Force Redux

I've been leveling a Plant/Dark myself, lots of tools at hand, great team support, capable soloer, lots of fun! Where would be the best place for the Preventative Medicine Chance for +Absorb proc? Twilight Grasp? Spirit Tree? Soul Absorption?

It's a damage debuff too. Don't leave home without it.

Gonna post my 02 Inf for a Water/Bio. Great AoE, nice damage types that avoid being heavily resisted, layered protection, damage boost, and fun visuals.

Far better to slot it out with aura procs and put damage procs in the thugs.

for the most part yes. Obviously you'd have gang war to slot the special pet aura IOsin. But overall thugs are a defense based set like robots. I think the build woodport over very nicely

I'm on Everlasting, Wintervoid. My backup name was Cold Hard Steel. Perhaps it might work for you? I like Bots/Cold. Has a few more goodies to keep me busier than FF did. Not sure I could ever play Bots/TA....but it sounds like it would be very interesting. Hedgefund: thanks for the build. When I get around to leveling this char, I'll use it for my reference.

Yes, they receive buffs like other players do.

Personally I'd slot both. There's room because you have Soul Extraction as a slot mule for the pet IOs. The -Res is even better when teaming. On sets that have a mule (Gang War), can you slot all 6 of the pet aura IOs or do some of them need to be on an active pet to reap the benefit? In particular, some of them are described as "bonus aura". Does this aura live on the player or on the pet? If so does the benefit only show up when Gang War is active? Aura IOs are always active. As to slotting then all in gang war, I'd recommend against it, as gang war is actually useful when slotted to hit, damage, and Recharge. Perhaps 3 aura IOs then framkenslot the remaining three slots for accd/dam in Gang War. Distribute other three aura UOs in your other pets. There might be a better way to do it, I'm not a thugs guy.

Congratulations!

And I shall! Always interested in making IOs work in new ways...ty!

This is awesome, and lol, very detailed! Once I can make up the lost Defense in Incarnated, and afford purple and ATO sets, I can begin to delve into this. I think I have enough recharge at this point.

When I can swap Screech for Scream I will. Probably after I can afford to give up the Ranged defense of Thunderstrike, and proc it out. So... When I'm Incarnated.

Also was is your slotting for Screech?

Interesting. What's your global recharge Bopper?

Hmm. Food for thought, PK. I may play with it on Justin! Ty.

I think I'd go one or the other. I use only one build at this time, so it has to be good for both teaming and solo. I don't have room for an extra power. Does Repulsion take the KD proc from either Sudden Acceleration or Overwhelming Force?

Heresy, perhaps, but I find Repulsion to be too taxing on End for what it does. I prefer tactical application of force bubble. I don't keep it on at all times. But I'm open to having my mind changed. I'd only take one or the other though.

Hyperstrike - how would you end up capping those? On my current built, with Agility Core (and we can turn on Hybrid Support Radial, too), I'd sit at (rounding for clean numbers): Smashing/Lethal 70% Energy: 67% Negative 50% Fire: 36% Cold: 36% Psi 34% Ranged 54% Melee 34% AoE 38% Normally on teams I get a bit more defense from other support types. Especially on trials. Because its not just me, its about the team. In regular play, unless I'm on a Fire Farm, I don't really see an issue with Fire. And Cold is just a very rare damage type in general. For Fire and Cold, most of the ranged stuff I can avoid, but the AoE, yeah, its a bit lower than I'd like. I don't **think** its possible to get everything in one build, but I'm open to hear suggestions?

Update: I ended up going back to Siren Song, especially for solo. Screech was less useful in most teams, and Siren's more useful solo. I've got my build up in another post with thoughts on the matter. All are useful, so ultimately I don't think there are any wrong choices here...

Look at my own build in this post (near the bottom, ignore my earlier builds). It and the advice in it from others might help. https://forums.homecomingservers.com/index.php/topic,6205.0.html I can offer better advice about your incarnates, depending on your own build, if you can either share your goals, or post a Pine's build (Pine's would be more accurate, but whatever you are able to do). Pine's Builder: from Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Cityofheroes/comments/bgdzwh/pine_i25_midshero_build_planner_tool/, it replaces Mid's

I'm currently at 45 with my FF/Sonic. But I've also had at least 6 end game Incarnate +3 characters during Live. No one person during that kind of end game is that important. Individually, we're all superfluous. Are you contributing? Of course. Can you always tell? No. But I promise you, someone who is not Super Reflexes appreciates that extra defense when the debuffing kicks in. And not everyone had Clarion or Mezz protection. And your every attack reduces time to kill. You are contributing. Yes, there are probably Fire/SR brutes who can solo the ITF. Let them. You didn't roll up a Defender to solo. You rolled up a Defender to help others be even better. Incarnate characters are tough to improve. But don't doubt for a moment, you are still improving them. Now get out there and blast with your debuffs! Shelter the Squishies :)

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.962 http://www.cohplanner.com/ Click this DataLink to open the build! White-Noise 3.0: Level 50 Science Defender Primary Power Set: Force Field Secondary Power Set: Sonic Attack Power Pool: Flight Power Pool: Medicine Power Pool: Leadership Power Pool: Speed Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Personal Force Field (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed Level 1: Shriek (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage (7) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance (9) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge (9) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (11) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (11) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge Level 2: Scream (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage (13) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance (13) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge (15) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (15) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (17) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge Level 4: Deflection Shield (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense (5) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed (48) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance Level 6: Insulation Shield (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense (7) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed (48) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance Level 8: Hover (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points) (37) Kismet - Accuracy +6% Level 10: Aid Other (A) Miracle - Heal/Endurance (17) Miracle - Heal/Endurance/Recharge Level 12: Dispersion Bubble (A) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance (19) Red Fortune - Defense/Recharge (21) Red Fortune - Endurance/Recharge (21) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance/Recharge (23) Red Fortune - Defense (23) Red Fortune - Endurance Level 14: Fly (A) Endurance Reduction IO Level 16: Howl (A) Annihilation - Accuracy/Damage (25) Annihilation - Damage/RechargeTime (25) Annihilation - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime (27) Annihilation - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (27) Annihilation - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime (29) Annihilation - Chance for Res Debuff Level 18: Aid Self (A) Miracle - Heal/Endurance (19) Miracle - Heal/Endurance/Recharge Level 20: Shout (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage (29) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance (31) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge (31) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (31) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (33) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge Level 22: Shockwave (A) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (33) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage (33) Positron's Blast - Damage/Endurance (34) Positron's Blast - Damage/Recharge (34) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge (34) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown Level 24: Maneuvers (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense (36) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance (36) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed Level 26: Tactics (A) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff/Endurance (36) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff/Endurance/Recharge (37) Adjusted Targeting - Endurance/Recharge Level 28: Field Medic (A) Endurance Reduction IO Level 30: Siren's Song (A) Fortunata Hypnosis - Sleep (37) Fortunata Hypnosis - Sleep/Recharge (39) Fortunata Hypnosis - Accuracy/Sleep/Recharge (39) Fortunata Hypnosis - Accuracy/Recharge (39) Fortunata Hypnosis - Sleep/Endurance (40) Fortunata Hypnosis - Chance for Placate Level 32: Hasten (A) Recharge Reduction IO (40) Recharge Reduction IO Level 35: Amplify (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up (48) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Recharge Level 38: Scorpion Shield (A) Gift of the Ancients - Defense (40) Gift of the Ancients - Defense/Endurance (42) Gift of the Ancients - Defense/Endurance/Recharge (42) Gift of the Ancients - Defense/Recharge (50) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All) (50) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage Level 41: Web Envelope (A) Trap of the Hunter - Accuracy/Recharge (42) Trap of the Hunter - Endurance/Immobilize (43) Trap of the Hunter - Accuracy/Endurance (43) Trap of the Hunter - Immobilize/Accuracy (43) Trap of the Hunter - Accuracy/Immobilize/Recharge (45) Trap of the Hunter - Chance of Damage(Lethal) Level 44: Summon Disruptor (A) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Recharge (45) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Damage (45) Expedient Reinforcement - Damage/Endurance (46) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (46) Expedient Reinforcement - Endurance/Damage/Recharge (46) Expedient Reinforcement - Resist Bonus Aura for Pets Level 47: Afterburner (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed Level 49: Force Bubble (A) Endurance Reduction IO (50) Endurance Reduction IO Level 1: Brawl (A) Empty Level 1: Prestige Power Dash (A) Empty Level 1: Prestige Power Slide (A) Empty Level 1: Prestige Power Quick (A) Empty Level 1: Prestige Power Rush (A) Empty Level 1: Prestige Power Surge (A) Empty Level 1: Sprint (A) Empty Level 1: Vigilance Level 2: Rest (A) Empty Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift (A) Empty Level 2: Health (A) Miracle - +Recovery (3) Numina's Convalesence - +Regeneration/+Recovery Level 2: Hurdle (A) Empty Level 2: Stamina (A) Endurance Modification IO (3) Performance Shifter - EndMod (5) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End Level 50: Agility Core Paragon ------------ | Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1474;686;1372;HEX;| |78DA6594CB4F135114C6EF0C534BDFBC1FD2F214CA7368837BA33C344A0991047C2| |C9A667A4B476BA7999644972EDC1B17E2232A90B870E3468DFF8BEFB72B05C59589| |A987399F409C499A5FE73BE7BBF7DCEFA64D5D9E0A3E3E7EF58850C293854CB99C9| |E923959CC4ADBBB6098B26848414F64296F56E4D89C659665F7849EF092D6FEAF31| |7D6C2597D3672CDB90E9195316B2D1DDCAE94C715966F505AB681AE9A3954AC6B82| |802F39655D0670AE672BE1272BEA764D634CCA28C386FB33243D672DE2CF99DF785| |9294D98EE99269E893966DAF942A969D4E6568B354A65C91F695361A66803E52157| |8AA42342B422435F1624FF3887BC2D10EDC67D63E00D798FE757083F992BC0ABC0A| |BC417883F086E10DC35B076F8EBC35EC556B9A78160D338DD731F3D4E3418F073D0| |7FEEBF151D25E6788AAE27DA53ADAA13FF41AD3448C6A3EF62BBE696A8AD3FE2798| |17A835C03E4FC0CF6B3504984D4130C46C0983116680D60D21C7500F9F6767EB08B| |2887CA871B4B68FE027E6C1CFE01766F42BB38BD6ABC79CF598B30173BEA1751BB1| |6E23328E22E34E64DC898C3B917137327EADF235EF789B9FA3F6047CCAEC79065EE| |3EC7ADEF34CF534532B7BD55664DF87CCFB70078DD4D38EFB69DF607FDF1AEE609D| |79BD5F880E64D581ACDE51298633C516D1BFC41C38039E05CF31E3E799BDB46717B| |2EA1AE1F5E2E05B6AE945ADF711F78F3F6496E858FDC8A2BF96B38D6BCC212FE861| |264F7106C96DA64518C4BC8337F9EC43ABCCE15BE06DF00E73F42ED326EF08BC239| |B3CCBE816F88339F613DC067F31458B103AB2D391F9252A2570C604F24C82516DDF| |EFBB4A8F1876290997927429132EE5B04B997529733B0A275C9DD776FF1984E2547| |D75BBBFF7EA373F5595FDD5CD3D45514EF22DA88B7CE2EFAEEEAD3D4555BAF9ECEA| |0DCE4C5B65FEA6EC9298E62F0416F0AD| |-------------------------------------------------------------------|

So, after all the feedback I've had on two threads, plus some leveling experience up to 45th, as well as test time on Justin, I came up with my end-game build. I'm most of the way there with IO sets. I have attuned sets in everything except my LotG and Fortunata's Hypnosis sets, which I have to save up for. Everything else, I've funded with sales of orange salvage, various recipes, selling enhancement converters (from merits) and Summer Blockbuster runs. This is with double xp turned on, so I'm not earning infamy through leveling/kills. I also have no other alts farming to fund me. I want others starting off to know that its possible to IO up in a reasonable manner, if you do a bit of work, and it doesn't even take playing the market. I'm currently level 45, and I have almost all the powers of note. Some thoughts on power selections: 1. Screech, while seemingly handy on paper, was actually not so beneficial for me. On teams, there's little reason to worry about a particular Lt. Everything either goes down quickly enough. Solo, I spec'd back into Siren Song, which takes care of Lts AND Minions, and leaves the boss for me to kill first, if I'm concerned about managing various Malta or whatever. Plus, Siren Song lasts so much longer, I can dedicate more time to attacks. 2. Shockwave and Howl paired together are beasts and sync well together in rotation. The KD and FF proc into Shockwave are awesome, and I supposed the -Res proc in Howl also helps with debuffing. I havent parsed it, just an assumption. Its not like I really notice it much, but I did want a full set bonus from Annhilation. 3. I did not take Dreadful Wail. Several reasons. It's PBAO and I typically operate at range with cones. I hate darting in and out of combat. And I'm aiming for respectable DPS, but I'm not attempting to try to be a blaster. I'll have Ionic Judgement for when I need to unleash the beast. I'm sure there are great /Sonic builds that may use it, but its not for my playstyle. 4. I respecced out of Repulsion Bomb. I loved it on my MM. But my MM did not have their own attacks, and needed something to do while the Bots killed things. On my Defender, I have plenty to do that doesn't include a 3.0 second wind up time, in which team mates invariably KB everything to hell, or mobs run out of position. And I have my two cones to debuff and KD stuff with anyway. So no Repulsion Bomb, no matter how much I like the animation. 5. Field Medic. I love it. It takes an otherwise crappy pool and makes it feasible. I still find myself spot healing folks with it, and being able to zoom over and not wait to come to a rest is great. Yes, I wish it also worked on Aid Self, but I've learned to quickly toggle on PFF, heal myself in peace, then get back into the action. Much more reliable that way. 6. Summon Disruptor. I recalled way back that someone had mentioned pets did very well for Defenders, because it gives Defenders something to buff and adds to damage and also relieves some aggro. I will be able to get this thing on perma once I get everything squared away. Even without Hasten, it will only be on a 10 second cooldown by the time I'm done. I like pets. I like pets I don't have to micromanage. I like cool-looking pets. I named mine Black Signal. We are now best friends. I have no idea why I never did this before on a Defender. 7. Hasten. I added it in for when I get debuffed and I need to counter the -recharge, or I simply need to get into overdrive to help burn down things with the team. I am happy to have it. I'm even happier to recolor it to match my aura! (it also works nicely with the Force Feedback recharge proc). This is, in every way, better than my well-liked Dark/Ninjutsu Sentinel or my beloved and venerable FF/Bots MM. It has ranged attacks. It has status protection. It has great defenses. It can heal. It can buff. It can debuff. It has a pet. It has some soft controls (immob and sleep, as well as copious KB). It feels heroic, particularly when I can lay down the -Res and start to melt mobs. Particularly in single-target mode. I feel valuable on teams. if they need my bubbles and status protection, they have it. If they need Drain resistance, I have that too. If they want to hurt things, I'll help them hurt them faster. I'll manage your adds. I'll keep things knocked on their rear ends. Now I'm looking forward to my Incarnates. I'm built (below) with Alpha: Agility because it speaks to everything I need to do. Beyond that, I'm looking at possibly: Judgement: Ionic. Lore: not sure. Possibly something robotic or arachnos. For theme. Lore pets are always for theme for me. Interface: Reactive or Degenerative. Not sure. I heard the damage was nerfed, so we're looking at the other benefits? Destiny: Ageless. More END (though I rarely run out as it is, can you ever really ahve enough?), more recharge and Debuff Resistance (yes!) are all great. Hybrid: Support. More Def. End Discount. Damage buff. Status effect buff. Sure. I can use all of those. Let's make White-Noise even more ridiculous. Comments, suggestions or feedback all welcome! Its no farmer. Its not a tank. Its not a blaster. But its my favorite build of all time, from Beta to now. And I appreciate the feedback that got me there. (Build in next post due to length)

I appreciate the suggestions and builds folks...I see some ways to tweak the build thank you :)

Thanks Hedgefund, will take your advice in my build! I definitely am learning to love /Cold over FF for MM... But I'm definitely going to want Clarion.