Best slotting for EM Pulse?

[Story Archer]

For some reason Mids is bugged when it comes to damage procs for EM Pulse - I'm either going to fully slot it with Unbreakable Constraint for the set bonuses or a Recharge and 5 procs (4 damage procs and a Lockdown) so that it can serve as a mini-nuke. Anyone have experience trying that?

[Story Archer]

Any ideas? Procs or Sets? Does the damage from the procs work with this power?

[Onlyasandwich]

Although you can proc bomb it with hold procs, I don't find this very worthwhile. The recharge is so long that you won't be adding much to your total damage, even if the burst is decent.

 

I prefer to mule a set that benefits my build goals, hits enough accuracy, and gives at least modest recharge. 

 

Typically that's either 5 slot unbreakable or 4 slot basilisk.

[Frozen Burn]

On 12/21/2024 at 10:11 PM, Story Archer said:

For some reason Mids is bugged when it comes to damage procs for EM Pulse - I'm either going to fully slot it with Unbreakable Constraint for the set bonuses or a Recharge and 5 procs (4 damage procs and a Lockdown) so that it can serve as a mini-nuke. Anyone have experience trying that?

 

I agree with @Onlyasandwich - it's not worth proc'ing up and using for damage.  You'd get very little benefit from it, especially sufferring the -Recov debuff you get when using it. 

 

EM Pulse's best use is the -regen component.  You want as much recharge on it as possible, imo, so you can perhaps use it multiple times in an AV/GM fight.  You'll never get it perma as the -1000% regen debuff only lasts 15s, and the fastest possible recharge you can get it down to is 60s.  But even with a normal build and at ~90s rech, it's still worth it and can get 2-3 uses in long AV/GM fights.  EM Pulse, on top of spamming your Lingering Rad (-500% regen), can really drop tough foes.  

 

I prefer a full set of Superior Entomb (winter set) as it gives max recharge and hold values - and nice set bonuses.

[Psiphon]

I tend to slot a full set of Lockdown for the ranged defence and +1 mag hold. 

[SeraphimKensai]

The answer below is generalized and applies to any similar questions asking the best slotting of a particular power given that power has the option of accepting IO sets....

 

It fully depends on the individual character's collective build. Will a particular set get you a performance benchmark that you want/need out of the toon? Will the set bonuses be useful? If not then would proc bombing an attack can be useful? If not does the power need additional slotting? Could any spare slots be reallocated to other powers to hit performance benchmarks the build needs to improve overall slot efficiency?

 

In specific regards to EM Pulse. It has a base 300 second recharge and accepts hold and end mod IOs. Do I need to use slots for a performance benchmark (e.g. 4 basilisks gazes for a 7.5% recharge bonus, that is unique from lotg 7.5% recharge bonuses, in the goal of same perma AM/perma Hasten)? If not then I'm likely just sticking a +5 generic recharge IO in there, maybe 2 if I have the spare slots? Chances are more likely I have a more useful power selection lined up to be honest.

 

Just a little food for thought.