Darkness Manipulation

[Snarky]

Took this as a theme pick (I am ever happier playing a theme) and am becoming quite shocked at how good it is.  Dark/Dark.  now 20.  Already I can feel it revving up.  

 

If a team has grabbed agro on a group I hit aim, jump in, hit soul drain, jump out, hit a couple cones to knock peeps down (OF proc in UT) debuff them and start the burn, then hit some hard targets with insta snipe and gloom.  

 

I was honestly shocked as a lowbie that the tactic of Aim to juice Soul Drain worked so well.  It hits Everybody, which just feeds the pain train when you start burning stuff down you are getting crazy effectiveness, at least in the 20-40 level range of teams I was on.

 

Touch of the Beyond.  How good is this?  its ranged, I love.  It is up all the time, I love.  It...how much does it feed me back health/end?

 

Then of course Dark Consumption.  Gotta love a damage power that gives an entire End bar back.

 

Not a fan of blapping, but you have to go where the money is.  I will be taking no melee attacks (at least no plans at this time) But I can see where this set was thought out to be very useful.  Pen Grasp, ranged.  Soul Drain, Dark Consump, and Touch of the beyond are incredible gems.  So, Soul Drain, Blackstar, Dark Consumpt, then jump out and cone the mess that left.  Taking Soul Mastery, so two more cones.  I like that I don't have to recalculate angles, just pick more damage, more debuff, or whatever is up.

 

Building for high Ranged Def, and trying to stay 8 feet away or more unless the mobs are good and distracted.

 

[KaizenSoze]

Touch of the Beyond is your sustains. It increases your regen (112%) and recovery (50%) like every other blaster sustain.

 

Also Touch is very proc friendly.

 

We have been discussing blapper builds in this thread. You might get some ideas from it, even you're not playing a blapper.

 

[Snarky]

Thanks for the tips about procs.  The build is slot hungry unfortunately, although I am still in rough draft.  A LOT of ranged defense is 6piece sets.  grrr.  Also trying to squeeze on another full power pool because I am drooling over magic click mez prot.   Ah, the joys and frustration of building.  Since this fires a lot it deserves at least one proc though.  Maybe something annoying like a hold or thematic like neg energy damage.  I will keep it in mind thanks.

 

So, this may be the reason Touch of the Beyond slipped past me, because it was part of the rewrite for Blasters?  Or did I just miss it from years of not wanting what looked like a Blapper focused set?

[Novacat]

Do not sabotage your perfomance and build for a few more % of ranged defense. It's not too costly by taking the usual suite of powers, global IOs and your ATOs to get into the low 30s.

But going from there to a perma the softcap can involve kneecaping yourself, paying for those extra 1.83% or whatevers with the power and utility of things you actually do and make use of.

 

Remember that when you really need it you'll have Barrier, inspirations, temporary powers or buffs from teammates, all to bring you into the magic numbers.

Touch of the Beyond (which was not a Sustain before they were introduced in i24) now offers twice as much Recovery for a minute as Stamina (though auto) does, and 2.8125x the Regen gained from Health, with another 2.8125x unenhanceable on top of it. That's a lot of survivability to gain.

• A single 50 EndMod gives nearly an extra Stamina worth of recovery to Touch of the Beyond alone (a +4 in that slot is worth 25.44% recovery alone)
• A single Heal Mod gives the damage proc, an extra 47.7% Regen(if unenhanced)

So with 4 slots you could use healing, accurate healing and/or endmod sets to 2pc yourself significant bonuses while also slipping in a proc or global bonus (and a 2pc bonus obviously). That still leaves two for doing the same out of a to-hit debuff, accurate to-hit debuff, or fear set.

[Snarky]

1 hour ago, Novacat said:

Do not sabotage your perfomance and build for a few more % of ranged defense. It's not too costly by taking the usual suite of powers, global IOs and your ATOs to get into the low 30s.

But going from there to a perma the softcap can involve kneecaping yourself, paying for those extra 1.83% or whatevers with the power and utility of things you actually do and make use of.

 

Remember that when you really need it you'll have Barrier, inspirations, temporary powers or buffs from teammates, all to bring you into the magic numbers.

Touch of the Beyond (which was not a Sustain before they were introduced in i24) now offers twice as much Recovery for a minute as Stamina (though auto) does, and 2.8125x the Regen gained from Health, with another 2.8125x unenhanceable on top of it. That's a lot of survivability to gain.

• A single 50 EndMod gives nearly an extra Stamina worth of recovery to Touch of the Beyond alone (a +4 in that slot is worth 25.44% recovery alone)
• A single Heal Mod gives the damage proc, an extra 47.7% Regen(if unenhanced)

So with 4 slots you could use healing, accurate healing and/or endmod sets to 2pc yourself significant bonuses while also slipping in a proc or global bonus (and a 2pc bonus obviously). That still leaves two for doing the same out of a to-hit debuff, accurate to-hit debuff, or fear set.

still in rough draft.  am at 47% not fully slotted.  here is the monster still on the lab table no elec applied:

Hero 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 Blaster
Primary Power Set: Dark Blast
Secondary Power Set: Darkness Manipulation
Power Pool: Concealment
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dark Blast -- SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(7)
Level 1: Penumbral Grasp -- TraoftheH-Acc/Rchg(A), TraoftheH-EndRdx/Immob(7), TraoftheH-Acc/EndRdx(9), TraoftheH-Immob/Acc(9), TraoftheH-Acc/Immob/Rchg(11), TraoftheH-Dam%(50)
Level 2: Gloom -- SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(11), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(15)
Level 4: Umbral Torrent -- OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg(A), OvrFrc-End/Rech(19), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(21), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(21), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(23), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(23)
Level 6: Aim -- Empty(A), Empty(25), Empty(36), Empty(39), Empty(42), Empty(50)
Level 8: Moonbeam -- ExcCnt-Acc/Dmg(A), ExcCnt-Dmg/EndRdx(25), ExcCnt-Dmg/ActRdx(27), ExcCnt-Dmg/Rng(27), ExcCnt-Dmg/Rchg(29), ExcCnt-Stun%(29)
Level 10: Stealth -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 12: Tenebrous Tentacles -- TraoftheH-Acc/Rchg(A), TraoftheH-EndRdx/Immob(31), TraoftheH-Acc/EndRdx(31), TraoftheH-Immob/Acc(31), TraoftheH-Acc/Immob/Rchg(33), TraoftheH-Dam%(33)
Level 14: Invisibility -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 16: Soul Drain -- Empty(A), Empty(33)
Level 18: Abyssal Gaze -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(34), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(36)
Level 20: Touch of the Beyond -- Empty(A)
Level 22: Hover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 24: Fly -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Life Drain -- Empty(A), Empty(36), Empty(37), Empty(37), Empty(37)
Level 28: Dark Consumption -- ClvBlo-Acc/Dmg(A), ClvBlo-Dmg/Rchg(39), ClvBlo-Acc/Rchg(39), Erd-Acc/Rchg(40), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Erd-%Dam(40)
Level 30: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 32: Blackstar -- Arm-Dmg/Rchg(A), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), Arm-Acc/Rchg(42), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Arm-Dam%(43)
Level 35: Night Fall -- CldSns-ToHitDeb(A), CldSns-Acc/ToHitDeb(43), CldSns-Acc/Rchg(45), CldSns-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(45), CldSns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(45), CldSns-%Dam(48)
Level 38: Dark Embrace -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(46)
Level 41: Soul Tentacles -- TraoftheH-Acc/Rchg(A), TraoftheH-EndRdx/Immob(46), TraoftheH-Acc/EndRdx(46), TraoftheH-Immob/Acc(48), TraoftheH-Acc/Immob/Rchg(48), TraoftheH-Dam%(50)
Level 44: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 47: Assault -- Empty(A)
Level 49: Tactics -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance 
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 -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(17), Mrc-Rcvry+(17)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), Empty(19)
------------

 

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[Vulpoid]

On 3/9/2020 at 11:01 PM, Snarky said:

still in rough draft.  am at 47% not fully slotted.  here is the monster still on the lab table no elec applied:

I have been following this experiment, and am conducting my own...
Any build changes or developments?

Spooky Girl is level 31 on Indomitable.
What have you settled on? What is working for you?

[Snarky]

After a LOT of Blasting.  (50d at least 6 builds, playtested, etc) I have settled into a Ice/Ice Blaster.  This is just WAY more relaxed for my style.  The ranged Nuke, the option to stay completely ranged.  Less running around to line up the cones because I can place the two rains wherever I want.  Hard hitting ST attacks for helping burn AVs down.  A crapton of usefulness in slow and -rech secondary effects.  

 

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.4.7
https://github.com/Reborn-Team/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Blaster
Primary Power Set: Ice Blast
Secondary Power Set: Ice Manipulation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Cold Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Ice Bolt -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(3), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7)
Level 1: Chilblain -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(9), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 2: Ice Blast -- 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 4: Frost Breath -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(17), Artl-Dam/Rech(19), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(19), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(21), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(21)
Level 6: Aim -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(23), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(23), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(25), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(25), GssSynFr--Build%(27)
Level 8: Freeze Ray -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(27), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(29), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 10: Frigid Protection -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(31), PwrTrns-+Heal(33), PwrTrns-EndMod(33), ThfofEss-+End%(33)
Level 12: Ice Storm -- SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg(A), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx(34), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(36), SprFrzBls-Rchg/ImmobProc(36)
Level 14: Fly -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 16: Build Up -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(36)
Level 18: Bitter Ice Blast -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(37), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(39), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(39)
Level 20: Ice Patch -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(39)
Level 24: Maneuvers -- Ksm-ToHit+(A)
Level 26: Bitter Freeze Ray -- SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBrr-Dmg/Rchg(40), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), SprDfnBrr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), SprDfnBrr-Rchg/+Status Protect(42)
Level 28: Shiver -- PcnoftheT-Acc/Slow(A), PcnoftheT-Dmg/Slow(42), PcnoftheT-Acc/EndRdx(43), PcnoftheT-Rng/Slow(43), PcnoftheT-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(43), PcnoftheT--Rchg%(45)
Level 30: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 32: Blizzard -- SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsWrt-Dmg/Rchg(45), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), SprBlsWrt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), SprBlsWrt-Rchg/Dmg%(48)
Level 35: Snow Storm -- PcnoftheT-Acc/Slow(A), PcnoftheT-Dmg/Slow(48), PcnoftheT-Acc/EndRdx(48), PcnoftheT-Rng/Slow(50), PcnoftheT-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(50), PcnoftheT--Rchg%(50)
Level 38: Flash Freeze -- Bmbdmt-Dam/Rech(A), Bmbdmt-Acc/Dam/Rech(45)
Level 41: Frozen Armor -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A)
Level 44: Hoarfrost -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 47: Tactics -- RctRtc-Pcptn(A)
Level 49: Hibernate -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Defiance 
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A)
------------

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