vibal

I think there's a good faith argument to be made that controls need a goal to balance toward in team content. The amount of mob types that are partially/largely/completely immune to controls, lower damage and/or lower support #'s on both control AT's, and reliance on cycling barrier for mitigation in incarnate level content, makes them the first to get jettisoned in harder content groups. A dom's slot would almost always be better filled by a blaster, and a troller's spot would almost always be better filled by a corrupter. Firing off an AOE hold in content that is actually challenging is about as useful as if there were a mob type that was immune to footstomp's damage, but still effected by the knock down -- presuming footstomp were saddled with a 240s cooldown. Given the recent changes to plant I have no idea what the dev goals are for controls but I don't have high hopes for the return of support heavy teams.

To clarify the dev response on the first page was in regards to whether people are running the content (they are), not how that content was being organized.

I guess we'll agree to... agree 😄

Tend to be done doesn't discount that they have been done outside of premades w/voice chat.

This is effectively already in the game with the starred content, lab, etc. Those tend to be done in premade's with aggressive team comp requirements. Fun for those that enjoy it, but not something you see pop up in the /LFG all that often. The friction in game tends to be when a player brings their +1 brute to a zerg team which'll cause some of the feelsbads. The sticking point is the idea that folks are out here with their TA/Archery defenders soloing at +4/x8 without some bonkers tomfoolery.

The idea that every toon can solo +4/x8 is only true if you cherry pick circumstance and available powers (i.e. just use a break free). The vast majority of characters can solo a +4/x8 spawn, but that's not the same as soloing a whole mission at that rate. You can use incarnates to fill gaps, but the vast majority of builds are going to lack in more than one area (mez protection, sustain, damage, etc.). You CAN use a break free, until you run out. You CAN email yourself more and leave mission, but seriously... nobody is doing that and flexing (right??). You CAN take clarion, but are you sure you have enough healing (rebirth)? Enough Defense (barrier)? Rune of protection is there for mez protection and aid self for sustain, but I'd love to see a functional build that includes both of those picks. Capped defense is also a great tool, except every enemy group will cause cascading. Most characters need something after the alpha to mitigate (other than more damage). Judgements are extremely good. They also do about 50% damage to a +4 minion. You are definitely going to be getting clapped back. Hyperbole aside the list of builds that can consistently solo +4/x8 without cherry picking mob types (re: council) is pretty slim.

Players like that debuff fun around them aggressively anyhow. Being stuck in an I3 mindset 20 years later. Better that they put themselves out there and make themselves easy to avoid.

Mobs are an endangered species and missions are a limited resource! In seriousness though the time lost tracking mobs is a debuff to fun. Grab a fresh mission and lets roll. Also mission complete is a bonus. Lets try to hit as many of those as we can.

I do realize, and certainly wouldn't trade the utility of capped stealth for a ST sleep.

But illusion plays consistently and contributes without PA. Tagging it as a late bloomer undermines what illusion is capable of sans PA, particularly in the case of a duo. I struggle to think of a controller that's going to bring more impact to the scenario described. There's a lot more to the set despite it being flagged as a one trick pony.

This is incorrect. Illusion gets the bulk of it's kit **very** early. Phantom Army is what pushes it into hilarious levels, but this levelling scheme: Blind, Radiant Aura, Spectral Wounds, Deceive, Accelerate Metabolism, Superior Invis Gives you access to illusions ability to solo endlessly. PA accelerates that immensely and turns the danger button to "Off", but by level 8 you have everything you need. Including an aoe/self heal and a solid +recov/+recharge buff. The OP isn't going to be kitting the toon out, but illusion starts very good and moves into supreme tier with investment. Also note that a no-aggro confuse is a life saver and provides 100% mitigation from trouble mobs. This is especially relevant in a small spawn setting which I assume is what a duo is going to be seeing. Accelerate metabolism (even w/downtime) is also an immense help to early melee characters. To the OP -- I would say give Illusion/Radiation a serious look for what you want.

hot feet, choking cloud, conductive aura....

The challenge I see is the metric for "good" on controllers is much more varied than other AT's. And the gap between performers is much wider. Illusion has been soloing Lusca since live and fire/kin was the blue side farmer pre-going rogue and AE and neither has seen downgrades in performance. Those are going to feel a whole lot different than say.... ice/force field. A class adjustment isn't going to close that gap even if it makes the underperformers feel more playable. Calls for a buff of that nature are going to be met with "lol I just soloed the RSF again". I'd certainly agree that underperforming sets need to be brought to a better standard. The class also needs some role at higher level play as many of the late game enemies simply eliminate your primary (rularuu, cim's, any +star content, etc.). I can't say I know a fix, but lowering the recharge on a power type that has no effect at late game wouldn't be it. As re: dom vs. controller I'd say just really think about how often you see dominators out in the wild in your PuG's. Now subtract plant dominators from that number. Dom's aren't out here dunking on controllers for general utility/playability.

Ah! Now it's a reasoned and level headed post. Maybe just communicate, and then play in an environment you enjoy.

Just responding to your general stance. You have full control over how you spend your time in game. If you're frustrated at mob 1, mission 1, you are fully capable and able to just.... leave. Form a group if you want to do a sweep through. Advertise it as such. They fill all day everyday. Should the lead have advertised speed? Sure. I suppose. Doesn't sound like you communicated what you wanted either and they filled. You still get xp while downed and presumably you didn't donate the merits to charity. I always click the comps in that room because its hilarious and I play toons that can handle it >shrug< The only time it's gotten weepy is from players on the floor. Can't say i recall a time that I failed that tf because it's stone easy. The lead is no more obligated to turn a 15 minute tf into an hour long slog than you are obligated to stay. It can even be >gasp< polite. Instead you took your rage fingers to the forums to post this screed.