Mace/Electric

[Ultimo]

So, I created a version of Thor (NOT Marvel's Thor, mine is based on the myths).  He's set up to use Mace and Electric Armour... and he's impossibly useless at everything.  I'm quite baffled.  Granted, he's L12, but NONE of my other characters have had so much trouble... even RADIO missions are too much for poor Thor.

 

His endurance costs are so VAST he can't use most of his attacks in most fights.  I'm left fighting with Brawl.  His defenses are pretty well nonexistent, since the game insists on pitting me against Vazhilok and Skulls, against whom there ARE no defenses at lower level... and his health evaporates in the blink of an eye.  His damage is pretty anemic too, especially when you consider it takes an eternity for his attacks to recharge... not that I want them to, I wouldn't have the endurance to USE them.

 

So, I'm baffled.  I've not played a Brute before Homecoming.  The other one I created was an alternative version of my Tanker, the Canadian Shield (SS/Inv).  I was astonished how squishy HE was too, but at least he wasn't gasping for breath when taking on a street thug or two.  Is this USUAL?  Does this improve?  What do you all suggest I do with this character?

[Ultimo]

Here's the plan for him so far...  Note the levels on the slots aren't accurate, but the levels the powers are chosen are.

 

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!

Thor Odinsson: Level 50 Natural Brute
Primary Power Set: War Mace
Secondary Power Set: Electric Armor
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Teleportation
Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Pulverize -- EndRdx(A), Acc(3), Dmg(3), Dmg(5), Dmg(5)
Level 1: Charged Armor -- EndRdx(A), ResDam(7), ResDam(7), ResDam(9)
Level 2: Jawbreaker -- EndRdx(A), Acc(9), Dmg(11), Dmg(11), Dmg(13)
Level 4: Super Jump -- Jump(A)
Level 6: Lightning Field -- EndRdx(A), Dmg(13), Dmg(15), Dmg(15)
Level 8: Conductive Shield -- EndRdx(A), ResDam(17), ResDam(17), ResDam(19)
Level 10: Static Shield -- EndRdx(A), ResDam(19), ResDam(21), ResDam(21)
Level 12: Clobber -- EndRdx(A), Acc(23), Dmg(23), Dmg(25), Dmg(25)
Level 14: Hover -- Flight(A), Flight(40), Flight(40)
Level 16: Grounded -- ResDam(A), ResDam(27), ResDam(27)
Level 18: Whirling Mace -- EndRdx(A), Acc(29), Dmg(29), Dmg(31), Dmg(31)
Level 20: Lightning Reflexes -- Flight(A)
Level 22: Air Superiority -- EndRdx(A), Acc(40), Dmg(43), Dmg(43), Dmg(46)
Level 24: Teleport -- EndRdx(A)
Level 26: Shatter -- EndRdx(A), Acc(31), Dmg(33), Dmg(33), Dmg(33)
Level 28: Energize -- Heal(A), Heal(34), Heal(34)
Level 30: Teleport Foe -- EndRdx(A), Acc(46)
Level 32: Crowd Control -- EndRdx(A), Acc(37), Dmg(37), Dmg(37), Dmg(39)
Level 35: Power Sink -- EndMod(A), EndMod(39), EndMod(39)
Level 38: Power Surge -- ResDam(A), ResDam(50), ResDam(50)
Level 41: Mu Lightning -- EndRdx(A), Acc(42), Dmg(42), Dmg(42), Dmg(43)
Level 44: Ball Lightning -- EndRdx(A), Acc(45), Dmg(45), Dmg(45), Dmg(46)
Level 47: Static Discharge -- EndRdx(A), Acc(48), Dmg(48), Dmg(48), Dmg(50)
Level 49: Long Range Teleport -- RechRdx(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc(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: Fury
Level 1: Sprint -- Jump(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Flight(A)
Level 2: Health -- Heal(A), Heal(36), Heal(36)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod(A), EndMod(34), EndMod(36)
------------

 

 

Edited May 27, 2020 by Ultimo

[ChocolateMercenary]

Mace hits like a truck, but is endurance heavy early on. Elec has three toggle before level 12, and that eats endurance like candy. That's gonna be a problem until you hit 22 and can use Single-Origin enhancements. Just hang in there, any maybe team a bit to cover your soft spots. Maybe don't run Conductive Shield unless fighting enemies with elemental damage.

[jojogladco]

I have been using this build for a few months and enjoy it quite a bit. It's far from optimized, but very serviceable. 

 

http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/download.php?uc=1444&c=677&a=1354&f=HEX&dc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

 

 

[Ultimo]

BOY I'm have a hard time enjoying this character.  He just doesn't seem capable of doing much of anything... but then, the game keeps sending me on missions against Vazhilok and ghosts (none of whom I have any kind of protection from, as it's all toxic and negative).  The result is, even in radio missions, I'm getting slaughtered, 10-20 times trying to defeat A minon or two before I get killed.

 

None of my other characters have had quite so much trouble.  I mean, I get it, I've gotten used to ESO, where enemies die if you give them a stern look, and they hit like they're armed with wet noodles... but it's really hard to enjoy a character that can't take on what are supposed to be WEAKER foes (especially when he's supposed to be a SUPER hero).

 

I'll say this for Champions Online... I rarely ever found that I didn't feel powerful, even if I was getting defeated.  CoH is better in so many ways, but Champions did have that going for it.

[drbuzzard]

Electric armor starts slow, especially on brutes. I'd suggest more team play. Ride the task force wagon on up the levels. Once you hit the 30s you should be reasonably durable. It will also get you past the factions which are heavy on toxic and negative energy (though CoT is always around, there are more options). You should try to get missions fighting clockworks since you will resist energy damage and the endurance drain well.

 

Though really electric is a bit of a tricky set to make properly durable. Looking at your build, I'd add fighting pool so you can eventually (with IO sets) cap your lethal and smashing resistance (tough is what you want). Honestly I don't see why you have 3 travel pools. Pick one, and for that I'd suggest leaping pool as grounded means you lack knockback protection in the air (and teleport is a pain to use without binds).

 

Also for attacks, I would suggest if you're doing basic common IOs, do 2acc, 1 end red, and the rest damage depending on how many slots you feel like allocating. Truthfully, I'm of the opinion that electric is hard to make tough without IO sets. As it sounds like you're pretty low level, I'd consider making the character again (you have 1000 slots, so no need to delete) but to War Mace/ Willpower. Willpower is quite durable and actually gets most of what it needs to be good fairly early on. It will need IO set bonuses to tank for a team without support, but soloing it will be plenty good.

[Ultimo]

I'm tinkering with the build.  The three travel pools... I use Superleap for actual travel, and I took Hover more for cosmetic reasons.  I like the idea of him hanging in front of a giant monster bashing it in the face rather than the ankles.  It is useful at other times, though.  Teleport I took for combat, mainly.  On my Storm Defender, one of my favourite tactics is to teleport right into the middle of a group of foes, debuffing them all with Hurricane.  This character would do that with Lightning Field.  Likewise, Teleport Foe is kind of a handy power, so I took that too.

 

I'd considered taking the Fighting pool, but saw it as kind of extraneous.

 

As I say, though... still tinkering.

[Frostweaver]

don't use the damage shield early. It's a massive end hog. Just use the two resistance toggles, and then load up the status protection when you need it... normally against stuff like trolls you can cut off the second resistance toggle.

the 'free' perstige enhancements are both damage and recharge. a little end reduction helps.

I actually prefer the jump pool. Mostly because that smashdown aoe power REALLY feels 'thor-like'

I was running mine solo, and went from the hollows to faultline. Once I got through Agent G, I was ready to start installing SO's, and generic IO's...it was very much fun afterwards.
Teaming up with a defender is fun too, especially in faultline. Being on a full team prior to your aura makes you feel a little... less brutal, which can contribute to not liking it.

[Without_Pause]

22 hours ago, Ultimo said:

I'm tinkering with the build.  The three travel pools... I use Superleap for actual travel, and I took Hover more for cosmetic reasons.  I like the idea of him hanging in front of a giant monster bashing it in the face rather than the ankles.  It is useful at other times, though.  Teleport I took for combat, mainly.  On my Storm Defender, one of my favourite tactics is to teleport right into the middle of a group of foes, debuffing them all with Hurricane.  This character would do that with Lightning Field.  Likewise, Teleport Foe is kind of a handy power, so I took that too.

 

I'd considered taking the Fighting pool, but saw it as kind of extraneous.

 

As I say, though... still tinkering.

As mentioned, using Hover while using Grounded isn't a winning combo. After you take SJ/CJ, you can take Spring Attack which will allow you to teleport into a mob while doing damage. I think in all of my time on live I might have seen 1 MAYBE 2 people use Teleport Foe. I have yet to see it on HC. It kind of feels like if you need that, you likely are in over your head to begin with. People simply don't wait for someone to use TP Foe these days.

 

Lower level, definitely manage what mobs you take on. I did fine going through the Posi TF though. You need to hit 28 before you get a heal, so have purples and greens on hand. The good news is /elec covers the most often used damage types quite well and end drain resistance is awesome late game. 

[Frostweaver]

3 hours ago, Without_Pause said:

As mentioned, using Hover while using Grounded isn't a winning combo. After you take SJ/CJ, you can take Spring Attack which will allow you to teleport into a mob while doing damage. I think in all of my time on live I might have seen 1 MAYBE 2 people use Teleport Foe. I have yet to see it on HC. It kind of feels like if you need that, you likely are in over your head to begin with. People simply don't wait for someone to use TP Foe these days.

 

Lower level, definitely manage what mobs you take on. I did fine going through the Posi TF though. You need to hit 28 before you get a heal, so have purples and greens on hand. The good news is /elec covers the most often used damage types quite well and end drain resistance is awesome late game. 

I thought you said you deleted your wm/electic?

[Ultimo]

7 hours ago, Without_Pause said:

As mentioned, using Hover while using Grounded isn't a winning combo. After you take SJ/CJ, you can take Spring Attack which will allow you to teleport into a mob while doing damage. I think in all of my time on live I might have seen 1 MAYBE 2 people use Teleport Foe. I have yet to see it on HC. It kind of feels like if you need that, you likely are in over your head to begin with. People simply don't wait for someone to use TP Foe these days.

 

Lower level, definitely manage what mobs you take on. I did fine going through the Posi TF though. You need to hit 28 before you get a heal, so have purples and greens on hand. The good news is /elec covers the most often used damage types quite well and end drain resistance is awesome late game. 

I actually use Teleport Foe on a few of my characters.  It can be a handy way of pulling an individual foe without aggroing whole groups... and it's really handy for those pesky cowardly Tsoo who are always running or teleporting away.

[Without_Pause]

4 hours ago, Frostweaver said:

I thought you said you deleted your wm/electic?

At 39. My last run was on a team running level 54 missions. I deleted it vastly because of WM, see also deleting my WM/bio scrapper. I have two other /elec builds and I had a Dark/elec on live and it was the first brute which really clicked for me. I soloed an EB with it with no inspirs and common IOs, so I was pumped at the time. I'm tempted to give it another run even if I'm still not a super fan of SM.

[Frostweaver]

So you couldn't solo an EB with a 39 wm/electric with common IO's?

2 hours ago, Without_Pause said:

At 39. My last run was on a team running level 54 missions. I deleted it vastly because of WM, see also deleting my WM/bio scrapper. I have two other /elec builds and I had a Dark/elec on live and it was the first brute which really clicked for me. I soloed an EB with it with no inspirs and common IOs, so I was pumped at the time. I'm tempted to give it another run even if I'm still not a super fan of SM.

Or did I misunderstand that?

If I understand that correctly, I think I may have realized your problem with the set.

[Without_Pause]

On 5/31/2020 at 3:02 AM, Frostweaver said:

So you couldn't solo an EB with a 39 wm/electric with common IO's?

Or did I misunderstand that?

If I understand that correctly, I think I may have realized your problem with the set.

I never tried. I feel WM is simply too slow for my tastes and that's with /elec. Yes, the damage is there, and I made sure to level it far enough to give it a chance. 

[Yomo Kimyata]

On 5/27/2020 at 4:43 PM, Ultimo said:

So, I created a version of Thor (NOT Marvel's Thor, mine is based on the myths).  He's set up to use Mace and Electric Armour... and he's impossibly useless at everything.  I'm quite baffled.  Granted, he's L12, but NONE of my other characters have had so much trouble... even RADIO missions are too much for poor Thor.

 

 

YOU're Thor?  I'm tho thor I can barely ...

 

Oh, nevermind.