Blaster Ancillary Powers - Opinions?

[Renatos1023]

Hi y'all,

 

Blasters are not my thing, going to admit that right off the bat. All of my mains are Defenders, with major dabbling in Tanks and Sents. However, I watched a movie over the weekend and had an idea for an Ice/Ninja Blaster (It wasn't Mortal Kombat, and I didn't have a Sub-Zero idea in my head  :P). I just hit 41 and so far, he's a blast (no pun intended). However, since this is only the second Blaster I've ever gotten this high, I was having some trouble with the Ancillary power pools. I have to be honest; they all seem...lackluster. I generally like getting to the upper levels and looking at these pool powers (the Defender ones offer some decent options), but all of the Blaster ones seem to be bad. Is there a consensus on this?

 

My original thought was to go with the Ice one since that is my theme, but, IMO, most of those powers were crap (lmk if I'm wrong please). Power and Dark seemed viable alternatives, so I went Dark. Fearsome Stare is one of my favorite powers in the game, so that is really the only reason I went that way (plus a good chunk of -to hit is as good as some defense). Are the resistance shields even worth it on a Blaster? I plan on building some solid defenses, but even the exotic resist shield in Dark seemed to have mediocre numbers. Do people generally skip the Ancillary pools for Blasters?

 

I guess I just wanted to express my...apathy towards these ancillary powers. I thought I'd *definitely* lean into one, but not at all. 

 

Thanks in advance for your input!

Ren

[Frozen Burn]

40 minutes ago, Renatos1023 said:

Hi y'all,

 

Blasters are not my thing, going to admit that right off the bat. All of my mains are Defenders, with major dabbling in Tanks and Sents. However, I watched a movie over the weekend and had an idea for an Ice/Ninja Blaster (It wasn't Mortal Kombat, and I didn't have a Sub-Zero idea in my head  :P). I just hit 41 and so far, he's a blast (no pun intended). However, since this is only the second Blaster I've ever gotten this high, I was having some trouble with the Ancillary power pools. I have to be honest; they all seem...lackluster. I generally like getting to the upper levels and looking at these pool powers (the Defender ones offer some decent options), but all of the Blaster ones seem to be bad. Is there a consensus on this?

 

My original thought was to go with the Ice one since that is my theme, but, IMO, most of those powers were crap (lmk if I'm wrong please). Power and Dark seemed viable alternatives, so I went Dark. Fearsome Stare is one of my favorite powers in the game, so that is really the only reason I went that way (plus a good chunk of -to hit is as good as some defense). Are the resistance shields even worth it on a Blaster? I plan on building some solid defenses, but even the exotic resist shield in Dark seemed to have mediocre numbers. Do people generally skip the Ancillary pools for Blasters?

 

I guess I just wanted to express my...apathy towards these ancillary powers. I thought I'd *definitely* lean into one, but not at all. 

 

Thanks in advance for your input!

Ren

 

Hi and welcome to Blasting!

 

The Ancillary Pools for Blasters are more for a shield and utility powers to help with survivability.  Typically, I think most will at least take the armor from the set.  Many like the Scorpion Shield from Mace Mastery.  Frozen Armor is good, along with Hoarfrost and Hibernate - those are perfect for your toon.  All the others are actually quite good too and have handy powers in them to help you survive, and provide additional opportunities for set bonuses.  Resistance armors can be useful as well, especially when you layer defense from other powers and set bonuses on top.  

 

But if you don't like any of the epic pools, don't take one!  Maybe take another regular pool or two instead.  

 

 

[ZorkNemesis]

i don't think i've ever seen anyone not take the Ancillary powers.  They generally all help with survival, either by adding some extra defense or resistance or providing some minor control effects usually.  Some are better than others for sure but they all generally offer helpful effects.

 

Resist shields on Blasters are fine.  Any reduced incoming damage is better than nothing when your squishy to begin with.  You can slot the two +Def uniques in a Resist power if you don't have Tough or a Sustain with +Res like the ones offered in Plant or Ninja.

 

As far as best, Fire was considered top when putting a KB>KD in Bonfire was busted.  Not sure if that holds up now.  For the most part I still stick to theme for epics so it doesn't bother me a whole lot if i'm getting sub-par choices.  Sometimes they open up interesting options too, like how Leviathan Mastery has Knockout Blow for whatever reason.  I've heard good things about Dark, especially Fearsome Stare, so that might be a contender for top numbers now too.  Though I think Possess is still really bad what with it erranously reducing your stats when you use it.

[tidge]

I will take the Epic pools on Blasters, but almost always to get an "armor" and/or get powers for Enhancement mules. I like to have my Blasters "mostly done" with the keye power choices by the level those sets become available.

 

The exceptions have been:

• Fire Mastery, because getting Rise of the Phoenix means I can pretty much play as crazy as I want, plus Melt Armor
• Arsenal Mastery, for Blasters already using some sort of rifle... the powers mesh well with the rifle sets IMO.

[ScarySai]

Fire mast for melt armor and char.

 

Force mast for, well, everything in it is good now. Especially bomb and field.

 

Soul for oppressive gloom, even nerfed.

 

Arsenal for meming with LRM rocket and surveillance.

Edited May 30 by ScarySai

[Renatos1023]

Thank you all for your feedback! I went with Dark over the others and took both Fearsome Stare and the Armor, both of which I made a nice blue color which looks like snow/frost. I did not take the T5 power in Dark cause the +HP and +End on a long timer just seemed useless. My reason for not going with the Ice mastery was that the shield gives Sm/Le defenses and I am focusing on M/R/AoE -- maybe that is not normal, but that is what I'm shooting for. Currently around 24% for all three. 

 

I guess they Ancillary powers help? Honestly, I feel like a huge nuclear bomb, and everything seems to die quickly (I'm used to Defender damage). This character has been a total blast. I love the fact that my all my damage powers can Crit. When Golden Dragonfly crits, and because it keeps the cone like a Scrapper, it feels super powerful.

 

Count me in for some more Blasters! 🙂