Archery - Tactical Arrow build

[StoneKarma]

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: Archery
Secondary Power Set: Tactical Arrow
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Flame Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Aimed Shot

• (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage
• (3) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance
• (3) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge
• (5) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (5) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (7) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  

Level 1: Electrified Net Arrow

• (A) Tempered Readiness - Accuracy/Slow
  

Level 2: Fistful of Arrows

• (A) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage
• (7) Superior Defiant Barrage - Damage/RechargeTime
• (9) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
• (9) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (11) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (11) Superior Defiant Barrage - RechargeTime/+Status
  

Level 4: Fly

• (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance
• (15) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)
  

Level 6: Glue Arrow

• (A) Tempered Readiness - Accuracy/Slow
• (15) Tempered Readiness - Accuracy/Damage/Slow
  

Level 8: Blazing Arrow

• (A) Apocalypse - Damage
• (17) Apocalypse - Damage/Recharge
• (17) Apocalypse - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (19) Apocalypse - Accuracy/Recharge
• (19) Apocalypse - Damage/Endurance
• (21) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage(Negative)
  

Level 10: Ice Arrow

• (A) Lockdown - Chance for +2 Mag Hold
• (21) Basilisk's Gaze - Accuracy/Recharge
• (23) Basilisk's Gaze - Recharge/Hold
• (23) Basilisk's Gaze - Chance for Recharge Slow
• (25) Basilisk's Gaze - Accuracy/Hold
• (50) Lockdown - Accuracy/Hold
  

Level 12: Explosive Arrow

• (A) Ragnarok - Damage
• (25) Ragnarok - Damage/Recharge
• (27) Ragnarok - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (27) Ragnarok - Accuracy/Recharge
• (29) Ragnarok - Damage/Endurance
• (29) Sudden Acceleration - Knockback to Knockdown
  

Level 14: Hover

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• (31) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range
• (31) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance
  

Level 16: Flash Arrow

• (A) Cloud Senses - ToHit Debuff
• (31) Cloud Senses - Accuracy/ToHitDebuff
• (33) Cloud Senses - Accuracy/Recharge
• (33) Cloud Senses - ToHit Debuff/Endurance/Recharge
• (33) Cloud Senses - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge
• (34) Cloud Senses - Chance for Negative Energy Damage
  

Level 18: Ranged Shot

• (A) Sting of the Manticore - Accuracy/Damage
• (34) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Endurance
• (34) Sting of the Manticore - Accuracy/Interrupt/Range
• (36) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Interrupt/Recharge
• (36) Sting of the Manticore - Chance of Damage(Toxic)
  

Level 20: Eagle Eye

• (A) Performance Shifter - EndMod
• (36) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End
• (37) Preventive Medicine - Heal
• (37) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb
  

Level 22: Combat Jumping

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• (37) Luck of the Gambler - Defense
• (39) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All)
  

Level 24: Hasten

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
• (39) Recharge Reduction IO
  

Level 26: Upshot

• (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up
• (39) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Recharge
  

Level 28: Agility

• (A) Run Speed IO
  

Level 30: Aim

• (A) Rectified Reticle - Increased Perception
• (50) Rectified Reticle - To Hit Buff/Recharge
  

Level 32: Rain of Arrows

• (A) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage
• (40) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Damage/Recharge
• (40) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (40) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (42) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (42) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Recharge/Chance for Fire Damage
  

Level 35: Bonfire

• (A) Annihilation - Chance for Res Debuff
• (42) Annihilation - Damage/RechargeTime
• (43) Annihilation - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
• (43) Sudden Acceleration - Knockback to Knockdown
  

Level 38: ESD Arrow

• (A) Lockdown - Accuracy/Hold
• (43) Lockdown - Accuracy/Recharge
• (45) Lockdown - Recharge/Hold
• (45) Lockdown - Endurance/Recharge/Hold
• (45) Lockdown - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge/Hold
• (46) Lockdown - Chance for +2 Mag Hold
  

Level 41: Gymnastics

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense
• (46) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
  

Level 44: Maneuvers

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• (46) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance
  

Level 47: Fire Shield

• (A) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)
• (48) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
• (48) Aegis - Psionic/Status Resistance
• (48) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP
  

Level 49: Afterburner

• (A) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage
• (50) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance
  

Level 1: Brawl

• (A) Empty
  

Level 1: Defiance 

Level 1: Quick Form 
Level 1: Prestige Power Dash

 

I have this character at 50th already, I'm looking for ways to respec into a permanent expensive build.

I wanted to focus a bit more on the damage with some survive ability. Ranged DEF is 41%, not capped, but good. Smashing and Lethal Resistances are 32%, decent but not maxed. RECHARGE is 181%, pretty good I think, but I'm looking for a way to make it better. And Damage is +21%.

 

I'm asking for help finding any gaps or ways to improve it?

 

My play style for this toon is to sit back and launch DAMAGE and then occasionally debuff. In playing this, I like the way Ice Arrow and ESD Arrow will stack, especially if there's someone else with Hold in the group. 

 

I've seen people load up Flash Arrow with procs, but I tend to just use Flash Arrow before the fight starts, so I'd rather it didn't do damage. But, if it's much better slotted for Damage, I'm willing to change my play style.

 

I tried it with Scorpion Shield from Mace Mastery, but it just capped Ranged DEF and dropped my RES to single digits. I think the balance between them would be better.

 

I LOVE Bonfire with KD in it. But again, if it increases my DPS, I'm willing to change it.

 

Thanks everyone for your help!

Comments, thoughts, suggestions?

 

 

[Coyote]

1: people load up FLASH Arrow with procs? Sure you're not thinking Glue Arrow? That's where I'd put slots.

2: biggest bang for your buck if you want to improve Defense AND Resists is to get the Fighting Pool. Stacking Tough with Fire Shield will give you excellent Resists, Weave will probably put you to the soft-cap (depending on what you drop to get those 3 powers), and Weave can carry a LotG.

 

Also, a general build hint: you spend one slot either way to put Reactive Defenses into a Defense power... always put those slots into earlier and cheaper powers rather than waiting for late levels and a Defense power with high End cost. Move it earlier to Combat Jumping. Same goes for all of the Defense uniques and for Gladiator's Armor. Steadfast Protection DOES give +Resist, so that one should be slotted where you actually have use for the +Resist enhancing. Same goes for the Health uniques, but Health is actually the best place for them since it's auto and you start with it.

[StoneKarma]

9 hours ago, Coyote said:

1: people load up FLASH Arrow with procs? Sure you're not thinking Glue Arrow? That's where I'd put slots.

2: biggest bang for your buck if you want to improve Defense AND Resists is to get the Fighting Pool. Stacking Tough with Fire Shield will give you excellent Resists, Weave will probably put you to the soft-cap (depending on what you drop to get those 3 powers), and Weave can carry a LotG.

 

Also, a general build hint: you spend one slot either way to put Reactive Defenses into a Defense power... always put those slots into earlier and cheaper powers rather than waiting for late levels and a Defense power with high End cost. Move it earlier to Combat Jumping. Same goes for all of the Defense uniques and for Gladiator's Armor. Steadfast Protection DOES give +Resist, so that one should be slotted where you actually have use for the +Resist enhancing. Same goes for the Health uniques, but Health is actually the best place for them since it's auto and you start with it.

Thank you for the help, I appreciate it. 

 

Yep. They slot procs into flash arrow. I accidentally blindly followed a build I found here. And imagine my surprise when Flash Arrow started drawing aggro. But, that's what led me to respec into this build anyway. So, all in all, possibly not a bad deal. 

 

When I was drafting this build, I tried it with the Fighting pool, but I wasn't able to find a way for it to fit. What powers would I swap out to get the fighting pool? Maneuvers, because I'm also maxed on pool powers, Afterburner, but I've got a LoTG there.

 

Does anyone see anything I can do to increase DPS? Either DMG or RECH?

Edited May 20, 2020 by StoneKarma

[Frostweaver]

15 hours ago, StoneKarma said:

When I was drafting this build, I tried it with the Fighting pool, but I wasn't able to find a way for it to fit. What powers would I swap out to get the fighting pool? Maneuvers, because I'm also maxed on pool powers, Afterburner, but I've got a LoTG there.

 

Does anyone see anything I can do to increase DPS? Either DMG or RECH?

 

A LOTG mule is less important than serious defense. So you have 3 instead of 5 lotg's? So what?

Which do you prefer, the range game or hoverblasting? /TA doesn't need to hoverblast like other sets because of glue arrow and some other nasty tricks, but if you are used to it, it does help against things like Magmites and War Wolves.

What is your preferred attack chain?

Do you tend to go solo, be on steamrolls, work with a tanker partner, Trial and TF, or what?

Do you plan to exemplar? Would you prefer to kill your way through or stealth exemplared content? Do you happen to like stealth?

We can bang out an improved specialist, but it helps to know what your preferred playstyle is.

[StoneKarma]

@Frostweaver, good questions. Thanks.

 

For this blaster, I've been sitting back at range hovering and just firing into the crowd. It will almost always team up with others. I would love to be able to stealth missions, but I couldn't find a way to fit it in. So far, with Afterburner, I'm able to get my DEF up high enough to just fly past trouble. But once I get to the final location, results are mixed with being able to find a spot to Assemble The Team. 

 

Attack chain depends on the situation, of course, but generally:

Single Target: Aimed Shot > Blazing Arrow > Ranged Shot, then I'll use the TA debuffs as needed and as available. As well as bonfire. 

 

AoE attack chain is to open with Flash Arrow (usually before the mob is actually engaged), then Rain of Arrows > Explosive Arrow > ESD Arrow > Ice Arrow on a boss  and maybe Flash Arrow or Glue Arrow depending on my mood.

 

I'm finding that generally, things die so fast that Rain of Arrows is often a waste if I don't fire it off immediately. So attack chain really looks like "Fire one or two AoEs, then single target chain to mop up (and maybe bonfire and flash arrow because they're fun)."

 

I went ahead and slotted this most of the way out. I'm missing some Purple and Archtype sets. The Resists and DEF are mostly complete. Before this build, my highest DEF was 12%, the others were single digits. Resists were similarly weak. Last night I ran ITF and Market Crash with no problems on full teams. In one of the ITFs, the party was getting wiped except me and the Tank. I dropped Bonfire, and we were able to give the rest of the team enough breathing room to pop wakies and get sorted out. I did draw aggro a couple of times and was able to survive it pretty easily. This is definitely not a Blapper build. I am looking for ways to do more damage, so more like a "Plexi-Glass Cannon"? 

[Chrome]

im not a huge blaster guy, but if you could find a way to fit super speed in and put a celerity stealth proc in sprint, you can stealth through any mission especially if you have stealth as well.

[Chrome]

Spoiler

http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/download.php?uc=1443&c=670&a=1340&f=HEX&dc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

 

I figured i would see what i could do in mids with this ...i made sure to slot flash arrow with no damage procs, and while i am sure you will notice i do not have fly or hover you can achieve the same effect with a jet pack. i also did not include an ability like afterburner, i personally always forget to turn them off when i need to attack or forget to turn them on before i die.  the build here has pretty much all defenses between 29-36%  with perma hasten and smashing and lethal resistances capped. i also included a celerity proc in sprint for stealthing missions.  that will work unless there are baddie with high ACC(i havent run across very many at all).  Finally this build is EXPENSIVE... i farm alot and i dont even think cheap builds or leveling builds any more, so use this as inspiration or straight up copy it ...you will enjoy it:)

Edited May 21, 2020 by Chrome

[Sovera]

Blaster builds are a bit like art. There isn't a correct answer. Some people will want to load up on CC, some will then load that CC with damage procs. Some will aim for total defense coverage and some will trust the fact that they are floating in the air and away from danger to either skip on defense or just aim at S/L or ranged.

 

I, for example, decided to skip on all CC. I just don't find it useful. I am Blaster, I blast. That is it. What CC picks I have are mules and not even sitting on my skill bar.

 

Then I decided to go all out on defense since I loathe being squishy. Glass cannon is just not me. So I have 45% defense to S/L/E/N and Ranged which is probably overkill, but it works for me.

 

I would not have minded more recharge but Hasten at 128 is alright and I have a FF proc in Explosive Arrow to help it. The rotation for ST is just Aimed Shot, Blazing Arrow and Aimed Shot. Snap Shot is just a mule.

 

Depending on how fast a team is I will either use both Aim and BU + Rain of Arrows or alternate BU and Aim so I have boosted Rain of Arrows for each spawn. Having RoA for every pack is *the* reason I picked Archery.

 

 

Perhaps you can get some ideas from this so feel free to pick it apart:

Spoiler

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.7
https://github.com/Crytilis/mids-reborn-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Blaster
Primary Power Set: Archery
Secondary Power Set: Tactical Arrow
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Snap Shot -- SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(A), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(23)
Level 1: Electrified Net Arrow -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(7), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(9), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(11)
Level 2: Fistful of Arrows -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(11), Artl-Dam/Rech(13), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(13), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(15), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(15)
Level 4: Aimed Shot -- OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg(A), OvrFrc-End/Rech(19), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(19), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(5), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(5), GldJvl-Dam%(7)
Level 6: Blazing Arrow -- SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(23), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(27), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(27)
Level 8: Hover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(29), Rct-ResDam%(29)
Level 10: Fly -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(31)
Level 12: Explosive Arrow -- Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(A), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(31), Artl-Dam/Rech(31), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(33), FrcFdb-Rechg%(33)
Level 14: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33)
Level 16: Upshot -- RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(A), RechRdx-I(34), RctRtc-ToHit(34)
Level 18: Ranged Shot -- StnoftheM-Acc/Dmg(A), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx(34), StnoftheM-Dmg/ActRdx/Rchg(36), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), StnoftheM-Dam%(36), Apc-Dam%(37)
Level 20: Eagle Eye -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(37)
Level 22: Afterburner -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 24: Aim -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(37), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(39), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(48), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(50), GssSynFr--Build%(50)
Level 26: Maneuvers -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(39), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(39)
Level 28: Agility -- Flight-I(A)
Level 30: Boxing -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(40), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(42)
Level 32: Rain of Arrows -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(42), Artl-Dam/Rech(42), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(43), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(43), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(43)
Level 35: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(45), UnbGrd-ResDam(45), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(45), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 38: Gymnastics -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 41: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(46), Rct-Def(46)
Level 44: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-Def(48), Rct-Def/EndRdx(48)
Level 47: Tactics -- RctRtc-ToHit(A), RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(50)
Level 49: Group Fly -- WntGif-ResSlow(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), Pnc-Heal/+End(17)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(17)
Level 50: Musculature Core Paragon
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
------------

 

 

 

[Frostweaver]

I tried to follow the guidelines of what you LIKE to play, and squeezed in stealth at the expense of flash arrow... flash arrow is not needed when you have full stealth, as such, and the only decent set you can slot in there has a damage proc attached that wrecks it completely.

You should be able to stealth missions easily enough from the very lowest exemplar level, and even have stealth as a 'defense' if you do something like a DFB or the Hollows. This lets you solo things like mirror or sister psyche quickly and easily for scads of merits. That is why you have MORE ST attacks than is usual from a level 50 blaster... so you can exemplar down and earn big merit rewards solo or in a team, and badges while still being able to shred through end bosses and kill-alls.

Your 'new' attack chain will usually be glue arrow than rain of arrows, because Glue is fast and debuffs the spawn brutally, and Rain of arrows is... rain of arrows. They also both are available every FIFTEEN FRIGGIN SECONDS. You generally will not have much time to putter around with explosive or fistfull of arrows as you whack bosses with your single target chain of ranged shot-aimed shot-blazing arrow-aimed shot-repeat. I would reccommend popping Aim OR upshot on each spawn so you have one ready for each repetition, since both take about 25 seconds to recharge and hopefully your team has some damage buffs. Upshot-glue-Rain or aim-glue-rain means that you will have rain falling within the first 3 seconds of hitting a spawn... very little wasted damage and that fire blaster will only be hitting HIS nuke every third spawn or so, and your team will HUGELY appreciate how horribly debuffed the remaining boss or two is at between 15% and 35% recharge reduction.

I figure that is what archery is about... forcing your enemies to fight in the shade as often as physically possible 🙂

Esd arrow is your control, and is amazing with coupled with Aim for reducing enemy mechs to spare parts in seconds... both recharge in 25 seconds, and are how you keep from being infuriated by how much resist machines have against lethal... Because they will NOT resist this!

Unlike the poster above, I think that a good blaster can do insane Damage AND make the battlefield his bitch, without having to choose between the two options. And you do not.

You are capped at ranged defense, can KEEP your enemies at range with ease, even in those maddening purple tunnels where you cannot hoverblast them.
glue can floor most enemies movement even against resistant enemies like EB's, although it (of course) has no effect on -speed immune enemies like war wolves, other than screwing their recharge up.

I skipped flash arrow because even though it's cool, that -5% defense disappears as you go up in levels... and against +4 enemies, luts are only losing like 1% and bosses and above are losing maybe a fraction of a % of to-hit from it. And you have stealth. And absolutely sick recovery. And brute-level regen. and fairly decent s/l resistance. You can even fly through a mission hoverblasting at full speed, and you are STILL over the ranged softcap!

The best part is, the whole build is CHEAP.  Hasten is 'almost' perma at 124, there are no purples, no winter sets, and your recovery is absolutely SICK so when you look at alphas, Musculature is the FIRST thing you are going to look at rather than the last. And if you look closely, the build is a LEVELLING build... you should have quite decent functionality and killing ability at any point along the build's. If you WANT to slot in a purple set, you can replace Positron's blast set in explosive arrow with ragnarok, which is functionally identical, but all it would really do is shave maybe 1/2 second off hasten recharge and add like 3 dps and a tiny bit more fire/cold resistance... It's really not worth it, especially since you will VERY soon have incarnates that will blow away the slight boost.

The most expensive part of the build is the boosters in certain enhancements. And you might not even need those if you get to incarnates and grab something with a hint of recharge on it, like ageless.
 

 

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!

luckless: Level 50 Natural Blaster
Primary Power Set: Archery
Secondary Power Set: Tactical Arrow
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Concealment
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Aimed Shot -- Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(5), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thn-Acc/Dmg(7)
Level 1: Electrified Net Arrow -- Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(7), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(9), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Thn-Acc/Dmg(11)
Level 2: Glue Arrow -- PcnoftheT--Rchg%(A), PcnoftheT-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(13), PcnoftheT-Rng/Slow(13), PcnoftheT-Acc/EndRdx(15), PcnoftheT-Dmg/Slow(15), PcnoftheT-Acc/Slow(17)
Level 4: Snap Shot -- Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(23), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(23), Thn-Acc/Dmg(25)
Level 6: Fistful of Arrows -- SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(A), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(27), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(29), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(29)
Level 8: Stealth -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 10: Upshot -- GssSynFr--Build%(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(31), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(31), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(31), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(33), GssSynFr--ToHit(33)
Level 12: Explosive Arrow -- PstBls-Dam%(A), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(33), PstBls-Dmg/Rng(34), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(34), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(34), SuddAcc--KB/+KD(36)
Level 14: Hover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 16: Blazing Arrow -- EntChs-Heal%(A), EntChs-Acc/Dmg(36), EntChs-Dmg/EndRdx(36), EntChs-Dmg/Rchg(37), EntChs-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 18: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 20: Eagle Eye -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(37)
Level 22: Ranged Shot -- ExcCnt-Stun%(A), ExcCnt-Dmg/Rchg(39), ExcCnt-Dmg/Rng(39), ExcCnt-Dmg/ActRdx(39), ExcCnt-Dmg/EndRdx(40), ExcCnt-Acc/Dmg(40)
Level 24: Aim -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(40)
Level 26: Fly -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(42)
Level 28: Agility -- Run-I(A)
Level 30: Tough -- ResDam-I(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(42), GldArm-ResDam(42), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(43)
Level 32: Rain of Arrows -- SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(A), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(45), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(45)
Level 35: Charged Armor -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(46), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(46), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 38: Gymnastics -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 41: ESD Arrow -- BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(48), BslGaz-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(48), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(48)
Level 44: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(50), Rct-ResDam%(50)
Level 47: Afterburner -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
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 -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Pnc-Heal/+End(17), Mrc-Rcvry+(19)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(19)
Level 1: Quick Form
------------

 

 

 

 

Edited May 21, 2020 by Frostweaver

[damnimgood]

On 5/21/2020 at 1:07 PM, Frostweaver said:

I tried to follow the guidelines of what you LIKE to play, and squeezed in stealth at the expense of flash arrow... flash arrow is not needed when you have full stealth, as such, and the only decent set you can slot in there has a damage proc attached that wrecks it completely.

You should be able to stealth missions easily enough from the very lowest exemplar level, and even have stealth as a 'defense' if you do something like a DFB or the Hollows. This lets you solo things like mirror or sister psyche quickly and easily for scads of merits. That is why you have MORE ST attacks than is usual from a level 50 blaster... so you can exemplar down and earn big merit rewards solo or in a team, and badges while still being able to shred through end bosses and kill-alls.

Your 'new' attack chain will usually be glue arrow than rain of arrows, because Glue is fast and debuffs the spawn brutally, and Rain of arrows is... rain of arrows. They also both are available every FIFTEEN FRIGGIN SECONDS. You generally will not have much time to putter around with explosive or fistfull of arrows as you whack bosses with your single target chain of ranged shot-aimed shot-blazing arrow-aimed shot-repeat. I would reccommend popping Aim OR upshot on each spawn so you have one ready for each repetition, since both take about 25 seconds to recharge and hopefully your team has some damage buffs. Upshot-glue-Rain or aim-glue-rain means that you will have rain falling within the first 3 seconds of hitting a spawn... very little wasted damage and that fire blaster will only be hitting HIS nuke every third spawn or so, and your team will HUGELY appreciate how horribly debuffed the remaining boss or two is at between 15% and 35% recharge reduction.

I figure that is what archery is about... forcing your enemies to fight in the shade as often as physically possible 🙂

Esd arrow is your control, and is amazing with coupled with Aim for reducing enemy mechs to spare parts in seconds... both recharge in 25 seconds, and are how you keep from being infuriated by how much resist machines have against lethal... Because they will NOT resist this!

Unlike the poster above, I think that a good blaster can do insane Damage AND make the battlefield his bitch, without having to choose between the two options. And you do not.

You are capped at ranged defense, can KEEP your enemies at range with ease, even in those maddening purple tunnels where you cannot hoverblast them.
glue can floor most enemies movement even against resistant enemies like EB's, although it (of course) has no effect on -speed immune enemies like war wolves, other than screwing their recharge up.

I skipped flash arrow because even though it's cool, that -5% defense disappears as you go up in levels... and against +4 enemies, luts are only losing like 1% and bosses and above are losing maybe a fraction of a % of to-hit from it. And you have stealth. And absolutely sick recovery. And brute-level regen. and fairly decent s/l resistance. You can even fly through a mission hoverblasting at full speed, and you are STILL over the ranged softcap!

The best part is, the whole build is CHEAP.  Hasten is 'almost' perma at 124, there are no purples, no winter sets, and your recovery is absolutely SICK so when you look at alphas, Musculature is the FIRST thing you are going to look at rather than the last. And if you look closely, the build is a LEVELLING build... you should have quite decent functionality and killing ability at any point along the build's. If you WANT to slot in a purple set, you can replace Positron's blast set in explosive arrow with ragnarok, which is functionally identical, but all it would really do is shave maybe 1/2 second off hasten recharge and add like 3 dps and a tiny bit more fire/cold resistance... It's really not worth it, especially since you will VERY soon have incarnates that will blow away the slight boost.

The most expensive part of the build is the boosters in certain enhancements. And you might not even need those if you get to incarnates and grab something with a hint of recharge on it, like ageless.
 

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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!

luckless: Level 50 Natural Blaster
Primary Power Set: Archery
Secondary Power Set: Tactical Arrow
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Concealment
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Aimed Shot -- Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(5), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thn-Acc/Dmg(7)
Level 1: Electrified Net Arrow -- Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(7), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(9), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Thn-Acc/Dmg(11)
Level 2: Glue Arrow -- PcnoftheT--Rchg%(A), PcnoftheT-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(13), PcnoftheT-Rng/Slow(13), PcnoftheT-Acc/EndRdx(15), PcnoftheT-Dmg/Slow(15), PcnoftheT-Acc/Slow(17)
Level 4: Snap Shot -- Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(23), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(23), Thn-Acc/Dmg(25)
Level 6: Fistful of Arrows -- SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(A), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(27), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(29), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(29)
Level 8: Stealth -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 10: Upshot -- GssSynFr--Build%(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(31), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(31), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(31), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(33), GssSynFr--ToHit(33)
Level 12: Explosive Arrow -- PstBls-Dam%(A), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(33), PstBls-Dmg/Rng(34), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(34), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(34), SuddAcc--KB/+KD(36)
Level 14: Hover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 16: Blazing Arrow -- EntChs-Heal%(A), EntChs-Acc/Dmg(36), EntChs-Dmg/EndRdx(36), EntChs-Dmg/Rchg(37), EntChs-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 18: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 20: Eagle Eye -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(37)
Level 22: Ranged Shot -- ExcCnt-Stun%(A), ExcCnt-Dmg/Rchg(39), ExcCnt-Dmg/Rng(39), ExcCnt-Dmg/ActRdx(39), ExcCnt-Dmg/EndRdx(40), ExcCnt-Acc/Dmg(40)
Level 24: Aim -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(40)
Level 26: Fly -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(42)
Level 28: Agility -- Run-I(A)
Level 30: Tough -- ResDam-I(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(42), GldArm-ResDam(42), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(43)
Level 32: Rain of Arrows -- SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(A), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(45), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(45)
Level 35: Charged Armor -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(46), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(46), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 38: Gymnastics -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 41: ESD Arrow -- BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(48), BslGaz-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(48), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(48)
Level 44: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(50), Rct-ResDam%(50)
Level 47: Afterburner -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
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 -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Pnc-Heal/+End(17), Mrc-Rcvry+(19)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(19)
Level 1: Quick Form
------------

 

 

 

 

mids?