Grav Dark chat and advice request

[Snarky]

I have not "seriously" did any Dom since live.  Even then I would run a grav/Nrg for a few months every year or so at 50, then break it for parts.  (so expensive on live)  I have run a few up to 30-40s but have not 50d one on Homecoming.

 

After looking at my design parameters I came up with Grav Dark.  !) Fully Ranged.  2) Team friendly 3) Perma Dom 4) High Ranged Defense

 

For Primaries that led me to Grav, Psi, and possibly Elec.  For Secondaries that seemed to leave Dark, Elec and Energy.  I love a Grav / Nrg, and have an old robot concept I run with it.  But the KB.  And, when you get right down to it every power in Energy Secondary is a basic carbon copy of the power again.  Fun.  But, at super high recharge...? Meh.  

 

I built out a Grav/Nrg in Mids.  It was okay.  Then I looked at Dark.  No Knockback.  An AoE, a heal, and to hit debuffs.  Also, a rarer damage type.  I run a Dark/Dark Brute and a few Dark/Invul Tanks/Brutes.  I love me some Dark.

 

The build came together well.  In fact, the real problem was tracking I was not going past the 5 limit on set bonuses.  I had options!

 

Please give me advice, as this rusty old Dom needs all the help I can get.  I ran him through a Posi 1 & 2.  Was about to form a Synapse when a farm started.  Just rolled past 46 as I type lol.  I needed to bop over to the Darkside for Ghost Widows love.  Then will probably run as Rogue.  i would love to keep him as a Villain, for concept and Alignment power.  But I am hoping this will be my TF guy for a while.  All levels, just bounding through the game on PUGs like I love.

 

I am horrid at attack chains, and very rusty on Dom in general.  I got the basics.  But probably not much beyond that.  Any advice is appreciated.

 

I did manage perma dom, perma hasten, +92% Accuracy, and +39% Damage.

 

No idea what Incarnate powers to steer towards.  I would prefer a priority of 1) more mez, 2) more damage, 3) end issue solving, def, etc.  the mechanics of end and def I can manage with inspirations.  In my mind chasing the big focus of the AT with Incarnates is my priority.  Is that the right way to look at it?

 

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!

Snarkon: Level 50 Magic Dominator
Primary Power Set: Gravity Control
Secondary Power Set: Dark Assault
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Concealment
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Crush -- SprDmnGrs-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(A), SprDmnGrs-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(3), SprDmnGrs-EndRdx/Rchg(3), SprDmnGrs-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(5), SprDmnGrs-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprDmnGrs-Rchg/Fiery Orb(7)
Level 1: Dark Blast -- Dcm-Acc/Dmg(A), Dcm-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Dcm-Dmg/Rchg(9), Dcm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Dcm-Build%(11)
Level 2: Lift -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(13), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15)
Level 4: Gravity Distortion -- UnbCns-Hold(A), UnbCns-Hold/Rchg(17), UnbCns-Acc/Hold/Rchg(17), UnbCns-EndRdx/Hold(19), UnbCns-Dam%(19)
Level 6: Propel -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(21), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(21), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25)
Level 8: Crushing Field -- GrvAnc-Immob(A), GrvAnc-Immob/Rchg(25), GrvAnc-Acc/Immob/Rchg(27), GrvAnc-Immob/EndRdx(27), GrvAnc-Hold%(29)
Level 10: Night Fall -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(29), Artl-Dam/Rech(31), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(31), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(31), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(33)
Level 12: Gloom -- Apc-Dmg(A), Apc-Dmg/Rchg(33), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(34), Apc-Dam%(34)
Level 14: Fly -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(34)
Level 16: Gather Shadows -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(36)
Level 18: Gravity Distortion Field -- SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(A), SprAscoft-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(36), SprAscoft-EndRdx/Rchg(37), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(37), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SprAscoft-Rchg/+Dmg%(39)
Level 20: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(36)
Level 22: Hover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 24: Stealth -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 26: Wormhole -- AbsAmz-Stun(A), AbsAmz-Stun/Rchg(39), AbsAmz-Acc/Stun/Rchg(39), AbsAmz-EndRdx/Stun(40), AbsAmz-ToHitDeb%(40)
Level 28: Life Drain -- Dcm-Acc/Dmg(A), Dcm-Dmg/EndRdx(40), Dcm-Dmg/Rchg(42), Dcm-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Dcm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42)
Level 30: Invisibility -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 32: Singularity -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(43), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(43), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(45), ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(45)
Level 35: Moon Beam -- StnoftheM-Acc/Dmg(A), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx(45), StnoftheM-Dmg/ActRdx/Rchg(46), StnoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), StnoftheM-Dam%(46)
Level 38: Phase Shift -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 41: Dark Embrace -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(48)
Level 44: Dark Obliteration -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(48), Artl-Dam/Rech(48), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(50), Artl-Acc/Rech/Rng(50), Artl-End/Rech/Rng(50)
Level 47: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Afterburner -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Domination 
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 -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A)
------------

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[oedipus_tex]

So, how attached are you to specifically running this character as a Dominator?

 

Grav/Dark Assault is playable and I would never tell a person not to run a character they find fun. However, in order to avoid you being disappointed later, I want to point out that Dark Assault trades away a lot of its damage for a weak combo attack/heal in Drain Life. With a different Dominator primary, this wouldn't be a huge tradeoff, because any source of healing is rare for a Dominator, so they should pounce on it when its available. For those primaries, Dark Assault is a not great but not bad choice. But for Gravity specifically, there are already high damage powers in the primary Control set. The equivalent Gravity Controller would still dish lots of damage but be far better at survival and providing support.  

 

I don't mean to make it sound like a Gravity Controller will perfectly match the Dominator in DPS. But the Controller will be close enough that the huge disadvantage of trading away the benefits of a Buff/Debuff set will be evident. A Controller secondary like Dark, Electric Affinity, Storm, Poison, Trick Arrow, or Kinetics will provide much better survival and almost as much (in some cases more) damage and control. Gravity/Storm and Gravity/Dark specifically can even match the Dominator's ability to Stun bosses, altho it takes two powers to do it instead of one (on the other hand, unless you're a permadom, those Controllers have better handling of bosses than you do).

 

I don't want to totally put you off rolling a Grav/Dark Dominator if you're set on it. There are some advantages for the Dominator. The Controller can't pick a minion off in one shot with a Snipe, and the Controller has to find mezz protection somewhere if the Buff set doesn't offer it. But Controllers have better everything than Dominators: Healing, Defense, Resistance, even Lift and Propel do more damage because of Containment. Run the character you want, but it's not too late to evaluate other options.

[Snarky]

Definitely food for thought.  Thank you.  Well stated as well.  I love Doms, I grew up on Redside lol.  But I do see your points.  This bug you planted in my brain may lead me down the road to controllers in the near future.  

[oedipus_tex]

Someone who's better at the math may be able to prove me wrong, but so far the only Grav Dominator combo I've been able to come up with that is fairly competitive with a Controller build is a late game IOed Grav/Psi. That's because the buff in Drain Psyche on perma-dom is strong enough and recharges fast enough to compete with heals available to a Controller. Drain Psyche is a heal that is preemptive versus most Controller heals which are reactive, so it kinda works. 

 

Some Gravity Controller builds are frankly scary. Lift with Containment and Impact does comically huge damage, more than most T3 Dominator blasts and even some melee attacks, and its available from Level 1. It recharges in 6 seconds, animates in 1.18 seconds, and has a 100% chance for knockup that an enemy needs around Mag 13 protection against to avoid. Controllers get access to -Resist and +Damage in sets like Storm, Poison, and Kinetics to make it even more devastating. I haven't seen anyone run pylon tests on it, I doubt its outperforming most Scrappers or Stalkers, but wouldn't be surprised if Gravity Controllers equal or out damage most Dominators in single target.

 

[Plutoria]

 

Force feed back procs, P2W vendor buffs and incarnate get your recharge to a comfortable spot.  Defense Amp P2W buff gets you to soft cap in range and melee plus 7%-ish resists across the board. If soft cap in defense isn't a big deal then I would suggest putting KB to KD IO in wormhole as an alternative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dominator - GravControl - Dark Assault.mxd

Edited January 10, 2021 by Plutoria

[Snarky]

bumped thid up because i have restarted a new toon at level 1 to solo some Redside arcs.  

 

one major question i have is on a Grav Dark is not taking Crush a good idea.  It looks like it is easily skippable.

 

I have not truly set up the build yet, but these are the powers I want.  For thematic reasons.  I really want Phase Shift as well.  And maybe a half dozen other utility powers lol.  But, having to pick these would be my priority.  Before I start trying to figure how to Perma it can someone tell me if the power choices themselves are bonkers, or maybe okay?

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!

Level 49 Magic Dominator
Primary Power Set: Gravity Control
Secondary Power Set: Dark Assault
Power Pool: Concealment
Power Pool: Sorcery
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Lift -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Dark Blast -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Gravity Distortion -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Gloom -- Empty(A)
Level 6: Propel -- Empty(A)
Level 8: Crushing Field -- Empty(A)
Level 10: Night Fall -- Empty(A)
Level 12: Dimension Shift -- Empty(A)
Level 14: Stealth -- Empty(A)
Level 16: Gather Shadows -- Empty(A)
Level 18: Gravity Distortion Field -- Empty(A)
Level 20: Engulfing Darkness -- Empty(A)
Level 22: Invisibility -- Empty(A)
Level 24: Mystic Flight -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Wormhole -- Empty(A)
Level 28: Life Drain -- Empty(A)
Level 30: Hasten -- Empty(A)
Level 32: Singularity -- Empty(A)
Level 35: Moon Beam -- Empty(A)
Level 38: Dark Consumption -- Empty(A)
Level 41: Dark Embrace -- Empty(A)
Level 44: Dark Obliteration -- Empty(A)
Level 47: Soul Drain -- Empty(A)
Level 49: Phase Shift -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Domination 
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 -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- Empty(A)

Edited January 26, 2021 by Snarky

[Toxurion]

On 1/10/2021 at 4:47 PM, oedipus_tex said:

Someone who's better at the math may be able to prove me wrong, but so far the only Grav Dominator combo I've been able to come up with that is fairly competitive with a Controller build is a late game IOed Grav/Psi. That's because the buff in Drain Psyche on perma-dom is strong enough and recharges fast enough to compete with heals available to a Controller. Drain Psyche is a heal that is preemptive versus most Controller heals which are reactive, so it kinda works. 

 

Some Gravity Controller builds are frankly scary. Lift with Containment and Impact does comically huge damage, more than most T3 Dominator blasts and even some melee attacks, and its available from Level 1. It recharges in 6 seconds, animates in 1.18 seconds, and has a 100% chance for knockup that an enemy needs around Mag 13 protection against to avoid. Controllers get access to -Resist and +Damage in sets like Storm, Poison, and Kinetics to make it even more devastating. I haven't seen anyone run pylon tests on it, I doubt its outperforming most Scrappers or Stalkers, but wouldn't be surprised if Gravity Controllers equal or out damage most Dominators in single target.

 

 

After playing Grav/Energy Dom and Grav/Storm Troller at 50 and fully built, I definitely see what you are getting at here. My Dom focuses on the AoE hold and Wormhole where as my Troller uses Lift. Propel, Crushing Field and Singularity. It's kinda neat how the same set gets used differently for my playstyles. 

 

I think a big take-away with Grav on Doms is how much you LOVE wormhole. I wish they'd speed up the cast time on it though. 

 

Unfortunately I dont have much to add as far as Dark assault goes as I haven't had much success trying it, but I would like to point out that with Energy Assault all of your KB is single target which has never been an issue when teaming for me. Also I don't know how much mids is changed to match Homecoming, as the set has been changed drastically.

[Snarky]

I have run Energy Blast at 50 back on live about as much as I ran any squishy.  I learned to play some pool and "kill what you KB" 

 

THis character devolves a bit away from my normal powergamer "what is strongest" requirement.  That is part of the fun of running it.

 

I will be soloing a lot on this squishy.  I almost always (99.8%?) team on a squishy.  (except for things like opening ouro, vanguard, and patron arc.)  

 

I have run a Grav Dom back on live.  Last week I speed levelled this combo and did a few TFs.  But now I want a slow 1-50 journey and dig into the best uses of Grav.  I will be running a true villain and will have the villain alignment power to help patch non perma-dom.  

 

Getting accurate and artful with wormhole and dimension shift will be a part of the goal here.  Hopefully fun too.  I run a LOT of dark tanks (and a fun incarnated Dark/Psi Blaster) so Dark and Soul are comfort sets for me.  That also really fill out my villain dance card.

 

But yeah, as much as this is a journey into exploring the evilest Redside story arcs it is a dive into soloing on the Grav powerset.