Fisticuffs meets Chinese Finger Trap!

[ThrillMill]

"Dear Father, I must confess that I've been bringing my Dominators into melee range with alarming regularity and careless disregard for either my own well-being or that of my compatriots... You see Father, I'm sick..."

For the past several months I've rolled only Dominators with a PBAoE Auras and literally not any other toon. This means only Fire, Electric and Ice Primaries with a narrow list of secondaries to match. Chief among those are Stone, Energy and Psi. I've leveled 6 of them into incarnates and Io'd them; such is my dedication, nay, obsession with this aspect of the AT. I've now decided to give myself completely over to the vocation of melee domineering and am seeking the apex of the craft. 

Before embarking on this maddening journey of self immolation; I come humble and yearning for the combined learnings of the Dominator Forum brethren.  

I've narrowed my build to either Ice/Stone/Ice, Ice/Ice/Ice or Ice/Savage/Ice. Not exactly Baskin' Robbins level of choice but please keep in mind that I currently have a stable of melee dominators; Ice Control being the least played in my stable. I've found the Ice Epics to be the most comprehensive for my style of melee play. Hoarfrost alone would almost make it worthwhile. 

With this in mind; I ask you good forum go'ers to speak of your own dominator experiences, slotting recommendations and any/all tips as it concerns the chosen powersets. After I pick a combo,I'll post my own build for your critical review.  

[ThrillMill]

So after a sleepless night and unproductive work day; this is the fruit of my labors. I failed to attain softcapped defense on Ranged which is bumming me out and only managed 80% global recharge which i fear might also be problematic. Please review and advise. Thanks in advance. 

 

Villain Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.7
https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Dominator
Primary Power Set: Ice Control
Secondary Power Set: Earth Assault
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Force of Will
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Ice Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Block of Ice -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(7), Dvs-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Dvs-Hold%(13), Lck-%Hold(13)
Level 1: Stone Spears -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(48)
Level 2: Stone Mallet -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(9), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(9), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Mk'Bit-Dam%(46)
Level 4: Tremor -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(15), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(15), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Obl-%Dam(46)
Level 6: Arctic Air -- CrcPrs-Conf(A), CrcPrs-Conf/Rchg(19), CrcPrs-Acc/Conf/Rchg(19), CrcPrs-Acc/Rchg(25), CrcPrs-Conf/EndRdx(27), CrcPrs-Conf%(27)
Level 8: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(48), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(48), Ksm-ToHit+(50)
Level 10: Boxing -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(40), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(40), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 12: Ice Slick -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 14: Tough -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(29), UnbGrd-Max HP%(50)
Level 16: Power Up -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(29), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(31)
Level 20: Heavy Mallet -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(21), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(21), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(23), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), Mk'Bit-Dam%(45)
Level 22: Mighty Leap -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(23)
Level 24: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 26: Glacier -- SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(A), SprAscoft-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(31), SprAscoft-EndRdx/Rchg(31), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(33), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprAscoft-Rchg/+Dmg%(33)
Level 28: Seismic Smash -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(34), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(36)
Level 30: Weaken Resolve -- AnlWkn-Acc/DefDeb(A)
Level 32: Jack Frost -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(36), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(36), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(37), ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(37)
Level 35: Sleet -- Ann-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), Ann-ResDeb%(50)
Level 38: Fissure -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(39), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(39), Rgn-Knock%(40)
Level 41: Hoarfrost -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(42), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(42), Prv-Heal/Rchg(42), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(43), Prv-Absorb%(43)
Level 44: Frozen Armor -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(45), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(45)
Level 47: Unleash Potential -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Hibernate -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Domination 
Level 1: Quick Form 
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 -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(3), Pnc-Heal/+End(5)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(3)
Level 50: Agility Core Paragon 
------------

[ThrillMill]

I think I'm happier overall with this variant. 

 

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.962
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Dominator
Primary Power Set: Ice Control
Secondary Power Set: Earth Assault
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Ice Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Block of Ice -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(19), BslGaz-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(36), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(37), HO:Perox(37), HO:Perox(37)
Level 1: Stone Spears -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(46), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(46), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(50), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 2: Stone Mallet -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(15), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(17), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), Mk'Bit-Dam%(46)
Level 4: Tremor -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(5), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(11), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Obl-%Dam(43)
Level 6: Arctic Air -- CrcPrs-Conf(A), CrcPrs-Conf/Rchg(7), CrcPrs-Acc/Conf/Rchg(7), CrcPrs-Acc/Rchg(9), CrcPrs-Conf/EndRdx(9), CrcPrs-Conf%(11)
Level 8: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), Ksm-ToHit+(50)
Level 10: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 12: Ice Slick -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 14: Tough -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(15), UnbGrd-Max HP%(48)
Level 16: Power Boost -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Weave -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(40), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(40)
Level 20: Heavy Mallet -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(21), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(21), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(23), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23), Mk'Bit-Dam%(45)
Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 24: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(25), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(25)
Level 26: Glacier -- SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(A), SprAscoft-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(27), SprAscoft-EndRdx/Rchg(27), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(29), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(29), SprAscoft-Rchg/+Dmg%(31)
Level 28: Seismic Smash -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(31), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(36)
Level 30: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(31)
Level 32: Jack Frost -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(33), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(33), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(34), ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(34)
Level 35: Sleet -- Ann-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), Ann-ResDeb%(48)
Level 38: Fissure -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(39), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(39), Rgn-Knock%(40)
Level 41: Hoarfrost -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(42), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(42), Prv-Heal/Rchg(42), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(43), Prv-Absorb%(43)
Level 44: Frozen Armor -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(45), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(45)
Level 47: Super Speed -- Clr-Stlth(A)
Level 49: Hibernate -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Domination 
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 -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(3), Mrc-Rcvry+(5)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(3)
------------

[VV]

I mean, if you're looking to play a scraptroller and you're not going /savage then what are we even doing here? With Blood Craze + Feral Charge + Rending Flurry you can clear out most minions in seconds. Then just use Feral Charge to hop around with Maiming Slash to finish the LTs and Bosses. The time saved on movement is incredibly powerful. 

[ThrillMill]

56 minutes ago, VV said:

I mean, if you're looking to play a scraptroller and you're not going /savage then what are we even doing here? With Blood Craze + Feral Charge + Rending Flurry you can clear out most minions in seconds. Then just use Feral Charge to hop around with Maiming Slash to finish the LTs and Bosses. The time saved on movement is incredibly powerful. 

But...but...the Smashy goodness and knockdown of stone is so ideal for melee combat! I've yet to try Savage and it's on the short list of powers for me to roll soon. Feeling good about Ice/Stone/Ice. 

[serxiom]

I was thinking rolling a Ice/Earth Dom next... and i do have a build.  Just want to share it. Is purple free and softcap Def S/L and Ranged.

 

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.962
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Mutation Dominator
Primary Power Set: Ice Control
Secondary Power Set: Earth Assault
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Ice Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Block of Ice -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(3), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(3), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(5)
Level 1: Stone Spears -- EntChs-Heal%(A)
Level 2: Stone Mallet -- CrsImp-Acc/Dmg(A), CrsImp-Dmg/EndRdx(5), CrsImp-Dmg/Rchg(7), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43)
Level 4: Frostbite -- PstBls-Acc/Dmg(A), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(11), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(11), PstBls-Dmg/Rng(19), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31)
Level 6: Tremor -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(34), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(36), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Obl-%Dam(37)
Level 8: Arctic Air -- MlsIll-Acc/Rchg(A), MlsIll-EndRdx/Conf(37), MlsIll-Acc/EndRdx(37), MlsIll-Acc/Conf/Rchg(40), MlsIll-Conf/Rng(43), MlsIll-Dam%(45)
Level 10: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(23)
Level 12: Hurl Boulder -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(13), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17)
Level 14: Ice Slick -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(17)
Level 16: Power Boost -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(19)
Level 18: Super Jump -- Empty(A)
Level 20: Heavy Mallet -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(21), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(21), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(23), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), Mk'Bit-Dam%(25)
Level 22: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 24: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(48)
Level 26: Glacier -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(27), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(27), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(29)
Level 28: Weave -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(29), LucoftheG-Def(45)
Level 30: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(31), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(31)
Level 32: Jack Frost -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(33), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(33), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(34), ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(34)
Level 35: Seismic Smash -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dam%(45), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(46), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(46), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(46), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 38: Mud Pots -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(39), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(39), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), Obl-%Dam(40)
Level 41: Fissure -- AscoftheD-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(A), AscoftheD-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(42), AscoftheD-EndRdx/Rchg(42), AscoftheD-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(42), AscoftheD-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(43), AscoftheD-Rchg/+Dmg%(50)
Level 44: Sleet -- AchHee-ResDeb%(A), Ann-ResDeb%(50)
Level 47: Frozen Armor -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(48), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50)
Level 49: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Domination 
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 -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(9), EndMod-I(9)
------------

 

http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/download.php?uc=1452&c=656&a=1312&f=HEX&dc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

[ThrillMill]

What's the recharge on that? Is Perma-Dom something you're concerned about? 

[VV]

21 hours ago, ThrillMill said:

But...but...the Smashy goodness and knockdown of stone is so ideal for melee combat! I've yet to try Savage and it's on the short list of powers for me to roll soon. Feeling good about Ice/Stone/Ice. 

Yeah, my next dom will be an Earth/Earth. I look forward to bonking people with a big stone. But, really, if you haven't tried Savage, I highly recommend it. Not only do you have the Nightcrawlery goodness of Feral Charge, but it is also one of the few Dom sets with a self-heal.

[Coyote]

Earth Assault works very well in melee, but it's a less mobile set than Savage. Savage is fun because you move around ripping faces off. Earth is fun because you stand in one place and SMASH people into the ground while shaking the entire cavern somehow. Earth is more smashy, Savage is more mobile. Both do excellent PBAoE damage. Earth does better single-target damage in melee because Seismic Smash Uber Alles, and Savage does better single-target damage at range because Call Hawk is like a snipe except better.

[serxiom]

4 hours ago, ThrillMill said:

What's the recharge on that? Is Perma-Dom something you're concerned about? 

Rech is 87.5% permadom. I always aim for +90% but with this combo is more complicated cause i don't want to go under Def softcap numbers.

I'll start with this Dom next week and see how it works. GL with yours.

[mbre2006]

So help me out here. Why are you trying to soft range defense if you're going to be in melee range?

[serxiom]

50 minutes ago, mbre2006 said:

So help me out here. Why are you trying to soft range defense if you're going to be in melee range?

NPCs will not be hold always all the time. I will miss a few for sure and if those are not Melee based attacks i'll be hit for sure. 

My question is then: Why not softcap Ranged if you can do it without gimping your powersets selection/IOs slotting? 

Do you think my build will fail or underperform compared to other without Def softcap? 

You already seen my Plant Dominator in action. This Ice/Earth is following same build principle. 

Of course if you have a suggestion or a better build to check i would like to see it.

[mbre2006]

1 hour ago, serxiom said:

NPCs will not be hold always all the time. I will miss a few for sure and if those are not Melee based attacks i'll be hit for sure. 

My question is then: Why not softcap Ranged if you can do it without gimping your powersets selection/IOs slotting? 

Do you think my build will fail or underperform compared to other without Def softcap? 

You already seen my Plant Dominator in action. This Ice/Earth is following same build principle. 

Of course if you have a suggestion or a better build to check i would like to see it.

I just curious as to what benefit does it have in melee as opposed to trying to soft cap melee defense?

[Coyote]

A lot of times a Dominator will go into melee only with mobs around them controlled or debuffed. With Ice, you have a strong defensive PBAoE aura, plus you'll often fight on an Ice Slick. So mobs in melee may normally do more damage, but they actually won't be attacking you very often. Meanwhile, the mobs spread out who are ranged only and won't close to fight you are going to be unbuffed, uncontrolled, and shooting versus your Ranged Defense. In many cases, it's safer to build for Ranged Defense and control the guys near you, even if you plan to be in melee all the time.

 

I'm not sure that Ice is as strong defensively nearby, but my Electric Dom drains everyone around it... so I don't need much melee defense. But I do get shot by guys who were aggroed by the Gremlins, or by amushes, or ranged mobs, and I need higher Ranged defense than Melee. I imagine his situation is the same: taking more damage from ranged attacks because melee-ranged enemies are debuffed or controlled.

[serxiom]

32 minutes ago, mbre2006 said:

I just curious as to what benefit does it have in melee as opposed to trying to soft cap melee defense?

Is a good point. But i believe that S/L softcap covers great percentage when you go in melee. 

As Coyote said:

I imagine his situation is the same: taking more damage from ranged attacks because melee-ranged enemies are debuffed or controlled.

 

This round it up why ranged is a good choice to seek for in your builds.

 

 

 

 

[mbre2006]

A few stragglers is really nothing to worry about if they run away from you and engage in range attacks. As a melee'er you are literally running in to absorb the alpha strike(Like tanks and brutes do), beyond that I mean again you would be better focusing on melee. Range attacks have s/l components as well. So again I'm just not seeing the point of having high defense in range but much lower in melee where you would be spending most of your time in melee range.  

 

As far as Ice Control defense capabilities you can also slot confuse sets in AA which can contribute more to your survivability. 

Edited March 10, 2020 by mbre2006

[serxiom]

12 minutes ago, mbre2006 said:

A few stragglers is really nothing to worry about if they run away from you and engage in range attacks. As a melee'er you are literally running in to absorb the alpha strike(Like tanks and brutes do), beyond that I mean again you would be better focusing on melee. Range attacks have s/l components as well. So again I'm just not seeing the point of having high defense in range but much lower in melee where you would be spending most of your time in melee range.  

 

As far as Ice Control defense capabilities you can also slot confuse sets in AA which can contribute more to your survivability. 

 

I'm not trying to sell anything here. Def or not Def... Is up to personal experience and personal playstyle. 

By experience i can say this: Permahasten or all the +Rech you can get will not save you when missing bosses or 3/4 NPCs. 

People in general when play a Dominator tend to slot all the purples can get hipnotized for Rech bonusses. It's fine with me if you have the inf and have your fun rolling like that.

Thats not my case. I believe in balance. And by balance getting all the Def and survivality i can get after permadom is the way to go.

You can try both ways like i did and find your own way to go. 

As i said if you have a build that you think would be better for you feel free to share it. Thats why we are here... To share our stuff and learn 

[mbre2006]

2 minutes ago, serxiom said:

I'm not trying to sell anything here. Def or not Def... Is up to personal experience and personal playstyle. 

By experience i can say this: Permahasten or all the +Rech you can get will not save you when missing bosses or 3/4 NPCs. 

People in general when play a Dominator tend to slot all the purples can get hipnotized for Rech bonusses. It's fine with me if you have the inf and have your fun rolling like that.

Thats not my case. I believe in balance. And by balance getting all the Def and survivality i can get after permadom is the way to go.

You can try both ways like i did and find your own way to go. 

As i said if you have a build that you think would be better for you feel free to share it. Thats why we are here... To share our stuff and learn 

Not sure why you brought up rech here. My point was if you're going to go def soft cap, would be better to go for melee than range. If you jump in the middle on the mob their alpha strike is going to be focused melee not ranged.

[serxiom]

12 minutes ago, mbre2006 said:

Not sure why you brought up rech here. My point was if you're going to go def soft cap, would be better to go for melee than range. If you jump in the middle on the mob their alpha strike is going to be focused melee not ranged.

I don't jump in middle of the mob until is cotrolled. No one does i believe. 

Achieving Melee Def will make you sacrifice permadom... So no point to try. 

[Mezmera]

Sometimes if I'm feeling frisky I'll jump into a mob without them being controlled first.  But then I run +55 range/melee/aoe along with all damage type defense.  I also run perma dom and any other goodies I can pull from sets.  I do reserve my best assets for my doms though.  

[VV]

If you want to soft cap one Defense (totally not necessary), AOE is the one you want to hit. That is what usually is going to end up getting you, mostly by accident. Generally, I don't worry too much about armors (Def/Res) for Dominators. Remember, Lock 'em and Clock 'em. Enemies that can't move can't hurt you.

[ThrillMill]

Just a quick update. So I've reached 50 and have my Alpha, Judgement & Interface at T3 (Spiritual, Void & Cognitive). I was able to attain 46.5 S/L Defense, 44.7 Ranged & 25 AoE with 46% resistance to cold/fire. I'm able to farm in AE +2/x8 with relative safety and run solo missions at the same difficultly (I lower it for Malta missions. Those sappers, bruh). Oddly enough, farming DA missions in Oro for incarnate salvage has been going great. Endurance can still sometime be an issue if I go flat out and drop all my controls +spam melee attacks but that's earth assault for ya I guess. Still no greater rush in the game in my opinion than melee dominating. Thanks for the advice and help along the way. You guys are great.

Off to start planning my 3rd (and final) Earth Assault character. Elec/Earth/Mu. Wish me luck. 

P.S. Savage Melee (paired with Fire, Ice & Elec) are next in queue. 

[Tugzug]

I have an ice/earth Dom that's almost 50 and I can confirm it's very fun to play, if risky. The only real downside is that you really feel every time you miss.

 

Bonus points if you choose Crystal FX for Earth and make it look like more ice.

[mbre2006]

On 3/17/2020 at 11:46 AM, ThrillMill said:

Just a quick update. So I've reached 50 and have my Alpha, Judgement & Interface at T3 (Spiritual, Void & Cognitive). I was able to attain 46.5 S/L Defense, 44.7 Ranged & 25 AoE with 46% resistance to cold/fire. I'm able to farm in AE +2/x8 with relative safety and run solo missions at the same difficultly (I lower it for Malta missions. Those sappers, bruh). Oddly enough, farming DA missions in Oro for incarnate salvage has been going great. Endurance can still sometime be an issue if I go flat out and drop all my controls +spam melee attacks but that's earth assault for ya I guess. Still no greater rush in the game in my opinion than melee dominating. Thanks for the advice and help along the way. You guys are great.

Off to start planning my 3rd (and final) Earth Assault character. Elec/Earth/Mu. Wish me luck. 

P.S. Savage Melee (paired with Fire, Ice & Elec) are next in queue. 

If you really want a challenge, fight through the Praetorian arcs from Nightward and Arachnos. They pretty much shrug off mez powers at high levels. That having +40 range def will not matter. It's purely about precision and speed at that point. I actually didn't realize this until I ran some missions with Mez's dom. 

Edited March 20, 2020 by mbre2006