When to swap to IOEs

[ajchvy]

My Blaster is currently level 44 and the small amount of research that I've done it seems like Invention Enhancements seem to be better than SOEs at higher levels so my question is when should I spend the time/money on invention stuff? I figured I should just wait until at least 47 so that I can slot level 50 Enhancements. I have 4 Blaster's Wrath in one of my powers currently, and I know the merit enhancements seem to be decent as well.

I'm not really looking to min-max but I'd like my character to be able to solo at least lvl+1 stuff. I'll worry about Incarnate once I get there.

 

Thanks

[Erratic1]

You should be able to solo +1 stuff without IO sets.

 

Not sure how using IO sets is min-maxing while not using them is somehow pure of intent, but you can start into IO sets at least 25 levels earlier. So swap when inclined, you have the resources, and have a plan in mind.

[Without_Pause]

I pop a respec at 27 and 50. 27 is when you essentially can slot the best of the lower level IOs. You get 5 respecs as you level, so I have done more than just the two. 

[tidge]

Since crafting (many) level 45 and level 50 enhancements are tied to badges (and a semi-useful storage expansion), for those players not already slotting enhancement set pieces I recommend putting in some low bids (on the auction house) for IO pieces. A character can start slotting 45s at level 42.

[Frozen Burn]

On 11/18/2024 at 3:48 PM, ajchvy said:

My Blaster is currently level 44 and the small amount of research that I've done it seems like Invention Enhancements seem to be better than SOEs at higher levels so my question is when should I spend the time/money on invention stuff? I figured I should just wait until at least 47 so that I can slot level 50 Enhancements. I have 4 Blaster's Wrath in one of my powers currently, and I know the merit enhancements seem to be decent as well.

I'm not really looking to min-max but I'd like my character to be able to solo at least lvl+1 stuff. I'll worry about Incarnate once I get there.

 

Thanks

 

You can start as early as you want, but as mentioned above, most of the better sets start at lvl 30, which means you can slot them at lvl 27.  You can also purchase attuned versions or catalyze them yourself, so that they will level up with you.  That way, you can take advantage of having set bonuses early on and not wait until lvl 47 to slot only lvl 50 IOs.  

 

Additionally, attuned IOs when you're level 50 will retain their set bonuses, if you ex down within the sets base lvl range.  With lvl 50 IOs, you'll lose those bonuses if you ex down too low.  

 

The only real advantage to having a lvl 50 IO is that you can boost it to lvl 50+5.  

 

Many people will use attuned IOs as they level up, then at lvl 47 unslot/respec out of some or all, and put in lvl 50 IOs so they can boost them.  And then at lvl 50, unslot more to put in any purple sets and boost them.

 

**Never attune / catalyze a purple IO - it can only be slotted at lvl 50, but if you ex down, you will retain its set bonus, unlike other IO sets - this is part of what makes purples so special.