Suppression on Crab? Lack Lustre?

[RudedawgCDN]

So the animation is really cool and I like using the power - but the damage seems really piss poor imo for the activation time and the fact that it just kind of shoots everywhere.

 

Is it worth taking?

 

How should I slot it to help make it more effective?

 

I was just really excited to make a Crab - I have him up to lvl 42 and he just seems weak.

 

Does he get better as I put more levels into him or is it that crabs are really good and I am just not building him correctly?

[Omega Force]

Every class gets better at 50, of course.  Here's a build to consider.

 

Villain Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 3.0.1.9
https://github.com/Reborn-Team/Hero-Designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Silver Spider: Level 50 Natural Arachnos Soldier
Primary Power Set: Crab Spider Soldier
Secondary Power Set: Crab Spider Training
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Channelgun -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(3), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(5), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(7)
Level 1: Crab Spider Armor Upgrade -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-Max HP%(7), ImpArm-ResPsi(9)
Level 2: Longfang -- SprSpdBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprSpdBit-Dmg/Rchg(11), SprSpdBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), SprSpdBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprSpdBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprSpdBit-Rchg/Global Toxic(15)
Level 4: Combat Training: Defensive -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(19), Ksm-ToHit+(21)
Level 6: Wolf Spider Armor -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), ImpArm-ResPsi(21)
Level 8: Suppression -- SprDmnofA-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDmnofA-Dmg/Rchg(23), SprDmnofA-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), SprDmnofA-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprDmnofA-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprDmnofA-Rchg/DmgFear%(27)
Level 10: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 12: Arm Lash -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(27), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(29), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Obl-%Dam(31)
Level 14: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 16: Venom Grenade -- Bmbdmt-Dam(A), Bmbdmt-Acc/Rech/End(31), Bmbdmt-Dam/Rech(33), Bmbdmt-Acc/Dam/Rech(33), Bmbdmt-Acc/Dam/Rech/End(33), Bmbdmt-+FireDmg(34)
Level 18: Frag Grenade -- OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg(A), OvrFrc-End/Rech(34), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(34), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(36), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(36), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(36)
Level 20: Tactical Training: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(37), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(37), RedFrt-Def(37)
Level 22: Tactical Training: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 24: Tactical Training: Leadership -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 26: Mental Training -- Run-I(A)
Level 28: Fortification -- TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx(A), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(39), TtnCtn-ResDam(39), TtnCtn-EndRdx(39), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(40)
Level 30: Serum -- Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg(40), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(40), Prv-Absorb%(42)
Level 32: Tough -- TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx(A), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(42), TtnCtn-ResDam(42), TtnCtn-EndRdx(43)
Level 35: Summon Spiderlings -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(43), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(43), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(45), ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(45)
Level 38: Call Reinforcements -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(46), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(46), SlbAll-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(48), SlbAll-Build%(48)
Level 41: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(48), Rct-ResDam%(50)
Level 44: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(50), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 47: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Assault -- EndRdx-I(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: Conditioning 
Level 1: Sprint -- Clr-Stlth(A), Clr-EndRdx(9)
Level 2: Rest -- EndMod-I(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(15), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(17)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(17), PrfShf-End%(19)
Level 50: Intuition Radial Paragon 
Level 50: Pyronic Core Final Judgement 
Level 50: Reactive Radial Flawless Interface 
Level 50: Arachnos Radial Superior Ally 
Level 50: Barrier Radial Epiphany 
Level 50: Support Radial Embodiment 
Level 1: Momentum 
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[tidge]

I think the general advice is: as a ranged cone with a Defense debuff component, you can leverage Suppression to do more than "just damage". For example, there are two %Resistance debuff procs (Annihilation, Achille's Heel) that can be slotted in it, plus the Dominion of Arachnos ATO %Terrorize proc. As a VEAT, any given build will probably have sufficient Accuracy (and ToHit) boosts that you probably wouldn't need to slot it for Accuracy. I think there is something like 5 %damage procs that could be put in it if that is how you roll. It's not like the Crabs have a shortage of ranged AoE attacks.

 

Hmmm.... lemme look quick at the the three Soldier VEAT builds I have on a toon, I suspect I was somewhat lazy with my slotting:

 

1) The no-pets Crab has it 6-slotted with the Annihilation set.

2)  The pets Crab also has it 6-slotted with the Annihilation set.

3) The Bane doesn't have it (obviously).

 

The 6-slots of Annihilation boost MaxEnd, provide an Endurance discount and cap off with positional AoE Defense boost of +3.75. The defense boost is more important for the pets build, but on the no-pets build I am pushing positional defenses past the (non-incarnate) soft-cap, I should probably consider revisiting my build 1, although I don't usually play that build. I generally don't like putting a level 20+ set in a power that can be taken at low levels, but it looks like I wanted a %-Resistance piece in that AoE attack.

[Omega-202]

7 hours ago, RudedawgCDN said:

So the animation is really cool and I like using the power - but the damage seems really piss poor imo for the activation time and the fact that it just kind of shoots everywhere.

 

Is it worth taking?

 

How should I slot it to help make it more effective?

 

I was just really excited to make a Crab - I have him up to lvl 42 and he just seems weak.

 

Does he get better as I put more levels into him or is it that crabs are really good and I am just not building him correctly?

Regarding Suppression, it's a pretty mediocre power.  The DPA on it is pretty bad, but it partially makes up for it by being one of the largest cones in the game.  

 

Generally, if I'm running a Crab build at lvl 50 only, I skip it and take Ball Lightning or Dark Obliteration instead, alongside Frag and Venom Grenades.  But generally, for exemplared content, Suppression is nice to have because it's always available.  

 

Regarding Crabs as a whole, they're an AT that is mediocre with SOs below 50 and monsters post 50 when kitted out with full IOs, especially with huge amounts of -Recharge for the pets and perma Serum.  In that regard, I wouldn't judge the strength of the AT until you have hit 50 and kitted it out.  If you still don't like the feel of the character after that, just strip it for parts and try something else.  I have done that for so many builds (eg. my "naked" level 50 Dominators).

[Two Dollar Bill]

I normally slot Suppression with a Range IO, making the AoE quite large. If the team has a tank who's controlling aggro, I will use Supression only when the grenades are recharging. But on a team with a more chaotic "blast em where they stand" style, I may use Suppression as fast as it can recharge because it will hit a lot more targets than a grenade attack.
My traditional slotting for Suppression was 5 of the Positron's Blast IOs (including the Damage/Range) and one Range IO. At the moment I do not have it slotted for range and I find it a lot less useful. I'm going to figure out how to get the range IO back in there the next time I revise my build.

 

I don't really expect my Crab to be killing everything in sight like a Blaster. The assorted buffs I provide to the team actually make those DPS characters even better at out-damaging me and getting the kills for themselves. As long as I'm providing those buffs, and hitting everything in sight with debuffs, I'm doing my job.
What makes my Crab Spider feel powerful is when something goes wrong and all those squishy characters start faceplanting or running away, my Crab Spider can stand his ground, surrounded by foes, and blasting away like mad.

 

I have been experimenting with Sentinels recently since they have that "tough but shooty" aspect to them. But I find that they don't have the combination of ranged and melee attacks that I enjoy with my Crab, and they also do not provide the team support buffs that my Crab does.

[TheSpiritFox]

I took suppression on my crabbermind. No regrets. No it's not a great DPA attack, but that's mostly because of the cast time, it does halfway decent damage, hits a ton of targets, and is the largest cone attack in the game which can have it's range extended. Suppression for me is there to add on damage while my grenades are recharging. Venom grenade, frag grenade, suppression makes for almost a seamless aoe chain with recharge. At low levels, I fill in with the single target crab attacks, at high levels I have gloom which is awesome damage on it's own. 

 

And honestly, I love the animation and the range. Sure, it's not the highest damage attack you've got, but it is an attack that can hit every single thing in the spawn, which is really useful in it's own way. Suppression is there to finish off minions, once most of the mobs are dead, I switch to just grenades and single target attacks. Suppression for me is satisfying to use, because I like seeing 16 sets of orange numbers rising all at the same time. 

Edited January 17, 2021 by TheSpiritFox

[mcdoogss]

On 1/17/2021 at 3:09 AM, TheSpiritFox said:

I took suppression on my crabbermind. No regrets. No it's not a great DPA attack, but that's mostly because of the cast time, it does halfway decent damage, hits a ton of targets, and is the largest cone attack in the game which can have it's range extended. Suppression for me is there to add on damage while my grenades are recharging. Venom grenade, frag grenade, suppression makes for almost a seamless aoe chain with recharge. At low levels, I fill in with the single target crab attacks, at high levels I have gloom which is awesome damage on it's own. 

 

And honestly, I love the animation and the range. Sure, it's not the highest damage attack you've got, but it is an attack that can hit every single thing in the spawn, which is really useful in it's own way. Suppression is there to finish off minions, once most of the mobs are dead, I switch to just grenades and single target attacks. Suppression for me is satisfying to use, because I like seeing 16 sets of orange numbers rising all at the same time. 

I agree, also suppression is great for applying soft control via either knockdown procs or the terrorize SoA proc (or both).  And sure the DPA isn't great but it does hit a LOT of targets, recharges relatively quickly, and applies -DEF.  After Venom (and maybe even arctic breath) suppression is still worth activating imo

[kelika2]

Stack those dots, never use suppression without toxic grenade.  adjust IOs/enhancements to get them to sync up.  my venom grenade has the first ATO set in it to really push that recharge.  if you dont have the inf check out the Bombardment set.  Also consider slotting a bit of range into Suppression.  Mine is slotted 5/6 posi blast, skipping dmg/end and 1 dmg/range++ hami

[Scientist]

What makes a Crab great is having a full AoE damage chain that ALSO has AoE resistance debuffs.  That means even things like Incarnate AoEs will do more damage.  

 

If you are fighting white con, bring a fire blaster.  If you are fighting large numbers of tough foes, having a "blaster" who can't be mezzed and has good built in resistances and defenses lets you survive fighting things that might drop the blaster.  The blaster will do more damage in the first 5 seconds of the fight, the Crab lets the team do more damage in a 20 or 30 second fight because of the AoE resistance debuffs, which stack if you take Mako for another debuff, and just having a ruthless chain of AoEs to fire off.