Formula for Builds

[Redrush]

Hi Devs,

 

I have created a lot of toons for many archetypes but have lost steam in playing because I do not know how, when, where, or what to slot for my characters. Is there a generic formula for how to do this for any and every character?

Edited December 11, 2020 by Redrush

[CrudeVileTerror]

I'm not a Dev, and I'm afraid I don't quite know what you mean by "formula" in this context, but if you're looking for help with Builds, then there's a whole section of the forum dedicated to that!

https://forums.homecomingservers.com/forum/43-archetypes/

 

Learning the ins-and-outs of this game can be a bit tricky, especially if you're used to more conventional loot-grind MMOs.

The short answer is, as of right now, AoE Damage is "The Meta"™ if you're looking for "The Best Performance"™ with enough Position or Smashing/Lethal Defense to reach softcap, and enough Recharge to give you an efficient Proc-laden attack chain.

 

BUUUT . . . 

This is City of Heroes (City of Villains).

Don't worry about "The Meta"™

Just worry about enjoying yourself!

[EdgeOfDreams]

If you're just starting out:

 

1. If the power needs Accuracy, put in 1 Accuracy enhancement.
2. If the power deals Damage, put in 3 Damage enhancements.
3. If the power does something else, put in up to 3 enhancements of whatever it is that power does (e.g. 3 Heal enhancements in a healing power, 3 Defense enhancements in a Defense power). (More than 3 of a kind starts getting hit HARD by diminishing returns.)
4. If it's a toggle (except for a few very cheap ones like Combat Jumping) or it uses a lot of Endurance, put in 1 Endurance Cost Reduction enhancement.
5. If it has a very long recharge time, put 1 or more Recharge Reduction enhancements.
6. Stamina needs 2 or 3 Endurance Modification enhancements.

Those are the absolute basics that will be good enough to get you going. You can just do that with purchased enhancements from vendors up until around level 22. Then you can switch over to crafting basic Invention enhancements instead (the ones that just give straight Accuracy, Damage, whatever by itself). You can ignore Invention Sets until you're more familiar with the game and still do fine.

[ScrewlooseCohh]

Edge is correct, if you are slotting Single Origin Enhancements.

If you are slotting Dual Origin Enhancements then I would slot 2 Accuracy and then Damage or whatever other Effect they produce.

Also if you run the Death From Below Trial a couple of times you can select the Accuracy and Damage buffs which last til level 22 and will make your early leveling a lot more enjoyable, as well as being decent Exp for lower level toons.

Also regarding Endurance costs Attacks cost a lot more End than almost all Toggles, so after Accuracy and Effect consider an Endurance Reduction in your attacks if you are having issues with End.

regards, Screwloose

"I am not young enough to know everything."

[EdgeOfDreams]

If you're looking for something more advanced, and have money to burn, here are two useful guides that will tell you about specific IOs that will give you a lot of bang for your buck.
 

 

[Doomguide2005]

The individual Archetype forums are also haunted by folks who enjoy making builds.  Some of them are even good at going into why they do it that way, especially when asked nicely.

 

And the HCwiki and its predecessor on Live Paragonwiki are also excellent sources of information.

 

And last if you have questions don't hesitate to ask.

[Saikochoro]

I agree in general with @EdgeOfDreamsslotting advice when using single origin enhancements (SO). The latest update has made it easier than ever to start using SOs from level 2 and to keep them up to date within the manage enhancements screen. Doing task forces and other content that awards you with reward merits will can easily find SOs use to level 50. Just turn the reward merits into enhancement converters at merit vendors and sell the converters on the market for around 60k each.  This is a good method if you don’t want to bother with crafting or with the invention system. 
 

If you do want to get a start on invention origin enhancements you can start with level 25 common IOs. They are roughly equivalent to an SO, but they don’t lose effectiveness as you level.  Since they have about the same power as an SO you would follow the same slotting guidelines as SOs. 
 

If you want to get into set IO with bonuses, the sky is the limit. Your best bet in that case is to pick an archetype and powerset combo and then ask for specific build advice in the applicable archetype forums.  The inventions system can be daunting, but once you get the hang of it a whole new part of the game opens up to you (build making). It is very enjoyable for some, including me. Downloading MIDs Reborn Hero Designer from the tools and utilities forum helps out with building set IO toons. 

Edited December 12, 2020 by Saikochoro

[Redrush]

Thank you to all for responding. I was not that heavy into the game when it first came out in 2004. I did not have my own computer to play it as much as I do now, so I never knew all of this existed. I will take your advice and tweak through trial and error. Once last question how do I get a steady cash flow of influence going?

Edited December 12, 2020 by Redrush

[CrudeVileTerror]

There are some guides on the market for that ( https://forums.homecomingservers.com/forum/44-guides/ ), but if you're @Redrush in the game, then just check your in-game email.

If you're not, then @Redrush just got themselves a nice little nest egg, and I'll need to know your in-game Global Handle to get you something too.

[EdgeOfDreams]

34 minutes ago, Redrush said:

 Once last question how do I get a steady cash flow of influence going?

For your first character, don't expect to have much money until you've leveled up a lot. Sell the things you find as drops according to this rough guide:

1. Enhancements: vendor
2. Salvage: vendor or Auction House Common and Uncommons, always Auction rares
3. Recipes: vendor Common, Auction House Uncommon and Rare
4. Merits: go to a Merit Vendor and spend them on Enhancement Boosters or Converters, then sell those on the Auction House

Once you have a character who is slotted up with SOs or basic IOs and has a few million INF to spare, then you can start thinking about various ways of making money off of playing the market. Also, once you have a max level character, it's easy to earn enough INF from running missions or TFs and selling your drops to fund future characters.

[Redrush]

Wow!!! VileTerror!!! Thank you so much!!! I will def pay it forward.

[Redrush]

So what are SOs/IOs? Is there a glossary somewhere?

[CrudeVileTerror]

https://hcwiki.cityofheroes.dev/wiki/Enhancements#Single-Origin_Enhancements

and

https://hcwiki.cityofheroes.dev/wiki/Enhancement_Sets

 

Please note that the Wiki still references Dual Origin (DO) and Training Origin (TO), but these were both effectively removed with the big Issue 27 patch recently.

 

Edited December 12, 2020 by CrudeVileTerror
More information.

[Hyperstrike]

For generic IOs in attacks?

2 Acc (I *HATE* MISSING!!!)
2 Dam
1 Rech

Acc always goes in first.
Then a Dam.
Then the second Dam (especially early on, you're still gaining some +Acc for buffs like the DFB buffs).
Then the second Acc
Then the Rech when you get it.

Non-Auto Defense/Resist?
Def/Res
Then an End

Health
2 Heals

Stamina
3 EndMods

[Doomguide2005]

45 minutes ago, Hyperstrike said:

For generic IOs in attacks?

2 Acc (I *HATE* MISSING!!!)
2 Dam
1 Rech

Acc always goes in first.
Then a Dam.
Then the second Dam (especially early on, you're still gaining some +Acc for buffs like the DFB buffs).
Then the second Acc
Then the Rech when you get it.

Non-Auto Defense/Resist?
Def/Res
Then an End

Health
2 Heals

Stamina
3 EndMods

Or if/when you're feeling comfortable with trying some of the special IOs (mentioned above by @EdgeOfDreamspost with links to a couple threads) instead of a second accuracy, drop in a Kismet +6% Accuracy (which is actually a misnomer, it's a To Hit bonus) into the build.  And instead of the accuracy put either another Damage IO or an Endurance Reduction in your attacks (all of them, the Kismet will effect you globally).

 

Likewise their are several special Heal and Endurance Modification enhancements that can help with endurance as well as regeneration, healing and an absorb shield ... and off into the deep end you go 😉.

Edited December 12, 2020 by Doomguide2005

[Redrush]

My Toon "Redrush" is a Mutation/Brute/Street Justice/Electric Armor

[Saikochoro]

2 hours ago, Redrush said:

Once last question how do I get a steady cash flow of influence going?

I listed several methods of making money in the following. Let me know if you have any questions on any of the methods.

 

[Redrush]

Will do Bro, Thank you to everyone for being so helpful and friendly.

[Rishidian]

VileTerror!!  Are you giving out ludicrous amounts of Influence again?  TO NEW PLAYERS even!!

 

Well Done and Thank you!  You are making a difference in these peoples lives.

[Snarky]

On 12/11/2020 at 6:30 PM, Hyperstrike said:

For generic IOs in attacks?

2 Acc (I *HATE* MISSING!!!)
2 Dam
1 Rech

Acc always goes in first.
Then a Dam.
Then the second Dam (especially early on, you're still gaining some +Acc for buffs like the DFB buffs).
Then the second Acc
Then the Rech when you get it.

Non-Auto Defense/Resist?
Def/Res
Then an End

Health
2 Heals

Stamina
3 EndMods

i do not know what you are building.  but if it is any AT with invulnerability armor search Hyperstrikes generic Invul guide for any AT.  it is sick how tight the design is.

[Hyperstrike]

48 minutes ago, Snarky said:

i do not know what you are building.  but if it is any AT with invulnerability armor search Hyperstrikes generic Invul guide for any AT.  it is sick how tight the design is.

Maybe like this: 

Spoiler

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.7.2.10
https://github.com/Crytilis/mids-reborn-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Tanker Basic: Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Invulnerability
Secondary Power Set: Super Strength
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Pyre Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Resist Physical Damage -- ResDam-I:40(A), ResDam-I:40(3), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(3), GldArm-3defTpProc:50(5)
Level 1: Jab -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(5), Dmg-I:50(7), Dmg-I:50(7), RechRdx-I:50(9)
Level 2: Temp Invulnerability -- ResDam-I:40(A), ResDam-I:40(9), EndRdx-I:50(11)
Level 4: Haymaker -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(15), Dmg-I:50(17), Dmg-I:50(17), RechRdx-I:50(19), EndRdx-I:50(19)
Level 6: Dull Pain -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(21), Heal-I:50(21), Heal-I:50(23), EndRdx-I:50(23)
Level 8: Resist Elements -- ResDam-I:40(A), ResDam-I:40(25)
Level 10: Taunt -- Taunt-I:50(A), Range-I:50(25), Range-I:50(27), RechRdx-I:50(27)
Level 12: Unyielding -- ResDam-I:40(A), ResDam-I:40(29), EndRdx-I:50(29)
Level 14: Resist Energies -- ResDam-I:40(A), ResDam-I:40(31)
Level 16: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 18: Invincibility -- DefBuff-I:50(A), DefBuff-I:50(31), EndRdx-I:50(31), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP:50(33), Rct-ResDam%:50(33)
Level 20: Knockout Blow -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(33), Dmg-I:50(34), Dmg-I:50(34), RechRdx-I:50(34), EndRdx-I:50(36)
Level 22: Tough -- ResDam-I:40(A), ResDam-I:40(36), EndRdx-I:50(36)
Level 24: Weave -- DefBuff-I:50(A), DefBuff-I:50(37), EndRdx-I:50(37)
Level 26: Tough Hide -- DefBuff-I:50(A), DefBuff-I:50(37)
Level 28: Rage -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(39), ToHit-I:50(39), ToHit-I:50(39)
Level 30: Combat Jumping -- DefBuff-I:50(A), DefBuff-I:50(40)
Level 32: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(40)
Level 35: Hurl -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(40), Dmg-I:50(42), Dmg-I:50(42), RechRdx-I:50(42), EndRdx-I:50(43)
Level 38: Foot Stomp -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(43), Dmg-I:50(43), Dmg-I:50(45), RechRdx-I:50(45), EndRdx-I:50(45)
Level 41: Char -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(46), Dmg-I:50(46), Dmg-I:50(46), RechRdx-I:50(48), EndRdx-I:50(48)
Level 44: Fire Blast -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(48), Dmg-I:50(50), Dmg-I:50(50), RechRdx-I:50(50)
Level 47: [Empty]
Level 49: [Empty]
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
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 -- Heal-I:50(A), Heal-I:50(11), Heal-I:50(13)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(13), EndMod-I:50(15)
------------

 

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[CrudeVileTerror]

I can neither confirm nor deny that, @Rishidian.

However, if it were the case, then I would (theoretically) need to restock my larders right now.  So, (again, in this imaginary scenario) I would ask that other members of the community consider stepping up over the new few weeks if any more newcomers are in need.

Thank you.

[EmmySky]

*peeks in larder*

 

Um....

 

*finds empty gum wrapper, three shoelaces and a can of spam that, according to the stamp, expired circa 1987*

 

I don't even chew gum!

[Hyperstrike]

On 12/11/2020 at 9:15 PM, Doomguide2005 said:

Or if/when you're feeling comfortable with trying some of the special IOs (mentioned above by @EdgeOfDreamspost with links to a couple threads) instead of a second accuracy, drop in a Kismet +6% Accuracy (which is actually a misnomer, it's a To Hit bonus) into the build.  And instead of the accuracy put either another Damage IO or an Endurance Reduction in your attacks (all of them, the Kismet will effect you globally).

 

Likewise their are several special Heal and Endurance Modification enhancements that can help with endurance as well as regeneration, healing and an absorb shield ... and off into the deep end you go 😉.

Again, I was answering against a nominally generic IO setup.
The only things I add in are the Resist and Defense uniques.  Especially for a tank.

I'm well aware of other specialized IOs.

[Doomguide2005]

2 minutes ago, Hyperstrike said:

Again, I was answering against a nominally generic IO setup.
The only things I add in are the Resist and Defense uniques.  Especially for a tank.

I'm well aware of other specialized IOs.

Yes you were.  First steps in a thousand mile journey and all that. Hence the "off into the deep end you go" comment at the end of my post.  I've no doubt we're both well acquainted with trip.