Can someone help with a PA build?

[Archived Post]

I'm trying to build up a PA character at the moment, but didn't really experiment very successfully in the Beta. With the respec system being what it is I'm very conscious I need to get it right first time with no form of testing. So I wondered if anyone who knew a bit about it could offer some advice? This is a PVE build and it's pretty much pure DPS, I couldn't really find room for enough worthwhile support or tanking options till when it's probably too late, so I've tried to patch in some support that might not be redundant if there is someone with a bit more of this to his toon. The only powers I can see as trimmable before 35 are Eye Beam, Mini Gun, and Munitions bots, pretty much everything else will need a like for like replacement, and these will be very tough to drop out entirely.

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: Level 40 Champion

Superstats:
Level 5: Super Intelligence
Level 13: Super Endurance

Powers:
Level 1: Wrist Bolter -- Automated Assault, Accelerated Metabolism
Level 1: Concussor Beam -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 5: Eye Beam -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 5: Jet Boots -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 8: Micro Munitions -- Alpha Strike, Rank 2
Level 11: Mini Gun -- Teflon Coated Rounds, Rank 2
Level 14: Regeneration -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 17: Munitions Bots
Level 20: Field Drones -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 23: Force Eruption -- Gravitational Polarity
Level 26: Force Shield -- Rank 2, Force Sheath, Rank 3
Level 29: Quarry
Level 32: Resurgence
Level 35: Protection Field
Level 35: Teleport
Level 38: Mind Lock

Talents:
Level 1: The Hero
Level 6: Paramilitary Training
Level 9: Investigator
Level 12: Negotiator
Level 15: Boundless Reserves
Level 18: Healthy Mind
Level 21: Quick Recovery

[Archived Post]

Things I noted (afaik) you can only actively maintain 1 power and PA is choked full of maintained powers. So you gotta ask your self what do you really want to actively use (imho).
-PvE you could literally use 1-2 damage powers imho and it would be all you need..chances are you routinely wrist bolter or Force Shield for energy and then use (2)AoE and what left you use a (1)single target for villains and higher. Only real exception to this rule (imho) is if the damage power has effects and or if there is a usable AoE that is not maintained.
-Second thing traditions of tank/scrapper/blaster have been nixed (thankfully) You could literally have a-typical blaster like powers (usually high damage but very glassy as far as health, resist, and defense) and still be tank'ish.
-Regen and Quarry are both excellent choices but you could just as easily take Defiance and Enrage for floppable defense to offense bonuses.
-Lack of con is gonna gimp your regen anyways as well as resurgence.
-You won't need AM in wrist bolter :cool:

I had the luxury of talking with some folks about PA powers and such and they gave some real insights (read here (http://forums.champions-online.com/showthread.php?t=43987))you might consider Str/Con build as well. Pretty sure between Wrist Bolter and Force Shield you'll gain energy quickly enough to do damage.

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: Level 40 Champion

Superstats:
Level 5: Super Strength
Level 13: Super Constitution

Powers:
Level 1: Wrist Bolter
Level 1: Eye Beam -- 20/20 Fission, Rank 2
Level 5: Concussor Beam
Level 5: Jet Boots
Level 8: Defiance -- Force Of Will, Rank 2
Level 11: Mini Gun -- Rank 2, Teflon Coated Rounds
Level 14: Bionic Shielding -- Overloaded Circuits
Level 17: Force Shield -- Rank 2, Force Sheath, Rank 3
Level 20: Field Drones -- Rank 2
Level 23: Sonic Device -- Deafening Dissolution, Rank 2
Level 26: Nanobot Swarm -- Rejuvenating Injectors
Level 29: Enrage -- Adrenaline Junkie
Level 32: Resurgence -- Evanescent Emergence
Level 35: Mini Mines -- Wall Of Fire
Level 35: Teleport
Level 38: Orbital Cannon -- Anvil of Dawn

Talents:
Level 1: Superhuman
Level 6: Mighty
Level 9: Enduring
Level 12: Physical Conditioning
Level 15: Bodybuilder
Level 18: Quick Recovery
Level 21: Brilliant

"(Currently Listed) Powers That Scale With A Specific Statistic
Electric Form - END/ REC
Fire Form - PRE/ REC
Personal Force Field - END/ EGO
Ice Form - END/ DEX
Killer Instinct - EGO
Invulnerability - STR/ CON
Lightning Reflexes - DEX
Ego Form - CON/ END
Ego Surge - END
Telekinesis - EGO
Empathic Healing - PRE
Mindful Reinforcement - PRE
Psionic Healing - PRE
Defiance - CON
Enraged - STR
Shadow Form - END/ CON
Resurgence - CON"

Eye Beams (imho) are a great single target damage dealer especially with 20/20 Fission..not difficult to get target to line up. And its dirt cheap to use. Loss of Concussor Beam might too much for you though.Like I said you can only (afaik) maintain one power at a time.

You could swap out Defiance for Invulnerability but loose out on the yummy defiance to enrage floppage. Hhowever you could then instead pick up an energy form such shadow shroud... To me its kinda silly (now) to spend 3-4 powers to do what one power already gives you in a nut shell.
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These are just ideals btw but if look around you see folks mention mini mines are enough to clear henchmen in and of its self (till nerfed) Orbital bombardment cost a lot but its a quick click and forget powerful AoE-DoT. Nano bot swarm great timer redux plus a heal. Shadow shroud can be taken to 3 for more damge or you can place a small CC power into it...great versatility. Main thing is your powers scale proper with your stats imho.

[Archived Post]

That's kind of game breaking info, I had assumed Power Armour let you maintain multiple attacks, much of the powerset seems geared up towards this and that would appear to be the purpose of the various slots (chest slot, hand slot et al) and the scaling weapons systems.

Those builds seem a little odd to me though, since you don't seem to have anything to fire while Eye Beam or Mini Gun are toggled, and no offensive passive for when grouped. It might just be I don't understand the systems as they are at the moment though.

Thanks for the help though, even just knowing I'm way off track with this kind of design is really useful.

[Archived Post]

You can have 1 wrist, 1 sholder, 1 chest, 1 eye going all at the same time. BUT the question is do you have enough Energy to keep them up for long?

[Archived Post]

That's kind of game breaking info, I had assumed Power Armour let you maintain multiple attacks, much of the powerset seems geared up towards this and that would appear to be the purpose of the various slots (chest slot, hand slot et al) and the scaling weapons systems.

Those builds seem a little odd to me though, since you don't seem to have anything to fire while Eye Beam or Mini Gun are toggled, and no offensive passive for when grouped. It might just be I don't understand the systems as they are at the moment though.

Thanks for the help though, even just knowing I'm way off track with this kind of design is really useful.Well here's the truth of it... I only actually gotten to level 14 and then took a super serum that jumped me to 40. @40 I had more powers available but noted that:

-There are powers you can click once and they activate once..these are like old school MMO where folks hit 1, 2, 3, etc. or F1, F2, F3, etc. and jsut went down the line of there powers or chains
-There are powers that are "Maintained" these are like your old school toggles more on that in a moment*
-There are powers that are "Charged" in which you hold the key down to either build the power or let it run its course
-There might be a fourth type but I have not encountered it in my limited play...unless you go into powers with duration such as energy forms.

What I noticed was that of all of the first three you could basically only do one or the other. *= Maintained powers though like old school toggles just keep going till you run out of energy or click a new power. Even Wrist Bolter acts like a maintained power but will stop as soon as you click another power and then continue to function. I am guessing all Energy builders function this way and as a result are an exception to the go till they run out of energy..since they build up your energy..they can keep going.

Also I do tend to solo alot in games. Small factor having group orientated powers are great if you can find the slots to fit them in. It is also why I don't have an Offensive(Avenger) and a Defensive (Guardian?) and instead just have the Balanced/Defensive power.

And yeah if you were for example firing Eye Beams and clicked Mini Gun your powers would switch and would not both run at the same time.

So its probly a good ideal to mix it up a tad. Example: toss mini mines (clickable), mini gun (maintiained), build up energy(Force shield or wrist bolter) and then Orbital Cannon (clickable)..if anything is still standing you can eye beam to death. Its not a bame breaker..just not as cool lol

If you really are into a lot of offensive powers look to the sword and martial arts line... I saw a lot of clickables there in.

[Archived Post]

You can have 1 wrist, 1 sholder, 1 chest, 1 eye going all at the same time. BUT the question is do you have enough Energy to keep them up for long?just saw this post..and now feel silly. My bad. Perhaps OP you had the right ideal all along. Hind sight I realize being jumped level 40 is definitely not the same as getting and geared all the way to 40.

[Archived Post]

You can have 1 wrist, 1 sholder, 1 chest, 1 eye going all at the same time. BUT the question is do you have enough Energy to keep them up for long?

Thats not true. There is no eye slot. You can have 1 hand, shoulder, and chest power going at once. Eyebeams count as shoulder.

I use concussor beam (hand), and eye beam (shoulder) as my staple attack. I throw in micro Munitions if there are groups. I can't maintain it for long but even Master Villains drop in health fast under a concentrated assault from a power armour toon targeting him with 3 powers. Plus with the right stats your endurance regens fast.

[Archived Post]

You can have 1 wrist, 1 sholder, 1 chest, 1 eye going all at the same time. BUT the question is do you have enough Energy to keep them up for long?

That's the question isn't it? I mean with Int and End superstatted and Quarry as my slot I should have absolutely boatloads of power later on. I was hoping Automated Assault would help here as well, but it seems to add only negligible amounts of End while my other systems are active, so that will have to go.

The idea is if I come across a big group of enemies I can build up to max energy, pop a Gravitational Polarity then open up with the Micro Munitions and Minigun, one boss and a load of adds I can use the Eye Laser and Micro Munitions or Concussion Beam, Eye Laser and Mini Gun, just a boss on his own use the Eye Laser and Concussion Beam. When I zapped to 40 I tried Micro Munitions on their own against groups and they were rubbish next to over AoEs so I guess they are supposed to be used in conjunction with other powers. I might be better trying to achieve the same thing with fewer powers and an End/Con build though, especially since Power Armour seems to have reverse synergy with itself, unless I bite the bullet and take Rank 3 Targeting Computer, but even this seems redundant with too many weapon systems.

It's an extravagant build towards damage I'm sure, but just having 2 or 3 attacks got pretty boring. Oh and when I said game breaker I was just talking about it breaking the foundation of my character, rather than the game itself would be no fun. I'd probably just roll up a Fire/Supernatural Tank with Pyre and Iron Lariat as my main, and take a Str/Con PA as an alt.

[Archived Post]

Man, you guys know so much of the little interworking of cross framework building and stuff. I'm just trying to create a high damage, AoE fighter (preferably range) and I'm already lost at the get go, haha.

[Archived Post]

at this point I am just theory crafting, so take it for what it worth. In light of newer info. given here in I propose:

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Dreadnaught: Level 40 Champion

Superstats:
Level 5: Super Constitution
Level 13: Super Recovery

Powers:
Level 1: Wrist Bolter -- Automated Assault, Accelerated Metabolism
Level 1: Lash
Level 5: Regeneration -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 5: Acrobatics -- Versatility
Level 8: Force Shield -- Rank 2, Force Sheath
Level 11: Electric Sheath -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 14: Sonic Device -- Deafening Dissolution
Level 17: Mini Gun -- Teflon Coated Rounds, Challenging Strikes, Rank 2
Level 20: Resurgence -- Rank 2
Level 23: Nanobot Swarm -- Rejuvenating Injectors
Level 26: Micro Munitions -- Alpha Strike, Rank 2
Level 29: Orbital Cannon -- Anvil of Dawn, Rank 2
Level 32: Mini Mines
Level 35: Field Drones
Level 35: Teleport
Level 38: Rebirth

Talents:
Level 1: Inhuman
Level 6: Enduring
Level 9: Tireless
Level 12: Quick Recovery
Level 15: Boundless Reserves
Level 18: Amazing Stamina
Level 21: Brilliant

I don't know how good Energy Sheath is but it seems about the best bang for the buck energy recovery (not to mention damage booster)...will it be enough I don't know. I am still a believer you'll want Con. Now it really a question of Endurance or Recovery. I am leaning towards Recovery myself.

Also I am wondering if Electric Shield might not be a good alternative to Force Shield? One will loose the extra recovery of energy but would gain a defensive damage dealer..seems like a nifty ideal for your character.

Last thoughts... you could also take out lash in place of beat down which would unlock Defiance..then you'd have 2 active energy builders. Download this Build here. (http://champions.zarzu.ch/download.php?download=4131g70800325001070060016zz0 32703400270150016064028082343060i52060642270830407 06302050720506725zz0450i5675y10n5y2025y2065y20o5y2 0p5y20z5y20325y0025y006cDreadnaught) You'd have to play like a Tank though..if not your cup of tea maybe regeneration and Con/End be the way to go with this build

[Archived Post]

I may end up gimping myself at some point but I am going all PA with a mix of Gadget. I may mix a few sets up in my alts later on but I wanted my first character to be as pure as possible.

[Archived Post]

I'm starting to favour Con as well, it just seems like even in a group if I go Micro Munitions + Mini Gun + Concussion Beam that in the few seconds that I can maintain it and the enemies survive I'm gonna get a ton of hate. Zoomed to 40 Rec seemed way better than End, but if I'm going to use these systems at the same time I'll need a lot of power to do so. If I was being totally sensible I'd go Con+Rec and take Fire or Force.

I think may have overlooked Gravitational Polarity. A straight up 20% buff on all attacks made at a negligible time and energy cost is pretty sick. Also I'll need to have either one of Eye Laser or Concussion Beam to maintain the flexibility in dealing with enemies of varying health.

[Archived Post]

...I think may have overlooked Gravitational Polarity. A straight up 20% buff on all attacks made at a negligible time and energy cost is pretty sick. Also I'll need to have either one of Eye Laser or Concussion Beam to maintain the flexibility in dealing with enemies of varying health.Yeah saw that lol. I thought great opener attack but was turned off by the fact it KB the group. I was in mind of wanting to be hit to collect Energy and mobs flying away and landing on there butts, though humorous, seemed like a waste of aggro time to me.

Now I am thinking drop mines and open with GP =D watch what happens should any make it to ya lol.

Also though i don't have accurate numbers to base this theory on but...there are faction items that can give one like 80 in a stat or maybe it was stats anywho if you went recovery you'd be able to get decent End as well...and/or Int.

-Wrist Bolter~dunno what happens when you change it into a hand attack. Maybe it free in cost? when being used with other powers that is. Guess its possible keep it running and toggle on and off chest and shoulders
-Chest and shoulder run about 36'ish a second maintained (base afaik) but their initial cost are pretty cheap.

Dunno if Recovery Super stat and Recov talents + Energy Sheath + Quarry/Defiance would equal enough to maintain 36 per second cost... but it would be fun as hell if it did lol.

[Archived Post]

heh

ok so I went back to your build..now realizing I was trying to shape it into one of mine and got this:

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: Level 40 Champion

Superstats:
Level 5: Super Constitution
Level 13: Super Recovery

Powers:
Level 1: Wrist Bolter -- Accelerated Metabolism, Automated Assault
Level 1: Force Blast
Level 5: Force Eruption -- Gravitational Polarity
Level 5: Jet Boots -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 8: Quarry -- Fair Game
Level 11: Electric Sheath -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 14: Force Shield -- Rank 2, Force Sheath
Level 17: Mini Gun -- Teflon Coated Rounds, Accelerated Metabolism, Rank 2
Level 20: Field Drones -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 23: Micro Munitions -- Alpha Strike, Rank 2, Accelerated Metabolism
Level 26: Resurgence
Level 29: Nanobot Swarm -- Rejuvenating Injectors, Rank 2
Level 32: Sonic Device -- Deafening Dissolution
Level 35: Protection Field
Level 35: Tunneling
Level 38: Munitions Bots

I'd stick with Con/Rec... you'll note there is no regen so you'll have to do a lot of kitting imho

Also why slot Jet Boots? Does this increase your movement when in combat? I was thinking Acrobatics first then rocket boots so you could stay mobile with shield up...or tunneling first to drop aggro if it gets to be too much and then picking up Jet boots.

Then I though maybe the ideal is to stay out of melee range all together... so the above build reflects that thought..large Con + 2 heals (one that redux cooldown timers) and drones might just be enough to keep you alive. However we trying to get you to a point run hand, chest, and shoulders..flying around isn't gonna help much with the added cost increase.

[Archived Post]

Jet boots is a flavour thing, if I absolutely had to change it for the build I could, but getting to a mission quickly, particularly if I have designs on teaming, is probably worth a couple of points. I noticed Unity has you flying all over the place so slow flight would really irk me. The beautiful thing about Force Eruption is since it's PBAOE you don't even have to worry about scattering enemies with it, pop it off at the start of combat for the buff, then use it optionally during the fight itself if melee enemies are getting a problem. Using flight + MM or Mini gun is also an option, by the time they've got in a second time I'd expect I wouldn't need 2 AoEs to finish them

[Archived Post]

This build here is my personal build, it works extremely well and has Major DPS and Solid Defense, and at max level i took Quarry just so I could run the toggles all day when I get bored.


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PA Test: Level 40 Champion

Superstats:
Level 5: Super Intelligence
Level 13: Super Endurance

Powers:
Level 1: Wrist Bolter -- Rank 2
Level 1: Power Gauntlet -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 5: Energy Shield
Level 5: Jet Boots
Level 8: Mini Gun -- Rank 2, Teflon Coated Rounds
Level 11: Personal Force Field -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 14: Micro Munitions -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 17: Field Surge -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 20: Evasive Maneuvers -- Sleight Of Mind
Level 23: Nanobot Swarm -- Rejuvenating Injectors
Level 26: Orbital Cannon -- Rank 2, Anvil of Dawn
Level 29: Force Eruption -- Gravitational Polarity
Level 32: Resurgence -- Rank 2
Level 35: Containment Field
Level 35: Rocket Jump
Level 38: Quarry -- Fair Game

Talents:
Level 1: Technological Intuition
Level 6: Brilliant
Level 9: Energetic
Level 12: Investigator
Level 15: Healthy Mind
Level 18: Boundless Reserves
Level 21: Enduring

[Archived Post]

Thanks Psion, I saw the same build in your other post. I love a lot of the synergy here with Nanobot swarm (PFF really seems great here), but I've already got to level 10 in this build so I've got to either start over or swap out for Regeneration. I guess I was too sold on the idea of using Force Shield for that extra kick.

[Archived Post]

Guys..Ive Tried END/REC, END/EGO, END/INT, and several others.

All miserable failures. END/INT doing the best, but still very poor. If you can sustain 3 attacks - more power to you cause you have found some kind of secret.

There is some kind of reverse synergy goin on when toggling. Like, powers that only cost 20, plus eyebeam end up costing 100 after 2 or 3 seconds.

The best I got was with a Sentinel build (no defensive passivve ..sigh) and I was able to get eyebeam, Con beam and minigun all to last for duration. (minigun is a just a spurt of course).

If you are running in defensive its just not possible.

You can try some exotic build that cycles sheaths for energy form - but my god, the suit is already micromanaged enough.

...

And dear lord, if you add power boots to hover your powers will most certainly cut off early.

[Archived Post]

See the build 2 posts up from yours last power :)

[Archived Post]

See the build 2 posts up from yours last power :)

You know what? you are absolutely right.

For some reason, the only powers i Really wanted to toggle were Con Beam and Eye beam. (Chest beam later on to look cool). Looks ike you decided to toggle other stuff.

[Archived Post]

Thanks Psion, I saw the same build in your other post. I love a lot of the synergy here with Nanobot swarm (PFF really seems great here), but I've already got to level 10 in this build so I've got to either start over or swap out for Regeneration. I guess I was too sold on the idea of using Force Shield for that extra kick.

I'm on the wall about making another ALT, Running same build but with Regen/Resurgence/Nano

Basicly Replace PFF/Field Surge with Regen/Resurgence, That will leave lvl 32 power open and give you 2 Advantage points left for something else, with Rank 2 + 3 in both Regen and Resurg.

You could even pick up Automated Assault or something, Some people do not like it but it works well enough, does that little extra. Personally I do not use it, Between blocking and using your EB I do not find End a Problem, I'd rather put the other 2 Points somewhere else.