Dark Armour

WitchofDread · April 17, 2020

Are there any guides or advice for DA? From what i know it is very end heavy but is anyone able to shed some light on this set?

Does it perform well on Scrapper compared to Brute for instance?

thanks

Werner · April 17, 2020

Starting with the last question, with a high-end end-game incarnated build, a Brute benefits from the 90% vs. 75% resistance cap. Outside of that, though, I'd say there's not much difference. It performs well on a Scrapper.

Dark Armor is mostly a resistance set. I'd focus first on resistance. It also benefits from adding defense, but don't sacrifice the world for it, because it has no defense debuff resistance, and there are so many defense debuffers out there. Dark Regeneration is your heal, and is in some ways your most important power. Put a Theft of Essence proc in it, and in crowds, it will often be endurance neutral or recover endurance. That lets you spam it, and it recharges fast, and usually heals you to full. If they can't kill you before it recharges, they can't kill you.

Endurance can be managed easily with an IO'd out and/or incarnated build, particularly since you get endurance debuff resistance. But it can be trickier to manage while leveling. An endurance tool from your primary, such as Dark Melee's Dark Consumption can help, but don't feel restricted to only primaries that have endurance tools. Here are some ideas:

Three blues and one Performance Shifter proc in Stamina
Panacea, Numina, and Miracle in Health
Theft of Essence proc in Dark Regeneration
Slot endurance reduction liberally
Sets or frankenslotting in attacks
The Atlas Medallion
Portal Jockey
Conserve Power ~~Superior Conditioning with Performance Shifter Proc~~
Physical Perfection with Performance Shifter Proc
Oppressive Gloom rather than Cloak of Fear
Know which toggles you can afford to turn off against which enemies

I'm not saying to do all of that, as it would surely be overkill. But those are some things you can do to help manage endurance while leveling, and most of them apply to most characters if they're having endurance trouble.

Edited April 17, 2020 by Werner

oldskool · April 17, 2020

Scrappers don't get Superior Conditioning do they? Body Mastery opens up Conserve Power as a choice which can be nice to overkill. Physical Perfection unlocks after at least one pick in that set (Conserve Power vs Focused Accuracy).

Superior Conditioning is available to Brutes and Stalkers though. Regardless, any of these choices will help.

One thing Werner mentions really needs emphasis.... If enemies cannot kill you within Dark Regeneration's recharge window - they can't kill you. This may make spamming DR and watching its cooldown far more active (and maybe a little stressful at time) than you care for. The Theft of Essence proc for +endurance makes spamming it possible though you may need other endurance sources if it doesn't trigger (happens sometimes). Having more defense stacked up will give you breathing room and softcapping will likely make using DR a once in a while thing.

I have played Dark Armor on all the ATs. With IOs and Incarnates the endurance issue isn't really an issue anymore. That feels more like a hold over from the core game or those wanting to play only with basic IOs or SOs. For example, running all of the DA toggles plus other pool powers (Tough/Weave) can easily push your endurance consumption to 2 end per second in just toggles. Baseline endurance recovery is around 2 end per second. It is also possible to stack on enough toggles to passively drain your endurance to zero... without any enhancements to reduce it. When you start to slot endurance reductions then it gets manageable. With IO's can you lower toggle costs (running multiples) to 1.5 to 1.8. The fewer toggles the lower the end drain. However, your end recovery can go over 3 end per second maybe even into 4 end per second if you slot Physical Perfection + Accolades. Then the passive procs of Performance Shifter and Panacea will generate more end than you can spend in attacks. This really can be a non-issue with proper planning. Also, as Werner said, your primary doesn't matter. Its all about the planning.

Werner · April 17, 2020

7 minutes ago, oldskool said:

Scrappers don't get Superior Conditioning do they? Body Mastery opens up Conserve Power

Oops! Fixed. Thank you.

Werner · April 17, 2020

4 hours ago, oldskool said:

This may make spamming DR and watching its cooldown far more active (and maybe a little stressful at time) than you care for.

Heh, yeah. Sometimes so. When hard pressed, you want to optimize your use of it, so you let your health dwindle to scary levels, and then you're watching your health dwindle again and watching the countdown on the recharge and crossing your fingers it recharges in time. But hey, if you don't die, how can you use Soul Transfer? Kinda worth it. 😉

Edited April 17, 2020 by Werner

nihilii · April 17, 2020

Dark Armor is the Bio Armor of survivability. Make sure you're comfortable with the GFX, because it is way too easy to get stuck in an endless loop of DA alts once you get a taste of sweet, sweet dark goodness.

oldskool · April 17, 2020

Just now, nihilii said:

Dark Armor is the Bio Armor of survivability. Make sure you're comfortable with the GFX, because it is way too easy to get stuck in an endless loop of DA alts once you get a taste of sweet, sweet dark goodness.

Soul Noir is the best thing that happened to this game, period. 😉

WitchofDread · April 18, 2020

So i have tried to come up with 2 different builds - both basically the same though.

I really am not sure which Primary to go with, ultimately id like to handle AV's and possible do the odd S/L farm (not a requirement).

Really not sure if this works for a brute, if there is enough res and def. I have tried it on a scrapper too but really not sure.

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

Level 50 Mutation Brute
Primary Power Set: Titan Weapons
Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
------------
Level 1:   Crushing Blow           KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(3), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), AchHee-ResDeb%(5)
Level 1:   Dark Embrace           StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), UnbGrd-Max HP%(7), UnbGrd-ResDam(7), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(9), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(9)
Level 2:   Death Shroud           Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(11), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(11), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Obl-%Dam(15)
Level 4:   Murky Cloud           RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam(15), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(17)
Level 6:   Build Momentum           RctRtc-ToHit(A), RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(17), GssSynFr--Build%(19)
Level 8:   Follow Through           Hct-Dam%(A), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(21), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Hct-Acc/Rchg(23), TchofDth-Dam%(23)
Level 10:   Obsidian Shield           RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam(25), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(25)
Level 12:   Hover               LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 14:   Fly               BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 16:   Dark Regeneration       Erd-Acc/Rchg(A), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), DctWnd-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(29), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(29), ThfofEss-+End%(31)
Level 18:   Rend Armor           SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(31), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(33), AchHee-ResDeb%(33)
Level 20:   Cloak of Darkness       ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(A), ShlWal-Def(46), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(46), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(46), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(48)
Level 22:   Boxing               Empty(A)
Level 24:   Tough               GldArm-3defTpProc(A)
Level 26:   Whirling Smash           Arm-Dam%(A), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(34), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(34), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Arm-Acc/Rchg(36), FrcFdb-Rechg%(43)
Level 28:   Cloak of Fear           CldSns-Acc/ToHitDeb(A), CldSns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(36), CldSns-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(36), CldSns-ToHitDeb(37), GlmoftheA-Dam%(37)
Level 30:   Weave               LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(48), RedFrt-Def(50), Ksm-ToHit+(50)
Level 32:   Arc of Destruction       SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(37), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury(40)
Level 35:   Hasten               RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(48)
Level 38:   Gloom               Apc-Dam%(A), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Apc-Acc/Rchg(45), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), Apc-Dmg/Rchg(45)
Level 41:   Dark Obliteration       PstBls-Dam%(A), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), PstBls-Acc/Dmg(42), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(42), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(43)
Level 44:   Maneuvers           LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50)
Level 47:   Defensive Sweep           LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49:   Soul Transfer           RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1:   Brawl               Empty(A)
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:   Fury
Level 1:   Sprint               Empty(A)
Level 2:   Rest               Empty(A)
Level 4:   Ninja Run
Level 2:   Swift               Empty(A)
Level 2:   Health               NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(40)
Level 2:   Hurdle               Empty(A)
Level 2:   Stamina               PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(40)
Level 1:   Momentum
Level 50:   Cardiac Core Paragon
------------

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

Level 50 Mutation Brute
Primary Power Set: Radiation Melee
Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
------------
Level 1:   Radioactive Smash       KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(3), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), FrcFdb-Rechg%(5)
Level 1:   Dark Embrace           StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), UnbGrd-Max HP%(7), UnbGrd-ResDam(7), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(9), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(9)
Level 2:   Death Shroud           Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(11), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(11), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Obl-%Dam(15)
Level 4:   Murky Cloud           RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam(15), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(17)
Level 6:   Fusion               RctRtc-ToHit(A), RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(17), GssSynFr--Build%(19)
Level 8:   Radiation Siphon       Hct-Dam%(A), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(21), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Hct-Acc/Rchg(23), AchHee-ResDeb%(23)
Level 10:   Obsidian Shield           RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam(25), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(25)
Level 12:   Hover               LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 14:   Fly               BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 16:   Dark Regeneration       Erd-Acc/Rchg(A), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), DctWnd-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(29), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(29), ThfofEss-+End%(31)
Level 18:   Irradiated Ground       TchofLadG-%Dam(A), Obl-%Dam(31), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Obl-Acc/Rchg(33), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(33), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33)
Level 20:   Cloak of Darkness       ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(A), ShlWal-Def(46), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(46), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(46), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(48)
Level 22:   Boxing               Empty(A)
Level 24:   Tough               GldArm-3defTpProc(A)
Level 26:   Devastating Blow       SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(34), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury(43)
Level 28:   Cloak of Fear           CldSns-Acc/ToHitDeb(A), CldSns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(36), CldSns-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(36), CldSns-ToHitDeb(37), GlmoftheA-Dam%(37)
Level 30:   Weave               LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(48), RedFrt-Def(50), Ksm-ToHit+(50)
Level 32:   Atom Smasher           Arm-Dam%(A), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(37), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(39), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Arm-Acc/Rchg(39), AchHee-ResDeb%(40)
Level 35:   Hasten               RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(48)
Level 38:   Gloom               Apc-Dam%(A), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Apc-Acc/Rchg(45), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), Apc-Dmg/Rchg(45)
Level 41:   Dark Obliteration       PstBls-Dam%(A), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), PstBls-Acc/Dmg(42), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(42), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(43)
Level 44:   Maneuvers           LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50)
Level 47:   Afterburner           LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49:   Soul Transfer           RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1:   Brawl               Empty(A)
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:   Fury
Level 1:   Sprint               Empty(A)
Level 2:   Rest               Empty(A)
Level 4:   Ninja Run
Level 2:   Swift               Empty(A)
Level 2:   Health               NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(40)
Level 2:   Hurdle               Empty(A)
Level 2:   Stamina               PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(40)
Level 50:   Cardiac Core Paragon
------------

And then a scrapper

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

Level 50 Mutation Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Titan Weapons
Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Hero Profile:
------------
Level 1:   Crushing Blow           KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(3), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), AchHee-ResDeb%(5)
Level 1:   Dark Embrace           StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), UnbGrd-Max HP%(7), UnbGrd-ResDam(7), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(9), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(9)
Level 2:   Death Shroud           Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(11), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(11), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Obl-%Dam(15)
Level 4:   Murky Cloud           RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam(15), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(17)
Level 6:   Follow Through           Hct-Dam%(A), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(17), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(19), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), Hct-Acc/Rchg(21), TchofDth-Dam%(21)
Level 8:   Build Momentum           RctRtc-ToHit(A), RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(23), GssSynFr--Build%(23)
Level 10:   Obsidian Shield           RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam(25), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(25)
Level 12:   Hover               LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 14:   Fly               Empty(A)
Level 16:   Dark Regeneration       Erd-Acc/Rchg(A), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), DctWnd-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(29), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(29), ThfofEss-+End%(31)
Level 18:   Rend Armor           SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(31), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(33), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), AchHee-ResDeb%(33)
Level 20:   Cloak of Darkness       ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(A), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(34), ShlWal-Def(34), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(34), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(36)
Level 22:   Hasten               RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(36)
Level 24:   Boxing               Empty(A)
Level 26:   Whirling Smash           Arm-Dam%(A), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(37), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), Arm-Acc/Rchg(37), FrcFdb-Rechg%(39)
Level 28:   Cloak of Fear           GlmoftheA-Dam%(A), CldSns-%Dam(39), CldSns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(39), CldSns-Acc/ToHitDeb(40), CldSns-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(40)
Level 30:   Tough               GldArm-3defTpProc(A)
Level 32:   Arc of Destruction       SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg(A), SprScrStr-Dmg/Rchg(40), SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), SprScrStr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), SprScrStr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), SprScrStr-Rchg/+Crit(43)
Level 35:   Weave               LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def(43), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(43), Ksm-ToHit+(45)
Level 38:   Moonbeam           Apc-Dam%(A), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Apc-Dmg/Rchg(45), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), Apc-Acc/Rchg(46)
Level 41:   Soul Storm           NrnSht-Dam%(A), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(46), GhsWdwEmb-Acc/EndRdx(48), UnbCns-Dam%(48), GldNet-Dam%(50), GldJvl-Dam%(50)
Level 44:   Shadow Meld           LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 47:   Maneuvers           LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49:   Soul Transfer           RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1:   Brawl               Empty(A)
Level 1:   Critical Hit
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               NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(48)
Level 2:   Hurdle               Empty(A)
Level 2:   Stamina               PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(50)
Level 1:   Momentum
Level 50:   Cardiac Core Paragon
------------

Jett5 · February 21, 2021

On 4/18/2020 at 6:37 AM, WitchofDread said:

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.7

https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer

Level 50 Mutation Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Titan Weapons
Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

could you post the mids link to the scrapper one please

Edited February 21, 2021 by Jett5

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