What should I be doing with Contaminated in Radiation Melee?

[Rundam]

Is the mechanic a key part of the set damage? Should my attack chain be spamming single target attacks after Fusion and Atom Smasher have contaminated everyone to make it trigger?

I hope not as I am not a fan of the Devastating Blow and would like to drop it (turns out I am very much claws, spines and savage preference).

 

I can see Burning Embrace helping the Burn damage, but do not easily see the contaminated effect.

[Erratic1]

Assuming Proton Sweep is not part a power you've taken (because it is miserable and should not be taken) you're left with five primary attacks. If Devastating Blow is not part of your set of attacks, what are you doing to fill the time because it is hard to see how Contaminated Strike, Radioactive Smash, Radiation Siphon, and Atom Smasher are rotating quickly enough unless you've invested in some serious recharge.

[Rundam]

*looks innocent* No, thankfully did not take Proton. Atom, and a procced out Ball lightning and Burn for the AOE with Radioactive and Devastating for single target. Fusion and Fiery embrace when they are up. Had not bothered with Siphon due to the heal in Fire. I don't run against AVs (execept patron arcs or when I have to) and solo large mobs of minions more than single hard target.

 

My question is really should I be using the single target attacks more than I am -does the spike damage of contaminated contribute enough - as I know the way I play is not really interesting to others.

 

I am due a respec and was thinking of dropping devastating completely  for cross punch (yes, why am I even playing RM then - I like the character) but if Siphon is godly I would happily swop to that -and maybe up the difficulty as a more consistent heal helps?

 

[Erratic1]

If what you're doing is working for you, who cares if you could get more damage.

 

Its been a while since I've played my Rad/Shield scrapper but hopped on him to grab a chatlog:

 

2021-02-06 18:39:17 Readying Radioactive Smash.
2021-02-06 18:39:18 HIT Headman Gunman! Your Radioactive Smash power had a 95.00% chance to hit, you rolled a 22.63.
2021-02-06 18:39:18 You hit Headman Gunman with your Radioactive Smash for 41.15 points of Smashing damage.
2021-02-06 18:39:18 You hit Headman Gunman with your Radioactive Smash for 123.48 points of Energy damage.
2021-02-06 18:39:18 You knock Headman Gunman off their feet with your Radioactive Smash!
2021-02-06 18:39:18 HIT Chief Soldier! Your Radioactive Smash power had a 95.00% chance to hit, you rolled a 90.15.
2021-02-06 18:39:18 HIT Infantry! Your Radioactive Smash power had a 95.00% chance to hit, you rolled a 51.30.
2021-02-06 18:39:18 HIT Conscript! Your Radioactive Smash power had a 95.00% chance to hit, you rolled a 66.78.
2021-02-06 18:39:19 You hit Chief Soldier with your Radioactive Smash for 48.45 points of Toxic damage.
2021-02-06 18:39:19 You hit Conscript with your Radioactive Smash for 48.45 points of Toxic damage.
2021-02-06 18:39:19 You hit Infantry with your Radioactive Smash for 48.45 points of Toxic damage.

 

The actual target took the full damage of the attack whereas the nearby opponents took about a third each and in total roughly what was done to the actual target.

If you can survive big crowds, that would seem to be worth it in my book. But your mileage may vary.

 

Edited February 7, 2021 by Erratic1

[Rundam]

Thank you so much, I tried looking at the damage output but could not pick out the contaminated.

Seems worth it so I'll look at incorporating it more. I do prefer the fast attack powersets though, parked my Energy Melee and TW for the same reason, but I like this character.

 

I see the slash command /logchat is that how I get it to a text output? And I remember there are timestamp options for chat as well.

[Erratic1]

54 minutes ago, Rundam said:

Thank you so much, I tried looking at the damage output but could not pick out the contaminated.

Seems worth it so I'll look at incorporating it more. I do prefer the fast attack powersets though, parked my Energy Melee and TW for the same reason, but I like this character.

 

I see the slash command /logchat is that how I get it to a text output? And I remember there are timestamp options for chat as well.

There is a definite joy to attacks falling 1-2-3 one after another. Rad Melee hits slower but harder. 

 

I've toyed with  doing a Rad/Energy Aura build to (a) help with recharge and (b) help with endurance consumption. I could repurpose my DM/Rad's name, Collapsar, take Fold  Space, and drop spawns on myself to immediately get density and the boos to Recharge from foes being close. I don't know. . .that could be too gimicky.

[Rundam]

Hah, gimmicks make me so glad of Beta, so many powersets have something that is great but then on live you realise it is painful. Playing around with Stone Tanker, teleport and fold and its sort of workable. Need to properly slot it on Beta to see if it is worth continuing on live or to go with another idea. And If I can even play it with all the teleporting necessary. But even kitting out on beta can be tedious.

So many new powersets to try, thank you Devs.

Which reminds me, Bio armour...