SD/RAD build review

[Owenknowone]

Please review this build.  I am wondering if I am on the right track or were or what should I tweak?  Looking for help also with incarnates.  Once I start working on my incarnates, is some of this slotting overkill?

 

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.2.17
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Science Tanker
Primary Power Set: Shield Defense
Secondary Power Set: Radiation Melee
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Deflection

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
• (3) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
• (3) Unbreakable Guard - Endurance/RechargeTime
• (5) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance
• (5) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (36) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP
  

Level 1: Contaminated Strike

• (A) Empty
  

Level 2: Battle Agility

• (A) Reactive Defenses - Defense
• (9) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance
• (11) Reactive Defenses - Endurance/RechargeTime
• (11) Reactive Defenses - Defense/RechargeTime
• (13) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (13) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage
  

Level 4: True Grit

• (A) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance
• (15) Aegis - Resistance/Recharge
• (15) Aegis - Endurance/Recharge
• (17) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge
• (17) Aegis - Resistance
• (19) Aegis - Psionic/Status Resistance
  

Level 6: Active Defense

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
• (19) Recharge Reduction IO
  

Level 8: Against All Odds

• (A) Perfect Zinger - Threat/Placate
  

Level 10: Taunt

• (A) Annoyance - Threat/Placate
• (21) Annoyance - Threat/Placate/Recharge
• (21) Annoyance - Threat/Placate/Recharge/Range
  

Level 12: Phalanx Fighting

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance
• (25) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Recharge
• (27) Luck of the Gambler - Endurance/Recharge
• (27) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance/Recharge
• (29) Luck of the Gambler - Defense
• (29) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
  

Level 14: Fly

• (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range
• (31) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance
• (31) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)
  

Level 16: Boxing

• (A) Empty
  

Level 18: Radiation Siphon

• (A) Hecatomb - Damage
• (31) Hecatomb - Damage/Recharge
• (33) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (34) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Recharge
• (48) Hecatomb - Damage/Endurance
• (48) Hecatomb - Chance of Damage(Negative)
  

Level 20: Grant Cover

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense
  

Level 22: Tough

• (A) Impervium Armor - Resistance/Endurance
• (33) Impervium Armor - Resistance/Recharge
• (33) Impervium Armor - Endurance/Recharge
• (36) Impervium Armor - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge
• (42) Impervium Armor - Psionic Resistance
• (43) Impervium Armor - Resistance
  

Level 24: Fusion

• (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff
• (25) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Recharge
• (34) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Recharge/Endurance
• (34) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Endurance
• (50) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Recharge/Endurance
• (50) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up
  

Level 26: Shield Charge

• (A) Superior Might of the Tanker - Accuracy/Damage
• (36) Superior Might of the Tanker - Damage/Recharge
• (37) Superior Might of the Tanker - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (37) Superior Might of the Tanker - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (37) Superior Might of the Tanker - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (39) Superior Might of the Tanker - Recharge/Chance for +Res(All)
  

Level 28: Irradiated Ground

• (A) Eradication - Chance for Energy Damage
• (39) Scirocco's Dervish - Chance of Damage(Lethal)
• (39) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage
• (40) Touch of Lady Grey - Chance for Negative Damage
• (40) Shield Breaker - Chance for Lethal Damage
• (40) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown
  

Level 30: Weave

• (A) Serendipity - Defense/Endurance
• (42) Serendipity - Defense/Recharge
• (42) Serendipity - Endurance/Recharge
• (43) Serendipity - Defense/Endurance/Recharge
• (48) Serendipity - Endurance
• (50) Serendipity - Defense
  

Level 32: One with the Shield

• (A) Resist Damage IO
  

Level 35: Devastating Blow

• (A) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage
• (43) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Damage/RechargeTime
• (45) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
• (45) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (45) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (46) Superior Gauntleted Fist - RechargeTime/+Absorb
  

Level 38: Atom Smasher

• (A) Armageddon - Damage
• (46) Armageddon - Damage/Recharge
• (46) Armageddon - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (47) Armageddon - Accuracy/Recharge
• (47) Armageddon - Damage/Endurance
• (47) Armageddon - Chance for Fire Damage
  

Level 41: Focused Accuracy

• (A) Endurance Reduction IO
  

Level 44: Physical Perfection

• (A) Miracle - +Recovery
• (49) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End
  

Level 47: Kick

• (A) Empty
  

Level 49: Cross Punch

• (A) Empty
  

Level 1: Gauntlet 

Level 1: Brawl

[Onlyasandwich]

Hello there! This is a great powerset combo, and I'm sure you'll have a blast with it.

 

However, this build really needs a ground-up rework - it would be hard to provide effective input in detail in its current form.

 

With a defense set such as Shield/, you want to consider first hitting your softcaps for positionals (ranged, aoe, melee), achieving this in the most efficient way possible. This is actually pretty easy to do on a Tanker because base values are high, but you have enhanced many of the wrong powers, and enhanced some powers in a very inefficient way.

 

In mids, pay close attention to what each power does. A few examples:

• Deflection is primarily for melee defense, though it's worth hybrid slotting for S/L resist as well. You only have it slotted for resist.
• Phalanx Fighting doesn't benefit from defense enhancement at all - these 6 slots are wasted completely.
• True grit is way over slotted past ED caps, and the set bonuses aren't anything great for this investment.

 

Generally speaking, you have some weird set choices across the board, and have overinvested in full 6 slots for these sets with no great pay-off. Even if you find the 6 slot bonuses worthwhile, balance that against actually enhancing powers for their baseline value properly as well.

 

I don't mean this to be overly critical! I would encourage you to take a look at one of the many great Shield/ builds on the forums and use that as a basis to move on from. Every build will have its own priorities of course.

 

As an example, here is a SD/BS build I put together for someone lately. I'm not saying this build is actually perfectly optimized (though I think it's solid for sure), but it will give you a useful framework to go by:

 

The build:

Spoiler

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Shield/BS Tank: Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Shield Defense
Secondary Power Set: Broad Sword
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Deflection -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Ksm-ToHit+(45), Ksm-Def/EndRdx(45), Ksm-Def/Rchg(45), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(46), RctArm-ResDam(46)
Level 1: Hack -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(42), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(43), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), Mk'Bit-Dam%(43)
Level 2: Battle Agility -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(3), Rct-ResDam%(3), Rct-Def/EndRdx(9), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(46)
Level 4: Slice -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Dmg/Rchg(5), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(9)
Level 6: Active Defense -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 8: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 10: True Grit -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(11), RctArm-ResDam(11), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(13), Prv-Absorb%(15), Prv-Heal(15)
Level 12: Phalanx Fighting -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 14: Taunt -- PrfZng-Dam%(A)
Level 16: Hover -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(17), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(17)
Level 18: Fly -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(19), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(19)
Level 20: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(21), GssSynFr--ToHit(21), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(23), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(23), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(40)
Level 22: Kick -- ExpStr-Dmg/KB(A), ExpStr-Acc/KB(37), ExpStr-Dam%(48)
Level 24: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(25), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(25), UnbGrd-Max HP%(42), GldArm-3defTpProc(48)
Level 26: Shield Charge -- SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(27), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(34), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 28: Whirling Sword -- ScrDrv-Acc/Dmg(A), ScrDrv-Dmg/EndRdx(29), ScrDrv-Dmg/Rchg(29), ScrDrv-Acc/Rchg(31), ScrDrv-Dam%(33), Arm-Dam%(33)
Level 30: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-Def(31), Rct-Def/EndRdx(31)
Level 32: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33)
Level 35: Disembowel -- Hct-Dmg/Rchg(A), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Hct-Acc/Rchg(36), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Hct-Dam%(37), AchHee-ResDeb%(37)
Level 38: Head Splitter -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(40)
Level 41: Evasive Maneuvers -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(42), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(48)
Level 44: Focused Accuracy -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 47: Physical Perfection -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 49: Grant Cover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet 
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 -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(50), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(50)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(50)
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 18: Afterburner 
------------

 

Note that the build above is very geared towards extra layers of defense, achieving not just 45% normal softcap, but hitting incarnate softcap (or near) for most positions. You could strip some defense and gear it more offensively for sure.

 

Resilient core is not really doing much at all for you here either. If you want an Alpha that hits +resist, go for Cardiac Core, which will provide outstanding End support as well. Personally I prefer Musculature radial, but this is a matter of taste and how you balance other priorities.

 

Make sure you disable Barrier when looking at your totals in mids as well.

 

When you are building, it's worth asking yourself what goals you are chasing:

• On defense sets, at least 45% defense to all positions should always be your first goal. (or types if typed defense instead of positional)
• Beyond this, you might also choose to hit ~59% for incarnate softcaps.
• Perhaps instead you chase damage through maximizing ED and proc damage in powers that benefit from this the most.
• You might also prioritize recharge in order to create optimal attack chains and abuse high-cooldown powers.
• You could even try to squeeze every ounce of resist across the board, or chase 90% in S/L or other key resists.

 

Not all of these goals are mutually exclusive, but there is a trade-off between them in where your slotting focus can stay. Consider what is important and build toward it.

 

 

 

Edited March 2, 2022 by Onlyasandwich

[Owenknowone]

On 3/1/2022 at 5:02 PM, Onlyasandwich said:

Hello there! This is a great powerset combo, and I'm sure you'll have a blast with it.

 

However, this build really needs a ground-up rework - it would be hard to provide effective input in detail in its current form.

 

With a defense set such as Shield/, you want to consider first hitting your softcaps for positionals (ranged, aoe, melee), achieving this in the most efficient way possible. This is actually pretty easy to do on a Tanker because base values are high, but you have enhanced many of the wrong powers, and enhanced some powers in a very inefficient way.

 

In mids, pay close attention to what each power does. A few examples:

• Deflection is primarily for melee defense, though it's worth hybrid slotting for S/L resist as well. You only have it slotted for resist.
• Phalanx Fighting doesn't benefit from defense enhancement at all - these 6 slots are wasted completely.
• True grit is way over slotted past ED caps, and the set bonuses aren't anything great for this investment.

 

Generally speaking, you have some weird set choices across the board, and have overinvested in full 6 slots for these sets with no great pay-off. Even if you find the 6 slot bonuses worthwhile, balance that against actually enhancing powers for their baseline value properly as well.

 

I don't mean this to be overly critical! I would encourage you to take a look at one of the many great Shield/ builds on the forums and use that as a basis to move on from. Every build will have its own priorities of course.

 

As an example, here is a SD/BS build I put together for someone lately. I'm not saying this build is actually perfectly optimized (though I think it's solid for sure), but it will give you a useful framework to go by:

 

The build:

  Reveal hidden contents

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Shield/BS Tank: Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Shield Defense
Secondary Power Set: Broad Sword
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Deflection -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Ksm-ToHit+(45), Ksm-Def/EndRdx(45), Ksm-Def/Rchg(45), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(46), RctArm-ResDam(46)
Level 1: Hack -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(42), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(43), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), Mk'Bit-Dam%(43)
Level 2: Battle Agility -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(3), Rct-ResDam%(3), Rct-Def/EndRdx(9), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(46)
Level 4: Slice -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Dmg/Rchg(5), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(9)
Level 6: Active Defense -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 8: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 10: True Grit -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(11), RctArm-ResDam(11), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(13), Prv-Absorb%(15), Prv-Heal(15)
Level 12: Phalanx Fighting -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 14: Taunt -- PrfZng-Dam%(A)
Level 16: Hover -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(17), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(17)
Level 18: Fly -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(19), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(19)
Level 20: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(21), GssSynFr--ToHit(21), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(23), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(23), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(40)
Level 22: Kick -- ExpStr-Dmg/KB(A), ExpStr-Acc/KB(37), ExpStr-Dam%(48)
Level 24: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(25), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(25), UnbGrd-Max HP%(42), GldArm-3defTpProc(48)
Level 26: Shield Charge -- SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(27), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(34), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 28: Whirling Sword -- ScrDrv-Acc/Dmg(A), ScrDrv-Dmg/EndRdx(29), ScrDrv-Dmg/Rchg(29), ScrDrv-Acc/Rchg(31), ScrDrv-Dam%(33), Arm-Dam%(33)
Level 30: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-Def(31), Rct-Def/EndRdx(31)
Level 32: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33)
Level 35: Disembowel -- Hct-Dmg/Rchg(A), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Hct-Acc/Rchg(36), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Hct-Dam%(37), AchHee-ResDeb%(37)
Level 38: Head Splitter -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(40)
Level 41: Evasive Maneuvers -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(42), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(48)
Level 44: Focused Accuracy -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 47: Physical Perfection -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 49: Grant Cover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet 
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 -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(50), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(50)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(50)
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 18: Afterburner 
------------

 

Note that the build above is very geared towards extra layers of defense, achieving not just 45% normal softcap, but hitting incarnate softcap (or near) for most positions. You could strip some defense and gear it more offensively for sure.

 

Resilient core is not really doing much at all for you here either. If you want an Alpha that hits +resist, go for Cardiac Core, which will provide outstanding End support as well. Personally I prefer Musculature radial, but this is a matter of taste and how you balance other priorities.

 

Make sure you disable Barrier when looking at your totals in mids as well.

 

When you are building, it's worth asking yourself what goals you are chasing:

• On defense sets, at least 45% defense to all positions should always be your first goal. (or types if typed defense instead of positional)
• Beyond this, you might also choose to hit ~59% for incarnate softcaps.
• Perhaps instead you chase damage through maximizing ED and proc damage in powers that benefit from this the most.
• You might also prioritize recharge in order to create optimal attack chains and abuse high-cooldown powers.
• You could even try to squeeze every ounce of resist across the board, or chase 90% in S/L or other key resists.

 

Not all of these goals are mutually exclusive, but there is a trade-off between them in where your slotting focus can stay. Consider what is important and build toward it.

 

 

 

Thank you.  I have been playing around with different selections and want to be efficient.