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sonic/devices blaster for critique


professoronblow

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Hi all,

 

I've been trying to get as much recharge as possible for dual gun drones, while (nearly) capping ranged defense. I'm happy to hear criticism/feedback.

In practice, I've been melting things, but happy to tweak it!

 

Some notes:

1) I don't love armageddon in caltrops. I wanted 5 of the purple sets and thought it might be the best place since I was using set bonuses for 

2) Stupefy I know won't bring as much damage to the table as some other sets for my single target rotation. I don't mind the knockback, and stupefy brings recharge +ranged defense

3) I kind of liked the idea of preventive medicine in field operative for extra recharge, but the ranged defense was nice in preemptive optimization. Also, slotting the endurance was a big help because the gun drones cost of a lot of endurance and I was finding my blue bar dipping a bit too low for my tastes

4) I do want to use spiderlings. I like having my 3 spiders and gun drones in play while I lower the resist of enemy packs

5) not sure about the IO recharge reduction in gun drones; maybe franken slotting better?

6) I know shockwave looks weird. I like the proc, ranged defense and force feedback here (really the only place for FF)

 

 

Anyway, happy to hear any improvements, going for recharge and ranged defense with this one. I do toe bomb with dreadful wail and trip mine, but I find things are usually dead or stunned before they can retaliate, so I didn't worry as much about melee s/l defense

 

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 Magic Blaster
Primary Power Set: Sonic Attack
Secondary Power Set: Devices
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Shriek

  • (A) Apocalypse - Damage/Endurance
  • (13) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage(Negative)
  • (15) Apocalypse - Damage
  • (15) Apocalypse - Damage/Recharge
  • (17) Apocalypse - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy

Level 1: Caltrops

  • (A) Ragnarok - Chance for Knockdown
  • (13) Ragnarok - Recharge/Accuracy
  • (45) Ragnarok - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
  • (45) Ragnarok - Damage
  • (45) Ragnarok - Damage/Endurance

Level 2: Howl

  • (A) Superior Defiant Barrage - RechargeTime/+Status
  • (3) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  • (5) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
  • (7) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
  • (7) Superior Defiant Barrage - Damage/RechargeTime
  • (9) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage

Level 4: Hasten

  • (A) Recharge Reduction IO
  • (5) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 6: Shockwave

  • (A) Sudden Acceleration - Knockback to Knockdown
  • (9) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge
  • (11) Explosive Strike - Accuracy/Knockback
  • (11) Explosive Strike - Damage/Knockback
  • (46) Explosive Strike - Chance for Smashing Damage

Level 8: Taser

  • (A) Stupefy - Chance of Knockback
  • (17) Stupefy - Stun/Range
  • (19) Stupefy - Accuracy/Stun/Recharge
  • (19) Stupefy - Accuracy/Recharge
  • (37) Stupefy - Accuracy/Endurance
  • (37) Stupefy - Endurance/Stun

Level 10: Targeting Drone

  • (A) Rectified Reticle - To Hit Buff

Level 12: Amplify

  • (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up

Level 14: Hover

  • (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
  • (21) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range
  • (21) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance

Level 16: Fly

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

Level 18: Maneuvers

  • (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
  • (48) Kismet - Accuracy +6%

Level 20: Field Operative

  • (A) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Accuracy/Recharge
  • (23) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Endurance/Recharge
  • (23) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Recharge
  • (36) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Accuracy/Endurance
  • (36) Preemptive Optimization - Accuracy/Recharge
  • (37) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Endurance

Level 22: Screech

  • (A) Stupefy - Stun/Range
  • (39) Stupefy - Endurance/Stun
  • (40) Stupefy - Accuracy/Endurance
  • (40) Stupefy - Accuracy/Stun/Recharge
  • (40) Stupefy - Chance of Knockback
  • (43) Stupefy - Accuracy/Recharge

Level 24: Trip Mine

  • (A) Armageddon - Chance for Fire Damage
  • (25) Armageddon - Damage/Endurance
  • (25) Armageddon - Damage/Recharge
  • (27) Armageddon - Damage
  • (27) Armageddon - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
  • (29) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown

Level 26: Dreadful Wail

  • (A) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Recharge/Chance for Fire Damage
  • (29) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Damage/Recharge
  • (34) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  • (34) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage
  • (34) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
  • (36) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance

Level 28: Kick

  • (A) Empty

Level 30: Gun Drone

  • (A) Recharge Reduction IO
  • (31) Call to Arms - Defense Bonus Aura for Pets
  • (31) Call to Arms - Endurance/Damage/Recharge
  • (31) Call to Arms - Accuracy/Recharge
  • (33) Call to Arms - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
  • (33) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 32: Tough

  • (A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
  • (33) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)
  • (50) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP

Level 35: Scorpion Shield

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

Level 38: Weave

  • (A) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage
  • (39) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance/RechargeTime
  • (46) Reactive Defenses - Defense/RechargeTime
  • (46) Reactive Defenses - Endurance/RechargeTime
  • (50) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance
  • (50) Reactive Defenses - Defense

Level 41: Summon Spiderlings

  • (A) Expedient Reinforcement - Resist Bonus Aura for Pets
  • (42) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Damage
  • (42) Expedient Reinforcement - Damage/Endurance
  • (42) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
  • (43) Expedient Reinforcement - Endurance/Damage/Recharge
  • (43) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Recharge

Level 44: Assault

  • (A) Endurance Reduction IO

Level 47: Evasive Maneuvers

  • (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed

Level 49: Vengeance

  • (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed

Level 1: Defiance 


Level 1: Brawl

sonicdev.mxd

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@professoronblowi kind of see where your going with the build, masses of recharge bonuses and near 45% ranged. You say you don't mind the kb but slotting your best attack (screech) and taser with stun sets doesn't make sense. And you slotted trip mine and shockwave with kb/kd-if kb isn't an issue why waste that slot. The force feedback in shockwave will fire off often enough you don't really need to be chasing perma hasten and i think you'd be much better off slotting for damage and dropping some recharge bonuses. I'd be tossing the defiant barrage set in a t1 or t2 attack or the nuke and find a place for toxic web nade which is useful as dps and an immob, its one of the best t1 secondaries for blasters.

 

If your taking mace its really worth chasing the s/l defence to go with the ranged, otherwise you may as well take a res patron+pet, the resistance really helps ranged def builds survive when you have def cascade failures/def debuffs. And if your going for ranged defence then you want 40% and a t4 barrier or the full 45%. On teams its not an issue but when you solo it is. I don't have this combo, i have a ton of sonic blast toons and 4 /devices blasters so its just some thoughts. 

 

Seriously, dump the stupefy sets. I don't know how you'd get the recharge and def bonuses but there has to be a better way.

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@Meknomancer

 

Thanks for taking time to critique it man, appreciated. 

 

I'll drop the stupefy from screech for lightning strike. Will get me above 45% ranged defense. I don't see a way to fit in toxic nade- unless I let caltrops go. 

On the knockback, I meant the knockback from the stupefy proc, sorry. Usually when I'm on my ST attacks everything else is dead, and knocking around a random guy doesn't matter.

 

I'll get rid of stupefy in screech for sure, maybe I overemphasized recharge 🙂

 

Any suggestions on chasing the SL defense? I thought massive recharge plus ranged was attainable, not sure I can work in the others

 

I don't like the mu striker.... but maybe for a min/max exercise I'll see if I can fit a resist in. I liked the 6 spots for defense sets because I could get the scaling resist set recharge bonus pluse 5 LOTGs.  

 

Again, appreciate the feedback! The knockback, caltrops, pets, pbaoe ult and trip mine help a lot with mitigation, even taser can be a bit useful. Wish I could have fit the sleep cone in, will give it a try.

 

I will see if I can work in toxic grenade, a resist set with pet (so MU i guess) and use the FF proc to make up the difference in recharge. Although, this thing is melting so good on teams. I'll have to try it solo, but I don't solo much....

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EDIT: I'll include this, but it occurred to me I can dump howl and replace it with web grenade or caltrops, freeing up a spot for sirens song, which I can put armageddon into. Higher damange and will proc out with armageddon so both cones provide some knockdown. Still not sure how to slot caltrops or web grenade, I'll post another build later. In case anyone is interested, here was a quick (too quick) build I made after Meknomancer helped me out with his/her feedback.

 

Ok, I do enjoy this guy, maybe I'll make 2 builds for him.

 

Anyway, I posted another variant, which does look solid and will incorporate the advice of @Meknomancer

 

I left toxic web grenade and caltrops open. I'd probably slot one of them with a purple set, although perhaps better to proc them out? (who knows given the possible upcoming changes).

 

Resistances are better and could swing some slots that way.

 

I took out kismet as it seems my targeting drone will provide adequate accuracy/to hit. I could add it back if needed.

 

Range at 45% and with shockwave being part of the regular attack rotation I think I'll probably have adequate recharge.

I'm hoping FF covers the recharge decrement... I think it will.

 

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 Magic Blaster
Primary Power Set: Sonic Attack
Secondary Power Set: Devices
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Shriek

  • (A) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage
  • (9) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  • (13) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
  • (15) Superior Defiant Barrage - Damage/RechargeTime
  • (15) Superior Defiant Barrage - RechargeTime/+Status
  • (48) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime

Level 1: Toxic Web Grenade

  • (A) Gravitational Anchor - Chance for Hold
  • (13) Empty
  • (17) Empty
  • (45) Empty
  • (45) Empty

Level 2: Howl

  • (A) Artillery - Endurance/Recharge/Range
  • (3) Artillery - Accuracy/Recharge/Range
  • (5) Artillery - Accuracy/Damage
  • (7) Artillery - Damage/Endurance
  • (7) Artillery - Damage/Recharge
  • (43) Artillery - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge

Level 4: Hasten

  • (A) Recharge Reduction IO
  • (5) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 6: Shockwave

  • (A) Sudden Acceleration - Knockback to Knockdown
  • (9) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge
  • (11) Explosive Strike - Accuracy/Knockback
  • (11) Explosive Strike - Damage/Knockback
  • (46) Explosive Strike - Chance for Smashing Damage

Level 8: Taser

  • (A) Stupefy - Chance of Knockback
  • (17) Stupefy - Stun/Range
  • (19) Stupefy - Accuracy/Stun/Recharge
  • (19) Stupefy - Accuracy/Recharge
  • (37) Stupefy - Accuracy/Endurance
  • (37) Stupefy - Endurance/Stun

Level 10: Targeting Drone

  • (A) Rectified Reticle - To Hit Buff

Level 12: Amplify

  • (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up

Level 14: Hover

  • (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
  • (21) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range
  • (21) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance

Level 16: Caltrops

  • (A) Ragnarok - Chance for Knockdown
  • (45) Empty
  • (46) Empty
  • (46) Empty
  • (48) Empty

Level 18: Maneuvers

  • (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
  • (50) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All)
  • (50) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage

Level 20: Field Operative

  • (A) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Accuracy/Recharge
  • (23) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Endurance/Recharge
  • (23) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Recharge
  • (36) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Accuracy/Endurance
  • (36) Preemptive Optimization - Accuracy/Recharge
  • (37) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Endurance

Level 22: Screech

  • (A) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage(Negative)
  • (39) Apocalypse - Damage
  • (40) Apocalypse - Damage/Endurance
  • (40) Apocalypse - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
  • (40) Apocalypse - Damage/Recharge

Level 24: Trip Mine

  • (A) Armageddon - Chance for Fire Damage
  • (25) Armageddon - Damage/Endurance
  • (25) Armageddon - Damage/Recharge
  • (27) Armageddon - Damage
  • (27) Armageddon - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
  • (29) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown

Level 26: Dreadful Wail

  • (A) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Recharge/Chance for Fire Damage
  • (29) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Damage/Recharge
  • (34) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  • (34) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage
  • (34) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
  • (36) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance

Level 28: Kick

  • (A) Empty

Level 30: Gun Drone

  • (A) Recharge Reduction IO
  • (31) Call to Arms - Defense Bonus Aura for Pets
  • (31) Call to Arms - Endurance/Damage/Recharge
  • (31) Call to Arms - Accuracy/Recharge
  • (33) Call to Arms - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
  • (33) Superior Winter's Bite - Damage/RechargeTime

Level 32: Tough

  • (A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
  • (33) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)

Level 35: Charged Armor

  • (A) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP
  • (39) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
  • (39) Aegis - Psionic/Status Resistance

Level 38: Weave

  • (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
  • (50) Luck of the Gambler - Defense

Level 41: Summon Adept

  • (A) Expedient Reinforcement - Resist Bonus Aura for Pets
  • (42) Expedient Reinforcement - Endurance/Damage/Recharge
  • (42) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Damage
  • (42) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Recharge
  • (43) Expedient Reinforcement - Damage/Endurance
  • (43) Expedient Reinforcement - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge

Level 44: Fly

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

Level 47: Evasive Maneuvers

  • (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed

Level 49: Assault

  • (A) Endurance Reduction IO

Level 1: Defiance 


Level 1: Brawl

sonicdev1.mxd

Edited by professoronblow
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On 1/30/2023 at 10:03 AM, professoronblow said:

1) I don't love armageddon in caltrops. I wanted 5 of the purple sets and thought it might be the best place

 

If you don't like Caltrops and want to replace it with something else, instead of picking Kick go for Boxing and then 5 slot Absolute Amazement.

 

You're paying the Fighting Pool tax anyway. Might as well get the most out of it.

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@professoronblowi should of said right away, if you find your original build fun thats the most important thing. If it does everything you want it too, melts mobs and has enough damage and recharge then do not respec it. I keep saying it, recharge is king in this game and you have so much you can probably get close to triple gun drones, i ran a fire/devices very early on and once bonfire dropped it almost got me 3 at once. I don't have a sonic/devices so it was just an opinion as i have no idea what works best with that combo. Fun is always no.1.

 

Instead of a full on respec or going for a second build right away, you could just use some unslotters, take a stupefy set out for something like thunderstrike and see if its still playing as well for you. If not you can just use the unslotters to put the stupefy set back in for the extra recharge.

 

If you wanted to bump the s/l defence you usually have to drop in a blistering cold set in something like boxing, an avalanche/oblit set in trip mine and a couple of rectified reticles in targeting drone/tactics/aim/bu. That'll get you near 10% extra s/l defence but do you really want to drop the 20+ % recharge bonuses to chase that defence.

 

Sometimes you can find a toon a joy to play and think 'i could make this just a little bit better' but after respeccing you realise its just worse/less fun. If you love playing it as it is don't change a thing 🙂   

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  • 2 weeks later

A Sonic that skipped Scream and Shout makes me sad. 

 

I ran a Sonic/Devices on live that could complete whole missions without even being attacked, let alone damaged. And he had enough damage output that he didn't lag behind on teams either. 

 

My build was very different from yours though. I originally built him as the answer to a forum challenge to find a build Time Bomb wasn't completely useless on. 

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