Tanky Ice/Kin (just sharing the build)

[Vayek]

I completed a really fun and tanky ice/kin Corruptor build. I think its fun, and figured I'd share it with others.

 

The build is focused around positional (Ranged, Melee, AoE) defenses, and around dealing damage. Some set bonuses may be wasted beyond the x5 of that identical set bonus, but they were ignored in the pursuit of other set bonuses.

 

When you build this, don't forget to catalyze everything that needs it. This will affect the numbers if you don't do it in the live game.

Frosty The Snow Kin - Tanky - Corruptor (Ice Blast - Kinetics).mbd

Edited February 21 by Vayek

[Uun]

There are major issues with this build, the largest of which is the failure to slot accuracy in several key powers. Your global accuracy is limited and you will be missing A LOT against +3/+4 foes. Unclear if you've actually played this. Attaching my Ice/Kin for reference.

• Ice Blast requires accuracy. As slotted you've got a 61% chance to hit +3s. Assuming it hits, the %bu proc is only 1.0 PPM and only has a 16% chance of firing in a short recharge power.
• Transfusion requires accuracy. As slotted you've got a 73% chance to hit +3s. Touch of the Nictus would be a better choice. The Numina +regen/+recov proc needs to be in an active power, otherwise it only has a 120s duration. 
• Siphon Speed is a core power for Kinetics and shouldn't be skipped. In addition to buffing your recharge, the debuff is unresistible.
• 6-slotting Boxing is a huge waste. Redeploy those slots to Ice Blast or Bitter Freeze Ray. Also, Blistering Cold's big defense bonuses are typed, not positional.
• Slot Speed Boost for end mod not recharge (it has a 2s base recharge).
• Slot the 6th piece of MotC in Blizzard for the 10% recharge bonus.
• Fulcrum Shift requires accuracy. As slotted you've got a 61% chance to hit +3s.
• Bitter Freeze Ray should be skipped or slotted as an attack. As slotted you've got a 75% chance to hit +3s.
• Power Build Up is a poor choice with Kinetics. You don't need the +dmg and the +special only affects your heals, end drains and the slows in your Ice blasts.
• Freeze Ray is the highest DPA attack you've got and you're not taking it until lvl 44? It should be slotted as an attack, not a hold. Also, Entomb's big defense bonus is typed, not positional.

Uunchill - Corruptor (Ice Blast).mbd

[Vayek]

4 hours ago, Uun said:

There are major issues with this build, the largest of which is the failure to slot accuracy in several key powers. Your global accuracy is limited and you will be missing A LOT against +3/+4 foes. Unclear if you've actually played this. Attaching my Ice/Kin for reference.

• Ice Blast requires accuracy. As slotted you've got a 61% chance to hit +3s. Assuming it hits, the %bu proc is only 1.0 PPM and only has a 16% chance of firing in a short recharge power.
• Transfusion requires accuracy. As slotted you've got a 73% chance to hit +3s. Touch of the Nictus would be a better choice. The Numina +regen/+recov proc needs to be in an active power, otherwise it only has a 120s duration. 
• Siphon Speed is a core power for Kinetics and shouldn't be skipped. In addition to buffing your recharge, the debuff is unresistible.
• 6-slotting Boxing is a huge waste. Redeploy those slots to Ice Blast or Bitter Freeze Ray. Also, Blistering Cold's big defense bonuses are typed, not positional.
• Slot Speed Boost for end mod not recharge (it has a 2s base recharge).
• Slot the 6th piece of MotC in Blizzard for the 10% recharge bonus.
• Fulcrum Shift requires accuracy. As slotted you've got a 61% chance to hit +3s.
• Bitter Freeze Ray should be skipped or slotted as an attack. As slotted you've got a 75% chance to hit +3s.
• Power Build Up is a poor choice with Kinetics. You don't need the +dmg and the +special only affects your heals, end drains and the slows in your Ice blasts.
• Freeze Ray is the highest DPA attack you've got and you're not taking it until lvl 44? It should be slotted as an attack, not a hold. Also, Entomb's big defense bonus is typed, not positional.

Uunchill - Corruptor (Ice Blast).mbd 44.96 kB · 1 download

 

I was just sharing the build for others if they wanted it. Wasn't looking for critique, didn't ask for it. Maybe your advice will work for someone else who wants to optimize their build for damage (not what this build was optimized for).

This build was made for my own play style, and built to be tanky in end game situations. You are welcome to make a build that fits your own style and needs.

And making most of those changes will ruin the bits that make this build tanky.

Edited February 22 by Vayek

[Psiphon]

Uun is simply pointing out the short falls of the build so that any new players are aware. 

By posting the build your asking for it to be scrutinised. 

[Uun]

7 hours ago, Vayek said:

Maybe your advice will work for someone else who wants to optimize their build for damage (not what this build was optimized for).

The second paragraph in the OP literally says "The build is focused around positional (Ranged, Melee, AoE) defenses, and around dealing damage."

[Vayek]

7 hours ago, Psiphon said:

Uun is simply pointing out the short falls of the build so that any new players are aware. 

By posting the build your asking for it to be scrutinised. 

 

Nah, actually asking for feedback, is asking. I was just freely sharing a build with anyone interested. Not really looking for unsolicited critique. but, maybe someone will use the critique at some point.

[desarix]

In my opinion players especially new players should be made aware of the shortfall in your build because they might not be savvy enough to understand it and will not perhaps perform as they wish. When you place a build like this on the forums others may follow it so it is important to point out what can be improved and it should not irritate you because it only helps others. I understand that you wanted to share a build but it may not be what others want and why it performs below what a player might want coming to this game looking for a build is also important. 

[Psiphon]

10 hours ago, Vayek said:

 

Nah, actually asking for feedback, is asking. I was just freely sharing a build with anyone interested. Not really looking for unsolicited critique. but, maybe someone will use the critique at some point.

I don't use any form of AT builder so I can't really give my opinion on it directly. 

The only thing that I will say is if you're not slotting accuracy in Kinetics (as per Unn)then you're massively hamstringing yourself. 

Most of the powers use a to hit check, if you can't hit a mob then you're bringing less to the party. 

Most of my Kins are slotted for ranged defence, with some melee and then AoE defence. 

I always take Manuevers and Tactics, to limit the chances of missing. 

[Vayek]

Look, I was only sharing a tanky build i made for anyone who wants it. 

I genuinely do not care if someone find faults in the build or loves the build. It is entirely irrelevant to me.

 

I very specifically said I was just sharing a build i made. And have said i didnt ask for or want critique.

A guy should be able to share something without having the inflated ego of someone else come along and shit on things. 

If you don't like the build, then its not for you. feel free to move on. But I wont be bullied into not openly sharing a build because some people wanna tear things down and find faults in everything.

I am well aware that things were skipped in this build in the effort to make it tanky. Things were done differently on purpose, to make a specific kind of build. Enjoy the build, or don't. stop telling me about your thoughts on this or that of the build. its a free build to people

 

[Uun]

46 minutes ago, Vayek said:

I am well aware that things were skipped in this build in the effort to make it tanky. Things were done differently on purpose, to make a specific kind of build.

I call BS. Fixing the stuff you omitted wouldn’t affect the tankyness at all. You made a crappy build and don’t want to own up it or learn from your mistakes. If anyone has an out of control ego it’s you.

[normalperson]

Just taking the opportunity to ask, since I'm running a Fire/Kinetic    :  What is the best way to compensate for accuracy if your primary/secondary powers don't have good +Acc or +Def?

 

I'm considering going with the Experimentation pool to get Corrosive Vial and Adrenaline Booster.            Maybe even taking the Scorpion Patron to get the +ACC power it gives you. 

 

Any other, perhaps less costly, options?

[Psiphon]

8 hours ago, normalperson said:

Just taking the opportunity to ask, since I'm running a Fire/Kinetic    :  What is the best way to compensate for accuracy if your primary/secondary powers don't have good +Acc or +Def?

 

I'm considering going with the Experimentation pool to get Corrosive Vial and Adrenaline Booster.            Maybe even taking the Scorpion Patron to get the +ACC power it gives you. 

 

Any other, perhaps less costly, options?

People are simply referring to the slotting of the powers, not the powers themselves. 

Tactics helps and there are some IOs that have +to hit. 

[Uun]

9 hours ago, normalperson said:

Just taking the opportunity to ask, since I'm running a Fire/Kinetic    :  What is the best way to compensate for accuracy if your primary/secondary powers don't have good +Acc or +Def?

 

I'm considering going with the Experimentation pool to get Corrosive Vial and Adrenaline Booster.            Maybe even taking the Scorpion Patron to get the +ACC power it gives you. 

 

Any other, perhaps less costly, options?

I generally aim for 40-50% in accuracy enhancements in any power with 1.0 accuracy. This can take the form of a single acc IO or multiple enhancements as part of an IO set. On top of this I try to add global accuracy or tohit bonuses. Tactics or Focused Accuracy (Mace Mastery) are good options, as is the Kismet +tohit IO (which can be slotted in any defense power). 

Corrosive Vial can help, but it has a pretty small radius (8 ft) and a 5 target cap. Adrenal Booster is a good power but has a 10 min recharge.

[MoonSheep]

On 2/22/2025 at 4:13 PM, Uun said:

There are major issues with this build, the largest of which is the failure to slot accuracy in several key powers. Your global accuracy is limited and you will be missing A LOT against +3/+4 foes. Unclear if you've actually played this. Attaching my Ice/Kin for reference.

• Ice Blast requires accuracy. As slotted you've got a 61% chance to hit +3s. Assuming it hits, the %bu proc is only 1.0 PPM and only has a 16% chance of firing in a short recharge power.
• Transfusion requires accuracy. As slotted you've got a 73% chance to hit +3s. Touch of the Nictus would be a better choice. The Numina +regen/+recov proc needs to be in an active power, otherwise it only has a 120s duration. 
• Siphon Speed is a core power for Kinetics and shouldn't be skipped. In addition to buffing your recharge, the debuff is unresistible.
• 6-slotting Boxing is a huge waste. Redeploy those slots to Ice Blast or Bitter Freeze Ray. Also, Blistering Cold's big defense bonuses are typed, not positional.
• Slot Speed Boost for end mod not recharge (it has a 2s base recharge).
• Slot the 6th piece of MotC in Blizzard for the 10% recharge bonus.
• Fulcrum Shift requires accuracy. As slotted you've got a 61% chance to hit +3s.
• Bitter Freeze Ray should be skipped or slotted as an attack. As slotted you've got a 75% chance to hit +3s.
• Power Build Up is a poor choice with Kinetics. You don't need the +dmg and the +special only affects your heals, end drains and the slows in your Ice blasts.
• Freeze Ray is the highest DPA attack you've got and you're not taking it until lvl 44? It should be slotted as an attack, not a hold. Also, Entomb's big defense bonus is typed, not positional.

Uunchill - Corruptor (Ice Blast).mbd 44.96 kB · 10 downloads

 

i agree with all of this, from my perspective as a kin defender i would also add

- aim is vital to have in some situations, whether to ensure a heal lands, to get a good fulcrum shift or to hit enemies which have a lot of +def, like a paragon protector which has cast MoG

- i'd drop ice storm as the damage isn't that good, i'd take freeze ray much earlier and use the slots on bitter freeze ray to put two acc/dam hami O's in and 4 damage procs, 2 of them purples. the cast time is quite long though

- if you want to choose power build up, i'd recommend choosing the soul mastery for Power Boost as it recharges in half the time

- i wouldn't choose super speed on a kin. intertial reduction is superior as it has no travel lag during combat, and siphon speed also gives you the same effect as super speed whilst casting a debuff on an enemy

[normalperson]

SS doesn't stack with those?              It would be kind of fun to create an absolute speed monster. 

[Troo]

On 2/23/2025 at 2:30 PM, Uun said:

You made a crappy build

 

I mostly agree except with the above. 

My opinion = Peeps can play how they like and like what they want. 

Demanding folks play/build a certain way... no, you're just suggesting some opportunities to tweak the build, right?

 

@Vayek don't miss the opportunity for some constructive discussion.  Regardless of Uun's delivery, there could potentially be a suggestion or three in this thread worth considering. You don't have to make any changes, up to you.

 

MoonSheep's "soul mastery for Power Boost as it recharges in half the time" is worth considering.

[Uun]

7 hours ago, Troo said:

My opinion = Peeps can play how they like and like what they want. 

Demanding folks play/build a certain way... no, you're just suggesting some opportunities to tweak the build, right?

Absolutely. At no point did I suggest that their build shouldn't be tanky or that they shouldn't play how they want. However, when someone fails to slot accuracy in multiple powers (and doesn't have acc/tohit bonuses to replace it), that's objectively suboptimal and has nothing to do with play style.

[Psiphon]

On 2/24/2025 at 6:36 PM, MoonSheep said:

 

i agree with all of this, from my perspective as a kin defender i would also add

- aim is vital to have in some situations, whether to ensure a heal lands, to get a good fulcrum shift or to hit enemies which have a lot of +def, like a paragon protector which has cast MoG

- i'd drop ice storm as the damage isn't that good, i'd take freeze ray much earlier and use the slots on bitter freeze ray to put two acc/dam hami O's in and 4 damage procs, 2 of them purples. the cast time is quite long though

- if you want to choose power build up, i'd recommend choosing the soul mastery for Power Boost as it recharges in half the time

- i wouldn't choose super speed on a kin. intertial reduction is superior as it has no travel lag during combat, and siphon speed also gives you the same effect as super speed whilst casting a debuff on an enemy

Personally I'd always take Ice Storm or any other rain power. 

I find the damage to be decent given the recharge time and AoE and you're not locked into an animation while it's running so can stack damage at the same time. 

 

Drop the rain power and then concentrate on harder targets while it ticks away.

[Jiro Ito]

On 2/23/2025 at 11:50 PM, normalperson said:

Just taking the opportunity to ask, since I'm running a Fire/Kinetic    :  What is the best way to compensate for accuracy if your primary/secondary powers don't have good +Acc or +Def?

 

I'm considering going with the Experimentation pool to get Corrosive Vial and Adrenaline Booster.            Maybe even taking the Scorpion Patron to get the +ACC power it gives you. 

 

Any other, perhaps less costly, options?

 

I almost always slot a Kismet +acc in Combat Jumping (and LOTG +rech) on every character I play, and I usually pick up Tactics (and Maneuvers for another LOTG +rech) on my corrupters.