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 May 2 by biostem

[BazookaTwo]

On 4/29/2025 at 3:26 AM, kelika2 said:

 i mean really, melee attacks, aoe immobilizes and so on?

 

Same thing with melee, need to build tough with very little wriggle room.  even my melees use energy/body masteries for zero slot wonder powers.  which sentinels lack

 

The melee sword attacks on my Archery/Nin² are both slotted for Achilles procs. They often make the difference when softening up a mob. 

 

Def? I use the Ninjitsu T9 and Barrier. Both together are overkill so they cycle beautifully. 

 

The Archery/Nin² is meant to play any position needed in combat, ranged or melee, it's made for absorbing alpha strikes, and saving butts when someone else gets overwhelmed. Caltrops help with that too.

[MTeague]

I took Warmth on my Fire/Fire/Fire sentinel, in homage to his first incarnation, back on Guardian server when City of Villains first when live, because back then he was a Fire/Thermal corruptor.  Plus, Warmth is handy on Mothership raids and suchnot for Healing Badges. For preqs, I grabbed Cremate (love it) and Fire Cages (meh).  Fire Sword Circle might have been more optimal, but really Inferno is up so often, I don't feel the need for an additonal PBAE.  and I've always hated the look of Fire Swords on anyone who isn't magic-origin (which my sentinel is not, he's science).