Microcosm

KM/DA Scrapper, T4 Musc Core, T4 Ageless Core, T4 Degen Core, T4 Pyronic Core, T4 Assualt Core (not toggled) Using FB>SB>BB with some proccing 3:53 292 3:40 302 Then I switched the build to use Moonbeam as well, figuring it would benefit a lot from the long-term +damage from power siphon. 3:27 313 4:23 (?) 274 I don't know if that's a good showing. It's lower than the stuff I generally do, but I think KM is usually pretty low on the damage and DA isn't doing much to boost its damage output. It's fairly survivable unless there's a ton of energy damage floating around though.

Right, if it's a flat 5% per attack then sets with fast activating attacks get more chances to proc within x seconds than other sets, like the way procs worked before ppm. I'd have to rebuild that db stalker as he was on a previous version of test, but I'll probably get around to it.

I think it must be a new costume skin for fluffies on test...

I particularly enjoyed the music choice on that one 🙂

That looks like a good general build, for which your times are pretty inline with expected for a high-performing pb. Hitting the goal time is going to require some creative choices for sure. Generally procs need to come into play, but it's possible a different attack chain could help too. I personally haven't found a better attack chain than what you're using, but it's possible some form dancing might help. The problem with form dancing is you can't run assault or whatever other toggles you might want, but maybe it's worth it for Nova Eye or something. For a warshade form dancing definitely seems worth it, but toggles are more important for survival there.

It seems to vary quite a bit by set is the thing. Anecdotally, it fired maybe twice each run for that staff stalker, but it fires super frequently for the db one I tested a long time ago. Similarly, ice seems to rarely fire it, but savage gets an ok rate. I haven't run thousands of tests, but that is the trend I've noticed. It could also just have to do with the chains used and frequency of attacks if it's a flat % per attack to fire for all attacks. So a very quick animating set might get more uptime.

Lowered WS Pylon target to 230 dps.

SD/Rad proc Tank, T4 Musc Core, T4 Ageless Core, T4 Degen Core, T4 Pyronic Core, T4 Assault Core (not toggled) 2:55 346.9 3:33 307.8 3:18 321.5 Was hoping for a little better than that, but oh well. Also Staff/Bio proc Stalker, same incarnates 2:28 2:21 I just can't get staff to be a top performer. It almost never procs the buildup recharge which hurts it a bunch.

Yes, that does seem to be a benefit for the set given its reputation for heavy end cost. I was thinking of building a savage/dark for the end redux from savage, but now I'm leaning toward something with stuns to pair with Oppressive Gloom.

I suppose if you can survive a few groups in a row that would indicate you can do the rest of the mission. So I think that's fine. Wouldn't edit a Pylon video though; they are much shorter.

Good job AIB... again 😄 When should I expect the pylons to bow before you (jk, maybe) Hmm, will have to think if we've got an alternate method. A large part of the fun of this is seeing how people do it, so the vids are obviously ideal. They are also pretty long though...

Yeah, that's what I mean. It gets all the same defensive values while losing the damage aura for better stealth? To contrast, electric and ice lose their damage aura but gain some defense from hide; rad and willpower lose their taunt/debuff powers and pick up the same defense. It seems unfair to dark that it doesn't get the same trade. That is good to know on dark regen. It looks like it can do almost 60% heal against a single target. Even with a tohit check, with the recharge time it has it looks like easily the workhorse of the set. Sorry, I should clarify: it feels like it was singled out to not get anything in return for losing its damage aura unlike the other sets that have an aura. In a vacuum, the Scrapper version is the same defensively but also has a damage aura, which doesn't seem reasonable considering how the other armors were ported, and I immediately felt robbed when I started throwing together a build. I similarly don't like /rad as much on a stalker because I value Beta Decay a lot, but the trade seems fair since it at least gets a small amount of extra defense. The rez is definitely a preference thing, as are the crashing t9s. What is underrated about Oppressive Gloom? Are you stacking it with another stun? I see its value against minions since it is mag 2, but minions aren't generally the big concern.

To start off, someone correct me but it seems that Stalker DA is straight worse than Scrapper DA. Normally with resist sets you lose the damage aura but get defense from hide in the trade-off. However, they also replaced the stealth power (because, you know, hide) with Shadow Dweller. That seems fine, until you realize the latter's defense bonus is lessened so that hide plus Shadow Dweller equal the Scrapper stealth...at least that's what mids says. So you've lost the damage aura and picked up net 0 defense for the loss. Am I missing something there? Beyond that, why do some people claim this armor set is the best resist set? Outside of dark Regen when surrounded by mobs, it looks ok but not better than others. The stun toggle won't work on bosses and up, and the tohit toggle will do next to nothing on AVs where you'd really want it because of their resistance to debuffs. The t9 is a rez, 'nuff said. So is it just dark regen? Why do you use DA?

Good job! Anyone that watches that should see why Arachnos can become a problem at that level. Also highlights the fact we have no end drain protection 🙂 If we keep going at this rate I'll need to rename this to Honest Abe's Bounty Board...

There are lots of armor sets with lots of different perks. A few of them are sturdier than bio. A few are cheaper to make sturdy. Elec armor, one of my favs, gives you the option to completely ignore slotting for endurance reduction and increase proc usage, and be completely immune to end drain. Rad is like elec 1.5, trading some of those end benefits for a really nice t9. Nin on a stalker gives you caltrops which are very underrated as both mitigation and dot. Sr gives you easily softcapped defenses for little investment, so you can invest more in something like +dam bonuses. There are tons of reasons not to get stuck on bio. People fixate a bit because bio has a very straightforward path to increasing your damage, but if you pay attention to the other sets' features you'll see some opportunities.

I haven't played much electric melee recently to be able to tell you, but my hunch is yes.

I believe it's because shield charge is technically a pet. This happens frequently with waterspout for the same reason, where waterspout will proc it but nothing happens. I noticed when this is the case the flavor text is a different color (orange instead of red I think) than when it procs off of a normal attack.

Ha, awesome. Congratulations to Honest Abe for claiming both carnie bounties! Your fluffy survival rate was quite good in that video. Shows what barrier plus good dwarfing can do I think. I am not responsible for all the ensuing build requests 😉

We can definitely do that. I can also offer a reduced bounty for the second and third person to complete the task. Say 50 mil in this case. I know a lot of us are flush, but you should get a reward for your accomplishments 🙂

Congratulations, Abe, on claiming the first bounty! And also, sorry for making you upload such a long video 😞 We'll have to choose something smaller than clearing a large mission map for these. Added a new bounty for Arachnos version of the Carnie mission.

On a stalker you get 100% slow with winter's gift and your other powers without Permafrost. It's pretty close to useless. Agree on the super high ice resist, which Permafrost adds insult to injury on. If they took the cold resist out of permafrost and gave it some other benefit ( up the fire resist substantially, or add that requested end drain protection or something) that would make it better than almost useless.

Clarion will help with that. You'll still have to deal with the dark ring mistresses though who have some major debuffs. Maybe we should add one for CoT too, I'm not sure I've tried that. Some people find arachnos a pain. Knives of Artemis (OG version) can also surprise you.

I would personally try to tackle both pylons as human form, but that doesn't mean I'm right. Part of this exercise is to try it your way and challenge our assumptions on what actually is the best damage you can do in a certain way. I've not myself hit those numbers (I've gotten close enough I don't think they're impossible). I'm betting someone can do it. The carnie map is just a fun little wake-up call to those of us used to roflstomping with eclipse or lightform.

Sure. You guys have a particular AV in mind that would be a good challenge or just any AV? AIB did a giant monster once on live, thinking of throwing that up there as well. Edit: he did the GM with lore pets I think before people get crazy ideas 😉

Honestly I think the end drain protection is nice, but it doesn't need it. Ice is loaded with goodies, it's ok to have a weakness or two. Totally on board with the rest though, Permafrost should do something beneficial and there's not harm in shifting the order of some of these powers.