What to put with /EA

[Tacheyon]

While I have about 10 different Controllers I should be leveling up, I started to think on a couple more.  I have been playing a Grav/EA concept hero and it's working out pretty good at the moment.  So my brain started thinking on whether or not EA could be better on Earth or even Fire (the chain heal and absorb shield should keep those buggers alive).  I am curious if someone else has tried it and if it worked as well as my brain thinks, or I am just completely out to lunch.

[TygerDarkstorm]

My avatar there is Polly Shockit, my Elec/EA troller. I know Elec/* is considered kinda low damage compared to some other troller primaries, but it fit my theme and I team a lot, so I'm not too troubled by that as the character has been generally well-liked in teams. My recent SBB group really loved her because with minimal effort (as in, I'm not slotted for sapping), I had the AV's completely drained of end; sure, we still had to take the alpha and some attacks while they got drained, but it kept us from being completely overwhelmed and gave time to patch up. Not that sapping is necessarily my goal with her.

 

Anyway, point being, I find Elec/EA go well together if you're not planning to do a lot of solo work. I love the utility that Polly brings to a team comp, and that between the two sets, I'm not totally struggling with end (/EA can be kind of heavy on your end, and even though it has a power that returns end, you can never be the first person in the chain to get the biggest benefit, and it costs a crapload of end to cast).

[roleki]

So far I've preferred my Dark/EA over my Fire/EA; both are workable, but the Imps have a tendency to split up and go wherever they want, which makes keeping them upright more of a chore than it is on Dark/.  I could see where Elec/EA would be a good combo, as well.  Keep in mind, since EA has Faraday Cage, you can go ahead and get Destiny Ageless when the time comes, and whatever endurance issues you have should go away.

[oedipus_tex]

Dark Control has a lot of synergy with Electric Affinity IMO.

 

Elec/Elec is also good, if you don't mind how "on the nose" it is and the low damage. Gremlins aren't the most reliably pets though.

 

Gravity is another good pairing. What it shares with Dark is a strong sturdy pet you can reliably bounce chains off of. 

Edited September 15, 2020 by oedipus_tex

[TygerDarkstorm]

/EA has the Galvanic Sentinel to bounce your chains off of (MM version is only version that lacks it since they have consistent/reliable pets to bounce chains from). But Dark/EA sounds like an interesting pairing I may have to try out.

[Tacheyon]

Well I'll think I'll go ahead and try Dark/EA.  This is sort of the end build I am thinking of taking.  Amp Up will only be my very last power at 49 since it won't effect my pets, but will be useful in teams.  I will probably start with the T1 Shadowy Binds as well then respec out once I get my Wolf.

 

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 49 Magic Controller
Primary Power Set: Darkness Control
Secondary Power Set: zn_Electrical Affinity
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Teleportation
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dark Grasp -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Shock -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Living Shadows -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Rejuvenating Circuit -- Empty(A)
Level 6: Hasten -- Empty(A)
Level 8: Fearsome Stare -- Empty(A)
Level 10: Energizing Circuit -- Empty(A)
Level 12: Teleport -- Empty(A)
Level 14: Galvanic Sentinel -- Empty(A)
Level 16: Faraday Cage -- Empty(A)
Level 18: Haunt -- Empty(A)
Level 20: Empowering Circuit -- Empty(A)
Level 22: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 24: Tough -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Shadow Field -- Empty(A)
Level 28: Defibrillate -- Empty(A)
Level 30: Recall Friend -- Empty(A)
Level 32: Umbra Beast -- Empty(A)
Level 35: Insulating Circuit -- Empty(A)
Level 38: Charged Armor -- Empty(A)
Level 41: Power Sink -- Empty(A)
Level 44: Ball Lightning -- Empty(A)
Level 47: Summon Guardian -- Empty(A)
Level 49: Amp Up -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(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 -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- Empty(A)
------------

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[oedipus_tex]

21 hours ago, TygerDarkstorm said:

/EA has the Galvanic Sentinel to bounce your chains off of (MM version is only version that lacks it since they have consistent/reliable pets to bounce chains from). But Dark/EA sounds like an interesting pairing I may have to try out.

 

 

It does, but that pet lasts just 60 seconds. I find it useful to have a reliable full time pet so I can use a macro to instantly target it and start firing chains.

[TygerDarkstorm]

1 hour ago, oedipus_tex said:

 

 

It does, but that pet lasts just 60 seconds. I find it useful to have a reliable full time pet so I can use a macro to instantly target it and start firing chains.

While true, not everything is always about the game at the "end." 😛 Or level 32 in this case. While getting there you'll likely need to bounce things off the Galvanic Sentinel and maybe have some sort of bind/macro for resummoning it? Sorry, I'm not so good with that sort of stuff and is definitely where I defer to you all. But I definitely see why, once you get the wolf, you'd want to bounce chains through it first so as not to have to worry about whether or not Sentinel is still summoned.

[oedipus_tex]

47 minutes ago, TygerDarkstorm said:

While true, not everything is always about the game at the "end." 😛 Or level 32 in this case. While getting there you'll likely need to bounce things off the Galvanic Sentinel and maybe have some sort of bind/macro for resummoning it? Sorry, I'm not so good with that sort of stuff and is definitely where I defer to you all. But I definitely see why, once you get the wolf, you'd want to bounce chains through it first so as not to have to worry about whether or not Sentinel is still summoned.

 

At lower levels replacing the Sentinel isn't too difficult. As you continue to level up you'll get more and more clickable powers competing for clicks. That's why a study pet is useful for Electric Affinity. You can pretty much count on the pet always being around to bounce a heal off of when you need it. The Sentinel is harder to keep up full time.

 

Also, keep in mind while you can bounce stuff off the Sentinel, its better to bounce it off something that can benefit from the buffs. Each bounce reduces the strength of the buff. So, if its you, a pet, and the sentinel on a mission, you generally want the power to bounce off the pet first, then hit you. 

Edited September 16, 2020 by oedipus_tex

[TygerDarkstorm]

2 minutes ago, oedipus_tex said:

 

At lower levels replacing the Sentinel isn't too difficult. As you continue to level up you'll get more and more clickable powers competing for clicks. That's why a study pet is useful for Electric Affinity. You can pretty much count on the pet always being around to bounce a heal off of when you need it. The Sentinel is harder to keep up full time.

 

Also, keep in mind while you can bounce stuff off the Sentinel, its better to bounce it off something that can benefit from the buffs. Each bounce reduces the strength of the buff. So, if its you, a pet, and the sentinel on a mission, you generally want the power to bounce off the pet first, then hit you. 

Yeah, I do understand the chaining mechanic, but totally didn't think all the way through about the pet that's going to benefit from the buffs on the controller version, so thank you for that. 🙂 Your point makes a lot of sense thinking about it like that. I mean, I can only assume they added the Sentinel to help give you a way to benefit from your chains while soloing (especially on like, the defender version of the set), but you're right--much like you want to chain on your teammates to help them when possible, chaining through a pet that will actually benefit from the buffs of your chains makes the most sense vs. the Sentinel.

[oedipus_tex]

Just now, TygerDarkstorm said:

Yeah, I do understand the chaining mechanic, but totally didn't think all the way through about the pet that's going to benefit from the buffs on the controller version, so thank you for that. 🙂 Your point makes a lot of sense thinking about it like that. I mean, I can only assume they added the Sentinel to help give you a way to benefit from your chains while soloing (especially on like, the defender version of the set), but you're right--much like you want to chain on your teammates to help them when possible, chaining through a pet that will actually benefit from the buffs of your chains makes the most sense vs. the Sentinel.

 

In addition, the Dark pet has -ToHit that benefits handsomely from the T9 power. His -ToHit is roughly twice as strong when he's under the effects of the power.

[TygerDarkstorm]

Just now, oedipus_tex said:

 

In addition, the Dark pet has -ToHit that benefits handsomely from the T9 power. His -ToHit is roughly twice as strong when he's under the effects of the power.

This conversation with you has me excited to roll a dark/EA, lol. I love my elec/EA as well, but the dark/EA seems like it might be a whole different type of fun and maybe more solo friendly.

[oedipus_tex]

Here's my (unproven) Dark/EA build. I do have a character of this type who is level 46-ish. Haven't actually built this out in game tho to see how this plays.

 

 

 

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.1.25
https://github.com/Crytilis/mids-reborn-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Controller
Primary Power Set: Darkness Control
Secondary Power Set: Electrical Affinity
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Primal Forces Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dark Grasp -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(3), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(3), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(5)
Level 1: Shock -- EndMod-I(A)
Level 2: Living Shadows -- PstBls-Dam%(A), TraoftheH-Dam%(5), CldSns-%Dam(7), Bmbdmt-+FireDmg(7), Bmbdmt-Dam(9), Bmbdmt-Dam/Rech(9)
Level 4: Rejuvenating Circuit -- Heal-I(A)
Level 6: Possess -- CrcPrs-Conf%(A), CrcPrs-Conf/EndRdx(13), CrcPrs-Conf(15), CrcPrs-Conf/Rchg(15), CrcPrs-Acc/Conf/Rchg(17), CrcPrs-Acc/Rchg(17)
Level 8: Fearsome Stare -- CldSns-ToHitDeb(A), CldSns-Acc/ToHitDeb(19), CldSns-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(19), CldSns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(21), CldSns-%Dam(21), CldSns-Acc/Rchg(23)
Level 10: Galvanic Sentinel -- EndMod-I(A)
Level 12: Heart of Darkness -- SprWiloft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(A), SprWiloft-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(23), SprWiloft-EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprWiloft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(25), SprWiloft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(27), SprWiloft-Rchg/Dmg%(27)
Level 14: Energizing Circuit -- EndMod-I(A)
Level 16: Faraday Cage -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(29), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(29), UnbGrd-ResDam(31), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(31)
Level 18: Hover -- ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(31), Rct-ResDam%(34)
Level 20: Empowering Circuit -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 22: Haunt -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(33), ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(33), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(34), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(34)
Level 24: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(46), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50)
Level 26: Shadow Field -- UnbCns-EndRdx/Hold(A), UnbCns-Acc/Rchg(36), UnbCns-Acc/Hold/Rchg(36), UnbCns-Hold/Rchg(36), UnbCns-Hold(37)
Level 28: Defibrillate -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(37)
Level 32: Umbra Beast -- ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(37), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(39), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(39), SlbAll-Build%(39), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(40)
Level 35: Insulating Circuit -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), NmnCnv-Heal(40), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(40), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(42), NmnCnv-EndRdx/Rchg(42), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx(42)
Level 38: Amp Up -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 41: Power Blast -- Apc-Dam%(A), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Apc-Dmg/Rchg(43), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Apc-Acc/Rchg(45)
Level 44: Temp Invulnerability -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), UnbGrd-Max HP%(45), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(45), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(46), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(46)
Level 47: Energy Torrent -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A), PstBls-Acc/Dmg(48), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(48), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(48), PstBls-Dmg/Rng(50), PstBls-Dam%(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 -- 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 -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A), Pnc-Heal/+End(11)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), PrfShf-End%(11), EndMod-I(13)
Level 50: Intuition Radial Paragon 
------------
------------
Set Bonus Totals:

• 18% DamageBuff(Smashing)
• 18% DamageBuff(Lethal)
• 18% DamageBuff(Fire)
• 18% DamageBuff(Cold)
• 18% DamageBuff(Energy)
• 18% DamageBuff(Negative)
• 18% DamageBuff(Toxic)
• 18% DamageBuff(Psionic)
• 12.25% Defense(Melee)
• 9.13% Defense(Smashing)
• 9.13% Defense(Lethal)
• 6% Defense(Fire)
• 6% Defense(Cold)
• 18.81% Defense(Energy)
• 18.81% Defense(Negative)
• 6% Defense(Psionic)
• 27.88% Defense(Ranged)
• 6% Defense(AoE)
• 2.25% Max End
• 39% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 5% Enhancement(Max EnduranceDiscount)
• 87.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 5% Enhancement(Range)
• 8% Enhancement(Confused)
• 6% Enhancement(Heal)
• 4% Enhancement(Stunned)
• 4% Enhancement(Held)
• 4.4% Enhancement(Terrorized)
• 8% Enhancement(Immobilized)
• 8% Enhancement(Sleep)
• 7.5% SpeedFlying
• 137.3 HP (13.5%) HitPoints
• 7.5% JumpHeight
• 7.5% SpeedJumping
• MezResist(Confused) 40%
• MezResist(Held) 40%
• MezResist(Immobilized) 40%
• MezResist(Sleep) 40%
• MezResist(Stunned) 40%
• MezResist(Terrorized) 40%
• MezResist(Teleport) 100% (20% chance)
• 12.5% (0.21 End/sec) Recovery
• 48% (2.03 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 24% Resistance(Smashing)
• 24% Resistance(Lethal)
• 26.25% Resistance(Fire)
• 26.25% Resistance(Cold)
• 27.75% Resistance(Energy)
• 27.75% Resistance(Negative)
• 18% Resistance(Toxic)
• 18% Resistance(Psionic)
• 7.5% SpeedRunning
  

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[oedipus_tex]

One other synergy I forgot to mention between Dark and Electric: both sets benefit a lot from Power Boost. Power Boost increases the -ToHit in Dark and most of the heals, absorb, end mod, etc in Electric. So thats another reason I consider them a good pairing.