Earth/Fire Dominator Build Help

[Crasical]

So my volcano-shaman Earth/Fire dominator has been creeping through the mid-forties, which is traditionally when I start thinking about an endgame build for them. And I've reached the point where I've been staring at Mids for so long that I'm not sure anything even makes sense anymore, so I figured it was about time to throw it up on the forums to get some more eyes on it. 

 

Some of my thoughts:

• Despite having quicksand on my live build, I probably don't actually need it: Stone Cages does almost as much -def and will also stick a group to the floor. It's gone.
• I've gone back and forth on Incinerate: On one hand, it hits like a truck, on the other hand it's got weirdly little impact (not satisfying to use) and the rest of the set really is encouraging me to stand back and blast instead of closing to melee. Gone, replaced by Kick to get into Tough and Weave later.
• I was mostly building for recharge and ranged defense.
• I went with Teleport because Stone Golem is *blind* and I can use TP Ally to yeet him into enemy spawns to take the alpha. 
• I have no idea how to slot Quicksand, Earthquake, or Volcanic Gasses. Quicksand I've gotten rid of, Earthquake I've seen slotted for -tohit, I've been told 'only slot for recharge', and I've been told it makes a great Force Feedback mule, and Volcanic Gasses I've been told only to use recharge and hold/damage procs (NOT AoE damage procs) in. I have no idea if the Unbreakable Constraint is any good in there. Fiery Orb I've also heard is bad, but I think it's super thematic for my character so It's staying. I don't know if it'll have a single chance to proc on Volcanic activation, or if the geysers that appear all have their own chance to pop out a fiery orb. I hope it's the latter and I hope they appear IN the gas zone; but I'll have to go to the test server and check (if nobody can answer for me).
• Also, Unbreakable Constraint is totally a 'You can't break these cuffs!' meme reference.
• Too many purples? Maybe.
• Softcapped ranged defense is something, yeah?
• There was probably a more intelligent way to use those teleport power slots than just getting BotZ ranged defense over and over again.
• It's not permadom, but the patch powers don't actually benefit from domination, so. Not sure if it's as mission critical here. I did spec out of Rune of Protection, so maybe I'm underestimating how badly mez will screw me up in play without that panic button.
• I have an irrational dislike of Hasten, that's why it's not in this build.
• I kinnd of wanted to swap the Essence of Curare in Fossilize for Devastation: Chance for Hold but I am unsure how good of an idea that is.
• I could probably squeeze in more recharge (at 92.5% now) with more purple sets: 23.75% more at the cost of 7.5% ranged defense. I am unconvinced this is a good trade.

 

Anyway, I welcome thoughts and opinions from more veteran dominators!

 

Villain 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!

Kiluaea: Level 50 Magic Dominator
Primary Power Set: Earth Control
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Assault
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Teleportation
Power Pool: Concealment
Ancillary Pool: Fire Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Fossilize -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(7), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(9), BslGaz-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(21), EssofCrr-Acc/Hold(29)
Level 1: Flares -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(3), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 2: Stone Cages -- SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(A), SprAscoft-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(7), SprAscoft-EndRdx/Rchg(9), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(17), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(31), SprAscoft-Rchg/+Dmg%(46)
Level 4: Kick -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(5), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(19), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), Mk'Bit-Dam%(48)
Level 6: Fire Breath -- PstBls-Acc/Dmg(A), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(15), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(17), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37), PstBls-Dam%(37)
Level 8: Teleport -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel(15)
Level 10: Fire Blast -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(11), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 12: Stalagmites -- AbsAmz-Stun(A), AbsAmz-Stun/Rchg(13), AbsAmz-Acc/Stun/Rchg(13), AbsAmz-Acc/Rchg(31), AbsAmz-EndRdx/Stun(50)
Level 14: Stealth -- LucoftheG-Def(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(23)
Level 16: Embrace of Fire -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Earthquake -- RechRdx-I(A), FrcFdb-Rechg%(19)
Level 20: Teleport Foe -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(21)
Level 22: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(23)
Level 24: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(25)
Level 26: Volcanic Gasses -- UnbCns-Hold/Rchg(A), UnbCns-Acc/Hold/Rchg(27), UnbCns-Acc/Rchg(27), UnbCns-EndRdx/Hold(34), UnbCns-Dam%(50), SprDmnGrs-Rchg/Fiery Orb(50)
Level 28: Consume -- EffAdp-EndMod/Rchg(A), EffAdp-Acc/Rchg(29)
Level 30: Recall Friend -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(31)
Level 32: Animate Stone -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(33), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(33), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(34), ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(34)
Level 35: Fire Ball -- PstBls-Acc/Dmg(A), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(36), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(36), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), PstBls-Dam%(37)
Level 38: Blaze -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(39), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 41: Rain of Fire -- PstBls-Acc/Dmg(A), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(42), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(42), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), PstBls-Dam%(43)
Level 44: Blazing Bolt -- StnoftheM-Acc/Dmg(A), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx(45), StnoftheM-Acc/ActRdx/Rng(45), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45), StnoftheM-Dam%(46)
Level 47: Invisibility -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Rise of the Phoenix -- OvrFrc-Dam/KB(A)
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[Blackmoor]

I have both a 50 Mind/Fire and an 50 Earth/Earth. There's a lot to unpack here.

 

1) The first thing that stands out is "I have an irrational dislike of Hasten, that's why it's not in this build".

 

By far, the single most important thing for a Dominator to build towards is PermaDom. It makes a huge difference to your efficacy and play style. Double slotted Hasten is absolutely essential for getting your recharge high enough to achieve PermaDom. If your dislike is strong enough, you may want to forgo Dominators altogether.

 

Dominators deviate from the standard build philosophy in one major way: Most Dominator builds don't need to chase after softcaping defense. Scrapper Mains get this idea in their head that not chasing the softcap means that you're objectively playing "wrong". But that's the #1 way turn a Dominator into a gimp.  Why? Because, when properly slotted, Dominator primaries *ARE* defensive powersets! You can lock down entire freakin' rooms.  You can turn Elite Bosses, and sometimes even Arch Villains, into statues. For most Doms, softcaping is nice if you can squeeze it in, but don't build around it for the most part.

 

That said, my Earth/Earth is one of the few exceptions to that, due to /Earth being an extremely melee-centric powerset.

 

2) Dominator builds are almost always extremely tight- especially if you want to softcap. Yeeting your golem isn't necessary when you have Stalagmites. 🙂

 

3) You neglected both Health and Stamina.

 

4) You don't need 2 Blessing of the Zephyrs. In fact, dropping Teleport for Fly means you could also take Hover and Afterburner to slot 2 LotG's for 15% more recharge.

[Edit - On second thought, ignore that. Flight is a poor choice for Earth Control because a lot of its powers require you to be on the ground.]

 

5) Personally, I love Incinerate. It does nice damage. YMMV. I couldn't get past that spot in Mids without adding it, so that's why it's there. Crushing Impact has some nice bonuses.

 

6) Flares sucks. 1 Slot it for Accuracy and call it a day.

 

7) Quicksand is worthless. We agree.

 

This is a quick and dirty build, but it does fix a few glaring issues I saw with yours. Other people might have good advice too, especially WRT defensive issues.

 

http://www.cohplanner.com/mids/download.php?uc=1489&c=681&a=1362&f=HEX&dc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

 

 

 

 

Edited November 21, 2020 by Blackmoor

[Blackmoor]

Here's my Earth/Earth build. It might be of help:

 

Villain 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!

Pop Roxx 2020: Level 50 Science Dominator
Primary Power Set: Earth Control
Secondary Power Set: Earth Assault
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Ice Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Fossilize -- UnbCns-Hold/Rchg(A), UnbCns-Acc/Hold/Rchg(3), UnbCns-Acc/Rchg(3), UnbCns-EndRdx/Hold(5), UnbCns-Dam%(5)
Level 1: Stone Spears -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: Stone Mallet -- CrsImp-Acc/Dmg(A), CrsImp-Dmg/EndRdx(11), CrsImp-Dmg/Rchg(13), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15)
Level 4: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 6: Tremor -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(15), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(17), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), Obl-%Dam(43)
Level 8: Super Jump -- Jump-I(A)
Level 10: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(11)
Level 12: Stalagmites -- AbsAmz-ToHitDeb%(A), AbsAmz-Stun/Rchg(19), AbsAmz-Acc/Stun/Rchg(21), AbsAmz-Acc/Rchg(21), AbsAmz-EndRdx/Stun(23)
Level 14: Boxing -- Acc-I(A)
Level 16: Power Up -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Earthquake -- TchofLadG-DefDeb/Rchg(A), TchofLadG-DefDeb/Rchg/EndRdx(36), TchofLadG-Rchg/EndRdx(37), TchofLadG-DefDeb/EndRdx(37), TchofLadG-%Dam(37)
Level 20: Heavy Mallet -- CrsImp-Acc/Dmg(A), CrsImp-Dmg/EndRdx(23), CrsImp-Dmg/Rchg(25), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(27)
Level 22: Tough -- StdPrt-ResKB(A), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(34), StdPrt-ResDam/EndRdx(40)
Level 24: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), Rct-ResDam%(27), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(34), LucoftheG-Def(34), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(36)
Level 26: Volcanic Gasses -- SprAscoft-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(A), SprAscoft-EndRdx/Rchg(31), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(33), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprAscoft-Rchg/+Dmg%(33), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(40)
Level 28: Seismic Smash -- Hct-Dmg(A), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(29), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Hct-Acc/Rchg(31), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(31)
Level 30: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(36)
Level 32: Animate Stone -- SlbAll-Dmg(A), SlbAll-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), SlbAll-Acc/Rchg(48), SlbAll-Dmg/EndRdx(48)
Level 35: Sleet -- PstBls-Acc/Dmg(A), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(43), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(43), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), PstBls-Dam%(46)
Level 38: Fissure -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(39), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(39), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(40)
Level 41: Frozen Armor -- LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(42), LucoftheG-Def(42), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(42)
Level 44: Ice Storm -- PstBls-Acc/Dmg(A), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(45), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(45), PstBls-Dmg/Rng(45), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46)
Level 47: Hoarfrost -- UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(A), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(50), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(50), UnbGrd-Max HP%(50)
Level 49: Hibernate -- Heal-I(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Domination
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 -- Clr-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Heal-I(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(7), Pnc-Heal/+End(7)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(9), EndMod-I(9)
Level 1: Quick Form
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