Chongda

It's actually pretty decent damage as well, but it's DoT. So it takes some time to apply the full damage. I like it, because it's a fast animation as well. I also took it over Thunderstrike.

I thought the same, but I figure he has so much AoE that maybe he's ok with taking a big cut to single-target damage. Correct. I doubt I'll ever really solo with this character, and teamed will probably be set at x8, so I figured tossing in AoE between the summon powers has been working best. I usually think of snipes as starting fights, and most fights I open with Freezing Rain. The mace immobilize has absolutely terrible redraw too, IIRC. I remember wanting desperately to love it on one of my blasters, back in the day. On the other hand, Chongda does have Snow Storm, which can ground flyers, though I agree with your take (in a different thread) on how the power is clunky to use and not terribly effective 99% of the time. I have not taken the Mace since being back, but the redraw made me avoid taking it again after live. Not sure how much worse the redraw is when you already have a weapon to switch from. I was thinking about taking one of the other masteries with immobilize, but so far I thought I might need conserve power. After I play a bit at 50 with a more similar build to this, I may find I no longer need it and switch to something like that. The few times I'd had to deal with flying (mostly Cabal so far), I've used snowstorm to bring them down and slow them together. Not perfect, but at least helped.

That is exactly what I do. I rarely run Tactics, as the Defense Debuffs in storm are fine most of the time. And then if I'm teaming with someone that provides extra endurance to me, a pop on Tactics as well. I like what you did, and completely agree with it's figuring out trade-offs as this point. I moved a few more things around and spent some fake money on enhancement boosters to get that bit of S/L resistance and still keep above the Ranged Def cap, and keeping recharge the same (I think I may have moved it up like 2%, so negligible). Both the end usage and end recovery both went up (as well as I think my total end available). http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/download.php?uc=1462&c=709&a=1418&f=HEX&dc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

My build. Usual stuff of softcapped Def and high S/L resist. Lightning clap with KB->KD is great for extra mitigation and a bit of extra recharge. I actually like just having Havoc Punch, Chain, and Jacobs Ladder. I can usually get a good lineup to hit 3 with it. Pines says it's only a 2 second activation, but feels longer. But I hate how long Thunder Strike takes. Maybe one of these days I'll switch Jacobs for Thunderstrike... I can't remember if Thunderstrike for scrappers knockback or not. Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.962 http://www.cohplanner.com/ Click this DataLink to open the build! Static Shield: Level 50 Mutation Scrapper Primary Power Set: Electrical Melee Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Blaze Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Havoc Punch -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(3), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Mk'Bit-Dam%(7) Level 1: Deflection -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(7), RedFrt-Def(9), UnbGrd-ResDam(37), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(39), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(39) Level 2: Jacobs Ladder -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(9), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(11), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Obl-%Dam(13) Level 4: Battle Agility -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-ResDam%(23), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(25), ShlWal-Def(29), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(40) Level 6: Build Up -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(15), GssSynFr--Build%(40) Level 8: True Grit -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), GldArm-ResDam(15), ResDam-I(17), Pnc-Heal/+End(34), Pnc-Heal(43), Heal-I(43) Level 10: Active Defense -- HO:Membr(A) Level 12: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(17) Level 14: Super Speed -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(48) Level 16: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 18: Chain Induction -- SprCrtStr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), SprCrtStr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), SprCrtStr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), SprCrtStr-Rchg/+50% Crit(21), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Hct-Dam%(23) Level 20: Boxing -- Acc-I(A) Level 22: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(43), RedFrt-Def(45) Level 24: Tough -- UnbGrd-Max HP%(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(25), RctArm-ResDam(27), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(40) Level 26: Lightning Clap -- AbsAmz-Acc/Stun/Rchg(A), AbsAmz-Stun(27), AbsAmz-Stun/Rchg(29), AbsAmz-Acc/Rchg(42), FrcFdb-Rechg%(45), Empty(46) Level 28: Weave -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def(31), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(39) Level 30: Phalanx Fighting -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A) Level 32: Lightning Rod -- Erd-Acc/Rchg(A), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Erd-%Dam(33), Erd-Dmg/Rchg(34), Erd-Dmg(34) Level 35: Shield Charge -- SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprScrStr-Dmg/Rchg(36), SprScrStr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SprScrStr-Rchg/+Crit(37) Level 38: One with the Shield -- ResDam-I(A) Level 41: Char -- Acc-I(A) Level 44: Melt Armor -- ShlBrk-Acc/Rchg(A), ShlBrk-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(45), ShlBrk-%Dam(46), RechRdx-I(46) Level 47: Fire Ball -- AirBrs-Acc/Dmg(A), AirBrs-Dmg/EndRdx(48), AirBrs-Dmg/Rchg(48), AirBrs-Dmg/Rng(50), Ann-Dmg/Rchg(50), Ann-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(50) Level 49: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Critical Hit Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- Clr-Stlth(A), Clr-RunSpd(42) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A) Level 2: Health -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(42) Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(31), EndMod-I(31) Level 50: Cardiac Radial Boost Level 50: Void Judgement Level 50: Degenerative Interface ------------ http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/download.php?uc=1502&c=732&a=1464&f=HEX&dc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

Here is my Storm/Archery build. Soft capped for ranged defense, 42.5 for Energy/Neg defense, about 31% for Melee and AoE defense and everything else. Resistance cap for S/L/E. I took Mu Mastery, as I currently have some End issues, and with a bunch of recharge having both Conserve Power and the Charged Armor sounded good... and another pet, why not? The damage proc in lightning storm and tornado are just placeholders for the KB->KD sudden acceleration. Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.962 http://www.cohplanner.com/ Click this DataLink to open the build! Reigning Rainer: Level 50 Magic Defender Primary Power Set: Storm Summoning Secondary Power Set: Archery Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Leadership Power Pool: Fighting Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: O2 Boost -- Pnc-Heal/EndRedux(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(17), Pnc-Heal(17) Level 1: Snap Shot -- Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg(7), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(7), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(9), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15) Level 2: Snow Storm -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 4: Fistful of Arrows -- SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBst-Rchg/Heal%(19), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), SprDfnBst-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21), Range-I(23) Level 6: Steamy Mist -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(46), LucoftheG-Rchg+(48), GifoftheA-Def(48), Rct-ResDam%(48), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(50) Level 8: Freezing Rain -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(23) Level 10: Blazing Arrow -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(11), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15) Level 12: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(25) Level 14: Super Speed -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel(25) Level 16: Aim -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(27), GssSynFr--Build%(27) Level 18: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(50), GifoftheA-Def(50) Level 20: Explosive Arrow -- OvrFrc-Dam/KB(A), Ann-Dmg/Rchg(29), SprVglAss-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), Ann-ResDeb%(31), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), SprVglAss-Rchg/+Absorb(31) Level 22: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(33), GifoftheA-Def(33) Level 24: Kick -- Empty(A) Level 26: Tornado -- ExpStr-Dam%(A), FrcFdb-Rechg%(33), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(34), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(34), SprDfnBst-Dmg/Rchg(34), SlbAll-Dmg/Rchg(36) Level 28: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(36), GldArm-End/Res(36), GldArm-3defTpProc(46) Level 30: Weave -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), GifoftheA-Def(37), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(37) Level 32: Lightning Storm -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A), ExpStr-Dam%(37), GldJvl-Dam/End/Rech(39), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(39), Apc-Dmg/Rchg(39), GldJvl-Dam%(40) Level 35: Charged Armor -- RctArm-ResDam(A), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(40), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(40) Level 38: Rain of Arrows -- SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg(A), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), SprVglAss-Dmg/Rchg(42), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(42), Ann-ResDeb%(43), PstBls-Dam%(43) Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(43) Level 44: Summon Adept -- ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(45), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(45), RechRdx-I(46) Level 47: Tactics -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 49: Hurricane -- 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: Sprint -- Clr-Stlth(A) Level 1: Vigilance Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A) Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(5), Mrc-Rcvry+(5) Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(3), EndMod-I(3) ------------ http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/download.php?uc=1462&c=713&a=1426&f=HEX&dc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

Question on KB-to-KD in Hurricane... does it still have the repel effect? I plan on taking the power eventually, but assumed I would still have to deal with repel/push. I'm actually running a Storm/Archery Defender. From a thematic point of view, don't really have a good reason/concept... But from a fun to play aspect, it is high... Never though I would say that with Storm, but after playing other characters with KB-to-KD, I had to give it a try. I have explosive arrow slotted with KB-to-KD, so it has some decent AoE, just recently got Rain of Arrows as I'm now level 40. Other biggest thing is the macro location target placement, I can safely (from behind something or with soft capped ranged defense) drop freezing rain, tornado, rain of arrows... And then start the fight. As a corrupter, I was having problems getting my ranged defense capped, but it was really easy on the defender, so went that direction. So capped ranged defense and S/L/E resistance capped plus all the knockdown has made the character very survivable and still fun to play... nightmare on Endurance though. I can share my build tonight, and see if people have some recommendations.

One thing you need to remember is that some people like the theory crafting of builds, just like others like to spend a great deal of time in the costume editor. Myself, I usually plan my build for 50 while deciding on the character, with a general theory of how the character will play. Usually as I'm leveling I'll grab the powers I expected to have, but maybe not the same slotting, and rarely the same IO build. Then I get to see if the powers I picked play well with the attack chain, or if it was not as expected. When I hit 50, I'll change up my build as appropriate.

And now that all costume pieces are unlocked immediately, is there any other use for Vanguard Merits other than to turn them into Reward Merits?

The only memory I have of this is my Kin/Elec defender. And it's exactly as described above relying on -REC Basically, I would use Transference to help drain END, and then keep Short Circuit going to keep the -REC on the AV. This would work, but it needed constant attention. It only took one miss for the -REC to stop and they get a few END points and be able to attack. It you can stack some -REC from other sources easier, then it might work with -END powers. But really, you almost need to dedicate a decent part of you build to it for it to be very effective.

Actually, I think you cannot slot run, fly, or jump enhancement SETS in swift or hurdle. You can slot run and jump IOs, just not the sets. You can slot celerity or unbounded leap in sprint though, so you could toggle that on/off when you want the +stealth, and is what I do.

I like this macro/bind. It's similar to what I used to use for my blaster to constantly create break frees... which is what I want to set up again. I have never used CityBinder. Do you have to use it, or can you set up this bind in game without it? Final note/question. These work from the back to the front, correct? And will only do the first it comes across, or will it do everything it can?

Mr. Togo of Global Heroics on as well. I started it up Saturday. I think I joined the Exhaulted server.