Psychic Blast/Mental Manipulation

[Display Name]

Hi!  Does anyone have a good build for this combo?  What about the epic pools?  There doesn't seem to be much opportunity in the epic pools...

[Display Name]

So I was looking at Force Mastery.  And suddenly my defenses and resists increased dramatically!?

[Display Name]

Ok Personal Force Field can't be used with attack powers.  It can't be used with an Ouro portal.  It de-toggles Rest (and vice-versa.)

 

No thanks.  I don't want "turtle" defenses.  I want to reach out and touch someone!

 

I've seen people choose Flame Mastery.  What about Mu Mastery?  Or *any* Epic Pool available to the Blaster?  Which Epic Pool just *screams* "Psi/Mental Blaster!!"

 

Maintaining the "Psi/Mental" theme would be IDEAL.  I'd rather sacrifice Mace to maintain the theme and be *cool enough* for gameplay!

[oedipus_tex]

The Fire epic pool is popular because Bonfire offers great control and Rise of the Phoenix makes you effectively immortal as long as you don't mind debt. Unlike, say, Dominators, Blasters don't lose a lot when they die, so you can play to your full DPS potential and resurrect (with a nuke!) when it goes south. 

 

Soul Mastery villain pool isn't a bad choice and is semi-thematic. It comes with two additional cone powers, one of which is an immobilize, 

[Display Name]

What about Incarnates?  Any suggestions there?

Also, "World of Confusion" from Mental Manipulation is confusing!?  It's nothing like "World of Confusion" on my Dominator!?!?!  What happened?  Does it suck?  It seems to suck!

[oedipus_tex]

World of Confusion sucks, yes. It's the same power on every archetype.

[Display Name]

Wait...  The only part that sucks about it on Doms is the fact that it takes millions of years to recharge!  Plus, it's only available through the epic pools.

 

I *like* Confusion.  On a Blaster it's a secondary power, changes to PBAoE and is a toggle.  It just seems to suck because it doesn't seem to be confusing anything?!  Does it work as well as World of Confusion normally does?

[Display Name]

Here's my build so far.

 

Spoiler

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.7
https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Blaster
Primary Power Set: Psychic Blast
Secondary Power Set: Mental Manipulation
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Sorcery
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Flame Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Psionic Dart -- SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(7)
Level 1: Subdual -- GrvAnc-Immob(A), GrvAnc-Immob/Rchg(7), GrvAnc-Acc/Immob/Rchg(9), GrvAnc-Acc/Rchg(9), GrvAnc-Hold%(11)
Level 2: Telekinetic Blast -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(11), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(15), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(15)
Level 4: Telekinetic Thrust -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), Hct-Acc/Rchg(17), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Hct-Dam%(19)
Level 6: Psychic Focus -- RctRtc-ToHit(A), RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(21)
Level 8: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(21)
Level 10: Psychic Scream -- SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(23), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(27)
Level 12: Psionic Lance -- StnoftheM-Acc/Dmg(A), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx(27), StnoftheM-Acc/ActRdx/Rng(29), StnoftheM-Dmg/ActRdx/Rchg(29), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), StnoftheM-Dam%(31)
Level 14: Spirit Ward -- Heal-I(A)
Level 16: Concentration -- RctRtc-ToHit(A), RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(31)
Level 18: Psionic Tornado -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx(33), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(33), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(34), SprFrzBls-Rchg/ImmobProc(34)
Level 20: Drain Psyche -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(46), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(46), Prv-Heal/Rchg(48), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(48), Prv-Absorb%(48)
Level 22: Hover -- LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def(34), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(36)
Level 24: Boxing -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(36), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(36), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 26: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(37)
Level 28: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def(37), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(39), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(39)
Level 30: Mystic Flight -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 32: Psychic Wail -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(42)
Level 35: Bonfire -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A)
Level 38: Psychic Shockwave -- Arm-Dmg/Rchg(A), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Arm-Acc/Rchg(43), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Arm-Dam%(45), AbsAmz-ToHitDeb%(45)
Level 41: Rune of Protection -- Ags-ResDam/Rchg(A), Ags-EndRdx/Rchg(45), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 44: Char -- Lck-%Hold(A)
Level 47: Fire Shield -- Ags-Psi/Status(A)
Level 49: Rise of the Phoenix -- HO:Perox(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance 
Level 1: Quick Form 
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 -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Heal-I(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- RgnTss-Regen+(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(42), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(50), Pnc-Heal/+End(50)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), PrfShf-EndMod(42), PrfShf-End%(50)
------------

 

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Edited January 6, 2020 by Display Name

[Coyote]

On 1/3/2020 at 11:00 AM, Display Name said:

Wait...  The only part that sucks about it on Doms is the fact that it takes millions of years to recharge!  Plus, it's only available through the epic pools.

 

I *like* Confusion.  On a Blaster it's a secondary power, changes to PBAoE and is a toggle.  It just seems to suck because it doesn't seem to be confusing anything?!  Does it work as well as World of Confusion normally does?

 

You're confusing (hah) World of Confusion with Mass Confusion, which is a good power. World of Confusion is only "good" if you put the Contagious Confusion proc in it, and even then... it works better on characters who fight in melee for a while, giving that proc a chance to activate and turn some minions to your side. But Blasters don't fight in melee that long, and generally blow minions to bits pretty quickly, so... the number of times it will actually activate and turn a minion to your side, who will then take one shot at his friends before catching one of your AoEs to the side of the head and going down, is not worth it.

[Display Name]

Ok, so it looks like I put together a "final" build (see my previous post.)  Any suggestions?

[Display Name]

Sigh...  So...  Mace Mastery?

 

This means I would have to switch to red and modify my story slightly.  I mean, I could do it and all, but...  Why do I always find myself switching to red to be cool?

 

 

[Display Name]

Ugh...  I have to debuff nearly half of my powers with KB > KD!  I think I've had enough!

[Coyote]

6 hours ago, Display Name said:

Ugh...  I have to debuff nearly half of my powers with KB > KD!  I think I've had enough!

 

Huh? Like which?

Psionic Tornado is KnockUP. I think the tooltip may say knockback, but the power specifics show knockup, and that's what it does. Knockup is useful... and fun.

TK Blast does do knockback, but in general you don't need to worry about single-target knockback. The rule is: if you knock it back, you finish it... and that's not usually a problem for a Blaster to clean up a mob that's picking itself off the ground. I wouldn't spend a slot to convert that to knockdown, though it would be an improvement. It's just not enough of an improvement, when I would like it enhanced nicely and I already would put a slot for Force Feedback's proc.

[oedipus_tex]

Despite its slow cast speed, Psionic Tornado is one of the most satisfying powers in the game. The knock up animation causes the enemy to do a flip and land on its back. The animation is rarely seen in-game because knock up is rare. When it procs on a bunch of enemies at once it is very very cool looking.

 

I always wished there was a power with 100% chance to cause the flip animation. I think it can happen if you Mass Levitate a bunch of enemies who have been hit with an immobilize that raises knock resistance.

[Display Name]

Psychic Blast has TK Blast with KB.  Mental Manipulation has TK Thrust.  I had previously counted Psionic Tornado.  Also Bonfire from Fire Mastery.

 

I understand what "knockUP" is, but how is it useful?  I've seen it with Levitate, and people get mad when I use it because it moves the enemy.

[Coyote]

I think Levitate is a huge knockup which does move targets. Still, anyone who complains about the small location change from a knockup power is being too picky. You don't need to spend a slot on mitigating that. I forgot about TK Thrust, but frankly that power's main point is to knock mobs back and away from you.
Bonfire is great IF you take the IO for it, but it's also a low-slot power, so you could conceivably just leave a single slot in it and put the KB to KD in there. Though I would put 2-3 slots in it to get some Recharge... but it still has room for a KB to KD IO without filling out its slots.

 

Knockup is useful, it keeps mobs from acting. I don't think it's BETTER than Knockdown, but it's not so much worse that it's worth slotting to eliminate it. Knocking up half the mobs prevents them from acting, or from leaving rain patches. It's a good effect, not really far behind knockdown. Especially with a relatively low knockup like Psychic Tornado has.

[gamechanger]

Not enough defense for my taste, not sure where to start with your build.  I will have to make one from scratch

[Llewellyn Blackwell]

Where to begin.

 

First never give two spits about the team on a Psi/ment when they ask you to hold back or adapt to them. No you rush in first getting drain psyche on, you will be invis so they never see you coming. With drain psyche on a fat group your rocking regen levels of self healing. You have endless blue so you can spam anything you want. Dont like KB attacks dont take them, best thing about blasters is more attacks then one can ever rotate so take what you like. Psi Tornado is great aoe dps and CC, few mobs can keep their feet against it and it can be spammed over several groups rapidly locking down whole rooms.

 

Psy scream should be built as CC as well not DPS, WoC is great, look at it  as an anti melee shield for when things get too close.  Due to your nuke, your drain psyche, and psy scream your meant to be in melee range like few other blasters. No your not a blapper, your a point blanking mage tank.

 

Force Mastery is my ideal. Drain psyche will maintain its recovery boost through a force of nature crash, I love phase shift as a quick oh sit button. better then eating dirt to nuke rez with pheonix imo, as more often then not the user just face plants again and ends up doing less over all DPS then the one who knows how to go defensive for a few seconds now and then.

 

If you cant make a Psi/Ment blaster feel godly your likely not cut out for blasters as a AT.

[graeberguinn]

Bentley, can you share a sample build. You've peaked my interest. 

[Kaballah]

Echoing the sentiment that you shouldn't worry too much about people telling you what powers to use and where to be unless it's for a very specific thing like Lord Recluse perhaps.  Also KB attacks can always be fitted with Sudden Acceleration, which can turn a really annoying power into an amazing one that breaks the game in half (bonfire).

[Novacat]

On 1/6/2020 at 2:33 AM, Display Name said:

Psychic Blast has TK Blast with KB.  Mental Manipulation has TK Thrust.  I had previously counted Psionic Tornado.  Also Bonfire from Fire Mastery.

I understand what "knockUP" is, but how is it useful?  I've seen it with Levitate, and people get mad when I use it because it moves the enemy.

Without moving them laterally, it sends them up into the air. With all the "Knock-" effects the advantage is simple: Things flying up, down, away, or trying to get up from their evil magic buttocks are not attacking.

You know how a hold might be 5-6 seconds of them doing nothing? Well in practice so can a heavy knock-up or knock-back. In exchange for not being as hard or as long-duration a control, they're far more accessible and numerous for ATs like blasters, and usually come in as a secondary component of an attack or other ability, thus making them relatively cheap to obtain compared to "Take The Hold Power"

[Nemu]

Mass KB/KD/KU powers are often overlooked in favor of hard control when people approach blaster builds. These powers are not only excellent FF proc mules but they usually have shorter recharge times than their mass hard control counterparts. Some combinations can string multiple KD/KU powers to chain them. I can only imagine how much time mobs will spend on the floor with a combination like Psy/Elec between psi nado, force of thunder and thunderstrike.