As a Newcomer to Sentinels...

[HowlingBlade]

On 4/28/2025 at 5:49 PM, biostem said:

It's a matter of build philosophy and play style;  I use the APPs/PPPs to add a bit of extra control or utility to my Sentinels;  I'm not knocking a desire to build for performance, but for me, the 40+ game is a time to really flesh out and fine tune the "character" of the particular hero or villain you're playing;  Maybe that eyebeam or sword attack really brings things together, or that PBAoE or chaining heal gives you a little more flexibility in a team environment...

See you kind of nailed on the head why I was interested in Fire Mastery on top of all the other fire, beyond a thematic point. I get added controls, a single target attack, an AoE attack AND a radial heal. A little bit of everything, to try and fill in holes where I find them.

 

I do appreciate the points others have made about different build concepts and build styles; obviously everyone is going to play their own way. My way tends to be "charge in, use fire cages, use fire ball and then inferno. Whatever is left gets the flare/blaze treatment".

 

I'm simple like that.

[HowlingBlade]

On 4/28/2025 at 4:56 PM, biostem said:

I love my Sentinels and have gotten several combinations into the Incarnate system.  I've found that the sets that were more substantially changed for Sentinels perform the best, (/SR, /Nin, Invuln, Stone).  That being said, play whatever sets bring you the most joy!  I would say, since you are playing with fire armor, to be very aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and possibly try to squeeze in some defense into your build;  Not only as mules for the LotG global recharge IOs, but also to layer your existing resist and heals!  Cheers!

 

So, of the four you isolated out, which would you determine as most "fun" - I have dabbled with a low level lightning/stone sentinel who is going to take Fire Mastery as well (Storm, Earth and Fire...HEED MY CALL!)...

 

Although I suppose I should have taken storm summoning instead. Dangit.

[biostem]

21 minutes ago, HowlingBlade said:

So, of the four you isolated out, which would you determine as most "fun"

So, I'd say /Ninjitsu is the most fun to play, (but you do have to be a bit reactive with the self heal or self +end power, making sure to use them as needed, since both can be made to be available pretty often).  I paired /SR with dark blast for the additional -tohit as well as a way of getting some healing into the build w/o having to turn to aid self.  It'd also go well with water blast, again for a bit of healing and utility.  I have a 50 AR/Invuln sentinel who is tough as nails, but I feel like that combination tends to slog through some fights, so maybe pair it with a blast set that's more engaging for you.  I have a 50 DP/Nin who is a delight to play, (think the shadow or some other film noir type of character).  I also have a 50 Storm/Nin who kind of feels like a cross between one of the MK ninjas and Storm from the X-Men, but the nature of Storm Cell makes you need to employ a bit more planning as far as manipulating the battlefield.  Cheers!

Edited Friday at 08:07 PM by biostem