Water / Earth is FUN - getting near 50 - build guidance

[Mirinesse]

Made a Water Blaster / Earth and having lots of fun. Leveling at +2 easily and +3 with caution. This is my first high level on Homecoming (along with 15 lower level alts). Played LIVE before shutdown and mained a Ninja MM/Dark.

 

Was trying to plan a build but I've never maxed out enhancements on any character. I read lots of posts though! Order of slotting is probably off a bit.

 

So....About how I play -  I mainly Solo or Duo with my son (sometimes a 4 team). We do like to try to pull off the impossible in missions and run things that should have more people. I don't PvP - though I dabbled in the past. When playing - I mostly stay at range but have no problem diving into a pile with the tank and having fun. I'm a completionist and badge collector so will be using Oroboros a lot.

 

My current leveling build doesn't have Fracture yet and I went Munitions Epic but I'm not in love with it - not sure I love any of them. Posting for advice before I spend too much on enhancements I don't need! 🙂 Currently level 44.

 

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.1.2.5
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Mudslingstress: Level 50 Natural Blaster
Primary Power Set: Water Blast
Secondary Power Set: Earth Manipulation
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Electrical Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Aqua Bolt -- SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(7)
Level 1: Stone Prison -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(48), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(50), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(50)
Level 2: Water Burst -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg(9), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(9), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Ann-ResDeb%(45)
Level 4: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), WntGif-ResSlow(19)
Level 6: Whirlpool -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(11), Artl-Dam/Rech(11), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(17), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(17), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(37)
Level 8: Tidal Forces -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 10: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(45)
Level 12: Dehydrate -- ThfofEss-+End%(A), ThfofEss-Heal(13), AchHee-ResDeb%(13), Mrc-Rcvry+(15), Mrc-Heal(15)
Level 14: Kick -- ExpStr-Dmg/KB(A), ExpStr-Acc/KB(37), ExpStr-Dam%(37)
Level 16: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(19)
Level 18: Water Jet -- SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(23), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(29), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(36)
Level 20: Mud Bath -- PwrTrns-+Heal(A), PwrTrns-EndMod(21), EndMod-I(21), EndMod-I(27), NmnCnv-Heal(29), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(34)
Level 22: Tough -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), UnbGrd-Max HP%(50)
Level 24: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-Def(25), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(25), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(27)
Level 26: Steam Spray -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(33), Artl-Dam/Rech(33), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(33), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(34), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(34)
Level 28: Beryl Crystals -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 30: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-Def(31), Rct-Def/EndRdx(31), Rct-ResDam%(43)
Level 32: Geyser -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(36), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(39), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Rgn-Knock%(39)
Level 35: Fracture -- AbsAmz-Stun(A), AbsAmz-Stun/Rchg(40), AbsAmz-Acc/Stun/Rchg(40), AbsAmz-Acc/Rchg(40), AbsAmz-EndRdx/Stun(43), AbsAmz-ToHitDeb%(43)
Level 38: Shocking Bolt -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(42), Apc-Dam%(42), GldJvl-Dam%(42), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(48)
Level 41: Charged Armor -- Ags-Psi/Status(A), RctArm-ResDam(46), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(46), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 44: Build Up -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 47: EM Pulse -- RzzDzz-Immob%(A)
Level 49: Tactics -- ToHit-I(A)
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clr-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Heal-I(A)
Level 1: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A)
Level 1: Stamina -- PwrTrns-+Heal(A), PrfShf-End%(7)
Level 1: Combo Level 1
Level 1: Combo Level 2
Level 1: Combo Level 3
Level 10: Double Jump
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THANKS for any help!

Edited January 23, 2022 by Mirinesse
tweeked

[Red_GS]

Hello Mirinesse,

Thanks for sharing your build - I looked at it in the planner and then tried to see how I would make a build but then realized that wouldnt be much help if I didnt understand a couple of things.

1.  When you solo or duo with your son - who is the "instigator" and what do you do? 
Based on what I see listed in that build and from what I know about the power sets I am making an assumption that your lead off is either your T9 (Geyser) with Aim and/or Buildup then cleanup.  When your T9 isnt up then it's Water Burst, then AoE clean up? Whirlpool and Steam Spray and get the stragglers with ST attacks?

2.  What are the goals for your build?  It looks like a very high recharge build and geared towards a Ranged/Energy Softcapped build with a resist shield? 
In terms of "survivability" most people try to layer defenses - so that's a good strategy. If so you'll want to get to around 45% or so to ranged.  Personally, I've done both - back on live and here on homecoming with both blasters and defenders.

3.  What is your budget ? Although it may sound a bit personal, it's good to understand what a planner has to work with.

4.  I noticed there are no melee attacks but you did say you like to mix it up with the tank - Earth Manipulation has two pretty good hard hitter melee attacks in Heavy Mallet and Seismic.

5.  Have you tried all the powers in your primary and secondary?  Are there any you dont like? Are there any powers which are mandatory (like the leadership pool for teaming with the son)?

6.  Have you looked at all the Epic pools - in one of the builds I was considering I was looking at Mu Mastery for the resist shield and the AoE immobilize - looks like that could work with Fracture (although Mid's doesnt list the Recharge time) and also considered Mace Mastery for Scorpion Shield and the Web Envelope although there is some Redraw with the Mace.  Alternatively Leviathan also could work - giving you a cone shaped immob and a resist shield as well KO Blow.

[Mirinesse]

My son and I kinda share instigating - now that we both have t3 Ion core - but I do start with Geyser if I don't have Ion up. Then you pretty much sum it up - Water Burst - Steam - then single targets with a few AOE attacks mixed in on one or two targets.  My son uses an Illusion/Rad controller - so his phantoms mainly start now, cause Me starting can make me dead 🙂

Since we seem to play on +3 or +4 / 6-8x - I tend NOT to jump into the middle anymore so mainly going for ranged defense,

 

I don't fracture because I am hovering most of the time - and I don't tend to use Stone Prison much.

 

Budget - I make money I buy a new enhancement. At the moment I have all the armor enhancements in place - then I have Whirlpool, water jet, mud bath, steam spray, dehydrate, shocking bolt, health and stamina all bought and slotted.

 

I love how Mud Bath makes me have no endurance troubles, but I only use that and Beryl Crystals from the Earth set. (I did like Mallet in the beginning) Earth kinda got phased out!

 

I tried Munitions and meh - but that is about it. I dumped EM pulse and got Vengeance for the LoftG - recharge

 

 

[Red_GS]

Hello Mirinesse,

This 1st build reflects power choices based on your last post (not using Stone Prison, hover blasting).  Without Hover on - you should be at the softcapped for E/N and 43.66 to Ranged.  Pools are Leaping (for CJ), Fighting, Speed, Flight.  I tried to limit the amount of set mules and throw away powers while keeping Endurance in mind for function (fully slotted up Tough for examples).  Although I'm comfortable with "Blapping", these days I hover blast quite a bit although it's simple enough for me to "joust" when I want to use melee attacks.  Other than kick there are no melee attacks in the build.  

I did take Evasive Manuevers since you mentioned hover blasting - on the toons that I hoverblast with - I find it useful for the added flight speed bonus (there is a DEF bonus but it goes as soon as one attacks or performs specific actions).

I chose Surge of Power at 49 which may not thematically work for you but functionally it can be an "Oh heck" power


Anyway give it a peek - good hunting

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[Mirinesse]

New redesign - after messing with MIDS a bunch and constructing other alts - and getting in the groove of slotting.

 

I know I am far from understanding all the nuances of building - but here is my latest try

 

I got my Hammer Back and Dumped Fracture cause I hover - grabbed Seismic Smash - Changed to COLD

 

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.1.2.5
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

New Mud: Level 50 Natural Blaster
Primary Power Set: Water Blast
Secondary Power Set: Earth Manipulation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Concealment
Ancillary Pool: Cold Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Aqua Bolt -- SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(17)
Level 1: Stone Prison -- Dmg-I(A)
Level 2: Water Burst -- SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(5), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(36)
Level 4: Heavy Mallet -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(7), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(27), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48), Mk'Bit-Dam%(48)
Level 6: Whirlpool -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(9), Artl-Dam/Rech(9), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(15), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(27), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(29)
Level 8: Tidal Forces -- GssSynFr--Build%(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 10: Fly -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(50)
Level 12: Dehydrate -- Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Thn-Acc/Dmg(13), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(34), AchHee-ResDeb%(36)
Level 14: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(19)
Level 16: Kick -- Acc-I(A)
Level 18: Water Jet -- Apc-Dam%(A), Apc-Acc/Rchg(34), Dvs-Acc/Dmg(21), Dvs-Dmg/EndRdx(33), GldJvl-Acc/Dmg(34), GldJvl-Dam%(19)
Level 20: Mud Bath -- Prv-Absorb%(A), Prv-Heal(21), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(23), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(23), Prv-Heal/Rchg(36), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(47)
Level 22: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(37), ImpArm-ResPsi(37)
Level 24: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(43), DefBuff-I(43)
Level 26: Steam Spray -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(29), Artl-Dam/Rech(31), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(31), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(31), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(33)
Level 28: Beryl Crystals -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 30: Build Up -- RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(A), RctRtc-ToHit(48)
Level 32: Geyser -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(33), Artl-Dam/Rech(37), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(39), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(39), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(45)
Level 35: Snow Storm -- PcnoftheT--Rchg%(A), PcnoftheT-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(39)
Level 38: Seismic Smash -- Lck-Acc/Hold(A), Lck-Acc/Rchg(40), Lck-Rchg/Hold(40), Lck-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(40), Lck-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(42), Lck-%Hold(42)
Level 41: Frozen Armor -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(42), DefBuff-I(43)
Level 44: Hoarfrost -- NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx(A), NmnCnv-EndRdx/Rchg(45), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(45), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(46), NmnCnv-Heal(46), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(46)
Level 47: Hover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Stealth -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
Level 1: Sprint -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Heal-I(A)
Level 1: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(11)
Level 1: Combo Level 1
Level 1: Combo Level 2
Level 1: Combo Level 3
Level 10: Afterburner
Level 50: Musculature Core Paragon
Level 50: Ageless Core Epiphany
Level 50: Reactive Radial Flawless Interface
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Edited February 23, 2022 by Mirinesse
added more words

[Red_GS]

I think you should consider swapping the sets for Mud Bath and Hoarfrost due to how the Numina Unique works in click power.

https://hcwiki.cityofheroes.dev/wiki/Numina's_Convalescence:_Regeneration/Recovery

My experience with the Preventive Medicine Unique is that it doesnt need to be slotted in an Active power to trigger - so putting that set in Hoarfrost should work just fine.