Crysis

Run a second instance/account and AFK farm on that window while waiting on team members, game stuff etc on main account/window. I can easily make 30-40MM influence an hour doing absolutely nothing on farm account other than clicking iPowers every 3-5 minutes. 4X that much if I actively play that toon for farming of course but getting that much free money for doing almost nothing is a good use of spare cycles while I actively play my other alts.

Personally, I get the most XP exemp'ed to 49 vs 53 spawns, and yes its about 115K per boss then. But the fastest runs I've found are in the Shivan map with moving spawns. You position yourself in between as many as you can, you use your Lore pet to draw aggro beyond what you can, and you target passing mobs with a ranged AOE (like ball lightning) to pull them to you. So basically...you hardly move at all. You let them come to you. On the outdoor map, you have to move and that doesn't sound like much but in fact it can add significant non-XP earning time to your farming habits.

The only sure thing about Drops is the faster you kill the more you kill and the more you kill the more “drop rolls” you get. So if you want better chances at earning a Purple drop, kill more spawns and kill them faster.

I don’t think anyone directly answered your question. Most of the record times you see posted are farming solo. If you bring someone into the map to PL, a couple things happen that can slow you down. First, if they are earning XP/influence, its being pulled from your shared pool. Second, your inspiration drops will also be fewer than if you are solo (FAR fewer in fact) and thus you’ll have fewer to combine via macros into damage inspirations, meaning your damage output will be less than if you were farming influence solo. I PL alts and alts of friends often. For that, I often use the cave map or the outdoor map fire farms, just to keep the lowbie safe and to keep from having so much zone in/clear/zone out activity. I’ll also prefer to no exemp down but go straight +4s. But for influence farming at max influence per hour, you want to exemp down to 49 so you are fighting 53’s and be solo. With inspiration combine macros. And no EB’s. That’s the “best times” you are seeing.

I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen someone blot out their build slotting. Afraid of leaking PVP secrets?

Blasters were my thing in Live, but the Homecoming Blaster is a completely different kind of AT than it was back on Live, and this is all because of the Sustain. Back on Live the /Mental Manipulation Blaster secondary had Drain Psyche which was Foe -Regen/-Recovery and Self +Regen/+Recovery. To my knowledge, this was the only Blaster secondary with that kind of power. Now ALL Blaster secondaries have a Sustain power that’s similar, with most (all?) being a toggle. So many ways to slot it as well. You can drop +END uniques in there, things like Performance Shifter or Panacea, and get a significant amount of +REGEN/+RECOVERY from that single power. I’ve even done some frankenslotting on it with things like Preventative Medicine proc, Numina and Miracle procs etc. Sustain powers are truly a game changer. Build for at least one good positional or typed +DEF and between the two survivability is very high and Blapping is highly effective. Some primaries, like DP’s T9, even up your DEF during delivery of the power which, coupled with your Sustain, makes you quite tanky. With a relatively high investment in +DEF IO sets, Blasters are quite capable of soloin’g many TF’s, farming, etc. Times have changed! edit: Be sure to check out this thread for a better rundown onSustain powers:

If you note from my commentary above my build, I’m still trying to fit in BoneCrusher. I agree it’s a great melee attack. But my issue is that I can’t find a way to keep it 4-5 slotted and get the same + Def set bonuses in play that I’m getting via WebCocoon and Superior Entomb. Bonecrusher will take Stun IO’s and Universal Damage as well, but even there I can’t match the set bonuses of Superior Entomb.

I used ROF for 18-28 as a method to cover my retreat or if I pulled too many soloing. But once I respecced into a higher +DEF build it wasn’t necessary. And I’ll second the comment above about Bonfire. On HC with a KB to KD proc it’s actually a fairly solid opener Alpha, which works well with Ranged +DEF builds if you want to run in and Blap it up. Fire/Energy is a very versatile set allowing you a lot of play style options. Ranged +DEF and Boost Range. S/L +DEF and Bonesmasher + Total Focus. PowerBoost for any and pump your DEF to softcap or beyond to deliver Aim + BU + Inferno. Energize for max END. Partner up with a Kin and you literally become a Tank Mage. Killer combos.

Here's mine....been tweaking it for weeks now. Currently level 41 and highly durable and a powerhouse for damage. With Agility T4'd, softcap S/L and halfway to hard cap Energy +DEF, and a point off from NE and Ranged DEF....or beyond Softcap and at/beyond Hardcap once you click PowerBoost as an alpha-eater. I may go back and tweak a little more and see if I can get Bonecrusher in there. Since my DEF is so high, I use Total Focus on bosses often, or one shot the mezzer, so having Bonecrusher vs. Energy Punch likely would benefit the build better. You can likely boost +5 recharges into Hasten and Power Boost and shave a slot off of both at 50, as two-slotting them will be enough. Then take Bonecrusher and move some power choices around to accommodate same and six slot it using 4 from Punch and 1 each from Hasten and PowerBoost. Don’t forget to pop PowerBoost as your spawn opener....you'll hardcap DEF for Alpha’s. I do get mezzed every so often, but I routinely play solo content on +3/x8 and mop the floor with just about everything, and mezzers don’t live long enough to do me much damage. Energize is a great heal and END for days even with just the lone Panacea in there. Web Cocoon is just so-so....it’s in there more for the Entomb set bonuses than anything. Somewhat helpful for control, but not the best. Power Thrust is just too much fun. Nothing beats punching a bad guy under the chin and sending him flying while you quick snipe him....he’s dead before he hits the floor. As you can see, I’ve totally ignored the Hover/Fly and Boost Range build advice. I started this toon that way, but abandoned it in early 30’s. I played Fire/Energy on Live as one of my mains for years and I embrace the Blapper playstyle. With this kind of positional and typed +DEF, you’d be stupid not to. Maximum firepower, maximum defense. Sustain powers on Blasters and crash less nukes, oh my! That said, you could take Boost Range over something else I suppose and sub in Hover/Fly for CJ/SJ. I just like my feet on the ground with SS+Stealth. Consider the Rectified Reticle +PER IO in your mid/late 40’s. The +PER helps with Arachnos. Oh one last thing. I did make a slight change to this build. I put a Quickfoot Run/END into SuperSeep and shoved the Celerity +Stealth into Sprint. Let’s me more easily use Sprint to toggle on/off Stealth without losing SuperSpeed. QOL improvement. Whole build cost around 650MM influence. On a power per price index, this is the most cost effective, powerful build in my lineup outside of my TW/Bio scrapper. Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.962 http://www.cohplanner.com/ Click this DataLink to open the build! Fire Energy: Level 50 Mutation Blaster Primary Power Set: Fire Blast Secondary Power Set: Energy Manipulation Power Pool: Leadership Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leaping Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Flares -- Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(3), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), Thn-Acc/Dmg(5), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(7) Level 1: Power Thrust -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(7), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(9), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9) Level 2: Fire Ball -- Ann-Acc/Dmg(A), Ann-Dmg/Rchg(11), Ann-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Ann-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13), Ann-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Ann-ResDeb%(15) Level 4: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(17), DefBuff-I(19) Level 6: Build Up -- RctRtc-ToHit(A), RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(19) Level 8: Energy Punch -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(21), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(23) Level 10: Fire Blast -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(25), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(25), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50) Level 12: Super Speed -- Clr-Stlth(A) Level 14: Aim -- GssSynFr--Build%(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(27) Level 16: Boxing -- Empty(A) Level 18: Blaze -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(29), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(29), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(31), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(31) Level 20: Energize -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A) Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33), RechRdx-I(33) Level 24: Tough -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(33), RctArm-EndRdx/Rchg(34), StdPrt-ResKB(34), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(34), GldArm-3defTpProc(36) Level 26: Blazing Bolt -- StnoftheM-Acc/Dmg(A), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx(36), StnoftheM-Acc/ActRdx/Rng(36) Level 28: Weave -- ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(A), Ksm-ToHit+(37), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(37), LucoftheG-Rchg+(37), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(39), LucoftheG-Def(39) Level 30: Power Boost -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(39), RechRdx-I(40) Level 32: Inferno -- SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(A), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(42), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(42) Level 35: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(43), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(43), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(43) Level 38: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(45) Level 41: Total Focus -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(45), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(46), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), Mk'Bit-Dam%(46) Level 44: Web Envelope -- GrvAnc-Hold%(A) Level 47: Web Cocoon -- SprEnt-Acc/Hold(A), SprEnt-Hold/Rchg(48), SprEnt-End/Rchg(48), SprEnt-Acc/Hold/End(48), SprEnt-Acc/Hold/End/Rchg(50), SprEnt-Rchg/AbsorbProc(50) Level 49: Super Jump -- Empty(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Defiance 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+(15) Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(17) Level 50: Assault Core Embodiment Level 0: Portal Jockey Level 0: Task Force Commander Level 0: The Atlas Medallion Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve Level 50: Agility Core Paragon Level 50: Ageless Core Epiphany ------------

I did this once, bought 10 of what I thought were LOTG crafted enhancements, when in fact I bought 10 recipes for same. Check your recipes. I should say at the time I actually filed a petition with support (not realizing they were in my recipes storage) and the reply I got back was “Oops, sometimes AH does this, sorry but we can’t refund, etc” which means lets hope they are in your recipes because if not you may just be SOL.

It’s been since LIVE days that I made an AE map. I should try that again, it was kind of fun. But back then, and I think its still true today, the only way to maximize XP per mob (which is the goal of a farming map) is to give a balance of ranged/melee attacks to the MOBs. This is why the “Investigate Warrior Earth” and the Alternative Earth Council portal missions remains very popular for S/L oriented characters outside of AE. Anyone know if this remains true on HC?

As others have pointed out, almost any toon can farm AE given the right mission and builds. Some people farm for the challenge of surviving, while others farm for speed. I’m in the latter camp. I like farming as a solo activity. I like to PL alts up to around 32 to then play PVE only. I like to try different AE maps with different farming builds to see which one I can clear the fastest. And if your goal is that latter, you really shouldn’t bother with anything other than Spines/Fire or Rad/Fire on a Brute. Using the fire farms like Comic Con that exemp you down to 49 to take on 53’s, you can easily approach more than 150MM/hour influence gain PLUS usually 1-3 purples and countless rare recipe/salvage drops to put you over the 200MM/hour influence mark. And its by no means hard to create a build to do that with Spines/Fire or Rad/Fire either. I have a TW/Bio scrapper and use it in a similar S/L farm for grins and giggles when I am just messing around, but as powerful as it is in PVE, my Spines/Fire can clear a similar fire map almost 4X faster. Yes, the TW/Bio can survive outside the AE very well while the Spines/Fire is gimped beyond all recognition outside of AE, but I have used the Spines/Fire farmer to BUILD and EQUIP the TW/Bio and over 2 dozen other 40-50 level alts as well. Save yourself a lot of theorycrafting if all you want to do is make influence/farm drops the fastest and just build a Spines/Fire brute and be done with it. 5 hours give or take to self-PL it to 50, maybe another 5-10 hours to get it to Veteran lvl 50+22-25 to T4 out the incarnates. Heck, you could even stop at T3’ing them if you prefer, but T4’ing will give you a little more oomph for speedier runs. I continue to hear that Burn is going to get “tweaked” soon as it apparently has been already on the SCORE server, and those changes then roll over to Justin and finally Homecoming. So build it/use it while you can, then use it to build a couple of other AOE heavy alts with easy-to-softcap S/L and/or Fire defense/resists. Then should Burn get nerfed beyond usability for farming, you just dismantle your farmer, strip its enhancements out and move on to the next farming character.

Eh...not really. My first 50 on HC was a Fire/Kin ‘troller, mainly because I knew it would be an effective farmer just using SO’s. Obviously MUCH better with IO’s and Incarnates but I didn’t know (at the time this game relaunched) what kinds of market conditions I’d be facing and thus didn’t want to build a farmer that was going to cost me a billion influence just to use for farming. Had to self-PL soloing many missions of normal content before I got high enough to run PI portal missions. While I was able to then use the Warrior Earth and outdoor Council maps as my primary non-AE arcs, the spawns are still spread out across a fairly large map relative to things like the Asteroid Comic Con map. And since the spawns in portal missions are primarily stationary, you have to travel between each and take them out mostly independent of each other, as opposed to the “stand in one place and pull a dozen spawns to your burn patch” model of AE farms. I guess my point is that even with the double XP fully in place, I can still PL a toon from 1-50 FAR faster using a AE map than I can with standard portal maps....and that’s at half the XP rate of AE farms vs. portal missions. It’s just a far more efficient XP or influence gain per minute model than anything I can do farming regular content.

Not much help here but you’d have to go to the old archived forums from Live days and review all the red letter name posts on changes made to aggro caps, Burn changes and flee logic etc. The fight vs flight logic changed multiple times over the course of the game.

Not the same issue, but GM presence related. We had GM’s show up to watch us TOT’ing in PI as well earlier this week. Immediately after they showed up, multiple users on League reported client crashes, myself included. Was repeatable. We called it out to the GM’s present and they were asking us for some troubleshooting info, but only time using 64-bit client thus far I’ve had repeated client crashes.

Personally, having played both, I find Bots/Time better for both solo and team play. /Traps is no slouch and has always been a strong set, but /Traps in general requires more in the way of positioning and using specific tactics to play well. /Time is good enough on its own to allow you to effectively assist the team even if you don’t summon all your Bots (caves/OCaves, etc. or in iTrials. Not that I recommend that but it can and does happen. Honestly, I still play both of mine well after T4’ing them out. Different enough to enjoy having two.

I've been leveling this build, very much enjoy the tanki-ness of it. But I do have a question. Nowhere in Blazing Blast description does it say it does knockback. I'm not lvl 50 yet so I'm currently slotting it with 5xEntropic Chaos. I don't even see the ability to slot Knockback to Knockdown in it, although perhaps I could do so with Overwhelming Force proc. But is it SUPPOSED to be doing knockBACK because it does it almost 100% of the time.

Everything already said is true. Properly slotted, Sentinels can do some lightweight tanking. I often do on my Fire/Rad. Hit Aim, jump into spawn with Stealth in, Ground Zero+Inferno for the alpha wave attacks and then cleanup. Works really well. Reminds me a little of playing my Plant/Fire Dom.

See my comment three above. I don’t really want to post a link as it’s not kind to our current benefactors. But I gave instructions on how/where to find.

/Rad is a resist based set. It’s not hard to softcap your resists but if you don’t balance this with +Def you take not only the damage (however resisted) but the secondary damage as well. Most damage may be smashing/lethal but as you get into the 40’s and the incarnate stuff you’ll face more Energy and other exotic/uncommon damage types. Try this. Load up on purples, chomp a few when taking on something that currently eats your lunch. If you come out better with your Def pumped up good chance that’s how you need to respec and rebuild. Recharge is also important as that big hammer has ponderously slow animations but you gotta lay the hurt down faster or survive the blows longer to get full use of your damage.

I’m hesitant to post the link because it’s actually about more drama considering the secret server etc and I believe being here on these forums is proof enough that drama is in the past. But allegedly the SCORE server still exists as a kind of Beta server for Justin (smart idea actually if true, I always wondered where the SCORE playerbase ended up), with final release candidates going to Homecoming, and there’s a post indicating both Burn and AE ambush missions are being changed on SCORE leading to eventual changes here on HC as well. If you search COH subreddit for Burn it’s the top post returned. Posted 16 hours ago. Ignore the drama but there’s some interesting info in there.

Billboards or using sides of buildings for ads wouldn’t bother me at all. ThAts what it looks like in the real world and would fit into the game cityscape just fine. I seem to recall Cryptic played with that concept in early years.

Well you may get your wish on the entertainment because reading Reddit posts On my phone right now it sounds like Burn is about to be nerfed as well as AE XP.

Loot boxes don’t bother me. What bothers me is being forced to watch an Arby’s ad to continue playing the game. That breaks the immersion for me entirely.

Or nerf Burn. Again. Or nerf aggro. Again. Or nerf AE rewards. Again. Or just disable AE altogether. Or make everything free from marketplace and disable XP/Influence altogether and just make everyone an instant 50 at character creation. Or maybe, just maybe, tell everyone to quit worrying about their version of fun versus someone else’s and just use the game as a sandbox open to all, and spend what little precious development resources are available on new content/powers instead. GHKS!