|
|
Post by Zed Brightlander on Sept 11, 2014 22:54:37 GMT -5
So the question is: Who's going to study Archetype and build the Arch Guide for us numbskull types? <--- could that be it's own archetype?  linkhttp://www.arcgames.com/en/games/champions-online/news/detail/7004453-reawakened-automaton * * * Full power set: Innate Characteristic boosts Ego, Recovery, and Constitution. Super Stats: Ego (Primary), Recovery, and Constitution Energy Builder: Wrist Bolter Level 1: Power Gauntlet Level 6: Rocket Punch (New!) Level 8: Targeting Computer Level 11: Gauntlet Chainsaw or Chest Beam Level 14: Aspect of the Machine (New!) Level 17: Binding Shot (New!) Level 21: Reconstruction Circuits Level 25: Overdrive Level 30: Lock N Load OR Ego Surge Level 35: Orbital Cannon OR Energy Wave Level 40: Implosion Engine Specializations: Ego, Overseer, and Vindicator, then pick one of the associated Masteries. * * * I like any arche with Con and extra HP built in.  Edit - Wait, wait. Looks like someone has already build one. What do you guys think? Automaton - |
|
|
|
Post by Meegatron on Sept 12, 2014 1:03:05 GMT -5
You can roll with this one: co-forum.perfectworld.com/showpost.php?p=4381231&postcount=5Althought I'd take Ego Surge instead of Lock and Load Will do for leveling to 40. Nothing more can be really really achieved with this AT. The point is to: 1 - Take Force of Will spec to boost your defense 2 - Take Insight and Conservation specs for energy cost discounts 3 - The same about talents, whenever you can do it easier for you with End, Rec or Int 4 - Get Armadillo secondaries 5 - Rank your passive, Rocket Punch and Aspect of The Machine to 3. 6 - Prepare for very tactical (except not really) play when your entire tactic could be as well limited to tapspamming Rocket Punch with occassional use of the Chest Beam when NPCs are close to you. That's all. 7 - Eventually, after lvl 35 you can just stand there blocking, popping Reconstruction Circuits and spamming Energy Wave as it comes out of the cooldown. The best part about this AT is... It's broken. It's put together very badly. And yet it still can't make CO any more difficult because of how dumb are NPCs.  There's literally nothing difficult in leveling this mess of a build, but that's not the merit of this AT but CO environment in general. The worst built AT simply can't make it any harder, at best it can turn leveling more tedious. Bottom line is, the Reawakened Automaton is a crap even by the standard established by some other ATs, but leveling it isn't hard. |
|
|
|
Post by not1stepbackwards on Sept 13, 2014 6:27:15 GMT -5
Hey guys, so I've been playing the Automaton AT, got to around level 30.
--- 1st, my impressions ---
I see the flaws, but instead of hating them, I merely find them funny. Basically, I'm not disappointed as I had low expectations:
The Good - Above average damage with above average survivability, a self-heal
The Bad - Horrible energy management, very stationary, seems designed for solo-play
The Ugly - Aside from Ego & Con, then Rocket Punch, it's really a borked design
This is just one opinion AND one playing style, but I'm enjoying it, because of my very low expectations. In comparison with the other free ATs for leveling, it's IMHO inferior to Soldier or Unleashed, about the same as Inferno, Marksman, Glacier, Behemoth, better than Grimoire, Mind, Radiant, Blade. I agree with others that it FEELS like whoever designed this never made a Freeform before or never play-tested it personally, working off other people's notes. It's like the inefficient Freeform I 1st made then deleted quickly, they just threw weird powers together and forgot simple things like a Block power (which is missing).
--- 2nd, an unconventional build (not final) ---
A few of us have been working on this and there's an unconventional build that might work better. In fact, Xstorm was trying this out, not sure what he feels about this. Again, it's based on opinions, we figured this AT is so borked we have to find a workaround. Here's my notes on this build, my comments thus far at around level 30 in blue:
Super Stats: Ego (Primary), Recovery, and Constitution
It's pretty good, similar to Devastator, but for ranged. For choosing Talents, I'd personally added Intelligence.
Energy Builder: Wrist Bolter
Level 1: Power Gauntlet
Level 6: Rocket Punch (New!) - Rank 2 & Rank 3
The problem is Power Gauntlet is very similar, practically redundant. Rocket Punch is a little bit better and became the signature move for this AT. I actually deleted and redesigned my character around Rocket Punch since it's such the bread & butter move.
Level 8: Targeting Computer - Rank 2 & Rank 3
Level 11: Gauntlet Chainsaw or Chest Beam - bear with me, Chainsaw Rank 2 & Ripsaw
Hear me out for this is the weirdest part. This is a Ranged DPS AT, but Chest Beam doesn't add anything new. Again, very similar, practically redundant to Rocket Punch, but takes even more energy, this AT's biggest weakness. Gauntlet Chainsaw is at least a fight finisher with Ripsaw, which adds a lot more damage when an enemy is below 30% health. It's not great because it's Melee damage. However, combined with Lock & Load's energy efficiency later with the Two Smoking Barrels advantage, which reduces its cooldown with each Melee strike, this power will essentially feed energy to itself. Even with this gimmick, it's not great, but at least it adds something to the AT over Chest Beam.
UPDATE - please see Meeda's following post as well, very good points there.
Level 14: Aspect of the Machine (New!) - Rank 2 & Rank 3
This is like Concentration, but it stacks only on kills/KOs. As such, I've noticed it doesn't stack well during Alerts compared to solo-play.
Level 17: Binding Shot (New!)
This is actually a really good Paralyze power. It doesn't need Ranks and you never charge it, this is just a single Tap power. On a Freeform, I'm more likely to add this than Rocket Punch.
Level 21: Reconstruction Circuits - Rank 2 & Rank 3
I THINK this is bugged. It is a self-heal over time, which is great for an AT! However, when you use it, you can't use your Energy Builder. It shouldn't work like that. Due to the Autmoaton's problems with energy management, you're forced into this choice of whether to self-heal over time or continue attacking in a long fight. It's useful after a fight to heal up as you're walking to the next in missions, but again this suggests this AT was built for solo-play, not Alerts where everyone's constantly moving. Of all the borked things, this is most borked.
Level 25: Overdrive
Nice little energy management tool, cannot be Ranked up
Level 30: Lock N Load OR Ego Surge - Lock N Load, Two Smoking Barrels, Rank 2
I usually choose Ego Surge on all my Freeforms. But this is to work alongside the Gauntlet Chainsaw above.
Level 35: Orbital Cannon OR Energy Wave
Level 40: Implosion Engine
Haven't got to these powers yet, so haven't bounced my ideas with our crew on what to Advantage Points in. Not even sure if it's relevant as I may delete this AT at level 40.
Specializations: Ego, Overseer, and Vindicator, then pick one of the associated Masteries.
Okay...this is the tricky part and these are ONLY my thoughts, because this AT plays wonky. Specializations:
EGO
Insight (3/3): this I'm sure of, this noticeably increases your energy effeciency
Force of Will (2/2): adds more survivability, usually one of the better choices
Follow Through (2/3): adds Crit Severity
Sixth Sense (3/3): improves Crit Chance (BUT can be replaced with Aggression)
(Note: I did NOT take Aggression, which I usually do, because that is based on how good your gear is. I'm not going to invest gear on this AT. I might go to the Auction House and buy whatever cheap Mercenary Gear and Mods, then play him ironically every once in a while. But if I was serious about this AT, if this was my 1 of 2 characters as a Silver player, I'd add Aggression for sure.)
OVERSEER
Administer (3/3): increases Blasts and Heals. This AT is almost all Blasts and Heals.
Impact (2/2): debuffs target on Crit. With the Chainsaw finisher, this helps a lot, as you're in melee
Trapped (3/3): debuffs on Paralyze, great with Binding Shot! Really good!
Conservation (2/2): reduces energy costs, but NOT on Area of Effect attacks...and this AT is mostly AoE attacks
(Note: I did NOT take Overseer Aura, the team buff. It's actually too weak. Things like Trapped and Impact actually debuff much better, as long as you're not standing still.)
--- in conclusion ---
This is the most wonky AT, but I'm not yet convinced it's the worst one. If you play it conventionally, prepare to be disappointed. It's like the only way to play it is to have an approach that is as weird as its design. Whereas most ATs have a certain playing style and are particularly good if you stay with that style, this AT forces you to do weird things.
And ultimately, it's whether you find its flaws insulting or just funny. I just find them hilarious, which perhaps redeems this AT in my eyes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Meegatron on Sept 13, 2014 7:00:53 GMT -5
Hear me out for this is the weirdest part. This is a Ranged DPS AT, but Chest Beam doesn't add anything new. Again, very similar, practically redundant to Rocket Punch, but takes even more energy, this AT's biggest weakness. Gauntlet Chainsaw is at least a fight finisher with Ripsaw, which adds a lot more damage when an enemy is below 30% health. It's not great because it's Melee damage. However, combined with Lock & Load's energy efficiency later with the Two Smoking Barrels advantage, which reduces its cooldown with each Melee strike, this power will essentially feed energy to itself. Even with this gimmick, it's not great, but at least it adds something to the AT over Chest Beam. I'm not really sure about taking Chainsaw Gautlet. Chest beam is a move that can oneshot the whole group standing in front of you, and if not, it can repel them. It also gives damage resistance debuff which is actually very importat for this AT, because combined dps from Chest Beam and damage resistance debuff is what makes this AT even remotely useful for bosses. Actually, the damage resistance debuff is the most important here. Chainsaw Gauntled adds a melee move on an AT with no stats to really back it up and not enough durability do stay in prolonged melee fight. Sure. You can proc Overdrive with it, but Reconstruction Circuits alone will proc Overdrive. I THINK this is bugged. It is a self-heal over time, which is great for an AT! However, when you use it, you can't use your Energy Builder. It shouldn't work like that. Due to the Autmoaton's problems with energy management, you're forced into this choice of whether to self-heal over time or continue attacking in a long fight. It's useful after a fight to heal up as you're walking to the next in missions, but again this suggests this AT was built for solo-play, not Alerts where everyone's constantly moving. Of all the borked things, this is most borked. Actually it works as intended. There's an advantage on your energy builder that changes it to work as other hand slots when other PA powers are fired. But your EB will not generate any energy when other PA powers are in use. What this AT is really lacking is ANY PA shoulder slot attack instead of Power Gauntlet. Like any. Minigun, Eye Beams, whatever. To have somethig to go with Overdrive when healing with Circuits. Binding shot is cool. Im using it to interrupt NPC special attacks. Then I'm charging Cheast Beam to send them flying as they are struggling. This is a very well deserved repayment to all Brickbusters. Now I can make fun of them. Gotta find a place for this move on freeforms. Does the same what Bolas do, but I like its graphic better. |
|
|
|
Post by not1stepbackwards on Sept 13, 2014 8:11:32 GMT -5
I'm not really sure about taking Chainsaw Gautlet. Nor am I, and now that you mentioned thinks like how Chest Beam could Debuff, I'm even less sure. Those are some very convincing points, like how this AT won't be the primary damage dealer anyway, so he might as well support the team with a Debuff from range, where it's safer. And I just read your point on Binding Shot 1st, then Chest Beam knockback after. That scenario occurs a lot in Alerts. Also thanks for the heads up on Reconstruction Circuits and Overdrive. That explains a lot, actually. This is a weird AT. Those are really good points, thanks for the advice. I'm going to change those Powers now while it's still cheap to do so. |
|
|
|
Post by Meegatron on Sept 14, 2014 4:57:18 GMT -5
A few points of consideration. 1 - I'm not sure if this AT is even valid for AT PvP. Well, as restricted PvP queues are dead anyway it's not a big thing, but still. It got Nttg on a nice interrupt, also got knockbacks and DR debuff, but no Crippling Challenge. Might be a rough ride. Reconstruction Circuits alone are too weak as a heal to matter in match. 2 - If you think R3 Reconstruction Circuits is not enough and you have a spare slot in your gear, a one Pre R6+ is roughly (well, it's actually slightly less) an equivalent of ranking powers like this one, BCR or Conviction. 3 - Adminster and Conservation specs are here only because of the Reconstruction Circuits. Either to improve mediocre healing done by this power, or reduce its cost when it runs in background. 4 - If you never before used Energy Wave, well... Spend points on its shield advantage if you like nice graphic FX, but otherwise Hardened Particle Matrix is a very weak shield and not worth it. Spec tree really does not boost it enough. Roughly 9% of low is still low. 5 - Reverse Polarity is actually useful adv for Energy Shield even if it feels counterintuitive to knock targets towards you playing a rather squishy ranged toon. Because alerts. If you never before used Energy Wave, then you have noooooo idea how far it can knock all targets in all possible directions. Especially with a primary Ego SS and with ranked Ego Surge. It can break some ecounters in alerts. Mobs stuck in crates... Well, not only in alerts. Taking Reverse Polarity instead of R3 prevents it from happening. 6 - Knockback advantage on the Rocket Punch might look fun, but actually is counterproductive. Most of the time you will be running around mobs in circles trying to position them in one line for another shot. Knocking them everywhere actually makes it harder. It's fun on low levels when everything dies fast, it may not be fun in alerts and adventure packs. If it doesn't die from knockback, is a ranged attacker and you did manage to knock few of these one away from another or into hard to reach places on the map, it actually might get this AT into trouble. It may be also problematic on any map where mobs can get stuck. |
|
|
|
Post by not1stepbackwards on Sept 14, 2014 19:55:46 GMT -5
Yeah, I agree the Knockback on Rocket Punch and Energy Wave is counter productive.
My current conclusion on this AT - I'm on board with the idea that this AT best contributes to the team as a Survivable DPS + Decent Debuffer AT. Chest Beam + Specialization Trapped (3/3) + Binding Shot reduce damage reduction by 19% or so.
|
|
|
|
Post by underwerekng on Sept 15, 2014 15:30:11 GMT -5
After playing around with this AT and attempting the Gauntlet Chainsaw play style i've come to the conclusion that Gauntlet Chainsaw should be reclassified as power armor/hand slot. With that change i could have reconstruction circuits running while i chop up enemies in melee but as it stands its hard to stay alive in a serious fight while using it.
I tried using a bind to cast them both simultaneously as people have been doing with minigun and Two Gun Mojo for years, but i just couldn't get it to work consistently with my Xbox controller. Any help or advice with this would be great.
I also noticed that if you use a block toggle it locks out all hand slot powers, normally activating a power while blocking deactivates block and fires off whatever power your using, but not with power armor/hand slot powers. All you do is stand there looking stupid while trying to tap spam rocket punch after blocking.
Its kinda sad how this AT is fairly weak as it but with one or 2 minor changes/fixes it could be really great.
|
|
|
|
Post by Meegatron on Sept 16, 2014 7:00:45 GMT -5
Overdrive scales with Rec first (which totally is NOT mentioned in a description for this power), then (if to believe it's description) End and Int.
It seems it scales mostly with Rec, though.
If you put some Rec then End in your talents it is possible to charge up to 3 Rocket punches with Reconstruction Circuits running. But that's about it. Every other one of your attack powers is shutting down your self heal.
At best with right gearing you can toss Implosion Engine, then pop Reconstruction Circuits and use Rocket Punch.
And I mean at best because you have to seriously gear for energy issues to pull this trick.
There's really little more to this AT.
Funny how so many of its specs can support AoEs, but it has no reliable maintained AoE.
Ok, I know. Best to not analyse this build too much...
|
|
|
|
Post by KenpoJuJitsu3 on Sept 16, 2014 10:19:09 GMT -5
Overdrive scales with Rec first (which totally is NOT mentioned in a description for this power), then (if to believe it's description) End and Int. It seems it scales mostly with Rec, though. Are you saying it scales more with REC than other energy unlocks? I ask because all energy unlocks effectively scale with REC since the energy unlock pass a while back. |
|
|
|
Post by Meegatron on Sept 16, 2014 11:04:15 GMT -5
Overdrive scales with Rec first (which totally is NOT mentioned in a description for this power), then (if to believe it's description) End and Int. It seems it scales mostly with Rec, though. Are you saying it scales more with REC than other energy unlocks? I ask because all energy unlocks effectively scale with REC since the energy unlock pass a while back. All I know that having stated Rec makes this EU working. Best observed on The Invincible AT where this EU works poorly despite having both Int and End statted, but no Rec. Unless you start gearing for Rec this AT could as well have no energy unlock. So... 1 - Either this power has wrong stats listed in description, or: 2 - It has right stats listed in description but it scales so poorly that Rec works better anyway. But my best guess is that Cryptic just botched power description and it scales with Rec and End, not with Int and End. |
|
|
|
Post by KenpoJuJitsu3 on Sept 16, 2014 11:11:13 GMT -5
IIRC all energy unlocks double dip with REC stating. We can stat the listed stats, just stat REC for the same benefit as if we used the listed stat or double dip by stating the listed stat plus REC. I need to check that again. It's been a while since I really dug into this aspect of the game.
|
|
|
|
Post by supercollide on Sept 16, 2014 16:19:39 GMT -5
Yeah Overdrive's been borked like that from day 1.
When I was last playing with a overdrive based toon (Cliffjumper ) I put INT and END in via talents and maybe a little more END via a secondary but the rest in REC,
It definitely works better with rec than anything else.
I'd be tempted to gear EGO, REC/CON with a little END. I'd wager Insight and Conservation would be Vital though.
|
|
|
|
Post by Meegatron on Sept 16, 2014 17:55:24 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure Insight and Conservation are in this built because it was leveling build. The only power when they really matter is Reconstruction Circuits. Overseer aura was probably a filler to unlock next tier. Both specs may not be useful in alert build because this self-heal is too weak to matter outside of the regular mobs anyway. I doubt if it can keep you alive if you are swarmed by tough mobs. Question is, is this AT even valid for anything outside of leveling and mayyyybeee farming?  |
|
|
|
Post by not1stepbackwards on Sept 17, 2014 6:06:07 GMT -5
So I got to level 40 last night, bought some cheap level 40 gear rather than invest more in this toon I'll delete. I'll be comparing the Automaton to my all my other ATs now. Question is, is this AT even valid for anything outside of leveling and mayyyybeee farming? Tough call. While it can do all the content, I think the point is, can it do anything better than the other free ATs? And with all powers available to me now, I honestly feel this AT is inferior to the others except MAYBE in Rampages. In Rampages with free ATs, it benefits from a combination of being both Survivable AND Ranged DPS, plus it further contributes with Debuffs (up to 19% if the tool tips are right). Tammy is back and she suggested using Power Gauntlet instead of Rocket Punch. I can only speak for myself, but I think I for one was too fixated on Rocket Punch; it was, after all, what got me playing the AT. Earlier I said Chest Beam was the redundancy, but now I'm wondering if Rocket Punch is. Perhaps it may be worth playing the Automaton more as a Power Armour AT, like a free Invincible AT? |
|
