Really Hard Way Blaster

[Snarky]

I am looking for a Blaster.....with a "particular set of skills"

 

I am currently using a Ice/Cold Corruptor for my SGs Incarnate badging and general high level madness.  But I am looking to make a toon with one job....do very very well at keeping DPS on a hard target that does things like CRACKLE  or Battle Maidens BS patches of death, etc.  

 

The build must have an incredibly hard hitting ST chain.  Preferably with -RES and / or -REGEN effects.  The toon will be working as part of an 8/16/24 group to put down hard targets.  period.  

 

I am considering things like Beam Rifle but have been told I may want to consider Fire!!!  

 

Any thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.  Unlike many of my concept driven builds this is all about game mechanics.  (other than I do not like to personally heal or buff) I would go Corruptor if that worked better but I suspect Blaster will win out.  Again, Fully Ranged high damage build that works well with a group to put down the big HP blobs of the world.  Thanks.

[Apparition]

I know some will consider this heresy, but IMO Fire Blast is overrated.  Is it great?  Yes.  Is it as great as some people make it out to be the only viable option and harp on it?  Nope.  IMO, Ice Blast is just as good as Fire Blast.  Beam Rifle is even better for single target damage.  Dual Pistols is about as good in AoE damage.  Also keep in mind that the developers have recently made new content that counters all of the Fire/Fire Blasters and Energy/Fire Scrappers out there, with the Goldbrickers revamp giving them a lot of fire damage resistance.

 

Anyway, that said.

 

If you want this Blaster specifically for hard targets, with a lot of debuffs?  If you don't mind staying in melee range, Beam Rifle/Sonic Manipulation Blaster.  It's the most -res you'll get as a Blaster, with a little -regen on the side, and it's got some decent mez protection built in.

 

Psi Blast/Sonic Manipulation Blaster would be my second choice.  A lot of AVs in the game are vulnerable to Psi damage, and for those that aren't... well... that's what the -res ring of doom is for.

[Snarky]

2 minutes ago, Apparition said:

I know some will consider this heresy, but IMO Fire Blast is overrated.  Is it great?  Yes.  Is it as great as some people make it out to be the only viable option and harp on it?  Nope.  IMO, Ice Blast is just as good as Fire Blast.  Beam Rifle is even better for single target damage.  Dual Pistols is about as good in AoE damage.  Also keep in mind that the developers have recently made new content that counters all of the Fire/Fire Blasters and Energy/Fire Scrappers out there, with the Goldbrickers revamp giving them a lot of fire damage resistance.

 

Anyway, that said.

 

If you want this Blaster specifically for hard targets, with a lot of debuffs?  If you don't mind staying in melee range, Beam Rifle/Sonic Manipulation Blaster.  It's the most -res you'll get as a Blaster, with a little -regen on the side, and it's got some decent mez protection built in.

 

Psi Blast/Sonic Manipulation Blaster would be my second choice.  A lot of AVs in the game are vulnerable to Psi damage, and for those that aren't... well... that's what the -res ring of doom is for.

Thanks for the feedback.  But melee is not an option.  That Crackle is evil, as is the Blue patch in TinPex.  So the secondary has to do its work from range as well. 
 

Possibly Beam/Temporal or Beam/Nrg?

[brasilgringo]

Ref Beam/Energy, the PB+Energize combo is pretty good for your regen and end use, and frankly Boost Range is probably useful in the scenario you are describing. So if you don't mind the clickiness, could be worth it for a ranged-focused build. 

[Red_GS]

Perhaps Sonic Attack / Temporal / Munitions ?
One gets teh FOE -RES in Shriek, Scream and Howl, I think Temporal has Time Wall and Time Stop that do - Regen, and then you go the Munitions pool and pick up Surveillance which I think one can slot in the Achilles Proc).

 

[arcane]

My Beam/Time/Munitions build has my best pylon time of my blasters, I think, and meets your criteria. Has -regen and -res. Dope S/T chain. Fully ranged version.

 

You need Beam/*/Munitions for all those things but not necessarily */Time/*.

 

That said, if you’re going to butcher my main and skip all the cool procs, maybe I say you can’t have it 🙂

Edited February 3, 2022 by arcane

[Snarky]

Just now, arcane said:

My Beam/Time/Munitions build has my best pylon time of my blasters, I think, and meets your criteria. Has -regen and -res. Dope S/T chain. Fully ranged version.

 

You need Beam/*/Munitions for all those things but not necessarily */Time/*.

I am actually looking at this very thing in MiDs right now lol.  When you use Cryo Freeze Ray to you get redraw or does it use Beam Rifle?

[arcane]

4 minutes ago, Snarky said:

I am actually looking at this very thing in MiDs right now lol.  When you use Cryo Freeze Ray to you get redraw or does it use Beam Rifle?

It redraws I believe. You don’t need Cryo Freeze Ray though. My AR/Dev uses it as a procced out S/T attack, but Beam needs no S/T help between Disintegrate, Piercing Beam, Penetrating Ray, Lancer Shot, and Surveillance. Already got a full chain there.

 

EDIT: I am going to graciously bless you with build screenshots (no I don’t have Mids) since we’re talking about my main 🙂

Edited February 3, 2022 by arcane

[Snarky]

3 minutes ago, arcane said:

It redraws I believe. You don’t need Cryo Freeze Ray though. My AR/Dev uses it as a procced out S/T attack, but Beam needs no S/T help between Disintegrate, Piercing Beam, Penetrating Ray, Lancer Shot, and Surveillance. Already got a full chain there.

Just looking at a second hold.  2 holds will lock up Paragon Protectors, Victoria Robots, and help with Minds of Mayhem and Hami in LGTF

[Snarky]

Here is my 1st swing at this idea:

 

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.5.7
https://github.com/Reborn-Team/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Crackle: Level 50 Technology Blaster
Primary Power Set: Beam Rifle
Secondary Power Set: Temporal Manipulation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Concealment
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Munitions Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Charged 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 1: Time Wall -- GrvAnc-Hold%(A)
Level 2: Cutting Beam -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(9), Artl-Dam/Rech(11), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(11), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(13), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(13)
Level 4: Single Shot -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(15), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(15), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19)
Level 6: Disintegrate -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(21), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23)
Level 8: Aim -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(25), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(25), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(27), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(27), GssSynFr--Build%(29)
Level 10: Chronos -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(29)
Level 12: Lancer Shot -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(31), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(31), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(33), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33)
Level 14: Fly -- WntGif-ResSlow(A)
Level 16: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33)
Level 18: Penetrating Ray -- SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(34), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(36)
Level 20: Temporal Healing -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(36), EndMod-I(37), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(37), NmnCnv-Heal(37), Heal-I(39)
Level 22: Stealth -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 24: Time Stop -- SprEnt-Acc/Hold(A), SprEnt-Hold/Rchg(39), SprEnt-End/Rchg(39), SprEnt-Acc/Hold/End(40), SprEnt-Acc/Hold/End/Rchg(40), SprEnt-Rchg/AbsorbProc(40)
Level 26: Piercing Beam -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(42), Artl-Dam/Rech(42), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(42), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(43), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(43)
Level 28: Maneuvers -- Ksm-ToHit+(A)
Level 30: Tactics -- RctRtc-Pcptn(A)
Level 32: Overcharge -- SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(43), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(46)
Level 35: Body Armor -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A)
Level 38: Time Lord -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 41: Surveillance -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 44: Cryo Freeze Ray -- Lck-Acc/Hold(A), Lck-Acc/Rchg(46), Lck-Rchg/Hold(46), Lck-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(48), Lck-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(48), Lck-%Hold(48)
Level 47: Time Shift -- AbsAmz-Stun(A), AbsAmz-Stun/Rchg(50), AbsAmz-Acc/Stun/Rchg(50), AbsAmz-ToHitDeb%(50)
Level 49: Assault -- EndRdx(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance 
Level 1: Sprint -- Clr-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(7)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(9)
Level 1: Disintegrating 
Level 14: Afterburner 
Level 49: Quick Form 
------------

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[Red_GS]

Dang Overcharge available every 40 secs! That looks like fun!

[oedipus_tex]

Question from the peanut gallery. Is the -Regen in Time worth fitting into the attack chain? Asking because I have no idea. I see Time can get -75% Regen from its powers, not sure how much that translates into overall effectiveness. 

 

Without having an answer to that question, I'd personally be tempted to consider Energy as the secondary set. Mainly because I feel like the value of an actual HP sustain versus an Absorb one like Temporal has gets really exaggerated by the conditions of iTrials and the new challenge mode that was just introduced.

[Snarky]

32 minutes ago, oedipus_tex said:

Question from the peanut gallery. Is the -Regen in Time worth fitting into the attack chain? Asking because I have no idea. I see Time can get -75% Regen from its powers, not sure how much that translates into overall effectiveness. 

 

Without having an answer to that question, I'd personally be tempted to consider Energy as the secondary set. Mainly because I feel like the value of an actual HP sustain versus an Absorb one like Temporal has gets really exaggerated by the conditions of iTrials and the new challenge mode that was just introduced.

personally i chose temporal for 1) better sustain in my opinion with Temp Healing, and 2) free global rech with Time Lord

[Unclemarty]

1 hour ago, oedipus_tex said:

Question from the peanut gallery. Is the -Regen in Time worth fitting into the attack chain? Asking because I have no idea. I see Time can get -75% Regen from its powers, not sure how much that translates into overall effectiveness. 

 

Without having an answer to that question, I'd personally be tempted to consider Energy as the secondary set. Mainly because I feel like the value of an actual HP sustain versus an Absorb one like Temporal has gets really exaggerated by the conditions of iTrials and the new challenge mode that was just introduced.

If you want -regen on the secondary, spore cloud in plant manipulation may be better. It’s a toggle so you don’t have to weave it into the attack chain.

[oedipus_tex]

26 minutes ago, Unclemarty said:

If you want -regen on the secondary, spore cloud in plant manipulation may be better. It’s a toggle so you don’t have to weave it into the attack chain.

 

 

That's a really solid suggestion. 

[brasilgringo]

I like the emphasis on ranged def via sets, Snarky, but it does look a bit like you're giving up proc-damage opportunities and -RES opportunities by slotting so many full sets.  Maybe consider a lower-self soft-cap that you can augment with purples and team buffs.

[arcane]

He may have picked most of the same powers... but when it comes to IO preferences, Snarky is my opposite. I dub him Shadow Arcane.

[Snarky]

How much DPS would I give up ST wise doing this as Electric Blast instead of Beam?

[brasilgringo]

25 minutes ago, Snarky said:

How much DPS would I give up ST wise doing this as Electric Blast instead of Beam?

 

I dkn how to calcuate the impact if any of the Shocked proc damage on harder targets like Tyrant. I know in regular play I get a lot of Shocked procs with Elec that help the damage now (plus Volty helps). But if Beam's whole thing is supposed to be really great single target, I don't know how to compare it.  It's actually hard for me to believe Beam is better single target than Fire, but that might just be my perceptions. 

[arcane]

33 minutes ago, Snarky said:

How much DPS would I give up ST wise doing this as Electric Blast instead of Beam?

A fair bit. I don’t know the numbers but Electric is not as good at S/T damage period, and that’s a fact BEFORE you account for Beam’s -regen and -res.

 

I wonder how Shocked damage stacks up vs Disintegrating damage though, outside that context.

[arcane]

You didn’t even put Achilles’ Heel in Surveillance. Why do you hate me.

[Snarky]

3 minutes ago, arcane said:

You didn’t even put Achilles’ Heel in Surveillance. Why do you hate me.

does it proc that often?

 

[arcane]

19 minutes ago, Snarky said:

does it proc that often?

 

Should be 90% chance to proc due to Surveillance’s recharge. As long as you keep its recharge over ~16 seconds or so. 
 

FYI: While I don’t have a more concrete answer on Electric Blast, I can give you something on Munitions:

 

Swapping from Mace Mastery to Munitions Mastery with Surveillance slotted with Achilles’ Heel reduced my average pylon time from the 2:20 range to around 2:00. That may not sound like a ton, but it does make it my fastest blaster. Or, well, my Seismic/Earth beat it but had amplifiers on so not really.

I have tons of characters in the 2:20-2:40 range between all my Blasters, Scrappers, best Corruptors/Defenders, but far fewer characters that can crack under 2:20 reliably.

 

Edited February 4, 2022 by arcane

[Snarky]

51 minutes ago, arcane said:

Should be 90% chance to proc due to Surveillance’s recharge. As long as you keep its recharge over ~16 seconds or so. 
 

FYI: While I don’t have a more concrete answer on Electric Blast, I can give you something on Munitions:

 

Swapping from Mace Mastery to Munitions Mastery with Surveillance slotted with Achilles’ Heel reduced my average pylon time from the 2:20 range to around 2:00. That may not sound like a ton, but it does make it my fastest blaster. Or, well, my Seismic/Earth beat it but had amplifiers on so not really.

I have tons of characters in the 2:20-2:40 range between all my Blasters, Scrappers, best Corruptors/Defenders, but far fewer characters that can crack under 2:20 reliably.

 

Thanks.  Looks like I will be levelling a Beam/Temp/Munitions this week....with Achilles slotted

[arcane]

16 minutes ago, Snarky said:

Thanks.  Looks like I will be levelling a Beam/Temp/Munitions this week....with Achilles slotted