Super Ninja! Keeping it clean with Nin/Nin

Onlyasandwich · March 24

I've been on a stalker kick lately, and the discussion in another thread regarding /nin got me interested in giving it a spin!

The only /nin I've built before was a Sentinel, which has a fairly similar spread, but of course very different slotting opportunities and a handy +end power.

I'd love to share my build and invite any suggestions for improvement!

Goals:

Softcap to all positionals of course.
High Slow res.
Side dish of S/L resist and any other low hanging +res I can get my hands on.
Max hit chance against +3's.

Areas I'd love to improve in the current build without sacrificing these priorities:

A bit more Slow res would be nice.
I feel there's a way to move stuff around for more S/L that I may be missing.
For once, full Gaussian's is actually pretty efficient here, as I make use of all the positionals gained. However, it always bums me out to slot a power only for set benefits. The actual enhancement values here get very little mileage. Do you see a way to gain 2.5% to all while making better use of enhancement values?

Power questions:

To you find Smoke Flash worth it? I've been enjoying Placate's use in minimizing runners lately, and hope that having another easy aoe placate to rotate in will help keep things in one place.
Sting vs Gambler's vs Divine Avalanche. Gambler's seems to be best DPA for a non-proc worthy power, and therefore a great place for the Mark ATO set. Do you choose differently, and if so why? Parries are nice, but Divine recharges too fast to be worth proccing, so relying on it would be a pretty big hit to my DPS rotation. I don't think having more than one of these is all that useful based on how quickly my other heavy hitters will be up.
Caltrops - do you think it's silly to skip? I like the power myself, but it just doesn't fit into my package here.
Kuji-In Retsu (the T9) seems to have a pretty decent use case on /Nin, giving you some hefty DDR in situations where you might otherwise be overwhelmed. Do you enjoy it? I was considering taking it, using the mule to save a slot, and dropping Super Jump (free slot would go to keep the slow resist IO elsewhere).

Thematic considerations:

The epic integrates well into my goals, but is also thematically where I want to be.
Combat Teleport is a commitment - especially for a Ninja : )
Part of me wants to trade the Ninja blade for a Broad Sword. Slotting would be almost 1:1 - what set do you think comes out on top?

Note that I do have the FFback proc in Soaring dragon toggled on here when reviewing totals.

Also - Mids doesn't have accurate data on Targeting Drone end consumption. It is half what is listed, which brings my end/sec closer to 2. I figure with the Perf Shifter procs and Panacea proccing, this should be decently sustainable.

The only other question remaining - do you think this would be better as a Scrapper? I've been avoiding Scrappers without a Taunt aura, as the runners are just so very obnoxious. I find this less of a problem on Stalkers due to placate. However, Bo Ryaku and the +end tool both offer a lot of build flexibility - it's tempting.

Build:

Stalker (Ninja Blade - Ninjitsu).mbd

Text:

Spoiler

Selected Powers

Level 1: Gambler's Cut

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 40: Superior Assassin's Mark: Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
Slot Level 42: Superior Assassin's Mark: Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
Slot Level 42: Superior Assassin's Mark: RechargeTime/Rchg Build Up

Level 1: Ninja Reflexes

Slot Level 1: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
Slot Level 15: Reactive Defenses: Defense
Slot Level 19: Reactive Defenses: Defense/Endurance
Slot Level 37: Reactive Defenses: Scaling Resist Damage
Slot Level 39: Kismet: Accuracy +6%

Level 2: Flashing Steel

Slot Level 2: Armageddon: Damage
Slot Level 3: Armageddon: Damage/Endurance
Slot Level 3: Armageddon: Chance for Fire Damage
Slot Level 15: Eradication: Chance for Energy Damage
Slot Level 17: Obliteration: Chance for Smashing Damage
Slot Level 17: Touch of Lady Grey: Chance for Negative Damage

Level 4: Danger Sense

Slot Level 4: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
Slot Level 5: Shield Wall: Defense/Endurance
Slot Level 5: Shield Wall: Defense
Slot Level 11: Shield Wall: +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All)

Level 6: Assassin's Blade

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 11: Superior Stalker's Guile: Recharge/Chance to Hide

Level 8: Build Up

Slot Level 8: Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control: Chance for Build Up
Slot Level 45: Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control: To Hit Buff/Endurance
Slot Level 45: Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control: To Hit Buff
Slot Level 45: Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control: To Hit Buff/Recharge
Slot Level 46: Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control: To Hit Buff/Recharge/Endurance
Slot Level 46: Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control: Recharge/Endurance

Level 10: Combat Jumping

Slot Level 10: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed

Level 12: Hide

Slot Level 12: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed

Level 14: Placate

Slot Level 14: Invention: Recharge Reduction

Level 16: Combat Teleport

Slot Level 16: Blessing of the Zephyr: Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range
Slot Level 39: Blessing of the Zephyr: Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance
Slot Level 48: Blessing of the Zephyr: Knockback Reduction (4 points)

Level 18: Kuji-In Rin

Slot Level 18: Unbreakable Guard: Resistance
Slot Level 42: Unbreakable Guard: Resistance/Endurance
Slot Level 43: Unbreakable Guard: RechargeTime/Resistance
Slot Level 43: Unbreakable Guard: +Max HP
Slot Level 43: Steadfast Protection: Resistance/+Def 3%

Level 20: Hasten

Slot Level 20: Invention: Recharge Reduction
Slot Level 19: Invention: Recharge Reduction

Level 22: Kuji-In Sha

Slot Level 22: Preventive Medicine: Heal
Slot Level 21: Preventive Medicine: Heal/Endurance
Slot Level 21: Preventive Medicine: Endurance/RechargeTime
Slot Level 36: Preventive Medicine: Heal/RechargeTime
Slot Level 37: Preventive Medicine: Heal/RechargeTime/Endurance
Slot Level 37: Preventive Medicine: Chance for +Absorb

Level 24: Soaring Dragon

Slot Level 24: Superior Blistering Cold: Accuracy/Damage
Slot Level 23: Superior Blistering Cold: Damage/Endurance
Slot Level 23: Superior Blistering Cold: Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
Slot Level 34: Touch of Death: Chance of Damage(Negative)
Slot Level 34: Hecatomb: Chance of Damage(Negative)
Slot Level 34: Force Feedback: Chance for +Recharge

Level 26: Smoke Flash

Slot Level 26: Mocking Beratement: Accuracy/Recharge
Slot Level 25: Mocking Beratement: Recharge
Slot Level 25: Mocking Beratement: Threat/Placate/Recharge

Level 28: Golden Dragonfly

Slot Level 28: Superior Avalanche: Accuracy/Damage
Slot Level 27: Superior Avalanche: Damage/Endurance
Slot Level 27: Superior Avalanche: Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
Slot Level 33: Eradication: Chance for Energy Damage
Slot Level 33: Touch of Lady Grey: Chance for Negative Damage
Slot Level 33: Obliteration: Chance for Smashing Damage

Level 30: Blinding Powder

Slot Level 30: Coercive Persuasion : Confused
Slot Level 29: Coercive Persuasion : Confused/Recharge
Slot Level 29: Coercive Persuasion : Confused/Recharge/Accuracy
Slot Level 31: Coercive Persuasion : Recharge/Accuracy
Slot Level 31: Coercive Persuasion : Confused/Endurance
Slot Level 31: Coercive Persuasion : Contagious Confusion

Level 32: Super Jump

Slot Level 32: Winter's Gift: Slow Resistance (20%)

Level 38: Tough

Slot Level 38: Gladiator's Armor: Resistance
Slot Level 36: Gladiator's Armor: End/Resist
Slot Level 36: Gladiator's Armor: TP Protection +3% Def (All)

Level 41: Weave

Slot Level 41: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
Slot Level 39: Red Fortune: Defense/Endurance
Slot Level 51: Red Fortune: Defense

Level 44: Physical Perfection

Slot Level 44: Performance Shifter: Chance for +End

Level 47: Targeting Drone

Slot Level 47: Adjusted Targeting: To Hit Buff/Endurance

Level 49: Exploding Shuriken

Slot Level 49: Superior Frozen Blast: Accuracy/Damage
Slot Level 48: Superior Frozen Blast: Damage/Endurance
Slot Level 51: Superior Frozen Blast: Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
Slot Level 51: Positron's Blast: Chance of Damage(Energy)
Slot Level 51: Javelin Volley: Chance of Damage(Lethal)
Slot Level 51: Bombardment: Chance for Fire Damage

Inherent Powers

Health:

Slot Level 1: Panacea: +Hit Points/Endurance
Slot Level 48: Miracle: +Recovery

Stamina:

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

Chunk:

Spoiler

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Edited March 24 by Onlyasandwich

StrikerFox · March 25

Your build looks good! Can squeeze a bit more here and there. Like taking the slots from Smoke Flash to 4 slot Shield Wall (In Danger Sense) for +4.5% E/N res, and 2 slotting Celerity (In Sprint) for +2.25% S/L res. Also Prestige Sprints are available if you want to slot multiple Celerity.

I don't know if the build really needs Force Feedback in Soaring Dragon. Longest recharge powers are the heal and Exploding Shuriken. Hasten is probably around 14s off perma. BU recharge isn't a big deal anymore with the ATO2 proc. I think an Achilles' proc would be more useful instead of FF if you solo a lot.

An Unbreakable Guard IO in Kuji-In Rin is level 30.

Something that is throwing me off is it's a proc heavy build but the proc monster power isn't slotted for it. Assassin's Blade. But that's probably the tradeoff. Chasing slow and F/C res, less +rech from set bonuses.

The build is still softcap without Blessing of the Zephyr set in Combat TP. If slots are needed, I would take it from that and Smoke Flash.

Could split Superior Avalanche between Golden Dragonfly and Flashing Steel for an additional slow resist. Divvy the IOs try to even out acc/dam/end stats. Other than that, can get some slow res from Synapse's Shock into Stamina. If you took Web Grenade and 4 slot Ice Mistral. Take Shuriken for a 3 slot Superior Winter's Bite. Or Super Speed/Kuji-In Retsu with 4 slotted Thrust IOs (But it's a lot of slots for a mule). Or Caltrops could 4 slot Ice Mistral and 2 slot Superior Frozen Blast for a total of +25% slow res.

I never found a use for Smoke Flash. With improved Placate, I'm guessing SF is needed even less, but I literally haven't looked at it since live.

I've always chose Gambler's Cut. I think it provides higher dps and it's fast cast time makes it a good filler for gaps in an attack chain.

I always end up taking Caltrops and slot it as a mule for a set bonus I may need. I don't use it very much on melee characters, though I use it often on my Traps MM.

I mule Kuji-In Retsu for a Shield Wall unique. It really has little use if a build is made well. Like you mentioned DDR is the best reason to pick it up.

I tossed some data from your build into Obitus' old dps calculator. Running a ST attack chain like AS-SD-GD-GC-repeat will burn 3.619 end/sec on your build. You mentioned your toggles are taking almost 2 end/sec. 3.17 recovery... Each Performance Shifter adds approximately 0.2 e/s. I think Panacea adds around 0.15 e/s. Max end if 101.8... Endurance will probably last around 55 secs with toggles on and running that attack chain continuously. It will be shorter if other powers like Exploding Shuriken is used. Even less if a Hasten crash occurs. Try testing it in RWZ, just keep attacking a dummy target to see how long end lasts for.

All in all it's a great build.

Onlyasandwich · March 25

1 hour ago, StrikerFox said:

Your build looks good!

Thank you for taking the time to review!

Normally I do keep my Winter ATO's to a 2 slot to stack slow res. The idea here in a three slot approach (as well as the 3 slot purple in Flashing) is to establish some F/C resist along with some extra end efficiency. I could change course and gain slow res+more procs, but I feel it's a worthy enough trade.

To clarify, my actual End/sec is +2.21/sec positive. My toggles aren't taking 2/sec. Mids hasn't incorporated the halving of Targeting Drone's usage since the last page update.

With perf shfiter and Panacea proc, this should put me at ~2.76/sec effective, though of course procs are unpredictable. I'm comfortable with that sustainability for a typical rotation. I don't include my travel power in usage here, as I don't keep it toggled in battle.

Fully read on Smoke Flash! I'll drop it for sure. As you noted, the slots there weren't serving me very well anyhow. In my newest iteration I've taken Kuji-In Retsu and muled it as you suggested, and redistributed slots elsewhere.

I do like Caltrops! I feel like the drop here would be Combat Teleport, but it's too core to the concept, and the slotting is efficient towards my goals as well.

As for Assasin's Blade, I could for sure maximize its damage further with procs. However, the ATO proc lives best here in the rotation, and the set bonuses are too juicy to pass up. I also get the benefit of better local recharge here than if procced. It provides great value to the rotation just through vanilla enhancement!

Good point on FFback! The real benefit would be to my aoe rotation, but it isn't actually a part of my aoe rotation. I think an achilles will be perfect here, as soaring dragon will be my typical stealth opener, followed up by Assassin's blade which will really appreciate the -res.

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