I might be stalking incorrectly (advice kindly requested)

[Aeroprism]

Hello beautiful people!

 

I was playing my KM/EA stalker just now, she's level 28 now, mostly plays solo, I'm using her to discover all the Redside content I've never seen.  So, so much of that game I haven't yet seen on all sides and I have played since live launch. Most Task Force? Never seen them.  I'm the oldest, most experienced CoH Newbie there is.

 

So, my stalker, she's a good survivor. I play her at x3+0 which is respectable I think. She has all her ATOs (even though I have learned to become an ebil marketer and can afford my things now, to this day, @VileTerror remains her awesome benefactor). So she's a far cry from being fully decked out. I don't even have a build for her, I suck at builds. 

 

Apparently, I also suck at stalking. Here is how most battles play out.

 

She's hidden. (duh). Targets the LT. Build up, AS, no more LT.  Then Burst (PBAOE) to soften the masses, Energy Drain to keep the blue full and get me some defense and then, I start punching away with my sloooooooow actiiiiiivaaatiiiing KM single target attacks.  By then, the mobs are running everywhere like squirrels on coffee and it takes me 30-35 seconds to eliminate a spawn of 4-5 even-level minions.

 

It's slow. And tedious.

 

I can't imagine going against larget or tougher spawns.

 

What am I doing wrong?

 

Thanks guys!   

[VileTerror]

Stalkers are single-target specialists, mostly.  Wiping out a mob of minions is more of a Tanker, Brute, or (shudders) Scrapper thing in melee.   (Also, special nod to some Epic Archetype and Dominator builds in this regard.)

I tend to focus on building my Stalker to capitalize on as much burstiness as possible, particularly for a Set like Kinetic Melee.  I don't have a build in front of me right now, but . . .

- Try getting the heavy hitter single-target Powers up in both terms of Damage and Recharge, and using the weaker ones as filler or finishers when the target has just a sliver remaining.  

- Don't be afraid to use Assassin's Burst again during a fight; the Crit chance is high, and can sometimes outright delete targets that you thought you were just going to soften up.  

- Your Tier 9 Primary unlocks at level 32, and while it is subject to much complaint and controversy in the hands of any other Archetype, it's quite solid for the Stalker specifically!  It should help tremendously.

- Pop Build Up every chance you can during a fight; the ATO Proc that refreshes it can give you opportunities to triple stack it (very rarely)!  

- Popping a Gaussian Proc in there also helps a lot, as it gives you (if memory serves) +80% Damage for roughly 5 seconds on top of the normal Build Up Damage boost.

- Finally:  If you know you can considerably soften or even defeat a Lt or Boss without popping Build Up before hand, consider using Build Up to help you mop-up the stragglers instead.

 

This is just what works for me, mind you.  Other players might offer contradictory advice.  It's all good!  Try everyone's suggestions, and see what's right for you, @Aeroprism!

Good luck and I hope you have tonnes of fun!

[Croax]

Hi @Aeroprism,

 

Kinetic Melee is one of the faster attacking Powersets and really shine whenn you have gathered some recharge. You cycle your first 3 attacks for 3 stacks of Assassin focus and then you Assassin Strike the target. I think you are doing it well and maybe you are lacking a strong build. Look here for my approach on the KM/EA Stalker:

 

Spoiler

This Villain build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.4.7
https://github.com/Reborn-Team/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Stalker
Primary Power Set: Kinetic Melee
Secondary Power Set: Energy Aura
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Body Blow -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(3), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(3), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Mk'Bit-Dam%(5), SprAssMar-Rchg/Rchg Build Up(7)
Level 1: Hide -- ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(A)
Level 2: Smashing Blow -- Hct-Dmg/Rchg(A), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Hct-Acc/Rchg(9), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Hct-Dam%(11), TchofDth-Dam%(13)
Level 4: Quick Strike -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(15), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Mk'Bit-Dam%(19), TchofDth-Dam%(19)
Level 6: Assassin's Strike -- SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), SprStlGl-Dmg/Rchg(21), SprStlGl-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23), SprStlGl-Rchg/Hide%(25)
Level 8: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 10: Kinetic Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(25), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(27), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(27), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(29)
Level 12: Power Shield -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(29), Rct-EndRdx/Rchg(31), Rct-Def/Rchg(31), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Rct-ResDam%(33)
Level 14: Entropy Shield -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 16: Kinetic Dampening -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(33), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(33), UnbGrd-Max HP%(34), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(34), GldArm-3defTpProc(34)
Level 18: Burst -- Arm-Dmg/Rchg(A), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Arm-Acc/Rchg(36), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Arm-Dam%(37), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(37)
Level 20: Super Speed -- Clr-RunSpd(A), Clr-EndRdx(37)
Level 22: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Ksm-ToHit+(39), Ksm-Def/EndRdx(39), Ksm-Def/Rchg(39)
Level 24: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(40)
Level 26: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 28: Energy Drain -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 30: Tough -- Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(40), Ags-ResDam(40), Ags-Psi/Status(42)
Level 32: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(42), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(42), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(43), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 35: Energize -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(43), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(45), Prv-Heal/Rchg(45), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(45), Prv-Absorb%(46)
Level 38: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(46), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(46), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(48), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 41: Superior Conditioning -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 47: Laser Beam Eyes -- Apc-Dmg/Rchg(A), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Apc-Acc/Rchg(50), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(50), Apc-Dam%(50)
Level 49: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clr-Stlth(A), Clr-EndRdx(7)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(13), Mrc-Rcvry+(15)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(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 4: Ninja Run 
Level 50: Musculature Core Paragon 
Level 50: Degenerative Core Flawless Interface 
Level 50: Assault Core Embodiment 
Level 1: Assassination 
------------

 

I would spend all the slots to the attacks first and build up the defenses later on when you have more slots to spare. To achieve good survivability you can use 6 pcs of Touch of death in Smashing Blow and Quickstrike and use Obliteration 6 pcs in Burst. Everything else should be like the build suggest it. 

In Kinetic Melees case the Burst out of Hide will allways crit. you could start a fight with  Burst out of stealth and then use smashing blow->Body Blow->Quick Blow-> Assassin Strike -> Burst out of Stealth. And repeat this until you no longer can hit 2 targets with burst, because smashing blow will be more damage in that case.

 

Maybe this way you could be a little bit faster. But in my experience KM needs a lot of recharge and endurance and then wants you to really quickly chain the attacks, because you fire them off so fast.

[Aeroprism]

Thank you so much for the answers! Lots of good stuff!

 

@Croax i'm looking at your build, you never took the Tier 9 Kin attack, why is that?  Is it too slow for the attack chain?  I also see that you skipped the assassin's mark ATO line except for the Build Up proc. The other 5 aren't really useful?

[Croax]

The Kinetic Melee T9 is not good with other AT and with Stalker it is just redundant. The ATO does the same. The cast time is really high and is not worth it. And for the ATO it depends on the build. sometimes it is good sometimes not needed. this time i wanted to cap S/L resists and therefore Mako was much more desired than the rest of the set.

[Grindingsucks]

I have little to no experience with kinetic melee.  I would say 30 second is not so bad, except that you stated the mobs are even level, which does sound a bit excessive (and, a bit odd.  When I run at +3, the mobs are usually at least yellow or orange to me, and often red and/or purple.  But, anyways, that's a bit besides the point).

 

It might help if we could see your build.  Are you whiffing a lot?  Add more accuracy.  Not doing much damage?  Add damage buffs.  There may be a lot of procs, globals, etc. that can help you.  Hard to say without a better idea of what your build is like.

 

Having said that, I'm no build guru, myself- although I'm happy to help however I'm able.

[tidge]

While leveling up my stalkers, I did not turn up the amount of enemies... not because too many were too threatening, it was because it was too tedious to deal with them as they scatter. Ironically, turning up the number of enemies all the way to x8 may mean that while some scatter, enough may stick around to keep you entertained. Obviously you have to be able to survive the ones that stick around.

 

EDIT: The scattering of enemies is, IMO one of the two great reasons to take a Patron pool's Snipe. Of all the planned nerfs for scrapper/stalker snipes, it is the distance limits on the fast snipes that bother me the most. Some of those scattering critters can get PRETTY FAR away.

Edited April 20, 2021 by tidge

[Aeroprism]

Ok so, lots of changes since I started this topic, all thanks to the awesome advice you guys provided! Thank you!

 

First of all, I have respeced so I could remove placate and my tier 1 attack.  I also dropped Force of Will in favor of Experimentation, I want to try and see if Adrenal booster can be really useful on a Stalker.  Worth trying out!

 

Here is my current build. I did not plan ahead, I don't know a thing about stalkers so until I try things, I think it's pointless to try to pretend I know what I want at level 50.  Mistakes are fine, respecs are only 1 Million and my personal SG base has all the container room needed to store sets I would spec out, no worries.

 

Finally, what @tidge said appealed to me. I lowered the mission size from 3 to 1 player and increased the level from +0 to +2. LTs are now purple and with this build, they fall like flies.  Super fun and awesome to play!

 

This Villain build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.4.7
https://github.com/Reborn-Team/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 49 Magic Stalker
Primary Power Set: Kinetic Melee
Secondary Power Set: Energy Aura
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Experimentation

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Body Blow -- AssMar-Acc/Dmg(A), AssMar-Dmg/Rchg(3), AssMar-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), AssMar-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), AssMar-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), AssMar-Rchg/Rchg Build Up(7)
Level 1: Hide -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 2: Smashing Blow -- CrsImp-Acc/Dmg(A), CrsImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9)
Level 4: Kinetic Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(9), LucoftheG-Def(11)
Level 6: Power Shield -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 8: Assassin's Strike -- StlGl-Acc/Dmg(A), StlGl-Dmg/Rchg(11), StlGl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), StlGl-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), StlGl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), StlGl-Rchg/Hide%(15)
Level 10: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 12: Entropy Shield -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 14: Combat Jumping -- Ksm-ToHit+(A)
Level 16: Kinetic Dampening -- ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A)
Level 18: Burst -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(19), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(19), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), Obl-%Dam(23)
Level 20: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 22: Toxic Dart -- Acc-I(A), Dmg-I(23), Dmg-I(25)
Level 24: Speed of Sound -- Run-I(A)
Level 26: Focused Burst -- Acc-I(A), Dmg-I(27), Dmg-I(27)
Level 28: Energy Drain -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(29)
Level 30: [Empty] 
Level 32: [Empty] 
Level 35: [Empty] 
Level 38: [Empty] 
Level 41: [Empty] 
Level 44: [Empty] 
Level 47: [Empty] 
Level 49: [Empty] 
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), NmnCnv-Heal(17), Mrc-Rcvry+(17)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 1: Assassination 
------------

 

[Shred Monkey]

I agree with those who say don't turn up the number of enemies, turn up the level instead.  Even on my level cap'd stalker I generally run +4x2 to +4x4.  No matter the team size, I'm tapping out my single target attack chain non-stop from mission start to mission end anyway.  But with team size set lower, I finish the missions quicker.  I like this pacing better.  I think this is especially important if you're reading the stories as you go.  Plus you'll finish more story arcs before you out level them.   Just watch to make sure you keep your hit chance above 95% as you turn up your enemy levels.

Edited April 20, 2021 by Shred Monkey

[Signalrunner]

@Aeroprism

 

I noticed you skipped Quick Strike which robs you of a smooth attack chain. One of KM's greatest strengths is that it comes online to its full attack chain very early on at lvl 6. Quick Strike, Body Blow, Smashing Blow, and AS are all necessary for that.

 

Your unhidden single target attack chain should look something like:

Body Blow-Quick Strike-AS-Smashing Blow (with Quick Strike as filler for any gaps)

 

Having Quick Strike fills out gaps where you're left waiting and adds additional chance for you to generate Assassin's Focus (for that sweet +33% AS crit chance).

 

Hope that helps!
 

Edited April 21, 2021 by Signalrunner

[Aeroprism]

I understand what you mean and I appreciate your advice.  With Burst and focused burst however, I never have a single second without anything to click and level 32 will yet bring me a new toy.

 

Though I understand that my method is not optimal. I was reading about the 10.5 seconds rule and the quest to find an attack chain that fits it as tightly as possible but somehow, imagining that I will be spending the vast majority of this character's life clicking the same 4 buttons in precise order so I can maximize my DPS somehow bleeds the fun out of the game for me. When you look at it this way, not only do you deprive yourself the opportinity of trying pool powers, half of your primary tree goes ignored.

 

Maybe this is why I don't get the expected results but I want to believe that there is a way to be a relatively efficient Stalker without having to follow the cookie-cutter method.

 

Am I too optimistic?

[ZemX]

47 minutes ago, Aeroprism said:

but somehow, imagining that I will be spending the vast majority of this character's life clicking the same 4 buttons in precise order so I can maximize my DPS somehow bleeds the fun out of the game for me.

Then don't do it.  Optimal attack chains don't matter a hell of a lot in practical day-to-day missions.   If you're competing for DPS on a pylon or attacking a very tough enemy, they can matter.  But a typical boss or LT?  Not really.  If you aren't standing around waiting for an attack to recharge, you are doing fine.

 

And if you want to have a little a-typical Stalker fun, try to fit Presence->Provoke in somewhere.  This will solve any issues you have with enemies scattering while soloing and comes in quite handy, I've found, on teams for gathering up strays who might be attacking the support.  Plus that whole "Ah ha!" bring-it animation coming from a Stalker is just fun to watch.  Though obviously you'll want to go easy on it until you've built some decent defenses.

 

If you really wanted something that's more one-vs-many, you'll probably have to go to a different primary.  I've been having a lot of fun with Staff Fighting, but any primary with at least two good AoEs (that aren't ridiculously narrow cones) will make attacking larger spawns a lot less painful.  Elec/Shield is said to be a monster in this regard as well, with not only a few big-hitter AoEs but some synergy from Shield benefitting from having more enemies clustered around. 

 

But I find Staff a good balance between AoE and Single-Target goodness that it still feels like a Stalker, just one that isn't afraid to take on ten enemies at once.  Staff/Rad is surprisingly good, I've found, when IO'd to improve on what the set already does, which is resistance + regen/absorb.  I have some added defense but didn't attempt to hit soft caps on anything.  It's a layered approach that is so far a hell of a lot sturdier than my Staff/Nin who is soft-capped to positional but little else so far.  In any case, lots of fun playing in a very scrappy fashion but still able to sneak/kill when called for.

[Aeroprism]

5 hours ago, ZemX said:

Then don't do it. [...]

 

I loved everything you said in that post.  Thank you.

 

Also: I smell new alts.  

 

This is why except my farmer, I don't have a single level 50 yet 😉

[StriderIV]

5 hours ago, ZemX said:

Then don't do it.  Optimal attack chains don't matter a hell of a lot in practical day-to-day missions.   If you're competing for DPS on a pylon or attacking a very tough enemy, they can matter.  But a typical boss or LT?  Not really.  If you aren't standing around waiting for an attack to recharge, you are doing fine.

 

And if you want to have a little a-typical Stalker fun, try to fit Presence->Provoke in somewhere.  This will solve any issues you have with enemies scattering while soloing and comes in quite handy, I've found, on teams for gathering up strays who might be attacking the support.  Plus that whole "Ah ha!" bring-it animation coming from a Stalker is just fun to watch.  Though obviously you'll want to go easy on it until you've built some decent defenses.

 

If you really wanted something that's more one-vs-many, you'll probably have to go to a different primary.  I've been having a lot of fun with Staff Fighting, but any primary with at least two good AoEs (that aren't ridiculously narrow cones) will make attacking larger spawns a lot less painful.  Elec/Shield is said to be a monster in this regard as well, with not only a few big-hitter AoEs but some synergy from Shield benefitting from having more enemies clustered around. 

 

But I find Staff a good balance between AoE and Single-Target goodness that it still feels like a Stalker, just one that isn't afraid to take on ten enemies at once.  Staff/Rad is surprisingly good, I've found, when IO'd to improve on what the set already does, which is resistance + regen/absorb.  I have some added defense but didn't attempt to hit soft caps on anything.  It's a layered approach that is so far a hell of a lot sturdier than my Staff/Nin who is soft-capped to positional but little else so far.  In any case, lots of fun playing in a very scrappy fashion but still able to sneak/kill when called for.

My main is a Dark Armor/Staff Tanker, which led me to trying a Staff/Invuln Tanker. Low level, but so far I can attest to this. It feels super sturdy for a Stalker, maintains most of it's AOE goodness and picks up another great ST attack. Super solid combo.

[Signalrunner]

7 hours ago, Aeroprism said:

I understand what you mean and I appreciate your advice.  With Burst and focused burst however, I never have a single second without anything to click and level 32 will yet bring me a new toy.

 

Though I understand that my method is not optimal. I was reading about the 10.5 seconds rule and the quest to find an attack chain that fits it as tightly as possible but somehow, imagining that I will be spending the vast majority of this character's life clicking the same 4 buttons in precise order so I can maximize my DPS somehow bleeds the fun out of the game for me. When you look at it this way, not only do you deprive yourself the opportinity of trying pool powers, half of your primary tree goes ignored.

 

Maybe this is why I don't get the expected results but I want to believe that there is a way to be a relatively efficient Stalker without having to follow the cookie-cutter method.

 

Am I too optimistic?

 

An optimal single target attack chain is just that.

 

It doesn't mean don't use Burst or Focused Burst. It means, here how you kill stuff faster when Burst is recharging or you're down to 1 or 2 enemies since you brought up some key complaints of general slowness. By all means, you should absolutely be using Burst during AOE situations- it's one of the best melee AoEs in the game since the Stalker version has 100% (instead of 50%) chance to crit from Hide. Likewise for Focused Burst when you can take advantage of the ranged component.

 

Sorry if the advice sounded rigid! I only meant to address your original complaints of slowness in one of the fastest melee sets in the game.

 

Opportunity and build freedom comes in different forms! I personally played 1-50 twice on original live and HC with a KM/EnA Stalker and I found the lvl 32 power to be extremely lacking after taking it both times. A near 3 second long attack (that doesn't crit) felt absolutely shackling and I was glad to be rid of it. Plus dropping Concentrated Strike frees you up of more power pool picks. I discovered it for myself (then found others did too) and it really didn't feel cookie cutter to be honest, felt the opposite since I broke past the game's prescribed method. It depends on how you look at it!

 

Absolutely feel free to try out the lvl 32 power and all KM has to offer and reach your own conclusion.

[Aeroprism]

40 minutes ago, Signalrunner said:

Sorry if the advice sounded rigid! I only meant to address your original complaints of slowness in one of the fastest melee sets in the game.

 

Nononono not in the slightest!  Your advice was as appreciated as everyone else's!  Challenging an idea forces the player to think and come up with different solutions!

 

Thank you for clarifying what you meant, it all makes perfect sense!

[StriderIV]

1 hour ago, Signalrunner said:

 

An optimal single target attack chain is just that.

 

It doesn't mean don't use Burst or Focused Burst. It means, here how you kill stuff faster when Burst is recharging or you're down to 1 or 2 enemies since you brought up some key complaints of general slowness. By all means, you should absolutely be using Burst during AOE situations- it's one of the best melee AoEs in the game since the Stalker version has 100% (instead of 50%) chance to crit from Hide. Likewise for Focused Burst when you can take advantage of the ranged component.

 

Sorry if the advice sounded rigid! I only meant to address your original complaints of slowness in one of the fastest melee sets in the game.

 

Opportunity and build freedom comes in different forms! I personally played 1-50 twice on original live and HC with a KM/EnA Stalker and I found the lvl 32 power to be extremely lacking after taking it both times. A near 3 second long attack (that doesn't crit) felt absolutely shackling and I was glad to be rid of it. Plus dropping Concentrated Strike frees you up of more power pool picks. I discovered it for myself (then found others did too) and it really didn't feel cookie cutter to be honest, felt the opposite since I broke past the game's prescribed method. It depends on how you look at it!

 

Absolutely feel free to try out the lvl 32 power and all KM has to offer and reach your own conclusion.

Would you say you typically use burst out of hide when engaging a group, than go through your standard rotation on a tough target? The idea of a Kinetic Melee/Ice Armor Stalker intrigues me.

[Signalrunner]

2 hours ago, StriderIV said:

Would you say you typically use burst out of hide when engaging a group, than go through your standard rotation on a tough target? The idea of a Kinetic Melee/Ice Armor Stalker intrigues me.

 

I don't strictly follow this but typically as an opener for groups I find myself doing: Build Up->Burst->Build Up (if the Build Up reset ATO procs)->AS on a Lt/Boss (to potentially proc Hide)->Ball Lightning (this can be another another epic pool AOE like Fire Ball)->Build Up again (if ATO resets it)->ST chain on a Lt/Boss until next Burst. I rinse repeat and start cutting away to a more single target chain when the herd thins. The build up resets can get real addicting in larger groups.

 

If you don't have an Epic/Patron power pool AOE, that's fine- you can run a single target chain until next Burst with AS preceding (to try to get Burst crit from hide).

 

KM/Ice is solid 👍 Hoarfrost and Icy Bastion should make for a pretty tanky Stalker.

 

[StriderIV]

10 minutes ago, Signalrunner said:

 

I don't strictly follow this but typically as an opener for groups I find myself doing: Build Up->Burst->Build Up (if the Build Up reset ATO procs)->AS on a Lt/Boss (to potentially proc Hide)->Ball Lightning (this can be another another epic pool AOE like Fire Ball)->Build Up again (if ATO resets it)->ST chain on a Lt/Boss until next Burst. I rinse repeat and start cutting away to a more single target chain when the herd thins. The build up resets can get real addicting in larger groups.

 

If you don't have an Epic/Patron power pool AOE, that's fine- you can run a single target chain until next Burst with AS preceding (to try to get Burst crit from hide).

 

KM/Ice is solid 👍 Hoarfrost and Icy Bastion should make for a pretty tanky Stalker.

 

Nice thanks for the info man! I was torn between running the combo on a Tanker or Stalker. Burst crits from hide sound fun though 😂

[StriderIV]

17 hours ago, Signalrunner said:

 

I don't strictly follow this but typically as an opener for groups I find myself doing: Build Up->Burst->Build Up (if the Build Up reset ATO procs)->AS on a Lt/Boss (to potentially proc Hide)->Ball Lightning (this can be another another epic pool AOE like Fire Ball)->Build Up again (if ATO resets it)->ST chain on a Lt/Boss until next Burst. I rinse repeat and start cutting away to a more single target chain when the herd thins. The build up resets can get real addicting in larger groups.

 

If you don't have an Epic/Patron power pool AOE, that's fine- you can run a single target chain until next Burst with AS preceding (to try to get Burst crit from hide).

 

KM/Ice is solid 👍 Hoarfrost and Icy Bastion should make for a pretty tanky Stalker.

 

Also, if you ever happen to have a build on hand for KM/Ice, I'd love to see it 😛 just started leveling. It seems every ability from Ice is needed. For KM, I'm planning on taking the first 3 attacks, AS, BU, Burst and the ranged attack and skipping out on the T9.

[ZemX]

On 4/21/2021 at 9:56 PM, Signalrunner said:

 

The build up resets can get real addicting in larger groups.

 

Oh man, I had NO idea what I was doing when I started the Staff/Rad.  It just sounded like oddball fun at the time. 

 

But... two relatively good recharging 10ft range/radius AoEs in the primary and two PBAoEs in the secondary, one of which (I think) can hit up to THIRTY targets?  That one is practically a guarantee of Assassin's Mark on a big team.  I sometimes can't hit Build Up fast enough that I don't end up wasting a proc.  Can't imagine how you'd keep up with a set combo that has even more AoE than that.

[Aeroprism]

Following all advice said so far, I must say my experience with my Stalker increased tenfold, thank you!

 

I even tried a Solo Strike Force and I must say I was doing quite well until I reached the end of the first mission and Numina kicked my butt 😄  Solo SFs will wait for a full build 😉

 

 

[Clave Dark 5]

On 4/20/2021 at 7:13 AM, tidge said:

EDIT: The scattering of enemies is, IMO one of the two great reasons to take a Patron pool's Snipe. Of all the planned nerfs for scrapper/stalker snipes, it is the distance limits on the fast snipes that bother me the most. Some of those scattering critters can get PRETTY FAR away.

If you're worrying about some run-away loser at less than half health coming back later, your stalker may need help!  😀  Seriously though, sometimes I just shrug and move on, "they'll be back and I can kill 'em then." 

[Sovera]

I think everyone has said what needed to be said, but just to reiterate:

 

- +3 is a bad setting for early leveling. You won't have the accuracy and they will resist a lot of the damage because of the level difference. I would never go more than +2 myself, and I can honestly say my difficulty settings stay firmly at +1 until level 50 where it jumps to +4.

- Soloing with a Stalker does not encourage large spawns though, but (until the patch in the PTS hits) KM is actually singularly well suited for the job thanks to Burst doing 100% crit. In my experience BU + Gaussian + Burst will one shot minions. This tappers off by level 30-ish.

- There is a bit of a nuance in making use of the re-hide proc. Because of the time spent traveling between spawns it gives enough time for the proc's internal CD to reset, so I found the best way to use it in an AoE situation was: Build-up, Burst, use normal attacks. When Burst is nearly recharged then use AS. Logic says to use AS immediately after Burst, but then what do we use the Hide proc? It's better to always use AS before our second hardest hitting skill. This may require some muscle training to steep in but it's just the smartest way to do it. With Energy Melee, for example, I'd recommend Total Focus, AS (fish for Hide procs), Energy Transfer (buffed by Total Focus and buffed by the possible Hide proc).

With KM it is the same. Outside of starting a fight already in Hide in an AoE situation AS before Burst. In a ST situation AS before KM's T3.

 

 

This is the wrong forum to say this (:D) but consider something like Fire/Claws Tanker to do early soloing. Mobs no longer run away and you have two extremely potent AoEs before level 20 that make Stalkers green with envy (in return they will annihilate bosses in a way Tankers can only gawk at). I personally find more fun to wade into +1x8 straight at level 15-ish and face a ton of mobs (also more XP and more drops though neither is particularly important with double XP and millions made from merits) than I do killing 1-2 mobs, but this is personal preference.

[ZemX]

3 hours ago, Sovera said:

- Soloing with a Stalker does not encourage large spawns though, but (until the patch in the PTS hits) KM is actually singularly well suited for the job thanks to Burst doing 100% crit. In my experience BU + Gaussian + Burst will one shot minions. This tappers off by level 30-ish.

Yeah, but it's getting that nerf.  Hopefully they do as one person has already suggested and at least up the radius to 10 in exchange for "fixing" the crit.

 

But even then it will be a set with just one AoE unless they give it a little love similar to EM.  Though it would be simpler to swap in Repulsing Torrent for one of KM's "too many" ST attacks.  Do the same with Martial Arts.  Though KM is newer they both suffer from some old-school thinking of what Stalkers were supposed to be.