Help with NA/Archery Build

[Dark Prismatic]

Hi all. I'm looking for some help with a new build I put together. It was a complete theme idea for Valentine's Day with a cupid-like Defender featuring "rose petals" and archery. I thought she'd just be fun for the month of February but I've actually liked playing her a lot and think I want to try buying recipes and making her as good a build as possible (or at least pretty good if I can't swing the expensive stuff).

 

Is there anyone that can give me any help in this area? I don't really do well beyond the basic IOs (I never got this far on live) or even ideas of what power pools to bring to the character. I've tried to read up on some ideas but I'm looking for those magic synergies that people good at math and the details of the game can bring to their builds.

 

Thanks in advance for any time you put into this.

[Dark Prismatic]

I know folks are busy and this is a pretty open question. Is there anyone that can give me an idea of what I should be trying to use my recipes to build toward in respect to set bonuses? Or an idea of what attack chain I should try to make with my Archery?

[Hjarki]

Nature's Affinity has two key powers - Wild Growth and Overgrowth - which are long recharge team buffs and central to the set. Achieving perma-Wild Growth is relatively easy. Achieving perma-Overgrowth is incredibly difficult and will likely require Hasten and Spiritual or Agility Incarnate (that being said, it's not strictly necessary to have 100% uptime on Overgrowth because it's an offensive buff). These are fantastic buffs, but like all 'gather'-type buffs, of limited use in most teams (where players are off doing their own thing).

 

Beyond this, Corrosive Enzymes and Spore Cloud are powers you're going to want to take for the powers themselves. The rest are powers you can use to hold sets or maybe some fringe uses, but aren't particularly important.

 

In terms of slotting, there aren't really many great options for slotting the above powers. Wild Growth and Overgrowth have a limited number of sets and they're going to need a lot of internal recharge, so you're not chasing set bonuses except in the most perfunctory manner. Corrosive Enzymes can't be slotted with sets. Spore Cloud can take standard (not accurate) ToHit Debuff sets, but these aren't particularly great - Dark Watcher's Despite 4-slot is about the best you can expect, and it's not all that great.

 

For Archery, Snap Shot is strictly inferior to Aimed Shot. This can be a motivation to go for Archery/Nature Corruptor rather than Nature/Archery Defender. You can simply choose to waste a power on a Snap Shot you'll never use or you can choose a slightly lower dps rotation by skipping Aimed Shot.

 

The ST rotation will be (depending on recharge) SS/AS -> Blazing Arrow -> SS/AS -> Ranged Shot or SS/AS -> Blazing Arrow -> Ranged Shot. Since you'll probably have Hasten (see above), the latter is achievable and higher dps. However, no Archery rotation is going to be particularly good dps on a Defender.

 

In terms of slotting:

• Explosive Arrow. I strongly recommend Force Feedback proc and Overwhelming Force proc in this power.
• Ranged Shot would almost certainly take Sting of the Manticore 5-set.
• Most Defenders end up 'splitting the ATO' - getting the 10% recharge bonus from Superior Vigilant Assault twice in two separate powers.
• Assuming you get 3 10% recharge bonuses from the ATOs, you'll want two more - probably Ragnarok and Apocalypse, although other options exist.

For pool powers, you're taking Hasten (per above). Super Speed can provide a form of stealth without having to invest in another pool and it can take a BotZ unique to reduce knockback.

 

Fighting is almost universally taken and Tough/Weave can be slotted with all the various resist/def uniques as well as whatever +resist/+defense you like.

 

You'll want 5 total defense powers for Luck of the Gambler; you've got 1 (Weave) and 2+1 more pools.

 

Leadership is fairly standard for Defenders, which nets you another defense power. Either Hover or Combat Jumping is a decent choice for the 4th pool. Vengeance (from Leadership) can be a 4th Luck of the Gambler slot. If you go with Hover, Afterburner could be a 5th.

 

You can also grab Scorpion Shield from Epic/Patron Pools for the 5th. This makes building defenses easier and you have less need for the resist toggles in other pools due to Wild Growth.

 

Something like so:

Spoiler

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.1.25
https://github.com/Crytilis/mids-reborn-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Defender
Primary Power Set: Nature Affinity
Secondary Power Set: Archery
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Corrosive Enzymes

• (A) Accuracy IO
  

Level 1: Snap Shot

• (A) Superior Vigilant Assault - RechargeTime/PBAoE +Absorb
• (3) Superior Vigilant Assault - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (3) Superior Vigilant Assault - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
  

Level 2: Wild Growth

• (A) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb
• (5) Preventive Medicine - Heal
• (5) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime
• (7) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
• (7) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance
• (9) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
  

Level 4: Super Speed

• (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)
  

Level 6: Spore Cloud

• (A) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff
• (19) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff/Recharge/Endurance
• (46) Dark Watcher's Despair - Recharge/Endurance
• (50) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff/Endurance
  

Level 8: Combat Jumping

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• (9) Kismet - Accuracy +6%
• (33) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All)
  

Level 10: Blazing Arrow

• (A) Superior Vigilant Assault - Damage/RechargeTime
• (11) Superior Vigilant Assault - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (11) Superior Vigilant Assault - Accuracy/Damage
• (13) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage(Negative)
• (13) Gladiator's Javelin - Chance of Damage(Toxic)
  

Level 12: Kick

• (A) Empty
  

Level 14: Tough

• (A) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)
• (15) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
• (15) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP
• (17) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
• (17) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
  

Level 16: Weave

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• (27) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage
• (27) Reactive Defenses - Defense
• (33) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance
  

Level 18: Maneuvers

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• (19) Reactive Defenses - Defense
• (34) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance
  

Level 20: Explosive Arrow

• (A) Explosive Strike - Chance for Smashing Damage
• (21) Annihilation - Chance for Res Debuff
• (21) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy)
• (23) Bombardment - Chance for Fire Damage
• (25) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge
• (25) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown
  

Level 22: Hasten

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
• (23) Recharge Reduction IO
  

Level 24: Assault

• (A) Endurance Reduction IO
  

Level 26: Entangling Aura

• (A) Basilisk's Gaze - Recharge/Hold
• (33) Basilisk's Gaze - Endurance/Recharge/Hold
• (34) Basilisk's Gaze - Accuracy/Hold
• (34) Basilisk's Gaze - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge/Hold
  

Level 28: Ranged Shot

• (A) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (29) Sting of the Manticore - Chance of Damage(Toxic)
• (29) Sting of the Manticore - Accuracy/Damage
• (31) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Endurance
• (31) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Interrupt/Recharge
• (31) Gladiator's Javelin - Chance of Damage(Toxic)
  

Level 30: Vengeance

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
  

Level 32: Overgrowth

• (A) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff/Endurance/Recharge
• (37) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff/Recharge
• (40) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff
• (43) Adjusted Targeting - Recharge
• (43) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff/Endurance
• (46) Adjusted Targeting - Endurance/Recharge
  

Level 35: Scorpion Shield

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• (36) Reactive Defenses - Defense
• (36) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance
  

Level 38: Rain of Arrows

• (A) Superior Defender's Bastion - Damage/Recharge
• (39) Superior Defender's Bastion - Accuracy/Damage
• (39) Superior Defender's Bastion - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (39) Superior Defender's Bastion - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (40) Superior Defender's Bastion - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (40) Superior Defender's Bastion - Recharge/Chance for Minor PBAoE Heal
  

Level 41: Web Envelope

• (A) Gravitational Anchor - Immobilize/Endurance
• (42) Gravitational Anchor - Immobilize
• (42) Gravitational Anchor - Immobilize/Recharge
• (42) Gravitational Anchor - Accuracy/Immobilize/Recharge
• (43) Gravitational Anchor - Accuracy/Recharge
  

Level 44: Web Cocoon

• (A) Unbreakable Constraint - Hold
• (45) Unbreakable Constraint - Chance for Smashing Damage
• (45) Unbreakable Constraint - Hold/Recharge
• (45) Unbreakable Constraint - Accuracy/Hold/Recharge
• (46) Unbreakable Constraint - Endurance/Hold
  

Level 47: Summon Disruptor

• (A) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Damage
• (48) Expedient Reinforcement - Damage/Endurance
• (48) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (48) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Recharge
• (50) Expedient Reinforcement - Endurance/Damage/Recharge
• (50) Expedient Reinforcement - Resist Bonus Aura for Pets
  

Level 49: Aim

• [*] (A)

Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up
Level 2: Swift

• (A) Run Speed IO
  

Level 2: Health

• (A) Panacea - +Hit Points/Endurance
• (36) Numina's Convalesence - +Regeneration/+Recovery
• (37) Miracle - +Recovery
  

Level 2: Hurdle

• (A) Jumping IO
  

Level 2: Stamina

• (A) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End
• (37) Performance Shifter - EndMod
  

------------

Note that Explosive Arrow is a better single target attack than Snap Shot in the above build and should be used in preference to it.

[Dark Prismatic]

Thank you very much for the help! I really appreciate how you put down your thought process so I understand what you're going for and how you are coming at the problem. - lots of things here that I can apply to other characters that I might get to 50 at some point, too. The sample build is also very illuminating as far as how it should all come together. I'm getting ready to respec so it's the perfect time to switch out powers.

[Linea]

Here's one you can look at modifying to your tastes.

Nature Archery - Laoraine 2c - [i25].mxd

[Dark Prismatic]

Thank you for the build, Linea! I will absolutely take a good look at it. I'm always amazed and, honestly, a bit overwhelmed at just how different builds can be, especially with sets. I appreciate this.

[Dahkness]

These are some ideas I have for the set. I'm still leveling my guy so I'm not sure how well it plays out just yet. 
I built this for Recharge/procs and dmg. 

Wild Growth has a 57 second recharge and Overgrowth is just 4 seconds short from perma.
I only made it with the Alpha so it  leaves your destiny open. I'm hoping I don't need ageless with the End discount from Overgrowth but we'll see! I was thinking of either taking Clarion or Barrier 


I plan on running Overgrowth on cool down for the Buffs for myself. Its more of a dmg healer build to have fun with.
I like to carry tier 3 purples on me so I just pop one if I'm going into a hot zone. I didn't build this for DEF.
But I am still working on it and I'm not done since I haven't tested the build yet.
 

Blazing Arrow - Explosive Arrow - Ranged Shot will be my main attacks You can open with Explosive arrow for most the time. It should be back up while you use the other 2 or any other AoEs/Buffs you wanna throw out. 

And bloom will effect your Defender healing Proc. So I'm really excited to see how this plays out.  These are just some idea builds that can give you an idea on your future build

*tested* End problems for sure. Needs ageless 
NA/Archery 

Spoiler

https://www.midsreborn.com/builds/download.php?uc=1374&c=684&a=1368&f=HEX&dc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

Im doing a Fold Space build for my NA/Rad. You can TP the mobs with fold space and your two Mez toggles should help out a little and you can get a good soul drain off into your AOEs/Nuke and just melt the boss down 

Spoiler

 https://www.midsreborn.com/builds/download.php?uc=1374&c=684&a=1368&f=HEX&dc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

 

Edited February 17, 2021 by Hops

[Dark Prismatic]

Thank you for posting all of this, Hops. I was thinking of a few random things and these ideas and insights helped nudge them along.

[Dahkness]

2 hours ago, Dark Prismatic said:

Thank you for posting all of this, Hops. I was thinking of a few random things and these ideas and insights helped nudge them along.

Someone just told me if you take Assault Radial Embodiment it can also double your proc dmg. Haven't tested it yet. If its true that's another  way to boost up your dmg. It only runs for 2 min so you can just toggle it on when you wanna dps through a few rotations.