Without_Pause

Well, I just checked in Atlas and the closest person to my level in Atlas was still 10 levels above me. This being at 6:30pm Eastern. I solo a lot and even did so for one character red side, but that's incredibly vacant.

I ask as I ran a newbie to 5 there during lunch so around an hour of playtime. I only saw one person post in LFG. They were doing a Citadel and even mentioned they would do it solo if need be. I'll continue to poke around, but I made sure the name I got is on Excel which is where I normally play. It is a backup server for me, and I'm busy with alts on my main server so committing to anything outside of that is difficult, but for now I'll play on occasion.

Outside of the fact there is recent enough threads covering this, in the Defender forum people are ranking power sets and Kin does get place in the A tier and not S. I've ODed on the set. It isn't versatile. It basically does one important thing and does it better than anybody else. I might given more leveling back the idea Time is a tier above. Support sets sans FF are in a good place. I feel like we would be simply cleaning up End/Recharge costs versus bad powers. I have little to add which hasn't been said elsewhere. I will say Wormhole's cast time is "not good" considering Fold Space. Yes, it does more, but it is also Grav's main mez control and part of an ATs primary as where Fold Space anybody can take. Also factor in the rest of similar powers each of the controllers get. Stalagmites is a whole 2 seconds faster. Other sets with slower powers are still markedly faster than Wormhole.

How did this actually go?

It is far easier to give build advice if you post your build.

2 Level 50 Recharges boosted to +5 is close enough to the cap to where you don't need a third. You could add those two slots to Hurl. The two procs in Laser Beam Eyes are overkill. Leave one and add in another Apoc IO so you get 10% more recharge.

Not taking the offensive options in Alpha and Hybrid can be odd, but it is very build specific. Melee is solid regen for something without a heal.

I've rolled a few of both armors although non to 50. If I had to death match both and pick one, my soloing a character to 50 red side recently has me leaning Elec simply due to the end drain protection. I think Rad has a smoother end management game and higher potential for +recharge although both are close. Elec just protects against those getting debuffed. I don't think their performance is going to be that radically different though, and I really should get both to 50 at some point. I like the Rads I have done. I just haven't gotten them high enough to where they flip the switch. Until I can hit even soloing +0/+1/x8, then we can talk about how well it does across various mobs. A lot of builds can cakewalk x4. Its when x8 is involved and those debuffs come flying in a build starts to get tested. If you only team or aren't trying to push the diff setting envelope, pick whatever. They both will work.

What kind of extra damage do you do dead? Not to say I won't roll Stalkers or Scrapper or even prefer Tanks, but the more I play the more important being vertical is, ie I prefer Rad/bio versus Rad/fire or really Rad/any over Rad/fire outside of Rad/regen. I've covered Psionic here.

As mentioned, Scrapper will be more damage, but Brutes will get more out of a Res based armor. Pick which you like. There isn't really anything Scrapper specific for why Kat would be better on a Scrapper versus a Brute. Kat has the best overall cast times which is going to fuel Fury nicely. I can argue Claws is better on a Scrapper. MA is better on a Brute. Kat? Eh. My only qualm with Kat is that it is lethal damage, but my favorite melee set is (Scrapper) Claws, so...

BS/shield. Make the Kat/rad a Brute. That thing will fly with its fast cast times, +recharge, and added damage.

Tanks get a +Res proc so I would lean towards Def based armors for them since those would want more free Res. You can get some really solid Def/Res numbers already from Brutes as well with /elec. Brutes love damage auras so I would pick Brute.

Just going off in my head I would say for total damage I would rank them Rad, Ice, and then Staff which I honestly won't label as good damage. The only reason I don't roll a Stone/ice is I have the Brute version which I soloed red side 1-50. See below. I HAVE thought about it though since yeah, that thing would be a beast, and the conversion would be easy. I normally leveled at +1/x8 from whatever level I switched from smaller mobs. I did +1/x4 for some time before that. I popped in and did Council at +4/x8 at level 48. I honestly didn't even need Ice Patch. I so don't recommend doing the same as that was boring as hell. To be different, my lean would be Stone/wm if I went Tank. I added in the Incarnates I am aiming for and it makes the numbers look a bit better, so switch those off if you like. They are essentially in case I need them depending on the mob because again, I soloed +4/x8 Council at 48. My current build is Vet level 7 so I'll know more as I get everything T4ed. This Villain build was built using Mids Reborn 3.2.17 https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn Click this DataLink to open the build! Project Next: Level 50 Magic Brute Primary Power Set: Ice Melee Secondary Power Set: Stone Armor Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery Villain Profile: Level 1: Ice Sword -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury%(11) Level 1: Rock Armor -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(7), Rct-EndRdx/Rchg(7), Rct-Def/Rchg(9), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(43), Rct-ResDam%(45) Level 2: Frost -- PstBls-Acc/Dmg(A), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(17), PstBls-Dmg/Rng(23), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), PstBls-Dam%(25), Ann-ResDeb%(27) Level 4: Earth's Embrace -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg(9) Level 6: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A) Level 8: Ice Patch -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 10: Mud Pots -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(13), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(13), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Obl-%Dam(17) Level 12: Stone Skin -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(47), RedFrt-Def(48), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(48), GldArm-3defTpProc(48), GldArm-ResDam(49) Level 14: Super Jump -- WntGif-ResSlow(A) Level 16: Rooted -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(40) Level 18: Greater Ice Sword -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(19), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(23) Level 20: Crystal Armor -- PrfShf-End%(A), RedFrt-Def(45), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(46) Level 22: Kick -- Empty(A) Level 24: Tough -- Ags-ResDam(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(34), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(36) Level 26: Freezing Touch -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(27), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(29), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(29), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), UnbCns-Dam%(31) Level 28: Minerals -- LucoftheG-Def(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(37) Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31) Level 32: Frozen Aura -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(33), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Obl-%Dam(34), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(34) Level 35: Brimstone Armor -- Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Ags-ResDam(39), Ags-Psi/Status(40) Level 38: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(39), RedFrt-Def(39) Level 41: Gloom -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(42), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(43), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(50) Level 44: Dark Obliteration -- SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg(A), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx(45), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(49), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(50), SprFrzBls-Rchg/ImmobProc(50) Level 47: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 49: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 1: Fury Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- Clr-EndRdx(A), Clr-RunSpd(36) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 1: Swift -- Flight-I(A) Level 1: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(11) Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(37) Level 14: Double Jump Level 50: Invader Level 50: Marshal Level 50: High Pain Threshold Level 50: Born In Battle Level 50: Melee Core Embodiment Level 50: Ageless Radial Invocation Level 50: Agility Core Paragon Level 50: Degenerative Core Flawless Interface ------------

It's like 10x XP. The impact of it is talked about in the market section.

I have two schools of thoughts. 1. Use Mids to plan out a build and get the numbers down as well as you can. I can do this more with things I am comfortable with and I know I can crank out a build after 4+ passes. Then I roll the character. 2. Wing it. Seriously. You can get to 50 just fine on common IOs. Adding anything from the rarer IOs is just gravy even if it isn't the ideal slotting. I don't use 2x XP boosters pretty much ever these days unless it is a build I am really comfortable with and just wanting to get it to 50. Lesser known builds, I feel like I want to slow level it and even solo to where I get a proper feel for it. I soloed a Ice/stone Brute to 50 because of this. I'm doing normal leveling/soloing for a Grav/ta partly because I enjoy playing it and want to savor the ride to 50. Also, I feel like I don't know what I'm doing with building it. I actually refuse to really even look at a person's build because I want it to be "mine." So yeah, I'm winging it. Trying out "all the things." See what works. Seeing what doesn't. There was a time I also grabbed numerous uncommon recipes and even ones without 6 in a set for lower level slotting. I even grabbed one with just 3 in a set. I would frakenslot away. Again, any bonus is exactly that. We get so many respecs, additional builds, and unslotters there's no reason not to experiment away and embrace a flawed and messy build. Builds are just so different to do across all ATs there isn't a good way to find set in stone guidelines. The closest thing I have to a generic list is this. Know where to slot the ATOs. Know where to slot your ones offs, see auto powers. Know what sets give you the set bonuses you need. Know the slots you need to get said bonuses. Add in procs where deemed beneficial. Not all procs are worth slotting. Make sure you have a proper end recovery/end drain balance. Can get the recharge to perma anything you need.

I have one level 50 for StJ, and I only recently rolled a MA/sr specifically so I feel less comfortable officially saying on it, but my lean has been StJ. It has a bit more AoE and Crushing Uppercut hits like a truck. MA has fast cast times outside of Eagle's Claw as where all of StJ is fast and it is a smooth playing set. Brutes and Tanks get a Defense bonus from Storm Kick so an argument could be made MA is better on those ATs.

While not restricted to Indomitable, it might be interesting if servers held a "<server name>" night where people are encouraged to run characters on a server even if you need to transfer one in for that time. I will say red side has picked up on Excel so I assume that means from people coming on over.

Integrated graphics on a laptop. I use Intel as well and CoH has never played nice with it. I know another game became unplayable far worse than CoH from when I use to play it on a desktop PC after I tried on my laptop. Normal everyday Atlas gives me issues. Zone events are slide shows. I tolerate them for the badges. I logged on tonight to team and just saw a flood of mapserver teaming so I went and soloed. Note, a number of other games and them being more modern play absolutely fine on my laptop. My sold and bought stacks are about 1/10 of my buying pile. Granted I have 10 stacks of recipes being bid for. Still, supply is well behind. I can list IOs at normal prices and have about half of them go instantly. No desire to price gouge. I can see where by the time I can IO out a small number of builds and still be a billion ahead.

Likely explains why some bids have been slowly coming in versus what is expected. I don't have a decent enough graphics card to deal with the game as is. This event made it many times worse so I avoided it as much as possible. Even the small mobs didn't seem to be anything great. I'm sure I will forget this in time for next year's event. Maybe by then I will have a computer worth tolerating it.

Follow up. It took some time to feel more comfortable with color changes are there are a lot of colors, and it felt like any change simply didn't work. I can't even imagine trying to come up with as many colors as Mark did. I did simplify them in a couple of spots as secondary colors don't work out as well as I wanted. Most of the characters didn't work with the nature aspect so I canned that right away. I might add it back in to the first one at some point. Faces are essentially placeholders. Same color for primary and secondary for the belt FTW. Gravt/ta. I had the leaf cape as the original cape, but changed it to a different cape which was used in other characters. The quiver just worked so I kept it. Currently running with two variations and doing colorized powers based on the costumes colors. I just looked. I don't have the silver version of the outfit and powers uploaded. Powers mimic the silver in the cap, chest, shoulders in that one as well by matching the cap and chest. They fly and having the original shoulder armor didn't look right. I put the emphasis on the chest area. I'm not sure I have ever rolled any sort of Grav is my 10ish years playing the game. I did TA/a to the mid 20s on live and rerolled. Really liking this and at 25. Arcane Bolt to light Oil Slick. Lil' Red Cap. DB/sr. Secondary powers colors mimic the armor. Chest is a lighter red than the cap, cape, and belt. I had it all being the same red and it felt like it was too much. The fade aspect to the cape using two colors didn't work for me. Oh if it were the trim instead. Amazing Gracie. Claws/nin. Never done Nin. The key was the look of the claws and a decent glove. I love Claws. I don't like how most of them look. Lord Breaker. MA/sr. A number of gloves work. This is one of them. This has potential for other builds. I might have done 10 levels of MA on live, so wanting to give it a genuine go. A bit closer to what Mark had with the gold.

/shield can stack more DDR with its mezz protection. /sr as well. I just know what soloing /ea at x8 can do when -Def comes calling. On the flip side, it is basically a non-issue for my Stalker who solos at +3/x3. I'm not sure on Nin's numbers, but they would be lower as it has a heal and lower Resist. I only recently rolled one, so I don't have first hand experience enough to say how good it feels. Stone is honestly pretty care free in how much it covers although Incarnates further adds to it. It obviously isn't attractive, but you can minimize it, and Energy resist is poor although capping its defense certainly can be done. Energy doesn't feel like that big of an issue, but I can cheat a bit with Ice melee. It can absolutely cakewalk certain Psi based missions where an /ea would pause at. My Ice/stone Brute basically laughed at running end game missions with packs of Psi-Cops and their ranged attacks. A Sapper can be pretty easy to handle if you can mez them. I'll take Malta any day of the week compared to the mass horde of Mu while doing x8 soloing brings. They absolutely shred my Rad/fire Brute.

Melee heavy teams seem more likely than heavy support ones, but I say this as someone who plays on Excel. I wonder as the population goes lower if more and more people won't seek out more solo friendly builds.

Dark/ta Controller and do the same so you can light Oil Slick.

But I do. It would feel more like an activity versus playing a game.