Bio/??? Opinions wanted

[Kabuki]

Hello again Tanker folks!

 

After leveling up a few Tankers these past months, Invuln/SS, SD/DM, WP/Elec... I recently made a DM/Bio scrapper, and I have just been dumbfounded by the survivability... which made me think, wouldn't this be amazing to try out as a Tanker primary?!

 

So of course, now I must surrender to my altitis and make it happen. Only problem is I am having trouble deciding on what to pair it with.

 

I try not to duplicate combos if I can help it, or use the same set too often... so that said, these are some of the sets I am considering, and I was wondering what folks thought would be the most effective/fun combo:

 

Claws
Savage Melee
Stone Melee

 

are my primary considerations.

 

 

Super Strength

Titan Weapons

Battle Axe

War Mace

 

are also possibilities, though not favorites.

 

 

Any suggestions on which or why would be much appreciated!

[Bill Z Bubba]

Bio/Mace or Bio/Claws. Both are freaking insane.

[Cutter]

I'll second /Claws, and also give a nod to /Stone. I'm leveling both right now and they are good times!

 

[SeraphimKensai]

I really like my bio/staff tank. I have 6 stances basically.

[Kabuki]

1 hour ago, SeraphimKensai said:

I really like my bio/staff tank. I have 6 stances basically.

I have a Staff scrapper... and... I hate the animations too much to play it with any regularity. Same problem with MA and KM... the animations just kill it for me.

 

3 hours ago, Bill Z Bubba said:

Bio/Mace or Bio/Claws. Both are freaking insane.

 

1 hour ago, Cutter said:

I'll second /Claws, and also give a nod to /Stone. I'm leveling both right now and they are good times!

 

Claws is one I thought would work really well, just wasn't sure if it has the burst needed for some higher end stuff.

[KelvinKole]

I leveled a bio/claws to 43 and shelved it. Claws is extremely click heavy and Bio is also a pretty active set with three clicks on its own and the stances. The aoe damage, particularly from spin, is as good as you would expect and follow up overrides the damage penalty of the defensive stance, but it was too busy for me to enjoy. Single target damage is still not great, even after the tanker buffs. May have just been my perception from clicking so many times, but it seemed to take forever to kill freakshow tanks, council wolves, or basically anything with lethal resistance. 

 

If I were to roll a bio tank again, I think I'd try to pair it with a less busy secondary. A few possible good pairs for me would be broad sword, axe, stone, ice, or super strength. BS has some defense stacking through parry, and will hit hard. Ice offers some soft and hard control to allow you to stay in offensive stance, and a less resisted damage type. Axe, stone, and SS can be packed with force feedback procs to keep your bio clickies available. 

Edited February 9, 2020 by KelvinKole

[Bill Z Bubba]

10 hours ago, CosmicDreamShade said:

Claws is one I thought would work really well, just wasn't sure if it has the burst needed for some higher end stuff.

 

Claws is not a bursty set and because of that, lousy for PvP. However, while it lacks burst, with enough recharge backing a followup, focus, slash, repeat chain, you will chew through hard targets faster than the burst sets. Especially when in offensive mode for even more +damage.

 

Examples: my average pylon time for my claws/sr scrapper is around 3mins. For my claws/bio scrapper, I got 1:50 the other day but probably average 2mins. For a tank, the lack of crits will slow it down but I believe it was Nihilli that posted a 3min time for his bio/claws tank. That's pretty dang good for a tank.

[Linea]

Bio/Anything is good.

 

For stupid silly There's BioCat, Bio/Katana with Dampeners, Amps, Base Buffs, More or less Caps everything and massive regen healing too.  Absolutely no reason to ever build this build, it's just something I've threatened to do repeatedly.  ... and yes, I know your defense can be stripped, but considering what I do with a Kat/Bio Scrapper, I really wouldn't be that worried here.  Of course considering what I do with a Kat/Bio Scrapper, I'll almost certainly never build this either.

 

Note:  This is WITH Amplifiers, Dampeners, and Base Buffs turned on.

 

Bio/Katana Silliness

Spoiler

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.962
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Level 50 Mutation Tanker
Primary Power Set: Bio Armor
Secondary Power Set: Katana
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Sorcery

Hero Profile:
------------
Level 1:    Hardened Carapace        UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(3), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(3), UnbGrd-Max HP%(5), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(5), ImpArm-ResPsi(7)
Level 1:    Sting of the Wasp        SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(7), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), AchHee-ResDeb%(11)
Level 2:    Inexhaustible            PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(13)
Level 4:    Environmental Modification        Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(17), LucoftheG-Rchg+(19), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(19), Rct-ResDam%(21), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(21)
Level 6:    Adaptation    
Level 8:    Ablative Carapace        DctWnd-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux/Rchg(23), Pnc-Heal/Rchg(23)
Level 10:    Hasten                RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 12:    Evolving Armor            Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(25), Ags-ResDam(25), GldArm-3defTpProc(27), ImpArm-ResPsi(27)
Level 14:    Boxing                KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A)
Level 16:    Divine Avalanche        SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(A), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(33), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(33), LucoftheG-Rchg+(33)
Level 18:    DNA Siphon            Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), Erd-Acc/Rchg(34), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), TchoftheN-Acc/EndRdx/Heal/HP/Regen(34), TchoftheN-Heal(36)
Level 20:    Build Up            RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(36)
Level 22:    Tough                Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(29), Ags-ResDam(29), ImpArm-ResPsi(31)
Level 24:    Weave                LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def(36), LucoftheG-Rchg+(37)
Level 26:    Genetic Contamination        Erd-Dmg(A), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Erd-Acc/Rchg(39), ScrDrv-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), Mlt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40)
Level 28:    The Lotus Drops            SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(40), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 30:    Maneuvers            LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def(37), LucoftheG-Rchg+(37)
Level 32:    Parasitic Aura            TchoftheN-Acc/EndRdx/Heal/HP/Regen(A), Pnc-EndRdx/Rchg(42), Pnc-Heal/Rchg(43), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux/Rchg(43)
Level 35:    Soaring Dragon            Hct-Dmg/Rchg(A), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Hct-Acc/Rchg(45), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Hct-Dam%(45), AchHee-ResDeb%(50)
Level 38:    Golden Dragonfly        SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(46), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48), SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(48)
Level 41:    Mystic Flight            EndRdx-I(A)
Level 44:    Spirit Ward            Prv-Absorb%(A)
Level 47:    Rune of Protection        Ags-ResDam/Rchg(A), TtnCtn-ResDam/Rchg(48), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(50)
Level 49:    Dragon's Roar            PrfZng-Taunt/Rchg(A)
Level 1:    Brawl                KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A)
Level 1:    Gauntlet    
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                Clr-Stlth(A)
Level 2:    Rest                RechRdx-I(A)
Level 4:    Ninja Run    
Level 2:    Swift                Run-I(A)
Level 2:    Health                Mrc-Rcvry+(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(13), Pnc-Heal/+End(15)
Level 2:    Hurdle                Jump-I(A)
Level 2:    Stamina                PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(15), EffAdp-EndMod(17)
Level 8:    Defensive Adaptation    
Level 8:    Efficient Adaptation    
Level 8:    Offensive Adaptation    
Level 0:    Biological Mutagens    
Level 0:    Kinetic Shield    
------------

 

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Bio Kat Tank - Beta 1e - [i25].mxd

[Seigmoraig]

Titan Weapon all the way. One glaring problem with TW on a Tanker is how late you will be getting your good powers. If you can get through the initial hump though it's really great, especially considering the target cap buffs TW got in the Tanker patch, 10 target Arc of Destruction and 16 target Whirling Smash? Yesplz

Edited February 12, 2020 by Seigmoraig

[Vea]

My vote is Bio/Stone.

 

It's somewhat thematic to stone. You can leverage FF+Rech proc for all the clickies. Also the T1 is a useful pick for the optimal attack chain. Also Bio complements the end useage of stone. This would be my "grown up" pick.

 

My secondary vote would then be Savage. Again mainly for the T1 being a useful pick. The T9 is also great. Shred and Rendering Flurry benefit from AoE buffs. This would be my "spicy" pick.

 

If I really had to, SS would be my third pick because you can't get a Bio/SS scrapper.. and SS is just strong. This would be my "I care about numbers" pick.

[Heraclea]

Bio has strong endurance relief, so the end-hog attack sets - Stone Melee, Axe, Spines - are all worth considering.  My bio tanker is Bio/Spines, which is great fun: you just stand there and mobs die. 

[Chebeq]

Mine is the Scrapper reverse, but Bio/Claws is really fun to play. Unending attack chain if you want it, and you can easily drop one for a primary click power. Also has a good amount of added survivability in the shockwave/focus powers with the KB (or KD with the IO; strongly recommend).

[Bill Z Bubba]

22 minutes ago, Chebeq said:

(or KD with the IO; strongly recommend).

 

Can't be overstated. KB to KD proc in shockwave is a game changer.

[Frosticus]

I have a stone/bio brute that is a lot of fun. Stone melee has tons of +rech proc slots and can keep a group stunned/knocked pretty well which gives bio ample opportunity to cycle its powerful clicks. 

 

I imagine the tank version would be a lot of fun too. 

[Call Me Awesome]

11 hours ago, Bill Z Bubba said:

 

Can't be overstated. KB to KD proc in shockwave is a game changer.

I tend to think that ANY KB power is much better with the KD proc.  Aside from a couple of Blaster secondary ST "Go AWAY" KB powers everything works better as KD.

[Chebeq]

On 2/13/2020 at 11:05 AM, Call Me Awesome said:

I tend to think that ANY KB power is much better with the KD proc.  Aside from a couple of Blaster secondary ST "Go AWAY" KB powers everything works better as KD.

If your goal was PURE survivability, then it would be better to push them back so they waste the running time. But yes, I agree on the principle of KB generally a minus.

[hakurr]

Bio / Savage as a tank you are not much of a damage dealer but with savage people will forget that you are a tank until they realize you are not only doing damage like crazy but also taking the agro of everything 

[Xandyr]

I love bio. My main tank is bio/rad. SOOOO hard to kill. I also have a DM/Bio scrapper and a claws/bio brute.

 The brute is fun and very resilient.  I would imagine as a tank it would only be better....survivability and the changes for range/cone/targets etc for tanks.

 I would also think stone would be good also.

[Hjarki]

I have a hard time recommending anything other than Bio/TW.

 

First of all, Titan Weapons is an incredibly powerful set in its own right.

 

Second of all, Bio's defense hole is S/L. Titan Weapons has Defensive Sweep, a stackable/enhanceable buff to Smashing/Melee Defense. This single power can soft-cap your Smashing/Melee Defense from zero. Admittedly, there's still a hole there - but it's awfully tiny (Ranged or AoE Lethal-only attacks).

[Haijinx]

wouldn't Bio/SS be a good combo? - A lot of potential +DMG 

 

 

 

 

[Psyonico]

I like Bio/Fire and Bio/Spines personally.  Lots of AoE Goodness

[CKent83]

A couple others have suggested Titan Weapons, and I'd like to do so as well. The drawback I've come across in TW is Endurance, and Bio has an "Efficient" mode, so you can keep swinging away. If you're not really interested in dealing damage, but you need some toughness,  you can go into Defensive mode. If you are solo, and need the extra damage (but you won't because TW does TONS of damage) there's a mode for that too. You might not even notice the lost protection from "offense" mode because there's enough attacks in TW that knockdown enemies that they won't have many opportunities to hurt you.

 

Also, with the increased target cap Tankers got, your AoE's will generate aggro on even more targets. Combined with Bio's taunt Aura, you've got a great bag of tools, not just tricks.

[Kabuki]

Wow, this is an old thread...

I went Bio/Claws some time ago with the character. It is OK, but I have so many Tankers, Brutes and a few Scrappers, that the character is kinda back burner at the moment.

As for Titan Weapons, not so much. I have a TW brute... hate it. I hate the animations, I hate the way it plays, and I hate the Final Fantasy/Anime style oversized weapons trope in and of itself. Also, given how much it over performs, I expect it will eventually get hit with some form of Titan sized Nerf bat. I know some folks just love it, I am not one of them. And if I can't stand the looks/animation, I can't play it, no matter how mechanically beneficial it is.

[Warboss]

I'll chime in with a couple (mostly for reasons already stated):

Bio/Savage - Teleport T9 AoE, what's not to like?

Bio/Claws (is just a great pairing)

Bio/Ice (because I'm weird and like IM, plus gives some added damage mitigation from Ice Patch while leveling up, and comes in handy later in the game)

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Warboss