Psionic Melee/Energy Aura Request & Advice

[JStacy337]

Happy Tuesday, Paragon!

 

Let me start by saying that I've yet to fully play and keep any type of Scrapper for very long. I'm a big fan of the Energy Aura set and this was the final AT that I needed to test them all (Kin/EnA Stalker, NRG/EnA Sentinel, Savage/EnA Brute so far), so I'm fairly decent and comfortable slotting/using it. I usually take the entire set except for Overload, but I do appreciate it for being another LotG mule and a hefty "Oh Crap!" button.

 

I'm mostly looking for ideas with Psi Melee. I've searched through the forums and the general consensus is to try Boggle while leveling and drop it once finalizing. I've also seen to focus on the 3 "Blade" attacks. I'm using TK Blow as a filler attack until a proper chain can be formed.

 

Looking to keep the Pool Powers minimal with Jumping and Fighting. Leaning towards Mu Mastery because I love Ball Lightning, but that is not set in stone.

 

If anyone has a spare build or two lying around, they would be mighty appreciated. Preferably a fresh-50 (Uncommon/Rare IOs) and a fully-kitted out end-game would be even better so I know what to aim for eventually. Thank you for reading this far and I wish you all the best today and every day ❤️

Edited May 11, 2021 by wyldchyld

[InvaderStych]

Welcome to the Psi-Melee-Is-Awesome-Club. I don't have much for you in the way of /EnA, but here's what I've garnered from an embarrassing amount of time with my Psi/SD/Bod scrapper. Build is at the bottom for a Psi Melee example.  Even though you're looking at typed defense there might be some ideas in there.

 

Greater Psi Blade +Insight +Critical Hit has to be experienced to be believed in terms of damage.  Leading with ML is the highest chance of triggering Insight (still random tho), so I tend to SC->ML->GPB and go from there.  I haven't found a sweet spot for the Crit Strikes proc in Psi Melee yet, so I'm curious if anyone has found one they like.

 

You'll find that some folks keep Boggle in their end-game builds, either as a set-bonus mule (the Rare Confuse Set has good bonuses from what I hear) or for occasional use.  The best suggestion I've heard for Confuse is using it on DE eminators (Quartz, Cairn, Etc.), but in general I found the duration to be too short and target selection too much of an interruption for the way I like to steamroll with that character. YMMV, but by the time you've hit 50 you'll figure out if Boggle is for you.

 

TKB is an excellent attack; however, I also skipped it even though the animation makes me giggle every time.  Yes, at extreme recharge you can use the 3 blade attacks, but you'll want something to fill from time to time, or an epic blast for utility/runners/etc.

 

Since you're EnA you won't need to shore up the blue bar which frees you up to go Mu for sure.

 

Don't bother trying to tune a Psi Scrapper for exemping.  IMNSHO: Psi Melee is a bit of a slog before GPB at 26, and doesn't come together until ML at 32, so no reason to go back and revisit those levels once the toon has surpassed them, imo.

 

After experimenting with leveraging the massive hold in GPB with a couple of procs in other attacks, I cannot bring myself to drop them.  I'm trading some fractional DPS for the ability to lock down just about anything without Purple Triangles of Doom.  YMMV on that type of slotting.  Here's the current version of mine for a look at the PM slotting.  Also takes the entire secondary except the T9, so it might give you an idea of how many powers/slots you've got to work with.

 

Edit:  This is a Page 2 build.  Afterburner is actually Evasive Maneuvers.  I haven't checked for a Mids update, but I am sure one will be along shortly. 😄

 

Also, Force Feedback should be off when looking at recharge; I forgot to double-check before exporting.

 

Double Edit:  Page 2 wedged the Leadership Pool out of this build.  Dropping that gives up < 3% defense and the benefits of Tactics, but Hover+Evasive+Combat Teleport is just too much fun, numbers be damned. 😉

 

 

 

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 50 Natural Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Psionic Melee
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Teleportation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Psi Blade -- SprCrtStr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprCrtStr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprCrtStr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprCrtStr-Dmg/Rchg(5), SprCrtStr-Rchg/+50% Crit(11), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(13)
Level 1: Deflection -- ShlWal-Def(A), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(19), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(19), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(21), HO:Ribo(21), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(23)
Level 2: Battle Agility -- ShlWal-Def(A), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(23), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(25), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(25), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(31), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(46)
Level 4: Combat Teleport -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(43)
Level 6: Concentration -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(7), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(7), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(9), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(9), GssSynFr--Build%(11)
Level 8: Psi Blade Sweep -- Arm-Dmg/Rchg(A), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), Arm-Acc/Rchg(15), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(15), Arm-Dam%(17), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(17)
Level 10: Active Defense -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 12: Hover -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(42), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(46)
Level 14: Fly -- WntGif-ResSlow(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel(40), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(42)
Level 16: True Grit -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(31), GldArm-ResDam(34), GldArm-3defTpProc(37), UnbGrd-ResDam(39), UnbGrd-Max HP%(39)
Level 18: Afterburner -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(46)
Level 20: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 22: Phalanx Fighting -- Ksm-ToHit+(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(40), Rct-ResDam%(40)
Level 24: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 26: Greater Psi Blade -- Hct-Dmg/Rchg(A), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), Hct-Acc/Rchg(27), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Hct-Dam%(29), UnbCns-Dam%(31)
Level 28: Grant Cover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 30: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 32: Mass Levitate -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(33), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(33), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), FrcFdb-Rechg%(34)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprScrStr-Dmg/Rchg(36), SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), SprScrStr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SprScrStr-Rchg/+Crit(37)
Level 38: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 41: Laser Beam Eyes -- GldJvl-Acc/Dmg(A), GldJvl-Dam%(42), Apc-Dam%(43), Dvs-Hold%(43), AchHee-ResDeb%(50)
Level 44: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(45), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(45), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(45)
Level 47: Weave -- ShlWal-Def(A), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(48), ShlWal-EndRdx/Rchg(48), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(48), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(50)
Level 49: Physical Perfection -- PwrTrns-+Heal(A), PrfShf-End%(50)
Level 1: Critical Hit
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Prv-Absorb%(39)
Level 2: Stamina -- PwrTrns-+Heal(A), PrfShf-End%(3)
------------
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Set Bonus Totals:

 



 

• 13% DamageBuff(Smashing)
• 13% DamageBuff(Lethal)
• 13% DamageBuff(Fire)
• 13% DamageBuff(Cold)
• 13% DamageBuff(Energy)
• 13% DamageBuff(Negative)
• 13% DamageBuff(Toxic)
• 13% DamageBuff(Psionic)
• 19.13% Defense(Melee)
• 16.31% Defense(Smashing)
• 16.31% Defense(Lethal)
• 9.75% Defense(Fire)
• 9.75% Defense(Cold)
• 9.75% Defense(Energy)
• 9.75% Defense(Negative)
• 6% Defense(Psionic)
• 13.5% Defense(Ranged)
• 13.5% Defense(AoE)
• 45% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 5% Enhancement(Max EnduranceDiscount)
• 67.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 7.5% SpeedFlying
• GrantPower Preventive Medicine (0% chance, if Scourge)
• 256 HP (19.12%) HitPoints
• 7.5% JumpHeight
• 7.5% SpeedJumping
• MezResist(Confused) 70%
• MezResist(Held) 70%
• MezResist(Immobilized) 70%
• MezResist(Sleep) 70%
• MezResist(Stunned) 70%
• MezResist(Terrorized) 70%
• MezResist(Teleport) 100% (20% chance)
• 23.5% (0.39 End/sec) Recovery
• 30% (1.67 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 35% ResEffect(SpeedFlying)
• 35% ResEffect(RechargeTime)
• 35% ResEffect(SpeedRunning)
• 16.25% Resistance(Smashing)
• 26% Resistance(Fire)
• 26% Resistance(Cold)
• 23.75% Resistance(Energy)
• 23.75% Resistance(Negative)
• 8% Resistance(Toxic)
• 8% Resistance(Psionic)
• 16.25% Resistance(Lethal)
• 7.5% SpeedRunning
• 36% GlobalChanceMod PlayerCrit

 

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Edited May 11, 2021 by InvaderStych

[DreadShinobi]

I have also put a significant amount of time into a psi/shield scrapper. 

 

TK Blow is primarily psionic damage but it has a smashing component. Robots have high resist to lethal and psionic, which are all your blade attacks. Robots have negative resists to smashing so even though the smashing damage component in TK Blow is small, it is very helpful for dispatching lethal/psionic resistant foes. Mass Levitate is also pure smashing damage but cannot be used as your sole attack against robots. 

 

Boggle with 6 slot Coercive Persuasion provides an extremely valuable 5% ranged defense to shield defense. This is much less valuable to energy aura that has an easier time reaching softcaps and uses typed defense instead of positional. It still has some utility value, especially if you know which mobs are particularly destructive when confused, but the value as a mule power is not going to be as significant for EA as it is for SD.

 

My preferred slotting for GPB is 5 hecatomb, 1 unbreakable constraint, running 2 purple dmg procs with good enhanced value and good set bonuses. The two damage procs, at purple values, are also both Negative and Smashing damage, which helps diversify your damage away from Lethal+Psionic.

 

I put the critical strikes ATO in TK Blow and it works very well and consistently for me. TK Blow is your best single target attack that can set up the increased crit chance on GPB and is a viable way to set up the rolling crit chance procs in a sustained fight against a hard target like AVs and GMs. Mass Levitate should not be used in single target scenarios. Even if ML has the best chance to trigger crit strikes proc with mob saturation, you are going to have single target scenarios where you are missing that crit chance buff. Don't put the crit strikes ATO in mass levitate.

 

Psi melee may feel lackluster exemping below GPB accessibility but the Synapse TF is a different story because clockwork have negative damage resistance to psionic damage so you actually deal very good damage even with just psiblade, tk blow, and psi blade sweep. Clockwork AI herds and clump themselves very quickly to get maximum value from psi blade sweep cone attacks.

 

Psionic has fantastic ST dmg carried on those broad GPB shoulders, but the AoE damage can be lacking. You have one true AoE, and it has a base 20 sec cd. Shield Charge really helps a Psi Melee scrapper in the AoE department. An Energy Aura scrapper will not have this. I also use Fireball on my Psi/SD with 4 dmg procs to help with the AoE damage.

 

Shield Charge and Fire Ball also help deal effective damage to foes that resist Lethal+Psionic.

 

Psi Melee is a pretty endurance light set where it works well with Shield Defense and can be sustainable without needing the endurance tools that EA has.

Edited May 11, 2021 by DreadShinobi

[JStacy337]

@InvaderStych and @DreadShinobi Thank you both for your (no pun intended) Insight ❤️  Slowly slogging along doing doors and radio/newspaper missions to learn the combo with no distractions, but it's not been bad so far.

 

Concerning the Insight-mechanic, is that one that I should focus on, or is it just a happy byproduct of Psi Melee? I've had the same issues with Rad Melee's Containment system and it just feels so random, but welcome when it does proc.

 

Also, concerning the Taunt-aura of secondaries, should I just 2-slot with the Taunt procs, or would a single End Redux handle it? I see you both are using */Shield, so I'm not sure if Against All Odds takes the Taunt sets or not.

 

**EDIT** And thank you both muchly for mentioning Exemping. I sometimes build for running teams, so I highly appreciate the feedback in that area

Edited May 11, 2021 by wyldchyld

[InvaderStych]

50 minutes ago, wyldchyld said:

Concerning the Insight-mechanic, is that one that I should focus on, or is it just a happy byproduct of Psi Melee?

 

Happy by-product.  Helps to pay attention to it for the sweet bonus damage on GPB, but outside ML's marginally higher chance to fire (this might be incorrect, see edit) it there's not much else to be done to make it even remotely intentional.  If Concentration cancelled the lockout that would be another matter entirely, but since it doesn't .... 😛

 

(( Edit: I am trying to find where I saw the reference to ML and Insight.  Mids description mentions a higher rate for Sweep, but not for ML.  So unless I read it in the in-game description it's possible I've mixed up the two.  While it is mentioned in the text description, there aren't numbers for it in Mids that I can find. ))

 

50 minutes ago, wyldchyld said:

Also, concerning the Taunt-aura of secondaries, should I just 2-slot with the Taunt procs, or would a single End Redux handle it? I see you both are using */Shield, so I'm not sure if Against All Odds takes the Taunt sets or not.

 

It does, but I've never slotted for taunt on a Scrapper.  AAO was always 1 slot endrdx on mine.

 

1 hour ago, DreadShinobi said:

Psi melee may feel lackluster exemping below GPB accessibility but the Synapse TF is a different story because clockwork have negative damage resistance to psionic damage so you actually deal very good damage even with just psiblade, tk blow, and psi blade sweep. Clockwork AI herds and clump themselves very quickly to get maximum value from psi blade sweep cone attacks.

 

Ah, yes, I completely forgot about this one. 😄 Yeah, PM destroys primal clockwork.   I tend to do all the TFCs in-level though.  I think because I level pretty slowly I tend not to do a lot of exemping in general, and with the Psi/SD scrapper I decided to go "all-in endgame build" with boosted IOs and accommodations for thematic/coolness/fun factors.

Edited May 11, 2021 by InvaderStych