StJ/EA Build Feedback

[Bob the Painter]

Hi folks,

I've made a few other stalkers, but this is my first soirée with either Street Justice or Energy Armor. These forums have been a good resource to point me in the right direction. I again put my faith in you. Below is the build I've put together.

 

I've found a few other StJ/EA builds on here that I used as a framework. However, the builds that I found had defenses that seemed excessively high, like in the 60+ region. If there was a reason for that, please let me know why Energy should build for def way above the cap. If there isn't a reason other than a cascade buffer, I figured I'd try to reallocate resources to boost damage where I could.

 

I'm only in the mid 30s on the toon currently, but marching to 50. I'm not married to anything in the build. One point I'm unsure of is which epic pool to choose for StJ. I feel like it might need an aoe to supplement it. I wondered if Fireball was worth investing in. Or perhaps another like Ball Lightning or Water Spout. Currently just have Body because it felt like a safe pick.

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

*Note* Energy drain is empty because I planned to slot it with Power Transfer. Is this a good spot for the PT proc? Should it go somewhere else like Physical Perfection? 

 

Spoiler

Villain 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 Science Stalker
Primary Power Set: Street Justice
Secondary Power Set: Energy Aura
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Heavy Blow -- SprAssMar-Rchg/Rchg Build Up:50(A), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg:50(3), SprAssMar-Dmg/Rchg:50(3), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(5), SprAssMar-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(5), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(7)
Level 1: Hide -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+:50(A), Ksm-ToHit+:30(7), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP:50(9), Rct-ResDam%:50(9)
Level 2: Kinetic Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+:50(A), LucoftheG-Def:50(11), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx:50(11), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(13), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg:50(13)
Level 4: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+:50(A)
Level 6: Assassin's Strike -- SprStlGl-Rchg/Hide%:50(A), Hct-Dmg:50(17), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx:50(19), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(19), Hct-Dmg/Rchg:50(21), Hct-Dam%:50(21)
Level 8: Power Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+:50(A), RedFrt-Def:50(23), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx:50(23), RedFrt-EndRdx:50(25), RedFrt-Def/Rchg:50(25), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(27)
Level 10: Entropy Shield -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 12: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%:50(A), GssSynFr--ToHit:50(27), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg:50(29)
Level 14: Super Speed -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB:50(A)
Level 16: Kinetic Dampening -- StdPrt-ResKB:30(A), GldArm-3defTpProc:50(29), UnbGrd-Max HP%:50(31), UnbGrd-ResDam:50(31), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx:50(31)
Level 18: Spinning Strike -- SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SprStlGl-Dmg/Rchg:50(33), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(33), SprStlGl-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(33), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(34), Ann-ResDeb%:50(34)
Level 20: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(34)
Level 22: Maneuvers -- RedFrt-Def/EndRdx:50(A), RedFrt-Def:50(36), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(36), RedFrt-Def/Rchg:50(36), RedFrt-EndRdx:50(37)
Level 24: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Shin Breaker -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx:50(37), Mk'Bit-Dam%:50(37), TchofDth-Dam%:40(39), GldStr-%Dam:50(39), AchHee-ResDeb%:20(39)
Level 28: Energy Drain -- Empty(A), Empty(40)
Level 30: Tough -- RctArm-ResDam:40(A), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx:30(40), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(40)
Level 32: Crushing Uppercut -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx:50(42), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(42), GldStr-%Dam:50(42), TchofDth-Dam%:40(43), UnbCns-Dam%:50(43)
Level 35: Energize -- Prv-Absorb%:50(A), Prv-Heal:50(43), Prv-Heal/EndRdx:50(45), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg:50(45), Prv-Heal/Rchg:50(45), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx:50(46)
Level 38: Superior Conditioning -- EndMod-I:50(A)
Level 41: Physical Perfection -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(46)
Level 44: Laser Beam Eyes -- Apc-Dmg:50(A), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(46), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(48), Apc-Dam%:50(48), Apc-Dmg/Rchg:50(48)
Level 47: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+:50(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx:50(50), LucoftheG-Def:50(50)
Level 49: Tactics -- AdjTrg-ToHit:50(A), AdjTrg-ToHit/EndRdx:50(50)
Level 1: Assassination 
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(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: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End:50(A), Mrc-Rcvry+:40(15), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+:50(15)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod:50(A), PrfShf-End%:50(17)
Level 1: Combo Level 1 
Level 1: Combo Level 2 
Level 1: Combo Level 3 
Level 0: Marshal 
Level 0: High Pain Threshold 
Level 0: Invader 
Level 0: Born In Battle 
Level 50: Musculature Core Paragon 
Level 50: Pyronic Core Final Judgement 
Level 50: Degenerative Core Flawless Interface 
Level 50: Ageless Radial Epiphany 
Level 50: Assault Core Embodiment 
------------
------------
Set Bonus Totals:

• 18% DamageBuff(Smashing)
• 18% DamageBuff(Lethal)
• 18% DamageBuff(Fire)
• 18% DamageBuff(Cold)
• 18% DamageBuff(Energy)
• 18% DamageBuff(Negative)
• 18% DamageBuff(Toxic)
• 18% DamageBuff(Psionic)
• 5.5% Defense(Melee)
• 8% Defense(Smashing)
• 8% Defense(Lethal)
• 5.5% Defense(Fire)
• 5.5% Defense(Cold)
• 4.25% Defense(Energy)
• 4.25% Defense(Negative)
• 3% Defense(Psionic)
• 3.63% Defense(Ranged)
• 8% Defense(AoE)
• 54% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 96.25% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 6.25% Enhancement(Max EnduranceDiscount)
• 15% SpeedFlying
• GrantPower Preventive Medicine (10 % chance, if Scourge)
• 216.9 HP (18.01%) HitPoints
• 15% JumpHeight
• 15% SpeedJumping
• Knockback (Mag -8)
• Knockup (Mag -8)
• MezResist(Confused) 43.75%
• MezResist(Held) 43.75%
• MezResist(Immobilized) 43.75%
• MezResist(Sleep) 43.75%
• MezResist(Stunned) 43.75%
• MezResist(Terrorized) 43.75%
• MezResist(Teleport) 100% (20 % chance)
• 12% (0.2 End/sec) Recovery
• 36% (1.81 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 15% ResEffect(SpeedFlying)
• 15% ResEffect(RechargeTime)
• 15% ResEffect(SpeedRunning)
• 18.5% Resistance(Smashing)
• 20% Resistance(Fire)
• 20% Resistance(Cold)
• 10.25% Resistance(Energy)
• 10.25% Resistance(Negative)
• 9.5% Resistance(Toxic)
• 9.5% Resistance(Psionic)
• 18.5% Resistance(Lethal)
• 15% SpeedRunning
  

 

[Croax]

Hi Bob,

 

Nice build there! I would still have some suggestions but let me ask you a question first: what is your attack chain?

 

Scrappers may get away with mindless button smashing but Stalkers need to utilize Assassin Focus Stacks. Each stack increase Assassin Strike crit chance by 33 %. So you would want 3 Stacks that give AS a orange circle to indicate a guaranteed crit. 

 

With StJ you also want 3 Combo Points, because it increases the damage of your Finishers. Combo Points also give some secondary effect but we don't care for that we want 3 Stacks for max damage, especially with Crushing Uppercut out of Stealth for anorher guaranteed crit.

 

Idealy you want therefore 2 Attacks + Assasin Strike + Crushing Uppercut and just repeat this chain all day. Unfortunately CU has such a big cooldown that you have to alternate every second cycle with another Finisher. This could be spinning strike, but let's be honest spinning strike sucks on single target fights. This is the reason why i like to pick Sweeping cross as my second finisher on Single target figths. The rotation would be:

 

Crushing Uppercut -> Shin Breaker -> Heavy Blow -> Assassin Strike

-> Sweeping Cross -> Shin Breaker -> Heavy Blow -> Assassin Strike -> REPEAT!!!!!

 

If you do it this way you have 8 Attacks with

2 Assassin Strike as guaranteed crit

Crushing Uppercut with 3 Combo Points as Guaranteed Crit

Swweping Cross with 3 Combo Points as guaranteed crit

Achiles Heel debuff in Shin Breaker

Annihilation Debuff in Sweeping Cross

 

4 out of 8 Attacks guaranteed crit. 4 attacks have 'just a normal chance' to crit and some resist debuff on your target. I use this rotation on AV and it has helped me a lot.

 

 

Now for your Build i would suggest to look into MU or Soul Epic. You will find a snipe that can either carry a 5 piece Sting of the Manticore or a purple set, for some sweet bonuses. Also you will find either Ball Lightning to improve Area damage and carry another purple set or Shadow Meld. With EA you would not need the Defense very often but having another place for LoTG is helpfull. Also you can now 6 Slot Red Fortune if you want, because you freed up the slot for LotG. In my opnion Energy Aura has enough Endurance helper, i think i would not need the Body Mastery. Just make sure to keep Energize on Cooldown, because of the huge Endurance Reduction it gives. The Healing of Energize is just a cherry on top. 

 

I hope this helps you!

 

[Bob the Painter]

Thanks, Croax. This was exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping for.

 

I hadn't really considered my attack chain before. I figured I could drop it easily enough. But maybe not. I hadn't considered the -res proc at all. While leveling, I am using Sweeping Cross. However, it feels a little slow and it does not land particularly hard--especially as a crit finisher. The exception to this is when I happen to nab more than one target. For me, That feels more like luck than good positioning.

 

I see your point about the really smooth chain maxing Focus Stacks and having a follow up crit. I guess I tried to out-think the game trying to find a non obvious answer to "good" damage when an easier option was staring me in the face.

 

Playing a little more with energize, end really hasnt been an issue in recent levels. Body probably isnt necessary, especially with accolades in play. Mu feels like the way to go. I was kinda avoiding it because thats what I have on another toon. But if it works, it works. So I slotted Zapp out. Will use it as a finisher in place of CU when possible. I think the added damage is worth the loss in crit chance for AS. Haven't crunched numbers at all. I could be completely wrong. I forsee Ball Lightning more as crowd control-with the Ragnarok proc-and as a build up reset. 

 

Below is the revised build. Still not to 50, but plan to test it out soonish. Likely won't be able to get all of the purple IOs right away, but they'll come. Let me know if you see any areas that can be improved. Thanks again!

 

Spoiler

Villain 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 Science Stalker
Primary Power Set: Street Justice
Secondary Power Set: Energy Aura
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Heavy Blow -- SprAssMar-Rchg/Rchg Build Up:50(A), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg:50(3), SprAssMar-Dmg/Rchg:50(3), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(5), SprAssMar-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(5), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(7)
Level 1: Hide -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+:50(A), Ksm-ToHit+:30(7), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP:50(9), Rct-ResDam%:50(9)
Level 2: Kinetic Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+:50(A), LucoftheG-Def:50(11), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx:50(11), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(13), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg:50(13)
Level 4: Sweeping Cross -- FuroftheG-ResDeb%:50(A), Arm-Dmg:50(17), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(19), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx:50(19), Arm-Dam%:50(21), Arm-Dmg/Rchg:50(21)
Level 6: Assassin's Strike -- SprStlGl-Rchg/Hide%:50(A), Hct-Dmg:50(23), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx:50(23), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(25), Hct-Dmg/Rchg:50(25), Hct-Dam%:50(27)
Level 8: Power Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+:50(A), RedFrt-Def:50(27), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx:50(29), RedFrt-EndRdx:50(29), RedFrt-Def/Rchg:50(31), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(31)
Level 10: Entropy Shield -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 12: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%:50(A)
Level 14: Super Speed -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB:50(A)
Level 16: Kinetic Dampening -- StdPrt-ResKB:30(A), GldArm-3defTpProc:50(31), UnbGrd-Max HP%:50(33)
Level 18: Spinning Strike -- SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SprStlGl-Dmg/Rchg:50(33), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(33), SprStlGl-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(34), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(34), Ann-ResDeb%:50(34)
Level 20: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(36)
Level 22: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+:50(A)
Level 24: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Shin Breaker -- CrsImp-Acc/Dmg:50(A), CrsImp-Dmg/EndRdx:50(36), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(36), TchofDth-Dam%:40(37), GldStr-%Dam:50(37), AchHee-ResDeb%:20(37)
Level 28: Energy Drain -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 30: Tough -- RctArm-ResDam:40(A), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx:30(39), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(50)
Level 32: Crushing Uppercut -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx:50(39), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(39), GldStr-%Dam:50(40), TchofDth-Dam%:40(40), UnbCns-Dam%:50(40)
Level 35: Energize -- Prv-Absorb%:50(A), Prv-Heal:50(42), Prv-Heal/EndRdx:50(42), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg:50(42), Prv-Heal/Rchg:50(43), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx:50(43)
Level 38: Maneuvers -- RedFrt-Def/EndRdx:50(A), RedFrt-Def:50(43), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(45)
Level 41: Zapp -- StnoftheM-Acc/Dmg:50(A), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx:50(45), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(45), StnoftheM-Dam%:50(46), StnoftheM-Dmg/ActRdx/Rchg:50(46), Apc-Dam%:50(46)
Level 44: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+:50(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx:50(48), LucoftheG-Def:50(48)
Level 47: Ball Lightning -- Rgn-Knock%:50(A), Dtn-Acc/Dmg:50(48), Dtn-Dmg/EndRdx:50(50), Dtn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(50)
Level 49: Tactics -- ToHit-I:50(A)
Level 1: Assassination 
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(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: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End:50(A), Mrc-Rcvry+:40(15), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+:50(15)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod:50(A), PrfShf-End%:50(17)
Level 1: Combo Level 1 
Level 1: Combo Level 2 
Level 1: Combo Level 3 
Level 0: Marshal 
Level 0: High Pain Threshold 
Level 0: Invader 
Level 0: Born In Battle 
Level 50: Musculature Core Paragon 
Level 50: Pyronic Core Final Judgement 
Level 50: Degenerative Core Flawless Interface 
Level 50: Ageless Radial Epiphany 
Level 50: Assault Core Embodiment 
Level 41: Quick Form 
------------
------------
Set Bonus Totals:

• 13% DamageBuff(Smashing)
• 13% DamageBuff(Lethal)
• 13% DamageBuff(Fire)
• 13% DamageBuff(Cold)
• 13% DamageBuff(Energy)
• 13% DamageBuff(Negative)
• 13% DamageBuff(Toxic)
• 13% DamageBuff(Psionic)
• 5.5% Defense(Melee)
• 8% Defense(Smashing)
• 8% Defense(Lethal)
• 5.5% Defense(Fire)
• 5.5% Defense(Cold)
• 5.5% Defense(Energy)
• 5.5% Defense(Negative)
• 3% Defense(Psionic)
• 6.13% Defense(Ranged)
• 8% Defense(AoE)
• 3.75% Enhancement(Max EnduranceDiscount)
• 98.75% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 69% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 7.5% SpeedFlying
• GrantPower Preventive Medicine (10 % chance, if Scourge)
• 153.6 HP (12.76%) HitPoints
• 7.5% JumpHeight
• 7.5% SpeedJumping
• Knockback (Mag -8)
• Knockup (Mag -8)
• MezResist(Confused) 55%
• MezResist(Held) 55%
• MezResist(Immobilized) 55%
• MezResist(Sleep) 55%
• MezResist(Stunned) 55%
• MezResist(Terrorized) 55%
• MezResist(Teleport) 100% (20 % chance)
• 16% (0.27 End/sec) Recovery
• 32% (1.61 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 15% ResEffect(SpeedFlying)
• 15% ResEffect(RechargeTime)
• 15% ResEffect(SpeedRunning)
• 21.5% Resistance(Smashing)
• 26% Resistance(Fire)
• 26% Resistance(Cold)
• 9.5% Resistance(Energy)
• 9.5% Resistance(Negative)
• 8% Resistance(Toxic)
• 8% Resistance(Psionic)
• 21.5% Resistance(Lethal)
• 7.5% SpeedRunning
  

 

[Machariel]

I would recommend that you slot Ball Lightning with a few damage procs (my personal choice is 5pc positron's blast, skipping the one with a recharge component, and the bombardment proc) rather than for mitigation as it is a great attack and you have spinning strike if you need AoE knockdown, but overall StJ/EA/Mu sounds very strong and your build looks good.  I have two xxx/EA/Mu stalkers and endurance definitely isn't a problem as long as you're vigilant with energize (i frequently forget to use it if i'm not taking damage though, haha).

[nihilii]

On 6/25/2020 at 8:40 AM, Croax said:

2 Assassin Strike as guaranteed crit

Nitpick, but AS won't be a guaranteed crit because nothing except CU have 100% chance to give an Assassin's Stack. At 90% chance for SB and SC and 75% chance for HB, + the 5% chance to miss, your chances to have 3 Assassin's Stacks with a CU -> SB -> HB -> AS -> SC -> SB -> HB -> AS chain would be

 

0.95 * (0.95 * 0.9) * (0.95 * 0.75) = 57% on the first AS

 

(0.95 * 0.9) * (0.95 * 0.9) * (0.95 * 0.75) = 52% on the second AS

This isn't "crit chance", which is still higher than that, because in most alternate scenarios you'll end up with 2 stacks (66% chance to crit). So your crit chance is somewhere between 99% and 66%, leaning closer to 99% than 66%. Probably 85-90%, but don't ask me to do the math. 😛

I say this not to be argumentative, but because I was oblivious to the mechanics myself when I got into stalkers, and this led to disappointment when I kept seeing my AS not critting and didn't understand why.

 

A good rule of thumb would be that you need 4 rather than 3 attacks between each AS if you want a near guaranteed crit. But, also generally speaking, the DPA of non-crit AS and the burden of adding an extra attack, means sticking with 3 attacks between each AS tends to be optimal.

Bottomline, Croax's attack chain is good but manage your expectations. 🙂

Edited June 26, 2020 by nihilii