Carnifax

Id also always take Heart of Darkness because you do have two reasons to be edging towards melee range : Soul drain thingy and Twilight Grasp. You need to be reasonably close for both. Yes, itd be better if it were ranged like Flashfire or earths stun but its still useful as a pbaoe.

Frankenslotting Acc/Hold/Recharge in pairs is good. Essentially 3 slots of enhancement for the price of two. Theres a few common recipies which are reasonably cheap to make. I remember Stun not being quite as flexible in that regard but even frankenslotting acc/stun or whatever van help. For Fade you have to go the frankenslotting route for Def/Recharge since it wont accept standard recharge SOs, but those arent cheap. But in that case they pretty much stay even in an end build. Getting it perma and max defenced is worth no set bonuses (other than a LOTG). For Epic remember they dont do Containment damage so Fire and Earth arent as good as they used to be. Primal is worth a look for Power Boosted fade and Energy Torrent with a kb2kd and a Forced Feedback proc. Plus its actually a slot-cheap pick, especially if you choose Conserve Power as the initial power (Power boost doesnt need any extra slots, nor does Conserve). Theres a chance PBed Fade could be blocked at some point because it also grants some Resist and resist powers are normally marked to ignore buffs for weird reasons (damage insps will actually also buff the resist for the entire duration if you eat em 1st)

This is true. Especially for a Mind who has options for softening up a spawn pre aggro (confuse, fear & aoe sleep). But ambushes and ToT youre gonna eat the alpha. Domis suck at eating alphas. Controllers are a little better since most have Secondary options to buff themselves or have debuffs up and running (things like debuff auras and placables) to at least soften the alpha. Ive never played Mind/Fire but does the DoT interfere with the Fears and AoE?Sleeps when soloing (you cant aoe damage em them immediately send them to sleep). The Fear doesnt come with a -ToHit either if I remember right so DoTs might be disrupting some of your mezzes.

Earth epic goes well (or used to). Melee friendly attacks with control, def armour and a +hp. My Fire/Rad/Earth was a lot of fun. The new pool power set looks like it may synergise well too.

And the hold is also dropped in place of an awesome +Def to all teammates power in Fade. It also grants some resistances and, unusually, the +Def is powerboostable. It's not perma without a bit of IOing but reasonably easily done. It's quite like a Fortunas Mindlink. Soul Drain is a PBAOE which hits both alive and dead enemies. For each hit you and every ally near you gets get +Regen and+Recovery. It's a bit like Drain Psyche, but AOE and works off defeated enemies as well. (technically Fade replaces the Fear and Soul Drain replaces the hold) Dark Affinity is amazing.

It is the best power in your toolset so having it up as much is amazing, and its one of the best combat openers going. But a few secondS gap is fine for anything other than AVs.

A triform Warshade or Peacebringer. Especially if I'm playing my Ill / Dark, because I know theyll be hitting 85% resist and I'll be throwing a load of Defense and Regen onto that. Plus they can switch forms and Floaty Death or nuke everything once they see things are quaking in fear and debuffed to hell.

That was always my take on MMs. My pet is there to absorb the alpha, the Brute or Domi would then mitigate the follow up attacks. Mind you I played a Necro/Dark MM with a zombie bound to shift & click move because I was quite happy for him to die so I could Fearsome Stare everything and then raise a Spirit. Plus blueside I played an illusion/stormie so I quite liked the chaos of not having a single designated Tank. As for playing against type ive a fond memory of being a Kin/Elec defender on a Hollows team. One person was like "Why is the defender jumping in". I responded "Im a sapper", they went "ive no idea what that means" and a Scrapper said "That means hes my pitfight buddy". My Fire/Rad controller played the same way. Into melee ASAP for choking cloud, Hotfeet, Air Sup and the Earth Epic attacks (back when they did Containment).

Yes it does. I didnt know about it until this thread : Once I saw that I converted the 2 purples I had sitting in my inv to Soul Bounds and tested it myself.

Have a look in the ill/dark post further down. 2 perma builds in there, along with my "not perma but 9 seconds off" build with few purple or ATO sets (no sets, just two purples in PA which I got from converted drops). Good sets for Illusion are 4 Expedient Reinforcements in your pets, 4 Basiliks Gaze in holds, 5 Entropic Chaos in spectral, 5 malaises in the confuse and 4 Dark Watchers in Spectral terror. Luck of the Gambler in as many defense powers as possible too obviously, up to 5. One of the Invises is a good spot, then the usual pool picks for the rest. No idea with Pain on whats available.

They did add First Ward and Night Ward which cover mid. Night ward is a bit odd but the First ward story is pretty good. Of course at the lower levels they made a tonne of new content, then decided to wall it off into a stand alone side (Goldside with Going Rogue). So if you want to play it youre basically resigning yourself to playing solo for 20 levels. Itd be nice if they could break that and allow Blue and Red in as 'ive just finished my Dfb runs' content as a Steel / Skyway alternative. Theres TUNNEL connections there but you dont get contacts suggested as far as I know.

Dang it. How'd I miss that. 1.5% extra recharge and, more importantly Acc built in so I can free up a slot. Precious slot!

Dark Watchers is the way I went to max out the PBAOE -ToHit he does. I use Fluffy as essentially a walking -ToHit debuff summoned into the middle of a pack. Usually after Spectral or PAs cos he can't handle Alphas. Once he's in there he's useful for the -ToHit, -Dam and sporadic melee heals (which have some -regen but meh amounts). Here's my current build, which isn't perma PAs and designed for teams. PA has about a 7 second downtime but I'm not soloing AVs so I don't mind too much. Pluses are that I'm currently only using two purples (Soulbounds from two converted drops) and none of the ATOs, so it's reasonably cheap. I'm (ab)using PBed Fade + Group Invis which gets me to the softcap to all myself and gives my teammates ~30% defense across the board too. Downside is that Conserve Power and Power Bolt are both poop and Torrent isn't great either (it'll take a Forced Feedback and is quick to animate). I chose Sorcery for my movement because it suits the char. Plus Mystic Flight has the TP built in for when my pets decide to wall my into a small room (or someone elses do). You could chop and change between Arcane Bolt and Spirit Ward (I've saved a few people with timely Wards), having mez protection available is nice via Runes. There's room there to move some procs (from Spectral, DS and Phantasm) for set bonuses once I start going for more Purps. I don't farm so not really in a huge rush to do that (altisis gets in the way). Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.3 https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer Click this DataLink to open the build! Carnifax: Level 50 Magic Controller Primary Power Set: Illusion Control Secondary Power Set: Darkness Affinity Power Pool: Sorcery Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Primal Forces Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Blind -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(3), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(5), BslGaz-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(13), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(45) Level 1: Twilight Grasp -- Acc-I(A), Pnc-EndRdx/Rchg(3), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux/Rchg(11), Pnc-Heal/Rchg(15), Pnc-Heal/+End(43), Pnc-Heal(45) Level 2: Tar Patch -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(5) Level 4: Spectral Wounds -- EntChs-Acc/Dmg(A), EntChs-Dmg/EndRdx(7), EntChs-Dmg/Rchg(7), EntChs-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), EntChs-Heal%(29) Level 6: Darkest Night -- DarWtcDsp-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(A), DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(9), DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb(9), DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb/Rchg(15) Level 8: Mystic Flight -- BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(A) Level 10: Deceive -- MlsIll-EndRdx/Conf(A), MlsIll-Acc/EndRdx(11), MlsIll-Conf/Rng(42), MlsIll-Acc/Conf/Rchg(43), MlsIll-Acc/Rchg(43) Level 12: Howling Twilight -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 14: Group Invisibility -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(17) Level 16: Shadow Fall -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(17), LucoftheG-Def(23), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(50) Level 18: Phantom Army -- ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(19), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(23), SlbAll-Build%(25), SlbAll-Dmg/Rchg(25) Level 20: Fade -- Krm-Def/Rchg(A), Ksm-Def/Rchg(21), Srn-Def/Rchg(21), RechRdx-I(40), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(48) Level 22: Flash -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(34), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(34), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(36), GhsWdwEmb-Acc/Hold/Rchg(48) Level 24: Arcane Bolt -- EntChs-Acc/Dmg(A), EntChs-Dmg/EndRdx(27), EntChs-Dmg/Rchg(40), EntChs-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), EntChs-Heal%(50) Level 26: Spectral Terror -- DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(A), DarWtcDsp-Rchg/EndRdx(27), DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb(31), DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb/Rchg(31), GlmoftheA-Dam%(36) Level 28: Soul Absorption -- NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(A), Mrc-Heal/Rchg(29), EffAdp-EndMod/Rchg(37), PrfShf-EndMod/Rchg(37) Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31), RechRdx-I(33) Level 32: Phantasm -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(33), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(34), ExpStr-Dam%(37), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(40) Level 35: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 38: Dark Servant -- DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb(A), DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb/Rchg(39), DarWtcDsp-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(39), DarWtcDsp-Slow%(39), CldSns-%Dam(46), Acc-I(46) Level 41: Energy Torrent -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A), FrcFdb-Rechg%(42), PstBls-Dmg/Rng(42), JvlVll-Acc/Dmg(45), Ann-Acc/Dmg(50) Level 44: Power Boost -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 47: Rune of Protection -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(48) Level 49: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Containment Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A) Level 2: Health -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A) Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(36) Level 50: Agility Core Paragon Level 50: Clarion Invocation Level 50: Control Genome Level 50: Void Core Final Judgement Level 50: Reactive Core Flawless Interface Level 50: Phantom Total Radial Improved Ally ------------ ------------ Set Bonus Totals: 8.5% DamageBuff(Smashing) 8.5% DamageBuff(Lethal) 8.5% DamageBuff(Fire) 8.5% DamageBuff(Cold) 8.5% DamageBuff(Energy) 8.5% DamageBuff(Negative) 8.5% DamageBuff(Toxic) 8.5% DamageBuff(Psionic) 6% Defense(Melee) 6% Defense(Smashing) 6% Defense(Lethal) 6% Defense(Fire) 6% Defense(Cold) 11% Defense(Energy) 11% Defense(Negative) 6% Defense(Psionic) 8.5% Defense(Ranged) 6% Defense(AoE) 4.5% Max End 2.5% Enhancement(Confused) 98.75% Enhancement(RechargeTime) 61.04 HP (6%) HitPoints MezResist(Confused) 18.75% MezResist(Held) 18.75% MezResist(Immobilized) 18.75% MezResist(Sleep) 18.75% MezResist(Stunned) 18.75% MezResist(Terrorized) 18.75% 16.5% (0.28 End/sec) Recovery 66% (2.8 HP/sec) Regeneration 4.5% Resistance(Fire) 4.5% Resistance(Cold) 6.75% Resistance(Energy) 6.75% Resistance(Negative) | Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1574;738;1476;HEX;| |78DA6594494F136118C7DF69A7B215682DA55068E9C25E28D4E54CB408C14042C20| |7201398C2C4714AA62581A3078FB8917855894BE2C1236E5FC1785231F1C2A6E1A2| |20B8245CEAC3FC9FD2C699407E33CFFE3EFF994E2C0DBB5F8CDE18129227AD2BB9D| |C743A6BE4CDACAEABA66B4299D366045D9569C534B48CB254410FF15244313839A6| |EB8B392D6B140DD1B298CB8B994C725831AF192A95BF94C96886965FF68E19F3AAA| |91AF964F1C63D99A54A535973463597ABF1B0A0AAB3F5D6EDB8AACCAA666E5E5BA8| |B59E47B4B9F9BC66CC05AF2C6833C94953BBAEE8D32327C9B9E9092597A71A4D346| 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|610671E3712B8FE7FD79AAFE47A1E2BDD271AE81EE50A1B6531717FC9FE0FA86726| |AE| |-------------------------------------------------------------------| Edit : Here's a Purped out version. PAs still not perma unless Forced Feedback kicks in (1.6 seconds off). http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/download.php?uc=1574&c=735&a=1470&f=HEX&dc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

Interesting. I actually have two purples sitting in Carnis inventory (thank you Market Crash) so I'll see if I can convert the Soulbound Dam into a chance for buildup and try it out. * Edit : Tested and verified. Procs a fair bit and adds a decent chunk of damage to the attack of the Decoy affected (215 normally, ~310ish once the proc fires off).

I thought PAs are unbuffable? Does Soulbound work on them?

Sei Fude : A Sushi chef who was cursed with sea forms by a magical carp for his crimes again its kin. (Chef styled, piranha-faced Warshade) Snookered : "Who let my robot watch reruns of 70s / 80s Snooker world championships. What use is it now?"

powexec_location may help with your aversion to location AOEs. Want to change it to "fire at my target" : /macro EQ "powexec_location target Earthquake" Want to change something to a PBAOE : /macro QS "powexec_location self Quicksand" All my controllers use variants of these for quick-dropping of location powers onto a boss / nasty enemy. It's a godsend for my Plant / Storm and Illusion / Dark controllers. Macro versions are on the 1-9 bar, their actual powers are in the row above so I can see when they are recharged (or if I want to finesse-drop something).

Isnt there a way around Spectral. That is to get it to summon one version if not in Domination and another suped up version when in Domination. I thought something recent works like that but I cant remember now (Shadow Field maybe in Dark?)

When I remade Carni she was a Demon MM. 20 levels of "Raar. Raar. Raar" and she went back to being an Illusion controller. Phants are quiet.

Weirdly I was just thinking about that. The only place I managed to slot it was nrg torrent, and to be honest I use that as an inbetween move (Dark is clicky). This is great info for my Plant/Stormie though :)

All of these are good. Im running an Illusion/Dark/Power and shes excellent too. Lots of Defense and -ToHit for the team. Recovery & Regen for all from Soul Absorb and -resist for Phantom Army. No recharge buffs or defense debuffs (two things PA also likes) but very IOable.

If you're talking relatively cheap and aiming for recharge 1st (which seems sensible because both Darks like recharge) sets like Dark Watchers Despair in some -ToHit powers (Fearsome stare, Darkest Night and Dark Servant for sure) and Basilaks Gaze in holds are good. Expedient Reinforcements in Haunt and Doggie. Replace with purps and ATOs if youve got cash. LOTG in every +Def power going too obviously. Probably worth picking up maneuvers for it too if possible (replace Air Sup maybe?). Shadow Fall is a good place for the Resist uniques. Also dont be afraid to frankenslot where it makes most sense. Soul Absorb I feel works better frankenslotted to max out recharge and grant decent Regen & recovery rather than worrying about a set bonus in there. Im running Illusion / Dark but a fair number of things translate across to Dark Control pretty well. My build (level 49 now and close to perma PA and Fade) was posted here :

Personally id go Fire/Dark and keep Dark control for another secondary (I rolled a dark/time today after getting a dark/martial up to 30, because altisis is an affliction. Dark Control seems like it'll appreciate the Recharge from Time). Ive a funny thing about not matching sets for the most part but even discounting that... Fire likes melee and /Dark doesnt mind it either (for triggering heals on meleers and for hitting with Soul). Soul sorts out your End Drain from Hotfeet and imps will thrive off the protection from Fade, buffs and debuffs and a friendly Dark Fluffy summoned beside them healing and debuffing ToHit on everything close.

Yep /macro TO "powexec_location target Tornado" Its excellent.

Illusion / Dark / Primal. Nearly 50 and already well slotted up for recharge so not too far off perma-PA and the defense softcap. Lots of -ToHit and debuffs, nice team buffs and oodles of pets. Not a 'hard lockdown' controller but lots of fun. If theres a Kin on the team too you basically make each other gods. Pretty click intensive. Plant / Storm / Ice. 40ish currently. Mostly still standard IOed but very satisfying and decent damage. Confuse everything, lock them into place and dump chaos on top of them. For both of these dealing with target locations is easy creating macros using powexec_location is a godsend. /macro FR "powexec_location target Freezing Rain" Great for PAs, Dark Servant, Tar Patch and Spectral Terror on my Ill/Dark and Creepers, Freezing Rain and Tornado on my plant / stormie. For both Ive those on my main bar (with the actually powers above each in bar 2 so I can watch recharges) and it lets me pick a mob and drop hell on them easily. Think once I ding them up I'll look at a Dark/Time as it should be an excellent combo.