Okay, Fighting Pool- You Win

[Biff Pow]

I've always avoided the Fighting Pool on my Melee characters, especially Tanks. I already have a set of Melee attacks, Tough is redundant, and Weave might be nice to have but isn't necessary. But since we can now skip our Tier 1 secondary power, it's a little easier to fit in the Fighting Pool, and having another AoE attack (Cross Punch) would be nice..

 

So I finally added the Fighting Pool to my Inv/SS Tank. Cross Punch does almost as much damage as Haymaker, but can hit up to five targets- that's great! And it recharges just as fast as Haymaker. Also it can Stun and Knockdown targets. Cool. But wait there's more- every target you hit increases your Recharge and ToHit for six seconds! It's weird how much this attack does.

 

I used to have Spring Attack from the Leaping Pool. It's a fun way to enter a fight, does decent damage, but has a very long recharge. I kind of wish I could stick with Spring Attack, but Cross Punch is just too good. So you win, Fighting Pool.

[Clave Dark 5]

Meh, I always had trouble hitting more than two people with Crosspunch, and I really enjoy a good jumping at someone and watching them fall down.  I also tend to avoid Tough and Weave if I can as they often leave my toons (which I level, so I can't just crutch it with Incarnate powers) starved for End.  But indeed, play what you enjoy!

[TheZag]

I have a toon with cross punch in the rotation.  It really needs boxing and kick both taken, even if they arent used,  for their improvements to cross punch.  It is a large investment for one power,  but as you said,  its almost as strong as haymaker but can hit multiple targets and buff you.  I consider it the superior option for most low tier melee when there is room for it in the build.

 

 

[Without_Pause]

I don't really use Cross Punch, but for a SS character it one of the easiest things to add in.

[Sakura Tenshi]

I took cross punch on my own super strength tank for much the same reasons. Footstomp has a cooldown longer than a geologic period and handclap has never been a good power in my opinion. Stuns always result in the AI immediately scattering to the four winds.

[Spaghetti Betty]

I love Cross Punch! It might be my 2nd favorite pool power under Combat Jumping. So many melee sets benefit from adding an "activate more recharge" button to their rotation. As a Tanker main, Cross Punch is an incredible pick with inflated value that more often than not finds its way into my builds.