help with Poison/DP

[Dzuh]

Hey all,

I'm a huge fan of DP and someone over on the blaster thread said that I could get a lot of -DMG with this combo, which sounds like a lot of fun. I'm brand new and know very very little about Enhancements n stuff so if anyone could direct me to any resources I'd appreciate it greatly! That being said, here's what I came up with in the hero designer with no experience. All help is greatly appreciated. Cheers!

 

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[Nemu]

Start here to learn about poison power and slotting slotting suggestions.

 

 

The combination of poison and dual pistols wants you to play right next to mobs once you get Venomous Gas. You will want to be prepared to play in melee range, you will need sufficient defenses on top of your debuffs to survive. Range defense is the most important, that helps against nasty attacks outside of your debuff zone that can mez you. Melee defense is less important because you have debuffs from Venomous Gas and possibly Envenom and Weaken working for you in melee range.

 

If you want to stack -dmg then you will be using chemical rounds, and when you use chem rounds your attacks change properties, all the attacks lose knockback (but can still be slotted with knockback IOs like force feedback and they still trigger the proc), Suppressive Fire turns into a hold, and Piercing Rounds loses the -RES debuff. This makes suppressive fire a good proc monster (but hold that thought) candidate but I find little value in piercing rounds due to it's animation speed.

 

If you want to learn about proc monsters and what that means start here, I would note that you shouldn't apply this practice to every power you try to slot. You need to balance survival and offense and sustain. Typically in a build there is one or 2 powers that you can heavily proc as proc monsters, beyond that you start sacrificing other aspects of your build in most cases.

 

 

Back onto power selection, for this particular playstyle I find cone powers to be cumbersome, empty clips and neurotoxic breath all require repositioning in some matter in the heat of combat, and I don't think the effects/benefits they offer are worth keeping them and going through the motions for. I don't like piercing rounds due to it's longish animation, and since it loses the -RES effect using chemical rounds it loses even more appeal. The only reason you'd want to keep it is as a mule for set bonuses. You have access to two holds between poison and dual pistols, Suppressive fire makes a better proc monster due to recharge. If you wanted to stack holds to hold bosses that might be a reason to take both, but hold that thought for now because there are holds in epic pools too.

 

Which brings me to epic pools. You have a few choices, Scorpion shield for added defense, it's a common pick. Dark mastery for perma-soul drain, that's another common pick for damage oriented builds. I went mind mastery. Dominate is a hold that does damage and is a very good proc monster candidate, it has a resist shield to let you take a few hits assuming you built for defense, and world of confusion takes the confuse purple set which provides very useful set bonuses. Because Dominate is a hold proc monster that hits hard it can replace the holds in DP and poison. The damage ceiling going with mind mastery is not as high as going with dark mastery and getting perma-soul drain, but I feel it's more consistent damage compared to those times when you can't pull off fully saturated soul drains like for example against hard single targets like AVs or GMs.

[Dzuh]

48 minutes ago, Nemu said:

Post

Thank you so so much for all the great info!!! Really means a lot to me. Excited to get my Poi/DP build going!!

[Onlyasandwich]

I love my poison/DP! Great combo choice.

 

My build is a little silly in the lengths to which I go to mule out S/L. You may have more success with a ranged defense focus as Nemu said. 

 

This fellow plays very smoothly and dishes out plenty of damage. Speed of Sound is a concept choice - you may be better off with combat teleport or something else entirely if you prefer.

 

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!

Cowboy Baby MK2: Level 50 Technology Defender
Primary Power Set: Poison
Secondary Power Set: Dual Pistols
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Experimentation
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Dark Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Envenom -- AchHee-ResDeb%(A), HO:Lyso(48)
Level 1: Pistols -- SprVglAss-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), SprVglAss-Dmg/Rchg(5), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5)
Level 2: Weaken -- SphIns-ToHitDeb(A), SphIns-Acc/ToHitDeb(3), SphIns-Acc/Rchg(7), SphIns-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(9), SphIns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(9)
Level 4: Empty Clips -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A), Bmbdmt-+FireDmg(11), PstBls-Dam%(11), TchofLadG-%Dam(13), ImpSwf-Dam%(17), PstBls-Acc/Dmg(50)
Level 6: Combat Jumping -- ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(7)
Level 8: Speed of Sound -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 10: Swap Ammo 
Level 12: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(13)
Level 14: Boxing -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(15), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(15), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17)
Level 16: Bullet Rain -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A), Bmbdmt-+FireDmg(45), PstBls-Dam%(45), ExpStr-Dam%(46), ImpSwf-Dam%(46), PstBls-Acc/Dmg(50)
Level 18: Tough -- UnbGrd-Max HP%(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(19), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(19), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(37)
Level 20: Suppressive Fire -- Apc-Acc/Rchg(A), Dcm-Build%(21), NrnSht-Dam%(21), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(33), Apc-Dam%(33), GldJvl-Dam%(33)
Level 22: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(23), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(23), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(25)
Level 24: Kick -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(25), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(27), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27)
Level 26: Poison Trap -- Arm-Acc/Rchg(A), Obl-%Dam(29), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(29), Erd-%Dam(31), Arm-Dam%(31), UnbCns-Dam%(31)
Level 28: Executioner's Shot -- SprVglAss-Rchg/+Absorb(A), GldJvl-Dam%(36), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg(37), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37), SprDfnBst-Rchg/Heal%(40), TchofLadG-%Dam(43)
Level 30: Jump Kick -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(34), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(34), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 32: Venomous Gas -- HY:AntiP(A)
Level 35: Dark Consumption -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 38: Hail of Bullets -- FuroftheG-ResDeb%(A), Obl-%Dam(39), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Arm-Dmg(39), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Erd-%Dam(40)
Level 41: Dark Embrace -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(42), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(42), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 44: Soul Drain -- Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Obl-%Dam(45), Obl-Dmg(46), Obl-Acc/Rchg(48), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(48), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(50)
Level 47: Antidote -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A)
Level 49: Elixir of Life -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(36), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36)
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 1: Vigilance 
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Prv-Absorb%(43)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 10: Chemical Ammunition 
Level 10: Cryo Ammunition 
Level 10: Incendiary Ammunition 
Level 50: Clarion Partial Core Invocation 
Level 50: Support Radial Embodiment 
Level 50: Musculature Radial Paragon 
Level 10: Shadow Recall -- Empty(A)
------------

 

[Linea]

Heavily Armored Version ... Adjust levels etc to taste.

 

Spoiler

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 Defender
Primary Power Set: Poison
Secondary Power Set: Dual Pistols
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Sorcery
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Alkaloid -- Prv-Heal/EndRdx(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg(3), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(3)
Level 1: Pistols -- SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBst-Dmg/Rchg(5), SprDfnBst-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(7), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), SprDfnBst-Rchg/Heal%(9)
Level 2: Envenom -- AnlWkn-Acc/Rchg/EndRdx(A), ShlBrk-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(9), TchofLadG-Rchg/EndRdx(11)
Level 4: Empty Clips -- SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg(A), SprVglAss-Dmg/Rchg(15), SprVglAss-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), SprVglAss-Rchg/+Absorb(19)
Level 6: Weaken -- SphIns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(A), CldSns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(21), DarWtcDsp-Rchg/EndRdx(21)
Level 8: Boxing -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(23), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(25), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(27)
Level 10: Maneuvers -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(27), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(29), Ksm-ToHit+(29), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(31), Rct-ResDam%(31)
Level 12: Swap Ammo
Level 14: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(31), TtnCtn-ResDam(33), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx(33)
Level 16: Bullet Rain -- SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg(A), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx(33), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(34), SprFrzBls-Rchg/ImmobProc(36)
Level 18: Paralytic Poison -- SprEnt-Acc/Hold(A), SprEnt-Hold/Rchg(36), SprEnt-End/Rchg(36), SprEnt-Acc/Hold/End(37), SprEnt-Acc/Hold/End/Rchg(37), Lck-%Hold(37)
Level 20: Suppressive Fire -- UnbCns-Hold/Rchg(A), UnbCns-Acc/Hold/Rchg(39), UnbCns-Acc/Rchg(39), UnbCns-EndRdx/Hold(39), UnbCns-Dam%(40), Lck-%Hold(40)
Level 22: Weave -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(40), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(42)
Level 24: Mystic Flight -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 26: Spirit Ward -- Prv-Absorb%(A)
Level 28: Executioner's Shot -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(42), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(43), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(43)
Level 30: Rune of Protection -- UnbGrd-Max HP%(A), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(48), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(48), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 32: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 35: Scorpion Shield -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(45), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(45)
Level 38: Hail of Bullets -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(45), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(48)
Level 41: Tactics -- GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 44: Vengeance -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 47: Antidote -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Elixir of Life -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(A)
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 1: Vigilance
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(11), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(13)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(13), EffAdp-EndMod(15)
Level 22: Chemical Ammunition
Level 22: Cryo Ammunition
Level 22: Incendiary Ammunition
Level 1: Quick Form
------------

 

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Poison DP - Beta - [i25].mxd

[Frosticus]

I've never really given DP a fair shake, but I am pretty familiar with Poison.

I'd probably proc the attacks as much as I could as that seems to be one of the main selling points of DP.

 

Use the P2W amplifier that gives mez protection and make sure you have the defender ATO procs in good powers so they go off frequently. The absorb and heal go a long way to keeping your rolling.

Entomb proc in a hold is pretty great too. You shouldn't need aidself.

 

I built my poison/fire for solid resistances, with low defense and made sure to build in good mez protection (rune, melee hybrid). It has had no issues taking down most AVs/GMs and quite a few TFs solo no insp/temps/lore. 

[plainguy]

just reworked one of the builds.

 

With the endurance bonuses from health IOs you should be fine endurance wise..

 

Venomous Gas hit debuff will put you over all the defense caps.. 

 

Hail of bullets isn't going to get much recharge on it.. 
You could puck up Burnout for vengeance

 

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 Magic Defender
Primary Power Set: Poison
Secondary Power Set: Dual Pistols
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Alkaloid -- Prv-Heal/EndRdx(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg(3), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(3)
Level 1: Pistols -- SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBst-Dmg/Rchg(5), SprDfnBst-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(7), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), SprDfnBst-Rchg/Heal%(9)
Level 2: Envenom -- AnlWkn-Acc/Rchg/EndRdx(A), ShlBrk-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(9), TchofLadG-Rchg/EndRdx(11)
Level 4: Empty Clips -- SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg(A), SprVglAss-Dmg/Rchg(15), SprVglAss-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), SprVglAss-Rchg/+Absorb(19)
Level 6: Weaken -- SphIns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(A), CldSns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(21), DarWtcDsp-Rchg/EndRdx(21)
Level 8: Boxing -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(23), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(25), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(27)
Level 10: Maneuvers -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(27), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(29), Ksm-ToHit+(29), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(31), Rct-ResDam%(31)
Level 12: Swap Ammo 
Level 14: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(31), TtnCtn-ResDam(33), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx(33)
Level 16: Bullet Rain -- SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg(A), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx(33), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(34), SprFrzBls-Rchg/ImmobProc(36)
Level 18: Paralytic Poison -- SprEnt-Acc/Hold(A), SprEnt-Hold/Rchg(36), SprEnt-End/Rchg(36), SprEnt-Acc/Hold/End(37), SprEnt-Acc/Hold/End/Rchg(37), Lck-%Hold(37)
Level 20: Suppressive Fire -- UnbCns-Hold/Rchg(A), UnbCns-Acc/Hold/Rchg(39), UnbCns-Acc/Rchg(39), UnbCns-EndRdx/Hold(39), UnbCns-Dam%(40), Lck-%Hold(40)
Level 22: Weave -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(40), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(42)
Level 24: Super Speed -- Clr-Stlth(A)
Level 26: Poison Trap -- Lck-%Hold(A)
Level 28: Executioner's Shot -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(42), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(43), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(43)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 32: Venomous Gas -- DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb(A), DarWtcDsp-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(48), DarWtcDsp-Slow%(48), DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(50)
Level 35: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(45), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(45)
Level 38: Hail of Bullets -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(45), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(48)
Level 41: Tactics -- GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(A), EndRdx-I(50)
Level 44: Vengeance -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 47: Antidote -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Elixir of Life -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(A)
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 1: Vigilance 
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(11), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(13)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(13), EffAdp-EndMod(15)
Level 22: Chemical Ammunition 
Level 22: Cryo Ammunition 
Level 22: Incendiary Ammunition 
Level 1: Quick Form 
------------

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[Nemu]

I see most people went mace mastery for the S/L defense because the combo is melee oriented. I'll offer mine as counterpoint:

 

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!

Harmless Panda: Level 50 Science Defender
Primary Power Set: Poison
Secondary Power Set: Dual Pistols
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Psychic Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Envenom -- AchHee-ResDeb%(A), ShlBrk-%Dam(5), TchofLadG-%Dam(40), Acc-I(46)
Level 1: Pistols -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(34), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(34)
Level 2: Weaken -- CldSns-ToHitDeb(A), CldSns-Acc/ToHitDeb(3), CldSns-Acc/Rchg(3), CldSns-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(5), CldSns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(7), CldSns-%Dam(13)
Level 4: Super Speed -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(45)
Level 6: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Ksm-ToHit+(7), WntGif-ResSlow(43), LucoftheG-Def(46)
Level 8: Alkaloid -- Pnc-Heal/EndRedux(A), Pnc-EndRdx/Rchg(9), Pnc-Heal/Rchg(9), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux/Rchg(11), Pnc-Heal(11)
Level 10: Swap Ammo
Level 12: Antidote -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 14: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(15)
Level 16: Bullet Rain -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg(17), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprVglAss-Rchg/+Absorb(19), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(19), Ann-ResDeb%(23)
Level 18: Boxing -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(45), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(50)
Level 20: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-Def(21), Rct-Def/EndRdx(21), Rct-ResDam%(23)
Level 22: Tough -- HO:Ribo(A)
Level 24: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(25), ShlWal-Def(25), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(27)
Level 26: Poison Trap -- Arm-Dam%(A), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(27), Obl-%Dam(33), Erd-%Dam(33), ScrDrv-Dam%(33), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(34)
Level 28: Executioner's Shot -- SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBst-Dmg/Rchg(29), SprDfnBst-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), SprDfnBst-Rchg/Heal%(31)
Level 30: Tactics -- HO:Cyto(A)
Level 32: Venomous Gas -- HO:Enzym(A)
Level 35: Dominate -- UnbCns-Dam%(A), Apc-Dam%(36), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(36), GldNet-Dam%(36), GldJvl-Dam%(37), HO:Nucle(37)
Level 38: Hail of Bullets -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A), SprVglAss-Dmg/Rchg(39), SprVglAss-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40)
Level 41: Mind Over Body -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(42), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(42), UnbGrd-Max HP%(42)
Level 44: Elixir of Life -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A)
Level 47: World of Confusion -- CrcPrs-Conf(A), CrcPrs-Conf/Rchg(48), CrcPrs-Acc/Conf/Rchg(48), CrcPrs-Acc/Rchg(48), CrcPrs-Conf/EndRdx(50), CrcPrs-Conf%(50)
Level 49: Vengeance -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
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 1: Vigilance
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(37), Mrc-Rcvry+(43)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(46)
Level 10: Chemical Ammunition
Level 10: Cryo Ammunition
Level 10: Incendiary Ammunition
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon
------------

 

I don't think high melee or S/L defense is all that paramount for this combo because things in melee range will be debuffed a lot. Ranged defense is far more important  because it's the things outside the debuff zone that you need to worry about. While the build is not at the ranged softcap it's worked well without me investing into that number any further. However if you wanted to, a few slot changes can bring you up to the ranged softcap.

 

I chose psy mastery because of dominate. It's a proc monster that really brings up your ST damage. Having a resist shield also allows me to hard cap my S/L resists so that the damage I take is further reduced after the -DMG debuffs are applied. People poo on world of confusion but it's the most efficient way to get high recharge and high range defense bonuses and with all the debuffs in melee, this with the contagious confusion proc provides yet another layer of mitigation. Does it make a meaningful contribution to survival? probably not, but it's fun to see when the confuse does happen. I planned 2 interface picks, the -dam one, and the confuse one. The latter pick is just for fun.

 

The other resist based epic pool is darkness mastery for perma soul drain. I considered it, decided against it because as appealing as that sounds where the build is most lacking is in ST damage. The value of perma-soul drain falls off against single hard targets and I prefer to have a procced out dominate dealing 300+ damage consistently than a 8%-24% global damage buff off a non-saturated soul drain.

 

[Onlyasandwich]

2 hours ago, Nemu said:

I don't think high melee or S/L defense is all that paramount

I have to agree with Nemu on this one. Even my build above, which is still a little shy of softcap S/L, is more survivable than most of my other Defenders because of its strong resists.

 

I do see Psy epic as less valuable in /DP, as you already have a procabble hold in your secondary. The real draw here would be the set bonuses in WoC. 

 

Dark epic is really nice here given that Poison already wants to live in Melee.

 

[Nemu]

I think the other reason I took Psy instead of Dark is power pick/slot economy. To get soul drain you have to invest 3 powers picks into that pool, and if you were to fit in suppressive fire you could drop vengeance from my build. On top of that you will lose a fair bit of range defense and recharge due to not having coercive and lotg anymore and you have to make up for range def loss in other ways.

 

Soul Drain also changes how you play the game and shifts the focus to finding/creating opportunities for saturated soul drain. I don't think that's the right focus for a poison defender but inevitably that becomes the focus once you get soul drain. I'm a simple man, I have a fire/elec blaster. If I want damage I'll play that instead and not waste time with setup.

[Onlyasandwich]

I think both approaches are fine. I agree that the set bonuses allowed by WoC make Psy epic a more balanced and perhaps optimal defensive choice.

 

I don't find that Soul Drain affects my playstyle on Poison/DP too much. I open in melee anyhow because of HoB - just one more button to push.

 

Power economy isn't a big problem in Poison/, as the primary isn't very demanding in this regard.