Another Build: EM/Bio

[Lockpick]

I decided to post my EM/Bio build.  This is my first /Bio to 50 and I have to say I am surprised by it's performance.  I now know why everyone has been singing the praises of Bio.

 

I was not a fan of Bio previously because:

• I didn't like the look
• I didn't think it was sturdy

 

Still not a fan of the look, but I was wrong about it being sturdy.  I tend to build stalkers with a goal towards soft-capping defense and getting near cap on S/L resists.  I was pretty happy for getting soft-cap positionals with 75% S/L on a /SD.  I was also happy to get a /Inv to soft-cap typed defenses to all (except Psy) and with 75% S/L.

 

I thought this would be impossible with /Bio, unless I used Shadow Meld.  Nope!  This build is just as sturdy as some of my others with additional tools and great endurance.  Now I understand the /Bio love.  In the past I was using a lot of slots on Ablative Carapace, DNA Siphon, and Parasitic Aura, but with this build the focus is on defense and S/L resist and using those powers as tools.

 

Thanks to a build that @Croax had posted I was shocked to find I could soft-cap typed defenses to all (except Psy) and with ~75% S/L in Offensive mode.  Not only that, but with Shadow Meld, Ablative Carapace, DNA Siphon, and Parasitic Aura I could easily get extra defense, healing, regeneration, and endurance pretty much on demand.  

 

I also tend to like builds where the secondary isn't very active.  I thought I would dislike Bio because of its active nature.  I did not find that the case at all.  There are 3 click powers, but I only fire them when needed.  I tend to use Shadow Meld while running towards a a crowd, jump into said crowd, use DNA Siphon if my Health is getting low, and use Ablative Carapace if my health is getting low and DNA Siphon has not recharged.

 

I rarely use Parasitic Aura, although I should use it more for the end recovery boost.

 

Anyway, on to the build.

 

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!

Agent 007: Level 50 Mutation Stalker
Primary Power Set: Energy Melee
Secondary Power Set: Bio Armor
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Energy Punch -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(5), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), KntCmb-Knock%(15)
Level 1: Hide -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Ksm-ToHit+(15), LucoftheG-Def(25)
Level 2: Bone Smasher -- TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(A), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx(3), TchofDth-Dmg/Rchg(3), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), TchofDth-Dam%(13)
Level 4: Hardened Carapace -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(17), RctArm-ResDam(17), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(39), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(39), GldArm-3defTpProc(40)
Level 6: Assassin's Strike -- SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprStlGl-Dmg/Rchg(7), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), SprStlGl-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), SprStlGl-Rchg/Hide%(11)
Level 8: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 10: Boundless Energy -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(31), SynSck-EndMod/+RunSpeed(48), Prv-Absorb%(50), Prv-Heal(50)
Level 12: Environmental Modification -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-ResDam%(40), Rct-Def(40), Rct-Def/EndRdx(43)
Level 14: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(43)
Level 16: Adaptation
Level 18: Power Crash -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(19), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(23)
Level 20: Ablative Carapace -- Prv-Heal/Rchg(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(23)
Level 22: Boxing -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(45), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(46), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 24: Tough -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(37), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(37), RctArm-ResDam(48), UnbGrd-Max HP%(48)
Level 26: Total Focus -- SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAssMar-Dmg/Rchg(27), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), SprAssMar-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), SprAssMar-Rchg/Rchg Build Up(31)
Level 28: DNA Siphon -- Prv-Heal/Rchg(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(43)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31)
Level 32: Energy Transfer -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(33), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(33), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(34), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(34)
Level 35: Moonbeam -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(36), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(37)
Level 38: Parasitic Aura -- Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg(39)
Level 41: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(42), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(42), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(42), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(46)
Level 44: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(45), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(45)
Level 47: Shadow Meld -- ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(A)
Level 49: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clr-Stlth(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+(25), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(50)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(33)
Level 1: Energy Focus
Level 49: Quick Form
Level 50: Ion Core Final Judgement
Level 50: Ageless Core Epiphany
Level 50: Assault Core Embodiment
Level 50: Seers Radial Superior Ally
Level 50: Musculature Radial Paragon
Level 50: Degenerative Core Flawless Interface
Level 50: Task Force Commander
Level 50: The Atlas Medallion
Level 50: Portal Jockey
Level 50: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 16: Defensive Adaptation
Level 16: Efficient Adaptation
Level 16: Offensive Adaptation
Level 1: Assassination
------------

 

| Copy & Paste this data into Mids Reborn : Hero Designer to view the build |
		|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
		|MxDz;1537;741;1482;HEX;|
		|78DA4D935B53525114C7F786630A428AA888260A5EF08AD04B8F8DE5652665A2687|
		|AA88C39E909990818C019EDF2D03728D39CEEF5D08C56D367E9FA15CAF2424D2FF5|
		|D09C1667FDE5C00CF35B7B9D75DB6BED155D9E70BC9BBE735C48E7C9B45A2824E24|
		|5357D4DCBD745978A6A3195CD08FAD9C6935AA6D81D0E1FABA5533B4C12512DAD69|
		|A1C98C964FAEF0C17FF06942BBAA650A5AE8442A9B389D4FAA99D47C623C7F3D9B1|
		|78E58369B0ECD6A6A2E95493A8DC3542AB958A493DD38C5739AB6D07060B5A0E50B|
		|8BA99C7732979A0F1D448F6797D289A85A286AF99536AA2844FF359BC04FB78A182|
		|1A008E50C18671E3EC7FCDA439486AD45B49010A16FFFE8D8A988B6663EAF533CC9|
		|3635F20221A808CB45F012D33EC7745C0613CC6F14DF0A5FAB4F1ABA463F1860F67|
		|7811E69E40D1EB51A791F50DE1AF8D6BC67DDA10FE04766DD27F033D3FE85B941BE|
		|B5DC0351BB653174DB548B8DE329B60DD6F956996325C560648FFD23DB65DAC477F|
		|2A9671F6B3DFA13FCCD36C17DE65089D94A099D6C2B9DB01D420F7F509C06FEA63F|
		|A4DA5CB897EB09E76D7A0A3E63363F075F305B5F32F7298E9BEF25DD3B5C63EB2E5|
		|352FE16CCBD05731FC1DC47CF8298BF956C3DE8850773E9C51C7A319F31CC67EC2F|
		|DFEF31D5ED45DDDE65AEA77D05BCC13C7213BCC5F4DD6696A8EE0EE3A1E9B263077|
		|DDB6506A8964EF4AD73581877F1818F2867177276DDE558DDF7C055A6FF3EB806AE|
		|33CB230C703F94C026EB7AB6C0D7E01B66EF5BE62FAAB30F75F6A1BE7ED4AB509D0|
		|3E8D900E63B88F90E36826EE6A88BE9229F61ECD7307C46E033029F3F0EDEDBF25B|
		|0DCD70AE26F20BB39F08FB05F754A9EC75F919E9BA98552ADB4B4F9B5F724C818A7|
		|4D2B0DAB357F657C8518EB55FAD1B605DC9D459A49FEB683BC56F20729E6BFD69DA|
		|48891DEAC60EBD1AAAD4A7CF901C86EC6DA6CF78FB1BF47823D06F064C79BACA66D|
		|66DCA531E5356EDA67CA54A9EAB926355F26E79E7107FA74ADEABDAC50EB3A7FA7F|
		|9DBDF3AA|
		|-------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

 

Edited August 15, 2021 by Lockpick
Fixed some text

[tidge]

Bio offers a lot of different options when slotting Health and Endurance uniques, and your choices are radically different than mine. On my build, I don't have any extra slots in Health or Stamina. I'm less concerned about Endurance Recovery and Health Regeneration for a few reasons: set bonuses, click powers, and Adaptation (when necessary). It looks like you are taking more toggles than I would run (certainly at lower levels) so we almost certainly have different experiences for a significant range of content.

 

I must admit that I am biased against 2-slotting Luck of the Gambler by default. For low level powers, the bonuses cut out in some content. If you attune them, they can't be boosted... so a generic IO (or Shield Wall) is a better choice. If Endurance is an issue, then Def/End pieces are a better choice, especially if boosted, or HO Cytoskeleton. I know you are chasing S/L resistance, but I think 5-slots of Reactive Defenses (with the Scaling Resistance piece) in Weave would be a better choice (modulo the LotG Global Recharge placement, but with a 6th piece you get 8.75% Global recharge)

 

My build includes Tough, but I rarely toggle it on. If I need more resistance, I toggle it and change Adaptation. I use it as a mule otherwise.

 

I do think that you are doing yourself a slight disservice by taking DNA Siphon when it is first available and NOT turning it into another offensive tool. I have mine 6-slotted with 3 pieces of Touch of the Nictus (including a %damage) and 3 additional %damage procs.

 

I think the third slot in Hide (the LotG Defense piece) is a poor choice of a slot, because of the nature of Hide. I have no complaints about using it to mule the Kismet and LotG global.

 

I have a different choice for Moonbeam. I 5-slot Sting of the Manticore because of the +Damage and +Recharge. I can understand the preference for the late bonuses from the Winter Set.

[Linea]

/Bio has my seal of approval, and is probably my first pick for offensive armor, followed by /SD.  My primary tank is a Kat/Bio scrapper ... you could mirror that build into a Stanker.  (I couldn't resist.  What else do you call a tank built stalker?)

 

"If you see me take damage, I'm in trouble."

My health from the outside perspective should always be 90% or more.

I perma the absorb. 

I use DNA as an Alpha, they should all be dead before it wears off.

I use the Heal/Endurance as a reactive.

I also use Void Judgement -damage as an alpha.

And tend to run Rune/Hybrid/Rune/Demonic Weddingband.

On a stalker variant I'd run Shadowmeld, and this just starts hitting ludicrous levels of durability.

 

You should also do a Proc Variant just for the hell of it.  Yeah stalker frame tends to top out at 650ish dps due to animation time issues, but you might manage to push an EnM variant up closer to 700.  I hit a lucky 630* run on a Enm/Ena so I won't be surprised if a glass cannon /Bio can start threatening 700.

* Average of 10 runs was 565ish as I recall, 635? was the high outlier.

Edited July 21, 2021 by Linea

[Lockpick]

Some great points from both of you.  I will likely do a second build and try a more offensive build.  My general nature though is to build for defense and S/L resist, so that is what I went for.  Also, this build leveled really fast.  I don't even feel like I have the play time needed to really understand how to better leverage its strengths.  Now at 50 and working on the incarnates.  Once that is done I'll be trying +4/8 DA missions and then maybe push a second build.  I'm actually finding it interesting the number of ways Bio can be slotted, which is a nice change.

 

If only the look could be fixed...

Edited August 15, 2021 by Lockpick

[Linea]

I'd love to have a PvE only No-FX version that's even less FX than the current minimal-fx version.