Yeoman

Well, here is the build I have cobbled together to fit my own play style. It definitely isn't for everyone. As a typically ranged AT player, I decided to build my guy for ranged DEF and therefore dropped Hot Feet entirely. I also skipped Cinders, both for that reason and because I wasn't impressed with it as I was leveling (I am still leveling, only at lvl 31 as I write this.) I have had very few low endurance concerns so far, with the attuned sets I have had from lvl 25 up to this level, and I spam Fire Cages, Flashfire, Freezing Rain and Bonfire whenever they're up. I totally get what people are saying about not needing softcapped defense when your controls are all working, but I guess as a newbie controller and a former defender/blaster/Nova/Huntsman, ranged defense is hard to quit :) Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.2 https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer Click this DataLink to open the build! Pizza Oven Jones: Level 50 Magic Controller Primary Power Set: Fire Control Secondary Power Set: Storm Summoning Power Pool: Flight Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leaping Ancillary Pool: Fire Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Char (A) Lockdown - Accuracy/Hold (5) Lockdown - Accuracy/Recharge (7) Lockdown - Recharge/Hold (7) Lockdown - Endurance/Recharge/Hold (15) Lockdown - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge/Hold (15) Lockdown - Chance for +2 Mag Hold Level 1: Gale (A) Sudden Acceleration - Knockback to Knockdown Level 2: Fire Cages (A) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage (9) Positron's Blast - Damage/Endurance (9) Positron's Blast - Damage/Recharge (11) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy) (11) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (13) Gravitational Anchor - Chance for Hold Level 4: Fly (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points) Level 6: Hover (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed (50) Defense Buff IO Level 8: O2 Boost (A) Numina's Convalesence - Heal/Endurance (17) Numina's Convalesence - Endurance/Recharge (17) Numina's Convalesence - Heal/Recharge (19) Numina's Convalesence - Heal/Endurance/Recharge (19) Numina's Convalesence - Heal (21) Numina's Convalesence - +Regeneration/+Recovery Level 10: Smoke (A) Accuracy IO Level 12: Hasten (A) Recharge Reduction IO (13) Recharge Reduction IO Level 14: Flashfire (A) Superior Will of the Controller - Confused/Hold/Immobilize/Sleep/Stun/Terrorized/Recharge (25) Superior Will of the Controller - Endurance/Recharge (25) Superior Will of the Controller - Accuracy/Confused/Hold/Immobilize/Sleep/Stun/Terrorized/Endurance (27) Superior Will of the Controller - Accuracy/Confused/Hold/Immobilize/Sleep/Stun/Terrorized (27) Superior Will of the Controller - Accuracy/Confused/Hold/Immobilize/Sleep/Stun/Terrorized/Endurance/Recharge (29) Superior Will of the Controller - Recharge/Chance for Psionic Damage Level 16: Freezing Rain (A) Achilles' Heel - Chance for Res Debuff (29) Shield Breaker - Defense Debuff (31) Shield Breaker - Accuracy/Defense Debuff (31) Range IO (31) Shield Breaker - Defense Debuff/Endurance/Recharge (33) Recharge Reduction IO Level 18: Kick (A) Empty Level 20: Tough (A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3% (21) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All) Level 22: Weave (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed (23) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance (23) Red Fortune - Defense/Recharge (33) Red Fortune - Endurance/Recharge (33) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance/Recharge (34) Red Fortune - Endurance Level 24: Steamy Mist (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed (34) Endurance Reduction IO Level 26: Bonfire (A) Sudden Acceleration - Knockback to Knockdown (37) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage (39) Positron's Blast - Damage/Endurance (42) Positron's Blast - Damage/Recharge (43) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (43) Range IO Level 28: Thunder Clap (A) Stupefy - Accuracy/Recharge (36) Stupefy - Endurance/Stun (36) Stupefy - Accuracy/Endurance (36) Stupefy - Stun/Range (37) Stupefy - Accuracy/Stun/Recharge (37) Stupefy - Chance of Knockback Level 30: Combat Jumping (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed Level 32: Fire Imps (A) Blood Mandate - Accuracy/Damage (34) Blood Mandate - Damage/Endurance (45) Blood Mandate - Accuracy/Endurance (45) Blood Mandate - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (50) Blood Mandate - Accuracy (50) Blood Mandate - Damage Level 35: Tornado (A) Sudden Acceleration - Knockback to Knockdown (39) Call to Arms - Damage/Endurance (40) Range IO (43) Call to Arms - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (45) Call to Arms - Endurance/Damage/Recharge (46) Call to Arms - Accuracy/Damage Level 38: Lightning Storm (A) Sudden Acceleration - Knockback to Knockdown (39) Decimation - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge (40) Decimation - Accuracy/Damage (40) Decimation - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (42) Decimation - Damage/Endurance (42) Decimation - Damage/Recharge Level 41: Fire Blast (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage (46) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance (46) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge (48) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (48) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (48) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge Level 44: Group Fly (A) Winter's Gift - Slow Resistance (20%) Level 47: Afterburner (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed Level 49: Hurricane (A) Endurance Reduction IO Level 1: Brawl (A) Empty Level 1: Containment Level 1: Prestige Power Dash (A) Empty Level 1: Prestige Power Slide (A) Empty Level 1: Prestige Power Quick (A) Empty Level 1: Prestige Power Rush (A) Empty Level 1: Prestige Power Surge (A) Empty Level 1: Sprint (A) Empty Level 2: Rest (A) Empty Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift

I'm glad I looked here tonight. I've been leveling my first controller in years and it's Fire/Storm. My worry has been three things: 1) will I have endurance issues and how to solve them, 2) which defense to build for since I will be up close with hot feet, and 3) if I'm running toggles galore to get my def up, back to worry 1. Any suggestions on how to do this lovely combo without being end hungry and super squishy?

I wasn't monitoring it that time, but I've just been back on doing more Arachnos missions, and I've been monitoring ever since. Some very serious defense debuffing happening. I would go into a pack with softcapped ranged defense, and then get dropped to red numbers like -20 within a minute. I haven't reproduced the catastrophic endurance drain since though, so I'm guessing that I must have been facing 3 or 4 Mu strikers that first time. I've just activated Crimson as a contact, so I will try out the build vs sappers now. EDIT: Malta mission with similar results. Not sure what was debuffing me, but I dropped from softcap (56% on the monitor) to -3% in an instant. The sappers also sometimes got lucky shots and drained me out of Dwarf form when my ranged def was softcapped. The ranged defense definitely makes a big difference. Without it in the build, I was getting knocked out of Dwarf pretty much the moment a sapper aimed at me. Here, I was able to survive much longer, with several encounters. But the debuffs on my ranged defense were coming fairly regularly, and the sappers knocked me out of form regardless of ranged defense on occasion.

Thanks for the feedback! EDIT: I just built the above mentioned Nova-Dwarf PB on the test server. With 31.3 ranged def, I took on an Arachnos radio mission at +2 x4. It went *okay* for a while, but then I ran into a group that ultimately drained me dry, knocked me out of dwarf form, and sent me to the hospital. The end drain was the Mu strikers. I guess the two purples I popped didn't help because presumably other Arachnos were debuffing the hell out of my defense with melee attacks. All in all, not a confidence-builder for investing in a tanky build on my home server. :)

I was on Justin (apparently, just before they threw the tarp over it) when an Admin Message was broadcast that said something to the effect that we needed to enter some sort of / command if we didn't want our character wiped. Whatever the command was, I immediately entered it on the PB toon I was on at the time. Does anyone know when Justin will be back up so I can tinker with that toon again? And will I need to enter some other / command to revive him or will he just be sitting in the lone occupied character slot because I entered that other command as instructed?

How much non-toggle defense (and which type?) are you able to get into your build? If I wanted to try to protect my Dwarf from sappers and zappers, I figure I'd need to focus on Ranged Defense. I was able to put together a Nova/Dwarf build with 31.3% Ranged Defense, non-toggle. Is that enough to feel reasonably safe that I won't crash out of Dwarf form when tanking Malta? If not, are there builds out there that get a Dwarf much closer to 45%?

The donation goal was reached within 7 minutes of the post going up?

Me neither. Where is the link? EDIT Damn you guys are fast :)

The server status page is showing Justin as down at the moment.

Sorry folks, one last question. I'm brand new at this, but I think I have gathered the numbers correctly from the AH, and I reckon the second build I posted just above will cost about 250 million (minus what I can get with merits, of course). Does that seem about right?

So I decided I could forego the whole TP pool since I have Assemble the Team from P2W. Added Maneuvers and tried to max out the ranged DEF and recharge. I used both of the superior defender archetype sets, so I'm not sure how much more expensive this build is. I'm still avoiding purple sets at least :) The Ranged Def is now up to 42% (although that's not what it says in the build summary below...not sure why as it definitely shows 42 on the Pine Totals screen...) and the recharge is 76%, which still gives Haste a 10 second cooldown. Is this about as good as I can get it without dropping the Flying pool and running Combat Jumping and/or slotting purple sets? Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.962 http://www.cohplanner.com/ Click this DataLink to open the build! Zero Man: Level 50 Science Defender Primary Power Set: Cold Domination Secondary Power Set: Dark Blast Power Pool: Flight Power Pool: Leadership Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Ice Shield -- LucoftheG-Def(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(3), LucoftheG-Rchg+(3) Level 1: Dark Blast -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(5), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(9), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17) Level 2: Gloom -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(11), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17) Level 4: Fly -- Flight(A) Level 6: Glacial Shield -- LucoftheG-Def(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(7), LucoftheG-Rchg+(7) Level 8: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def(34), LucoftheG-Rchg+(36) Level 10: Hover -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 12: Arctic Fog -- LucoftheG-Def(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(19), LucoftheG-Rchg+(21) Level 14: Frostwork -- Heal(A) Level 16: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(36), RechRdx-I(43) Level 18: Snow Storm -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 20: Benumb -- Acc(A), Acc(23), RechRdx(25), RechRdx(25), RechRdx(31) Level 22: Tenebrous Tentacles -- SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg(A), SprVglAss-Dmg/Rchg(23), SprVglAss-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), PstBls-Acc/Dmg(31), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(33) Level 24: Night Fall -- SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBst-Dmg/Rchg(33), SprDfnBst-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), SprDfnBst-Rchg/Heal%(43) Level 26: Sleet -- AchHee-ResDeb%(A), RechRdx(27), RechRdx(27), RechRdx(29), DefDeb(29), DefDeb(34) Level 28: Afterburner -- Empty(A) Level 30: Boxing -- Empty(A) Level 32: Heat Loss -- EffAdp-EndMod(A), EffAdp-EndMod/Rchg(37), EffAdp-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(37), EffAdp-Acc/Rchg(37), EffAdp-EndMod/Acc(39), EffAdp-EndMod/EndRdx(40) Level 35: Life Drain -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(39), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42) Level 38: Tough -- ImpArm-ResDam(A), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(43), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(45), ImpSki-Status(46) Level 41: Dark Embrace -- ImpArm-ResDam(A), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(42), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(42) Level 44: Blackstar -- CldSns-ToHitDeb(A), CldSns-Acc/ToHitDeb(45), CldSns-Acc/Rchg(45), CldSns-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(46), CldSns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(46), CldSns-%Dam(48) Level 47: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(48), LucoftheG-Rchg+(48) Level 49: Soul Storm -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(50), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(50), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(50) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) 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 1: Vigilance Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A) Level 2: Health -- DctWnd-Heal(A), DctWnd-Heal/EndRdx(19), DctWnd-Heal/Rchg(21) Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 2: Stamina -- EffAdp-EndMod(A), EffAdp-EndMod/Rchg(15), EffAdp-EndMod/Acc(15) ------------ ------------ Set Bonus Totals: 2.5% DamageBuff(Smashing) 2.5% DamageBuff(Lethal) 2.5% DamageBuff(Fire) 2.5% DamageBuff(Cold) 2.5% DamageBuff(Energy) 2.5% DamageBuff(Negative) 2.5% DamageBuff(Toxic) 2.5% DamageBuff(Psionic) 18.13% Defense(Energy) 18.13% Defense(Negative) 3.75% Defense(Psionic) 21.25% Defense(Ranged) 5.85% Max End 8% Enhancement(Heal) 10% Enhancement(Range) 21% Enhancement(Accuracy) 76.25% Enhancement(RechargeTime) 25.5% SpeedFlying 87.75 HP (8.63%) HitPoints 25.5% JumpHeight 25.5% SpeedJumping MezResist(Confused) 16.25% MezResist(Held) 16.25% MezResist(Immobilized) 16.25% MezResist(Sleep) 16.25% MezResist(Stunned) 16.25% MezResist(Terrorized) 16.25% 18.5% (0.31 End/sec) Recovery 50% (2.12 HP/sec) Regeneration 1.5% Resistance(Smashing) 1.5% Resistance(Lethal) 1.5% Resistance(Fire) 1.5% Resistance(Cold) 2.25% Resistance(Energy) 2.25% Resistance(Negative) 25.5% SpeedRunning

Thanks very much for the reply. I guess on a purely gut level I preferred inherent recovery to depending on power whose recharge can be slowed or can theoretically miss (although I confess at level 49 I can't recall it missing when I needed it). But if there's no real risk of Heat Loss letting me down, I will shuffle my priorities. Currently, my posted build has Ranged def at 28.2% and +recharge at 55%. I will tinker with it. I can put a fifth LoTG +Recharge into Hover and that brings me to 62.5%. I'll have to look up sets with Ranged Def bonuses on the Wiki...

Hey folks. Really hoping that I can tap some of the experience and expertise in the community as I try to learn how to build a smart defender. I was going for recovery, recharge and survival, in that order. Please let me know if I've made some huge mistakes (including inadvertently designing a crazy expensive build). Some comments on power choices: I like the idea of Moonbeam as an instant snipe, but I worried the requisite perma 23% ToHit would be too tough to attain. Maybe I will try for this on a blaster later on. The only reason I took Blackstar was as a set mule/holy shit power for occasions when I find myself surrounded at melee range. I don't intend to run into the mob every time it's up. I prefer to play at range, so I'm very open to suggestions for a replacement. I'm not dead set on having all of those teleport powers, besides Recall Friend, but I do intend to keep fly and hover. Thanks in advance for any comments or advice! Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.962 http://www.cohplanner.com/ Click this DataLink to open the build! Zero Man: Level 50 Science Defender Primary Power Set: Cold Domination Secondary Power Set: Dark Blast Power Pool: Flight Power Pool: Teleportation Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Ice Shield -- LucoftheG-Def(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(3), LucoftheG-Rchg+(3) Level 1: Dark Blast -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(5), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(9), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17) Level 2: Gloom -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(11), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17) Level 4: Fly -- Flight(A) Level 6: Glacial Shield -- LucoftheG-Def(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(7), LucoftheG-Rchg+(7) Level 8: Recall Friend -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 10: Hover -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 12: Arctic Fog -- LucoftheG-Def(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(19), LucoftheG-Rchg+(21), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(36) Level 14: Frostwork -- Heal(A) Level 16: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(36), RechRdx-I(43) Level 18: Teleport -- Range-I(A) Level 20: Benumb -- Acc(A), Acc(23), RechRdx(25), RechRdx(25), RechRdx(31) Level 22: Tenebrous Tentacles -- PstBls-Acc/Dmg(A), PstBls-Dam%(23), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(31), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(31), PstBls-Dmg/Rng(33), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34) Level 24: Night Fall -- PstBls-Acc/Dmg(A), PstBls-Dam%(33), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(33), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(34), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), PstBls-Dmg/Rng(43) Level 26: Sleet -- AchHee-ResDeb%(A), RechRdx(27), RechRdx(27), RechRdx(29), DefDeb(29), DefDeb(34) Level 28: Long Range Teleport -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 30: Boxing -- Empty(A) Level 32: Heat Loss -- EffAdp-EndMod(A), EffAdp-EndMod/Rchg(37), EffAdp-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(37), EffAdp-Acc/Rchg(37), EffAdp-EndMod/Acc(39), EffAdp-EndMod/EndRdx(40) Level 35: Life Drain -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(39), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42) Level 38: Tough -- ImpArm-ResDam(A), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(43), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(45), ImpSki-Status(46) Level 41: Dark Embrace -- ImpArm-ResDam(A), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(42), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(42) Level 44: Blackstar -- SphIns-ToHitDeb(A), SphIns-Acc/ToHitDeb(45), SphIns-Acc/Rchg(45), SphIns-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(46), SphIns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(46) Level 47: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(48), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(48), LucoftheG-Rchg+(48) Level 49: Soul Storm -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(50), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(50), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(50) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) 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 1: Vigilance Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A) Level 2: Health -- DctWnd-Heal(A), DctWnd-Heal/EndRdx(19), DctWnd-Heal/Rchg(21) Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 2: Stamina -- EffAdp-EndMod(A), EffAdp-EndMod/Acc(15), EffAdp-EndMod/Rchg(15) ------------ ------------ Set Bonus Totals: 2.5% DamageBuff(Smashing) 2.5% DamageBuff(Lethal) 2.5% DamageBuff(Fire) 2.5% DamageBuff(Cold) 2.5% DamageBuff(Energy) 2.5% DamageBuff(Negative) 2.5% DamageBuff(Toxic) 2.5% DamageBuff(Psionic) 3.75% Defense(Smashing) 3.75% Defense(Lethal) 13.75% Defense(Energy) 13.75% Defense(Negative) 3.75% Defense(Psionic) 1.88% Defense(Melee) 12.5% Defense(Ranged) 66% Enhancement(Accuracy) 55% Enhancement(RechargeTime) 24% SpeedFlying 57.23 HP (5.63%) HitPoints 24% JumpHeight 24% SpeedJumping MezResist(Confused) 35% MezResist(Held) 35% MezResist(Immobilized) 35% MezResist(Sleep) 35% MezResist(Stunned) 35% MezResist(Terrorized) 35% 23% (0.38 End/sec) Recovery 50% (2.12 HP/sec) Regeneration 1.5% Resistance(Smashing) 1.5% Resistance(Lethal) 6% Resistance(Fire) 6% Resistance(Cold) 9% Resistance(Toxic) 9% Resistance(Psionic) 24% SpeedRunning

Tentacles is your immobilize, both do damage and debuff. Theyre more useful when used together, I usually cast TT and then NF in a row. Thanks! That's what I ended up doing, and have been liking the rotation so far.

For a player who wants to solo between teaming, is it wise to take both Tenebrous Tentacles and Night Fall? On a related note, I recall there used to be a website where you could look up things like cone widths etc. What do people use for this sort of resource now?

Thanks!

Which of the powers in the Dark Blast set are worth slotting with -ToHit enhancements while leveling? If the default slotting on a straight damage power while leveling is 1 Acc, 3 Dmg, 1 EndRed and 1 Rech, could it be worthwhile to swap out 1 Dmg for 1 -ToHit in each blast? (Assume the secondary set isn't Dark Miasma, so no -ToHit is coming from that set.)

Ah, right. I hadn't thought of them still caring about their old IP, but I guess that's true.

Before I get into my crazy question/suggestion, I just want to say that I am incredibly grateful for the chance to play my favourite MMO again! Thank you Homecoming team! :) Now, I am sure there must be some serious problem with what I'm imagining here, but here goes: I've done some reading of the old threads where people mention their desire to be able to backup their characters privately. One thread featured several expressions of concern that this sort of backup would never be useful because people could edit their files and sort of cheat the system on whatever new server they tried to join. So... How hard would it be for someone to create and maintain a central database of all characters on all (participating) independent servers so that, in the event a server were to suddenly shut down for whatever reason, players could simply transfer their characters (as of the defunct server's most recent upload) from this central database to the new server of their choice? What I'm thinking of is essentially, more or less, the COH/COV equivalent of the DCI registry system used by the Adventurer's League in D&D...albeit admittedly involving a lot more ones and zeroes. There could even be some money to be made by all of the servers who participated and, of course, by the keeper of the database. Call it Shutdown Insurance if you will. Five bucks a month to assure a daily backup of however many characters... Fifty? A hundred? Each five dollar payment could be split between the server and the database operator. Obviously other, non-emergency transfers might be another desirable paid service. I'm sure there must be lots of reasons why this could never work or why server admins would never participate, but I like the possibility of my character surviving the next (May It Never Occur) server shutdown so much that I had to ask anyway. Thanks again, devs/admins for everything!