Electric / Ninja

[Crossie]

So quick question - 

 

Is it true that a blaster can get crits with /ninja archetype?  If so, is Electric / Ninja worthwhile?  Does anybody happen to have an OP build for this combo?  

 

I've been playing all this time and I read somewhere else that this is a crit build type.  Interesting!

[Hjarki]

The Ninja 'crits' are a +25% damage bonus when you attack from stealth and an additional toxic proc on all of your attacks (very roughly worth about +10% damage). Since Blasters don't have the Stalker ATO letting them hide mid-combat, the +25% damage bonus is largely useful for opening with the ultimate. Note that this ability is significantly weaker than the comparable one from Devices (which is a permanent +20% damage and +80% damage on your opening attack).

 

The major virtues of Ninja:

• A non-toggle regen/recovery mechanic that also allows you to slot Resist enhancements in case you want to go for S/L/E/R via Scorpion Shield but not waste a pool on Fighting.
• The ability to slot one of the best sets in the game (Coercive Persuasion).
• A non-notify -resist debuff that slots one of the other best sets around (Mocking Beratement).

The actual attacks in Ninja are all fairly weak examples of the type and neither of the abilities taken at level 1 are particularly worthwhile - they're the kind of abilities you slot for set bonuses because you're forced to take them and then leave them off your bars.

 

In terms of Electrical, it's... ok. The basic rotation is generic with little to recommend it beyond it not being unusually weak. It has an acceptable target AE. It does have a decent PBAoE, but this is often used as a endurance sapping mechanism because your attacks rise by about 20% on targets with low endurance (it's a percentage chance thing). It also has a pet that tags along to add some additional damage. The set is theoretically solid single target damage if you set it up well, but setting it up against large crowds is tricky (they're normally dead too fast) and targets like AV/GM resist end drain too much.

 

What you might consider pairing with Electric is Tactical Arrow. The Immobilize you're forced to take is the equivalent of your T1 attack, so you can run a rotation that's just your first two power picks and the snipe. TA also has extra recharge, a non-Stealth defense toggle (helps with slotting 5xLotG). The last two powers are of particular note. ESD Arrow, slotting with EndMod enhancements, will zero out endurance on 10 targets at range. Oil Slick Arrow ignites for about 250 damage (before enhancements) when you hit it with Energy or Fire damage (presumably the former).