What are the pros and cons of Dark/Ice tank

[Washuchan]

I was just wondering what is the pros and cons of a dark/ice tank for overall gameplay and that includes pve, fighting av's, fighting gms, soloing, teaming and maybe some farming both fire and sl. I was going to ask what would be a better power to take at lvl 35 parton or epic. I was looking at Mu, but Ice and Dark look nice to. I have never used this power set together before and on paper it sounds fun, but I would like to get input from ppl who've used this power set before or something close to it.  I do have a build and on paper it looks nice and I picked mu just for a test build.

 

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.7
https://github.com/Crytilis/mids-reborn-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Science Tanker
Primary Power Set: Dark Armor
Secondary Power Set: Ice Melee
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(7), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(9), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(9)
Level 1: Frozen Fists -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(3), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(7)
Level 2: Murky Cloud -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(15), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(17), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(17)
Level 4: Ice Sword -- SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(11), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(15)
Level 6: Super Speed -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 8: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(48)
Level 10: Dark Regeneration -- Pnc-Heal/EndRedux(A), Pnc-Heal/Rchg(23), Pnc-EndRdx/Rchg(25), Pnc-Heal(25), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux/Rchg(27), ThfofEss-+End%(50)
Level 12: Cloak of Darkness -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(29), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(29), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 14: Obsidian Shield -- Ags-ResDam(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(31), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Ags-Psi/Status(33)
Level 16: Death Shroud -- Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Mlt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(33), Mlt-Dmg/EndRdx(34)
Level 18: Combat Jumping -- Krm-ResKB(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(21), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(27), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(48)
Level 20: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 22: Frost -- Acc-I(A)
Level 24: Build Up -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 26: Ice Patch -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 28: Kick -- Acc-I(A)
Level 30: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(34), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(34), UnbGrd-Max HP%(36)
Level 32: Weave -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/Rchg(36), Rct-EndRdx/Rchg(36), Rct-Def/EndRdx(37), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Rct-ResDam%(37)
Level 35: Freezing Touch -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(40), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(40)
Level 38: Frozen Aura -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(40), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(43)
Level 41: Electrifying Fences -- SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg(A), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx(45), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(45), SprFrzBls-Rchg/ImmobProc(45)
Level 44: Ball Lightning -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(46), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(46), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(48)
Level 47: Taunt -- PrfZng-Dam%(A)
Level 49: Soul Transfer -- Heal-I(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
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 -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Prv-Absorb%(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(19), Pnc-Heal/+End(19)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(21), EndMod-I(23)
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[Sovera]

There are no cons I can think of other than Ice Melee not being super strong in terms of damage. But it's not terribad either (just avoid greater ice sword IMO 😄). Frost is a bit annoying in how it is a cone which is never very good for melee, but it is a -wide- cone so you can use Hover (or jump) and turn it an PbAoE by stint of aiming it down.

 

Ice Patch is a great skill for a breather though you'll grown out of it by the 30s as your defenses solidify and soon realize you don't need it.... UNTIL YOU SUDDENLY DO! Being a one slot wonder there is zero reason not to grab it though. 90% of the time you won't need it, and then the last 10% you'll enjoy the breathing space the flopping provides.

 

 

Your build seems solid but could do with refining.

 

- You're chasing S/L resistance bonuses in Death Shroud despite already being overcapped by 8% with a single ATO stack (each stack is 6.7% and goes up to three stacks, but two stacks are the most reliable).

- You don't have Frost slotted. Ow. It's your bread and butter AoE skill, man.

- Freezing Touch is your hardest hitting skill bar none, and it can take -two- purple procs. You need to pamper it, not turn it into a mule. You basically open with this and everything else is a filler until it's back up. With the new slotting Mids shows it going from 369 to 494.

- I tried not to touch your power choices too much but consider that Frozen Aura recharging in 6.5 seconds and Frost in 3.5 seconds you should be well off in the AoE without needing to dip into MU. You could go for Energy instead. You could also trade SS or SJ (or Taunt, blasphemy!) for Assault.

- I just picked Musculature for the Alpha but you do you. You might want Ageless for your Destiny for endurance though I would prefer Barrier myself (finish softcaping S/L defense to 45%, another 5% resists also gives wiggle room, and in the end I just find Barrier a good panic button when things go sour) and just work the endurance woes with the core build (and P2W Recovery Serums if need be, they only cost 10k a charge).

 

 

The build could do with better tweaks still but I'm off to lunch:

 

- Freezing Touch is not the best place for the ATO proc since if you exemplar down too much that you can't use FT then you won't get use from it. But using a Kinetic Combat would be making FT a disservice.

- More energy resists could be found.

- There are still too much S/L resists.

 

Spoiler

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.7.2.10
https://github.com/Crytilis/mids-reborn-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Science Tanker
Primary Power Set: Dark Armor
Secondary Power Set: Ice Melee
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(3), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(3), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(5)
Level 1: Frozen Fists -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(5), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(7), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(9)
Level 2: Murky Cloud -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(9), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(11), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 4: Ice Sword -- SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(19), TchofDth-Dam%(21)
Level 6: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 8: Frost -- SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(A), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Ann-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Ann-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Ann-ResDeb%(37)
Level 10: Dark Regeneration -- Pnc-Heal/EndRedux(A), Pnc-Heal/+End(23), Pnc-EndRdx/Rchg(23), Pnc-Heal(25), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux/Rchg(25), ThfofEss-+End%(27)
Level 12: Death Shroud -- SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(31), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33)
Level 14: Obsidian Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(29), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(31), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(31)
Level 16: Build Up -- AdjTrg-ToHit/Rchg(A), AdjTrg-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(37), AdjTrg-Rchg(37), GssSynFr--Build%(39)
Level 18: Combat Jumping -- Rct-ResDam%(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(34), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(34), Ksm-ToHit+(34)
Level 20: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(36)
Level 22: Ice Patch -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 24: Cloak of Darkness -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(27), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(29)
Level 26: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50)
Level 28: Kick -- Acc-I(A)
Level 30: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(39), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(39), UnbGrd-Max HP%(40)
Level 32: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(40)
Level 35: Freezing Touch -- SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(A), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Hct-Dam%(42), UnbCns-Dam%(43)
Level 38: Frozen Aura -- SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(A), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(45)
Level 41: Electrifying Fences -- Bmbdmt-Dam(A), Bmbdmt-Acc/Rech/End(45), Bmbdmt-Dam/Rech(46), Bmbdmt-Acc/Dam/Rech(46), Bmbdmt-Acc/Dam/Rech/End(46), Bmbdmt-+FireDmg(48)
Level 44: Ball Lightning -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(48), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(50), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(50)
Level 47: Super Speed -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 49: Taunt -- PrfZng-Dam%(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
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 -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Prv-Absorb%(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(13), Mrc-Rcvry+(13)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- SynSck-EndMod(A), SynSck-EndMod/+RunSpeed(15), SynSck-EndMod/Rech(15)
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
Level 50: Musculature Core Paragon
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Edited August 10, 2020 by Sovera

[Heraclea]

Control, control, control!  I would work in Cloak of Fear, and plan on the Control hybrid.  possibly replacing Soul Transfer.  Not sure where giving all those slots to pool powers gets you.   I would move at least a couple of them to your single target attacks and add a bit more defense on top of your native defense, by slotting a few Kinetic Combats. 

 

I had a dark/ice tank on old live that I built as a melee controller.  Good times, that.