Thwack Thwack - Staff is best on a Stalker?

[Onlyasandwich]

@Carnifax pointed out in my thread on the Scrapper forums that I should consider making my Staff/Stone a Stalker, and I agree! 

 

It's hard to pass up on:

• Better single target with assassin's staff.
• Built-in staff form without a power pick.
• A little extra defense from hide.
• Actual build up power.

 

While losing only:

• A little edge on proccable aoe with no innocuous strikes.
• Mudpots. Aww, I like mudpots.

 

My priorities here are the same:

• Stack slow resist.
• Hit close enough to softcap in S/L/E/N/P, and pump F/C as high as I can without sacrificing too many procs.
• Layer as much extra S/L resist on the side as I can.
• Max hit chance against +3's.
• Not rely on epic attacks. The theme of the day is Staff, baby!
• Making bulleted lists.

 

Some questions in mind:

• Do you think the Fury -Res proc is worth it in Guarded versus a damage proc in situations outside of Pylon testing?
• What rotation do you like to use with Staff?
• Where do you spend your perfection most of the time - Eye or Sky Splitter? Am I even thinking about this correctly? Perhaps it builds so quickly the answer is "both."
• Does enhancing Heal in Geode increase its HP before breaking? I've heard some folks say it hardly holds up long enough to be worth even taking in +4 content. How useful do you find this power?

 

I'm pretty happy with the sets/totals overall. However, if you see any easy shifts that serve my stated goals, or if you feel any of these goals are misguided, I'd love the input! The slots in Placate especially could easily be shifted elsewhere if needed, though the set bonuses are excellent for this build.

 

In the past, I've avoided Placate on my stalkers, but really want to give the buffs to it a solid shot this time around.

 

Note that I have two FFback procs toggled on here, so detoggle to see more realistic recharge totals.

 

Stalker (Staff Fighting - Stone Armor).mbd

 

Spoiler

Selected Powers

Level 1: Precise Strike

• Slot Level 1: Superior Assassin's Mark: Accuracy/Damage
• Slot Level 40: Superior Assassin's Mark: Damage/RechargeTime
• Slot Level 40: Superior Assassin's Mark: Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
• Slot Level 43: Superior Assassin's Mark: Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• Slot Level 45: Superior Assassin's Mark: Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• Slot Level 46: Superior Assassin's Mark: RechargeTime/Rchg Build Up

Level 1: Rock Armor

• Slot Level 1: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• Slot Level 39: Reactive Defenses: Defense
• Slot Level 39: Reactive Defenses: Defense/Endurance
• Slot Level 39: Reactive Defenses: Scaling Resist Damage
• Slot Level 40: Kismet: Accuracy +6%

Level 2: Guarded Spin

• Slot Level 2: Superior Avalanche: Accuracy/Damage
• Slot Level 3: Superior Avalanche: Damage/Endurance
• Slot Level 3: Obliteration: Damage
• Slot Level 5: Obliteration: Chance for Smashing Damage
• Slot Level 5: Eradication: Chance for Energy Damage
• Slot Level 37: Scirocco's Dervish: Chance of Damage(Lethal)

Level 4: Hide

• Slot Level 4: Shield Wall: +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All)

Level 6: Assassin's Staff

• Slot Level 6: Superior Stalker's Guile: Accuracy/Damage
• Slot Level 7: Superior Stalker's Guile: Damage/Recharge
• Slot Level 7: Superior Stalker's Guile: Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• Slot Level 9: Superior Stalker's Guile: Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• Slot Level 9: Superior Stalker's Guile: Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• Slot Level 37: Superior Stalker's Guile: Recharge/Chance to Hide

Level 8: Build Up

• Slot Level 8: Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control: Chance for Build Up

Level 10: Stone Skin

• Slot Level 10: Aegis: Resistance/Endurance
• Slot Level 11: Aegis: Resistance
• Slot Level 11: Aegis: Resistance/Recharge
• Slot Level 17: Red Fortune: Defense/Endurance
• Slot Level 17: Red Fortune: Defense
• Slot Level 37: Red Fortune: Defense/Recharge

Level 12: Earth's Embrace

• Slot Level 12: Preventive Medicine: Heal
• Slot Level 13: Preventive Medicine: Heal/RechargeTime
• Slot Level 13: Preventive Medicine: Heal/RechargeTime/Endurance
• Slot Level 15: Aegis: Resistance/Recharge
• Slot Level 15: Aegis: Resistance/Endurance/Recharge
• Slot Level 48: Aegis: Resistance

Level 14: Placate

• Slot Level 14: Mocking Beratement: Threat/Placate/Recharge
• Slot Level 48: Mocking Beratement: Threat/Placate/Recharge/Range
• Slot Level 48: Mocking Beratement: Accuracy/Recharge
• Slot Level 50: Mocking Beratement: Threat/Placate
• Slot Level 50: Mocking Beratement: Threat/Placate/Range
• Slot Level 50: Mocking Beratement: Recharge

Level 16: Rooted

• Slot Level 16: Numina's Convalesence: +Regeneration/+Recovery

Level 18: Eye of the Storm

• Slot Level 18: Armageddon: Damage
• Slot Level 19: Armageddon: Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
• Slot Level 19: Armageddon: Recharge/Accuracy
• Slot Level 34: Armageddon: Damage/Endurance
• Slot Level 36: Armageddon: Chance for Fire Damage
• Slot Level 36: Force Feedback: Chance for +Recharge

Level 20: Crystal Armor

• Slot Level 20: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• Slot Level 21: Red Fortune: Defense
• Slot Level 21: Red Fortune: Defense/Endurance
• Slot Level 34: Performance Shifter: Chance for +End

Level 22: Serpent's Reach

• Slot Level 22: Superior Winter's Bite: Accuracy/Damage
• Slot Level 23: Superior Winter's Bite: Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• Slot Level 23: Superior Winter's Bite: Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• Slot Level 33: Superior Winter's Bite: Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime
• Slot Level 33: Superior Winter's Bite: Recharge/Chance for -Speed & -Recharge
• Slot Level 34: Apocalypse: Chance of Damage(Negative)

Level 24: Brimstone Armor

• Slot Level 24: Aegis: Resistance/Endurance
• Slot Level 25: Aegis: Resistance
• Slot Level 25: Aegis: Resistance/Recharge
• Slot Level 33: Aegis: Resistance/Endurance/Recharge

Level 26: Sky Splitter

• Slot Level 26: Superior Blistering Cold: Accuracy/Damage
• Slot Level 27: Superior Blistering Cold: Damage/Endurance
• Slot Level 27: Gladiator's Strike: Chance for Smashing Damage
• Slot Level 31: Touch of Death: Chance of Damage(Negative)
• Slot Level 31: Hecatomb: Chance of Damage(Negative)
• Slot Level 31: Force Feedback: Chance for +Recharge

Level 28: Minerals

• Slot Level 28: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• Slot Level 29: Red Fortune: Defense
• Slot Level 29: Red Fortune: Defense/Endurance

Level 30: Geode

• Slot Level 30: Preventive Medicine: Chance for +Absorb

Level 32: Combat Jumping

• Slot Level 32: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed

Level 35: Hasten

• Slot Level 35: Invention: Recharge Reduction
• Slot Level 36: Invention: Recharge Reduction

Level 41: Tough

• Slot Level 41: Aegis: Resistance/Endurance
• Slot Level 42: Aegis: Resistance
• Slot Level 42: Aegis: Resistance/Endurance/Recharge
• Slot Level 42: Aegis: Psionic/Status Resistance
• Slot Level 43: Steadfast Protection: Resistance/+Def 3%
• Slot Level 43: Gladiator's Armor: TP Protection +3% Def (All)

Level 44: Weave

• Slot Level 44: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• Slot Level 45: Red Fortune: Defense/Endurance
• Slot Level 45: Red Fortune: Defense

Level 47: Superior Conditioning

• Slot Level 47: Performance Shifter: Chance for +End

Level 49: Super Jump

• Slot Level 49: Winter's Gift: Slow Resistance (20%)

 

Inherent Powers

Health:

• Slot Level 1: Panacea: +Hit Points/Endurance
• Slot Level 46: Miracle: +Recovery

Stamina:

• Slot Level 1: Performance Shifter: Chance for +End
• Slot Level 46: Performance Shifter: EndMod

 

Incarnate Abilities

Musculature Radial Paragon (Alpha)

 

 

 

Edited January 13 by Onlyasandwich

[Spaghetti Betty]

I have a ton of experience with Staff, and I think it's a tie between Stalker and Tanker for me! It's really better ST vs unrivaled AoE.

 

2 hours ago, Onlyasandwich said:

Do you think the Fury -Res proc is worth it in Gladiator versus a damage proc in situations outside of Pylon testing?

It's a pretty easy proc to throw in Guarded Spin for me. It's a great DPA power so you'll already be using it a lot.

2 hours ago, Onlyasandwich said:

What rotation do you like to use with Staff?

It's not the most optimal but I prefer Guarded Spin -> Precise Strike -> Serpent's Reach -> AS* (hide) -> Serpent's Reach/Snipe.

2 hours ago, Onlyasandwich said:

Where do you spend your perfection most of the time - Eye or Sky Splitter? Am I even thinking about this correctly? Perhaps it builds so quickly the answer is "both."

The correct answer is neither! If you're fighting a big target, you want to hold onto your perfection stacks for the damage bonus. EotS is a fantastic AoE and I'll argue spending stacks on that in mob scenarios, but I can't ever see Sky Splitter being a good payout since it's so slow.

2 hours ago, Onlyasandwich said:

Does enhancing Heal in Geode increase its HP before breaking? I've heard some folks say it hardly holds up long enough to be worth even taking in +4 content. How useful do you find this power?

Geode is great! I find using it can be a bit tricky because it seems like there's a brief window upon activation where it can be broken immediately (I haven't tested this to be sure), but it has saved my Spaghetti on lots of 4* runs!

2 hours ago, Onlyasandwich said:

In the past, I've avoided Placate on my stalkers, but really want to give the buffs to it a solid shot this time around

Placate is fantastic after it got buffed into an AoE, and Staff definitely appreciates the extra spike damage from going back into Hide. It doesn't need any slots so I say stick it out and make sure to use it lots.

[StriderIV]

@Onlyasandwich @Spaghetti Betty You two are some of the best in the business! I love your builds.

 

I have a Dark Armor/Staff Tanker that truly feels unkillable. The large AOE’s mixed with Dark Armor’s tool bag is just too much fun.

 

I ran a Staff/Stone Stalker myself, for the same reasons Only noted! He is Dragoon themed. Seems awesome, but I have just been hard pushed to figured an optimal attack chain for him coming out of hide, as well as just generally.

[Onlyasandwich]

On 1/18/2024 at 10:12 PM, StriderIV said:

Dragoon themed

Nice! Sounds like a fun character.

 

I've only gotten this guy to 28 (distracted by a new controller), but he's very solid. I haven't really pushed him through anything too challenging yet, though. Ran Peebles on +1X8 with bosses just fine, but that isn't exactly a high water mark. Still - not bad.

[StriderIV]

12 hours ago, Onlyasandwich said:

Nice! Sounds like a fun character.

 

I've only gotten this guy to 28 (distracted by a new controller), but he's very solid. I haven't really pushed him through anything too challenging yet, though. Ran Peebles on +1X8 with bosses just fine, but that isn't exactly a high water mark. Still - not bad.

Not bad at all. Honestly, it is a really TOUGH pairing on a Stalker. I just need to wrap my brain around some attack chains haha. I enjoy it’s style though and the thwack thwack thwack.

[Onlyasandwich]

I've been slowly leveling this guy and he's up to 40. Does not disappoint! Honestly staff is the most fun I've had on a stalker. The AOE is really quite excellent, especially with ffback support. Single target it feels a little slow with serpent's reach, but good.

 

Now I just have to remember I have geode. It is quite capable of saving me, but I need to click it! 

[StriderIV]

I really like your build, I might have to respec and make some changes to my own.  What attack chains have you been using from hide?

[Carnifax]

7 hours ago, Onlyasandwich said:

Now I just have to remember I have geode. It is quite capable of saving me, but I need to click it! 

Weirdly I'm dumping it for Placate. Find it hopelessly bad, breaks far too easily to be of use. 

 

If I were to suggest a fix I'd go for 50% DDR when Geoded up so it's not Hibernate levels of immunity but it also doesn't shatter like an egg every time I try and use it. 

[Onlyasandwich]

17 minutes ago, Carnifax said:

. Find it hopelessly bad,

I've found it useful, but am not on my final 50 build taking on 4x8.

 

Is it literally just breaking almost immediately upon use, and have you found slotting it for heal to make a difference? I wasn't sure whether heal slotting would increase geode hp or only the Regen component. 

[speczero]

41 minutes ago, Carnifax said:

Weirdly I'm dumping it for Placate. Find it hopelessly bad, breaks far too easily to be of use. 

 

If I were to suggest a fix I'd go for 50% DDR when Geoded up so it's not Hibernate levels of immunity but it also doesn't shatter like an egg every time I try and use it. 

I agree, for any 4/8 content or really anything that is actually hard Geode is worthless, it will be broken almost instantly. I have Stone armor builds of almost everything that can have stone and never take it. I tried it when it first appeared and found it to be one of the most disappointing replacements the Homecoming team put on an AT. It was supposed to be a replacement for Granite because Granite was considered too strong, but whoever on the team made this decision dropped the ball. It is probably the weakest level 9 power on any of the melee AT's. Don't let that get you down though, Stone is actually a great set, in fact my favorite. And you can actually get higher defense values on the Stalker Stone than the Scrapper one.

[Carnifax]

44 minutes ago, speczero said:

Don't let that get you down though, Stone is actually a great set

Oh I know, I've got mine to 50 (cheapo set-slotting on the way) and actually went as far as buying some Winters and Purples sets for them I'm enjoying them so much.