First Defender - Sonic/Beam/Mu - please review my build plan

[MrWallace]

Hi COH Family, 

 

I have been slowly building up my toon roster to include one of every arch type and I have finally come to the Defender. Despite playing COH since one year after launch I have never tried a Defender!  As I am trying to avoid repeating powersets, I have decided to go for Sonic and Beam as both are new to me. So far (DFB and Posi 1+2) the combo seems like a fun utility player that helps out team.

 

My build goal has been caped S/L res with soft capped ranged Def (beam seems better at ranged) while also packing de-buffs, buffs and some nice proc damage to boot. After much research across the forums this is the build I came up with. It just about hit my goals, but my lack of experience with both powersets does make me worry that I am missing something or gimped the build. 

 

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

Sgt Noir: Level 50 Magic Defender
Primary Power Set: Sonic Resonance
Secondary Power Set: Beam Rifle
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery

Hero Profile:
------------
Level 1:    Sonic Barrier    
 (A) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance
 (3) Reactive Armor - Resistance
 (3) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge

Level 1:    Single Shot    
 (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage
 (9) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
 (34) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance
 (37) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge
 (40) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
 (43) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance

Level 2:    Sonic Haven    
 (A) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance
 (5) Reactive Armor - Resistance
 (5) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge
 (33) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%

Level 4:    Cutting Beam    
 (A) Superior Defender's Bastion - Accuracy/Damage
 (7) Superior Defender's Bastion - Damage/Recharge
 (7) Superior Defender's Bastion - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
 (9) Superior Defender's Bastion - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
 (11) Superior Defender's Bastion - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
 (17) Annihilation - Chance for Res Debuff

Level 6:    Hover    
 (A) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All)
 (50) Kismet - Accuracy +6%

Level 8:    Disruption Field    
 (A) Endurance Reduction IO

Level 10:    Disintegrate    
 (A) Superior Winter's Bite - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime
 (11) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage
 (19) Superior Winter's Bite - Damage/RechargeTime
 (19) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
 (21) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
 (21) Superior Defender's Bastion - Recharge/Chance for Minor PBAoE Heal

Level 12:    Sonic Dispersion    
 (A) Gladiator's Armor - Resistance
 (13) Gladiator's Armor - Resistance/Rech/End
 (13) Gladiator's Armor - End/Resist
 (15) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)
 (15) Gladiator's Armor - Recharge/Endurance
 (17) Gladiator's Armor - Recharge/Resist

Level 14:    Fly    
 (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)
 (23) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance

Level 16:    Maneuvers    
 (A) Red Fortune - Endurance
 (27) Red Fortune - Defense
 (29) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance
 (29) Red Fortune - Defense/Recharge
 (31) Red Fortune - Endurance/Recharge
 (31) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance/Recharge

Level 18:    Tactics    
 (A) HamiO:Cytoskeleton Exposure

Level 20:    Lancer Shot    
 (A) Superior Vigilant Assault - RechargeTime/PBAoE +Absorb
 (23) Superior Vigilant Assault - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
 (25) Superior Vigilant Assault - Accuracy/Damage
 (25) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage(Negative)
 (31) Gladiator's Javelin - Chance of Damage(Toxic)

Level 22:    Boxing    
 (A) Accuracy IO

Level 24:    Tough    
 (A) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance
 (33) Reactive Armor - Resistance
 (33) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge
 (42) Aegis - Psionic/Status Resistance

Level 26:    Weave    
 (A) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance
 (27) Red Fortune - Endurance
 (34) Red Fortune - Defense/Recharge
 (45) Red Fortune - Endurance/Recharge
 (46) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance/Recharge
 (46) Red Fortune - Defense

Level 28:    Clarity    
 (A) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 30:    Hasten    
 (A) Recharge Reduction IO
 (34) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 32:    Liquefy    
 (A) Achilles' Heel - Chance for Res Debuff
 (43) Annihilation - Chance for Res Debuff
 (43) Touch of Lady Grey - Chance for Negative Damage
 (45) Neuronic Shutdown - Chance of Damage(Psionic)
 (45) Ghost Widow's Embrace - Chance of Damage(Psionic)
 (50) Superior Entomb - Recharge/Chance for +Absorb

Level 35:    Penetrating Ray    
 (A) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge
 (36) Sting of the Manticore - Chance of Damage(Toxic)
 (36) Sting of the Manticore - Accuracy/Damage
 (36) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Endurance
 (37) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
 (37) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Interrupt/Recharge

Level 38:    Overcharge    
 (A) Superior Vigilant Assault - Damage/RechargeTime
 (39) Superior Vigilant Assault - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
 (39) Superior Vigilant Assault - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
 (39) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy)
 (40) Bombardment - Chance for Fire Damage
 (40) Achilles' Heel - Chance for Res Debuff

Level 41:    Charged Armor    
 (A) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance
 (42) Reactive Armor - Resistance
 (42) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge

Level 44:    Piercing Beam    
 (A) Superior Frozen Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
 (46) Superior Frozen Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
 (48) Superior Frozen Blast - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime
 (50) Superior Frozen Blast - Recharge/Chance for Immobilize

Level 47:    Sonic Siphon    
 (A) Accuracy IO

Level 49:    Vengeance    
 (A) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage

Level 1:    Vigilance    
Level 1:    Brawl    
 (A) Empty

Level 1:    Sprint    
 (A) Celerity - +Stealth

Level 2:    Rest    
 (A) Empty

Level 2:    Swift    
 (A) Empty

Level 2:    Hurdle    
 (A) Empty

Level 2:    Health    
 (A) Panacea - +Hit Points/Endurance
 (48) Numina's Convalesence - +Regeneration/+Recovery

Level 2:    Stamina    
 (A) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End
 (48) Performance Shifter - EndMod

Level 1:    Disintegrating    
Level 49:    Quick Form    
Level 1:    Prestige Power Dash    
 (A) Empty

Level 1:    Prestige Power Slide    
 (A) Empty

Level 1:    Prestige Power Quick    
 (A) Empty

Level 1:    Prestige Power Rush    
 (A) Empty

Level 1:    Prestige Power Surge    
 (A) Empty

Level 4:    Ninja Run    
Level 50:    Cardiac Core Paragon    
Level 14:    Afterburner    
------------

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Any advice, tweaks etc would be most welcome as always. 

 

Cheers

 

Mr W.

[kiramon]

liquefy sucks, at basically everything. Definitely better places to stick those slots.

 

You could go for SC M/R/E/N, but I think I'd do more procy-proc and settle for 75% S/L/E + 45% ranged. Switching to dark will get you more aoe/soul drain/sc melee

 

I am assuming you want hover, though personally I stick with Combat jumping. note i cant see cardiac adjustments outside of end reduction.  

 

 

 

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Defender
Primary Power Set: Sonic Resonance
Secondary Power Set: Beam Rifle
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Concealment
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Sonic Barrier -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(7), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(9), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(9)
Level 1: Single Shot -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(3), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7)
Level 2: Sonic Haven -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(11), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(11), UnbGrd-Max HP%(15)
Level 4: Cutting Beam -- HO:Nucle(A), Bmbdmt-Acc/Dam/Rech(17), TchofLadG-%Dam(17), Bmbdmt-+FireDmg(19)
Level 6: Hover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 8: Disruption Field -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 10: Disintegrate -- SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBst-Dmg/Rchg(21), SprDfnBst-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23), SprDfnBst-Rchg/Heal%(25)
Level 12: Sonic Dispersion -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(13), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(13), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(15)
Level 14: Maneuvers -- RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFrt-Def/Rchg(25), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg(27), RedFrt-Def(27), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(33), RedFrt-EndRdx(33)
Level 16: Aim -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 18: Tactics -- HO:Cyto(A)
Level 20: Lancer Shot -- Apc-Dam%(A), Apc-Dmg(33), Apc-Acc/Rchg(34), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(34)
Level 22: Stealth -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-ResDam%(37), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(40), Ksm-ToHit+(43)
Level 24: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Clarity -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 28: Penetrating Ray -- StnoftheM-Dam%(A), StnoftheM-Acc/Dmg(29), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx(29), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), StnoftheM-Dmg/ActRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 30: Tough -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(31)
Level 32: Liquefy -- HO:Lyso(A), HO:Lyso(46)
Level 35: Piercing Beam -- SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg(A), SprVglAss-Rchg/+Absorb(36), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Bmbdmt-+FireDmg(36), PstBls-Dam%(37)
Level 38: Overcharge -- SprVglAss-Dmg/Rchg(A), SprVglAss-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39)
Level 41: Weave -- RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFrt-Def/Rchg(42), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg(42), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(42), RedFrt-Def(43), RedFrt-EndRdx(43)
Level 44: Power Sink -- PreOptmz-Acc/Rech(A), PreOptmz-EndMod/End(45), PreOptmz-EndMod/Acc/End(45), PreOptmz-EndMod/Rech(45), PreOptmz-EndMod/Acc/Rech(46), PreOptmz-EndMod/End/Rech(46)
Level 47: Charged Armor -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(47), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(47), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(48)
Level 49: Electric Shackles -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(49), NrnSht-Dam%(49), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(50), UnbCns-Dam%(50), Dcm-Build%(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Vigilance 
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(37), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(39)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(40)
Level 1: Disintegrating 
Level 49: Quick Form 
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon 
------------

 

Edited February 6, 2022 by kiramon

[MrWallace]

Hi Kiramon, 

 

Sorry for the delayed response (EU timezone and all that). 

 

Thank you so much for coming back to me. The rebuild looks great. An I agree S/L/E and ranged caped works really well for this toon. I also like the idea of a Proc build for more damage.

 

On the Incarnate abilities and power pools all are open to change. Concept wise, CJ works just as well as hover. 

 

For the concept BR was the only must have powerset. I was starting to questions if I had made a very wrong call going sonic, but your build has given me hope. Thank you.

 

I would love your steer on what Incarnate powers to shoot? I find that while leveling having a plan always helps.

 

Thanks again for the feedback.

 

Cheers

 

Mr W

[kiramon]

35 minutes ago, MrWallace said:

Hi Kiramon, 

 

Sorry for the delayed response (EU timezone and all that). 

 

Thank you so much for coming back to me. The rebuild looks great. An I agree S/L/E and ranged caped works really well for this toon. I also like the idea of a Proc build for more damage.

 

On the Incarnate abilities and power pools all are open to change. Concept wise, CJ works just as well as hover. 

 

For the concept BR was the only must have powerset. I was starting to questions if I had made a very wrong call going sonic, but your build has given me hope. Thank you.

 

I would love your steer on what Incarnate powers to shoot? I find that while leveling having a plan always helps.

 

Thanks again for the feedback.

 

Cheers

 

Mr W

there are better sets than sonic for sure, but I will say it’s been one of my favorite sets since the day it was released. Prob just the bubble graphics 🙂  even when it gave migraines and seizures lol

 

I wouldn’t do anything except cardiac for alpha. You can run without ageless in a group, as you almost always have speed boost, but I’d play around and see how that goes end wise first. I’ve found that in groups end is pretty much a nonfactor with cardiac (or vigor). Pick your favorite judgment (ionic is popular and so is pyronic) Then start going for assault hybrid and whatever else for the rest. 
 

i reallly play defenders and corrupters like blasters these days, so I lean more forwards s go/go/go mindset. Aside from sleep, you’ll likely be able to go unscathed simply because of your status protection from dispersion. Follow your anchor around for disruption and blast blast blast. The great thing about sonic (and ff) is that you get to do most of your work passively and spend time just killing and chasing big spawns 🙂 

I don’t do builds for leveling or exemplar so please don’t think the power ordering is optimal. 

random side note: I also tend to never solo, so having soft cap on paper means little since maneuvers are thrown at you like water in a rainstorm. Ie if it were my build I’d drop the slotting in power sink, lose my soft cap, and use it for more procs. Damage damage damage ! But that’s a preference since I have more fun killing quickly than dying slowly 

 

Edited February 6, 2022 by kiramon