1st, welcome back! I actually went through a similar exercise, I recently got 1 Windy toon to 40, made a 2nd one with some differences, and plan on a 3rd. I won't say I'm an expert, but since I experimented so much in about the last 2 months, I might be particularly helpful to you as those lessons are so fresh in my mind. Let's start with the build, then I'll break it down:
powerhouse.nullware.com/powerhouse.html?v=11&n=&d=1537cNPW000204440004100430544039I007F00AI05J503DM04EI0537044B03QJ00JB0009OO0nGQ3bDMLevel 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Recovery (Secondary)
Talents:
Level 1: The Squall
Level 6: Ascetic
Level 9: Quick Recovery
Level 12: Wordly
Level 15:
Level 18:
Level 21:I put some Constitution here, which IMHO is very important, trading off Endurance. You'll be doing so much damage that you will drawing threat. This is a factor for both solo mission play or now with Alerts teamplay. While I'm not sure how long you been gone, defensive options like Dodge were kinda nerfed in the past year or so. Hit Points remain Hit Points, however, so this is very important.
Later on, as we go to powers, you'll see why you don't need Endurance for energy management. I leave the options from 15 to 21 to your choice, like if you want more Crits then go for Dex, etc.
Powers:
Level 1: Wind Lash
Level 1: Gust
Level 6: Hurricane (Rank 2, Perfect Storm)
Level 8: Stormbringer (Rank 2, Rank 3)This is your THEME and it's all fine. Just a heads up, in teamplay, Knock Backs like with Gust is a bit of a faux pas now. It was great for solo play, but it has kinda changed since perhaps when you left, plus it makes things difficult for teamplay as melee need to chase down Knocked Back mooks, risking drawing another mob.
Gust will Knock Back, depending on how much. So will Hurricane actually IF you maintain it all the way. For now, you may want to hold down those buttons for just a little past halfway. When you've leveled to 40 with good gear, it's no longer an issue, you can pretty much do whatever you want. Hurricane, you'll find, will be your bread & butter attack.
Level 11: OverdriveThis is the ENERGY UNLOCK and has been swapped out with Wind Reverberation. Confusingly, for Wind, Overdrive (from Gadgeteering) actually works better than Wind Reverberation. The way it works is, as long as you maintain an attack...like Gust or Hurricane, over halfway, you get this Energy Over Time effect, keeping your Energy level up better than Wind Reverberation. Moreover, it seems to work better with Recovery (even though its in-game tool tip suggests Int or End), it's weird, but effective.
Level 14: ConcentrationThis is just the TOGGLE to enhance your theme. This is to increase your Ranged DPS. Just to make sure you know, you're likely best served by playing this in Ranged DPS mode. Moreover, it also adds Energy when you charge or maintain an attack past halfway, working completely in-line with how Overdrive works. Now, I hope you see how this build is coming together nicely.
By level 14, very easy to get to with the Double XP we got going, you're already in a very playable state. Unlike with an AT, where sometimes you have to wait until level 25 or 40 to be fully functional, I think you're already there. Freeform is awesome for this.
Level 17: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 20: Conviction
Level 23: Masterful Dodge
Level 26: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)These 4 powers are like the Standard Package that comes with most builds. Healing over time, immediate healing, defensive, offensive buffs. Not everybody likes all these powers, but it's like the safe bet, the go-to. Please note a small change to BCR, I changed your Rank 3 to Resurgent Reiki.
Level 29: Force Shield (Force Sheathe)My favourite BLOCK for its Advantage, Force Sheathe. Even if you just tap Block, it will keep a weaker Block effect on you. Great to have some ongoing defense and Energy return (as blocked attacks give some Energy). Many others prefer the Darkness Shield for its healing advantage or Energy Shield for sheer blockage. You may want to take it earlier, even, but I leave the choice up to you.
Level 32: Typhoon (Rank 2, Rank 3)This is the big Wind attack, for your theme. Save it for the bosses, it has serious Knock Back issues.
Level 35: Rebirth
Level 38: RedemptionThese are just UTILITY powers to let you Revive yourself and others, your First Aid kit, always handy to keep in the trunk of your car, 'cos you never know. Around level 35 is when you unlock Rampages, 10-man comparatively harder missions, so this is nice to have.
Travel Powers:
Level 6: Superjump
Level 35: My personal preferences are usually Agility and Flight now, but again, I respect your choices.
Specializations:
Ego: Mental Endurance (2/3)
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Aggression (2/2)
Ego: Exploit Opening (2/2)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Relentless Assault (3/3)
Avenger: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)This is optimised for Area Effect Ranged DPS, which is basically all you use anyway.
Sorry for the wait, I read your build about 12 hours earlier, but had to do other stuff before I replied. My parting comment is a disclaimer, my recommendation comes in the wake of changes to the game as well as the game meta. The game may be much more about these 5-man Alerts since you left (you may have left before Alerts were added).
I replied here as it's actually a good example of what I learned from Kenpo. It's the FRAMEWORK that's important.
However, if you wish to further discuss, please start a separate thread just for this topic, I'd be happy to work with you wherever you go.
