Martial Arts/Shield Scrapper

[Apricitas]

First time back in City of Heroes, and I'm recreating my old main. It's a Martial Arts/Shield Defense scrapper, mostly resembling a Captain America-type vibe. What are the little things I'm missing to get the character to soft-cap defense of 45% or so? Any comments regarding slotting or power choice welcome, within the powersets. 

 

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.6.0
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Natural Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Martial Arts
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Storm Kick -- SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(3), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(5), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(37), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45)
Level 1: Deflection -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(7), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(25), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(31)
Level 2: Cobra Strike -- SprCrtStr-Rchg/+50% Crit(A), SprCrtStr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(3), SprCrtStr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), SprCrtStr-Dmg/Rchg(15), SprCrtStr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SprCrtStr-Acc/Dmg(43)
Level 4: True Grit -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), GldArm-ResDam(7), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(17), StdPrt-ResKB(42), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(46), UnbGrd-Max HP%(46)
Level 6: Focus Chi -- GssSynFr--Build%(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(9), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(43)
Level 8: Crane Kick -- SprScrStr-Rchg/+Crit(A), SprScrStr-Dmg/Rchg(9), SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg(11), SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SprScrStr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 10: Battle Agility -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(11), LucoftheG-Def(27), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 12: Active Defense -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(13)
Level 14: Fly -- Srn-EndRdx/Fly(A)
Level 16: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(17)
Level 18: Crippling Axe Kick -- Mk'Bit-Dam%(A), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(19), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(23), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(36), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(45)
Level 20: Phalanx Fighting -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(21)
Level 22: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(25), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(36)
Level 24: Hover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(42)
Level 26: Dragon's Tail -- Obl-%Dam(A), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), Obl-Dmg(29), Obl-Acc/Rchg(29), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(45), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46)
Level 28: Grant Cover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(31)
Level 30: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(34), EndRdx-I(36)
Level 32: Eagles Claw -- Mk'Bit-Dam%(A), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(33), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(33), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(34)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- ScrDrv-Acc/Rchg(A), ScrDrv-Dmg/Rchg(39), ScrDrv-Dmg/EndRdx(39), ScrDrv-Acc/Dmg(39), ScrDrv-Dam%(40), ScrDrv-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40)
Level 38: One with the Shield -- ResDam-I(A), ResDam-I(48)
Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 44: Focused Accuracy -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(48)
Level 47: Physical Perfection -- EndMod-I(A), Pnc-Heal(48), Pnc-Heal/+End(50)
Level 49: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit 
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Health -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), NmnCnv-Heal(23), RgnTss-Regen+(40)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Stamina -- EffAdp-EndMod/EndRdx(A), EffAdp-EndMod(13), SynSck-EndMod/+RunSpeed(42)
Level 14: Afterburner 
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[StrikerFox]

Fighting Pool for Weave. It provide you the most +def of all the power pools. There are also Combat Jump and Stealth. Aegis in Tough can provide some +AoE defense. Six slotting Focus Chi with Gaussian's will provide another +2.5% def to all positions.

 

Positional defense is more important for your build than type defense. A full set of Touch of Death would get you closer to melee softcap than Superior Blistering Cold.

 

On another note, the build has too many LotG +7.5% recharge. Replace with Shield Wall and/or Reactive Defense uniques. A Performance Shifter proc adds about a 0.2 endurance gain and is better than that end IO in Physical Perfection. Active Defense gives a ton of KB resistance. Steadfast KB protection isn't needed.

 

I think you have the base, a really good start, for a killer build. Just needs some fine tuning, a couple power changes.

 

[Apricitas]

Much obliged, StrikerFox! I dig your profile picture. While I was fiddling with new Mids, I felt silly reaching into Fighting to get the third power for Weave, but I think you're right. Might be a little more brawler than battlefield leader (with more Fighting than Leadership pool). Less priority of Focused Accuracy, Hasten, and Conserve Power, too, at least until I remember why and how I enjoyed this build so much ten years ago 😄

[StrikerFox]

23 hours ago, Apricitas said:

I dig your profile picture.

 

Coincidentally, it's a screenshot of my MA/Shield Scrapper.

 

Actually one thing I forgot, and I don't know if it's still holds true on Homecoming, but Phalanx Fighting added +2.25% base def for allies near you (Max 3 allies). I recall your own character counts as one ally. So even if your character is standing alone, PF buffs +2.25% def. Your defense may already be higher than what your Mids' is indicating.  

 

In Mids', right click on Phalanx Fighting and move the slider to one. When you hit level 20 and pick PF, double check your Combat Attributes to make sure it's still works. 

 

Edited October 13, 2021 by StrikerFox