Can blasters reliebly solo?

[Naturallymorbid]

Like most folks that try out blaster, i like big boom and big numbers, right now im playing a Fire/Atomic blaster which has great damage but the lack of defensive options is a sticking point for me, so maybe im missing something or a certain way of thinking.

 

Aside from dominators and blasters, every AT has defensive powers, but dominators make up for that lack of defensive options with their CC, so nothing actually manages to attack them.

 

Sentinels might be a bit iffy, since the lack of damage compared to blasters makes some prolong fight a bit of an issue but iv'e been spoiled since i use a Storm/Bio sentinel - Storm is amazing on sentinels and the knockdown provides me with that CC i need to solo (in groups it is slow but if a group clears a mob that quickly than your damage doesnt really matter IMO)

 

With blasters i feel like the approach is "blow everything up before it can hurt you", which is fine for group play and some solo play, but i dont think that works with harder content like 8/+3 or +4.

 

 

Edited Monday at 09:07 PM by Naturallymorbid

[Meknomancer]

1 minute ago, Naturallymorbid said:

Like most folks that try out blaster, i like big boom and big numbers, right now im playing a Fire/Atomic blaster which has great damage but the lack of defensive options is a sticking point for me, so maybe im missing something or a certain way of thinking.

 

Aside from dominators and blasters, every AT has defensive powers, but dominators make up for that lack of defense with their CC, so nothing actually manges to attack them.

 

Sentinels might be a bit iffy, since the lack of damage compared to blasters makes some prolong fight a bit of an issue but iv'e been spoiled since i use a Storm/Bio sentinel - Storm is amazing on sentinels and the knockdown provides me with that CC i need to solo (in groups it is slow but if a group clears a mob that quickly than your damage doesnt really matter IMO)

 

With blasters i feel like the approach is "blow everything up before it can hurt you", which is fine for group play and some solo play, but i dont think that works with harder content like 8/+3 or +4.

 

 

 

Yes they can, there's lots of different approaches though. Minimaxxed dps with amplifiers, insps, base buffs, incarnate barriers. Cone blasters sitting at max range with softcapped defence cycling control cones. The best ones are usually playing in melee/kiting where they can take full advantage of the secondary and they will annihilate +4/8 content. A blasters nuke will take out pretty much everything but a couple +4 bosses and a few single target attacks will finish them off.

 

My first +4/8 blaster was a fire/devices, all it needed was caltrops and bonfire and rain of fire and gun drone when the nuke was on cooldown. Its hard for mobs to fight back when they are trying to run away. 

[Maelwys]

Even Oldschool Blasters had plenty of options in order to "reliably solo"... albeit mostly via splitting spawns up and taking things at a slower pace. /Devices leveraging caltrops and Tripmines; /Ice leveraging Ice Patch and Shiver and Frozen Aura; Sonic/ leveraging Siren's Song; etc.

However ever since the changes which granted all the Blaster secondaries a "sustain"; most of them can just Leeroy things providing that mez protection is catered for (via Clarion, Rune of Protection, Inner Will, whatever). That said; IMO the ones with +Absorb tend to lend themselves to that style of play the most (which is part of why I really like /Ice) and having Rise of the Phoenix to fall back on is always a plus!  

It's quite possible for Blasters to AE Farm at +4x8 if you decide to build them that way.

They'll never compete with Sentinels for layered mitigation or DDR; but neither will Sentinels (even if they're /Shield or /Rad) compete with Blasters for AoE damage.

 

Edited Monday at 09:38 PM by Maelwys

[FFTMime]

You need your wombo combo well slotted and hope you don't miss. Know what your approach is and lay down your combo. Don't deviate. Wash rinse repeat. Be ready with your single target control power if things don't quite go to plan. That's the basic gist. AOE heavy sets should really lean into that. Single targets should lean into that. I would not play against type for blasters. They aren't good for it. That said, some sets are more forgiving thanks to their 'control'. Ice isn't as strong feeling, but I found it to be reliable in carrying me around. 

I will say high risk high reward sets are GREAT fun though. Putting up with the learning curve is worth it. 

And one thing to keep in mind. It's better to have a few well slotted powers than a bunch of half slotted ones. Blasters can tempt you with being spoiled for choice, but you really should have your primary combo going. This is going to be important for avoiding pain while leveling. 

[Naturallymorbid]

Alright, maybe i gotta try out devices first to get the hang of things at range, then after i get the "blaster mindset" move on to other secondaries.

Right now when i move to melee range i feel way to expost having real issues even in group setting to deal with alphas

 

[FFTMime]

Blapping, you mean? Blapping is a whole other can of worms. Get to love jousting. And I think it's something that really only matures later anyway? Devices is strong though. AR/Dev is a classic combo for a reason. That said, even devices has the ONE melee attack. Taser. Which I highly recommend over web grenade. And keep it on a key you can mash in haste in a pinch. It does silly damage. You'll need it. 

edit: I don't even have my taser slotted. This thing just hits like a train. 

Edited Monday at 10:15 PM by FFTMime

[Nemu]

3 hours ago, Naturallymorbid said:

Alright, maybe i gotta try out devices first to get the hang of things at range, then after i get the "blaster mindset" move on to other secondaries.

Right now when i move to melee range i feel way to expost having real issues even in group setting to deal with alphas

 

When you can get comfortable using your melee attacks, that's when you know you made it as a bona-fide blaster badass.

Edited Tuesday at 01:53 AM by Nemu

[Naturallymorbid]

As a blaster 😄

with tanks im very comfy

[biostem]

6 hours ago, Naturallymorbid said:

maybe im missing something or a certain way of thinking

For me, if you want to successfully solo as a "squishy" AT, I tend to prefer a stealthy approach that allows me to begin fights on my terms, and from a position that best leverages all the tools at my disposal.  Now, I generally stick to range on my blasters, but I find that area denial and soft mez effects, really shine, here...

[ScarySai]

Played and built properly, they are hands down the strongest. Powerset combo and the build itself are the big considerations.

[Naturallymorbid]

44 minutes ago, biostem said:

For me, if you want to successfully solo as a "squishy" AT, I tend to prefer a stealthy approach that allows me to begin fights on my terms, and from a position that best leverages all the tools at my disposal.  Now, I generally stick to range on my blasters, but I find that area denial and soft mez effects, really shine, here...

With that im fairly used to but i feel im lacking in tools in certain situations particurally with tougher enemies, a blaster's main tool is their damage while other ATs have other tools, doms and trollers have thier CC, defenders and corrupters have buffs/debuffs, MM have thier minions.

 

what my issue was that it felt lacking, while you can knock out 90% of a mob with your alpha dealing with bosses or other hard to kill enemies can be a real issue, especially when i started going into melee range.

 

ill give you an example: my Arsenal/Savage dom is fairly squishy but even with +4 mobs, in the first 2 seconds of a fight the whole mob is already blinded, confused and under an ice patch, then followed by stun grande and tear gas - the versatility of CC feel more well rounded, while its way slower than blowing everything up, there is particularly no outgoing damage.

Edited Tuesday at 04:11 AM by Naturallymorbid

[Biff Pow]

Yeah, Fire Blast is just all damage, no crowd control. Most blast sets at least have a 'torrent' power for knocking enemies down, some have even better control like Sonic Attack's Siren Song.

[biostem]

21 minutes ago, Naturallymorbid said:

what my issue was that it felt lacking, while you can knock out 90% of a mob with your alpha dealing with bosses or other hard to kill enemies can be a real issue, especially when i started going into melee range.

Totally understandable.  Using the fire/atomic blaster you mentioned in the OP, I'd adjust my approach slightly.  For instance, while I'd still take some sort of stealth-granting power, (even if it's just superspeed's inherent stealth), I'd also try to fit in something like combat teleport, then use the element of surprise to drop an aimed/built-up atom smasher while radioactive cloud is toggled on, ideally using positron cell to hold your most concerning enemy in the group...

Edited Tuesday at 04:30 AM by biostem

[Six-Six]

definitely. my first successful permadeath toon was a beam/devices blaster. more followed, and soon found the blasters too stronk to be challenging. petless mms (aka gimped corruptors) are now my passion.

[Snarky]

12 hours ago, Naturallymorbid said:

Like most folks that try out blaster, i like big boom and big numbers, right now im playing a Fire/Atomic blaster which has great damage but the lack of defensive options is a sticking point for me, so maybe im missing something or a certain way of thinking.

 

Aside from dominators and blasters, every AT has defensive powers, but dominators make up for that lack of defensive options with their CC, so nothing actually manages to attack them.

 

Sentinels might be a bit iffy, since the lack of damage compared to blasters makes some prolong fight a bit of an issue but iv'e been spoiled since i use a Storm/Bio sentinel - Storm is amazing on sentinels and the knockdown provides me with that CC i need to solo (in groups it is slow but if a group clears a mob that quickly than your damage doesnt really matter IMO)

 

With blasters i feel like the approach is "blow everything up before it can hurt you", which is fine for group play and some solo play, but i dont think that works with harder content like 8/+3 or +4.

 

 

You are not reading anything on the Forums about Blasters playing solo?

 

okay, i will hand you the simple answer.  Yes. 

[MoonSheep]

can blasters reliably solo? yes of course they can, not everything needs to be run on +4/x8

[Uun]

Start modestly (i.e., +2/x3) and increase the difficulty as you become more comfortable. 

[FFTMime]

No start at +4/x8 at level 1 or your weakness will be noted among the people for generations. 

[Championess]

I have one of those Fire/Atomic's.  The big boom is your best defense.  I've come to like Atomic more since they changed it so offensive toggles just suppress when mezzed without having to constantly retoggle.  Its a fun pairing that pbaoe +recharge is nice to get more nukes.  

 

I put in a good amount of global defense bonuses aiming for range then melee mostly.  On top of that I use Barrier Core often especially if a nuke isnt up.  Then the new Sheer Willpower accolade has been nice for when you're mezzed and need a breakfree.  Then there's always the inspiration tray.  

 

Blasters are demigods just eat a purple or two and use your Aim/BU's.  Mass carnage.

Edited Tuesday at 09:23 PM by Championess

[Frozen Burn]

On 4/21/2025 at 5:06 PM, Naturallymorbid said:

Like most folks that try out blaster, i like big boom and big numbers, right now im playing a Fire/Atomic blaster which has great damage but the lack of defensive options is a sticking point for me, so maybe im missing something or a certain way of thinking.

 

Aside from dominators and blasters, every AT has defensive powers, but dominators make up for that lack of defensive options with their CC, so nothing actually manages to attack them.

 

Sentinels might be a bit iffy, since the lack of damage compared to blasters makes some prolong fight a bit of an issue but iv'e been spoiled since i use a Storm/Bio sentinel - Storm is amazing on sentinels and the knockdown provides me with that CC i need to solo (in groups it is slow but if a group clears a mob that quickly than your damage doesnt really matter IMO)

 

With blasters i feel like the approach is "blow everything up before it can hurt you", which is fine for group play and some solo play, but i dont think that works with harder content like 8/+3 or +4.

 

 

 

Most certainly Blasters can solo.  Blasters are my preferred and favorite AT and mostly play solo except for TFs/SFs/Trials, and even some of those, I solo.  Of course, lower-level blasters will have a harder time with soloing +4x8 as you don't have all your powers, slots, or IO sets to help out - even decreased size of inspiration tray impacts your survivability early on.  But soloing can be done.

 

At level 50, I solo all my Blasters at +4x8 through the incarnate and regular content that I haven't completed yet.  My namesake, an Ice/Fire/Fire Blaster I even farm with at +4x8.  

 

Taking and using those CC and utility powers in your secondary, kiting, prioritizing target selection, using inspirations, using IO set bonuses, layering pool and epic powers, maneuvering and positioning yourself - all play a part in your survivability.  🙂  

[Hatchet_Manners]

On 4/21/2025 at 5:14 PM, FFTMime said:

Blapping, you mean? Blapping is a whole other can of worms. Get to love jousting. And I think it's something that really only matures later anyway? Devices is strong though. AR/Dev is a classic combo for a reason. That said, even devices has the ONE melee attack. Taser. Which I highly recommend over web grenade. And keep it on a key you can mash in haste in a pinch. It does silly damage. You'll need it. 

edit: I don't even have my taser slotted. This thing just hits like a train. 

 

Devices does not have a melee attack. Taser has a 20 foot range and takes ranged IO sets. 

https://cod.uberguy.net/html/power.html?power=blaster_support.gadgets.taser&at=blaster