Dark/Thorn Help please!

[Kazyone]

Although I have played CoH/CoV since launch, I have never found a dominator that I liked, until now.  Darkness/Thorn.  I love characters built around a concept and this has been pure joy.  However I need help while I level him.  What powers are a MUST to take?  What powers are skippable?  Should I get tough and weave?  What are some basic slotting strats while leveling?  (I mostly solo or group in Radio/Missions teams and try to enjoy the ride to 50)    Any help our thoughts would be most welcome!

[oedipus_tex]

I'm no expert on Thorny. It's a set I've just never gotten around to.

 

Big picture, based purely on the DPA, I'd be sure to take Skewer as early as possible and six slot it. It has higher DPA than any other attack from level 2 on. It recharges in 10 seconds and would be the bulk of my attack chain.

 

Ripper is a 7ft radius 90 degree cone, so it can hit multiple targets. 

 

Thorn Burst has a 3.13 second animation--probably on my skip list. Fling Thorns has a slightly better (not great) DPA. Fling Thorns is a 90 degree arc so at least somewhat useful. Being rooted for over 3 seconds on an archetype like Dominators would worry me.

 

I'd take Thorntrops and Build Up on principle. These are your "special" Assault set powers, might as well capitalize on them. 

 

Edited February 19, 2021 by oedipus_tex

[Kazyone]

@oedipus_tex thanks for the reply!  Will follow the advise for thorns!  What do you think about darkness control?  Anything there can be skipped?

[oedipus_tex]

15 minutes ago, Kazyone said:

@oedipus_tex thanks for the reply!  Will follow the advise for thorns!  What do you think about darkness control?  Anything there can be skipped?

 

 

Not ideally other than the single target Immob. Builds can get pretty tight though. The AoE Hold is probably the most skippable power. I'd still try hard not to though. 

[Kazyone]

Ya thats the issue i am having, lovin all the powers LOL