Dual Builds and you

[Memphis_Bill]

"If only I had more room to take THIS power!"
"I'd PVP, but I don't feel like hosing my PVE build."
"I wish I had more offense. I have so many team powers that are useless when I solo."
"I'd respec, but I don't want to make a mistake there and destroy my current build."

Have you ever thought thoughts like this? Well, congrats, your wish has been answered!

Actually, it was answered some time ago. The COH team introduced dual builds back in Issue 13, yet it seems many people still aren't aware of them. Dual builds are interesting, potentially useful things to have.

How do I unlock dual builds?

It's a long and difficult process, but I'll walk you through it. Ready?

Step 1: Get to level 10.






Yes, that's it. Dual builds become available for your character at level 10 automatically. You don't need a level 50, you don't need to run a trial or have vet rewards of any level. Just hit level ten and Bing! There they are.

How do I use dual builds?

When you want to use your dual build, just go to any trainer. You don't have to do it WHEN you level - if you're four bubbles in to level 23, go do it. If you're a bubble away from 11, you can do it. It doesn't matter. At the trainer, you will see an option to "Select your active build." By default, these are called "Build 1" and "Build 2." Select build 2, and confirm you want to do so.

You will be starting over from level "0," essentially - you pick a primary power, then a secondary separately. From then, it's JUST like levelling normally until you're at your main build's current level. *NOTE Yes, this means if you're doing a VEAT and hit 24, you'll be levelling 23 times, then starting over yet again. Yes, it's an annoyance.

Next - you buy enhancements.

No, enhancements are not shared between the two builds. They are, in essence, two separate characters sharing one slot. (Obviously you still have your recipes, inventory, and influence or infamy.)

You can also name the builds. One caveat, though, it's on the same timer (sort of) as switching builds (once every 15 minutes.) So if you wanted to try an "Original" and a "test" build and call them that, name the original build "Original," then switch. You won't be able to name the new build for 15 minutes, since the game won't let you into that menu. Hopefully this will change in the future.

Why would I use dual builds?

The reasons are varied. I'll go over a few possibilities, though:

1. The Pre-Respec Respec (or I don't want to nuke my build until I'm sure.)

Don't have a respec handy? Have one but you want to see how the build actually operates? Want to see how a different APP or PPP works? Use your second build! Your primary build is tucked away safely under "Build 1," so if you find the second build *just* doesn't do it for you, you can switch back. Of course, any future changes will require a respec to be used (unless we get more builds at some point,) but this is a quick and dirty way to respec without being a vet, having a recipe drop, or having to run a trial.

2. Solo vs Team builds

This is a huge one for me. Some powersets are mostly useful no matter if you're teamed or solo (Radiation Emission, for one.) Others are more team oriented - Thermal, Empathy, Sonic and Force Fields come to mind. If you're solo, you can use the second build to build up a "Solo" build that drops (for instance) the shields, Clear Mind/Fortitude, or other powers you can't use on yourself in favor of more offense or other power pools. This opens up a LOT of slots in some builds (for instance, my Dark/Thermal Corruptor, in her solo build, has in essence a three power secondary - Warmth (the self heal,) Heat Exhaustion and Melt Armor. That gives me six more powers to pick to fill out her concept or build her offense -so she has the Presence pool and a full primary.)

3. Concept vs Team builds

Want to play a petless Mastermind, but want to keep your tanking ability on teams? Here's your chance! Make your petless Concept build on build 1, and your Tankermind build on build 2. When you're solo or on a concept team, stick with your concept. PUGging it? Break out the pets.

4. PVE vs PVP

Sometimes you want to ensure you have certain powers at certain levels - or "mule" powers, or certain pools and slotting for PVP. Meanwhile, you're reasonably effective already in PVE. Well, here you go - keep your PVE build, and make a PVP tuned build when you want to take on your fellow players.

5. The Exemplar build

Somewhat related to the PVE/PVP reason - Want to make sure you have certain powers when you exemp down for Positron? Even with Issue 16's SSK and extended powers availability for Exemplaring, you may still want certain powers at certain levels you skipped on the way up. Rebuild with those in mind, while keeping your current, effective, high level build intact.

6. HEATs (Kheldians) - Human vs Multiform

Kheldians are interesting creatures to play. (I know, I have several of them at 50.) Many go dual or tri form - especially with an AOE powerhouse like Nova available at level 6. Yet others choose to go "pure human" form. Well, this can give you the best of both worlds, letting you try both play styles with a simple switch of a build.

7. VEATs (SoA) - I want to be one of those!

VEATs and dual builds are... interesting. As noted earlier, using dual builds means you get hit with the forced respec at 24 with the new build again, which to me makes the process... irritating. For Widows, that's the only snag - you can switch between Widow and Fortunata without much hassle.

For Soldiers, however, there's one catch at this time. If EITHER BUILD uses ANY Crab powers, BOTH are going to end up with the Crab backpack - even if the other build goes Bane (locking them all out of that build.) So be aware of that. If you don't want the legs, don't take any crab powers in EITHER build - which limits you to bane or "huntsman."

8. Whatever other reason you want.

Do I have to use dual builds?

Nope. Not at all. Even though I'm a big fan of them, maybe 1/4 to 1/3 of my characters use them. They're a purely optional utility for your use.

[AlienOne]

As always, very informative.

I'm a huge fan of "dual builds" myself, especially with my Khelds. In fact, I'm hoping that Devs will allow for a 3rd (and possibly 4th) build in the future. I've respec'd some of my guys so much both on live and test that I'd love the ability to have some of the builds I've put together for specific situations/TFs/AV fights, without destroying my "main" builds.

Anyway, again, great guide.

"Alien"

[Mangiatore Di Morte]

Thanks! I've been wondering what that feature was all about.