energy rad questions

[Snarky]

I have never run Rad before.  I was wondering what are the upsides/downsides.  Looking for just a middle of the road build. Maybe a touch on the Tank side. (I run a lot of Invul)  The numbers for resists seem hard to push and the thing looks (to me) like there are almost no passable powers, so a tight build.

[Cutter]

59 minutes ago, Snarky said:

I have never run Rad before.  I was wondering what are the upsides/downsides.  Looking for just a middle of the road build. Maybe a touch on the Tank side. (I run a lot of Invul)  The numbers for resists seem hard to push and the thing looks (to me) like there are almost no passable powers, so a tight build.

 

I'm a huge fan of Rad Armour, and find I have to talk myself out of it whenever I roll up a new alt. However, I don't push bleeding edge envelopes like many of the regulars, so I can't speak to its performance at the extremes.

 

Upsides: solid resist suite, huge absorb/regen clicky, stellar endurance management, scaling +rech, couple good powers for proc bombing.

 

Downsides: as with any resist-based armour, getting hit means eating all the debuffs. Low native Psi resist could be a concern depending on the content you prefer to run. Prolly others I haven't had the pleasure of encountering.

 

I haven't run this combo, but easy enough to port my Savage/Rad for an example. Could certainly be optimized more with different slotting. I pushed to hit 46% Melee Def on the original (this quick & dirty port hits 43.5%). She feels tanky enough. Maybe went a little overboard on end management, but I like to be able to go forever. Big "lack" most likely is no Hasten, which is just my preference (I don't take it if I'm not shooting to make it perma or near enough), and could easily be dropped in.

 

Presented for your consideration.

Spoiler

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Rad Riding Hood: Level 50 Mutation Brute
Primary Power Set: Energy Melee
Secondary Power Set: Radiation Armor
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Teleportation
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Energy Punch -- TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(A), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx(3), TchofDth-Dmg/Rchg(7), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), TchofDth-Dam%(42)
Level 1: Alpha Barrier -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(5), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(15), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(27), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(40)
Level 2: Bone Smasher -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury%(42)
Level 4: Proton Armor -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(5), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(15), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(27), GldArm-3defTpProc(40)
Level 6: Gamma Boost -- PwrTrns-+Heal(A), PwrTrns-EndMod(7)
Level 8: Whirling Hands -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(9), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(31)
Level 10: Fallout Shelter -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(11), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(21), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(34), UnbGrd-Max HP%(45), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 12: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 14: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Ksm-ToHit+(45), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(45), Rct-ResDam%(46)
Level 16: Radiation Therapy -- TchoftheN-%Dam(A), TchoftheN-Heal/HP/Regen/Rchg(17), TchoftheN-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Erd-%Dam(37), Arm-Dam%(43), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(46)
Level 18: Total Focus -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(19), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(23), GldStr-%Dam(31)
Level 20: Beta Decay -- AchHee-ResDeb%(A)
Level 22: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 24: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(39), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(39), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(39)
Level 26: Super Jump -- WntGif-ResSlow(A)
Level 28: Particle Shielding -- DctWnd-Rchg(A), DctWnd-Heal/EndRdx(29), DctWnd-EndRdx/Rchg(29), DctWnd-Heal/Rchg(37), DctWnd-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 30: Weave -- GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(A), GifoftheA-Def/Rchg(40), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(42), GifoftheA-Def(43), GifoftheA-Run+(46)
Level 32: Energy Transfer -- Hct-Dmg(A), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(33), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Hct-Acc/Rchg(33), Hct-Dam%(34), PrfZng-Dam%(34)
Level 35: Ground Zero -- Erd-%Dam(A), Obl-%Dam(36), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(36), PrfZng-Dam%(36), TchofLadG-%Dam(50), ScrDrv-Dam%(50)
Level 38: Superior Conditioning -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 41: Physical Perfection -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A)
Level 44: Meltdown -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(48), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(48), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 47: Combat Teleport -- RctRtc-Pcptn(A)
Level 49: Taunt -- PrfZng-Dam%(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(9)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 26: Double Jump
Level 50: Spiritual Total Radial Revamp
Level 50: Reactive Partial Core Conversion
Level 50: Barrier Partial Core Invocation
Level 50: Void Judgement
Level 50: Banished Pantheon Total Radial Improved Ally
Level 50: Assault Total Radial Graft
Level 50: Portal Jockey
Level 50: Task Force Commander
Level 50: The Atlas Medallion
Level 50: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 1: Energy Focus
------------

 

| Copy & Paste this data into Mids Reborn : Hero Designer to view the build |
		|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
		|MxDz;1570;731;1462;HEX;|
		|78DA85944B4F135114C7EFB4535A4A4B292DB608E559FA821670E7C2C4071023D43|
		|4C4B850B1A932E024D069A62581F8257CC4B822F1458C0BE3FB0398B875E7977021|
		|92A8A80B329ECEFF5C3BC485934C7F39FF7BCF3D8F7BA6C5CD99C0CACADC49A1749|
		|C59ABD4EBE5D3E64643F315371A95866E54053DA1C5CAF2D0A2BEAC575787CE1AC6|
		|B297B4B8BDAD5CD4D634AD305BD5CCD52D18092CCC682B5AB5AE15C855B70F2A9F3|
		|2D70D53044A86B15658D02A353A2D681B73FAEA8D0659DDB675810EA91926A2476D|
		|6976B3A699FABA5685D83B5BD3AFFF8D59A93734730B59C729B13CBD5E857E9AAF1|
		|096475C22A455E1BA0CB65D01E34B60F22A982D83CF532D67557C770B31AD0AF507|
		|D8F9133CFA0B4CC7686742153E8222232A0FB0E87A08FA1F81F1C7E0C01330BB03B|
		|EA0886E19D1FDBF88C7C0F9AC101E76523CFBAA2DB6ED817E5AF00A4EC71B80E80B|
		|82814E66083CD2050E84C197944EBBACA59DD3F1733A514E6798D399F80D4EEF834|
		|DC70E76161DCF5C8840B9045974077B14781E08BB7513F3F0CC7F035F51F8106EC0|
		|F284E210BBA2CC1898DC75D9CEB91388903F0E06C82D2C730FDF4241DDB79977C0E|
		|85D2EFC1E179EC1A1AF297244416411794F2746E81229F71E6EA5E8B1E8116E9262|
		|B29C183728C50D4A718352DCA0186DEE95FEBD7D10DF50A43E79E37D2534A47F9EB|
		|900268B60EE3CA8D24909E99450157B5AD31E30EB05733E30DF0E76120665430653|
		|E8D2509A996166C1E171661D7C4B698EC8311AE1968F0AD4307A804DA3BC79FA23F|
		|3A6C024848518939330769FEF87C48C14331751D83B0A33CE61DCE3DCCF49EEE724|
		|F77392072C455D28C8130ADBB8A4E6C44D49718A139A535B1FB2D5AF0AF9584D9BA|
		|E71E15FA9A44A0F92145BFAE26F7DD942C9A3B6DD436206E25787A828C348D7770E|
		|7F107B873CB81BCD00D6875C6B40AC528416A4F1C9696C3B8D64940C59DAE7A4C37|
		|83AE2D8B6E477AC549CC635A751721AF6B3936BB5C6FA038F60FF9D|
		|-------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

Edited May 30, 2022 by Cutter
speeling is hrad

[Erratic1]

While my first character on Homecoming was a Rad/Psi tanker, once I got her to 50 I got distracted with alt-itis and have not played her much sense (as much as I enjoy tossing groups in the air, there is no real synergy between the sets --they both do  what they do). Wanting to give Rad another go, I just made (as in yesterday) a Rad/Claws Tanker who is 27 now.

 

Biggest drawback I see, having played with builds, is the miserable Cold Resist value you are likely to end up with. Psionic will not exactly be grand either. And keep in mind, I'm talking from a Tanker standpoint here. On a Brute you are going to need even more effort to reach for resistance caps. No DDR means that while you can certainly build up your defense, anything with an ability to debuff it will wipe it away like the Sun wipes away the morning dew.

 

Endurance is definitely not a problem and as mentioned above the regen/absorb is nice. The +Recharge while standing in crowds is noticeable. 

 

The character I created is an "I'm bored and do not feel like working on a character I should be working on" character. But my thinking is to not waste effort on Defense but rather to focus on Resistances (obviously), Regen/Absorb, and to go the opposite of upping my Defense but instead debuffing their To-Hit.

[Uun]

Rad Armor is very solid. You are correct that nothing is skippable, although there are several powers that are fine with one slot (Gamma Boost and Beta Decay). The T9 is actually useful. Rad has a sizable hole to cold damage and a moderate hole to psi damage, which only matter against certain factions. Particle Shielding (the absorb shield) needs to be used proactively before attacking those. Rad also has three +regen powers which can put you pretty close to WP levels.

[ScarySai]

I prefer this combo on a scrapper, but the same principles apply. Rad armor lets you get away with a lot of nonsense due to beta decay and it's very high recovery.

 

Additionally, meltdown acts as a DPS cooldown and ground zero is a pretty decent aoe for sets without decent aoe (like energy).

 

If you decide to go the proc route, you can extend this to rad therapy. It's just an overall good set without significant weaknesses you have to cover up for, and allows you to get away with some stuff that absolutely would not fly for say, dark armor.

 

Oh, and your "weakness" is the least encountered damage type in the game.

Edited June 2, 2022 by ScarySai