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I have a "hot take" (no testing, judge me) based on my use of Placate (and Pacify) in Homecoming since spring 2019. For VEATs, it's pretty much only the Bane's Shatter that I see this as being really useful for 90% of most content. The power pick Placate comes too late for VEAT (level 26 for Banes, level 28 for Widows) as opposed to Stalkers (level 12) to really make that much of a difference. [sidebar: VEAT's long wait for Placate is one of the reasons why I think it would be nice to allow Pacify (Presence pool) to act like Placate for VEATs and Stalkers] I realize that MOST of the game is played above these levels (including Exemplar content that would allow VEAT's Placate)... and if you are playing Red side only it is possible to need to "solo kite" the AV heroes that start appearing in the level 30+ missions... but otherwise I question the play circumstances that are going to make this a preferred power pick for VEAT. I like the changes a LOT more for (low level) Stalkers. It won't be everyone's cuppa, but my experiences have been that (unless you are playing Ouro missions with no enhancement bonuses) it's pretty much only at the low levels where solo players can regularly get in over their head.

Fundamentally: Pacify is for avoiding fights (or ditching aggro), while Provoke is explicitly seeking it and Intimidate is a straight-up attack. That's what I mean about Pacify working against the other T1 Presence Pool powers (to first order). My (solo) experience has been that when engaged with enough enemies where I want to Pacify (only one, by design of the current power) of them, it only buys me very little time if the others in the same spawn aren't dealt with. Intimidate has served a better use (again, for me), and it can stack with other Fear effects. If I am NOT engaged with an enemy, there is no reason to even toss a Pacify. Kudos to you for juggling Provoke (or was it an actual Taunt?) with it... since Provoke is a ToHit check w/ AoE, it isn't straightforward in the heat of a battle to know which ones I actually hit with Provoke as opposed to those who just noticed me and want to fight. Thinking over my characters with heavy investment in the Presence pool, I don't know that I would respec from a 6-slot Provoke for a 6-slot Pacify. If Pacify had a small AoE, it would be slightly more useful in things like Mayhem missions, or in those cases I described above (when your character is getting debuffed like crazy from a relatively small spawn).

It is a net positive that a power like Placate can actually accept anything meaningful as an enhancement. I do feel that Pacify (from Presence) is still going to be a crap choice with many things working against it: It doesn't behave like Placate (e.g. crits) for AT which can choose Pacify. This isn't a deal-breaker for me, but other AT can 'double up' certain signature powers with Power Pool choices, why not allow this for something as flat-out weak as Pacify? I'm NOT asking for all AT to get the possibility of crits after a Placate. Pacify is not an auto-hit. It is a Pool power, so it should NOT be auto-hit, just like Provoke is NOT a PvE auto-hit (compared to Taunt or Confront) Pacify is only a single target, it would become more viable if it had an AoE component. As it is, (potentially) Pacifying one enemy in a spawn is of very limited utility. It works against each of the two other power picks in the Presence pool. Provoke is an AoE Taunt analog, Intimidate is a single-target control power. On the last point, the ONLY utility (*1) I have gotten out of Pacify has been when I have been playing low-level characters with 'aggressive' difficulty settings with higher level enemies but small spawn sizes. This is because the PC can usually eliminate the minion-levels but needs a breather against the LTs and Bosses. Players who want to experience what I am describing can try Ouroboros flashbacks with "no enhancement bonuses" in lower level content... pick an Arachnos mission... of course they probably won't have Pacify in their build! If Pacify had the AoE component (with a small cap and small AoE, just like Provoke) it would become infinitely more useful, provided that the player actually adjusts strategic play (e.g. kiting enemies). (*1) I am a big fan of the Presence Pool, and I know that it doesn't get much love in forum builds. I've worked with it on a number of my characters. It's a real pain to have to take two choices from Pacify, Provoke and Intimidate before getting either of the two stellar powers: Invoke Panic or Unrelenting. I object less to the barrier to entry (i.e. 2 crummy choices that work against each other) than the fact that one of the three crummy choices (Pacify) is nigh useless.

That's a stinker.

I appreciate the proposed updates to Placate (and Pacify). My hot takes (without testing) The ability to slot "threat duration" sidesteps the current blunt criticism "why take a power I cannot slot?" The increased number of affected enemies (in PVE) via target cap and AoE will increase the utility of the power. I have used Placate on a variety of solo characters that don't have much (if any AoE), and it would have been much more useful in certain arcs to be able to placate multiple enemies. The DSO (Threat/Accuracy/recharge) will be a nice option for folks that don't invest (m)any slots in Taunt (or now Placate) Question(s): Is the Presence pool version (Pacify) going to at least get the AoE effect? I wouldn't want it to be auto-hit, but it shouldn't flat-out stink. I would prefer Pacify to get the same AoE and target cap, similar to how the Presence Pool's Provoke is not auto-hit, but has a larger cap than the auto-hit single-target Challenge powers. I'd also like Pacify to be able to trigger critical chances (only for the AT that have an primary/secondary Placate power)... that Presence pool power needs some attention to make it not stink.

City of Titans: I joined the (original) Kickstarter at one of the higher levels. I ought to qualify for something (if they even honor those original backers). The 'lore' fanfic quickly bored me, such that I skip over almost all update emails I never bothered to install whatever it is they off right now. Costume creator? Flight simulator? Ship of Heroes: I thought they had the most creative solution for "War Walls" (zone limits), which would let them add new content as desired. Making "the Lore" be entirely distinct from "real comic universe brah" was smart. I feel that the City of X team lost its way when trying to 'modify the (game) universe' rather than simply adding new content and power sets. I don't care one whit about NPC so-and-so's life story... I want to play my characters life stories.

I'm not a fan of Radeon video cards. I don't do any over-clocking, bitcoin mining, or anything else that ought to be pushing my video cards. I had a workhorse of an NVIDIA give up after 5 years (yes, I keep my systems alive... they are built to be 'future tolerant') and because of supply I ended up replacing it with a Radeon. The card lasted about 6 months, but it had issues from the get go. For me, the main grievance was that the assorted levels of 'software' (including drivers) were not working as advertised. I also seem to remember a weird 'sleep mode' that I couldn't disable, but the (related) kicker for me was that while I could monitor all sorts of technical parameters of the card, I was unable to control something as basic as the fan speed except to keep it turned on (full speed) or off, no matter what else I was doing with the card. Temperatures (even with the fan on at turbine speed) would ceiling in CoH even with minimal FX settings in unpopulated maps. I was tempted to chalk it up to CoH (because that is what I was playing heavily in 2019, thanks Homecoming!) but I saw similar issues in other games (mostly older ones) like Civ V, Deus Ex (HR/MD) and with video playing/editing. I don't think my individual card was a unique lemon, because others had reported similar issues... it's just that they weren't widespread enough for me to notice before purchase. I replaced it with an NVIDIA. The extra software is minimal, and it wasn't that hard to remove pieces I installed (against my better judgement). The card has no issues; its extra cooling kicks on in more predictable ways and doesn't sound like a jet engine.

My Inv Tank is no Mind/Psi Dominator, but when I'm tanking Lord Recluse I always keep Dull Pain up for the +MaxHP. In most other content, I rarely touch it... but I'm still benefiting from the 6xPreventive Medicine set bonuses for a heckuva lotta content.

If you "flat out aren't taking damage". why bother toggling on the resistance powers? think of all the Endurance you can save!

Are you referring to the Preventive Maintenance %proc? That will trigger even if it is in a click power. If you are referring to the Numina's global... I don't even include it; I think it is one of the most over-rated pieces in the game. The ONLY time I even come close to recommending Numina's Global is while leveling, and even that is a bit of a mug's game, because in addition to the build having to need (just a little bit of) Regeneration and Recovery: The build has to not be getting Regeneration (or +HP) or Recovery (or +MaxEnd, or Endurance discounts) from slotting set bonuses (or simply using IOs) The build has to have a "spare slot" to drop into Health The build has to be level 27+ If a build REALLY needs the Numina's global all the time, I suspect that the slot from Health could almost certainly be better used somewhere else to address the actual issue why it is needed. I work that market niche, so I profit when players gobble them up, but it is really a pretty poor use of a slot considering all of the other options. You don't have to believe me, and you can "prove me wrong" by anecdote... just take one of the builds you have with it slotted and use an Unslotter to take it out and play for a couple of days without it. That's what I do for my characters when I think something may be 'marginal', in the specific case of the Numina's global I tried this on several different characters and I really never noticed if it was there or not. For Tankers (and Brutes, the high HP ATs), the priority should be Power Transfer %Heal, then Panacea +HP/+End, then Performance Shifter +End, and then everything else.

That Inf isn't spending itself! Others will have different opinions, but I almost exclusively only use HO if I have a limited number of slots in a power because: I simply didn't want to invest (more) slots to in the power, and I want to enhance multiple attributes of the power I filled the other slots with things like %procs, and I want to enhance multiple attributes of the power In both cases, it's not really a high priority for my builds but almost every build has some power that could use one (or four, or eight)

I suggested putting Preventive Medicine in Dull Pain because it "saves" you a slot (ultimately, from Stamina) but doesn't "cost" you the Preventive Medicine %proc. On my Inv Tank, I have 6-slots (all Preventive Medicine) in Dull Pain, I like the 5th and 6th set bonuses a LOT, plus I want it 'nigh-perma' for Lord Recluse et. al. My (ebil) motivation is to find you 3 more slots to do the same! I think you can get the one from Stamina for 'no big deal', and I'm tempted to ask you to give up the Numina slot in Health as well. (Why is it in Health and not in Dull Pain with the rest of the set anyway?) The loss in Recovery may covered (with accolades) by the 5th piece (Endurance Discount) bonus from Preventive Medicine, and if Regeneration is the key note that the Impervious Skin piece offers a higher fraction... but if Regeneration is a factor in thinking you really do want Dull Pain to be maximized... both for the availability, HP boost and the (presumed) concern with healing-over-time. Maybe you've crunched the numbers on Dull Pain and have min-maxed so that you don't 'overshoot' the HP cap? I think at level 50 6-pieces of Preventive Medicine should give at least 100 more HP than 3 pieces of Numina.

Because I only have a fixed amount of mental capacity, I use this rule of thumb to remember when the diminishing returns for an Enhancement(*1) kicks i (since it varies by type): "Self, ya know how a level 50 Hami-O will enhance at least two attributes of a power? Two level 50 HOs of the same type will get you to the point where ED (Enhancement Diversification) is just about to kick in." (*1) the attributes of powers may hit the point of diminishing returns even if the enhancements haven't hit the "ED point". YMMV, but you can have that extra 0.12 damage when you pry it from the cold, dead hands of my Stalker.

I know this particular opinion isn't really that popular, but I think set bonuses from Reactive Armor are over-rated on Invulnerability. I find them to be rather marginal. On my own Invulnerability builds I will scatter slots between Resistance powers to add Impervium Armor Psi Resistance before I would try to get a little bit more S/L resistance and (minor) Defenses. Except in particular circumstances, I am like to not even toggle on Resist Physical Damage. I do favor 4xUnbreakable Guard for both Endurance Discount and Melee positional defenses. I also would never give up Taunt on any Tanker... but with Invincibility (and War Mace!) you really do want to draw enemies to you. Each to their own taste as far as Healing and Regeneration, but if you are only 3-slotting Dull Pain, I would put 3xPreventive Medicine in Dull Pain, and use the Power Transfer %Heal in Physical Perfection. On my Invulnerable Tankers I find the massive Hit Point infusion to be a key part of their ability to Tank. With HUGE base HP, the assorted %Heal, +HP and Regeneration are IMO much more important than a little bit more Defense or Resistance.

Thanks. The build includes (one of) the Shields (and Frostworks!), I simply didn't list them because those are pretty straightforward slotting IMO. As far as the defensive side of the build goes, I found myself kicking around the following options, if I commit to including Tough and Weave for myself: Ice Shield or Glacial Shield? Either would be a fine Mule; I went with Ice Shield for S/L support and to allow for teammates who may feel close-combat is too dangerous to creep closer. I'll be upfront: I certainly could take both shields to help my teammates, but I want to lean into the Corruptor aspect for this character. How to slot Weave vs. Arctic Fog? One was going to get 6xReactive Defenses, the other would get something else... usually 3xShield Wall (boosted) and at least a LotG Global Recharge. I opted to put the 6-piece set in Weave (base Defense is higher, even if Endurance cost is less) and 5-slotting Arctic Fog to include a Kismet +Accuracy (really +ToHit). Where other players seek out a little extra S/L resistance, if I have a toggle (or auto!) power that I will almost always keep on I will add that piece to allow for some 'slop' in powers that may not get enough Accuracy slotting.

I'm playing (still gaining levels via standard content) a DP/Cold Corruptor; this is the general goal I am aiming for. I've already been leveraging %-Resistance in the primary, and I think Infrigidate may be my favorite "forced secondary" power pick (after Stalkers' Hide). I have some questions about slotting Sleet, how is it as an actual %proc power? Is it a pseudopet? Do the %procs trigger only on cast (which ought to make the %proc chances high) or as a pseudo pet (which would probably make them mediocre)? I am having one (conceptual) problem with this build: I can't decide which powers should get what sets/procs! My build has Hasten penciled in, but I'm not shooting (heh, DP) for it to be permanent... I just want it for certain situations. Here is my first pass at certain powers, I have only made a casual analysis of %proc chances. (1) Dual Wield: 6-slots of Malice of the Corruptor ATO (1) Infrigidate: 3-slots (Achilles %-Res, Shield Breaker %Lethal, Accuracy IO) (2) Empty Clips: 6-slots (Achilles %-Res, Positron's %Energy, Javelin Volley %Lethal... after those Range/Damage/Acc) (10) Bullet Rain: 6-slots, I was thinking 5xRagnarok, and a Force Feedback %Recharge) (18) Executioner's Shot: 6-slots of Scourging Blast (26) Piercing Rounds: The cone is so narrow! I have pencilled in 6xFrozen Blast, but I am wondering if 6xAnnihilation would be better (I like the Endurance bonuses) here for more %-Res? (28) Benumb: 3-slots, 2xRecharge 1xAccuracy (32) Hail of Bullets: 6-slots, 5 for Armageddon, and the last slot will probably be Force Feedback %Recharge... although the Fury of the Gladiator %-Res is possible... I just don't like the recharge time associated with this particular %proc in this power (35) Soul Drain: 6-slots. I REALLY miss not having a "Build Up", and so I want this before Sleet. Recharge times look somewhat miserable for Soul Drain so I am going to test play swapping this and Sleet at 35. I was originally planning 6xGaussian's, but I think this will be 2xRecharge IO, Gaussian's %Build Up and 2x%Damage and the Fury of the Gladiator %-Res (38) Sleet: 6-slots. I have 6xAnnihilation pencilled in (I like those Endurance set bonuses!)... but if this is actually a good %proc power I would reconsider for MOAR %-Res (41) Heat Loss: 2-slots 2xRecharge.

+1 Chasing perma-Dom really is worth it. Other players may not feel the same way, but IMO using the 'modern' tools to get the necessary Global recharge via set bonuses is something I see as a sacrifice Dominators have to accept. I personally enjoy flexibility in builds... not just in powers, but also in number of slots and what I put in those slots... so I always feel like I've lost that when I choose to go for permadom. Among those who recommend (non-Dominator) builds there is a general sense of "MOAR Recharge gud, dummi!", I can see from my own playstyle (in teams, and solo) that there isn't much in the game that really needs as much Recharge as gets recommends. For non-Dominators YMMV, especially for key debuffs or buffs. I definitely recommend trying to hit the global recharge numbers without relying on the (effective) Force Feedback: Chance for +Rech %proc. There are a significant number of AoE powers that make this reliable, but personally I don't enjoy having to act like a Brute (i.e. continually chasing targets), or spamming patches, to keep Domination up.

Guitars.

No real comments on the build, I just wanted to comment that I played a WM/Invuln Scrapper past 50. It is very durable, but I was less than excited about the attack chain. It really only came together with lots of global Recharge.

I also never really thought of Elric as 'edgy', except in the context of him being a physical weakling, aligned with chaos, with a soul-sucking sword. At a meta level, all of Melniboné was a sort edgelord spin on Tolkien's faerie. Yyrkoon was the Edgelord.

I definitely encourage the part of the quote I bolded above. Keep in mind that Dominators play very differently at different levels of the game, because perma-Domination is so transformative. I think a case can be made that Dominators are better at Control in 50+ content than other ATs, for what that is worth. Your mileage will vary for different content levels.

When not considering AT: Defense is generally better than Resistance. One of the key components that bring Resistance into the discussion for Tankers (and Brutes) is that those AT have such large Max HP caps, that it is possible(*1) to recover HP at a rate that is roughly on the order of damage taken. As others have written: layering both Defense and Resistance is a good strategy, but it is possible to play a Tanker through a lot of content without worrying about maximizing both/either. It can be valuable to monitor combat attributes (defenses, resistances) during play to understand how different enemy types are affecting you. (*1) check with your doctor when facing certain enemies before deciding if Resistance is good for you.

I really like Invoke Panic and Unrelenting and I never mind having to take any one of the first three... its just that taking two of the first three makes one of those (even more?) useless, and it is downright painful to burn four slots in a pool under those circumstances. Imagine if we all had to take Boxing, Kick and Tough to get Weave!

Lean into builds two (and three!)

Hey! I'll join a rando thread to casually mention a couple of AT-specific issues that have affected me. I agree that the VEAT inherent (Conditioning) simply doesn't feel like it is performing much. I've seen the arguments about the Recovery numbers... but I'm not persuaded that it really is all that great. Maybe a +MaxEnd bonus instead? Something on the scale of the later available accolades? The VEAT redraws are an issue, and the ever-present Crab backpack falls into this same QoL category. I definitely think that Mastermind primaries should NOT need to take the level 6 henchmen boost power... especially when two of the henchmen summons come AFTER level 6... the level 6 enhancements should just be baked into the henchmen upon summoning. Masterminds should have some sort of power (available at level 6) that allows all of them to slot the enhancements that provide global bonuses for henchmen... it's a jerk hacking move that some primaries/secondaries have to sacrifice actual henchmen slots to get these bonuses. Something (subtle?) needs to be done with the Presence pool. I suggest making Invoke Panic available as a second power pick, because requiring two choices of Pacify / Provoke / Intimidate is simply cruel... as all three work against each other. Pacify is a real stinker, if kept it ought to at least be able to act like Placate (for classes with such powers). If that is too complicated, convert it to a variant of (old Concealment pool) Stealth... at least then we could slot something useful in it. The other powers are fine as is, including recharge times.