Effective Endgame DPS Build = Damage Output > Contribution to scaling DPS checks
(as of right now we estimate this to mean having an output of roughly 3,000 DPS*** vs the unkillable test dummies in the Powerhouse)
What this guide is going to provide:
- a set of loose guidelines for most easily making an effective DPS build (see definition above)
- templates that give you a starting point with enough flexibility to support many themes, concepts, and playstyles.
What this guide is*not* going to provide:
- a way to min-max up to the top of the scoreboard by dealing maximum damage.
- exhaustive coverage of the many different possible ways to deal decent damage. Not even close. This will just be one easy path out of many, many....many.
Who this guide is for:
- players for whom concept and theme are of critical importance
- players who are just starting to or considering doing endgame content with their DPS characters and want to ensure that their participation will be helpful
- have rank 5 mods, mercenary gear, and are level 40
A Little Bit of Theory
Your damage is calculated by multiplying base damage with the bonus from each damage layer. If you're interested in understanding the details of how this works, check out this thread by @aqa: LINK. TLDR.... Damage =General BonusXSeverity BonusXRole BonusX Base Damage
Below are the basics of getting more out of each bonus layer....so that when multiplied together they result in the biggest bonus to your base damage.
General Bonus
Offensive passive that buffs your primary damage power. Damage form that buffs your primary damage power and is scaled by one of your superstats. Most of your mods and gear should focus on scaling up your damage form. So for example if your damage form is Enrage one of your superstats should be STR and most of you gear should maximize STR.
Severity Bonus
Have between 20% and 40% critical chance and between 80% and 120% critical severity. You can most easily get increased critical chance with crit strike bonuses from gear, stats, and some specs. You can most easily get increased critical severity from specs.
Role Bonus
Choose either Melee or Ranged damage role based on what will buff your primary damage power. This is the easiest way to increase your damage.
Build Guidelines:
So how do you get started? Think of your concept, theme, or desired playstyle and choose your primary damage power first based on what you want to do. The rest of the build then is all about making your primary damage power do more damage every time it's used and enabling you to use it more often. Decide on the following:
1. Primary Damage Power
- Take either the highest damage maintain or the highest damage charge attack from a given powerset. This will maximize your base damage.
- Either you're looking to do lots of small+fast hits. Or fewer big+slow hits.
- Usually this is a single target power
2. Stats
- Primary superstat (damage, make each hit count): DEX, STR, EGO
- Secondary superstat (energy, do lots of hits): REC, END, INT
- Secondary superstat (defense, afford mistakes): CON
3. Offense
- Melee or Ranged damage role...whichever buffs your primary damage power
- Offensive Passive that buffs your primary damage power
- Damage form that buffs your primary damage power
- Energy unlock that is triggered by your primary damage power
- Secondary damage power, usually an AoE or a Debuff, that refreshes and stacks your damage form. If your primary damage power already stacks your damage form then you don't need this.
- 1 Debuff that lowers the targets resistance to your primary damage power
4. Spike Damage (this is what you use during DPS checks)
- 1 Ultimate buffed by passive, role, and damage form
- 1 Active Offense
5. Defense
- Block enhancer at rank 3. This is easily the best way to increase your defense. A DPS player that knows when to block is tougher than a Tank who doesn't. Learn more about blocking in @pantagruel's guide here: LINK.
- 1 Active Defense
- 1-2 Heals
By this point you will have 2 to 4 power slots remaining to take whatever else you want. Some players use one of these slots to take a defensive passive so that they can tank when the need arises.
Spec Templates:
Use these as starting points and fill them in with the powers you want by following steps 1 through 5 above.
Melee DEX - Freeform - Click Me Super Stats Level 6: Dexterity(Primary) Level 10: Recovery(Secondary) Level 15: Constitution(Secondary) Specializations Dexterity: Gear Utilization(3/3) Dexterity: Brush It Off(2/2) Dexterity: Deadly Aim(3/3) Dexterity: Expose Weakness(2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance(2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless(3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes(3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction(2/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear(3/3)
Warden: Ruthless(2/2)
Warden: Elusive(2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense(3/3) Mastery: Dexterity Mastery(1/1)
Ranged DEX - Freeform - Click Me Super Stats Level 6: Dexterity(Primary) Level 10: Recovery(Secondary) Level 15: Constitution(Secondary) Specializations Dexterity: Gear Utilization(3/3) Dexterity: Brush It Off(2/2) Dexterity: Deadly Aim(3/3) Dexterity: Expose Weakness(2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance(2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless(3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes(3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction(2/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear(3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless(2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark(2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense(3/3) Mastery: Dexterity Mastery(1/1)
Ranged EGO - Freeform - Click Me Super Stats Level 6: Ego(Primary) Level 10: Recovery(Secondary) Level 15: Constitution(Secondary) Specializations Ego: Force of Will(2/2) Ego: Insight(3/3) Ego: Follow Through(3/3) Ego: Sixth Sense(2/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance(2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless(3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes(3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction(2/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear(3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless(2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark(2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense(3/3) Mastery: Ego Mastery(1/1)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Note on Gear
- most mods should scale your damage form
- you can use one mod slot to scale your energy unlock or just get more REC without losing much dps
- this guide assumes entry level gear of Merc+r5 mods
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Attack Rotations:
Once you've got your build made, it's time to try it out on a test dummy. Below are some example rotations and notes for each of the updated powersets. Thanks @aiqa for the writeup!
Fire
Spoiler
Ice
Spoiler
Lightning
Spoiler
Munitions 1
Spoiler
Munitions 2
Spoiler
Power Armor
Spoiler
Laser Sword 1
Spoiler
Laser Sword 2
Spoiler
TK Ranged
Spoiler
TK Melee
Spoiler
Heavy Weapons
Spoiler
Sorcery
Spoiler
Bestial
Spoiler
_______________________________
Footnotes:
***This figure is based on Dino's DPS check of ~10k damage over 5 seconds...so 2,000 DPS. Dino's mitigation of your damage depends on the # of players there and the debuffs being used. Based on lots of logs of Dino fights over the past year, the resistance can range from ~20% to ~40%. To be conservative I chose 40%. Which gives us a base DPS output of 3,333. Test Dummy mitigation being at 16% without any debuffs or defense penetration.....gives us a base DPS output of 2,800. With a debuff in your build you can break past 3,000 DPS vs. the Test Dummy.
This section is for those who:
- have read the above guide in the first post
- are looking to take their builds into the 4k - 6k DPS range*** - it's normally what the top 10 players on the scorecard are running
- willing to somewhat restrict their concepts to attain higher DPS
- are curious about INT and PRE primary builds
CONTENTS:
1. Damage Layers - tattoo this on your body
2. High Base Damage Powers - start here for your build
3. Spec Templates - here we go again
4. Make Your High DPS Build - step by step APPENDIX:
5. Stuff We Skipped - useful, but not critical
6. The Best Gear - maximize your build's potential
7. Sources of Defense Penetration - critical for Cosmics
8. INT and PRE primary Spec Templates - be you, be weird...but still good
1. DAMAGE LAYERS Damage =General BonusXSeverity BonusXRole BonusX Base Damage
Remember this? If you are serious about your build's performance, then you need to internalize this formula. Read this thread LINK. Did you do it? Good, now read it one more time.
The goal is to maximize the bonus from each layer. Here's how.
*General Layer* Biggest buff sources: Damage Form, Passive, most Active Offenses
Damage Form scaled by:
Primary SS + Secondary SS
Passive scaled by:
Primary SS + Secondary SS
*Severity Layer* Biggest buff sources: Spec Trees, some Active Offenses Critical Severity EGO spec tree, Follow Through: Primary SS STR spec tree, Brutality: Secondary SS DEX spec tree, Deadly Aim: Secondary SS Critical Chance EGO spec tree, Sixth Sense: Secondary SS STR spec tree, Overpower: Primary SS
Let's pause here for a moment. Note that the most common buff sources are your Superstats (SS). Assuming you have R7 mods and Legion Gear, you have a total of 537 stat points to allocate among your SS via mods for gear. [55x3 (secondaries) + 124x3 (primaries), not including stat/growth cores]
Pick out a single SS that will buff both the General Layer and the Severity Layer and allocate all 537 stat points towards that SINGLE stat. What this SS can be is largely driven by your Damage Form.
Let's walk through an example. You're making a Munitions build with DEX, INT, and CON as your superstats. And using Concentration for your damage form. INT buffs your General Layer via Concentration. You can also get it to buff the Severity Layer via DEX spec tree's Deadly Aim. So now INT is buffing both severity and the bonus from Concentration. It's your biggest source of damage buffs so put all 537 stat points towards INT.
That's the working theory behind it all. Set up your SS + Damage Form in such a way that a SINGLE stat will buff both the General Layer and the Severity Layer. This way you can mod everything towards that one stat so that all 537 points buff both layers.
*Role Layer*
Just by choosing either Melee or Ranged damage role you get a 25% boost.
*Base Damage* Biggest buff sources: charge time reduction, some advantages, some specs
This "layer" is the hardest to find buffs for. Many primary damage powers have advantages that buff base damage when certain conditions are met. For example, Massacre adv used on targets with Bleeding. Some specs also buff base damage such as Flanking from the Brawler spec tree. Another way to buff base DPS is by hitting faster...this comes from charge time reduction provided by Night Warrior and Aura of Arcane Clarity.
2. HIGH BASE DAMAGE POWERS
This is a list of primary damage powers that I have already tested to do more than 4k DPS vs. test dummies in the powerhouse by using the principles outlined in this guide along with R7 mods + Legion Gear. There may be others that I have not come around to...if you know of more please add them in the comments.
4. MAKE YOUR HIGH DPS BUILD 1. Pick out your primary damage power from the list in Section 2
2. Pick out a Spec Template with a damage form that buffs your primary damage power from Section 3
3. Click on a Spec Template and fill it in with the same types of powers as those listed in the basic version of this guide.
- 1 Offensive Passive (if relevant, choose ones that can buff multiple damage layers)
- rank 3 Block
- 1-2 heals
- 1 Active Defense
- 1-2 Active Offenses (choose ones that can buff multiple damage layers)
- Ultimate
- 1-2 debuffs that reduce the target's resistance to your primary damage power
- energy unlock that procs frequently in your damage rotation
Let's walk through an example. 1. I choose Icicle Spear for my primary damage power
2. I choose the following spec tree because I really like the cost discount that the Insight spec provides.
Possible Damage Forms: Concentration, Chilled Form Super Stats Level 6: Ego(Primary) Level 10: Recovery(Secondary) Level 15: Dexterity(Secondary) Specializations Ego: Insight(3/3) Ego: Aggression(2/2) Ego: Follow Through(3/3) Ego: Sixth Sense(2/3)
3. I click the Spec Template and fill it in with the following powers:
- I take Eldricht Shield rank 3, because I'm ranged DPS and most ranged damage is non-physical
- I take Conviction because it's a fast heal
- I take Masterful Dodge so that I won't worry as much about taking damage during DPS checks
- I take Ice Sheath and Lock N Load since they buff multiple damage layers.
- I take my primary damage power: Icicle Spear rank 3.
- I take Ice Blast + advs to debuff my target's damage resistance to my primary damage power: Icicle Spear
- I take the Gravity Driver ultimate which is buffed by Chilled Form, Stormbringer, and ranged damage role.
- I take the energy unlock Icy Embrace which is procced by my debuff power, Ice Blast
- I take Resurgence rank 2 so that I can have a nice "OH SNAP!" button
- I take Rebirth because I'm going to die sometimes and I don't want to wait on healers
Follow steps 1, 2, and 3 from this section to make your own high DPS build!
--------------------
***This 4k-6k DPS is vs. the test dummies in the Powerhouse using R7 mods + Legion Gear.
--------------------
APPENDIX
5. STUFF WE SKIPPED
Below is a quick rundown of what we skipped.
Offense - it's on your character info sheet. This damage buff is in the Severity Layer. Generally not worth specifically gearing for it.
Other great DPS spec tress to combine with Vindicator that are not Guardian or Warden: Avenger - has specs that may make it better for your ranged DPS build than Guradian. Especially look at Preemptive Strike. Brawler - has specs that may make it better for your melee DPS build than Warden. Especially look at Flanking. Overseer - has specs that may make it best for some specialized DPS builds. Especially look at Trapped.
6. THE BEST GEAR
Ok so you've got your high dps build with your R7 mods and Legion Gear. What gear should you get next if you want to further increase your damage output? Here's the list of DPS gear ordered based on how much of an impact it would usually have on your damage output in the endgame.
1. Depleted Uranium Core
Drops from Warlord in the Harmon Alert. Allows you to ignore 15% of the target's damage resistance.
2. Onslaugh Gloves of the Slicer (only if you're melee DPS)
Sold by the Onslaught Vendor in MC.
3. +Damage Utility Core
At rank 9, these cores add 10% to damage for powers from specific powersets. This buff is in the
Severity Layer along with Offense and Crit Sev.
Cores sold by the GCR Vendor: Gadgeteering:Teleio's Gadget Ice:Kigatilik's Wrath Fire:Qwyjibo's Fury Bestial:Teleiosaurus's Rage Infernal:Venomous Darkness:Shadow Destroyer's Contempt Might:Ripper's Rage Sorcery:Spell of Takofanes Power Armor:Calrence's Machinery Heavy Weapons:Ironclad's Willpower
Cores dropped in the world: Munitions:Ascii's Precision Get during the High Noon event & from Ascii's Open Mission in the Desert. Electricity:Right Eye of the Sapphire Dragon Get from the Hi-Pan alert. Claws:Nighthawk's Talons Get during the Nighthawk event. Unarmed:Left Eye of the Ruby Dragon Get from the Red Snake Green Dragon alert. Single Blade:Jack Fool's Blade Get directly from Jack Fool in his alert and Adventure Pack. Dual Blade:Dragon's Fangs Get as a global drop from Red Banner enemies.
Cores are not yet sold by the GCR Vendor in MC, but can be bought on the AH or traded for: Laser Sword:Cybermind's Impression Telekinesis:Medusa's Presence
4. All 3 Justice Primaries
Sold by the GCR Vendor in MC.
5. Cosmic Fang of Wrath or Cosmic Fang of Rage slotted with a r5 Crit Strike Core.
BoE versions are dropped by Cosmics. BoP versions sold by the GCR Vendor in MC. The r3 Crit Cores are sold by the GCR Vendor as well. The Onslaught Gloves of the Sniper can also be as good if you are ranged.
6. Rank 9 Mods
Replacing your rank 7s with rank 9s.
7. SOURCES OF DEFENSE PENETRATION
Most of this guide has been focused on increasing damage by buffing various damage layers.
The other two major ways to increase your damage output are:
- Resistance Debuffs: found among Powers, like Firesnake, and Spec Trees, like Trapped from Overseer
- Defense Penetration: Gear, Powers, Spec Trees
Debuffs reduce your target's resistance to your attacks. They can even make the target have negative resistance! If you've been following the guide then you should already have some debuffs in your build.
Defense Penetration enables your attacks to *ignore* the target's resistance. So if the target has no resistance then defense penetration is useless. If the target has high resistance then defense penetration can be amazing.
Endgame bosses and Cosmics all have resistances usually ranging from 20% to over 40% so it's worth adding some Defense Penetration to your arsenal.
Sources of Defense Penetration include: Depleted Uranium Core - a must-have for every min-maxer, this core allows your attacks to ignore 15% of the targets damage resistance. So if your target's damage resistance is 20% and you use the core then your attacks damage them as if they had 5% resistance.
Night Warrior passive - allows your attacks to ignore 10% of the target's resistance.. So if your target's damage resistance is 20% then with Night Warrior slotted, your attacks damage them as if they had 10% resistance.
Detect Vulnerability (INT Primary SS Spec Tree) - the highest possible scaling source of defense penetration. This is *the* spec that makes INT primary SS great for Endgame DPS. You get ~0.83% added defense penetration for every 10 points of INT in your build. So if you have 25% defense penetration, which takes 300 INT, and your target's damage resistance is 20% then your attacks damage them as if they had 0% resistance. If your target's damage resistance was 40%, then your attacks damage them as if they had 15% resistance.
Some attack powers & advantages have defense penetration as well, but are too specific to be included here.
8. INT AND PRE PRIMARY SPEC TEMPLATES
The INT and PRE spec trees do not come close to EGO, DEX, or STR trees' buffs to the various damage layers,
however both spec trees can be effective for an endgame DPS build. Here's why.
Why INT?
Because the Detect Vulnerability spec provides defense penetration for all of your attacks.
The amount of defense penetration provided scales with your INT. The INT spec tree also contains a spec called Expertise, which buffs the innate bonus of your secondary SS. So as long as your secondary SS is Dex then the spec also increases your crit chance in a roundabout but significant way.
Int primary - Gear for INT - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Particle Accelerator Super Stats Level 6: Intelligence(Primary) Level 10: Constitution(Secondary) Level 15: Dexterity(Secondary) Specializations Intelligence: Enlightened(3/3) Intelligence: Tactician(2/2) Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability(3/3) Intelligence: Expertise(2/2)
Why PRE?
Because the Moment of Glory spec provides a buff to crit chance that is similar to Sixth Sense (from the Ego spec tree).
So we'd use it in similar builds. By making Dex a secondary SS and having it scale Moment of Glory, we'll be able to allocate all of our gear to Dex & vastly increase our crit chance. Use this in builds that have damage forms scaled by Dex. The PRE spec tree also contains a spec called Vulnerability, which is a great debuff for all damage types. It's procced by Paralyze type holds so we should ensure to have some in our PRE primary DPS build.
Pre primary - Gear for DEX - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Sharp Shooter, Chilled Form Super Stats Level 6: Presence(Primary) Level 10: Recovery(Secondary) Level 15: Dexterity(Secondary) Specializations Presence: Repurpose(2/3) Presence: Grandeur(3/3) Presence: Moment of Glory(3/3) Presence: Vulnerability(2/2)
Pre primary - Gear for DEX - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Martial Arts Forms Super Stats Level 6: Presence(Primary) Level 10: Recovery(Secondary) Level 15: Dexterity(Secondary) Specializations Presence: Repurpose(2/3) Presence: Grandeur(3/3) Presence: Moment of Glory(3/3) Presence: Vulnerability(2/2)
To make your high DPS INT and PRE primary builds follow the same steps as before. 1. Pick out your primary damage power from the list in Section 2 2. Pick out a Spec Template with a damage form that buffs your primary damage power from this section 3. Click on your chosen Spec Template and fill it in with the same types of powers as those listed in the basic version of this guide
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you take just one thing away from reading this guide, it should be that buffing mutiple damage layers at the same time is the most powerful way to ensure your DPS reaches its maximum potetial, regardless of theme. The method of accomplishing this might change, but the concept itself has stayed this way for years and is future proof.
The current method is to set up your build so that the same stat which buffs your damage form also buffs either (or both) your crit chance or severity. And then invest all mods + gear into that stat.
(as of right now we estimate this to mean having an output of roughly 3,000 DPS*** vs the unkillable test dummies in the Powerhouse)
What this guide is going to provide:
- a set of loose guidelines for most easily making an effective DPS build (see definition above)
- templates that give you a starting point with enough flexibility to support many themes, concepts, and playstyles.
What this guide is *not* going to provide:
- a way to min-max up to the top of the scoreboard by dealing maximum damage.
- exhaustive coverage of the many different possible ways to deal decent damage. Not even close. This will just be one easy path out of many, many....many.
Who this guide is for:
- players for whom concept and theme are of critical importance
- players who are just starting to or considering doing endgame content with their DPS characters and want to ensure that their participation will be helpful
- have rank 5 mods, mercenary gear, and are level 40
A Little Bit of Theory
Your damage is calculated by multiplying base damage with the bonus from each damage layer. If you're interested in understanding the details of how this works, check out this thread by @aqa: LINK. TLDR....
Damage = General Bonus X Severity Bonus X Role Bonus X Base Damage
Below are the basics of getting more out of each bonus layer....so that when multiplied together they result in the biggest bonus to your base damage.
General Bonus
Offensive passive that buffs your primary damage power. Damage form that buffs your primary damage power and is scaled by one of your superstats. Most of your mods and gear should focus on scaling up your damage form. So for example if your damage form is Enrage one of your superstats should be STR and most of you gear should maximize STR.
Severity Bonus
Have between 20% and 40% critical chance and between 80% and 120% critical severity. You can most easily get increased critical chance with crit strike bonuses from gear, stats, and some specs. You can most easily get increased critical severity from specs.
Role Bonus
Choose either Melee or Ranged damage role based on what will buff your primary damage power. This is the easiest way to increase your damage.
Build Guidelines:
So how do you get started? Think of your concept, theme, or desired playstyle and choose your primary damage power first based on what you want to do. The rest of the build then is all about making your primary damage power do more damage every time it's used and enabling you to use it more often. Decide on the following:
1. Primary Damage Power
- Take either the highest damage maintain or the highest damage charge attack from a given powerset. This will maximize your base damage.
- Either you're looking to do lots of small+fast hits. Or fewer big+slow hits.
- Usually this is a single target power
2. Stats
- Primary superstat (damage, make each hit count): DEX, STR, EGO
- Secondary superstat (energy, do lots of hits): REC, END, INT
- Secondary superstat (defense, afford mistakes): CON
3. Offense
- Melee or Ranged damage role...whichever buffs your primary damage power
- Offensive Passive that buffs your primary damage power
- Damage form that buffs your primary damage power
- Energy unlock that is triggered by your primary damage power
- Secondary damage power, usually an AoE or a Debuff, that refreshes and stacks your damage form. If your primary damage power already stacks your damage form then you don't need this.
- 1 Debuff that lowers the targets resistance to your primary damage power
4. Spike Damage (this is what you use during DPS checks)
- 1 Ultimate buffed by passive, role, and damage form
- 1 Active Offense
5. Defense
- Block enhancer at rank 3. This is easily the best way to increase your defense. A DPS player that knows when to block is tougher than a Tank who doesn't. Learn more about blocking in @pantagruel's guide here: LINK.
- 1 Active Defense
- 1-2 Heals
By this point you will have 2 to 4 power slots remaining to take whatever else you want. Some players use one of these slots to take a defensive passive so that they can tank when the need arises.
Spec Templates:
Use these as starting points and fill them in with the powers you want by following steps 1 through 5 above.
Melee DEX - Freeform - Click Me
Super Stats
Level 6: Dexterity (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Constitution (Secondary)
Specializations
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Brush It Off (2/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)
Melee STR - Freeform - Click Me
Super Stats
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Constitution (Secondary)
Specializations
Strength: Swole (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Overpower (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Strength Mastery (1/1)
Ranged DEX - Freeform - Click Me
Super Stats
Level 6: Dexterity (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Constitution (Secondary)
Specializations
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Brush It Off (2/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)
Ranged EGO - Freeform - Click Me
Super Stats
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Constitution (Secondary)
Specializations
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Note on Gear
- most mods should scale your damage form
- you can use one mod slot to scale your energy unlock or just get more REC without losing much dps
- this guide assumes entry level gear of Merc+r5 mods
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Attack Rotations:
Once you've got your build made, it's time to try it out on a test dummy. Below are some example rotations and notes for each of the updated powersets. Thanks @aiqa for the writeup!
Fire
Ice
Lightning
Munitions 1
Munitions 2
Power Armor
Laser Sword 1
Laser Sword 2
TK Ranged
TK Melee
Heavy Weapons
Sorcery
Bestial
_______________________________
Footnotes:
***This figure is based on Dino's DPS check of ~10k damage over 5 seconds...so 2,000 DPS. Dino's mitigation of your damage depends on the # of players there and the debuffs being used. Based on lots of logs of Dino fights over the past year, the resistance can range from ~20% to ~40%. To be conservative I chose 40%. Which gives us a base DPS output of 3,333. Test Dummy mitigation being at 16% without any debuffs or defense penetration.....gives us a base DPS output of 2,800. With a debuff in your build you can break past 3,000 DPS vs. the Test Dummy.
> > > > TIPS FOR GIANT MONSTERS < < < < - learn to fight Cosmics (ﾉ･ｪ･)ﾉ
Build Endgame DPS: make your high-end DPS build here
* * * * * * Crowd Control Builds * * * * * * !(•̀ᴗ•́)و ̑̑
=>=> HEALER Builds: pure Healers, Healer/DPS, Healer/Tank builds, & more! <=<= Already tested to be endgame-ready! ٩(^ᴗ^)۶
Spectre beats Eido in an SG run: VIDEO HERE
"SO VIXY HERD YOU RLY RLY LIEK SPECTRE?!?!" (づ ◕‿◕ )づ
Comments
This section is for those who:
- have read the above guide in the first post
- are looking to take their builds into the 4k - 6k DPS range*** - it's normally what the top 10 players on the scorecard are running
- willing to somewhat restrict their concepts to attain higher DPS
- are curious about INT and PRE primary builds
CONTENTS:
1. Damage Layers - tattoo this on your body
2. High Base Damage Powers - start here for your build
3. Spec Templates - here we go again
4. Make Your High DPS Build - step by step
APPENDIX:
5. Stuff We Skipped - useful, but not critical
6. The Best Gear - maximize your build's potential
7. Sources of Defense Penetration - critical for Cosmics
8. INT and PRE primary Spec Templates - be you, be weird...but still good
1. DAMAGE LAYERS
Damage = General Bonus X Severity Bonus X Role Bonus X Base Damage
Remember this? If you are serious about your build's performance, then you need to internalize this formula. Read this thread LINK. Did you do it? Good, now read it one more time.
The goal is to maximize the bonus from each layer. Here's how.
*General Layer*
Biggest buff sources: Damage Form, Passive, most Active Offenses
Damage Form scaled by:
Primary SS + Secondary SS
Passive scaled by:
Primary SS + Secondary SS
*Severity Layer*
Biggest buff sources: Spec Trees, some Active Offenses
Critical Severity
EGO spec tree, Follow Through: Primary SS
STR spec tree, Brutality: Secondary SS
DEX spec tree, Deadly Aim: Secondary SS
Critical Chance
EGO spec tree, Sixth Sense: Secondary SS
STR spec tree, Overpower: Primary SS
Let's pause here for a moment. Note that the most common buff sources are your Superstats (SS). Assuming you have R7 mods and Legion Gear, you have a total of 537 stat points to allocate among your SS via mods for gear. [55x3 (secondaries) + 124x3 (primaries), not including stat/growth cores]
Pick out a single SS that will buff both the General Layer and the Severity Layer and allocate all 537 stat points towards that SINGLE stat. What this SS can be is largely driven by your Damage Form.
Let's walk through an example. You're making a Munitions build with DEX, INT, and CON as your superstats. And using Concentration for your damage form. INT buffs your General Layer via Concentration. You can also get it to buff the Severity Layer via DEX spec tree's Deadly Aim. So now INT is buffing both severity and the bonus from Concentration. It's your biggest source of damage buffs so put all 537 stat points towards INT.
That's the working theory behind it all. Set up your SS + Damage Form in such a way that a SINGLE stat will buff both the General Layer and the Severity Layer. This way you can mod everything towards that one stat so that all 537 points buff both layers.
*Role Layer*
Just by choosing either Melee or Ranged damage role you get a 25% boost.
*Base Damage*
Biggest buff sources: charge time reduction, some advantages, some specs
This "layer" is the hardest to find buffs for. Many primary damage powers have advantages that buff base damage when certain conditions are met. For example, Massacre adv used on targets with Bleeding. Some specs also buff base damage such as Flanking from the Brawler spec tree. Another way to buff base DPS is by hitting faster...this comes from charge time reduction provided by Night Warrior and Aura of Arcane Clarity.
2. HIGH BASE DAMAGE POWERS
This is a list of primary damage powers that I have already tested to do more than 4k DPS vs. test dummies in the powerhouse by using the principles outlined in this guide along with R7 mods + Legion Gear. There may be others that I have not come around to...if you know of more please add them in the comments.
- - - - - - - - - - - - *RANGED* - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lightning Arc, Conflagration, Incinerate, Cascade, Typhoon, Icicle Spear
Pulse Beam Rifle, Assault Rifle, Two-Gun Mojo, Any 2 Power Armor Toggles
Telekinetic Assault, Telekinetic Lance
Ebon Ruin, Shade Storm, Soul Beam, Defile
- - - - - - - - - - - - *MELEE* - - - - - - - - - - - -
Gauntlet Chainsaw, Bullet Ballet, Luminescent Slash
Dragon's Wrath, Sword Cyclone, Dragon's Claws, Tiger's Bite, Dragon's Bite, Reaper's Embrace, Dragon Uppercut, Burning Chi Fist, One Hundred Hands
Ego Weaponry, Ego Blade Breach, Ego Blade Annihilation
Annihilate, Skewer, Haymaker, Demolish
Massacre, Thrash, Devour Essence
3. SPEC TREE TEMPLATES
- - - - - - - - - - - - *RANGED* - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dex primary - Gear for INT - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Concentration, Spellcaster
Super Stats
Level 6: Dexterity (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)
Specializations
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Brush It Off (2/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Dex primary - Gear for EGO - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Concentration, Chilled Form
Super Stats
Level 6: Dexterity (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Ego (Secondary)
Specializations
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Brush It Off (2/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Ego primary - Gear for DEX - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Sharp Shooter, Chilled Form
Super Stats
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Dexterity (Secondary)
Specializations
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (1/3)
Ego: Aggression (2/2)
Ego: Follow Through (2/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (3/3)
Ego primary - Gear for INT - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Concentration, Spellcaster
Super Stats
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)
Specializations
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (1/3)
Ego: Aggression (2/2)
Ego: Follow Through (2/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (3/3)
Ego primary - Gear for EGO - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Concentration, Chilled Form
Super Stats
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Dexterity (Secondary)
Specializations
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Aggression (2/2)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
- - - - - - - - - - - - *MELEE* - - - - - - - - - - - -
Str primary - Gear for STR - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Enrage
Super Stats
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Constitution (Secondary)
Specializations
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Overpower (3/3)
Str primary - Gear for DEX - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Martial Arts Forms
Super Stats
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Dexterity (Secondary)
Specializations
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Overpower (3/3)
Dex primary - Gear for STR - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Enrage
Super Stats
Level 6: Dexterity (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Strength (Secondary)
Specializations
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Brush It Off (2/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Dex primary - Gear for INT - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Particle Accelerator
Super Stats
Level 6: Dexterity (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)
Specializations
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Brush It Off (2/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Ego primary - Gear for DEX - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Martial Arts Forms
Super Stats
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Dexterity (Secondary)
Specializations
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (1/3)
Ego: Aggression (2/2)
Ego: Follow Through (2/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (3/3)
Ego primary - Gear for INT - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Particle Accelerator
Super Stats
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)
Specializations
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (1/3)
Ego: Aggression (2/2)
Ego: Follow Through (2/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (3/3)
> > > > TIPS FOR GIANT MONSTERS < < < < - learn to fight Cosmics (ﾉ･ｪ･)ﾉ
Build Endgame DPS: make your high-end DPS build here
* * * * * * Crowd Control Builds * * * * * * !(•̀ᴗ•́)و ̑̑
=>=> HEALER Builds: pure Healers, Healer/DPS, Healer/Tank builds, & more! <=<= Already tested to be endgame-ready! ٩(^ᴗ^)۶
Spectre beats Eido in an SG run: VIDEO HERE
"SO VIXY HERD YOU RLY RLY LIEK SPECTRE?!?!" (づ ◕‿◕ )づ
1. Pick out your primary damage power from the list in Section 2
2. Pick out a Spec Template with a damage form that buffs your primary damage power from Section 3
3. Click on a Spec Template and fill it in with the same types of powers as those listed in the basic version of this guide.
- 1 Offensive Passive (if relevant, choose ones that can buff multiple damage layers)
- rank 3 Block
- 1-2 heals
- 1 Active Defense
- 1-2 Active Offenses (choose ones that can buff multiple damage layers)
- Ultimate
- 1-2 debuffs that reduce the target's resistance to your primary damage power
- energy unlock that procs frequently in your damage rotation
Let's walk through an example.
1. I choose Icicle Spear for my primary damage power
2. I choose the following spec tree because I really like the cost discount that the Insight spec provides.
Possible Damage Forms: Concentration, Chilled Form
Super Stats
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Dexterity (Secondary)
Specializations
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Aggression (2/2)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
3. I click the Spec Template and fill it in with the following powers:
- I take Eldricht Shield rank 3, because I'm ranged DPS and most ranged damage is non-physical
- I take Conviction because it's a fast heal
- I take Masterful Dodge so that I won't worry as much about taking damage during DPS checks
- I take Ice Sheath and Lock N Load since they buff multiple damage layers.
- I take my primary damage power: Icicle Spear rank 3.
- I take Ice Blast + advs to debuff my target's damage resistance to my primary damage power: Icicle Spear
- I take the Gravity Driver ultimate which is buffed by Chilled Form, Stormbringer, and ranged damage role.
- I take the energy unlock Icy Embrace which is procced by my debuff power, Ice Blast
- I take Resurgence rank 2 so that I can have a nice "OH SNAP!" button
- I take Rebirth because I'm going to die sometimes and I don't want to wait on healers
AND WE'RE DONE.
Here's the build itself:
Icicle Spear Example - Freeform
Follow steps 1, 2, and 3 from this section to make your own high DPS build!
--------------------
***This 4k-6k DPS is vs. the test dummies in the Powerhouse using R7 mods + Legion Gear.
--------------------
APPENDIX
5. STUFF WE SKIPPED
Below is a quick rundown of what we skipped.
Offense - it's on your character info sheet. This damage buff is in the Severity Layer. Generally not worth specifically gearing for it.
Other great DPS spec tress to combine with Vindicator that are not Guardian or Warden:
Avenger - has specs that may make it better for your ranged DPS build than Guradian. Especially look at Preemptive Strike.
Brawler - has specs that may make it better for your melee DPS build than Warden. Especially look at Flanking.
Overseer - has specs that may make it best for some specialized DPS builds. Especially look at Trapped.
6. THE BEST GEAR
Ok so you've got your high dps build with your R7 mods and Legion Gear. What gear should you get next if you want to further increase your damage output? Here's the list of DPS gear ordered based on how much of an impact it would usually have on your damage output in the endgame.
1. Depleted Uranium Core
Drops from Warlord in the Harmon Alert. Allows you to ignore 15% of the target's damage resistance.
2. Onslaugh Gloves of the Slicer (only if you're melee DPS)
Sold by the Onslaught Vendor in MC.
3. +Damage Utility Core
At rank 9, these cores add 10% to damage for powers from specific powersets. This buff is in the
Severity Layer along with Offense and Crit Sev.
Cores sold by the GCR Vendor:
Gadgeteering: Teleio's Gadget
Ice: Kigatilik's Wrath
Fire: Qwyjibo's Fury
Bestial: Teleiosaurus's Rage
Infernal: Venomous
Darkness: Shadow Destroyer's Contempt
Might: Ripper's Rage
Sorcery: Spell of Takofanes
Power Armor: Calrence's Machinery
Heavy Weapons: Ironclad's Willpower
Cores dropped in the world:
Munitions: Ascii's Precision Get during the High Noon event & from Ascii's Open Mission in the Desert.
Electricity: Right Eye of the Sapphire Dragon Get from the Hi-Pan alert.
Claws: Nighthawk's Talons Get during the Nighthawk event.
Unarmed: Left Eye of the Ruby Dragon Get from the Red Snake Green Dragon alert.
Single Blade: Jack Fool's Blade Get directly from Jack Fool in his alert and Adventure Pack.
Dual Blade: Dragon's Fangs Get as a global drop from Red Banner enemies.
Cores are not yet sold by the GCR Vendor in MC, but can be bought on the AH or traded for:
Laser Sword: Cybermind's Impression
Telekinesis: Medusa's Presence
4. All 3 Justice Primaries
Sold by the GCR Vendor in MC.
5. Cosmic Fang of Wrath or Cosmic Fang of Rage slotted with a r5 Crit Strike Core.
BoE versions are dropped by Cosmics. BoP versions sold by the GCR Vendor in MC. The r3 Crit Cores are sold by the GCR Vendor as well. The Onslaught Gloves of the Sniper can also be as good if you are ranged.
6. Rank 9 Mods
Replacing your rank 7s with rank 9s.
7. SOURCES OF DEFENSE PENETRATION
Most of this guide has been focused on increasing damage by buffing various damage layers.
The other two major ways to increase your damage output are:
- Resistance Debuffs: found among Powers, like Firesnake, and Spec Trees, like Trapped from Overseer
- Defense Penetration: Gear, Powers, Spec Trees
Debuffs reduce your target's resistance to your attacks. They can even make the target have negative resistance! If you've been following the guide then you should already have some debuffs in your build.
Defense Penetration enables your attacks to *ignore* the target's resistance. So if the target has no resistance then defense penetration is useless. If the target has high resistance then defense penetration can be amazing.
Endgame bosses and Cosmics all have resistances usually ranging from 20% to over 40% so it's worth adding some Defense Penetration to your arsenal.
Sources of Defense Penetration include:
Depleted Uranium Core - a must-have for every min-maxer, this core allows your attacks to ignore 15% of the targets damage resistance. So if your target's damage resistance is 20% and you use the core then your attacks damage them as if they had 5% resistance.
Night Warrior passive - allows your attacks to ignore 10% of the target's resistance.. So if your target's damage resistance is 20% then with Night Warrior slotted, your attacks damage them as if they had 10% resistance.
Detect Vulnerability (INT Primary SS Spec Tree) - the highest possible scaling source of defense penetration. This is *the* spec that makes INT primary SS great for Endgame DPS. You get ~0.83% added defense penetration for every 10 points of INT in your build. So if you have 25% defense penetration, which takes 300 INT, and your target's damage resistance is 20% then your attacks damage them as if they had 0% resistance. If your target's damage resistance was 40%, then your attacks damage them as if they had 15% resistance.
Some attack powers & advantages have defense penetration as well, but are too specific to be included here.
8. INT AND PRE PRIMARY SPEC TEMPLATES
The INT and PRE spec trees do not come close to EGO, DEX, or STR trees' buffs to the various damage layers,
however both spec trees can be effective for an endgame DPS build. Here's why.
Why INT?
Because the Detect Vulnerability spec provides defense penetration for all of your attacks.
The amount of defense penetration provided scales with your INT. The INT spec tree also contains a spec called Expertise, which buffs the innate bonus of your secondary SS. So as long as your secondary SS is Dex then the spec also increases your crit chance in a roundabout but significant way.
- - - - - - - - - - - - *RANGED* - - - - - - - - - - - -
Int primary - Gear for INT - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Concentration, Spellcaster
Super Stats
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Dexterity (Secondary)
Specializations
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
- - - - - - - - - - - - *MELEE* - - - - - - - - - - - -
Int primary - Gear for INT - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Particle Accelerator
Super Stats
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Dexterity (Secondary)
Specializations
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Why PRE?
Because the Moment of Glory spec provides a buff to crit chance that is similar to Sixth Sense (from the Ego spec tree).
So we'd use it in similar builds. By making Dex a secondary SS and having it scale Moment of Glory, we'll be able to allocate all of our gear to Dex & vastly increase our crit chance. Use this in builds that have damage forms scaled by Dex. The PRE spec tree also contains a spec called Vulnerability, which is a great debuff for all damage types. It's procced by Paralyze type holds so we should ensure to have some in our PRE primary DPS build.
- - - - - - - - - - - - *RANGED* - - - - - - - - - - - -
Pre primary - Gear for DEX - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Sharp Shooter, Chilled Form
Super Stats
Level 6: Presence (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Dexterity (Secondary)
Specializations
Presence: Repurpose (2/3)
Presence: Grandeur (3/3)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Vulnerability (2/2)
- - - - - - - - - - - - *MELEE* - - - - - - - - - - - -
Pre primary - Gear for DEX - Click Me
Possible Damage Forms: Martial Arts Forms
Super Stats
Level 6: Presence (Primary)
Level 10: Recovery (Secondary)
Level 15: Dexterity (Secondary)
Specializations
Presence: Repurpose (2/3)
Presence: Grandeur (3/3)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Vulnerability (2/2)
To make your high DPS INT and PRE primary builds follow the same steps as before.
1. Pick out your primary damage power from the list in Section 2
2. Pick out a Spec Template with a damage form that buffs your primary damage power from this section
3. Click on your chosen Spec Template and fill it in with the same types of powers as those listed in the basic version of this guide
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you take just one thing away from reading this guide, it should be that buffing mutiple damage layers at the same time is the most powerful way to ensure your DPS reaches its maximum potetial, regardless of theme. The method of accomplishing this might change, but the concept itself has stayed this way for years and is future proof.
The current method is to set up your build so that the same stat which buffs your damage form also buffs either (or both) your crit chance or severity. And then invest all mods + gear into that stat.
MORE WAYS TO IMPROVE DPS:
Parse your builds: LINK
Know the fights: LINK
Good luck and see you in the endgame!!! [O_O]/