Recently returned - Reviving my Live build - Still relevant?

[BILL_C]

 Hello, as the title suggests I've rejoined the fight, so to speak 🙂

 

I've decided to get a fire farmer going as my 1st Hero as I am starting from scratch, it makes sense to me.

 

My old build took a while to transfer from a txt. file into the newest mids. Obviously sets have changed so I updated, bearing in mind my build philosophy.

 

Does this seem valid or am I pissing into the wind here? 🙂

 

Magmardigan - Brute (Spines - Fiery Aura).mbd

 

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[Warshades]

It's a very expensive build for what it will be doing. I would at minimum 2 slot hasten with recharge IOs. I would also avoid going for winter sets, those can cost 16-17 million per IO and there are much cheaper ways to get fire def.

 

The build below is a quick one with a focus on reaching 45% fire def without spending to much inf. You could potentially rework it and add more powers from concealment pool to mule 2 more LotG for some more recharge. Armageddon set in Burn can be replaced with Obliteration for a cheaper option. You will want to craft Ageless core destiny as the first incarnate power to fix endurance issues. I've also filled in the other ideal incarnate powers for all slots for farming.

 

You can make an expensive build that prioritizes recharge to get perma Hasten, but imo it's not worth it (particularly when you're just starting out and need something cheap that can handle the job).

Brute (Spines - Fiery Aura).mbd

[BILL_C]

I wonder if Mids is broken then? In the version I used it provided no increase putting the 2nd rechrdx( It started that way actually as that's how we always did it ) I wasn't sure if there was now a nerf on tanks with haste ( essentially haste capped )

 

I initially created this as a tanker but got to 19ish and knew it would suffer endo problems throughout. Remade it to a Brute and here we are.

 

The slotting is more subtle than chasing fire def cap. It is adding %dam and recharge wherever it can as well. HPs are also being desired ( as ever ). I know it's expensive, but getting attuned enh in along the way will eventually allow me to farm, albeit at a reduced rate, but as farmers always go, it eventually leads to riding shotgun down an avalanche 🙂

 

I spent the better part of 5 hours getting all the expo badges ( started redside got all them and goldside too except the underground and water ways, then talked to Null. Got all the blueside except the sewers. I was level two 🙂 I just asked a level 50 who was mostly crafting and chatting if they would team with me so I could safely explore. They kindly agreed. 

 

After getting them all, as well as an Ada visit, I bought all the START vendor goodies (Skiff first so I could explore faster, obviously), not the 10mil bits though. I had 22mil and some change, 330+ badges. All for 5 hours of solo work. 

 

It was fun learning (remembering) the zones, so, for me, time well spent. 

 

Edit: Per the Winter sets - yeah averaging 22 mil per atm. 5 in the first set, one to go 😄

Edited March 20 by BILL_C

[Meknomancer]

1 hour ago, BILL_C said:

I wonder if Mids is broken then? In the version I used it provided no increase putting the 2nd rechrdx( It started that way actually as that's how we always did it ) I wasn't sure if there was now a nerf on tanks with haste ( essentially haste capped )

 

I initially created this as a tanker but got to 19ish and knew it would suffer endo problems throughout. Remade it to a Brute and here we are.

 

The slotting is more subtle than chasing fire def cap. It is adding %dam and recharge wherever it can as well. HPs are also being desired ( as ever ). I know it's expensive, but getting attuned enh in along the way will eventually allow me to farm, albeit at a reduced rate, but as farmers always go, it eventually leads to riding shotgun down an avalanche 🙂

 

I spent the better part of 5 hours getting all the expo badges ( started redside got all them and goldside too except the underground and water ways, then talked to Null. Got all the blueside except the sewers. I was level two 🙂 I just asked a level 50 who was mostly crafting and chatting if they would team with me so I could safely explore. They kindly agreed. 

 

After getting them all, as well as an Ada visit, I bought all the START vendor goodies (Skiff first so I could explore faster, obviously), not the 10mil bits though. I had 22mil and some change, 330+ badges. All for 5 hours of solo work. 

 

It was fun learning (remembering) the zones, so, for me, time well spent. 

 

Edit: Per the Winter sets - yeah averaging 22 mil per atm. 5 in the first set, one to go 😄

 

Welcome back, haven't seen a post from you in ages. There's been some changes, especially to fires burn as well as to fire melee-so fire farms can hurt a lot more.

Check this:

 

 

[BILL_C]

35 minutes ago, Meknomancer said:

 

Welcome back, haven't seen a post from you in ages. There's been some changes, especially to fires burn as well as to fire melee-so fire farms can hurt a lot more.

Check this:

 

 

 

 

Much appreciated Amigo 🙂

 

A lot to pour over, excellent stuff. I'll dive in while I eat lunch.

 

I'm aiming for active vrs AFK - at least at first 😄 Really want a ATM for future heroes/villians. 

 

I am resisting the call of the Alts. I want this guy at +3/8 farming - Don't care about clear speeds, at first - before I suit up another 😄

 

We'll see how long I last.

[Warshades]

1 hour ago, BILL_C said:

The slotting is more subtle than chasing fire def cap. It is adding %dam and recharge wherever it can as well. HPs are also being desired ( as ever ).

 

9 minutes ago, BILL_C said:

I want this guy at +3/8 farming - Don't care about clear speeds, at first - before I suit up another 😄

 

I will say that if you don't care about speed in particular, then aiming for +dmg bonuses isn't really that necessary. But do as you like there. 

 

In terms of survival, you don't need to focus on max HP for active farming, getting to 45% fire def and actively farming will keep you alive. 

 

For AFK farming, you really want to use a tank which have higher base HP pools and can more easily survive. Since the changes that @Meknomancer mentioned, I don't think Brutes are able to survive AFK farms well, at least at +4/8. There was a recent topic on the Tanker side of AFK farming (stone armor is actually best for this as Rooted adds regen and Brimstone boosts dmg). 

 

2 hours ago, BILL_C said:

 

I initially created this as a tanker but got to 19ish and knew it would suffer endo problems throughout.

 

Perhaps I'm missing something, but why would a Tank version have end problem where the Brute version would not? Regardless though, Ageless core destiny will fix any end issues and you want it for the +recharge boost it provides.

 

2 hours ago, BILL_C said:

I wonder if Mids is broken then? In the version I used it provided no increase putting the 2nd rechrdx

 

Make sure you're running the most updated version. Other than that, if you have procs turned (force feedback +rech in particular) and/or Ageless on (first few seconds give a big rech boost but it degrades over time), it can end up showing you at recharge cap which would make it appear that any more recharge enhancements don't do anything.

[BILL_C]

50 minutes ago, Warshades said:

 

 

 I will say that if you don't care about speed in particular, then aiming for +dmg bonuses isn't really that necessary. But do as you like there. 

 

I don't care, initially 🙂 Of course speed will become more of a focal point ( maybe multi box - although I generally don't like to, especially on a max pop server. I could, move the farmer to a new server to off set that I suppose since it will only ever be a farm. Something to think about I suppose.

 

50 minutes ago, Warshades said:

 

In terms of survival, you don't need to focus on max HP for active farming, getting to 45% fire def and actively farming will keep you alive.

 

 

Tanks and HPs go together like peas and carrots 🙂 

 

50 minutes ago, Warshades said:

 

 

For AFK farming, you really want to use a tank which have higher base HP pools and can more easily survive. Since the changes that @Meknomancer mentioned, I don't think Brutes are able to survive AFK farms well, at least at +4/8. There was a recent topic on the Tanker side of AFK farming (stone armor is actually best for this as Rooted adds regen and Brimstone boosts dmg). 

 

THIS is interesting! Now I am having a seriously hard think about the main tank roll. So, would the proposed Brute build make for a good Hitter in a two box situation?

 

50 minutes ago, Warshades said:

 

 

Perhaps I'm missing something, but why would a Tank version have end problem where the Brute version would not? Regardless though, Ageless core destiny will fix any end issues and you want it for the +recharge boost it provides.

 

Magmartigan - Tanker (Fiery Aura - Spines).mbd

 

The Tanker version is consuming 1.9 endo before attacks and only bringing in 3.1 before procs and Ageless. Compare that to the Brute and you begin to see there is a potential issue.

 

50 minutes ago, Warshades said:

 

 

Make sure you're running the most updated version. Other than that, if you have procs turned (force feedback +rech in particular) and/or Ageless on (first few seconds give a big rech boost but it degrades over time), it can end up showing you at recharge cap which would make it appear that any more recharge enhancements don't do anything.

 

Good advice, I did make sure the version was the most recent. I made sure the correct toggles were on, extraneous powers were off. I'll put the 2nd one back in because frankly I hate it with one regardless! It just looks (and FEELS) wrong. 🙂

 

Thanks much for the feedback and reaching out in general. It's much appreciated.

Edited March 20 by BILL_C

[Meknomancer]

2 minutes ago, BILL_C said:

 

I don't care, initially 🙂 Of course speed will become more of a focal point ( maybe multi box - although I generally don't like to, especially on a max pop server. I could, move the farmer to a new server to off set that I suppose since it will only ever be a farm. Something to think about I suppose.

 

 

Tanks and HPs go together like peas and carrots 🙂 

 

 

THIS is interesting! Now I am having a seriously hard think about the main tank roll. So, would the proposed Brute build make for a good Hitter in a two box situation?

 

 

Magmartigan - Tanker (Fiery Aura - Spines).mbd 43.76 kB · 0 downloads

 

The Tanker version is consuming 1.9 endo before attacks and only bringing in 3.1 before procs and Ageless. Compare that to the Brute and you begin to see there is a potential issue.

 

 

Good advice, I did make sure the version was the most recent. I made sure the correct toggles were on, extraneous powers were off. I'll put the 2nd one back in because frankly I hate it with one regardless! It just looks (and FEELS) wrong. 🙂

 

Thanks much for the feedback and reaching out in general. It's much appreciated.

 

If your starting from scratch rather than repurposing the old spines fire and plan on a tank take rad melee with bio or elec or stone primary and just run s/l farms. Dug up my old'ish spines/fire i still use sometimes, its not gonna afk meteor maps anymore but if your running large open maps like the carnival tent ones its more than enough.  

SPINES FIRE FARMER - Brute (Spines - Fiery Aura).mbd

[Warshades]

8 minutes ago, BILL_C said:

So, would the proposed Brute build make for a good Hitter in a two box situation?

 

Yes, if you plan on running a brute, you will want to actively play. This does depend on the situation when dual boxing though. If you have a better dmg dealer then you can just have your spine/fire brute on follow with a power like Spine Burst or Burn on auto.

 

The main point is that a Brute is no longer able to really afk farm. Asteroid map is small with walking patrols. When referring to afk farming it's normally to this Asteroid map and setting your farmer in the middle of the map with a aoe on auto (rad melee is best here since Atom Smasher has higher DPA, you get bonus contamination dmg, and you also get a dmg aura similar to spine). A brute would likely die in this situation where a tanker can survive being afk. These maps usually have a 10min timer so it kicks you out of the map and makes it easy to reset. You can (and should) summon the BP lore pets as it's on a 10 min timer and the unkillable one will provide some dmg and res debuffs. Similarly you can fire off Ageless and toggle hybrid at start.

 

For lvling my own alts, I'll normally run xtomic carnival map (has EBs as well) on +4/8x with my spine/fire brute. While actively playing, you won't have issues staying alive even without another support/box account as long as you're at 45% fire def. You can either do so with a cheap build or do a more expensive one (these normally prioritize the normal purple sets that have 10% recharge bonuses to maximize recharge/dmg). You can also craft temp power def boost to make up lower fire def, though I prefer the cheaper version with built in 45% def. I only use the farmer when I need to lvl up an alt, I don't actually farm for fun.

 

Afk farming can be nice for passive inf earning. You can play the game with your mains, do TFs and such and only need to check back and reset the farm every 10 mins. You could technically lvl alts that way also by taking super speed at lvl 4/stealth at 6 and slotting a celerity stealth IO so you don't incur debt with the patrols.

 

39 minutes ago, BILL_C said:

 

The Tanker version is consuming 1.9 endo before attacks and only bringing in 3.1 before procs and Ageless. Compare that to the Brute and you begin to see there is a potential issue.

 

Can't compare atm as I'm at work, but can do so later. I will say that you should have no end issues after Ageless core destiny. You also get consume that you can use towards the last 30 seconds of Ageless when the rec buff is lower until it Ageless is back up.

[BILL_C]

2 minutes ago, Meknomancer said:

 

If your starting from scratch rather than repurposing the old spines fire and plan on a tank take rad melee with bio or elec or stone primary and just run s/l farms. Dug up my old'ish spines/fire i still use sometimes, its not gonna afk meteor maps anymore but if your running large open maps like the carnival tent ones its more than enough.  

SPINES FIRE FARMER - Brute (Spines - Fiery Aura).mbd 39.84 kB · 0 downloads

 

 

I'm not gonna lie, Electric sounds kinda foolishly AWSOME! Just to be different. 

[Warshades]

8 hours ago, BILL_C said:

The Tanker version is consuming 1.9 endo before attacks and only bringing in 3.1 before procs and Ageless. Compare that to the Brute and you begin to see there is a potential issue.

 

You had sprint toggled on in the tanker build, which accounts for a decent chunk. Different slotting in Maneuvers accounts for another ~0.1 end/sec drain. If you detoggle Sprint and slot Maneuvers the same as you had in the brute build, the end drain should be identical.

[BILL_C]

On 3/20/2025 at 7:49 PM, Warshades said:

 

You had sprint toggled on in the tanker build, which accounts for a decent chunk. Different slotting in Maneuvers accounts for another ~0.1 end/sec drain. If you detoggle Sprint and slot Maneuvers the same as you had in the brute build, the end drain should be identical.

 

Thanks for that. Sometimes I'm making these builds at o-Dark thirty. Extra eyes always helps 🙂

 

 

I had a think about that Electricity Tanker idea ... it ate at me. 

 

So I bit back 😄

 

This is gonna be one expensive MoFo ... but so far it's been smooth sailing and refreshing to stand toe to toe, at lower levels, with clockwork and not be bothered.

 

 

 

 

The Chernobyl Falcon Tanker (Electric Armor - Radiation Melee).mbd

 

Edited Saturday at 06:08 PM by BILL_C