Def Blaster build.

This. Ive not tried it with a different sex “normal” avatar into an opposite massive avatar yet, accompanied with an emote to do the costume change between slots, but always wanted to have a schoolgirl for the normal day job avatar and then morph into a giant Mecha for the Tanker mode. Sort of like a Peacebringer moving from human into Crab form.

Cosmetic Surgeons. You can not only change height etc but you can change sex also.

Classy. I actually thought more highly of you than that. The rules of this forum use are pretty clear. There's only one place to direct exploits once detected. Not here. Not to you. And the definition of "exploit" is also clearly defined as well. "Do not cheat or abuse exploits 1) If you find an exploit please report it to a member of staff immediately 2) This includes the use of scripts and programs to automate gameplay 3) This includes trying to deceive or otherwise cheat other players for your own gain" https://forums.homecomingservers.com/code-of-conduct/

^^^ Yes, exactly this. I won't say it's as EASY to earn 200MM influence an hour like was just AFK farming (especially multi-account farming) but it is still possible. Which gets back to the core issue I always have with these kinds of nerfs. There remain certain methods to still accumulate INF and levels quickly. Farming did it, farming + Marketeering does it, Marketeering does it by itself (once you've got enough funds to buy large allocations of stuff as flip-fuel). So I don't really understand why the Devs just keep nerfing influence gain. There's always workarounds. Until they just flat out nerf farming or shut down the AE. And then, back to Council maps.

Have to hit that drop down each and every time. You’ll forget now and then and waste some converters. Well I should say every time other than when you are flipping Event IO’s.

Craft your recipes, convert uncommon IO's to Rares, then convert Rares until you get to something that will sell for 1.5+MM. You can convert within category or convert across categories. I'm not a huge fan of crafting within the set (3 converters) but some sets are worth it. Lots of Guides in this very forum on which sets are best to convert. It does two things. First, you've got a second account toon in the farm with you, so you (the farmer) and that other toon (the farmee) both earn about full architect tickets per run. Doesn't take long to max out tickets. 200 free yellow/uncommon recipes for less than an hour of running maps is pretty good. You won't do this all the time...once you make enough money you'll just buy stacks of Uncommon recipe's directly. But starting out, it's the first few hundred million that gives you the bankroll to make the rest of your billions. Second, because you've level locked them at 25, when they go to redeem their tickets, you can set the slider at 25 and the highest recipe you'll get on a random Bronze roll will be at 25. The game won't give you anything higher than your current level. At 25 and under, crafting prices remain very cheap for most uncommon sets, and there's a lot of overlap with other sets that create valuable enhancements. One example, very well known on the boards and in game, is Exploited Vulnerability, a Defense Debuff IO set that only runs levels 10-20. You can't get anything higher than lvl 20 in that set. The set itself is just ok, but if you notice, it's "sister set" in the same level range, also a Defense Debuff, is the Achille's Heel set of IO's. Within THAT set is Achille's Heel Chance for -RES proc. That proc often sells for 4MM or higher...have seen it hit 7MM on weekends when everyone is trying to level up their builds. So you use Converters to flip across lvl 20 Uncommon's until you hit Exploited Vulnerability, and then you Convert within category to create an Achille's Heel...often you'll get the Proc on the first convert. If not, spend a couple of converters to get to the Proc, or just sell the non-Proc Achille's outright. Even the non Proc's often go for 2MM+ because people will buy those to MAKE themselves a 'cheaper proc' using the Converter technique. There are a bunch of other little niches like this, but they come and go as people discover them, exploit them, they become oversaturated and then you move on. Also, the more you put stuff up for sale on the marketplace, the more likely you are to win the "One too many Zero's" Lottery. It's happened to me on BOTH sides of this before. But when it's in your favor, it's a nice little win.

The DOT from Incendiary rounds seems to stack well with Scourge. And some foes are weak to certain damage types more than others. But you’ll notice that as you level and if your bullets don’t appear to be doing as much damage as usual, try swapping to a different type. In general though, Negative is the least resisted damage type in the game, with Fire the next on list. Toxic is the MOST resisted damage type in the game. So unless what you are fighting is specifically resistant to Fire, you really have little reason to use the other types of ammo pretty much ever. Good info here:

Eh, I’m not sure where you got the impression that we disagree on that point but I fully agree that mandating how anyone should play this game died when it when it ceased to be a for-profit game. We are playing stolen code. Anyone who dictates anything right now is by law a pirate and a criminal. I’ll honor the guidelines but there should be no law here. Anyone who argues this is just an righteous idiot. But that said, the servers we play on have their own rules of conduct and either we abide or we perish. That simple. Ive adapted. Not happy about it and may not continue to play as much or at all but I’ve adapted. I’ve no choice when it comes to playing here.

I have several hundred bids at 75k or less. They are filled almost daily, almost always at same two times per day. When Europe goes to bed and when US goes to bed.

Prices in certain niches have dropped considerably but I don’t know for sure the net impact is worse or better. Things like Achilles Heel have increased but that’s likely due to flippers who have discovered the quick and easy flips from Undermined will net you 5M in profit for 2-5 converters. But what i HAVE seen is an increase in ratio of for sale vs bidders. This means the influence nerf has increased market activity in total.