War Mace/Shield Defense - Build suggestions?

[Sweetriver1983]

Just wanted to post my War Mace/Shield Defense build and see if there are any tweaks or recommendations you more experienced players would make. This would be primarily for just PVE content, task forces, and the like. If there are cheaper set options for my attacks that would work better when exemplared let me know. Otherwise if it looks solid, that would be great to hear as well. It might be an expensive build, but not so concerned with that as it gives me something to work towards. 

 

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Garbage Day Gus: Level 50 Natural Brute
Primary Power Set: War Mace
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Bash -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(3), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Mk'Bit-Dam%(42)
Level 1: Deflection -- UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(21), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(21), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(23), LucoftheG-Def(23), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(46)
Level 2: Pulverize -- TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(A), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx(5), TchofDth-Dmg/Rchg(5), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), TchofDth-Dam%(42)
Level 4: Jawbreaker -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(7), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(7), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(19), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(42)
Level 6: True Grit -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx(25), NmnCnv-Heal(33), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(33), Ags-ResDam(34), Ags-Psi/Status(40)
Level 8: Clobber -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(9), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury%(43)
Level 10: Build Up -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(40), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(40), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(46), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(48), GssSynFr--Build%(48)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- Ksm-Def/EndRdx(A), Ksm-ToHit+(15), Ksm-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Jump-I(A)
Level 16: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Whirling Mace -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(25), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(43)
Level 20: Battle Agility -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-EndRdx/Rchg(31), Rct-Def/Rchg(31), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Rct-ResDam%(46), Rct-Def/EndRdx(50)
Level 22: Phalanx Fighting -- LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def(29), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(31)
Level 24: Active Defense -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 26: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 28: Grant Cover -- LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def(34), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(34), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(36)
Level 30: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-ResDam(45), GldArm-3defTpProc(45), ImpArm-ResPsi(48)
Level 32: Crowd Control -- OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg(A), OvrFrc-End/Rech(36), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(36), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(37), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(37), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(43)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(37), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(39), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Obl-%Dam(45)
Level 38: One with the Shield -- UnbGrd-Max HP%(A)
Level 41: Superior Conditioning -- EndMod-I(A)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- EndMod-I(A)
Level 47: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 1: Fury 
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 -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(50)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(15)
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 
------------

[Parabola]

A couple of thoughts. I'd pull slots out of Grant Cover and Phalanx Fighting to properly slot Weave and Maneuvers. Both need end reduction and are better places to slot for defence. Combat Jumping isn't really worth slotting for defence unless you are out of options elsewhere, I don't see the Shield Wall unique anywhere so this would be a good place for it. Drop Bash and take Shatter which is arguably the best power in the set. It is high enough dps to be treated as a single target attack so is a lynchpin of both the best single target and aoe attack chains. Speaking of attack chains I'd think about taking Hasten. You ideally want to be able to chain Jawbreaker->Clobber->Shatter (won't be gapless until Ageless though).

 

A quick stab at the kind of thing I'd do (but I wouldn't take the powers in this order!):

Spoiler

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Garbage Day Gus: Level 50 Natural Brute
Primary Power Set: War Mace
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Pulverize -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(3), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Mk'Bit-Dam%(7)
Level 1: Deflection -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(7), UnbGrd-ResDam(9), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(9), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(11), ImpArm-ResPsi(11)
Level 2: Jawbreaker -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(13), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury%(17)
Level 4: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Ksm-ToHit+(19), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(21)
Level 6: True Grit -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Absorb%(46), GldArm-3defTpProc(46), UnbGrd-ResDam(48), UnbGrd-Max HP%(50), ImpArm-ResPsi(50)
Level 8: Clobber -- Hct-Dmg(A), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Hct-Acc/Rchg(23), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(23), Hct-Dam%(25), TchofDth-Dam%(25)
Level 10: Build Up -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(27), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(27), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(29), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(29), GssSynFr--Build%(31)
Level 12: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 14: Super Jump -- WntGif-ResSlow(A)
Level 16: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Whirling Mace -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(31), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(33)
Level 20: Battle Agility -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-EndRdx/Rchg(34), Rct-Def/Rchg(34), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Rct-ResDam%(36), Rct-Def/EndRdx(36)
Level 22: Phalanx Fighting -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 24: Active Defense -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 26: Shatter -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Arm-Acc/Rchg(37), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(37), Arm-Dam%(37), Erd-%Dam(39)
Level 28: Grant Cover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 30: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(39), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(39), ImpArm-ResPsi(40)
Level 32: Crowd Control -- ScrDrv-Acc/Dmg(A), ScrDrv-Dmg/EndRdx(40), ScrDrv-Dmg/Rchg(40), ScrDrv-Dam%(42), ScrDrv-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), Erd-%Dam(42)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(43), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(43), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45), Obl-%Dam(45)
Level 38: Maneuvers -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(45), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 41: Superior Conditioning -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 47: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(48), RedFrt-Def(48)
Level 49: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 1: Fury 
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 -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(17)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(19)
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 
------------

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[Sweetriver1983]

I took your advice on removing Bash, I hope this doesn't hurt me too much in lower levels in terms of not having that extra attack ready. In groups it probably wont matter, and solo I'm hopefully tough enough to take a few more hits while things recharge (guess I can always use some of the P2W attacks, or god help me Brawl/Dart lol). I also did the same for the rest of your suggestions, save for Hasten. I know that it is usually blasphemy in pretty much any build to skip it, but it is the last power you recommend and at that level I will be mostly running Incarnate stuff, and should have enough powers at the ready.  Here is my update with your changes added in. Thanks so much for taking the time for the feedback

 

This Hero 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 Natural Brute
Primary Power Set: War Mace
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Pulverize -- TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(A), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx(3), TchofDth-Dmg/Rchg(3), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(7), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), TchofDth-Dam%(17)
Level 1: Deflection -- UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(17), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(19), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(31), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(34), ImpArm-ResPsi(37)
Level 2: Jawbreaker -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(5), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Mk'Bit-Dam%(15)
Level 4: True Grit -- Prv-Absorb%(A), Prv-Heal(19), UnbGrd-ResDam(39), UnbGrd-Max HP%(39), GldArm-3defTpProc(39), ImpArm-ResPsi(40)
Level 6: Build Up -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(42), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(42), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(43), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(43), GssSynFr--Build%(43)
Level 8: Clobber -- Hct-Dmg(A), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Hct-Acc/Rchg(9), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Hct-Dam%(13), TchofDth-Dam%(15)
Level 10: Battle Agility -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(40), Rct-EndRdx/Rchg(40), Rct-Def/Rchg(42), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(45), Rct-ResDam%(45)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- Ksm-ToHit+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(48), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(48)
Level 14: Super Jump -- WntGif-ResSlow(A)
Level 16: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Whirling Mace -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(23), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(31)
Level 20: Phalanx Fighting -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 22: Active Defense -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 24: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Shatter -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(27), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(27), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), Obl-%Dam(31)
Level 28: Grant Cover -- LucoftheG-Def(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(46)
Level 30: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(45), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(46), ImpArm-ResPsi(46)
Level 32: Crowd Control -- OvrFrc-Dam/KB(A), OvrFrc-End/Rech(33), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(33), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(33), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(34), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg(34)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Acc/Rchg(36), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Arm-Dam%(37), Erd-%Dam(37)
Level 38: One with the Shield -- Ags-Psi/Status(A)
Level 41: Superior Conditioning -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 47: Weave -- RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFrt-Def(47), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(47)
Level 49: Maneuvers -- Rct-Def/EndRdx(A), Rct-Def(49), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(49)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury 
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(21)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(21)
------------

[Onlyasandwich]

If you are aiming for primarily non-incarnate content, I think you're good to go! You have very healthy resist across the board underneath solid defense. Nicely done.

 

Personally, I would probably swap the ToD set in Pulverize for the other Brute ATO set. You maintain similar melee defense, and it nudges that last little bit to S/L resist cap, alongside the extra perk of the fury proc.

 

The extra slot in grant cover isn't really doing anything other than giving you a small regen bonus. I would steal a slot here, and from maneuvers as well (you can boost the set in maneuvers to make up the difference) and three slot zephyr in Super Jump to round out your positionals. With the travel power changes, SJ actually benefits from the enhancement too!

 

I'm totally on board with recharge protection. If you want to steal a slot to keep the winter slow resistance, I'd grab it from weave and plus out the remaining IOs just like maneuvers. No harm in boosting the 47 and 50 power picks, as they will be within range for full bonus exemping anyhow.

 

One final note - there is no need for KB to KD in Crowd control. I'm not really sure what Overwhelming Force is doing here for you. Crowd control is already knockdown. Slotting zephyr as I mentioned would already cover the paltry +ranged provided here. Something to consider here would be swapping it for 5 avalanche +Armageddon fire damage proc. The Arma proc is not well-utilized on Shield charge given its high proc rate.

• This would give you a strong melee defense buff. You could either take it and enjoy, or use that to offset swapping the sixth shatter IO for another damage proc (Fury -Resist is ideal here), or even siphoning some defense enhancement from deflection to use elsewhere as you please.

The one slot Aegis in One with the Shield can be replaced with a fourth impervium for a wee bit more psi resist. If it were my build (it is not!), I'd probably drop the Imperviums for even a second set of zephyr to get aoe to softcap and boost ranged a bit as well.

 

[Sweetriver1983]

I misread the tooltip for Crowd Control, but yeah I was pretty much only using the Overwhelming Force set to change what I thought was Knockback to Knockdown. So should I stick that in Shatter, or is Shatter knock down as well?  I am going to look into some of your suggestions as well. Thanks so much!

[Onlyasandwich]

They are all knockdown.

[Sweetriver1983]

3 hours ago, Onlyasandwich said:

They are all knockdown.

Just tested this with Shatter, and it does seem to have a knockback effect. Nothing too bad, but I threw my Overwhelming Force set in there and it seemed to do the trick. I respeced out of Bash, and have been using Boxing as a filler. Shatter is up relatively quickly so I don't miss Bash at all. Thanks everyone for the advice on that one.  

[Onlyasandwich]

9 hours ago, Sweetriver1983 said:

with Shatter

Shatter is the same .67 mag as everything else. I've used it on several characters. Are you sure you weren't testing on kb susceptible mobs like clockwork?

 

Now I need to login and test to see if I am an idiot! Sometimes I'm an idiot.

 

Edit: I am not an idiot. Shatter is indeed .67 mag. Using overwhelming force would have no affect on it at all. 

Edited May 3, 2021 by Onlyasandwich