Force Redux

If you want to avoid /Dark again, I'm gonna second Dixa's recommendation of Thermal. Solid set. Very thematic.

I just got my Alpha on mine, but I'm either going Degenerative (for the -Hit Points to help with tougher targets, plus some toxic extra damage) or Spectral (for negative damage and some more immobilization overkill, ha ha!). Likely Degenerative, though everyone has it, so in large groups its not likely to stack much. But it makes the most sense for what the build needs (help with tough targets). Plus with all the pets (Creepers, Fly Trap, Water Spout) it should proc fairly often.

Demon/Dark will do everything you want to do. And goes well with any duoing partner. I'm not a fan of Storm, but there are folks here who report great success with Demon/Storm as well. More damage than with Dark, but Dark is a bit safer and more controllery. Dark is literally the Swiss knife of secondaries, with tools for many situations. Many of it's best powers come early (unlike Storm): Twilight Grasp Howling Twilight Tar Patch Darkest Night Shadowfall... Dark Servant arrives at 38, but it's worth the wait, he's an invaluable ally.

Also needs alternate animations that are suitable for non-tech characters.

There are times I'm interested in RP, particularly on redside (though I have a blueside PPD awakened character, too). Mostly I do this in PUG teams, and most folks go along, but something a bit more dedicated would be fun. Thanks also for the hand with the macro for the trap in my Numina arc, also. 🙂

For now I have my Creepers six slotted with Artillery for the Range Defense. I will consider proccing it out later.

Yes, I think these will be my final choices too.

Irradiate is a lovely AoE, and the character as a whole is starting to come to life at level 36. Slotting is starting to make the powers flourish, and I love the visuals. The Rad Blast debuff visuals are very helpful to track who has been hit. I start off with buffs for the team, lay in with debuffs on the mobs and then blast away. Proton Volley is a solid snipe, an Cosmic Burst is a pretty reliable stun. I'll definitely drop either X-ray Beam or Neutrino Bolt. So far, very pleased.

Welcome back, hero! 🙂

Thanks folks. Did some more reading up, as well, so appreciate the links. Slowly leveling this in my off-time. Just hit 22, so now putting in some IOs, which are helping to make the set feel 'beefier'.

I swear I've been on an ITF with an Empath/* who could have solo'd the whole darn thing herself. Not sure of primary. I should have screen capped her. She was amazing. On Everlasting.

Now, you just take that back right now, sir.... 😛😀

Just going to add that the best way to deal with negativity is to introduce more positivity. Be the change you want to see, right? So, be helpful, offer realistic and down-to-earth encouragement both in the forums and in-game on the /chats. Don't get dragged into arguments. Be positive in teams. Not only about power sets, or about nerfs or buffs or NC Soft talks, but about things in general. Take the higher path. Be the voice of encouragement. At least, that's my goal, both IRL and IG. Also, be careful to avoid being a Pollyanna (overly optimistic), because that's just as bothersome and unrealistic. Just my 2 INF.

Mercs are literally about that DAKKA and the shell casings. So many shell casings... Build looks good Coyote, I might give it a shot myself at some point. Haven't touched Mercs in years.

On my FF thoughts, I wanted to keep a few things in mind: 1. Not to radically change the powers from what they are. A lot of folks like the theme,and I feel that making a significant change in function and mechanics was counterproductive. 2. Improved what it does. As FF is the "Super Reflexes" of support sets, it should have some way of buffing Defense Debuff Resistance (DDR). Yes, many characters at Incarnate and with IOs can cap Defense, but keeping it is another thing altogether. This would help protect what FF grants. As the premier Defense-based super set it really should have been a given right from the start. As well, improving the attacks (and damage) from the early Defender design philosophy of poor solo powers, can also help FF offer something else. A decent ranged attack helps Controllers and MMs. A decent ranged AoE that can take a -recharge proc helps everyone, Defenders included. It can also help out the more ST focused sets, such as Ice. Adding some -Def to both also helps FF contribute somewhat to group kill speed by virtue of some IO options. Giving Force Bubble optional sizes still keeps the power, but removes some of the common complaints about it's utility on various maps. Repulsion Field, in a world of Bonfire available to many ATs, needs a review of how it handles procs and End Cost. Yes, it's mobile, but also caster centered, whereas Bonfire can be cast around corners or farther ahead with less aggro/risk...and it has damage. 3. Add in some additional, yet thematically appropriate extras. Absorption in DB rounds out the protective nature of the set with a mechanic that is very suitable and should prove useful on many teams. Detention Field is generally worthless, by common concensus , and needs to be reworked to function with actual team dynamics. This power didn't have wide use even in the slower team speed of Live, before IOs and Incarnated sped up team play. It was a clunker then, and it's a clunker now. It needs to do some sort of useful crowd control. Just some extra thoughts.

FF: I like my Defense. But compared to Time, which does so much more than what FF does. So additional tweaks: Force bolt: improved to defender T1 attack damage with -Def debuff. Dispersion Bubble: add replenishing Absorb and some DDR. Detention Field: should work like Dimension Shift in Gravity, or be a Toggle hold that increases in Mag over time. Repulsion Bomb. Improved damage and reduced cast time. Add a -Def component. Repulsion Field: reduce End Cost. Allow KD proc to work more effectively with it. Right now it doesn't proc enough. Compare to Bonfire, please. Force Bubble: provides three sub powers each with different radii: small (15'), medium (30') and large (60'). Choose the size you want. Also lower end cost. Insulation Shield and Deflection Shield: each gives some DDR. These would help FF and still maintain theme. I say this as a long time FF player.

My Beast/Time is awesome, fun, and chews up things. Easy to level, too.

I'm sure it is! 😀

Wolves are fast. Far cry from the zombies. Sometimes too fast, Make sure to keep them on Defensive if you aren't sure about aggroing nearby groups. When they get /kin buffs, they are capable of breaking the sound barrier 😛

Hmm guess I'll play around with Proton Haze and see if it's worth slotting for +recharge proc... Though with Rad's quick chain and Chrono Shift, probably not needed. Thank you.

I realize Sir Myshkin has a Time/Rad build around somewhere, and I was reviewing Hjarki's thoughts on the same in the Proc Monster thread, but was hoping for some reassurance/extra feedback.

I don't see much about this combo here or on Reddit. Was wondering about your thoughts? Blast sets are not my overall expertise, outside of Sonic and DP on defenders, and Electric, Dark, Water on Sentinels, which are also their own thing. Any insights or thoughts are appreciated. Mostly a teaming build, but with all the Timey goodness at defender levels, I'm assuming I can avoid set bonuses on Rad Blast and go for proc goodness I've seen in the proc monster thread? I'm okay with moderate damage, this doesn't necessarily have to solo pylons or ITFs, but I don't want to feel anemic either. It looks like Radiation Blast is good at close range with two PBAOEs, along with Time's Juncture. I've never really played Rad Blast however, in practical play are Irradiate and Atomic Blast with getting/perform well? It looks like Neutron Bolt and X-ray Beam can form a complete attach chain... but lacks a heavy hitter until Cosmic Burst... What's the end game attack chain? Thoughts on Proton Volley as a snipe? I have a snipe on my a stalker, but don't ever recall having a snipe on my other defenders... Not sure of it's value? Are there any powers you consider skippable at all? Thank you! 🙂

As someone who often plays bubblers, and other support types, I'm of the same mind. I announce "hug me for buffs" once at the mission start (I have a simple macro), and then I just buff the murder ball periodically. Seems to work. As you said, those who wander off either don't need them, or will quickly learn they do, and stick closer. Some support sets make this easier than others. If I put Life Giving Spores on the ground, people tend to gravitate towards the SFX, and then I can hit them with Overgrowth and stuff more easily. Visual cues are helpful. Back at Issue 1 on my Dark/Dark defender the graphics were often too subtle, and no one knew where the anchor for Darkest Night was, stayed in range of Shadowfall, etc. At least bubbles were simple to understand for those who don't read chat. 😀

Fantastic, I'm going to review.

Understood, and thank you for making this distinction clear 🙂