Anyone done Rad/Dark?

I-Dirty · September 30, 2021

How is this combo if you have done it

Pros/cons?

ThrillMill · September 30, 2021

Pros: Amazing durability and sustainability. Radiation Armor is widely considered among the best in the game and with IOs is possibly is THE best. Allows for perma absorb, a robust -tohit debuff toggle, amazing scope of high resists to all damage types, Superior +Recharge when surrounded by mobs. Dark Melee adds a 10% Heal (unenhanced), +End management, +tohit/+Dmg that can be made perma, a typically unresisted damage type (negative) and some revamped AoE goodness in Touch of Fear and Shadow Maul.

Cons: Some lament Dark's AoE damage but this is far less of an issue nowadays with the much improved Shadow Maul and decently good ToF. The addition of the Epic and Judgement AoE powers helps a good bit as well.

I currently run both a Rad/Dark/Soul Tanker as well as a Dark/Rad/Soul Brute. There's very little downside to the combo that I can see. I have been overwhelmed and defeated by SWARMS of 54 mobs in the ITF and LRTF (looking at you, Longbow!) but this is entirely because I was LERROY JENKINS'ing the situation. No man is an island, I learned. Overall, I would rank the tandem as a 9.1 on a scale of 10.

I-Dirty · September 30, 2021

yeah working on builds with mids cant seem to get the resists where I want them. Of course I know shit about dark and what you should/should not take and how to slot it. NEVER done dark melee...but thinking about it.

Found I LOVE rad armor

ThrillMill · September 30, 2021

What threshold are you looking to reach or surpass from a Resistance standpoint? Have you included the Steadfast Protection +5% Unique IO? Are you willing to utilize the Tanker ATO IO that proc an extra 6% Resistance?

Dark Melee is in such a better place now than at any other time in CoX's history. I'd say the "Must Have" Powers now, in my opinion, would be...

1. Smite: Great DPA and DPE stats. It's my bread and butter attack chain keystone. I'll typically throw the Hecatomb 5 into it for the amazing set bonuses.

2. Shadow Maul: It's now a formidable "conical" attack that'll slap upwards of 10 mobs. The Tanker Arc boost, coupled with a reduced animation time have made this an incredible weapon. I like to slot with a complete 6 slotted Tanker ATO.

3. Touch of Fear (ToF): Prior to the buff, this power was near skippable. It provided a hefty 15% tohit debuff and a Mag 3 Fear if memory serves correctly but 0 damage. Now, it'll Fear a Lt. Level mob AND moderate AoE damage on nearby mobs. I personally love it. Slotting this power is more open ended for me. Some people like to proc it to the gills. I personally like chasing set bonuses and will usually throw the other Tanker ATO in here OR the Winter IO/Purple Set. YMMV.

4. Siphon Life: A good attack and sustain power. If your secondary lacks any healing; I'd argue you'd really want this power. Rad Armor doesn't necessarily NEED it but I take it all the same for AV content and other robust action. I like to slot it with 4 Kinetic Combat(s) + 2 Touch of the Nictus Acc/Heal/Recharge IOs if I'm chasing S/L Defense bonuses. I've also tried 5 Hecatomb + 1 Heal IO and even 5 Crushing Impacts + 1 Heal IO.

5. Soul Drain: This is the set's defining power IMHO. A PBAoE Build-Up like power that has a 30 second duration that will grant additional +DMG and +ToHit for each mob you hit with it. Oh, and with enough +Recharge in your build; it can be made Perma. This is why I'll chase IO sets that offer +Recharge when playing Dark Melee. 10/10 Star. Must have. Slotting for this power is pretty wide open, however, you'd best be damn sure you fit 90%+ recharge in there somehow. I'll usually 4 slot with 3 from the winter's PBAoE IO (Avalanche I think?) and the Guassian's Proc for Build-Up.

6. Midnight Grasp: So, I mean, I like the power. But as far as T9 Powers go, it isn't the best(tm). It's 100% Negative Damage, which is good, but it lacks that up front "OOOF" kinda damage as a % is Damage Over Time (DoT) or ticks. I take it and 6 slot it with the Winter IO Set Blistering Cold. I love the stat bonuses in general and for some reason, when the set's "Chance to Hold" proc fires off; I enjoy how the tentacles look hovering over an ice ensconced mob. It's a really dumb reason all things considered but hey, you gotta have fun too. Slot as you see fit.

I-Dirty · September 30, 2021

Oh if I make it im gonna go for broke like I do with all my characters. My friends think im crazy doing that but I have nothing better to do so why no

I-Dirty · September 30, 2021

Trying to cap out resists in mids is like trying to pull my teeth out with a spoon right now lo

Of course I am sick and tired with a massive headache so thats not helping lol

Bionic_Flea · September 30, 2021

Rad/Dark is one of my favorite tanks - 1000 point perma-absorb, capped to high resists, virtually unlimited endurance, two-personal heals, one team heal, a no-crash T9, pretty high damage with Soul Drain and Meltdown, soft-capped defense - all these can be yours . . . with a good build. Here's mine:

Spoiler

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.6.0
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Comedic Flea-Revised II: Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Radiation Armor
Secondary Power Set: Dark Melee
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Alpha Barrier

(A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
(7) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)
(33) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance
(33) Aegis - Resistance
(34) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge

Level 1: Shadow Punch

(A) Superior Might of the Tanker - Accuracy/Damage
(3) Superior Might of the Tanker - Damage/Recharge
(3) Superior Might of the Tanker - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
(5) Superior Might of the Tanker - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
(5) Superior Might of the Tanker - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
(7) Superior Might of the Tanker - Recharge/Chance for +Res(All)

Level 2: Gamma Boost

(A) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb
(42) Preventive Medicine - Heal

Level 4: Smite

(A) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage
(9) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Damage/RechargeTime
(9) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
(11) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
(11) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
(13) Superior Gauntleted Fist - RechargeTime/+Absorb

Level 6: Proton Armor

(A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
(13) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
(15) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance
(17) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP

Level 8: Fallout Shelter

(A) Impervium Armor - Psionic Resistance

Level 10: Shadow Maul

(A) Obliteration - Damage
(17) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge
(19) Obliteration - Damage/Recharge
(19) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
(21) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
(21) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage

Level 12: Radiation Therapy

(A) Armageddon - Chance for Fire Damage
(37) Armageddon - Damage
(39) Armageddon - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
(39) Armageddon - Accuracy/Recharge
(39) Armageddon - Damage/Endurance

Level 14: Combat Jumping

(A) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All)
(15) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage
(40) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed

Level 16: Beta Decay

(A) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff/Endurance
(34) Achilles' Heel - Chance for Res Debuff

Level 18: Taunt

(A) Perfect Zinger - Chance for Psi Damage

Level 20: Particle Shielding

(A) Preventive Medicine - Heal
(34) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime

Level 22: Siphon Life

(A) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage
(40) Superior Blistering Cold - Damage/Endurance
(43) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
(43) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
(43) Superior Blistering Cold - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime
(45) Superior Blistering Cold - Recharge/Chance for Hold

Level 24: Touch of Fear

(A) Obliteration - Damage
(25) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge
(25) Obliteration - Damage/Recharge
(27) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
(27) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
(29) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage

Level 26: Ground Zero

(A) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage
(40) Superior Avalanche - Damage/Endurance
(45) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
(45) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
(46) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
(46) Superior Avalanche - Recharge/Chance for Knockdown

Level 28: Soul Drain

(A) Scirocco's Dervish - Accuracy/Damage
(29) Scirocco's Dervish - Damage/Endurance
(31) Scirocco's Dervish - Chance of Damage(Lethal)
(31) Fury of the Gladiator - Accuracy/Damage/End/Rech
(31) Fury of the Gladiator - Chance for Res Debuff
(33) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up

Level 30: Boxing

(A) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage

Level 32: Meltdown

(A) HamiO:Ribosome Exposure

Level 35: Dark Consumption

(A) Obliteration - Damage
(36) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge
(36) Obliteration - Damage/Recharge
(36) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
(37) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
(37) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage

Level 38: Midnight Grasp

(A) Hecatomb - Chance of Damage(Negative)
(46) Hecatomb - Damage
(48) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
(48) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Recharge
(48) Hecatomb - Damage/Endurance

Level 41: Tough

(A) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance
(42) Aegis - Resistance
(42) Aegis - Psionic/Status Resistance

Level 44: Weave

(A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
(50) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance

Level 47: Hasten

(A) Recharge Reduction IO
(50) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 49: Maneuvers

(A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
(50) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance

Level 1: Gauntlet

Level 1: Brawl

(A) Empty

Level 1: Sprint

(A) Unbounded Leap - +Stealth

Level 2: Rest

(A) Empty

Level 2: Swift

(A) Run Speed IO

Level 2: Hurdle

(A) Jumping IO

Level 2: Health

(A) Panacea - +Hit Points/Endurance
(23) Numina's Convalesence - +Regeneration/+Recovery

Level 2: Stamina

(A) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End
(23) Performance Shifter - EndMod

Level 1: Prestige Power Dash

(A) Empty

Level 1: Prestige Power Slide

(A) Empty

Level 1: Prestige Power Quick

(A) Empty

Level 1: Prestige Power Rush

(A) Empty

Level 1: Prestige Power Surge

(A) Empty

Level 4: Ninja Run

Level 50: Ageless Radial Epiphany
Level 50: Ion Core Final Judgement
Level 50: Assault Radial Embodiment
Level 50: Degenerative Radial Flawless Interface
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon
Level 50: Portal Jockey
Level 50: Task Force Commander
Level 50: The Atlas Medallion
Level 50: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
------------

I-Dirty · September 30, 2021

40 minutes ago, Bionic_Flea said:

Rad/Dark is one of my favorite tanks - 1000 point perma-absorb, capped to high resists, virtually unlimited endurance, two-personal heals, one team heal, a no-crash T9, pretty high damage with Soul Drain and Meltdown, soft-capped defense - all these can be yours . . . with a good build. Here's mine:

Reveal hidden contents

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.6.0
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Comedic Flea-Revised II: Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Radiation Armor
Secondary Power Set: Dark Melee
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Alpha Barrier

(A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%

(7) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)

(33) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance

(33) Aegis - Resistance

(34) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge

Level 1: Shadow Punch

(A) Superior Might of the Tanker - Accuracy/Damage

(3) Superior Might of the Tanker - Damage/Recharge

(3) Superior Might of the Tanker - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge

(5) Superior Might of the Tanker - Damage/Endurance/Recharge

(5) Superior Might of the Tanker - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge

(7) Superior Might of the Tanker - Recharge/Chance for +Res(All)

Level 2: Gamma Boost

(A) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb

(42) Preventive Medicine - Heal

Level 4: Smite

(A) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage

(9) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Damage/RechargeTime

(9) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime

(11) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime

(11) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime

(13) Superior Gauntleted Fist - RechargeTime/+Absorb

Level 6: Proton Armor

(A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance

(13) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance

(15) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance

(17) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP

Level 8: Fallout Shelter

(A) Impervium Armor - Psionic Resistance

Level 10: Shadow Maul

(A) Obliteration - Damage

(17) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge

(19) Obliteration - Damage/Recharge

(19) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge

(21) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge

(21) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage

Level 12: Radiation Therapy

(A) Armageddon - Chance for Fire Damage

(37) Armageddon - Damage

(39) Armageddon - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge

(39) Armageddon - Accuracy/Recharge

(39) Armageddon - Damage/Endurance

Level 14: Combat Jumping

(A) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All)

(15) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage

(40) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed

Level 16: Beta Decay

(A) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff/Endurance

(34) Achilles' Heel - Chance for Res Debuff

Level 18: Taunt

(A) Perfect Zinger - Chance for Psi Damage

Level 20: Particle Shielding

(A) Preventive Medicine - Heal

(34) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime

Level 22: Siphon Life

(A) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage

(40) Superior Blistering Cold - Damage/Endurance

(43) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance

(43) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge

(43) Superior Blistering Cold - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime

(45) Superior Blistering Cold - Recharge/Chance for Hold

Level 24: Touch of Fear

(A) Obliteration - Damage

(25) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge

(25) Obliteration - Damage/Recharge

(27) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge

(27) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge

(29) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage

Level 26: Ground Zero

(A) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage

(40) Superior Avalanche - Damage/Endurance

(45) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance

(45) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge

(46) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge

(46) Superior Avalanche - Recharge/Chance for Knockdown

Level 28: Soul Drain

(A) Scirocco's Dervish - Accuracy/Damage

(29) Scirocco's Dervish - Damage/Endurance

(31) Scirocco's Dervish - Chance of Damage(Lethal)

(31) Fury of the Gladiator - Accuracy/Damage/End/Rech

(31) Fury of the Gladiator - Chance for Res Debuff

(33) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up

Level 30: Boxing

(A) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage

Level 32: Meltdown

(A) HamiO:Ribosome Exposure

Level 35: Dark Consumption

(A) Obliteration - Damage

(36) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge

(36) Obliteration - Damage/Recharge

(36) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge

(37) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge

(37) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage

Level 38: Midnight Grasp

(A) Hecatomb - Chance of Damage(Negative)

(46) Hecatomb - Damage

(48) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge

(48) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Recharge

(48) Hecatomb - Damage/Endurance

Level 41: Tough

(A) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance

(42) Aegis - Resistance

(42) Aegis - Psionic/Status Resistance

Level 44: Weave

(A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed

(50) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance

Level 47: Hasten

(A) Recharge Reduction IO

(50) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 49: Maneuvers

(A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed

(50) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance

Level 1: Gauntlet

Level 1: Brawl

(A) Empty

Level 1: Sprint

(A) Unbounded Leap - +Stealth

Level 2: Rest

(A) Empty

Level 2: Swift

(A) Run Speed IO

Level 2: Hurdle

(A) Jumping IO

Level 2: Health

(A) Panacea - +Hit Points/Endurance

(23) Numina's Convalesence - +Regeneration/+Recovery

Level 2: Stamina

(A) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End

(23) Performance Shifter - EndMod

Level 1: Prestige Power Dash

(A) Empty

Level 1: Prestige Power Slide

(A) Empty

Level 1: Prestige Power Quick

(A) Empty

Level 1: Prestige Power Rush

(A) Empty

Level 1: Prestige Power Surge

(A) Empty

Level 4: Ninja Run

Level 50: Ageless Radial Epiphany
Level 50: Ion Core Final Judgement
Level 50: Assault Radial Embodiment
Level 50: Degenerative Radial Flawless Interface
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon
Level 50: Portal Jockey
Level 50: Task Force Commander
Level 50: The Atlas Medallion
Level 50: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
------------

Now what im wondering is I got rid of a lot of the defense changed a lot around and now almost everything is resistance capped...82.55 cold and 79.25 Negative

Is that resistance going up worth the loss of defense?

Also i linked it like that because I cant seem to link and long form anymore

https://www.midsreborn.com/builds/download.php?uc=1575&c=775&a=1550&f=HEX&dc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

Bionic_Flea · September 30, 2021

Obviously, I don't think so, or my build would be closer to yours. But you do you! If you prefer the resists to the defense, go for it.

I-Dirty · September 30, 2021

IM just wondering if its better to have slightly lower resists for more defense...stop making me think! It hurts!! 😄

Bionic_Flea · October 1, 2021

Don't forget that you have Meltdown for an additional 20% resist to all, UNSLOTTED, for 60 seconds.

Flynnstonez · October 5, 2022

Tried this build out, realized that the main strategy should be capping out your res, then def second. Ignoring the main point of your armor is a death sentence in end-game content.

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Anyone done Rad/Dark?

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