So, now that the lion's share of the melee changes are live, I can finally realize a particular melee/ranged Hybrid I've been trying to put together pretty much since Launch. My general build strategy is to skimp on advantages until late in the game, hitting 40 with something like 10~8 left. This allows me to more easily advantage in and out of PVE and PVP (if I ever try it again) variants, without having to blow hundreds of global retconning back to the 20's.

Anyway, I've constructed two potential builds, with slight differences. The first is slightly more melee-centric, as it uses a melee builder. It leaves me with more advantage points free to throw around (7), builds energy faster while in melee and still adequately at range, and allows for potent counterattacks with Retaliation's buff. In addition, it would potentially allow for the use of the Bestial aspect while in melee range, advantaged properly. The has fewer advantage points to throw around (3), builds moderate energy all around with the Force builder, and has overall easier energy generation while under fire from Force Sheath. It would also have an easier time with Cascade charges thanks to Energy Refraction.

The stats of the build will be distributed such that it would have ~60 - 70 Str, ~110 End (total pool over 200), and then 200 REC/INT. The REC/INT basis allows an almost fully charged Cascade off the bat, regardless of which variant it ends up being. Both are thematically fitting, as this is my attempt at a "functional" theme build. I'm currently leaning toward the Bestial/Retaliation version because it has more advantages free and I don't plan on being a total Cascade junky.

Thoughts are welcome. :]

Build by championBuilder 0.4.1

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Bestial/Force 1: Level 40 Champion

Superstats:
Level 5: Super Recovery
Level 13: Super Intelligence

Powers:
Level 1: Bestial Fury
Level 1: Force Blast -- Rank 2
Level 5: Frenzy -- Rank 3, Rank 2
Level 5: Teleport
Level 8: Regeneration
Level 11: Retaliation -- Rank 2
Level 14: Iron Lariat -- Kyoketsu Shoge
Level 17: Mighty Leap
Level 20: Toxic Nanites -- Nerve Damage
Level 23: Electric Sheath -- Matter - Energy Union, Rank 2
Level 26: Force Cascade -- Rank 3, Rank 2
Level 29: Massacre -- Bloody Mess, Rank 2
Level 32: Rebirth -- Rank 3, Rank 2
Level 35: Masterful Dodge
Level 35: Acrobatics -- Rank 2
Level 38: Ego Hold

Talents:
Level 1: Mechanized
Level 6: Body And Mind
Level 9: Relentless
Level 12: Paramilitary Training
Level 15: Amazing Stamina
Level 18: Investigator
Level 21: Bodybuilder


Build by championBuilder 0.4.1

Download this Build here.

Bestial/Force 2: Level 40 Champion

Superstats:
Level 5: Super Recovery
Level 13: Super Intelligence

Powers:
Level 1: Force Bolts -- Energy Refraction
Level 1: Force Blast -- Rank 2
Level 5: Force Shield -- Force Sheath, Rank 2
Level 5: Teleport
Level 8: Regeneration
Level 11: Frenzy -- Rank 3, Rank 2
Level 14: Iron Lariat -- Kyoketsu Shoge
Level 17: Mighty Leap
Level 20: Toxic Nanites -- Nerve Damage
Level 23: Electric Sheath -- Matter - Energy Union, Rank 2
Level 26: Force Cascade -- Rank 3, Rank 2
Level 29: Massacre -- Bloody Mess, Rank 2
Level 32: Rebirth -- Rank 3, Rank 2
Level 35: Masterful Dodge
Level 35: Acrobatics -- Rank 2
Level 38: Ego Hold

Talents:
Level 1: Mechanized
Level 6: Body And Mind
Level 9: Relentless
Level 12: Paramilitary Training
Level 15: Amazing Stamina
Level 18: Investigator
Level 21: Bodybuilder

What is Regen doing in there?

I'd suggest SS CON, Defiance, Imbue, Protector Role

And I'd forget Toxic Nanites. You don't take Force/Might to bleed someone to death. Throw in another clickie offense for the energy form or use that spot for Imbue.

I'm a huge Defiance fan, and this is one of the few characters where I was ruling it out -- it's generally my go-to defense, since I often spec CON/X. In this case, it just wasn't fitting. PVP is an afterthought in this, I'd never expect to go head to head with a finely-tuned PVP build.

The Regen is largely thematic (and generally functional with SS Rec). The Nanites I was kind of iffy on. I had a free slot when I was done preparing the build, and it fit for the snare that I could attach to Blast or Cascade when way out of range. I'm not opposed to another clicky form or just open for flexibility. Maybe Quarry? Dunno.

Alright, REC/INT it is.

REC/INT to me yells out massive alpha strike. Force Eruption w/Grav Polarity or Sonic Device would probably accomplish that better than Toxic Nanites. I really like Nanites, but it's not as alpha-riffic as either of those two.

If it fits the theme, check out what happens when you pair Circle of Arcane Power with Force Cascade. Especially with build 1, the one that lacks Energy Refraction.

Sounds like I've got a little more food for thought, then. I like the idea of Sonic Device. It just seemed too cookie cutter at first, but as a clawed, energy-projecting technological monstrosity, it's just fine.