Nature/Ice - Softcap ranged

[Onlyasandwich]

Happy holidays!

 

I have played every type of Defender out there to 50 and back save for Nature and Electric at this point. I found a fun concept for a Nature/Ice, and put together a rough draft build.

 

As I've never played nature before (only level 15 on this guy right now), I'd love the input/advice of nature affinity veterans.  

 

Goals I've shot for here:

- Softcap Ranged defense. 

- I let entangling deal with melee along with my stacking hold. I found success with this using choking cloud/dominate on my rad/sonic.

- Heavy recharge - 81.25 before hasten here.

- Build upon Nature's strong resists where possible.

 

Where I'm not quite happy:

 - My S/L resist is super way overcapped. Tough is somewhat redundant, but is on the way to weave. 

 - It would be nice to come out to a similar build but have strong S/L defense as well, while retaining my resists. Unfortunately that would probably require scorp shield. I prefer an epic resist shield on a set that has tohit debuffing.

 

Other than that, I'm very happy with the power selection, and everything is nicely enhanced and procced out.

Note that Mass hypnosis and World of confusion are just set mules. I may actually use MH solo I guess! It's fun to have.

 

General power usage questions:

 - Do you ever really use Regrowth? It seems fine, but it looks like the set, when mature, wouldn't need it much. 

 - How effective is lifegiving spores? It seems pretty nifty and looks cool, but I don't really understand the numbers on this power. So far I enjoy using it but don't have perspective on its true impact.

 

Here's the build:

 

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!

terra: Level 50 Science Defender
Primary Power Set: Nature Affinity
Secondary Power Set: Ice Blast
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Psychic Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Corrosive Enzymes -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Ice Bolt -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(3), GldJvl-Dam%(5), ImpSwf-Dam%(5)
Level 2: Regrowth -- HO:Golgi(A), HO:Golgi(48)
Level 4: Frost Breath -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(9), Artl-Dam/Rech(11), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(11), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(43), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(46)
Level 6: Wild Growth -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), TtnCtn-ResDam/Rchg(7), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(7), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(9)
Level 8: Lifegiving Spores -- Prv-Absorb%(A), Prv-Heal(31), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(31), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(33), Prv-Heal/Rchg(33), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(34)
Level 10: Spore Cloud -- HO:Enzym(A)
Level 12: Wild Bastion -- NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx(A), NmnCnv-EndRdx/Rchg(13), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(13), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(37), NmnCnv-Heal(37), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(43)
Level 14: Aim -- GssSynFr--Build%(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(15), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(15), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(36), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(36), GssSynFr--ToHit(36)
Level 16: Freeze Ray -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), GldJvl-Dam%(17), NrnSht-Dam%(19), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(40), UnbCns-Dam%(43)
Level 18: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Krm-ResKB(19)
Level 20: Ice Storm -- SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBst-Dmg/Rchg(21), SprDfnBst-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprDfnBst-Rchg/Heal%(25)
Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(23)
Level 24: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Entangling Aura -- Lck-%Hold(A), Lck-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(27), Lck-Acc/Hold(27), Lck-Acc/Rchg(37), Lck-Rchg/Hold(40), Lck-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(40)
Level 28: Bitter Ice Blast -- SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg(A), SprVglAss-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(29), GldJvl-Dam%(31), CldSns-%Dam(34), Apc-Dam%(34)
Level 30: Tough -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A)
Level 32: Overgrowth -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33)
Level 35: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(42), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(42), ShlWal-Def(42)
Level 38: Blizzard -- SprVglAss-Rchg/+Absorb(A), SprVglAss-Dmg/Rchg(39), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), HO:Nucle(39)
Level 41: Mass Hypnosis -- FrtHyp-Sleep/EndRdx(A), FrtHyp-Sleep(45), FrtHyp-Sleep/Rchg(45), FrtHyp-Acc/Sleep/Rchg(45), FrtHyp-Acc/Rchg(46)
Level 44: Mind Over Body -- HO:Ribo(A), HO:Ribo(46)
Level 47: World of Confusion -- CrcPrs-Conf/EndRdx(A), CrcPrs-Conf(48), CrcPrs-Conf/Rchg(48), CrcPrs-Acc/Conf/Rchg(50), CrcPrs-Acc/Rchg(50), CrcPrs-Conf%(50)
Level 49: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
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 1: Vigilance 
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 10: Shadow Recall -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 50: Intuition Radial Paragon 
------------

 

Edited December 26, 2020 by Onlyasandwich

[krj12]

My build that I got off an older thread and tweaked a little, doesn't meet all of your requirements but might give you some ideas:

 

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!

Nature-Ice Proc: Level 50 Magic Defender
Primary Power Set: Nature Affinity
Secondary Power Set: Ice Blast
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Regrowth -- Pnc-Heal(A), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux(17), Pnc-Heal/Rchg(19), Pnc-EndRdx/Rchg(23), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux/Rchg(31)
Level 1: Ice Bolt -- SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBst-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBst-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(3), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprDfnBst-Rchg/Heal%(7)
Level 2: Wild Growth -- Ags-ResDam(A), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(7), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(40), Ags-EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 4: Frost Breath -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(13), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), Rgn-Knock%(15), PstBls-Dam%(15)
Level 6: Corrosive Enzymes -- Acc-I(A)
Level 8: Boxing -- Acc-I(A)
Level 10: Spore Cloud -- DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(A), DarWtcDsp-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(17)
Level 12: Wild Bastion -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(19), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(36), Prv-Heal/Rchg(48), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(48), Prv-Absorb%(50)
Level 14: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-Res/Rech/End(21), GldArm-End/Res(21), GldArm-3defTpProc(23)
Level 16: Freeze Ray -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(A), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(25), GldJvl-Dam%(25), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(27), UnbCns-Dam%(27), GldNet-Dam%(29)
Level 18: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(29), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(31), LucoftheG-Def(31)
Level 20: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-ResDam%(33)
Level 22: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 24: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(33), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(33), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 26: Entangling Aura -- SprEnt-Hold/Rchg(A), SprEnt-End/Rchg(34), SprEnt-Acc/Hold/End(34), SprEnt-Acc/Hold/End/Rchg(36), SprEnt-Rchg/AbsorbProc(36), SprEnt-Acc/Hold(50)
Level 28: Bitter Ice Blast -- SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg(A), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37), SprVglAss-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), GldJvl-Dam%(37), CldSns-%Dam(39), Apc-Dam%(39)
Level 30: Ice Storm -- SprVglAss-Rchg/+Absorb(A), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), SprVglAss-Dmg/Rchg(40)
Level 32: Overgrowth -- AdjTrg-Rchg(A), AdjTrg-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(40), AdjTrg-ToHit/Rchg(48)
Level 35: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def(42), RedFrt-EndRdx(43), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(43), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(43), RedFrt-Def/Rchg(45)
Level 38: Blizzard -- SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg(A), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx(45), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(46), SprFrzBls-Rchg/ImmobProc(46)
Level 41: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(42)
Level 44: Web Envelope -- TraoftheH-Acc/EndRdx(A), TraoftheH-Dam%(50)
Level 47: Lifegiving Spores -- EffAdp-EndMod(A)
Level 49: Super Speed -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
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 1: Vigilance 
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(9), Mrc-Rcvry+(9)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(11)
Level 50: Intuition Radial Paragon 
Level 50: Degenerative Core Flawless Interface 
Level 50: Assault Radial Embodiment 
Level 50: Clarion Core Epiphany 
Level 1: Quick Form 
------------

[Psylenz0511]

Lifegiving spores is very useful in the lower levels. I usually drop it right in the middle of the melee fray. In the incarnate levels its not as useful with all the shields, heals, buffs flowing in league play.

 

Regrowth is another ability that is more crucial to lower level teams. One use that never gets old is the heal breaks teammates sleep status.

[Onlyasandwich]

1 hour ago, krj12 said:

My build

Thank you for sharing!

 

I appreciate the perspective, Psylenz. It looks like slotting it with heals may be the way to go, as endurance isn't much trouble with this sort of build. Perhaps my mind will change as I invest further.

[Onlyasandwich]

I've fiddled with the build a bit, and optimized some of the slotting. Pretty happy with the state of it thus far! 

 

My only complaint in playing it is using entangling aura while still getting value out of frost breath requires some quick bopping around in combat, but that's fine. Everything else works pbaoe, and Nature seems to want to position on the frontlines anyhow. Juggling the cone in (or heal when necessary) keeps combat interesting.

 

I had forgotten how excellent entangling aura/choking cloud is once slotted! I grabbed choking cloud late game on my rad, so didn't have to rely on it as much. Even in my 20's with only a few slots, entangling aura is actually very reliable and fast to stack when you have the lockdown proc in it.

 

I'm excited to get my ST chain fully IO'd out once I get higher. It looks like it will be very satisfyingly punchy!

 

Posting the newest version here for the benefit of anyone who may want to see:

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!

terra: Level 50 Science Defender
Primary Power Set: Nature Affinity
Secondary Power Set: Ice Blast
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Psychic Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Corrosive Enzymes -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Ice Bolt -- HO:Nucle(A), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Dcm-Build%(3), GldJvl-Dam%(5), ImpSwf-Dam%(5)
Level 2: Regrowth -- HO:Golgi(A), HO:Golgi(48)
Level 4: Frost Breath -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(9), Artl-Dam/Rech(11), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(11), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(43), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(46)
Level 6: Wild Growth -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), TtnCtn-ResDam/Rchg(7), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(7)
Level 8: Lifegiving Spores -- Prv-Absorb%(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(9), Prv-Heal(31), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(31), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(33), Prv-Heal/Rchg(33)
Level 10: Spore Cloud -- HO:Enzym(A)
Level 12: Wild Bastion -- NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx(A), NmnCnv-EndRdx/Rchg(13), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(13), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(37), NmnCnv-Heal(37), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(43)
Level 14: Aim -- GssSynFr--Build%(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(15), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(15), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(36), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(36), GssSynFr--ToHit(36)
Level 16: Freeze Ray -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), GldJvl-Dam%(17), NrnSht-Dam%(19), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(40), UnbCns-Dam%(43)
Level 18: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Krm-ResKB(19), Rct-ResDam%(34)
Level 20: Ice Storm -- SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBst-Dmg/Rchg(21), SprDfnBst-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprDfnBst-Rchg/Heal%(25)
Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(23)
Level 24: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Entangling Aura -- Lck-%Hold(A), Lck-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(27), Lck-Acc/Hold(27), Lck-Acc/Rchg(37), Lck-Rchg/Hold(40), Lck-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(40)
Level 28: Bitter Ice Blast -- SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg(A), SprVglAss-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(29), GldJvl-Dam%(31), CldSns-%Dam(34), Apc-Dam%(34)
Level 30: Tough -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A)
Level 32: Overgrowth -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33)
Level 35: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(42), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(42), ShlWal-Def(42)
Level 38: Blizzard -- SprVglAss-Rchg/+Absorb(A), SprVglAss-Dmg/Rchg(39), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), HO:Nucle(39)
Level 41: Mass Hypnosis -- FrtHyp-Sleep/EndRdx(A), FrtHyp-Sleep(45), FrtHyp-Sleep/Rchg(45), FrtHyp-Acc/Sleep/Rchg(45), FrtHyp-Acc/Rchg(46)
Level 44: Mind Over Body -- HO:Ribo(A)
Level 47: World of Confusion -- CrcPrs-Conf/EndRdx(A), CrcPrs-Conf(48), CrcPrs-Conf/Rchg(48), CrcPrs-Acc/Conf/Rchg(50), CrcPrs-Acc/Rchg(50), CrcPrs-Conf%(50)
Level 49: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
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 1: Vigilance 
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 10: Shadow Recall -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(46)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 50: Intuition Radial Paragon 
------------

 

Edited December 28, 2020 by Onlyasandwich

[Linea]

I went pure resist build with self +damage ...

I built it as Nature/Fire, but Nature/Ice is an easy translation.

 

Nature Ice - Fourcade 1 - [i25].mxd

 

Nature Fire - Fourcade 2td - [i25].mxd

[Onlyasandwich]

5 hours ago, Linea said:

I went pure resist build with self +damage ...

I built it as Nature/Fire, but Nature/Ice is an easy translation.

 

Thanks Linea! I do like the RoP pickup for mez protection, but find less value than normal in this, given the strong resists built into nature. It does bring you into pretty universally high numbers across the board though - worth considering! It is sort of hilarious to see a Defender with max resists to everything under only their own buffs. Perhaps there is something to be said for thumbing my nose at a bucketload of redundant S/L resist.

 

It looks like you doubled down on resists rather than pursuing any sort of defense totals, and got some nice damage buffing tools from Dark epic in the trade as well. Not a bad approach!

 

How safe do you feel soloing on this when RoP is down? It looks like you might need to rely on Spore cloud for solo work to live with safety - is this the case, or do you find the other tools sufficient?

 

 

[Linea]

The idea of the build was to test resist cap and (almost perma) +self_damage_cap.

I soloed a +4x8 ITF with it.

Standard Rune/Hybrid/Rune/Demonic/KitchenSink rotation.

It plays a lot like a BioArmor scrapper.  When you get defense debuffed you WILL die if you don't react and do something; However, with all that resist and absorb you typically DO have time to react.  Without the absorb and resist you'd otherwise drop to cascade failure too fast to react.

You can get defenses via temps and candy.

 

I probably have a defense based perma-snipe version somewhere, but the +self_damage_cap is lost.  And it's not translated to /Ice as ice doesn't have a snipe.

This is probably it:  Nature Fire - Laoraine 2c - [i25].mxd

 

Edited December 29, 2020 by Linea

[Onlyasandwich]

1 hour ago, Linea said:

The idea of the build

I really do like the approach! 

 

My blind spot is my devotion to assault hybrid. If I have an undemanding primary, grabbing RoP and rotating melee hybrid or maybe demonic as you say is a very viable alternative, and gives a broader base of more predictable protection, while saving Destiny for something besides clarion.

 

I can definitely see how this would be similar to Bio. Medium defenses, clicky absorb and heals, and a solid dose of regen with strong resists. 

[Echo Night]

I realize this is necroing an old post, but I'm currently in the process of leveling this combo. For w/e reason, I can't open up any builds properly. Sometimes char name, origin and power sets are the only thing imported from here. Other times, nothing at all. Would it be possible for each of you to make the data chunks available? That's the only way I can see the full build. Thank you.

 

FYI. I've tried all the build opening gimmicks that I'm aware of and mids is in it's updated form.

[Onlyasandwich]

On 11/7/2021 at 12:21 PM, Echo Night said:

I realize this is necroing an old post, but I'm currently in the process of leveling this combo. For w/e reason, I can't open up any builds properly. Sometimes char name, origin and power sets are the only thing imported from here. Other times, nothing at all. Would it be possible for each of you to make the data chunks available? That's the only way I can see the full build. Thank you.

 

FYI. I've tried all the build opening gimmicks that I'm aware of and mids is in it's updated form.

I'm on mobile right now, but can look at this later and share. Note that my builds are at least fully visible under the spoiler, even if no chunk is present.