Please help me learn to be a better support player.

[queequeg77]

I've found, for whatever reason, since coming back to the game after 12+ years off, that I enjoy teaming far more than I did before. Problem is, anytime I step away from the old comfortable scrapper/blaster/stalker type ATs, I'm just not very good.

 

For example, I've got a Rad/Kin corruptor up to 30, feels like the blast set is useless. Truly putrid damage, though granted I'm only running common IOs. Scourge seems to hardly ever kick in, and anytime it does, in a full team, the enemy is going to be dead in moments anyway. Aside from spamming speed boost, I feel useless on a team. Forget about soloing, I quit two rooms into the first mission I tried yesterday.

 

My Ill/Dark controller, also 30ish, feels like it's just firing off Phantom Army and Tar Patch then waiting for them to recharge, while tickling the enemies with Blind and Spectral Wounds. This one solos much better, but it isn't particularly satisfying to just watch decoys do all the real work.

 

So I figure, let's lean all the way into support. Go for a defender, support first, blast later. What tips do you have as far as being a good support player in general?

 

And do you have any suggested powerset combos where I'll feel like I'm actually contributing? (No sonic blast, please, the sonic sound effects are easily the worst part of the game, and I'm including that one Council map room, you know the one.)

 

Thanks in advance!

[Parabola]

Try thermal. Good mixture of buffs, heals and debuffs. It can bring something to any team and is active and engaging to play. Blast set is largely up to you, if sonic is out then dark has decent debuffs and utility.

[Dahkness]

You don’t have fulcrum at 30 for your kin. Of course the dmg will feel meh. What I enjoy from defenders/Corrs is that you need to rely on your Debuffs or Fulcrum Shift to notice your dmg. This AT is a gem once you get through the early lvls and onto your incarnate powers.
 

Also check out Dark Mastery! It’s the best imo. It makes you feel like a scrapper/blaster. It’s why I still haven’t made a kin yet. Put a chance for build up in aim and also having soul drain you’ll really notice a hike in your dmg.

 

I haven’t touched controllers since live so I can’t be of any help there! 

Edited May 8, 2021 by Dahkness

[Two Dollar Bill]

Support can take a lot of forms. A Soldier of Archnos can give everyone on the team +20% defense and +30% damage just by staying close to them while fighting. It doesn't feel like you're playing a support character, but those buffs make a difference.

 

I've played a few Corruptors and I have to say that Scourge is kinda trash. If you actively try to seek out near-dead targets, some DPS character will kill them before you can unload, or you overkill them and waste your damage. The only time it really feels useful is against giant monsters, arch-villains and things that can spend a lot of time in that almost-dead health range. I much prefer Defenders.

 

I do like support characters that can use targeted heals because you really get the feeling that you're making a difference when you see a teammate's health bar refill. Even my mostly-Human Peacebringer has 6-slotted Glowing Touch so he can be the team empath in a pinch. On the other hand, a lot of teams just don't need healing these days, so you definitely need to have other powers that are fun.

 

My favorite support character is an Illusion/Pain Controller with Sorcery. This setup provides you with a comprehensive toolbox of varied support powers to fine-tune the performance of your team, even if your own DPS is... not so good. You throw out Phantom Army and/or Spectral Terror and let them do their thing, then you look at what the team needs. You can magnify the damage of DPS characters with your buffs, neutralize specific targets with Confuse or Hold, and your multiple heals mean that you can keep multiple damage-prone teammates in the fight. If the situation is especially dire you can play this character with zero aggro by staying invisible, attacking with confuse, and just healing and buffing non-stop. The freedom from aggro allows you to use Share Pain as much as you have to for truly epic feats of healing. This character isn't amazing solo, but you can stealth right to the end of many missions and those damage buffs can make your Phantasm pretty mean.

 

Edited May 8, 2021 by Two Dollar Bill

[Bastille Boy]

Dahkness is right about your rad/kin. You need to play the character to level 38 and get Fulcrum Shift before it will start to feel strong. Also, radiation blast will be stronger after you've added some procs. It's not the best blast set if you want to run an SO-only build or if you want your IO build to use only straight sets.

 

Support toons are going to feel lackluster on radio / newspaper teams that are steamrolling everything. Support toons are more valuable on more challenging content, such as missions with archvillains.

 

Suggestions on powersets (based on what I've played):

• Time: Effective on teams (with two big PBAoE buffs) and arguably the best support set for soloing. The defense boost you get from Farsight gives you a lot of build flexibility.
• Thermal: Arguably the best of the "healing" sets. The +resistance buffs and the T8/T9 debuffs make this set valuable even on teams with min-maxed builds. This is a very "clicky" set; you won't be able to focus on your blast set as much. Not a solo-friendly set. I find the "dark fire" visuals much better than the default.
• Nature: A strong buff set with proactive alternatives to healing (+absorb, +regen, heal over time). Because the PBAoE +res and +dam buffs affect the player, this is more solo-friendly than Thermal. It is also less "clicky," enabling you to focus more on your blast set. It lacks the ability to mez-proof teammates.

There are several top-tier sets I haven't played to high levels (including Cold, Dark, Kinetics, and Storm). I won't comment on them. I think Pain and Empathy are both underrated, but I think Time, Thermal, and Nature are better fits for what you want.

 

For blast sets, my favorites for defender other than Sonic are Water (if you want to focus on AoE) and Beam (if you want to focus on single-target). I have not played Dark Blast to 50, but it's been fun at lower levels. I consider Ice and Fire corruptor sets.

[Olly]

I'd +1 the comments that say you should wait a while for your toons to mature to at least L40 before you permanently trash them. Keep in mind a lot of people will run task forces and such with level 50 and/or fully spec'd out characters and ofc your toon at true level and common IO's will look plain jane. 

 

Secondly, w.r.t. to Scourge, I play it as a "death blow" mechanic. Most blasters will pop their Tier 9 powers and won't one-shot mobs. Toss an aoe damage dealer and with scourge, the remaining adds should be toast.

 

Lastly, I run a fire/cold corr atm, and apparently kins get all the love because of awesome sauce transfusion --- no one ever comments how I'm stacking three -res debuffs and a -def or sometimes 2x -def on mobs making everything melt that much faster. Such is the life of a support toon. 

 

+1 for time (+defense to your team) and thermal (good mix of debuffs, buffs, and heal) reco's; I have both on a defender and controller respectively. Cold is nice, but god the end drain and also lack of team heals + buffs might make your teammates sad. Little do they know you're brutally debuffing to their benefit...

 

 

[Ankhammon]

Getting directly to your question: It can take a different mindset to learn to play your support set well. 

 

All of the sets are legitimate, even the ones you see from players as bad have moments of glory. The test for you is learning in what way they stand out and how that can be leveraged for the team. 

For instance, your Rad/Kin corrupter has a lot going for it earlier than Fulcrum Shift (yes, FS's all that and a bag of chips when you get it).

All of your Rad blast powers have a -Def affect which will stack making sure that all your teammates hit the target. This increases the damage per second of the whole team. What you will realize is that these powers may be low damage but they will allow the rest of the team to hit if you can attack first. So your job with your blast set is to hit em asap so everyone else on your team is only missing maybe 5% of the time instead of like 15% of the time. The trick is when to attack so you don't draw the aggro. Right behind the tank/brute is your default position. 

For the Kin, you are increasing team recharge speeds and general speed, damage for your team, providing mez resistance and heals and endurance. That increases the team kill time by at least another 15%. 

So you are might be adding 25% to the kill speed of the team and that is your what you do. 

NOTE: this is pre fulcrum shift. After, you can expect something closer to 100% increase in kill speeds... maybe more cuz I'm making up all those numbers based on experience but not number crunching. 

 

For every support type combo you run, you will need to go through this kind of thought process. Once you understand the things you bring to the table you will understand what you can get away with and where you should be in the attack order and when/how to buff the party. 

 

OH and glory? yeah, that's the blaster or tank or brutes job. you just make everything work better and provide the grease for all those squeaky wheels (Heal me, Buff me, Love me...). 

 

You are the Defender and no one can hear you gloat... but you should. 🙂 

[queequeg77]

Thank you all for your feedback. I think it is a matter of changing my perspective a little. I'm not stuck on being flashy and having other players say, "Wow!" as I'm not a particularly good player in general.  It was just shocking for me that the Corruptor AT has such terrible damage, especially compared to the very low damage Controller. But I suppose I was not using my secondary to its full potential.

 

I'm going to stick it out on the Rad/Kin at least through Fulcrum Shift to see if my attitude changes at all.

 

In the meantime, since I am a relentless altoholic, I've started up a Time/Dark defender, and about to start a Thermal/Water.

Thanks again!

[Sir Myshkin]

I want to toss out there that you kind of have to play Kinetics like a self-buffing blast set that happens to filter into other players more than it is a "support" set. Transfusion and Transference are both really strong abilities, and Speed Boost is often a godsend power in early levels for a lot of players, but as you've experienced that tends to brick wall your feeling of usefulness pretty quick. That feeling... it didn't go away for me and I now have a Kin shelved indefinitely, I just don't find it fun being the "Fulcrum Shift" player on teams that don't really tend to even need that kind of a buff anyway.

 

My advice for you would be to reverse your approach to the Kinetic aspect and focus on the damage aspect of your Corruptor and you'll find that the natural occurrence of your other abilities will trickle impact appropriately. Building with that in mind, especially with how little slotting Kinetics uses, gives you a prime chance to really pack slots in each attack and carry a decent selection of both AoE and ST abilities.

 

Example (flip for a Corr):

Spoiler

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.4.7
https://github.com/Reborn-Team/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Defender
Primary Power Set: Kinetics
Secondary Power Set: Radiation Blast
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Transfusion -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(3), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(3), Prv-Heal/Rchg(5), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(5), Prv-Absorb%(7)
Level 1: Neutrino Bolt -- Empty(A), Empty(23), Empty(46), Empty(48), Empty(48), Empty(50)
Level 2: X-Ray Beam -- Empty(A), Empty(7), Empty(9), Empty(9), Empty(11), Empty(11)
Level 4: Irradiate -- Empty(A), Empty(13), Empty(13), Empty(17), Empty(31), Empty(31)
Level 6: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 8: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), HO:Cyto(34), HO:Cyto(34)
Level 10: Siphon Speed -- Acc-I(A), EndRdx-I(25)
Level 12: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 14: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-ResDam(15), GldArm-End/Res(15), GldArm-3defTpProc(17)
Level 16: Proton Volley -- Empty(A), Empty(21), Empty(21), Empty(23), Empty(27), Empty(27)
Level 18: Weave -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(19), Rct-EndRdx/Rchg(19), Rct-Def/Rchg(29), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(29), Rct-ResDam%(31)
Level 20: Tactics -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(34), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(37), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(37), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(37), GssSynFr--Build%(40)
Level 22: Aim -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 24: Siphon Power -- Acc-I(A), EndRdx-I(25)
Level 26: Transference -- Acc-I(A), EndMod-I(50)
Level 28: Speed Boost -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 30: Increase Density -- StdPrt-ResKB(A)
Level 32: Fulcrum Shift -- Acc-I(A), Acc-I(33), EndRdx-I(33), RechRdx-I(33)
Level 35: Neutron Bomb -- Empty(A), Empty(36), Empty(36), Empty(36), Empty(39)
Level 38: Atomic Blast -- Empty(A), Empty(39), Empty(39), Empty(40), Empty(40)
Level 41: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(42), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(42), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(42), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(43), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(43)
Level 44: Cosmic Burst -- Empty(A), Empty(45), Empty(45), Empty(45), Empty(50)
Level 47: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(48)
Level 49: Super Speed -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Vigilance
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(43), Mrc-Rcvry+(46)
Level 2: Stamina -- PwrTrns-EndMod(A), PwrTrns-+Heal(46)
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 4: Ninja Run
Level 50: Musculature Radial Paragon
Level 50: Preemptive Core Flawless Interface
Level 49: Quick Form
------------

 

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Beyond that, in your Alt-journey, if you find you're not satisfying your itch for a proper "support" character, then come back and take a swing at this:

Spoiler

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.4.7
https://github.com/Reborn-Team/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Mad King Special: Level 50 Magic Defender
Primary Power Set: Nature Affinity
Secondary Power Set: Energy Blast
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Force of Will
Ancillary Pool: Psychic Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Corrosive Enzymes -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Power Bolt -- SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), SprVglAss-Dmg/Rchg(17), SprVglAss-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19)
Level 2: Power Blast -- SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg(A), GldJvl-Dam%(3), ExpStr-Dam%(3), SprVglAss-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), SprVglAss-Rchg/+Absorb(5), FrcFdb-Rechg%(7)
Level 4: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 6: Spore Cloud -- DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(A), DarWtcDsp-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(7), DarWtcDsp-Rchg/EndRdx(13), DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb(17)
Level 8: Wild Growth -- UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(9), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(9), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(11), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(11), UnbGrd-Max HP%(13)
Level 10: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 12: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), HO:Cyto(15), HO:Cyto(15)
Level 14: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), StdPrt-ResKB(50), ImpArm-ResPsi(50)
Level 16: Weave -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(19), Rct-EndRdx/Rchg(40), Rct-Def/Rchg(43), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(45), Rct-ResDam%(46)
Level 18: Weaken Resolve -- AchHee-ResDeb%(A)
Level 20: Power Burst -- SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg(A), SprDfnBst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21), ExpStr-Dam%(21), GldJvl-Dam%(34), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(37), FrcFdb-Rechg%(40)
Level 22: Sniper Blast -- Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Apc-Dmg(23), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), Apc-Dmg/Rchg(25), Apc-Dam%(31), FrcFdb-Rechg%(31)
Level 24: Regrowth -- HO:Golgi(A), HO:Golgi(25)
Level 26: Wild Bastion -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(27), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(27), Prv-Heal/Rchg(29), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(29), Prv-Absorb%(34)
Level 28: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 30: Mighty Leap -- Empty(A)
Level 32: Overgrowth -- AdjTrg-Rchg(A), AdjTrg-ToHit/EndRdx(33), AdjTrg-ToHit/Rchg(33), AdjTrg-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(33), AdjTrg-EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 35: Explosive Blast -- PstBls-Acc/Dmg(A), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), PstBls-Dam%(36), ExpStr-Dam%(36), SuddAcc--KB/+KD(37), FrcFdb-Rechg%(37)
Level 38: Nova -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Arm-Acc/Rchg(39), Arm-Dam%(40)
Level 41: Dominate -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), GldJvl-Dam%(42), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(42), UnbCns-Dam%(43), GldNet-Dam%(43)
Level 44: Mind Over Body -- GldArm-ResDam(A), GldArm-End/Res(45), GldArm-Res/Rech/End(45), GldArm-3defTpProc(48)
Level 47: Unleash Potential -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(48), RechRdx-I(48)
Level 49: Vengeance -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(50)
Level 1: Vigilance
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(46), Mrc-Rcvry+(46)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(31)
Level 49: 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 4: Ninja Run
Level 50: Musculature Core Paragon
Level 50: Melee Core Embodiment
Level 50: Degenerative Radial Flawless Interface
Level 50: Pyronic Core Final Judgement
Level 50: Clarion Core Epiphany
------------

 

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		|-------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

Fair warning, this is a build that has no training wheels and the education process is a steep and brutal one, but once you get used to the timing and watching for the power pop-ups, this thing will not only be a monster in a team, it'll be a monster solo because everything it does is AoE meaning it supports you as well. The reason I suggest this one is A) it's a really fun concept, and B) if you were attracted to the general concept of what Kinetics wants to do, but are finding it lackluster, then Nature is probably going to fill that void for you more completely. It contains a good amount of team support in a variety of powers across a lot of different unified effects, but the +Dam, +End, and Healing are still there along with additional +ToHit, expanded healing with Bloom effects, and +Res added into the mix. The set also has a much better leveling progression than Kinetics in the sense that you can gather up a lot of early powers that are good in the 1-30 range and then respec out of the less needed/used ones in the 35+ range pretty easily (like the resurrect).

[Metatheory]

On 5/7/2021 at 8:52 PM, queequeg77 said:

What tips do you have as far as being a good support player in general?

Slow down. Except when you need to go fast.

 

Which is to say, compared to playing melee DPS you need to keep track of a lot more variables, and you need to be watching the team UI as much as the enemy. You can't afford to be stuck in the middle of a long attack animation when there is the critical need for a support power - sometimes a heal to a character whose health is crashing, but often times a stun or a -to hit or a +res will get the job done just as well. That means you need to know where everyone is, which can be tricky if you are just spam-blasting.

 

Don't empty your blue bar when you don't need to. No need to spam heal if the rest of the team is mopping up. No need to fast snipe that LT on half health when the scrapper is about to anyway finish the job. Etc.

[Bastille Boy]

@Metatheory Good suggestion to watch the team UI. I find running this slash command (found here) helps. It removes auto-powers and toggles from the buff display, so I can see who has which support buffs and whose buffs have expired.

/optionset buffsettings 1184529

[Psylenz0511]

5 hours ago, Bastille Boy said:

@Metatheory Good suggestion to watch the team UI. I find running this slash command (found here) helps. It removes auto-powers and toggles from the buff display, so I can see who has which support buffs and whose buffs have expired.

/optionset buffsettings 1184529

wow, I never heard of that

[queequeg77]

That's a game changer. Normally those buffs cover the whole screen, make it unusable. Thanks!

 

By the way, after a period of experimentation, I've found that I like Time/ quite a bit. Stuck with the Rad/Kin corruptor for a while longer, still didn't dig on it. So I remade her into a Time/Rad defender. Fits the character theme just as well, and I've found it far more playable.

 

Thanks to all for your help!

[DreadShinobi]

With your experience and preference towards playing offensive archetypes, it feels like you would be more comfortable playing an offender rather than a defender and my recommendation would be to try a Poison/Fire Defender (or water blast for some self healing). Envenom + Venomous Gas puts out a constant [VG is a toggle, Envenom rchg is <5 secs when built) -65% resistance debuff with an additional +40% resistance debuff available from achilles heel and fury of the gladiator. Defenders get a ton of mileage from damage procs and damage procs are all amplified from resistance debuffs. You can put 5-6 damage procs in Poison Trap and Dominate for some proc bomb nukage after you gut your target's resistance. Poison is a squishy high risk/high reward powerset at first but scales hard as you gain access to defensive set bonuses and as your allies damage potential increase (-res is as effective as the amount of damage being applied). It is great as a solo team supporter with alkaloid to keep people topped off and moving forward with a rez/veng combo when the fan gets hit and also puts out a surprisingly high amount of personal damage when you are always able to blast against resistance debuffed targets.

 

As others have said don't give your final say on a kinetics character before reaching fulcrum shift. Rad Blast with Kinetics is also a great combination because you can proc load your attacks and still get maximum enhancement value even with 4-6 dmg procs per attack because kinetics will cap your damage and refill your endurance. Damage procs and resistance debuffs are the only thing that will get you more damage, effectively exceeding the damage cap, after you fulcrum shift yourself to the damage cap. Rad Blast can consistently apply both fury of the gladiator and achilles heel as an aoe with Irradiate for -40% resistance after you damage cap yourself with Fulcrum Shift, then drop a 6-proc (5 dmg procs + annhilation -res proc) Neutron Bomb on them. Vigor Core Paragon at lvl 50 makes a big difference for a 6-proc attack character because it boosts both your accuracy and endredux in every attack. 

Edited May 24, 2021 by DreadShinobi

[Psylenz0511]

16 hours ago, queequeg77 said:

That's a game changer. Normally those buffs cover the whole screen, make it unusable. Thanks!

 

By the way, after a period of experimentation, I've found that I like Time/ quite a bit. Stuck with the Rad/Kin corruptor for a while longer, still didn't dig on it. So I remade her into a Time/Rad defender. Fits the character theme just as well, and I've found it far more playable.

 

Thanks to all for your help!

Kin/rad is a lot more clicky than a Time/Rad. I am glad you found a combo you prefer. Rad blast was a staple in the blast sets for many defenders and corruptors because the -defense to make the foe debuffs hit is so appealing.

[Psylenz0511]

7 hours ago, DreadShinobi said:

...

 

As others have said don't give your final say on a kinetics character before reaching fulcrum shift. Rad Blast with Kinetics is also a great combination because you can proc load your attacks and still get maximum enhancement value even with 4-6 dmg procs per attack because kinetics will cap your damage and refill your endurance. Damage procs and resistance debuffs are the only thing that will get you more damage, effectively exceeding the damage cap, after you fulcrum shift yourself to the damage cap. Rad Blast can consistently apply both fury of the gladiator and achilles heel as an aoe with Irradiate for -40% resistance after you damage cap yourself with Fulcrum Shift, then drop a 6-proc (5 dmg procs + annhilation -res proc) Neutron Bomb on them. Vigor Core Paragon at lvl 50 makes a big difference for a 6-proc attack character because it boosts both your accuracy and endredux in every attack. 

Proccing out the neutrino beam is a plus, too, because it recharges so quickly.

[oedipus_tex]

The blast sets on Defender that stand out to me are Sonic, Water, Dual Pistols, and Beam Rifle, each for their own reasons. 

 

In fact I think my Dark Miasma/Water Blast character may be the single most OPed thing I've ever played. Not OPed in a soloing fire farms sort of way, but in a able-to-contribute-to-almost-any-situation-without-significant-downsides way. From a Hover position too. I actually stopped playing it because it was making my Dominators feel so weak in comparison.

[Ankhammon]

2 hours ago, oedipus_tex said:

The blast sets on Defender that stand out to me are Sonic, Water, Dual Pistols, and Beam Rifle, each for their own reasons. 

 

In fact I think my Dark Miasma/Water Blast character may be the single most OPed thing I've ever played. Not OPed in a soloing fire farms sort of way, but in a able-to-contribute-to-almost-any-situation-without-significant-downsides way. From a Hover position too. I actually stopped playing it because it was making my Dominators feel so weak in comparison.

I may have to give that a try. 

 

I feel pretty good about my TA/Dark in that way. It's a really nice char. 

[honoroit]

Some good ones (imo) :

 

Controller: dark/dark. Use the rez offensively. Party is dmg immune. If they hurt you, use a massive pbaoe heal. Give massive recovery. 

 

Controller: elec/elec affinity. It's a wow shaman. 

 

Corruptor: fire/kin. Don't look back. Literally karna. 

 

Defender: Pain/sonic. It's a lot better than I thought it'd be. 

 

Sentinel: elec/elec. Spec into end drain. Kinda fun. 

 

Support!