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I gave the above post a thumbs-up, but I did want to add this reason why I'd prefer the ability to convert (with an Enhancement converter) or convert via purchase (as with "Event" or "Archtype") using merits. My reason is that there are some attribute combinations that don't exist in an available set to boost., even if the power will take IOs that are part of a Hami/DS. The inherent greater starting values (for D-Syncs, for Hami-Os) means that even using a triple-attribute D-Sync is better than other options. (ehem: Threat / Accuracy / Recharge or Slow / Endurance / Recharge), but often it is just for something that can take both Accuracy and Range boosts (and no regular set piece exists for that type of power). I should note: I almost always (but not always) use Hami-O and D-Syncs because I am trying to conserve slots. I have found a few powers for which there are no good choices of HO/DS even if I intend to frankenslot.

I didn't vote (I don't think) but for me the answer is ALWAYS. I've found it to be the easiest way to get powers that do either/both: Let me slot the precious Globals Run Weave, often slotted for Defense. There are some Epic/Patron that let me do these, but often I want the Epic pool to complement the build and so the pools I want are not guaranteed to offer me powers to put (all) the Globals in. Also, at least for Patron Resist toggles, I tend to want to run those with a set bonus.

I got the Energy Blast/Time Manipulation Corruptor to level 50, and so it got the level 50 respec/Purples/Superiors/Boosts, The character itself has some peculiar compromises made for concept, so I just wanted to post my thoughts on the Time Manipulation secondary. I did far more franken-slotting than usual for this character; I'm sharing where I landed to listen to any feedback folks may have. Level 1: Time Crawl (A) Pacing of the Turtle - Accuracy/Endurance (*) Pacing of the Turtle - Accuracy/Slow (*) Ice Mistral’s Torment - Chance for Damage (Cold) (*) Impeded Swiftness - Chance for Damage (Smashing) Nothing super-clever here, except that Accuracy is always a priority, then Endurance and I don't mind leaning into the single-target Slow. The %damage is reliable on cast. The set bonus is a freebie, and I felt this was the best option. This needs to hit, not just for %damage but especially for maximum synergy with Slowed Response's debuffs. Level 4: Time's Juncture (A) HamiO:Enzyme Exposure (Endurance/Defense Debuff/ToHit Debuff): Level 53 (*) HamiO:Enzyme Exposure (Endurance/Defense Debuff/ToHit Debuff): Level 53 The Hami-Os are strictly for a marginal improvement in Endurance cost and ToHit debuff. Level 50+5 Dampened Spirits and Dark Watcher's Despair (both Endurance/ToHit debuff) are almost as good. I find this to be a good toggle when facing large spawns, and that it doesn't de-toggle when mezzed is nice. I'll use it when scouring indoor maps for hidden mobs! Level 6: Temporal Mending (A) Preventive Medicine - Heal/Endurance (*) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb (*) Preventive Medicine - Heal (*) Preventive Medicine - Endurance/RechargeTime (*) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime (*) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime/Endurance This is typical slotting for me. This heal doesn't really need to be taken so early in a build IMO, but level 6 is where I felt it fit. I definitely wanted the healing for low-level TF/SF. FWIW: I didn't slot this until late in the build. Skipped: Temporal Selection. I had it while leveling, and I felt like it improved some of my PUGmates, but frankly teammates are unpredictable enough and I am never entirely sure if they notice they have a buff on them... or that buffs eventually expire. A more team-friendly build should probably have it. If I didn't have LotG mules at levels 47 and 49, I'd probably make it the Level 49 power pick for level 45+/Incarnate content. Level 16: Distortion Field (A) Pacing of the Turtle – Endurance/Recharge/Slow: Level 50+5 (*) Superior Entomb - Endurance/Recharge I played around with this power trying to make it %damage-friendly whjle leveling, Including mixed Accuracy slotting and the PVP Gladiator's Net %damage (a high-rate %proc)... and because it is a pseudo-pet this was terrible. The power can take a LOT of %damage pieces, but the rates are horrible. Dropping the %proc idea let me lean hard into Endurance reduction and Recharge time with a modicum of Slow. Level 18: Aim (from Primary) (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up (*) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50+5 I'm including this power in the discussion of the secondary to provide some extra context for that second IO Recharge 50+5 choice. I try to have an Aim/Build Up power available pretty much whenever I have a Snipe. I will come back to this... Level 20: Time Stop (A) Gladiator's Net - Accuracy/Hold: Level 50+5 (*) Gladiator's Net - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge/Hold: Level 50+5 (*) Gladiator's Net - Chance for Damage (Lethal) (*) Unbreakable Constraint - Chance for Damage (Smashing) (*) Ghost Widow's Embrace - Chance for Damage (Psionic) (*) Neuronic Shutdown - Chance for Damage (Psionic) This is my typical slotting for single-target holds that I also want to do damage. I feel that I almost always get more mileage from the +MaxEnd bonus from Gladiator's Net than I would for any other 3-piece Hold set bonus. While leveling, I had the Lockdown %+2 Magnitude piece in this power, but against high-con enemies the effect when it triggers (and it reliably triggers) doesn't last long enough to make a difference IMO. I like the Hold as much as I like the %damage. I wouldn't judge anyone for using the Entomb %+Absorb piece here. I don't think the Recharge portion of the %Absorb proc will hurt %proc rates that much (I write, based on slotting on another character) Level 24: Farsight (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed (*) HamiO:Membrane Exposure (Endurance/ToHit Buff/Defense Buff): Level 53 (*) HamiO:Membrane Exposure (Endurance/ToHit Buff/Defense Buff): Level 53 (*) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Endurance (*) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Recharge/Endurance This slotting is a brutal assault on Enhancement Diversification; I make no apologies. The Gaussian's pieces are attuned for the travel speed bonus. My attitude to Aim (see above) is to have that %Build Up be available as often as possible, and I don't really need any other enhancement bonuses when it triggers... so the %BuildUp proc is elsewhere. See further comments at end regarding my choices around ToHit buffs. Frankly: the most challenging element of Farsight is getting as many teammates in the 25' radius as possible. Level 28: Slowed Response (A) Analyze Weakness - Accuracy/Recharge: Level 50+5 (*) Analyze Weakness - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50+5 (*) Shield Breaker - Chance for Damage (Lethal) (*) Touch of Lady Grey - Chance for Damage (Negative Energy) This is a reliable Resistance debuff that I want available as often as possible, with the added benefit that it reliably dishes slightly off-brand damage types over a large AoE. As a 25' targeted AoE, this is a good source of extra %damage on top of the debuffs. The Analyze Weakness pieces are boosted not catalyzed; I can live without the Regeneration set bonus at lower levels. Level 30: Chrono Shift (A) Doctored Wounds - Endurance/Recharge: Level 50+5 (*) Panacea - Endurance/Recharge: Level 50+5 (*) Panacea - Heal/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50+5 Originally I had planned three different Healing Endurance/Recharge pieces, but after taking a look at the final values after considering Enhancement Diversification (which is still hitting my choice hard) I felt slipping in some extra Healing wasn't having that much of an effect on Endurance cost or Recharge time. The PVP Panacea set was the obvious choice once I was committed to boosting each enhancement. I have Chrono Shift on auto. If I didn't solo as much as I do and I committed to only highish-level content, I'd pull the 120s Panacea %+Heal/+End piece (currently occupying the second slot in Health) and move it here. This build also includes: Level 32: Hasten (A) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50+5 (*) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50+5 Level 38: Power Boost (from Soul Mastery Patron pool) (A) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50+5 Power Boost is one of the build's "money" powers. Normally for such a utilitarian power I would add a second slot and go for more Recharge reduction, but in practice the single slot of 50+5 leaves it with a timer that is commensurate with both Slowed Response and Farsight to boost those effects. for content where it is available, I use it more often than Aim... because with a +6% ToHit piece in a toggle (for me Hover, but Combat Jumping would work too) I have the Fast Snipe damage boost (IIRC max +22% from +ToHit) available all the time. I could move the Recharge IO from Aim to Power Boost, but as is I leverage the +Damage portion of %BuildUp on attack powers other than the Snipe. I almost pulled the Kismet piece from the build, but I was doing enough low-level content that I wanted its (fast Snipe) damage boost available via the toggle. A further comment: I really wasn't shooting for perma-Hasten, but the build has it when Chrono Shift is also active. the secondary has enough long-recharge powers that I felt I might as well have Hasten available especially for high-level, large spawn content. Solo I play much more relaxed and rarely use Hasten. I boosted the Recharge in Hasten to 50+5 mostly for harmony, and partially because of enemy Slows. There is very little difference between two 50+4 boosts and two 50+5 boosts, if funds/merits are tight.

I used the Medicine pool for a while on a Shield Tanker (pre-50), I made a point to use the powers (on teammates in trouble) but they simply weren't useful enough. The only other character that I felt I got mileage out of Medicine was a Mastermind, but that was during the before times, and it was only useful (for me) to keep a small number of henchmen (i.e. when I had ONLY T1 or T1+T2) alive at lower levels... and I was doing crazy stuff like street-sweeping even level mobs in Perez Park. After getting the T3, I respecced out of Medicine.

Ah you sweet summer children. Back in the day, an Inv/EM tanker would have to be rooted in place in Peregrine Island and hope that those stunned Nemesis troopers would eventually rocket back within melee range. If we are negotiating: I won't support Stuns getting any enhancement changes while neither Fears nor Threats have anything like PVP or Very Rare enhancement choice. I'm not asking for much... Fears: Deserve a %Contagious Fear piece (would be especially useful in the single-target fears, which have limited utility at level 50+ content). I'd kinda like an Acc/End/Fear piece to exist as well. Threat: We need a non-D-Sync Threat/Accuracy piece, as there exists non-auto-hit Threat powers. There aren't any mixed Endurance-reduction for Threat powers outside of the D-Syncs. I could use straight-up Acc/End in certain powers. Threat/Range is always a solid choice. I don't care what the 6th piece is, I'm sure many aura builds would like another %damage.

TL;DR: I don't think the case to make the OP change is well-motivated (beyond wanting to get something for less). Something similar was written earlier in the thread (in different ways) that later pool picks are good because there is an additional cost (the prerequisite) picks... and just as later powers in a primary/secondary tend to get "better"(kk, maybe not T9 armors) the investment in a power pool is part of the price of admission. I agree that (by themselves) only Boxing (or Kick) is somewhat of a stinker attack. At least there is synergy from biking both of them, unlike some other pools (ehem: Provoke/Pacify/intimidate, pick any two to get the good stuff). Writing only for myself: The lowering of the levels for which powers are available has done two things (for my play experience) I have fewer opportunities to fit a "shore up weaknesses" choice like the Fighting pool (as early as I used to) I get the accesses to the set-defining powers earlier, so I don't feel like I need to shore up weaknesses so early. If the fitness pool was not inherent, I can guarantee almost every one of my builds would be trying to get to Stamina in ASAP... I write this with certainty because hat is how it was on Live (for me). Inherent Fitness (as well as lowering he level to be able to take a true travel power) were honest-to-RNGesus quality-of-life changes Another personal comment: I rarely take either Tough or Weave strictly for their benefits as a toggle, thanks to Global pieces. I have quite a few builds that use Tough and/or Weave only as mules. As things are now, 100% of my builds use globals (or 120s %procs) in Health and Stamina. If I had an inherent Fighting pool, I'd dump globals in it as well.... just as I do with my auto resist/defense powers on AT which have those. [IMO The game's QoL would severely diminish without Globals and %procs, I don't feel like engaging with a discussion about how changing Globals is the key to getting an inherent Fighting pool... let's just say I don't feel like I need an ever-changing series of cascading changes to have to skip Boxing and Tough when I can just pick a character that gets similar powers through a primary or secondary]

This lack-of-damage (on a successful toHot roll) has been observed (and reported) for a long time. It has been most noticeable for me on Scrappers/Stalker Epic Snipes, as the Snipe is very different than most of the other attacks which allows the results to stand out. I have observed it recently on a Corruptor who has the Snipe as a regular part of the usual attack chain. I want to say: the issue was present prior to the Homecoming changes that included shortening the Range of the Fast Snipe. The base damage of Snipea is variable (different values Fast or Slow, Fast damage includes the first 22% of+ToHit); I have come to assume/guess that there is a slight issue in one of the math routines that results in a NaN and/or has some sort of error-trap fall-thru. I have also seen the hit registered (in the combat log) with no damage. And sometimes no damage from the snipe and some damage from a %proc.

Overwhelming Force KB->KDcan only go into one slot (it is a Unique), but the KB powers can take Sudden Acceleration KB->KD (That set is not Unique). There is something else slightly different about Energy compared to other primaries: It doesn't have a damage-over-time component. DOT is something that takes a while to get used to. I have grown to appreciate DOT for characters where I have to do a lot of target-switching anyway (as well as characters that do -Resistance). I've been leveling an Energy/Time Manipulation, and I while I don't have a /Poison Corruptor I do have a /Poison Controller so I am not completely ignorant of how the powers play. I am NOT using KB->KD in the primary (Energy) attacks (sorry PUGmates!): The KB is a (poor, but not insignificant) form of protection Every primary attack can be used for %damage and/or set bonuses Time Manipulation has a few tricks (an early PBAoE toggle, a location-based slow) that allows me to have a radius where I am of extra debuffs I think if you go Energy/Poison you will need to pay quite a bit of attention to switching targets, even with Knockdown... but especially without it. On my Mind/Poison Controller, I found that I did NOT like the way Venomous Gas worked/require me to play. I think on Corrs it has a 15' radius, in comparison the low-level choice of Time's Juncture has a 25' radius. My suspicion is that /Poison on a Corruptor will be very good against single-targets, but rather uneven against large spawns. Part of this is because of the relative difficulty in raising Corruptor defenses (to counter LOTS of attacks and the RNG). If you go with this combo, I would absolutely plan to spam Envenom (as an attack with %damage, and with as many extra resistance debuffs you can fit it) so plan on giving it many slots.

Obligatory comments: World of Confusion was best described as "Postage stamp of Confusion". AoE Confuse powers (Attacks much more so than Toggles) are much improved by adding a %damage piece to them, because getting even a little bit of damage on a MOB means that you are in the running to collect a reward drop from it, even if the XP/Inf is fractional. Some folks will talk up the potential to stack a higher Magnitude Confuse (even if it is only a short time) by leveraging %Contagious Confusion in an AoE, but the reward drops are much more reliable than whatever the chance of an extra magnitude confuse is. Put that piece in single-target Confuses instead.

I had a Grav/Kin on Live, and she was recreated (probably on the first day of Torchbearer going up) on Homecoming as one of my early nostalgia efforts. Part of the nostalgia was remembering just... how... slow... it is to solo that character without leveraging all that Homecoming has to offer (easy enhancement options, extra XP, etc.). What always comes first to my mind about my Grav/Kin are these: The secondary doesn't need much in the way of slotting, The secondary allows slotting of lots of different travel powers, and can make characters speedy, in multiple ways. The latter bullet point is practically irrelevant in the current Homecoming, but it was a real selling point for me on Live: we go fast, they go slow. I did respin my character to be able to have faster solo map-clearing times, but it relied too much on Epic/Patron power pools for my taste. My build philophy has aged since then, and with new enhancement options and power pool choices I would probably approach the combo differently. As @Heatstroke wrote: I have a feeling /Time Manipulation (especially with Epic Power Boost) would serve just as well in most mass combats... there are obvious tradeoffs in approach... but also give a player more options when solo.

Before the Achilles Heel %-Resistance was ~2 Minf it was much higher... at least when I worked in that niche. Specifically for that piece: because of the level range and set, and (from years ago) the powers that could take it, made it profitable but not steady (my experience). Again, specific to this piece: Wasn't one of the recent changes to Fiery Sword attacks to give things like Fire Sword Circle a -Defense component? If so, there may be many more opportunities to slot the piece, as mentioned by @Bionic_Flea (including some farmers).

In my experience: Slowed Response, yes; Distortion Field, No. The latter accepts more %damage pieces, but (because it is a pseudopet?) the %proc chances are pretty bad, and even when slotting accuracy in the power itself the chances to trigger are quite poor (Accuracy slotting recommended as %damage also needs to make a ToHit roll). I can see cases when the %damage from Distortion Field will occur, but how often it happens is rather poor considering other places where the slots could be used: either for %damage elsewhere, or Quality-of-Life choices like more Endurance savings/Recovery/Travel Speed/whatever. The experiment that solidifed my opinion on this specific power was to take a character with Distortion Field into a low level Hazard Zone (large spawns of enemies which con grey) and toss the power. Depending on player level, this should effectively reduce the ToHit portion of the %proc to minimal consideration, so it is possible to observe the %proc chances empirically. Do the same experiment with Slowed Response, the results were dramatically different, far beyond the different recharge times (as observed by the caster, not the pseudopet). Again: I'm not saying that the power never %procs, just that it is unreliable enough that anyone of the single-target powers (the slow, the hold) will, on average, end up doing more net %damage (assuming those powers are used). My reconfigured build (Corruptor, again) went from 6 slots in Distortion Field to two; two of the moved slots went to Slowed Response 🙂

No comments on utility for Incarnate content. In some ways the game is degenerate enough in that content that it feels like entire primaries or secondaries aren't needed. I am also working up a /Time Corruptor (so pre-level 50). I like it just fine, although it doesn't seem 'top tier' (at this point). As this is specifically not a defender, it would be imprudent for me to offer too much analysis, but here is a hot-take: Time Manipulation as a primary may not offer as much opportunity for "Offender" (%damage) builds. Yes the single-target Time Crawl and Time Stop offer %damage, but as near as I can tell the only reliable chance for AoE %proc chances are from Slowed Response. Solo probably would be a slog until enough slots exist and Endurance can be handled. I'd think that simply keeping Farsight up and running Time's Juncture (while staying in the action) would be valuable for teams. Even with fast-moving teams it shouldn't take much effort to have Distortion Field in play for two-out-of-three spawns. There are of course, pools that can be added to further support teams. Sorcery's Enflame is a decent mixed-utility power for example.

I have a few builds that do exactly this (put a FF +Recharge into Kick) but it is basically as a joke, in my case I think there is one character that has Kick because I was specifically getting all the Fighting pool powers, there is one that is holding a weapon and I wanted to avoid redraws, and there is another girly-man that simply kicks. Taking/slotting Kick with +Recharge used to be my default if I was using the Fighting Pool for Tough / Weave, because on low-enough content any potential little bit of +Recharge can help. Now that (in Homecoming) the level requirements at which higher-tier powers become available have been lowered, the first choice of the Fighting pool isn't that important (for me) and truly it is rare that I have enough power choices to take three powers from the Fighting pool as early as I used to (when we had more "dead zones" in builds with old levels of power availabilities). Unless the character is specifically holding something, I will almost always choose Boxing when going into the Fighting pool.

I'm withholding and actual "thumbs down"; this is my warning that insisting on "doorbusting" during a Penny Yin or Citadel TF deserves to be met with "durr-busting"(*1). It is definitely NOT a minute or two on Citadel (yeah, you go break doors while there is a pool room to deal with) and it completely breaks the flow of a combat-focused Yin TF. If you want a blueside doorbuster mission, load up on temp attack powers and run the Aaron Thiery arc. (*1) My absolute least-favorite moment of a Yin TF Leader's cognitive dissonance crying that he wanted doors to be defeated "for the badge", and then later pitching a fit when the extra rooms were opened in the Terra Volta reactor map (to get extra bosses "for the badge(s)" obviously).

At least I know the OP wasn't about me, yet I want to say that I find the League interface to be somewhat tricky to navigate, especially if I am looking for a specific player name. The UI is visually cramped, more so depending on the length of player names... not to mention how busy it can get when monitoring teammates powers. A rookie may be just as likely to quit/kick someone from the league as they are to pass the star. At least be thankful Incarnate trials are not content where folks have to go out of their way to pick specific players to lead teams or worry so much about balancing teams in a League.

None of the suggestions for tweaks (for 'true' Stealth, for MOAR healing) nor travel reshuffle offend me. I have yet to do a serious exploration of the Experimentation pool, perhaps I'll burn a respec and see how it works on the Defender. If adapting my posted to a Corruptor, because the (Superior) Scourging Blast of the Corruptor has a reliable (in an AoE) %+End/%+Heal... I think after hitting level 50, I'd recommend pulling the Theft of Essence %+Endurance slot and move it to a "Quality of Life" power (assuming a similar progression of powers and a similar dedication to %procs in attacks), places I look: Endurance reduction in a toggle (often a Travel power, or a Resist or a Defense power) An extra slot in Stamina for the Power Transfer %Heal piece My recent experiences with Corruptors has been that they burn through Endurance at what I think of as a "classic CoH" rate, so leveraging their ATO for %+End usually turns out to be important for my playstyle. I also wouldn't object to anyone pulling four slots from Aim (leaving the %Buildup, adding a Recharge IO 50+5) to consider the following: Shuffle sets/slots between Tough and Dark Embrace, adding two slots (for 4x Unbreakable Guard) to the power that will "always" be on. Add two slots to Weave (2x Cytoskeletons are probably best, but even IOs or boosted Shield Wall pieces would be fine) This would be if you wanted improved Melee defense (and alternate set bonuses) at (I think) a slight reduction in Ranged/AoE positional defenses. I rather like the 6x set bonuses from Gaussian's but I don't always try for it.

I'm not referring to balance among power sets, but balance among Archetypes. As far as the precious argument about FF %+Recharge(*1) goes... characters still have an endurance cost (*1)to bear with casting powers (faster), and as a practical matter the five seconds of extra global recharge is going to offer only marginal improvements in defeat speed... especially if a character has already got global +Recharge. This is just my experience: Trimming even as much as six seconds off the recharge time of a 'nuke' only yields marginal improvements in completed mission times... mostly because smarter use of the 'nuke' almost always trumps spamming the 'nuke'. To the extent my experience is derived from play and/or testing: I almost never play Incarnate content, and I rarely play level; 45+ content. I have seen %damage procs help improve the performance of non-DPS ATs both while leveling, and when they have lots of extra slots (at higher levels). (*1) Knockback powers that can slot FF: %+Recharge come with additional price in game-play: They scatter enemies, making AoE attacks less reliable (most evident for even-level spawns, as well as enemies susceptible to knockback) (*2) Specific to global Recharge and Endurance burn: IMO Dominators provide the clearest manifestation of what extreme rates of Global Racharge will result in. If Domination didn't auto refill the endurance bar, perma-Domination would involve a very different sort of calculus.

I choose to believe that there won't be wholesale changes to %procs. I don't doubt for a minute that there is some serious consideration of hitting them with the "nerf bat", but in practice: adding %damage procs allows entire ATs to come within an order of-magnitude of mission completion, with respect to clear times, as ATs with larger inherent damage scales. Since game rewards (XP, Inf, Drops) are essentially entirely tied to defeats (Aether Particles are the only reward that leans away from this paradigm) %damage procs provide far more balance in the City especially since there is no practical "gate" to adding them to any build.... as they are achievable through crafting, through the market, through converter roulette, etc. With %damage PPM available, the game has become an overwhelmingly balanced play experience. I can't imagine sacrificing this just to explicitly return to an era of the game when some AT achieve rewards a a significantly reduced rate.

Welcome home!

Below is the build I use for a Rad/Dark Defender, perhaps it will offer some ideas for a Corruptor. The ATO are different, but not that different. Note that this build has two (plus one) elements I don't typically end up with: It doesn't rely very much on Very Rare+ set bonuses, the Corruptor has slightly better damage scales so perhaps leveraging more Purple sets would be better It doesn't have a "true" travel power, primarily because I wanted Combat Teleport to play with the various PBAoE (plus one) It is heavier on the %-Resistance procs than I usually choose. I think in my case: I want to believe that because of the %proc-tastic heavy component of this Defender any added -Resistance is improving defeat times more than any other Quality-of-Life choices I could make with those slots. There certainly are other areas where the choices can be criticized, but I rather like the way this one plays across all levels.

Lately I've been leaning into Corruptors (for concepts) mostly because of the primary/secondary power-pairings (and levels at which powers become available). While I don't have this pairing on a Corruptor, I think Radiation Blast / Dark Miasma is probably the most straight-foward pairing to make into a "do-it-all", especially it you lean into the AoE. Just make sure that you have the "ally-friendly" powers (this includes spamming of Howling Twilight on offense). The debuffs will help both in solo and team play. I can offer some insight from my Rad/Dark Defender: On the primary (Radiation) side, I would definitely include each of these, and probably turn at least two of them into %damage variants: Irradiate Electron Haze Aim (eventually, not before level 16) Atomic Blast I am not suggesting skipping the single target attacks, rather that they can be chosen to taste. On the secondary (Dark) side, the only power I would skip is Black Hole. I like Petrifying Gaze, it is probably more valuable solo than on teams. Twilight Grasp (probably NOT an early pick, but an important one) Unlikely that I would slot this for %damage. You can get by with 3x Touch of the Nictus and %+Endurance from Theft of Essence if you do want to be a little nastier. Tar Patch (Slow and Recharge time primarily, doesn't need many slots... Frankenslot to taste)... typical for me it is simply 2xRecharge IOs Darkest Night (also not needed early in a build, doesn't need many slots, I usually never add slots to it) Howling Twilight deserves to be 6-slotted: 2xRagnarok (Accuracy/Recharge, Damage/Endurance) 2xAbsolute Amazement (Stun/recharge, Accuracy/Stun/Recharge) 2x %damage (Make one of them Javelin Volley % Lethal, probably Bombardment %Fire for the second) Shadow Fall: 6-slot, add all the defense pieces (including Kismet +ToHit if the primary's Snipe will be taken) Fearsome Stare is a good %damage cone (I usually go 4x Cloud Senses, with %Negative and add a %Psi) on top of being a nice control. Petrifying Gaze: I usually go 3xGladiator's Net (Acc/Hold, Acc/End/Hold/Recharge, %Lethal) and 3 other %damage... I might miz it up if the 6th slot is added. Dark Servant: I usually go 4xCloud Senses and leave it at that. Final note: With lot's of %damage potential from Rad/Dark, don't forget you will need Accuracy/ToHit to give %proc damage a chance to hit. Franken-slotting for Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge in %damage powers is probably key, and having Aim be available as often as possible will greatly assist. The -Defense component of the Radiation Primary helps of course, but you cannot rely on it.

It sounds to me that part of what you may be witnessing the level-shift; the lower tier henchmen are facing enemies at +2 and +1 relative to you. How close are you keeping the henchmen to you?

I came here to complain that the poll options didn't include my reason for clicking into the thread.