Kin/En Please critique and help me improve this build

[Avilister]

So after lurking around the stalker forums for a while, I made 3 and ran them through DFB and the Kin/En is what really grabbed me of them (the other two are the much-touted BS/Shield and a Psi/Dark, which I may still level up later). So, a few runs through DFB got me up to 16ish where I logged for the night (as this was at the end of my play session anyway). Today, of course, I've turned to Mids and build planning before ever logging in.

 

I've done some poking around on the forums and used some things I learned here on the Stalkers board and then a few more things I learned in the Brute and Tank boards and I landed here. It seems okay, but I figured I should run it by some other people before actually investing influence in it. I'll note I'm already considering swapping Body Blow for Quick Strike to have another place to throw a FF+Rch proc to tap when something I really want is on CD, though I imagine the math says a proc on it would be infrequent (I haven't actually calculated it myself).

 

Some highlights: 51% S/L def and comparable def to F/C/E/N (though N lags behind somewhat to 43.2%), mid-20% positionals. 50% S/L Resist with 30ish E/N and even 20% Psi (though F/C are only 17%). Just short of permahasten without a FF+Rch proc (of which there is only one in the build currently). Two meaty ranged attacks, despite being a melee AT. A PBAoE dmg+kd power, roughly 50% uptime on Shadow Meld to really slam those defenses to the hilt. Nearly perma Energize. Perma Energy Drain that can add up to 5.4% more defense with 10 targets (or, multiple activations on fewer targets - I'd guess it'd be fairly easy to keep up about 5 or 6 buffs constantly which is closer to a 3% def buff - plus buckets of endurance). Between Assassin's Mark procs and Concentrated Strike crits, Build-Up should be recharging frequently.

 

Anyway, here's the build. Again - tell me how I can improved it 😄

 

Villain Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.1
https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Surprise: Level 50 Mutation Stalker
Primary Power Set: Kinetic Melee
Secondary Power Set: Energy Aura
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Body Blow -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dam%(50)
Level 1: Hide -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Ksm-ToHit+(3), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(3), Rct-ResDam%(5)
Level 2: Smashing Blow -- CrsImp-Acc/Dmg(A), CrsImp-Dmg/EndRdx(42), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), CrsImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Mk'Bit-Dam%(43)
Level 4: Kinetic Shield -- RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFrt-Def/Rchg(5), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg(7), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(7), RedFrt-Def(34), RedFrt-EndRdx(36)
Level 6: Assassin's Strike -- SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprStlGl-Dmg/Rchg(13), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), SprStlGl-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), SprStlGl-Rchg/Hide%(17)
Level 8: Build Up -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(9), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(9), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(11), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(11), GssSynFr--Build%(13)
Level 10: Entropy Shield -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 12: Placate -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 14: Fly -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 16: Power Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(25), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(31), LucoftheG-Def(31)
Level 18: Burst -- Obl-%Dam(A), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Obl-Dmg(37), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Obl-Acc/Rchg(40), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(42)
Level 20: Kinetic Dampening -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(21), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(21), UnbGrd-Max HP%(23), GldArm-3defTpProc(36), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(37)
Level 22: Hover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(23)
Level 24: Afterburner -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 26: Focused Burst -- Dcm-Acc/Dmg(A), Dcm-Dmg/EndRdx(27), Dcm-Dmg/Rchg(27), Dcm-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(29), Dcm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), FrcFdb-Rechg%(31)
Level 28: Energy Drain -- EffAdp-EndMod/EndRdx(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(48), RedFrt-Def/Rchg(48), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 30: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 32: Concentrated Strike -- SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAssMar-Dmg/Rchg(33), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), SprAssMar-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SprAssMar-Rchg/Rchg Build Up(34)
Level 35: Energize -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(36)
Level 38: Moonbeam -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(39), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(40), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(46)
Level 41: Shadow Meld -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 44: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(45), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(45), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(45), ImpArm-ResPsi(46), Ags-Psi/Status(46)
Level 47: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(48)
Level 49: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 1: Assassination
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 -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(19), Mrc-Rcvry+(19)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(25)
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[Sigma7]

I just recently got back into COH so I cant judge your build with any authority.  Actually, I have a lv 27 Kin/EA stalker and I will be watching this thread to see if any wisdom pops up in here that can help me as well.  Sadly, I have to say that I have put my Kin/EA stalker on the shelf in favor of RAD/EA. The reason I put Kin down is because my experience largely mirrors this post i saw in this redit post.

 

"You'll have your best single target attacks by 6th level. Yup, 6th. Quick Strike, Body Blow, Smashing Blow, and Assassin's Strike are your core attacks. At 18th level you get your AoE and everything after that is a gimmick. Focused Burst is a ranged attack which is cool and all, but eventually it pales in comparison to the first 4 attacks.

Concentrated Strike is a total gimmick. Absolutely toy with it if you like, but what it looks like on paper is not reflected very well in reality. For starters, despite having higher DPA on paper, the first 4 attacks will eventually out perform it. Despite the Build-Up refresh mechanic, the added up-time doesn't create a DPS increase.

My KM/SR has all the attacks. I use them all from time to time, but if I am playing seriously and want to drop a hard target I don't touch the gimmick powers.

Scrappers are in the same boat. You won't use the gimmick powers if you're being serious with the single target.

Sounds bad, but on the plus side it is a set where it matures very early. With high recharge it is a rapid chain of attacks."

 

As a stalker I was always in melee range so I couldn't find any practical value in actually having ranged attacks.  the fact that concentrated strike cant crit undermines kins burst damage and the buildup mechanic is undermined by assassins mark.  On a side note, I am also disappointed that kin melee lacks the siphon/buff/debuff of other kin sets.

 

I hope things work out for you with kin.  And if they do, please come post about it.  Kin has some cool animations and I want to like it.  I just found the low tier powers to be competent but shallow/repetitive and the high tier powers to be cool on paper but impractical in practice.

 

Edited September 30, 2019 by Sigma7