AV/GM Killer?

[WitchofDread]

So I have never played a blaster and was wondering how they fare against an AV or GM or if it's even possible.

[Novacat]

Early on not as well as the melees. There's just no getting around the fact that the melee ATs all do as much or nearly as much damage with multiple times the survivability.

Your slows and other soft controls lose most of their effect against those targets too so you can't expect the AT to be recharging 2/3 as quickly like the normal things you web grenade. With full IOs and incarnate gear, you'll eventually be able to.

 

Your advantages are generally better suited to taking on large crowds, but you can also keep yourself at a bit of altitude if you take Hover, and can thus at least avoid some of the nastier melee attacks. Some sets, like Beam Rifle or Temporal Manipulation (among others) will also offer a bit of -regen, something that adds up rather nicely over time in such long fights.

[ScarySai]

My fire/mental solos GMs just fine. It used to be even faster before the drain psyche nerf.

 

I could see Beam rifle pulling it off as well, due to it's -regen and massive single target damage.

[WitchofDread]

Could dark blast work?

[Crysis]

Haven’t solo’d any AV’s with my Blaster but have almost all of them (minus a few like LR) On my Beam/Traps Corruptor.   Ranged damage isn’t the hard part, staying alive when you are the focal point of their anger is.
 

But if you used Temp powers like the Signature tank summon to keep aggro off of you (or Lore Pets for same) and stuff like Envenomed Daggers or Shivans I think it’s possible to do with a good high Def Blaster build.  
 

 

[Coyote]

Yes, depending on the AV's powers. Auto-hit powers are nasty, as are -Def powers.

Dark Blast is a good choice as it adds a bit of -ToHit (I generally figure the penalty on AVs at about 1/10 normal, so stacking 4 debuffs is about 3% defense which helps when you're close to the soft-cap), but more importantly, it adds a regular Heal as part of your attack chain. As well as being able to slot a +Endurance power in Life Drain to help with Endurance management.

Mental secondary is good for the -Regen, and I also like Plant for a 1-shot Immobilize and some weak -Regen.

For Dark Blast specifically, Energy is a good secondary since Power Boost is excellent for everything that Dark Blast does.

Edited April 22, 2020 by Coyote

[WitchofDread]

What about Dark/fire?

[Coyote]

/Fire is best at clearing trash mobs with all of the PBAoEs. It's a decent matchup with Dark Blast since it brings the AoE which Dark is light on. So I think it's a fine combination for a character in general. Specifically for AV fights, what it has is that Ring of Fire is higher damage than usual for an Immobilize along with a fast animation time, so it's a rare Immobilize that's actuall okay in an attack chain... and that Hot Feet adds extra DPS (which costs Endurance, but is easier to maintain with a +Endurance proc in Life Drain).

So, you get a slightly better Immobilize (but not as good as Plant because while the attack itself is a lot better, Plant has to throw it half as often so it can use normal attacks more), and a toggle damage aura that's comparable to a weak -Regen power.

 

So, it's not bad against AVs since it does bring some powers that are useful, but it's not great. I'd rather have the stronger Immobilize from Plant, and the -Regen. However, it's not so far behind that it's a bad choice, and it does work well in the rest of the game with fast spawn clearing.

[Banana Man]

Basically any blaster can do it with the right build. -regen doesn't really matter because most AVs are going to resist it heavily, and blaster -regen debuffs are pretty weak to begin with. You want a lot of global recharge, a lot of damage, and ideally something you can slot a -res proc into and have it proc regularly. With dark blast you're gonna want to build for instant snipe and use that as your main attack. Moonbeam is the only good single target attack in the set, so you'll want a secondary with more damage options.

 

I'd go with /fire. Dark's weakness in normal gameplay is limited single target damage, and bad aoe. AoE isn't as important vs AVs, but /fire is probably still your best move. It not only gives you AoE, but gives you more single target damage in fire sword, two damage auras, and burn (great place to put fury of the gladiator -res). It's the best blaster secondary in the game in the vast majority of cases. Runners up would be /dark (damage aura, decent single target damage, soul drain) and /elec (damage aura, very high dps melee attacks), but you'd see some fall-off if paired with dark blast, because both /dark and /elec lack AoE, both have really clunky sustain powers, and no reliable source of -resist.

 

You might already know this bit, but I saw you were also asking about farm builds. Keep in mind that, for killing AVs, a standard PvE build will work just fine. On the other hand, farming blaster builds will typically require a very specific build, unless you're farming really slowly. Farm builds are in most cases gonna be terrible for killing AVs.

[Chelsea Rorec]

AR/Devices checking in.

Not had a problem yet 🙂

Edited April 23, 2020 by Chelsea Rorec

[WitchofDread]

So I tried this. I couldn't quite get S/L Def cap with what i had chosen unfortunately. But if i dropped a power for Fire Sword id be able to amend that, just not sure what id drop really.

5 hours ago, Banana Man said:

You might already know this bit, but I saw you were also asking about farm builds. Keep in mind that, for killing AVs, a standard PvE build will work just fine. On the other hand, farming blaster builds will typically require a very specific build, unless you're farming really slowly. Farm builds are in most cases gonna be terrible for killing AVs.

 

The idea was to try 2 builds and see once the character was at 50 which direction id prefer to take it.

 

 

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 Mutation Blaster
Primary Power Set: Dark Blast
Secondary Power Set: Fire Manipulation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Gloom -- SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(A), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(3), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(7)
Level 1: Ring of Fire -- HO:Nucle(A)
Level 2: Umbral Torrent -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A), FrcFdb-Rechg%(43), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg(46), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(50)
Level 4: Combustion -- SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(7), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(21)
Level 6: Aim -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 8: Moonbeam -- Apc-Dam%(A), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(9), Apc-Dmg/Rchg(9), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), Apc-Acc/Rchg(17), GldJvl-Dam/End/Rech(17)
Level 10: Fire Sword Circle -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(11), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(11), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Obl-%Dam(15)
Level 12: Tenebrous Tentacles -- Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Rgn-Dmg(27), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(29), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(37)
Level 14: Hover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 16: Fly -- Empty(A)
Level 18: Build Up -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 20: Abyssal Gaze -- GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(A), GhsWdwEmb-Acc/EndRdx(46), UnbCns-Dam%(48), NrnSht-Dam%(48), GldNet-Dam%(50)
Level 22: Cauterizing Aura -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Pnc-Heal(23), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux(23), Pnc-Heal/Rchg(25), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux/Rchg(27)
Level 24: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(25)
Level 26: Life Drain -- ThfofEss-+End%(A), ThfofEss-Acc/EndRdx/Heal(42), ThfofEss-Acc/Heal(42), GldJvl-Dam/End/Rech(43), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(50)
Level 28: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 30: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(31), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(31), RctArm-ResDam(31), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(33), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(40)
Level 32: Blackstar -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(33), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(33), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Obl-%Dam(34)
Level 35: Burn -- Arm-Dam%(A), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(36), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Arm-Acc/Rchg(37), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(37)
Level 38: Hot Feet -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(40)
Level 41: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(42)
Level 44: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(45), ShlWal-Def(45), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(45)
Level 47: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(48)
Level 49: Tactics -- Empty(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 -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 50: Agility Core Paragon 
------------

[rshacklef0rd]

beam/devices works well, you can solo ITF's  with no issues.

[Frostweaver]

so can beam/ta, if you don't like spending a ton of time setting stuff up.

Of course, your absolutely crap aoe is irritating in regular content.

[Banana Man]

I can make you an all purpose PvE build, or at least something to point you in the right direction. I'd ask a few questions first, though.

 

1. Do you use temps? (base temp for 30% recharge, kinetic dampener for s/l defense, amplifiers, etc) 

 

2. Is fly a must? If it's a must, I can make a build with it, but combat jumping is pretty key on /fire blasters so you can get into good positions quickly to maximize your AoEs.

[WitchofDread]

1. tbh ive never looked into temp powers really

2. Nope its not super important but prefered.

 

[Banana Man]

With temps, some are more high maintenance, like the amplifiers from p2w, since they cost 2.5 mil each. I can understand not wanting to build around those.

 

Others are really cheap, and it's just a matter of replacing them. 

 

Kinetic dampener is like 12ish (i think) percent s/l defense. It's a toggle that you can buy for pretty cheap (I think about 1 mil for an hour's worth). You can buy up to one hour of the temp, and you can turn off the toggle when you're not using it, so you won't waste any time. Basically, you COULD make a build with s/l defense in the 30s and then softcap with the temp, saving you some slots for other things. I feel like it's worth using the temp, because in most fights, you don't actually NEED softcapped defense, and 1 mil isn't that much for an entire hour of combat, especially if you're turning the toggle off when you don't need it. I can also totally understand not wanting to deal with re-purchasing it and remembering to de-toggle it, though. So, up to you!

 

You can also use VERY cheap base temps (we're talking like 2 pieces of common salvage and one piece of uncommon) to get things like 30% +recharge, or +recovery, drain resist for fighting certain AVs, etc. They last for 1.5 hours, and I almost always run the +recharge one when PvEing.

[WitchofDread]

Very curious. Are these detailed on paragonwiki at all?

[Silverado]

The amount of inaccurate information here is baffling.

Edited April 24, 2020 by Silverado

[Shred Monkey]

On 4/3/2020 at 1:14 PM, WitchofDread said:

So I have never played a blaster and was wondering how they fare against an AV or GM or if it's even possible.

I'm not sure you've gotten an accurate or clear answer to the OP.   Yes, you can absolutely solo GMs and AVs on a blaster.   Temp powers are not needed.  -Regen helps a ton on GMs, but for AVs you just build to out damage their regen.  AV's resist -regen so much that blaster -regen powers are nearly pointless to use on them.

 

I've built 4 blasters to 50 on homecoming and they all solo AVs just fine.  2 of them can solo GMs.  I doubt there's a blaster combo that cannot be built to solo AVs but obviously, some sets do it easier than others.

 

 

[Frostweaver]

When you add in incarnates, temps, temp summons, drops from super packs, accolades, day job powers, alignment powers, P2W powers and temps, and quest drop powers, anyone can do anything.

Not sure if calculating those in really gives a good measure of an AT's abilities.

[Coyote]

On 4/24/2020 at 3:04 AM, Frostweaver said:

anyone can do anything.

 

Heh, so no one is really Super, after all? 😉
I agree that everyone can solo AVs. But not everyone can solo ALL AVs... there are some that are just too hard (Madame of Mystery), or have special tricks (the Colonel Durays, Battle Maiden), etc.

[Frostweaver]

After watching an AR/Regen Sentinel solo the STF and LRSF, I am not sure that there is ANY content impossible for ANYONE to solo with the right bag of tricks and a few million inf in special temporaries.

Edited April 25, 2020 by Frostweaver

[Shred Monkey]

OK.. Level 54 AV Siege.  I want to see a defender who can solo him.  Go.

 

 

Edited April 26, 2020 by Shred Monkey

[Coyote]

7 hours ago, Shred Monkey said:

OK.. Level 54 AV Siege.  I want to see a defender who can solo him.  Go.

 

Defender? You may actually have a chance with a Defender since Traps, Poison and Cold have strong enough debuffs to maybe damage him. Traps can shut off Regen, Poison can cripple his self heal, and Cold combines -Regen with -Resist. Note that my Ill/Storm couldn't beat him at 54 until a bug with degenerative interface killed him, so I don't think it will be easy. But... maybe possible.

But, a Sentinel or Warshade? Heh. I doubt a Blaster can do it, either. I mean, if Ill/Storm bounces of... eh.

 

Hm. Maybe with a combination of Provoke to keep pets alive, a Shivan, Longbow Core, Snowman, etc, if you summon enough things at once and keep the aggro on yourself, maybe. But even then his orbital ray is likely to target the pets and kill them.

[Elmyder]

On 4/25/2020 at 6:45 AM, Coyote said:

 

Heh, so no one is really Super, after all? 😉
I agree that everyone can solo AVs. But not everyone can solo ALL AVs... there are some that are just too hard (Madame of Mystery), or have special tricks (the Colonel Durays, Battle Maiden), etc.

Okay, I actually wanna take this as a challenge lol. Tell me which AVs you don't think can be soloed on a blaster and where to find em, and I'll give it a shot on my blaster.