Doctor Solomon... Help?

[Ultimo]

So, I have a character I'm struggling with.  Dr. Solomon is a sorceror (based loosely on Dr. Strange).  I made him a Controller, Illusion and Time Manipulation, supported by Sorcery and Teleportation.  I'm having issues enjoying him, though.  The problem seems to be the Time powers, but I thought I'd post a build to see what you all think.  This is the plan for the moment...

 

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.1
https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Dr. Solomon: Level 50 Magic Controller
Primary Power Set: Illusion Control
Secondary Power Set: Time Manipulation
Power Pool: Sorcery
Power Pool: Teleportation
Ancillary Pool: Psionic Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Spectral Wounds -- EndRdx(A), Acc(5), Dmg(5), Dmg(7), Dmg(7)
Level 1: Time Crawl -- EndRdx(A), Acc(9)
Level 2: Deceive -- EndRdx(A), Acc(9)
Level 4: Mystic Flight -- EndRdx(A), EndRdx(11), EndRdx(11)
Level 6: Arcane Bolt -- EndRdx(A), Acc(13), Dmg(13), Dmg(15), Dmg(15)
Level 8: Superior Invisibility -- EndRdx(A), DefBuff(17), DefBuff(17), DefBuff(19)
Level 10: Temporal Mending -- EndRdx(A), Heal(19), Heal(21), Heal(21)
Level 12: Time's Juncture -- EndRdx(A), ToHitDeb(23), ToHitDeb(23), ToHitDeb(25)
Level 14: Teleport Foe -- EndRdx(A), Acc(25)
Level 16: Distortion Field -- EndRdx(A)
Level 18: Phantom Army -- EndRdx(A), Acc(27), Dmg(27), Dmg(29), Dmg(33)
Level 20: Flash -- EndRdx(A), Acc(29), Hold(31), Hold(31), Hold(31)
Level 22: Time Stop -- EndRdx(A), Acc(33), Hold(50), Hold(50), Hold(50)
Level 24: Enflame -- EndRdx(A), Dmg(34), Dmg(34), Dmg(34)
Level 26: Rune of Protection -- EndRdx(A), ResDam(33), ResDam(36), ResDam(36)
Level 28: Farsight -- EndRdx(A), DefBuff(36), DefBuff(37), DefBuff(37)
Level 30: Spectral Terror -- EndRdx(A), Acc(39)
Level 32: Phantasm -- EndRdx(A), Acc(39), Dmg(40), Dmg(40), Dmg(40)
Level 35: Recall Friend -- RechRdx(A)
Level 38: Mental Blast -- EndRdx(A), Acc(42), Dmg(42), Dmg(42), Dmg(43)
Level 41: World of Confusion -- EndRdx(A), Acc(43), Dmg(43), Dmg(45), Dmg(45)
Level 44: Psionic Tornado -- EndRdx(A), Acc(45), Dmg(46), Dmg(46), Dmg(46)
Level 47: Mind Over Body -- EndRdx(A), ResDam(48), ResDam(48), ResDam(48)
Level 49: Chrono Shift -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc(A)
Level 1: Containment
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 -- Jump(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Heal(A), Heal(37), Heal(39)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod(A), EndMod(3), EndMod(3)
------------

 

I know, I left out Blind because of the animation.  Also, I mainly solo, so I didn't bother with Group Invisibility.  Is there anything I should be considering?  What do you think of the build.  Would you use these power sets?  This Archetype?

 

Any thoughts are appreciated.

[Siderous]

In my opinion, to truly enjoy an Illusion controller you have to have permanent Phantom Army.  Illusion/ Time is a nice pairing, I play one and as long as I am Johnny on the spot with keeping the time buffs up then I can solo 54/x8 missions all day long.  I prefer 53/8 because I think it is faster and just as fun.  Time is a great team set too, boosting teamates +recovery +def +tohit and is pretty good at debuffing too.  I leverage the holds in both sets with Procs to add damage, as well as the a few procs in slow response.  Spectral terror is great for -tohit make sure you are using often. 

 

To get all that though you have to spend some money on sets.  My build isn't a super expensive one, but it does cost a good chunk of inf.  Look over this build and tailor as needed, it suits me well, though I need to remove the font proc from spectral terror because it doesn't work well there.  It is perma hasten, farsight, PA, and Chrono shift.  Using power boost before farsight caps all defenses and +tohit.

 

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!

Sarrith: Level 50 Magic Controller
Primary Power Set: Illusion Control
Secondary Power Set: Time Manipulation
Power Pool: Sorcery
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Primal Forces Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Blind -- Lck-Acc/Hold(A), Lck-%Hold(50), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(50), NrnSht-Dam%(50), GldJvl-Dam%(50), Acc(50)
Level 1: Time Crawl -- ImpSwf-Acc/Slow(A)
Level 2: Temporal Mending -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(50), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(50), Prv-Heal/Rchg(50), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(50), Prv-Absorb%(50)
Level 4: Time's Juncture -- DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb/Rchg(A), DarWtcDsp-Rchg/EndRdx(50), DarWtcDsp-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(50), DarWtcDsp-Slow%(50)
Level 6: Flash -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(50), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(50), BslGaz-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(50)
Level 8: Deceive -- SprWiloft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(A), SprWiloft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(50), SprWiloft-EndRdx/Rchg(50), SprWiloft-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(50), SprWiloft-Rchg/Dmg%(50)
Level 10: Superior Invisibility -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50)
Level 12: Mystic Flight -- Srn-EndRdx(A)
Level 14: Group Invisibility -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 16: Distortion Field -- Lck-%Hold(A), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(50), NrnSht-Dam%(50), ImpSwf-Dam%(50), GldNet-Dam%(50), UnbCns-Dam%(50)
Level 18: Phantom Army -- CaltoArm-Acc/Rchg(A), CaltoArm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(50), CaltoArm-Acc/Dmg(50), CaltoArm-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(50), SlbAll-Build%(50), SlbAll-Dmg/Rchg(50)
Level 20: Time Stop -- Lck-Acc/Hold(A), Lck-%Hold(50), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(50), NrnSht-Dam%(50), GldNet-Dam%(50)
Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 24: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(50), RedFrt-Def/Rchg(50), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg(50), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50), RedFrt-Def(50)
Level 26: Spectral Terror -- DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb/Rchg(A), DarWtcDsp-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(50), DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(50), DarWtcDsp-Rchg/EndRdx(50), SprOvrPrs-Rchg/Energy Font(50)
Level 28: Farsight -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(50), RedFrt-Def/Rchg(50), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg(50), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50), RedFrt-Def(50)
Level 30: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 32: Phantasm -- CaltoArm-Acc/Rchg(A), CaltoArm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(50), CaltoArm-Acc/Dmg(50), CaltoArm-Dmg/EndRdx(50), SuddAcc--KB/+KD(50)
Level 35: Vengeance -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 38: Chrono Shift -- DctWnd-Heal/Rchg(A), DctWnd-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(50), Mrc-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(50), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(50), PrfShf-EndMod(50), PrfShf-EndMod/Rchg(50)
Level 41: Slowed Response -- ShlBrk-Acc/Rchg(A), ShlBrk-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(50), ShlBrk-%Dam(50), TchofLadG-%Dam(50), AchHee-ResDeb%(50)
Level 44: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 47: Temp Invulnerability -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(50)
Level 49: Power Boost -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Containment 
Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Clr-Stlth(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Run-I(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+(50), Mrc-Rcvry+(50)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(50)
------------

 

[Doomguide2005]

On 8/25/2020 at 11:32 PM, Ultimo said:

So, I have a character I'm struggling with.  Dr. Solomon is a sorceror (based loosely on Dr. Strange).  I made him a Controller, Illusion and Time Manipulation, supported by Sorcery and Teleportation.  I'm having issues enjoying him, though.  The problem seems to be the Time powers, but I thought I'd post a build to see what you all think.  This is the plan for the moment...

 

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.1
https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Dr. Solomon: Level 50 Magic Controller
Primary Power Set: Illusion Control
Secondary Power Set: Time Manipulation
Power Pool: Sorcery
Power Pool: Teleportation
Ancillary Pool: Psionic Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Spectral Wounds -- EndRdx(A), Acc(5), Dmg(5), Dmg(7), Dmg(7)
Level 1: Time Crawl -- EndRdx(A), Acc(9)
Level 2: Deceive -- EndRdx(A), Acc(9)
Level 4: Mystic Flight -- EndRdx(A), EndRdx(11), EndRdx(11)
Level 6: Arcane Bolt -- EndRdx(A), Acc(13), Dmg(13), Dmg(15), Dmg(15)
Level 8: Superior Invisibility -- EndRdx(A), DefBuff(17), DefBuff(17), DefBuff(19)
Level 10: Temporal Mending -- EndRdx(A), Heal(19), Heal(21), Heal(21)
Level 12: Time's Juncture -- EndRdx(A), ToHitDeb(23), ToHitDeb(23), ToHitDeb(25)
Level 14: Teleport Foe -- EndRdx(A), Acc(25)
Level 16: Distortion Field -- EndRdx(A)
Level 18: Phantom Army -- EndRdx(A), Acc(27), Dmg(27), Dmg(29), Dmg(33)
Level 20: Flash -- EndRdx(A), Acc(29), Hold(31), Hold(31), Hold(31)
Level 22: Time Stop -- EndRdx(A), Acc(33), Hold(50), Hold(50), Hold(50)
Level 24: Enflame -- EndRdx(A), Dmg(34), Dmg(34), Dmg(34)
Level 26: Rune of Protection -- EndRdx(A), ResDam(33), ResDam(36), ResDam(36)
Level 28: Farsight -- EndRdx(A), DefBuff(36), DefBuff(37), DefBuff(37)
Level 30: Spectral Terror -- EndRdx(A), Acc(39)
Level 32: Phantasm -- EndRdx(A), Acc(39), Dmg(40), Dmg(40), Dmg(40)
Level 35: Recall Friend -- RechRdx(A)
Level 38: Mental Blast -- EndRdx(A), Acc(42), Dmg(42), Dmg(42), Dmg(43)
Level 41: World of Confusion -- EndRdx(A), Acc(43), Dmg(43), Dmg(45), Dmg(45)
Level 44: Psionic Tornado -- EndRdx(A), Acc(45), Dmg(46), Dmg(46), Dmg(46)
Level 47: Mind Over Body -- EndRdx(A), ResDam(48), ResDam(48), ResDam(48)
Level 49: Chrono Shift -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc(A)
Level 1: Containment
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 -- Jump(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Heal(A), Heal(37), Heal(39)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod(A), EndMod(3), EndMod(3)
------------

 

I know, I left out Blind because of the animation.  Also, I mainly solo, so I didn't bother with Group Invisibility.  Is there anything I should be considering?  What do you think of the build.  Would you use these power sets?  This Archetype?

 

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Are you using lvl 50 IOs in the build above?  Are you at all interested in using sets or even special/unique IO's?  Incarnates?  What more specifically seems to be the issue and what makes you wonder or think Time might be involved.

Edited August 29, 2020 by Doomguide2005

[Ultimo]

On 8/29/2020 at 6:11 PM, Doomguide2005 said:

Are you using lvl 50 IOs in the build above?  Are you at all interested in using sets or even special/unique IO's?  Incarnates?  What more specifically seems to be the issue and what makes you wonder or think Time might be involved.

For the purposes of the build, I've only used SOs.  I'll probably start tinkering with sets, but they're SO ridiculously expensive and time consuming, I doubt I'll be doing much with them, or even IOs.

[Ultimo]

So... it's been a while, and I've recreated this character a couple of times now.  I mentioned I had made him Illusion/Time, but I've been finding he relies a LOT on Improved Invisibility.  I mean, it's handy, but it just doesn't quite feel in character, as he's based on Dr. Strange/Fate, and they aren't really stealthy types, at least not all the time.  Plus, I find I'm not using most of the Illusion powers, and the ones I do use are... often underwhelming.  Spectral Wounds, for example, takes so long to recycle that it wears off before the enemy can take enough damage to be defeated... and then suddenly he heals, making fights take 2-3 times as long as they need to.

 

So, I've been trying a couple of other sets.  Back on Live, he was actually Gravity/Empathy, so I thought I'd recreate him as Grav/Time.  It's... pretty decent.  I'm not entirely sold on Propel, as it leaves a lot of annoying debris all over the place.  I also miss Confuse.

 

Then I recreated him using Electric control/Time... and it's not bad.  Both Grav and Electric have actual CONTROLS, while Illusion lacks them in a bad way... which chops Illusion's damage in half, because the Controller inherent rarely comes into play.  Moreover, it leaves Illusion with precious little defense, as Controllers defend themselves by controlling their enemies.

 

In any case, I'm mixing in Sorcery, and I like using Teleport Foe, so... what do you all think of the Grav/Time and Elec/Time combos?

[oedipus_tex]

6 hours ago, Ultimo said:

So... it's been a while, and I've recreated this character a couple of times now.  I mentioned I had made him Illusion/Time, but I've been finding he relies a LOT on Improved Invisibility.  I mean, it's handy, but it just doesn't quite feel in character, as he's based on Dr. Strange/Fate, and they aren't really stealthy types, at least not all the time.  Plus, I find I'm not using most of the Illusion powers, and the ones I do use are... often underwhelming.  Spectral Wounds, for example, takes so long to recycle that it wears off before the enemy can take enough damage to be defeated... and then suddenly he heals, making fights take 2-3 times as long as they need to.

 

So, I've been trying a couple of other sets.  Back on Live, he was actually Gravity/Empathy, so I thought I'd recreate him as Grav/Time.  It's... pretty decent.  I'm not entirely sold on Propel, as it leaves a lot of annoying debris all over the place.  I also miss Confuse.

 

Then I recreated him using Electric control/Time... and it's not bad.  Both Grav and Electric have actual CONTROLS, while Illusion lacks them in a bad way... which chops Illusion's damage in half, because the Controller inherent rarely comes into play.  Moreover, it leaves Illusion with precious little defense, as Controllers defend themselves by controlling their enemies.

 

In any case, I'm mixing in Sorcery, and I like using Teleport Foe, so... what do you all think of the Grav/Time and Elec/Time combos?

 

 

It sounds like what you're looking for is a Mind Control Dominator.

[Ultimo]

13 hours ago, oedipus_tex said:

 

 

It sounds like what you're looking for is a Mind Control Dominator.

Got one of those... it doesn't feel very Sorcerous, if you know what I mean.  The effects for Time are good, I like them pretty well...  My preference for effects is Gravity, but I'm not sold on its performance.  I kind of like Electric, it's got some good AOE early on, and decent damage output... but I've not got very far into it... and the effects are kind of... well, not very Sorcerous, either.  Illusion is ok... but I find it relies a LOT on Phantom Army, and its other effects are underwhelming.  I'm just not quite able to decide which set I prefer.

 

There's good in each and bad in each, and I was kind of hoping for some thoughts from the community about the strengths and weaknesses of each set.

[Without_Pause]

On 10/3/2020 at 1:48 AM, Ultimo said:

Spectral Wounds, for example, takes so long to recycle that it wears off before the enemy can take enough damage to be defeated... and then suddenly he heals, making fights take 2-3 times as long as they need to.

O.o. Slot it up for damage and the heal factor is small. The heal aspect certainly doesn't make fights 2-3 times longer. I've soloed +4 on common IOs and pre-50.

[Ultimo]

5 hours ago, Without_Pause said:

O.o. Slot it up for damage and the heal factor is small. The heal aspect certainly doesn't make fights 2-3 times longer. I've soloed +4 on common IOs and pre-50.

Ya, he's lower level, so I have no damage slots in it.

 

I've kind of gone back to Grav/Time for now... but I'm certainly not deleting anything.  I think I've given up on the Electric/Time version.  it's ok... but the sound effects are annoying me, so I just won't enjoy it.

[ninja surprise]

On 10/2/2020 at 11:48 PM, Ultimo said:

Spectral Wounds, for example, takes so long to recycle that it wears off before the enemy can take enough damage to be defeated... and then suddenly he heals, making fights take 2-3 times as long as they need to.

You need Blind to set up containment so that Spectral Wounds and Arcane Bolt will do double damage. I believe the Time ST hold sets containment too, then all three attacks will do double damage and defeats come quicker.

If you're still below level 22 on all these, life will suck regardless. I know you're going cheap but you can get level 25 recipes for dam/rech pretty cheap and definitely cheaper than replacing SOs every few levels. That'll be critical to getting your attacks back faster so you can defeat things. 

Also, Mystic Flight doesn't need 3 end redux, 1 is fine. If you want to fight while flying just take Hover and toggle back and forth.

 

Or heck, re-roll as a Time/Energy (or /fire/psi/dark) Defender or a Dominator with sorcerous looking powers.

Edited October 19, 2020 by ninja surprise