Solo DP/MC Blaster Build Questions

[robopop]

Hi, I'm new to blasters and seeking some help. The goal is a fun, solo, budget/leveling build with max AoE and as many defenses as possible at 32.5% or higher (so that a single luck inspiration gets to soft cap). I put together a DP/MC build that meets the defense goal and has lots of AoE, but I'm not clear how "good" it is. Some specific questions I had when building:

• Is DP/MC a good combo? It seems fun so far, but what are the challenges down the road?
• Is Burst of Speed good? As a lowbie, I appreciate another AoE, but beyond level 30, is it even necessary?
• What is the most impactful way to slot Reaction Time? Slow? Heal? End mod? There are so many choices!
• Is Reach for the Limit dependable enough to be good? Or do people skip it because you can't control the timing?
• I started proccing out Flash Freeze, but I honestly wasn't sure how to approach that power, if it was worth slotting at all?
• Any other advice for a blaster newbie on building or playing one?

One note on the build... I intend to skip Ki Push and take Storm Kick instead. I also didn't add incarnates, because I was intending this to be a roadmap until level 50. Maybe I'll purple it out if I love the character when she hits 50. Thanks for any input you have!:

 

https://www.midsreborn.com/builds/download.php?uc=1651&c=709&a=1418&f=HEX&dc=78DA7594EB4E135110C7672FA5055B6881D29652A0A55C04DA824F6004352A4D1A9BF8C15BB3C2068ED96C1BBA25F224265CD5A7F021F41DFC6EBC246AA2115DA76776E0086193EEFECE99D9FFFC7776A7D517ABD1F7EFD6AE83165B71AC76BB7103CF9EBD1DAEAF0BDB5DB7018FC8ED8E3BB92A76AC302EB24142E3BEE56EDA1BE5D58EE5346AA2ED359D769163F54EABD5DCF6CA556BDB1318AF5AAE68751CCB134D1762B566D329DF129B5B9E7037137275C7DD116DF14C38C2DB8DCA9D35DB6A61B84F2EEA2DDBDE48DC6C89F5F24AD3D940BD6E99DD34FA99C2DF681C4F9A06C1E187000EF1BA6C820E470CC70426BC62784DD0036F08E2C50B320FF13ADB4D79445084C70C4F0866E029C13C3408B271550565343042B2401F980C218228F4308409FA214230886E0C3893F1756C7F48B1072169AF60420E2B86D58A61AED8CF15E35C31CE1507B9E220571CC68ABDAA4C2FFCD6017218811386AE278411F8ABCB9B46C02758863F0463E8E68A22E31B683CA6EAC620A54995345C33E43D69F841300ABF8C40EE3BC34F8224DA1B505FCF80B4276F3A094A9F7A607BE36C6F5C3A4798407B095526017B4690B24F3009070C870C470479382618413743CA43E943508120A5C830197C6AD880A49A9B944B8C4C419C61982086B929353775967B8F4A17E15BE00173334A2E6438378516B2AA4A16AA1499813AC3475229A04A4EC9D572B040BE6719F2D8B309507A3601383F94A231E80457C160301942045B58B0A07CD27A015F9D8CCCC35B069D3EC60C3EC1B4FA9AA679181779181779181779184B3C8C251E468125E7D446CC718B4ADCFA0AB77E001BB1A0D8C34590FB210A50568D97B99D156E6785DBF91C2F4BAACA127771CC04F5F0E570F83EE4BBFBEAC0AC5D925833D53CDCD768FF53DFFF029CFFE5DC3E4EC25D4DB625020FC87604F264FBF3251A5F2FEEBFA489EA86FDBD040EBBFA2FB57F7EE3E0FCC63F51A1D157

 

[Shocktacular]

I can't really answer many of these, but I'd like to give you my take anyway.

I'm usually more into armored ATs, so finding a Blaster that I could stand to play to 50 was really hard, especially since I tend to play at off-peak hours, which means I solo a lot.  DP/Martial was the Blaster that worked for me, and, even better, was actually fun!  I made mine before the secondary T2 was available at creation, but I think I'm going to keep Ki Push (aka Super Yeet) because it's a good "get the hell out of my face" power and the animations of the enemies flying backwards are hilarious.

 

Reaction Time is really good for keeping baddies from running up on you and smashing you, which apparently was one of the main issues I'd had with previous blasters.  I ended up slotting it mostly for healing and slow.  I also put a "Chance to Stun" proc in there and took Soul Mastery for  Oppressive Gloom, which also stuns so I could stack them for some good PBAoE damage mitigation.  It works pretty well, if I say so myself.

 

Burst of Speed is good for getting into/out of melee quickly, which can be life-saving at times.  I tend to use it more for this than for damage, which I tend to view as mostly a bonus feature.

 

I took Reach for the Limit because, hey, more damage, plus you can't slot it, so you have more slots for other things (I ended up with a total of 10 of powers either 6- or 5-slotted, which gets me some really nice set bonuses.).

 

I'm not an expert blaster builder, as I said, but I hope this is helpful nonetheless.  Have fun with your new character!

Edited November 2, 2022 by Shocktacular

[brasilgringo]

I think this is what I rebuilt to a few months ago.  Probably can choose different order of powers now.

| Copy & Paste this data into Mids Reborn : Hero Designer to view the build |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
|MxDz;1810;768;1536;HEX;|
|78DA65944B4F135114C7FFD3990A2DCFDAD652DA822DA52D142AF50BF84212034D2|
|AAC0D196D0393D4B6E923D10FE05E8DC6040AB8F001C6A531EEDDCA1730EE5D8126|
|6A101FA9A773E6E26598A4EDEFFECF9973FFE7DCE9E4EECCF6EE7E58B808A5EF4A4|
|9AFD7972FD377A358EBCE351B7AC3A8944157F7A58651D30B955A172D4256C6F2A2|
|5E5E291632B34DBDB49C37EA8D4AA91E17B1A566B55AA9353239BDD630289ED3CB4|
|6B559E28ABDF94AA5945928EA55A3BCD2672EE68C95D506AD0644A850ACD5578DAA|
|DB5C2F558BC542E06AD5B895111BE49A54B3437783E4294D9FE1C18E5505D6D576D|
|29706643538A00850190805680CA7E064188C1F2FA30279FA8D7552AE33746351C0|
|128327DEB945DA5B41C2619673232920C5D08B0901930CFDB8C77086E6AB1E55A13|
|22AFCB4CCBA2825A4B23DFCA548A4031FF9A6D3F824609E73C23409A754A61D21A1|
|4BB6D78537DCAD0F6F05BC037B80C36981E56A089FB9AE83ECB994FF65E03253A8F|
|F11DAA04736DE836198C687708DAB0C634AB520CB4A18B7150B5A949CA40E688C7D|
|B2713F0903B2F101B4D8EF0836046C0AD862388BA702AC0E46C99E07923D0FB645C|
|A2B86285E0BE8779A038E0AC363D8B58E87DC78E52EBD38D0AC949F020E19E2F825|
|E0B7803F0C2A8DD12F9551FC08D032E24202E7794B0FA504A41447403C0809ECAB2|
|624F18D73BD941B944EC519C433F69BC473012F1826F052C0B6801D8600351792B6|
|44087BBC818F22113912C1058E4469AEA3F25C47B1C69149AC0B6809D86098C2A68|
|02D068D3A88C9DDC644B753E86798869B214866C6E53318C77D1E6B028F18A6F140|
|C0438673782C20CDDD761E879454464DE1BB6AA5FC60C8E240C021438C7CA6E5834|
|B9B2F1E729515304629196922B4B0FE9D3E8ACCC891196E92A6A8C92F1C7AEAC31A|
|E4AB6D8AED36166C89F47171F1BC260728A2F01D7B6ED29563FA34FFCDF74F46521|
|CF9723212E5FEBF9E8C3CE1FDDF4FF23BF8A885792FE9B210F69120373917B0093B|
|5E9BB01DB309BADB26DCB40B37ECC21A9DB353F6B16E175A76E11FD951E4D1|
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|

[InvaderStych]

13 hours ago, robopop said:

Is DP/MC a good combo? It seems fun so far, but what are the challenges down the road?

 

Yes. But I can only speak to /MC because mine is Fire/.

 

13 hours ago, robopop said:

Is Burst of Speed good? As a lowbie, I appreciate another AoE, but beyond level 30, is it even necessary?

 

BoS is outstanding. It has a base range of 200' and because of the way teleports work can be used in very interesting ways.  Like targeting the team's ninja' and teleporting to the room in which they've located the objective.  This is best done with binds/macros:

 

On my mouse the two thumb buttons are BUTTON4 and BUTTON5 so a direct bind would look like this:

 

/bind BUTTON4 powexec_location target Burst of Speed

 

Any time I press the thumb button I BoS port to my target. Because it is a location AoE and not a targeted AoE it can be done on friend or foe, just like Combat Teleport.  The toon also leans heavily into CT, but that's a different thread.

 

BoS is also a reliable trigger for RttL's +dmg.

 

I cannot recommending highly enough using some form of targeted bind/macro with Burst of Speed.  This code will place a button on your tray that activates like any other tray button:

 

/macro Burst powexec_location target Burst of Speed

 

I run both Ki-Push and SK.  KP is conditional, but one of the most fun powers in the game.  More useful than it looks on the tin, too.  SK has absolutely stupidly good DPA and KD.  I guess if you can only keep one, then probably SK, but I'll not be dropping KP if I get around to a rebuild on my fire/mc.

 

 

9 hours ago, Shocktacular said:

I also put a "Chance to Stun" proc in there and took Soul Mastery for  Oppressive Gloom, which also stuns so I could stack them for some good PBAoE damage mitigation.  It works pretty well, if I say so myself.

 

Interesting ...

[Xandyr]

This is an excellent combo. With some work, you can flirt with, or even meet/exceed, the defense softcap.

 

 Ki Push is a hilarious power. You hit a baddie, and he flies SLOWLY away from you. It's a perfect to follow up with Executioner. Overall just a fun power.

 

 I can share my build later (when I'm home and have time) if you'd like.

[brasilgringo]

13 minutes ago, Xandyr said:

This is an excellent combo. With some work, you can flirt with, or even meet/exceed, the defense softcap.

 

 Ki Push is a hilarious power. You hit a baddie, and he flies SLOWLY away from you. It's a perfect to follow up with Executioner. Overall just a fun power.

 

 I can share my build later (when I'm home and have time) if you'd like.

It's more fun to follow up with Eagle's Claw which you hit as the enemy is slowly flying away....

[robopop]

17 hours ago, Shocktacular said:

DP/Martial was the Blaster that worked for me, and, even better, was actually fun! 

 

Thanks for the feedback, @Shocktacular! I am mostly a melee guy, too, so hopefully DP/Martial works its magic for me, too. (And so far, so good). I appreciate the advice, especially on the Martial powers, which I'm less familiar with. That's interesting how you stack stuns between the proc and Oppressive Gloom... I may try it. I may even give Ki Push a whirl!

 

15 hours ago, brasilgringo said:

I think this is what I rebuilt to a few months ago.  Probably can choose different order of powers now.

 

Thanks for the build, @brasilgringo! I was intrigued by how you procced out powers like Executioner's Shot and Bullet Rain... I wouldn't have thought to do that, but you don't seem to lose for it, and gain a lot of damage. And on the question of Reaction Time, looks like your answer is a solid, "Slot endurance!"

 

8 hours ago, InvaderStych said:

BoS is outstanding.

 

Ok! I'll keep BoS in my build! 🙂 Thanks @InvaderStych for the advice and the macros; those will be handy!

 

1 hour ago, Xandyr said:

This is an excellent combo.... Ki Push is a hilarious power. You hit a baddie, and he flies SLOWLY away from you. It's a perfect to follow up with Executioner. Overall just a fun power.... I can share my build later (when I'm home and have time) if you'd like.

 

Thanks, @Xandyr! Sounds like I need to make room for Ki Push. It would be awesome if you could share your build.

 

Thanks again, everyone!

 

[brasilgringo]

I found I was having massive endurance issues without slotting Reaction Time for end, I tried it other ways first.  

Suppressive Fire is really proc-able for a number of reasons and due to its recharge time reliably triggers them, including the Build-Up proc (since you don't get Build Up as a power).  It's generally my opener.  I like the fast animation time a lot more than other attacks, Including Executioner's Shot.

[robopop]

15 minutes ago, brasilgringo said:

I found I was having massive endurance issues without slotting Reaction Time for end, I tried it other ways first.  

Suppressive Fire is really proc-able for a number of reasons and due to its recharge time reliably triggers them, including the Build-Up proc (since you don't get Build Up as a power).  It's generally my opener.  I like the fast animation time a lot more than other attacks, Including Executioner's Shot.

 

I'll have to fit Suppressive Fire in now, too! On my DP/Dark corruptor, I did proc out SF, with good results. I used it mainly for control purposes, because slotted with a Lockdown +2 mag hold proc, it can pretty reliably hold bosses. I didn't think to slot a build-up proc... that's a great idea. Maybe I'll find room by swapping out some of these sustain powers, like Hoarfrost and Hibernate. Looks like in your build you didn't feel the need for such extra sustain? I was thinking that solo I might need the healz, but maybe not?

[brasilgringo]

10 hours ago, robopop said:

 

I'll have to fit Suppressive Fire in now, too! On my DP/Dark corruptor, I did proc out SF, with good results. I used it mainly for control purposes, because slotted with a Lockdown +2 mag hold proc, it can pretty reliably hold bosses. I didn't think to slot a build-up proc... that's a great idea. Maybe I'll find room by swapping out some of these sustain powers, like Hoarfrost and Hibernate. Looks like in your build you didn't feel the need for such extra sustain? I was thinking that solo I might need the healz, but maybe not?

 

Solo i just stock up on Medium Purples and maybe some medium greens and use inspis liberally.  DP/MC is already a mid-range (for dmg) blaster, and IMHO you give up too much slotting for set-bonues to try to self soft-cap S/L/N/E especially in light of recent changes.  I'd much rather just buy medium purples cheap and use inpsis to get there, and have more damage and other effects in the powers.  But this is a fundamental decision point you'll have to come to by youself.  My Nemu-inspired Fire/Elec blaster still has soft-cap or close S/L/R and can fit in several procs and other powers.  For DP/MC I went more ballsy.

Edited November 4, 2022 by brasilgringo

[Xandyr]

@robopop

 

Here's what I'm running.

 

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.4.7
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Natural Blaster
Primary Power Set: Dual Pistols
Secondary Power Set: Martial Combat
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dual Wield -- SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(A), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(5), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(7), SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(37), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 1: Ki Push -- KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(36), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(40)
Level 2: Empty Clips -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(5), Artl-Dam/End(7), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(15), Artl-Dam/Rech(37), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(42)
Level 4: Reach for the Limit 
Level 6: Swap Ammo 
Level 8: Bullet Rain -- SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(A), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(9), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(46)
Level 10: Burst of Speed -- Erd-Acc/Rchg(A), Erd-Dmg(11), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Erd-%Dam(46), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50), Erd-Dmg/Rchg(50)
Level 12: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(13), ShlWal-Def(13), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(15)
Level 14: Tactics -- GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(17), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(17), GssSynFr--ToHit(19), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(19), GssSynFr--Build%(21)
Level 16: Dragon's Tail -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(23), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(23), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25)
Level 18: Executioner's Shot -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(27), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(27), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(31), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(34)
Level 20: Reaction Time -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(36)
Level 22: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 24: Tough -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), Ags-ResDam(36), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(48), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(48), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(48)
Level 26: Piercing Rounds -- SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg(A), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(45), SprFrzBls-Rchg/ImmobProc(45)
Level 28: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), GifoftheA-Def(29), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(29), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(31)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 32: Hail of Bullets -- Erd-Dmg(A), Erd-Acc/Rchg(33), Erd-Dmg/Rchg(33), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Erd-%Dam(34)
Level 35: Inner Will -- Mrc-Heal/Rchg(A)
Level 38: Eagles Claw -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(40), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(40)
Level 41: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), GifoftheA-Def(42), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(42)
Level 44: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 47: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(50)
Level 49: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 1: Defiance 
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A)
Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 49: Double Jump 
Level 6: Chemical Ammunition 
Level 6: Cryo Ammunition 
Level 6: Incendiary Ammunition 
------------

| Copy & Paste this data into Mids Reborn : Hero Designer to view the build |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
|MxDz;1676;728;1456;HEX;|
|78DA75945B4F135110C7FFDBDD526E85968BA5B495B680DC6401F50318458C484D8|
|5C457B2810D6CD2B44DBB4DF45B788D09574DBC809737AFEF3EEA37F00B78017DF7|
|A10E3B9D700A6193DDFECE9C7366FE33677A32B7A75BBF7D9DBB082D78396795CB8|
|B97E8EBDAA5C00DCBAD94AC1C0E9E00BDB1DAC4E2BC955FB197CDE98A955BCC3A65|
|B7902B0FC8DC42A5582C945C3363955C87E63356DE29567296EB14F2E16BF955BB6|
|4E75D53A03D5B28E4CC39DB5AB64BE555A718F4C633CECAAAEBE4579ABDD142D1B6|
|975B656191ECD12B4567C99488196BC9A6CF01DFE92199FDF4F686A03E553FA01BC|
|094011F7C0C063486068061007E01832134409BB543373AB040BF8903373719FA91|
|6518C23C41DA402CA4EEA1D81A74BFB7C44080A10106431B1A192836C3081A183A2|
|8B6AEC4AEC6C9AF5F3524C810500CFE00D6754F7723D6043618CE6293611C5B02DB|
|0C5D14A849D5DB849F3E4F42337E08FC6618C73EC314F6047E3184A9455AD45AB5A|
|05BF302B4E2BA5E83598636CC3074D2A6A0A61DC60EE2A58F4B8F1702CF193AF04C|
|6087A10BBB0CDD9442BB9A423B368CDA92270CA7B029F094A1075B02DB0C7D54D0B|
|05AD0307678A617BB02AF184EE3B5C01B8614DED622909A4EC58DD6895B5C897ECC|
|120C51FB50DEDD8A601A54E9814EF688B2D588E09C5EDB7A817D4C6052F30A3E81F|
|302118624E98FAAFAA378C79246F15EE083C047A3D6199F043ED7FE192422A69E64|
|4C4E328E46D61F87C1701A2186346D4A289B90C018B82EA4AA4F3D9C3E69ABA4345|
|A529A28298D9692FE4A49C745A8AA69B564695CE5D0519A1954D31EC45DCEE40CEE|
|09DC1778C0308487028F18FE91CE61C58D6F58D21E91B44724ED0ECA764CCD768C8|
|4F2E1D38CA91EBE295EA6D0C510A125936A2693F8CE7D9C32EAEF9B6ADCA8BFC73C|
|23F5C9DC09F6AC517FF7D0C0B3EF35D73B96F5FB27D8FF1CB7A7B80FFF1E9F79CCE|
|2BF8CD6A7555D0BD385A51AD68F1A36C247AEB4FF100DDD82|
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|

[robopop]

3 hours ago, Xandyr said:

Here's what I'm running.

 

Thanks for the build, @Xandyr! It's nice to know it's possible to soft-cap so many damage types! Your build provides an enlightening contrast with brasilgringo's, which trades off defense in order to proc out several powers. It's helpful to have such diverse examples.

 

Your build has Ki Push... I wonder if you would take Storm Kick instead, now that we can skip the T1 secondary power? Also, like brasilgringo, you did not take sustain powers like Hoarfrost or Hibernate, or slot up Inner Will for the heal. Do you find you don't miss the sustain solo? Thanks again!

[Xandyr]

Admittedly it's been a while since I've played this toon. My "sustain " is Reaction Time. 

 Also,  the Heal is conditional. You can't activate it any time you want...I believe you can only use when you're at least below 50% health ( and maybe when mezzed?).

 If it's possible to soft cap defenses,  then I will sacrifice a bit to achieve that.

 And I dunno about dropping Ki for Storm Kick...I just have so much fun with Ki Push 😁

[brasilgringo]

On 11/4/2022 at 2:33 PM, Xandyr said:

Admittedly it's been a while since I've played this toon. My "sustain " is Reaction Time. 

 Also,  the Heal is conditional. You can't activate it any time you want...I believe you can only use when you're at least below 50% health ( and maybe when mezzed?).

 If it's possible to soft cap defenses,  then I will sacrifice a bit to achieve that.

 And I dunno about dropping Ki for Storm Kick...I just have so much fun with Ki Push 😁

i leave the heal/mez clickie on auto so it fires automatically when you are mezzed or at the health % that it lets you use it.  i just click hasten manually.

[Meknomancer]

I just about manage +4/8 on this if i'm really awake:

 

 

Spoiler

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.4.7
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

DP MARTIAL SORCERY: Level 49 Natural Blaster
Primary Power Set: Dual Pistols
Secondary Power Set: Martial Combat
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Sorcery
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Hero Profile:
------------
Level 1:    Pistols    
 (A) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage
 (3) Superior Winter's Bite - Damage/RechargeTime
 (3) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
 (5) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
 (5) Superior Winter's Bite - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime

Level 1:    Ki Push    
 (A) Kinetic Combat - Accuracy/Damage
 (7) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Endurance
 (7) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Recharge
 (9) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Endurance/Recharge

Level 2:    Storm Kick    
 (A) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage
 (11) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
 (13) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
 (13) Superior Blistering Cold - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime
 (15) Superior Blistering Cold - Recharge/Chance for Hold

Level 4:    Reach for the Limit    
Level 6:    Swap Ammo    
Level 8:    Bullet Rain    
 (A) Ragnarok - Chance for Knockdown
 (15) Ragnarok - Damage/Endurance
 (17) Ragnarok - Recharge/Accuracy
 (17) Ragnarok - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
 (19) Ragnarok - Damage/Recharge
 (19) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge

Level 10:    Burst of Speed    
 (A) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
 (21) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
 (21) Superior Defiant Barrage - Damage/RechargeTime
 (23) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage
 (23) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
 (25) Superior Defiant Barrage - RechargeTime/+Status

Level 12:    Boxing    
 (A) Kinetic Combat - Accuracy/Damage
 (25) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Endurance
 (27) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Recharge
 (48) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Endurance/Recharge

Level 14:    Tough    
 (A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
 (27) Steadfast Protection - Knockback Protection
 (29) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance
 (29) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Recharge
 (31) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge
 (31) Reactive Armor - Resistance

Level 16:    Dragon's Tail    
 (A) Eradication - Accuracy/Recharge
 (31) Eradication - Damage/Recharge
 (33) Eradication - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge

Level 18:    Executioner's Shot    
 (A) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage(Negative)
 (33) Apocalypse - Damage/Endurance
 (33) Apocalypse - Recharge/Accuracy
 (34) Apocalypse - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
 (34) Apocalypse - Damage

Level 20:    Reaction Time    
 (A) Preventive Medicine - Heal
 (34) Preventive Medicine - Heal/Endurance
 (36) Endurance Modification IO

Level 22:    Weave    
 (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
 (36) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All)
 (36) Shield Wall - Defense
 (37) Shield Wall - Defense/Endurance
 (37) Shield Wall - Defense/Endurance/Recharge

Level 24:    Hasten    
 (A) Recharge Reduction IO
 (37) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 26:    Piercing Rounds    
 (A) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Recharge/Chance for Fire Damage
 (39) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
 (39) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage
 (39) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Damage/Recharge
 (40) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
 (40) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance

Level 28:    Inner Will    
 (A) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 30:    Super Speed    
 (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)

Level 32:    Hail of Bullets    
 (A) Fury of the Gladiator - Chance for Res Debuff
 (40) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge
 (42) Eradication - Chance for Energy Damage
 (42) Eradication - Damage/Recharge
 (42) Eradication - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
 (43) Eradication - Damage

Level 35:    Scorpion Shield    
 (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
 (43) Shield Wall - Defense
 (43) Shield Wall - Defense/Endurance/Recharge
 (45) Shield Wall - Defense/Recharge
 (45) Shield Wall - Defense/Endurance

Level 38:    Eagles Claw    
 (A) Hecatomb - Chance of Damage(Negative)
 (45) Hecatomb - Damage/Endurance
 (46) Hecatomb - Recharge/Accuracy
 (46) Hecatomb - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
 (46) Hecatomb - Damage

Level 41:    Combat Jumping    
 (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
 (47) Kismet - Accuracy +6%
 (47) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage

Level 44:    Spirit Ward    
 (A) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb

Level 47:    Mystic Flight    
 (A) Winter's Gift - Slow Resistance (20%)

Level 49:    Rune of Protection    
 (A) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)
 (49) Gladiator's Armor - Resistance
 (49) Gladiator's Armor - End/Resist
 (49) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP

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

Level 1:    Sprint    
 (A) Empty

Level 2:    Rest    
 (A) Empty

Level 1:    Swift    
 (A) Empty

Level 1:    Hurdle    
 (A) Empty

Level 1:    Health    
 (A) Panacea - +Hit Points/Endurance
 (9) Numina's Convalesence - +Regeneration/+Recovery
 (11) Miracle - +Recovery

Level 1:    Stamina    
 (A) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End

Level 30:    Speed Phase    
Level 6:    Chemical Ammunition    
Level 6:    Cryo Ammunition    
Level 6:    Incendiary Ammunition    
------------

| Copy & Paste this data into Mids Reborn : Hero Designer to view the build |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
|MxDz;1676;726;1452;HEX;|
|78DA7594594F135114C7FFD34E2D5B65A7AD055ACADA8243717D54643160ABB5352|
|63E91094CB049D3365D12F900BEABB82480FAEAF62D7CD56FE007101530F1C91853|
|0F73E6845B0C93CCCCEF9EF5DEFFBD33A907F36D9F3F25AF42F3CDE5CD4A65E51A3|
|DAB56D97BD3ACD6CA661E7475CDA723A9D9CC9DA5D964247B2B33B790B9E72573C8|
|095DC99885756BCD98AF99F99574AE522DE62B23E2CBD64AA562B96AA4CC723547F|
|E9459C8956A79B39A2B16E04B178B796331B77EBF9A2BACB7D8A36CC9B2D6DA6C4C|
|5A6689EC3CC816CBAB567923B850CAAD1A523D65AE5AF438E48D004D6998EE60073|
|D34C855D7813774CFE870E1ADC03B061DEF053E30748C3466BB8134BDA33A4EE1B6|
|4086A10959864E4AD234EDA8A586475CAE054F18DAB029F094E1349E317451B65B6|
|959EFA7157854C30019BC4A7D8F17975D4E914B0C1DB8287081A10BE7051E32F450|
|A366B54C33DC3C851EB80434863E40406708C0C3A0D1E6B7AA12B58A440191E88C4|
|8342D12B929C9A724797CF0D370E03036C0D08F4182F14308330C624820CAD04B4B|
|6857CAB8DAF1CD65670FE23B43043F18C2A45A279483D0891916228284C034C3100|
|C8129863EEAD4AD76EAC657B713B2CB304CF9F6AC745A5CAF7AE47AEDA11D724362|
|971946B028B0C410A56CBF92ADF9310927C481082D25A82CC513C46B4E1EC32B812|
|D816D8671EC08BC64F0D39A424A2784A4C130CD61406940832F8E20D43AACB60EE3|
|8A9475CE550CFBAC784CF620267B10C72EC31F2A1355258A8A447151262E824CE1B|
|A80A35590263E0AE5031BC5A4CB0989339C454C604260CCD94A5ADC84BA9513D2DB|
|C05FD8D333F08B3B3D1E056972D489067BECD9248FA14A6420C49EE7E449281E770|
|2E7D893C0B4C08CC06FE714E98D3F9A7ABF0EF5AADBC67A1DC913EC695DCD27BBC6|
|F6BD96C6C212BF7F82FDE0989D341BE22936E1AEE6FCC596F9F3FBF97F8D17ACF1C|
|778E301AA6FD1A7E7510DDBC70D3BC70DFF0083A6D423|
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

[High_Beam]

Di Di Guns is my DP/MC and my first real effort at being a Blapper.  Tons of fun that hasn't ended even at level 50 with incarnates.   She is very well built for Solo Work but also functions fluidly on any type of team.  BoS is totally fun and using target macros I often slam in then slam two more times for fun.  What is really great is when you have your attack chain good and tight you Bos in, fire off Hail of bullets which gives you a temporary buff to positional defenses, kills most minions then you do Scorpions Tail to sweep stragglers while the buff is up then backflip out and dump Empty Clips and Bullet Rain which generally leaves only a Boss (maybe) to which you BoS in again and then Eagles Claw his butt into the dirt.  Its a beautiful bullet ballet that I never tire of seeing.

 

And that's without procs in a variety of things.  Set IOs obviously help her shine but there are ZERO Purples in there and she shined without them, just not as vividly

 

Does she die?  Sure occasionally, but usually when I am punching way above my paygrade or not paying attention.  So many Blapper friendly tools in MC.  So Secksi . . . But then again with a name like Di Di, she has to be.

[robopop]

5 hours ago, High_Beam said:

Di Di Guns is my DP/MC and my first real effort at being a Blapper.  Tons of fun that hasn't ended even at level 50 with incarnates.   She is very well built for Solo Work but also functions fluidly on any type of team.  BoS is totally fun and using target macros I often slam in then slam two more times for fun.  What is really great is when you have your attack chain good and tight you Bos in, fire off Hail of bullets which gives you a temporary buff to positional defenses, kills most minions then you do Scorpions Tail to sweep stragglers while the buff is up then backflip out and dump Empty Clips and Bullet Rain which generally leaves only a Boss (maybe) to which you BoS in again and then Eagles Claw his butt into the dirt.  Its a beautiful bullet ballet that I never tire of seeing.

 

And that's without procs in a variety of things.  Set IOs obviously help her shine but there are ZERO Purples in there and she shined without them, just not as vividly

 

Does she die?  Sure occasionally, but usually when I am punching way above my paygrade or not paying attention.  So many Blapper friendly tools in MC.  So Secksi . . . But then again with a name like Di Di, she has to be.

 

Sounds awesome! That's exactly the kind of battle plan that sounds f-u-n to me! Can you share your build? A no-purple build would be especially helpful as I am leveling.

[High_Beam]

Here she is and keep in mind there is a Proc in Throw Sand that still works but you can no longer slot in there after Page 4 so I lose it when I respec.  And remember there is more than one way to gun, there are others who I am sure have tighter builds.  Like I dont have the Performance Shifter Proc in Stamina

 

Spoiler

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.4.7
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Di Di Guns: Level 50 Natural Blaster
Primary Power Set: Dual Pistols
Secondary Power Set: Martial Combat
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Munitions Mastery

Hero Profile:
------------
Level 1:    Pistols    
 (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage
 (3) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance
 (7) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge
 (9) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
 (37) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
 (37) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge

Level 1:    Ki Push    
 (A) Kinetic Combat - Accuracy/Damage
 (46) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Recharge
 (46) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
 (50) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Endurance

Level 2:    Dual Wield    
 (A) Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage
 (3) Defiant Barrage - Damage/RechargeTime
 (5) Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
 (9) Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
 (37) Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
 (45) Defiant Barrage - RechargeTime/+Status

Level 4:    Empty Clips    
 (A) Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage
 (5) Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
 (7) Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
 (11) Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
 (27) Blaster's Wrath - Damage/Recharge
 (40) Blaster's Wrath - Recharge/Chance for Fire Damage

Level 6:    Swap Ammo    
Level 8:    Bullet Rain    
 (A) Artillery - Accuracy/Damage
 (11) Artillery - Damage/Endurance
 (13) Artillery - Damage/Recharge
 (13) Artillery - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
 (29) Artillery - Endurance/Recharge/Range
 (36) Artillery - Accuracy/Recharge/Range

Level 10:    Kick    
 (A) Accuracy IO

Level 12:    Reach for the Limit    
Level 14:    Burst of Speed    
 (A) Obliteration - Damage
 (29) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
 (31) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage
 (31) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge
 (31) Obliteration - Damage/Recharge
 (40) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge

Level 16:    Dragon's Tail    
 (A) Obliteration - Damage
 (17) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge
 (17) Obliteration - Damage/Recharge
 (19) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage
 (21) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
 (25) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge

Level 18:    Executioner's Shot    
 (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage
 (21) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance
 (23) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge
 (25) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
 (36) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
 (43) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge

Level 20:    Reaction Time    
 (A) Endurance Modification IO
 (23) Endurance Modification IO

Level 22:    Hasten    
 (A) Recharge Reduction IO
 (34) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 24:    Suppressive Fire    
 (A) Accuracy IO

Level 26:    Combat Jumping    
 (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
 (27) Kismet - Accuracy +6%

Level 28:    Inner Will    
 (A) Doctored Wounds - Heal/Recharge

Level 30:    Tough    
 (A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
 (36) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
 (42) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
 (43) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
 (43) Unbreakable Guard - Endurance/RechargeTime

Level 32:    Hail of Bullets    
 (A) Obliteration - Damage
 (33) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge
 (33) Obliteration - Damage/Recharge
 (33) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
 (34) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
 (34) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage

Level 35:    Throw Sand    
 (A) Empty

Level 38:    Eagles Claw    
 (A) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Damage
 (39) Mako's Bite - Damage/Endurance
 (39) Mako's Bite - Damage/Recharge
 (39) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge
 (40) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
 (42) Mako's Bite - Chance of Damage(Lethal)

Level 41:    Body Armor    
 (A) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)
 (42) Resist Damage IO

Level 44:    Maneuvers    
 (A) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance
 (45) Red Fortune - Defense
 (45) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance/Recharge
 (46) Red Fortune - Endurance

Level 47:    Tactics    
 (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up
 (48) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Recharge/Endurance
 (48) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Endurance
 (48) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Recharge/Endurance
 (50) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff
 (50) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Recharge

Level 49:    Surveillance    
 (A) Defense Debuff IO

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

Level 1:    Sprint    
 (A) Run Speed IO

Level 2:    Rest    
 (A) Empty

Level 1:    Swift    
 (A) Run Speed IO

Level 1:    Hurdle    
 (A) Jumping IO

Level 1:    Health    
 (A) Miracle - +Recovery
 (15) Numina's Convalesence - +Regeneration/+Recovery
 (19) Healing IO

Level 1:    Stamina    
 (A) Endurance Modification IO
 (15) Endurance Modification IO

Level 50:    Musculature Partial Radial Revamp    
Level 50:    The Atlas Medallion    
Level 50:    Task Force Commander    
Level 50:    Freedom Phalanx Reserve    
Level 6:    Chemical Ammunition    
Level 6:    Cryo Ammunition    
Level 6:    Incendiary Ammunition    
------------

 

Data Chunk

 

| Copy & Paste this data into Mids Reborn : Hero Designer to view the build |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
|MxDz;1723;725;1450;HEX;|
|78DA75946B6FD26014C74F69191BC280B131186303C62EBA0D373F81D1A9D10C834|
|3E7CBA53A6455020D2D897E15EF1AAF9FC3B7FA51BC256A8CBBD443CF7392B31A1B|
|687F3DE739FF73E9D3D6EE6FC43E7DDC3C0B5AFC7CDB749C9D7378769BBDC855D3E|
|DF7CC36E011DDB08AF8BBD4EF3811BCCDAB253B5B66A7D5DCAD6EF4CDF64EDD72DC|
|6EDBA9B0AFD1B7ED6ECFADD6CC9E6BA1BF66762CBBDF365DABDB8178BDDB6D572F5|
|AAD3DD7EAB4A2FE5DC36E3677633E6E364D1BED09BED96DF69C3DCBCE5CB0ADDBD5|
|5ABF630D441C941C647A90C59216F09F4BE249033EBC30C013BCAE1B1082A70443F|
|08C60189E1354E005C34B8264E5B88C0E50C76BD98055D8626810ACC3358229CCAD|
|C9DC1AFCD155EE7D02030E7495FB5057298F0856FC2C087994D1A58C0E5B1C7D435|
|72D5C2788C236C114340816E126C134CA84858C57404344EA46400F2B1583200661|
|86218269182698830841089FFE889081114CEE7BC670682764C67134C441648CC37|
|E48C91E11CC60AF0A0ED87218529D7804132893903209964972509283C6586F9C33|
|64596616FB4FC9FE53BC35C6796B64786B64796BCCF1D638C55B2383D5A4858C968|
|622472B28E38826E4920958264F8961068B9994539CE429663038278373BE96FF8C|
|0FD1503060124BC8CBE03CD468898EC105E1310A7E96C2A0911F349893F053571DF|
|D66F84550C2A266E5A06779D0451E7491075DE4F99678BE251E7D16CB2BCBF2CAB8|
|173C0F72689F970F601EEE50CF0BD062D863B040ED82BBA0EABE47F001B32CC9012|
|DC119342D0E96ACD092148E6159BEBECB10D5D45B36CA1027588504411A83AAB2BC|
|2ABCA7CE4EC31B86770C6F09D6E115C36B82EF318035D9FD9A3FD3C1808CE31F156|
|FDA007978BE1107B5195888FF5592A81BD2811E8D223E47FF17F1E55FCF1279BE06|
|3C58FE15CD9FE3286C6BEA6DAAD0DA6F81B5886AAF8F325C4EE34594E6DD8A060C6|
|6D0500F1A1EA6F09B250D8F8286C741C35FCBB5DCE7|
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|

Edited November 8, 2022 by High_Beam

[Fatman]

On 11/3/2022 at 10:03 PM, robopop said:

Also, like brasilgringo, you did not take sustain powers like Hoarfrost or Hibernate, or slot up Inner Will for the heal. Do you find you don't miss the sustain solo? Thanks again!

Reaction Time is /Martial's sustain power. As a reminder, sustain powers--introduced in Issue 24--tend to be the Tier 6 picks in a secondary, though /Ice has its sustain at Tier 4, while /Energy has it at Tier 5. Remember, sustain powers were created to help solve the Blaster's END problems and also because prior to I24, /Mental was heads and shoulders above the other secondaries because of Drain Psyche boosting your Regen and Recovery.

 

Dull Pain with theatrics Hoarfrost is not a sustain power because while it keeps you alive, it does absolutely nothing for your END. Hibernate is not a sustain power because while it does fill up that blue bar, it actively prevents you from fighting while it's active. Actively. Also, because you get it very late in the game.

 

Also, like brasilgringo stated, you leave Inner Will on auto so that it pops whenever you get mezzed. In fact, you can probably get away with just shoving two or three Recharge Reduction IOs in there and use the slots somewhere else. Do keep in mind that while you can activate it at 50% END or less, this is actually a trap, as Inner Will does absolutely nothing for your END.

 

On 11/1/2022 at 9:29 PM, robopop said:

• Is DP/MC a good combo? It seems fun so far, but what are the challenges down the road?

Well, you're certainly not going to top the DPS scoreboards, but you will be able to style on everyone, outside of maybe Street Justice users.

 

On 11/1/2022 at 9:29 PM, robopop said:

• Is Burst of Speed good? As a lowbie, I appreciate another AoE, but beyond level 30, is it even necessary?

Absolutely. With Burst of Speed, you can drop yourself into a group of enemies, pop your nuke dance and maybe Bullet Rain, and get out of Dodge in one fell swoop. Plus, you can use it three times before it needs to recharge, with each use's Defiance boost stacking.

 

I use the following binds for Burst of Speed on all two three of my /Martial blasters. This also applies to Combat Teleport and whatever equivalent Warshades have.

 

/bind button5 "powexec_location target Burst of Speed"
/bind shift+button5 "powexec_location 180:50 Burst of Speed"
/bind ctrl+button5 "powexec_location self Burst of Speed"

 

The first will teleport you to your target. The second will turn you around 180 degrees, then drop you 50 feet away from your current position, so you can get some much-needed distance. The third will, of course, execute the attack where you stand.

 

On 11/1/2022 at 9:29 PM, robopop said:

• What is the most impactful way to slot Reaction Time? Slow? Heal? End mod? There are so many choices!

Personally, I used it as a Numina's set mule. The enhanceable portions of Reaction Time are the slow, the Absorb component, and the Recovery; I chose Absorb because, well, why not?

 

On 11/1/2022 at 9:29 PM, robopop said:

• Any other advice for a blaster newbie on building or playing one?

Get comfortable in melee range. With all of the melee-range and targeted AoEs, Pistols/Martial practically begs to get up close and personal.

Do not treat Piercing Rounds as an AoE attack. Treat it as a single-target attack that can probably tag one or two other enemies, like Head Splitter from Broadsword, Weeaboo Headsplitter Golden Dragonfly from Weeaboo Broadsword Katana and Great Value Weeaboo Broadsword Ninja Blade, or even Sweeping Cross from Street Justice. Seriously, that punch's range is deceptively small for how wide its animation is.

Get your sustain power as soon as it's available, no matter what your secondary is.

If you're not hover-blasting, then Leaping is an ideal pool choice--Combat Jumping gives you a good amount of Immobilization protection, and Acrobatics protects you from most knockbacks and holds of up to Magnitude 2, freeing up Inner Will for other uses. You'll still have to manually pop Inner Will if you get Confused, though.

This probably shouldn't even need to be said, but... have fun. If you don't like your blaster, there's no shame in shelving / deleting the character and moving on to another powerset combination, or another AT altogether.