Giving this whole Fire/Fire/Fire thing a try, would love some advice on a build please!

[Shadotora]

So after finally getting the game installed and running (Thanks Tahquitz!), and messing around for a month i've finally decided to make a Blaster my main, atleast until a really bad bout of altaholicism strikes me. I picked the fire^3 because, well, if you're gonna blast might as well do it right 😉 However, I'm not great at putting together builds and while looking around I wasn't finding anything that really jumped out at me as something i loved so I figured i'd post here. I'm trying to put together a build to maximize Damage, Recharge, and enough def/res to not keep faceplanting. I don't know quite enough about how some things work in the game to know for sure i'm not missing something obvious though. To me my flat damage bonus seems small but that might also be a result of coming from other games where +22% wouldn't be much at all, but I think my Accuracy being at +80 is good and should let me reliably hit mobs, atleast if i am understanding it correctly. Between my def/res naturally and taking the barrier core i'm also thinking I shouldn't have an issue staying alive, but again, i'm not positive. Any advice to help me blow things up faster/better and not constantly eat pavement would be greatly appreciated! Not worried about budget as i'm looking at this as a long term project to be worked towards. Thanks everyone!

 

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!

Plasmaclash V1: Level 50 Magic Blaster
Primary Power Set: Fire Blast
Secondary Power Set: Fire Manipulation
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Flame Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Flares -- SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(7), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(31)
Level 1: Ring of Fire -- GrvAnc-Immob(A), GrvAnc-Immob/Rchg(31), GrvAnc-Acc/Immob/Rchg(34), GrvAnc-Acc/Rchg(36), GrvAnc-Immob/EndRdx(36)
Level 2: Fire Ball -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(3), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(5), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Rgn-Knock%(7)
Level 4: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 6: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 8: Fire Breath -- PstBls-Acc/Dmg(A), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(9), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(9), PstBls-Dmg/Rng(15), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), PstBls-Dam%(17)
Level 10: Fire Sword Circle -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(11), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(15)
Level 12: Super Speed -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A)
Level 14: Aim -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 16: Build Up -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Blaze -- SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(19), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(23)
Level 20: Cauterizing Aura -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(46), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(46), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48), Obl-%Dam(48)
Level 22: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 24: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 26: Blazing Bolt -- Apc-Dmg(A), Apc-Dmg/Rchg(27), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Apc-Dam%(29), Dcm-Build%(31)
Level 28: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 30: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 32: Inferno -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(33), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Arm-Acc/Rchg(33), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(34), Arm-Dam%(34)
Level 35: Rain of Fire -- OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg(A), OvrFrc-End/Rech(37), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(40), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(42), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(42), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(42)
Level 38: Hot Feet -- FuroftheG-Acc/Dmg(A), FuroftheG-Dam/Rech(39), FuroftheG-Dam/End/Rech(39), FuroftheG-Acc/End/Rech(39), FuroftheG-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(40), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(40)
Level 41: Bonfire -- Ann-Acc/Dmg(A), Ann-Dmg/Rchg(43), Ann-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Ann-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), Ann-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45), Ann-ResDeb%(46)
Level 44: Fire Shield -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), GldArm-ResDam(45), GldArm-End/Res(45)
Level 47: Rise of the Phoenix -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Tactics -- AdjTrg-ToHit/EndRdx(A), AdjTrg-ToHit(50)
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 -- Clr-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A), Pnc-Heal/+End(37), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(37)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(36)
Level 50: Barrier Core Epiphany
Level 50: Musculature Core Paragon
Level 50: Pyronic Core Final Judgement
Level 50: Reactive Core Flawless Interface
Level 50: Carnival Radial Superior Ally
Level 50: Assault Radial Embodiment
------------

 

 

[Shadotora]

So up to 60 views but no one has any feedback? Even if I found a great build i'd love to know so i can go ahead and start building it out please, though I somehow doubt I stumbled onto awesome!

[Nemu]

How do you play this blaster today? Walk us through how you typically engage a fight, what happens when you get in trouble, how do you keep yourself alive? How would you like to play this blaster once you get the perfect build?

 

Hone your knowledge and skills as a blaster - let's work on your play style first and figure out how you want to play, the build comes later.

[Ukase]

A few thoughts off the top of my head: 

I say this having played a blaster more hours than any other AT by far. At least 1000 hours as an ice blaster, maybe 400 hours or so on a fire/fire/Mace blaster. 

There are a number of ways to care and feed a fire blaster. I get that your focused on recharge and damage - but your build is using powers that in my experience, I don't use very much, if at all, in the higher levels. 

5 slots of a purple set in the t-1 secondary, Ring of Fire. Yes, the recharge is nice - but you can better use those 4 slots somewhere else. You may not get the same recharge, but you certainly out going to be dishing out any great damage with that power, even if you could somehow cram 50 slots into it. 

I've never been clear how to just stash a link to a build, so the below will have to suffice. 

I would lose hot feet, and pick up vengeance to get another LotG mule in there, and slot up weave with three more Shield Walls, too - but I don't know how you play. I've never used Hot feet or bonfire - so they don't really suit me. But they may suit you well, so I didn't want to take them away from you. 

I took out the KB proc from BotZ, and put the celerity from sprint into it. You'll get the kb protection from the fire shield (Glad armor 3 slot bonus)

Your defense reeks. Even with my build, the defense reeks - that's why I've tried to boost your HP with the 5 pc of glad armor and 3 slot of shield wall. 

Those chance to heal self from Power Transfer - they aren't unique, so the more of those you have, they can't hurt...much. Slots are precious. 

Sadly, I've put off my morning rowing to do this and can't spend any more time on it. 


http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/download.php?uc=1558&c=709&a=1418&f=HEX&dc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

[Troo]

mOr3 fyr3

[Shadotora]

So I'm still working on leveling the character, my playtime has been limited and at kinda odd hours lately so he hasn't hit 50 yet. Currently at level 38 my Tactics seem to go about like this:

 

Prepull: Make sure Hotfeet, Cauterizing Aura, Combat Jumping, Tough, Weave, manuvers are all on.

Group A: Pop Aim then jump in and hit Inferno. Tends to leave me with just Bosses or maybe a sliver on Lts so I mop up with blazing bolt, blaze, flares, and fireball.

Group B: Hit Build-up, Cast Bonfire into the center then jump in leading with fireball, Fire Sword Circle when I'm center mass, and then pick off targets as needed.

Group C-?: Rain of Fire, Fireball, Fire Sword Circle and then single target cleanup until i can cycle everything again.

 

When in trouble I tend to either just pop orange/purples and a green, or go all in, try to kill as much as possible, then when I die use Light of Revival to get back up and swinging with some breathing room, which i also plan to do with Rise of the Phoenix when I get to it. I wholeheartedly realize it isn't the best option, but at the moment it works for me and I don't mind working off a little debt. Also on occasion I have hit sprint+Super Speed w/Celerity:Stealth to run and hide after de-toggling my damage auras.

 

I do kinda like having all the small damage abilities going because their damage really seems to add up. Cauterizing obviously is staying because it's my End toggle, any damage is just a bonus.  Bonfire keeps things on their butts surprisingly well so I'd kinda like to keep it since as you said I don't really have great defenses and it's one of the few mitigation tools I have. Hot Feet seems to pair well with Cauterizing, or really any DOT for that matter, and it's toggle meaning I don't have to "waste" a cast in the middle of a fight. That said, I'm not married to it. Rain of Fire I find myself using less but does decent damage (I think), especially when Hot Feet and Bonfire keep things in it but again, not married to it.

 

Ukase: I'm not sure why but I can't get your build to load for me from the link, I'm sorry! I will say I slotted Ring of Fire and to some degree Fire Breath more for bonuses (Both Accuracy and Recharge) then because I want to use the power. Ring of Fire just seems like a bit of a waste to me in general, since if I'm worried about something running just shooting it usually works better than trying to immobilize it. Fire Breath is at least a useful power, but I will wholeheartedly admit I'm not great about getting targets in it. Will Mag 3 KB/KD protection be enough?

 

Thank you guys for Replying, was starting to get a bit dismayed. This community, even back in the day,has always been so helpful I was surprised I didn't have a reply in 5 minutes after posting it!

 

[Nemu]

Sounds like you don't have a problem going into melee and you have some fundamentals down.

 

You will need to build up defenses to help your strategy. The path of least resistance for melee blasters would be to use a defense shield from the epic pool but we can work with flame mastery.

 

Many people associate being in melee range with building up melee defense but that's hardly the case. It's the RANGED attacks that will disable/soften you up/straight up kill you before you even get a chance to do anything, especially if the mobs see you during your approach.

 

Smart blasters are never in melee range more than they need to be. Having a good build allows them to stay in melee longer but they never stay there indefinitely. You can overcome the lack of melee defense with a few different tools such as jousting, using hot feet/rain of fire to force mob fear AI, bonfire, or just kill things so quickly and force fear/run AI on even bosses. Complement these tactics with your resist shields and enough ranged defense and you will have a fairly survivable blaster.

 

I would prioritize building towards the ranged softcap, then a mix of melee defense and recharge. Try to bring your melee defense into the high 20s or low 30s and you'll be in good shape. Put a few SLOW IOs in hot feet as that will cause mobs to run slower and thus stay in your kill zone longer.

 

Most people take fire sword circle but it has a tiny radius so more careful positioning is required and even more so when you have hot feet or rain of fire on mobs that force them to scatter. Combustion has a bigger radius at the cost of doing less damage and having a tremendously long cast time. You might want to play with both and see which one you prefer,

 

One more thing, I see a lot of people 6 slotting purple sets when they post their builds but think about what that 6 slot does, most of the time it's toxic/psi resist, Is that really the bonus you want to chase or do you really just want the 10% recharge at 5 slots? Can you take that 6th slot out and apply it elsewhere for more meaningful set bonuses that align with your build goal? Apply this thinking to how you slot all your powers and that's how you optimize your build.

[Olly]

There are quite a few fire^3 builds and comments on the blaster forum; probably why no one has said much. That being said, your build looks like a good place to start getting used to your blaster and style. Once you've gotten used to how it plays, you can start tweaking it based on your endgame playstyle. Which could be vastly different from your leveling playstyle.

 

I've kitted out both a solo and aoe build for my fire^3 blaster. FWIW, here are my thoughts on fire/fire/fire in general: When you get enough recharge, flares is more effective than fire blast. Hot feet isn't fun unless you have a way to mitigate aggro. That being said, its dps is really high for its tier. I barely use Combustion and forget to respec out of it, for both my solo and team builds. Same with Consume. I found bonfire to be extremely useful, as well as Char. Fire shield is kind of meh. Nice mule for my solo build, tho. Ring of Fire *is* rather pointless, I normally use it as a IO mule or not just one-slot with an accuracy. 

[Menelruin]

Dunno your playstyle, but I dislike blapping, so I've become fond of this build:

 

 

[Frostweaver]

always carry awakens.

[Troo]

and break frees..