Spines/ Dark Armor Build Advice

[majorshultz]

Howdy

I have a level 37 Spines/ DA brute and looking to respec. Any advice?

Looking for damage output then survivability.

Also thoughts on oppressive gloom?

[Psyonico]

Oppressive Gloom is a great power for survivability, and it takes a minimal number of slots (though you can do some cool things if you actually slot it).  A lot of times I 1 slot it with just an Acc/Mez HO and call it a day.

 

I haven't played Spines/Dark (way too end heavy for my preference) so I really can't comment too much on a build.

[Obus Form]

No need on oppressive gloom because its Mag 2 stun is useless against Boss mobs (require Mag 3 stun) and anything worthy of your attention in iTrials of Boss type or greater (Boss, EB, AV). 

 

Your best survival tactic is reaching 45% S/L defense softcap for normal content.  Eat 1 purple to be at 45 + 12.5 = 57.5% S/L, which is 1.5% away from softcap for iTrials. However, because there is so much pure energy damage in iTrials that is not S/L based, you may need to eat 2 purples or use Barrier.  Else, 6 slot your /Dark Armor heal with the PVP Heal IOs to get 60%HP heal on 1 mob, and  100% HP heal on 2+ mobs.

 

From experience tanking iTrials, /Dark Armor's Mag 2 stun, and Mag 2 fear are useless.  

 

1 hour ago, Psyonico said:

I haven't played Spines/Dark (way too end heavy for my preference) so I really can't comment too much on a build.

 Because one of the Brute's ATOs has a unique proc that reduces your endurance consumption, you can 6 slot your /Dark Armour damage aura, or /Spines damage aura with that IO set to always have a endurance discount whenever you are in melee range of mobs (which is always when hitting EB/AV).  Essentially, your Spines/Dark Armour brute is always at maximum endurance and never runs out, even with Sprint and Super Speed running.

 

Will attach a build tonight

Edited April 9, 2020 by Obus Form