Focused Feedback: New Powerset - Psionic Armor (Brutes, Scrappers, Sentinels, Stalkers, Tankers)

[BrandX]

13 minutes ago, Wavicle said:

Oh! I think the ability is autohit…

That listing isn’t a buff the power confers, it’s what type of defense works against it.

 

Unless the Debuff part can miss? but it doesn’t take acc…

 

That's what I was talking about.  It doesn't take ACC (I checked) but it has that label of AOE and Psi Defense.  So, can it still be defended against or is it auto hit?

[Wavicle]

3 minutes ago, BrandX said:

 

That's what I was talking about.  It doesn't take ACC (I checked) but it has that label of AOE and Psi Defense.  So, can it still be defended against or is it auto hit?

Good question

[Captain Powerhouse]

It is indeed Auto Hit. Those types would only come into play if somehow a proc that requires a ToHit check ended in the power, be it a slotted proc or a global calculated proc.

[Sigma7]

2 hours ago, BrandX said:

 

Something to be noted...on your comparison...

 

Psychokinetic Barrier gives Resistance to -Regen, -Recovery, -End, and -Recharge, and it stacks.  These are things Ablative Carapace doesn't give.

I never said they were identical. No powers are.

 

The point I was trying to make is that (at least on Stalkers) The straightforward traditional damage mitigation especially to burst damage needs help. I'm not dying because of any of these debuffs.  I'm not saying they don't have value but in a +1/8 paper mission with Malta as an example, this armor can die way before these debufs become relevant.

 

The fact is is that there are multiple armors available to Stalkers that can vastly outperform Psi armor under the above circumstances. I understand that all armors aren't going to perform exactly the same but in my experience this armor is so squishy that is frustrating to play so I wouldn't roll this live on a stalker in its current form..

 

Unless the argument is that a solo Stalker should not be able to solo a +1/8 paper mission without using incarnates.  If that is the case then there are a lot of Stalker armors that are over performing.

 

I may consider trying to post a video as an example later.

[BrandX]

Tried out an Elec/Psi/Mu Stalker.  Running the same 3/6 Missions (using t4 Alpha, Hybrid Passive and Interface) as I did with the Scrapper.

 

Didn't really change how I ran through the mission.  Didn't notice the lack of the damage aspect (it really is that small).

 

 

[MindOverMatter]

I've continued focus on Stalkers as I believe their survival is most impacted by the recent rounds of changes.

• Level 50 Stalkers, IO Sets, No Incarnates
  • Electric Melee 😐  
  • Ice Melee 😐 
  • and Dark Melee 🙂

Overall Appreciated Changes:

• While the Defense Debuff Resistance is limited, I'm happy to see some. I'd encourage more. Invulnerability, an armor set with limited +Defense has considerable DDR to protect what little defenses it provides outside of the box. I'm not asking for as much as Invulnerability, but more than the 8% base DDR on a level 50 Stalker. The Build 4 and 5 buffs/fixes really helped survival. The -DMG for stalkers (and sentinels) is helpful when the Aura of Madness Mez Roulette Wheel is not spinning in your favor. 

Unexpected (Yet Appreciated) Change:

• The inclusion of a 45-second Instant Rez window for use of Memento Mori (and for Soul Transfer) are an encouraging penalty reduction for the player who attempted to use the conscious version only to be quickly overwhelmed and without a rez. While this will provide triumphant returns from the brink of death to win some encounters (especially on teams), I suspect many players biting off more than they can chew reviving and experiencing a quick defeat until their tactical awareness improves. Really a win-win. 

Most Intriguing Mechanic:

• The stacking Debuff Resists from Psychokinetic Barrier prompts a game-play loop wherein the maximum effectiveness of the ability requires a player to activate the ability three times as quickly as possible (base 60 second recharge) to achieve the 60% debuff resistance (regen, end drain, -recovery, and -recharge) and then once every ~43 seconds to maintain the stacks. Each use of PKB also refreshes the Absorb. This raises the ceiling on character durability yet will require a heavy click rotation to sustain particularly when maintaining Devour/Consume Psyche stacks. This means that Psionic Armor players who want to maximize their protection must proactively sacrifice some DPS to account for time spent keeping their sustain up. This is a trade-off that may not be apparent yet will be critical during challenging endgame encounters where the time spent reactivating PKB is weighed against unloading more DPS to shorten an encounter. Overall, I appreciate this approach yet find it really makes being caught in long animations a burden (nothing new here). 

Closing Thoughts:

• This set is potent for Tankers/Brutes yet will provide a highly variable experience for everyone else. I do believe that the +HP (via PKB and Memento Mori) and the in-set Regen/Endurance/Drain/Recharge Debuff Resistance reflect a clear appreciation for how fragile some layered protections can be compared to the more straightforward combo of Defense + Burst Heals. Be prepared to click to survive tough encounters. Try to build some Mez (to combo with Aura of Madness) or some Defense synergy outside of the set if you're trying to survive +4 endgame on anything that isn't a Tanker/Brute though. As always, YMMV. 

Edited June 11 by MindOverMatter
Clarity

[Divi]

Why is Consume/Devour Psyche split into a cone for Scrapper/Stalker? I could understand this for Sentinel, but for melee ATs it doesn't mesh as well. Every similar power (Soul Drain, Energy Drain, Consume, even Drain Psyche for Blasters/Dominators) is PbAoe. It seems odd, and repositioning feels artificially disruptive to the flow of combat (particularly when Tank/Brute don't need to).

[Wavicle]

1 minute ago, Divi said:

Why is Consume/Devour Psyche split into a cone for Scrapper/Stalker? I could understand this for Sentinel, but for melee ATs it doesn't mesh as well. Every similar power (Soul Drain, Energy Drain, Consume, even Drain Psyche for Blasters/Dominators) is PbAoe. It seems odd, and repositioning feels artificially disruptive to the flow of combat (particularly when Tank/Brute don't need to).

You don’t need to either. The stacks refresh. You don’t need to maximize every application.

[BrandX]

2 hours ago, Divi said:

Why is Consume/Devour Psyche split into a cone for Scrapper/Stalker? I could understand this for Sentinel, but for melee ATs it doesn't mesh as well. Every similar power (Soul Drain, Energy Drain, Consume, even Drain Psyche for Blasters/Dominators) is PbAoe. It seems odd, and repositioning feels artificially disruptive to the flow of combat (particularly when Tank/Brute don't need to).

 

Don't reposition.  You have no need to.  You'll build up then maintain the stacks easy enough without having to reposition.  I don't bother to reposition with the power.

[Sigma7]

For whatever is worth I had been focusing my testing on Malta which seemed to be strong against this armor. I broadened my horizons to test against circle of thorns and carnies and had much better luck.

[Kai Moon]

My tanker main buddies really love DDR. They'd probably appreciate seeing "Res(DeBuff DEF)" in Precognition's short description, like SR passives.

Edited June 12 by Kai Moon

[Sigma7]

I know the feedback phase is effectively over now so this is just an FYI for anyone who may be reading. I found binding PKB to my movement keys to be extremely helpful. This way the power stays on cool down in addition to hasten and you will have your full stacks all the time. I believe this can be useful to people like me who get scrapper lock and may neglect that power.

I thought I was clicking the power frequently but apparently I wasn't clicking it as much as I thought I was. Playing in this way has convinced me to go ahead and bring this armor to live servers. I think it's important that I say that because I was probably one of the more vocal critics in this thread. Kudos to the devs for this wonderful update.

[BrandX]

Aura of Insanity still isn't accepting ATOs.

[JayboH]

10 hours ago, BrandX said:

Aura of Insanity still isn't accepting ATOs.

All ATs?

[BrandX]

4 minutes ago, JayboH said:

All ATs?

 

I checked Stalker and it didn't, but they changed the power, so it wouldn't be a factor now, Scrapper and Brute don't take it either.  Not sure about Tanker, but really, I'm just going to assume it's not taking the set either.

[MightyBob]

On 6/8/2025 at 6:38 PM, Sigma7 said:

I tested with DM/PSI and ELEC/PSI no incarnates and +1/8 was barely doable for me with a lot of death. 

I'm starting to think I'm doing something very wrong. I'm going to go ahead and post screenshots of the builds I'm using here if anybody wants to chime in on why my performance is so subpar compared to other players for this armor. If my performance is that much below what you guys are getting in here then there may be no point in me even testing at all.

 

EDIT: I was doing Grandville paper missions with Malta, Carnies and Council.

 

 

Here are some screenshots of the build I was using. One benefit I get that you won't is the +def from Guarded Spin. I was testing with radio missions in PI running CoT (not really doable), carnies, and council. I also included a shot of my base resistances just standing idle outside a mission.

 

 

 

Edited Monday at 04:31 PM by MightyBob

[Shin Magmus]

12 hours ago, MightyBob said:

 

Here are some screenshots of the build I was using. One benefit I get that you won't is the +def from Guarded Spin. I was testing with radio missions in PI running CoT (not really doable), carnies, and council. I also included a shot of my base resistances just standing idle outside a mission.

 

 

   Just FYI, putting certain unique IOs like Numinas (but not Preventive Medicine) into a late power pick post-lv40 like Physical Perfection, instead of in Health at lv2, kills your slots if you exemplar.  The IOs function identically in either power, but any time you exemplar down and lose access to Physical Perfection you also lose access to those slots you put into it.  Just a bad habit that will make you weaker if you ever decide to run a Yin TF for example.

[BrandX]

Been testing at 3/6.  Only incarnates were Musculature Radial Alpha, Degen Core Interface, and Passive Only Assault Hybrid.  So really, no survival added to the set, just a bit more damage.

 

Ran some 4/8 missions.  Did well.  Did use Memento Mori, kept till I was close to death, so if it's use didn't keep me alive, it's self rez would kick in, in that time.  I did use it and have it not be enough once, managed to stay alive the others.  Used inspirations as I had them.  No temp powers.  I think people will see, one just has to get Devour Psyche and Psychokinetic Barrier stacked up to really get moving.

 

Fun set.  Enjoying it.

 

While I think it'd likely be a good idea (it's not one I'd do personally), as someone mentioned, bind Psychokinetic Barrier to forward button and you're likely set to go.

Edited Monday at 04:25 AM by BrandX

[OverkillEngine]

8 minutes ago, BrandX said:

I think people will see, one just has to get Devour Psyche and Psychokinetic Barrier stacked up to really get moving.

 

On the low end/leveling track, it was definitely my experience on the DM/Psi scrapper I tested that the set was very *meh* mitigation wise and I was leaning super hard on my primary (esp Siphon Life) until I got Devour Psyche. It basically joins Dark and Fire Armor as sets that require aggression and lots of clicking to get the most out of them.

Edited Monday at 04:18 AM by OverkillEngine

[BrandX]

7 minutes ago, OverkillEngine said:

 

On the low end/leveling track, it was definitely my experience on the DM/Psi scrapper I tested that the set was very *meh* mitigation wise and I was leaning super hard on my primary (esp Siphon Life) until I got Devour Psyche. It basically joins Dark and Fire Armor as sets that require aggression and lots of clicking to get the most out of them.

 

With Aura of Insanity really bringing it home.  It's a different type of mitigation but it feels it works better than I felt with Cloak of Fear.

[MightyBob]

On 6/15/2025 at 3:56 AM, Shin Magmus said:

   Just FYI, putting certain unique IOs like Numinas (but not Preventive Medicine) into a late power pick post-lv40 like Physical Perfection, instead of in Health at lv2, kills your slots if you exemplar.  The IOs function identically in either power, but any time you exemplar down and lose access to Physical Perfection you also lose access to those slots you put into it.  Just a bad habit that will make you weaker if you ever decide to run a Yin TF for example.

 

I'm aware you loose powers and what's slotted in them based on the level you exemp to. What I slot in Health depends on the build and most of my builds don't have issues with endurance so the +recovery isn't huge at that point and I usually have several other +regen bonuses early on so the +regen isn't critical either. Also, considering Numina can't be slotted until level 27 (even if attuned) it just makes more sense for me to slot something else early on. Another thing to consider is some builds like SR brutes actually benefit more from the Absorb proc in Preventive Medicine early on since that burst of absorb will really save you in the middle of a fight when your health is very low while the regen won't heal you fast enough. On this test build since Psi Armor is supposed to be so stacked with +regen and +recovery I felt and still feel the Numina proc can wait until later.

[Sigma7]

Has anybody else been getting weird behavior out of Memento Mori lately?

I want to make a bug report but I don't really have any actionable information. Maybe you guys can lean into this power a bit and see if you can figure anything out. For now here are the strange behaviors that I've noticed.

 

on release candidate 1:

1.  I died one time and auto rezed without using Memento Mori complete with untouchable status. 

The full sequence of events is as follows:  I died, auto rezed(without MM), died again rezed normally with Memento Mori, died again and then auto rezed again. #zombie mode.  This has only happened to me once so i have no idea of the trigger conditions and before you ask, yes I'm sure that I did not pop mm the 1st time I double checked.

 

2.  I died within 15 secs of using Memento Mori and did not auto rez

 

on release candidate 2:

1. I used Memento Mori with super low hp and died anyway the auto rez animation activated but then after i got on my feet the Memento Mori main power health drain/fear power triggered.

 

EDIT: I just auto rezed without using MM again just now on RC2.

Edited Monday at 10:15 PM by Sigma7

[UrbanHound]

Testing Psionic Armor tonight and whenever using Devour Psyche (Scrapper) I'm seeing 'From First Target Only' consistently pop-up in red with the rest of the floating combat text. Don't think I noticed that behavior previously. 

Edited Monday at 10:59 PM by UrbanHound

[BrandX]

6 hours ago, MightyBob said:

 

I'm aware you loose powers and what's slotted in them based on the level you exemp to. What I slot in Health depends on the build and most of my builds don't have issues with endurance so the +recovery isn't huge at that point and I usually have several other +regen bonuses early on so the +regen isn't critical either. Also, considering Numina can't be slotted until level 27 (even if attuned) it just makes more sense for me to slot something else early on. Another thing to consider is some builds like SR brutes actually benefit more from the Absorb proc in Preventive Medicine early on since that burst of absorb will really save you in the middle of a fight when your health is very low while the regen won't heal you fast enough. On this test build since Psi Armor is supposed to be so stacked with +regen and +recovery I felt and still feel the Numina proc can wait until later.

 

I can understand waiting to slot it, but what they were saying, is that a Numina slotted into Health instead of Physical Perfection, allows the Numina Proc to always be in use, no matter what level you are exempt to.

Putting it into Physical Perfection, means it's only available when the power Physical Perfection is available.

The exception is Preventive Medicine's +Absorb Proc, as it just grants a power.

 

So, best idea would be to move those 4 health IOs to Health. 🙂

[MightyBob]

2 hours ago, BrandX said:

 

I can understand waiting to slot it, but what they were saying, is that a Numina slotted into Health instead of Physical Perfection, allows the Numina Proc to always be in use, no matter what level you are exempt to.

Putting it into Physical Perfection, means it's only available when the power Physical Perfection is available.

The exception is Preventive Medicine's +Absorb Proc, as it just grants a power.

 

So, best idea would be to move those 4 health IOs to Health. 🙂

 

Moving the slots to health would make more sense. Not pertinent but I always thought health and Physical Perfection gave the same regen bonus but I just looked in Mids and I was wrong, Health gives 40% while Physical Perfection only gives 20%. Looks like I'll have to re-think builds now and slot Health and Stamina over Physical Perfection. Probably just slot a Performance Shifter +End and call it good.