Dusting off EM/Bio - in need of insights

[Cutter]

Been on a few month break, and figured I would see what I could do with some of my less-used characters. I've hardly touched scrappers since the relaunch so this is a lot of uncharted territory. I just dinged 35, and have him slotted with generic IOs plus the 2 Scrapper AT sets.

 

The two major questions are 1. Does the proposed 50+ build have all the survival etc. bases covered, and 2. Any suggestions on the post-35 picks which are not yet taken? (I'd rather not respec at this point unless you fine folks tell me I've made some glaring power choice errors up to this level.)

 

Thanks in advance!

Spoiler

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.5.6
https://github.com/Reborn-Team/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Max Damage: Level 50 Mutation Scrapper
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 -- 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: Hardened Carapace -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(15), UnbGrd-Max HP%(15), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(17), GldArm-3defTpProc(23), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(25)
Level 2: Bone Smasher -- SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprScrStr-Dmg/Rchg(7), SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SprScrStr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprScrStr-Rchg/+Crit(11)
Level 4: Inexhaustible -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 6: Environmental Modification -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(13), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(13), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(34), Rct-ResDam%(50)
Level 8: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 10: Adaptation
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 14: Super Jump -- WntGif-ResSlow(A)
Level 16: Ablative Carapace -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Absorb%(17), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(34), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(36), Prv-Heal/Rchg(36), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(36)
Level 18: Whirling Hands -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), Arm-Acc/Rchg(19), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(21), Arm-Dam%(21), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(23)
Level 20: Evolving Armor -- Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(37), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Ags-ResDam(39)
Level 22: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 24: Tough -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(25), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(31), RctArm-ResDam(31)
Level 26: Total Focus -- SprCrtStr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprCrtStr-Dmg/Rchg(27), SprCrtStr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), SprCrtStr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), SprCrtStr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), SprCrtStr-Rchg/+50% Crit(31)
Level 28: DNA Siphon -- ThfofEss-+End%(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg(37), Prv-Heal(39), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(40)
Level 30: Weave -- ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(A), ShlWal-Def(40), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(40), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 32: Energy Transfer -- Hct-Dmg(A), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Hct-Acc/Rchg(33), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(33), Hct-Dam%(34)
Level 35: Genetic Contamination -- Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Erd-Dmg(42), Erd-%Dam(42), ScrDrv-Dmg/EndRdx(43), ScrDrv-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), ScrDrv-Dam%(43)
Level 38: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(45)
Level 41: Moonbeam -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(45), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(48), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(48)
Level 44: Shadow Meld -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(46)
Level 47: Parasitic Aura -- Prv-Heal/Rchg(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(48)
Level 49: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(50), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50)
Level 1: Critical Hit
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(46)
Level 1: Energy Focus
Level 49: Quick Form
Level 14: Double Jump
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: Task Force Commander
Level 50: The Atlas Medallion
Level 10: Defensive Adaptation
Level 10: Efficient Adaptation
Level 10: Offensive Adaptation
------------

 

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[nihilii]

I think you've got all your bases covered!

 

At a quick glance:

- I feel Inexhaustible is underslotted. It deserves heal enhancements, +maxHP is essentially like resistance on top of your resistance, and improves your regen and absorb which /bio has loads off.

- you will probably run in Offensive Adaptation 99% of the time, but given that Inexhaustible and Stamina have the same base recovery and that Inexhaustible's recovery is boosted in Efficient Adaptation, it might make sense to put endmod slots in Inexhaustible if you slot endmod at all.

- I don't see the Panacea proc. It's superior to the perf shifter procs or even to miracle +recovery, if a replacement is needed.

- slots could be shaved from Maneuvers to fuel these things. The defense enhancement and regen/HP bonuses are minimal there.

- Shadow Meld might be better served with a straight defense enhancement, rather than a def/rech. You typically don't want to use Shadow Meld as often as it's up, with its 3 second animation and all. And a higher defense maximises the impact in those situations where you do need to use it.

Edited November 15, 2021 by nihilii

[Yomo Kimyata]

I certainly don't see anything wrong, and I always enjoy looking at how other people approach builds.  

 

My melee bio builds generally focus on melee defense and as much recharge as I can get.

 

On the primary side, I generally like to split scrapper's strike 3-3 in two of my low level attacks, then fill them out with another slot or two.  But that's just me -- it gets you a little more melee defense at the expense of something else.  I also like to work in 5-piece Avalanche and Blistering Cold if I can.  Generally I'll sacrifice a 5-slot purple set for that.

 

On the secondary side (and again, this is just how I roll), I always 6-slot Ablative Carapace with Preventative Medicine just like you, but I also 6-slot Parasitic Aura with 5-piece Panacea and the Theft of Essence proc.  DNA Siphon is the best power on the market as far as I'm concerned.  It's a near-guaranteed proc bomb.  Theft of Essence, like you have, is a must.  That's usually where I put Fury of the Glad as well, but that's up to you.  I wouldn't bother with slotting heal there unless you really want the bonuses.  I find Inexhaustible to be fine with one slot, since if I'm in a crowd (and one always is!), you have a blue bar filler up every 30 seconds or so in DNA Siphon and every 90 seconds or so with Parasitic aura.

[Cutter]

Thanks @nihilii. Would you say, if slots are limited, that Heal >> EndMod in Inexhaustible? I get the impression from your second comment that EndMod is not the priority there. I'll track down a Panacea from one of my bins somewhere. I can't believe I didn't think of it in the first place! And I appreciate the suggestion on Shadow Meld. I hadn't looked at the animation on it, just plugged it in the build with the intent of using it when the brown stuff hits the swirly thing (given no DDR in Bio as I understand it, I'll likely be learning how to use it proactively).

 

Since I'm here, if I may, what recommendations would you have for Incarnates? I'm assuming Agility to add in some DDR?

[Cutter]

Thanks @Yomo Kimyata. I can't remember the last time I thought of splitting an ATO set. Proc bombs I'm more familiar with (some of my tankers love them) but hadn't thought of it here due to assuming a squishier scrapper would need the heal more than the bomb. Looks like I might have to look at the numbers for an alternate build taking your ideas into consideration.

[nihilii]

I agree, Heal > EndMod in Inexhaustible. /bio is fairly generous when it comes to end, and EM/ is especially light on end thanks to ET costing 0. You're generously slotted in DNA Siphon, and you have good end reduction in attacks, so I think you likely won't run out of breath.

For Incarnates I would almost always recommend Musculature. Scrappers love +damage 🙂 EM is one of those sets with "low"/standard +damage (Build Up and nothing else) and high base damage, so benefits greatly from more damage enhancement. And given that EM has passable AoE with Whirling Hands, adding the Musculature boost to Judgement really helps thinning out crowds.

Plus, the recharge in Agility would hurt your proc rate. While you're not running a proc build, it still would impact your chance for Critical Strikes on TF and your Heca proc in ET.

 

Wait, you're talking about DDR, perhaps we're talking about Ageless here? I like Ageless on the +recovery side for ultra proc builds with low end reduction. But I think here you've covered these bases. You could pick Barrier instead for a complementary defense buffer that essentially acts as DDR, especially with the occasional Shadow Meld; and the resistance in Barrier is very very nice for /bio to shore up F/C/E/N resistances.

[Cutter]

Musculature sounds like a good option. I so often go to Spiritual/Agility that I forget to look at the others.

 

5 hours ago, nihilii said:

Wait, you're talking about DDR, perhaps we're talking about Ageless here? I like Ageless on the +recovery side for ultra proc builds with low end reduction. But I think here you've covered these bases. You could pick Barrier instead for a complementary defense buffer that essentially acts as DDR, especially with the occasional Shadow Meld; and the resistance in Barrier is very very nice for /bio to shore up F/C/E/N resistances.

 

Yes, I meant Ageless. And Barrier was my other thought - which would also allow a smidge more slotting freedom as I keep seeing "conventional wisdom" suggest slotting to 5% under caps, and relying on base Barrier to fill in the difference.

 

Thanks for the advice!