Darkness Control / Dark Assault Build Question and Build

[IneptAdept]

I saw someone playing a darkness control dominator and loved the haunt and umbra beast, so I made one myself.  In order to take advantage of Heart of Darkness and Engulfing Darkness I will have to get into the middle of mobs.  My concern is that, although I have some -tohit effects, will that be enough to survive jumping into a 52 or 54 mob once I am level 50?  So I am asking for help on my build.  Thanks very much.

 

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.962

http://www.cohplanner.com/

 

Click this DataLink to open the build!

 

Smoky Celena: Level 50 Magic Dominator

Primary Power Set: Darkness Control

Secondary Power Set: Dark Assault

Power Pool: Speed

Power Pool: Flight

Power Pool: Concealment

Ancillary Pool: Psionic Mastery

 

Villain Profile:

Level 1: Dark Grasp -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(7), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(15), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(50)

Level 1: Dark Blast -- Dcm-Acc/Dmg(A), Dcm-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Dcm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), Dcm-Dmg/Rchg(34), Dcm-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(46)

Level 2: Living Shadows -- SphIns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(A), SphIns-Acc/ToHitDeb(3), EnfOpr-Acc/EndRdx(15), EnfOpr-Acc/Immob(36)

Level 4: Gloom -- Dcm-Acc/Dmg(A), Dcm-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Dcm-Dmg/Rchg(13), Dcm-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(43), Dcm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43)

Level 6: Possess -- MlsIll-Acc/Conf/Rchg(A), Prp-EndRdx/Conf(11), MlsIll-EndRdx/Conf(48)

Level 8: Fearsome Stare -- SphIns-ToHitDeb(A), SphIns-Acc/ToHitDeb(9), SphIns-Acc/Rchg(9), SphIns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(42), SphIns-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(48)

Level 10: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(11), RechRdx-I(13)

Level 12: Hover -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A)

Level 14: Fly -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)

Level 16: Gather Shadows -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(17)

Level 18: Haunt -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(19), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(31)

Level 20: Engulfing Darkness -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(21), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(21), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), Obl-%Dam(43)

Level 22: Heart of Darkness -- Stp-Acc/Rchg(A), Stp-EndRdx/Stun(23), Stp-Acc/EndRdx(23), Stp-Stun/Rng(25), Stp-Acc/Stun/Rchg(40), Stp-KB%(50)

Level 24: Smite -- CrsImp-Acc/Dmg(A), CrsImp-Dmg/EndRdx(25), CrsImp-Dmg/Rchg(36), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37)

Level 26: Shadow Field -- SphIns-ToHitDeb(A), SphIns-Acc/ToHitDeb(27), SphIns-Acc/Rchg(27), SphIns-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(31), SphIns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(37)

Level 28: Life Drain -- Dcm-Acc/Dmg(A), Dcm-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Dcm-Dmg/Rchg(29), Dcm-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Dcm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), Dcm-Build%(46)

Level 30: Stealth -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50)

Level 32: Umbra Beast -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(33), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(33), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), BldMnd-Dmg(34)

Level 35: Link Minds -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(42), RedFrt-Def/Rchg(46), Srn-Def/Rchg(48)

Level 38: Midnight Grasp -- CrsImp-Acc/Dmg(A), CrsImp-Dmg/EndRdx(39), CrsImp-Dmg/Rchg(39), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40)

Level 41: Indomitable Will -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), RechRdx-I(42), RechRdx-I(45), RechRdx-I(45)

Level 44: Mind Over Body -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), StdPrt-ResKB(45)

Level 47: Moon Beam -- Acc-I(A)

Level 49: Invisibility -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A)

Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Domination

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 2: Rest -- Empty(A)

Level 4: Ninja Run

Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)

Level 2: Health -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A)

Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)

Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(3), PrfShf-EndMod/Rchg(5)

Level 50: Spiritual Core Paragon

Level 50: Ion Total Core Judgement

Level 50: Paralytic Total Core Conversion

Level 50: Rularuu Partial Core Improved Ally

Level 50: Barrier Partial Core Invocation

Level 50: Control Total Core Graft

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[Nic Mercy]

I recently leveled a Dark/Dark Dom and this was the build I used.

 

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.962

http://www.cohplanner.com/

 

Click this DataLink to open the build!

 

Witchlight: Level 50 Magic Dominator

Primary Power Set: Darkness Control

Secondary Power Set: Dark Assault

Power Pool: Flight

Power Pool: Concealment

Power Pool: Fighting

Power Pool: Leaping

Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

 

Hero Profile:

Level 1: Dark Grasp -- Dcm-Build%(A), Dcm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), Dcm-Acc/Dmg(3), Dcm-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Dcm-Dmg/Rchg(5), SprAscoft-Rchg/+Dmg%(7)

Level 1: Dark Blast -- Dcm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), Dcm-Acc/Dmg(7), Dcm-Dmg/EndRdx(9), Dcm-Dmg/Rchg(9), Dcm-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(11)

Level 2: Living Shadows -- EnfOpr-Acc/EndRdx(A)

Level 4: Gloom -- Apc-Dam%(A), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(15), Apc-Dmg/Rchg(17), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), Apc-Acc/Rchg(19)

Level 6: Fly -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)

Level 8: Possess -- CrcPrs-Conf%(A), CrcPrs-Conf/EndRdx(19), CrcPrs-Conf/Rchg(21), CrcPrs-Acc/Conf/Rchg(21), CrcPrs-Acc/Rchg(23)

Level 10: Night Fall -- Rgn-Knock%(A), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(23), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(25), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(27)

Level 12: Heart of Darkness -- SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(A), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(27), SprAscoft-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(29), SprAscoft-EndRdx/Rchg(29), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(31)

Level 14: Stealth -- ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(A)

Level 16: Hover -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def(31), RedFrt-EndRdx(31), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(33), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(33), RedFrt-Def/Rchg(33)

Level 18: Haunt -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(34), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(34), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34)

Level 20: Engulfing Darkness -- Erd-%Dam(A), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Mlt-Dmg/Rchg(36), Mlt-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37)

Level 22: Gather Shadows -- RechRdx-I(A)

Level 24: Fearsome Stare -- HO:Endo(A)

Level 26: Shadow Field -- UnbCns-Dam%(A), UnbCns-EndRdx/Hold(37), UnbCns-Hold/Rchg(37), UnbCns-Acc/Hold/Rchg(39), UnbCns-Acc/Rchg(39)

Level 28: Life Drain -- SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(39), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(40), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40)

Level 30: Boxing -- Acc-I(A)

Level 32: Umbra Beast -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(42), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(42), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42)

Level 35: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def(43), RedFrt-EndRdx(43), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(43), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(45), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg(45)

Level 38: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(45), UnbGrd-Max HP%(46), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(46), UnbGrd-ResDam(46), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(50)

Level 41: Weave -- Rct-ResDam%(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(48), Rct-Def(48), Rct-Def/EndRdx(48), Rct-EndRdx/Rchg(50), Rct-Def/Rchg(50)

Level 44: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A)

Level 47: Personal Force Field -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A)

Level 49: Afterburner -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A)

Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)

Level 1: Domination

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 -- UnbLea-Stlth(A)

Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)

Level 4: Ninja Run

Level 2: Swift -- Flight-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-EndMod(A), PrfShf-EndMod/Rchg(13), PrfShf-End%(15)

Level 50: Agility Core Paragon

Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve

Level 0: Portal Jockey

Level 0: Task Force Commander

Level 0: The Atlas Medallion

Level 50: Pyronic Core Final Judgement

Level 50: Degenerative Radial Flawless Interface

Level 50: Talons of Vengeance Core Superior Ally

Level 50: Ageless Radial Epiphany

Level 50: Assault Radial Embodiment

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The nearly softcapped s/l/e defense provides ample survivability against the most prevalent forms of damage in the game making getting into melee less risky. I'm also more of a fan of staying at range so I skip the melee attacks in favor of staying at range as much as possible and simply zip in for Heart of Darkness as needed then zip back out. Also to note, assuming the plans for snipes get implemented (the whole no needing to-hit for insta-snipe), I plan to swap out Gloom for Moonbeam.

 

 

My build is designed for enough global recharge to have perma-Domination without Hasten so I can just leave Domination on autofire and go. My build also makes use of enhancement boosters to ED cap certain powers with minimal slotting, and includes purple recipes, an ATO set, and a set from the Lords of Winter superpacks which makes it quite expensive to put together. Assuming you have the resources though, the build has a fair amount of survivability.

 

If you use Attuned versions of the Decimation sets, the Red Fortune sets, the Reactive Defenses set, and the Luck of the Gambler enhancements, you'll retain all but 12.5% of your global recharge when exemping down as low as 22. Unfortunately the recharge requirements for perma-dom without Hasten are rather tight and even losing just 12.5% will rob you of perma-dom when exemping below 47. You could retain perma-dom as low as 27 if the Expedient Reinforcement enhancements were also attuned but attuned enhancements can't be boosted, and you'd lose enhancement value in Haunt and Umbra Beast without those boosts. Still its an option if you want to retain perma-dom when exemping as low as 27.

 

As for incarnate stuff... the Agility alpha is my goto for the defense gains, with the recharge, and endurance modification being bonuses. I went with Degenerative for my interface for thematic reasons but you could just as easily choose Reactive. Both are good choices. I went with Ageless for my destiny slot since it provides debuff resistance to keep my defenses from be stripped away too easily, but I did consider Rebirth Radial Epiphany to have a big heal/regen buff. I chose Assault Radial Embodiment for the double hit mechanic (moar damage!). As for judgement and lore, I went with Talons of Vengeance for thematics and Pyronic for ease of use, but you can pick any judgement and lore you like.

[blayzemaster]

Personally I'd shift some slots away from Posess - it's great with even just 1/2 slots with set bonus accuracy and recharge bits, but that's personal taste.

[IneptAdept]

Thank you for your feedback :)

[markofantares]

Builds are great, but what do you actually think about the powersets? How do they play? How are early levels 1-25ish/30ish? Do you run into issues with mobs? What are the strengths?

[Vulpoid]

Builds are great, but what do you actually think about the powersets? How do they play? How are early levels 1-25ish/30ish? Do you run into issues with mobs? What are the strengths?

 

Thank You!

 

I almost never see LEVELING builds anymore... I am always most interested in the process, not the end product. Is it because people don't actually play the first 45 levels of COX any more?

I am playing a dark/dark dom right now and am curious as to power and slotting choices as I go, not when I have a million inf.

Sorry for the rant. ;)

[Sovera]

You don't see leveling builds because what is there to be said about leveling builds? Grab everything, six slot attacks with 2 accuracy, three damage, one recharge/end reduction. Triple slot recharges in Aim/BU, triple slot Stamina. Voila, leveling build.

[Vulpoid]

Thank you, that is not a bad general strategy!

[Dr Causality]

 

I almost never see LEVELING builds anymore... I am always most interested in the process, not the end product. Is it because people don't actually play the first 45 levels of COX any more?

 

I think one of the reasons you don't see leveling builds is because their much more complex to make.  In the extreme a leveling build is 49 separate builds.  What's best at one level, immediately changes when you get new set defining powers.  For instance it's often that case that efficiently leveling up you may have needed power X, but once you get access to power Y, you'd be much better off having power X's slots used elsewhere. 

 

Attuned IO's immensely improve the leveling experience though.  By 20 or 30 you can buy some Attuned IO's that you'll be able to use all the up until you respec into a final build.

[Hedgefund]

Attuned leveling is THE way to go.  I'll never go back to any other way.  Just keep upcoming IOs in your tray and the ride to 50 is smooooth.

 

It's almost like an additional leveling process.  Not just that you unlocked a 5th slot in an important power, you also just got 8.75% global recharge!  It takes planning to make the build beforehand and then acquiring the attuned IOs, but so so worth it.

 

As for a Dark/Dark dom, I had one that I gave up on around mid to late 30s.  I hate giving up on a dom before achieving perma, but every fight was such a chore, endurance constantly bottoming out.  Safe, by the time mezzes wore off their to-hit was down a notch or two, but it's one of the slowest killers I've played.  That could be a "me" problem, maybe I wasn't doing something right, but it was still a problem.

[Nic Mercy]

I usually plan when I take all my builds power choices with leveling in mind. I don't typically IO out while leveling though. I use a few choice uniques/procs as soon as I can slot them (stuff like Panacea +hp/end, Miracle +recovery, Numina's +regen/recovery, etc) and the ATO's I intend to use. Outside of that I use generic crafteds or vendor enhancements while leveling.

[Coyote]

One interesting trick for any /Dark (and /Rad) Dominator: stick a Theft of Essence +Endurance proc in Life Drain / Radiation Siphon. This will do a great deal to fix Endurance problems while leveling up.

Without Global Recharge (which will only help), the proc will return .58 or so Endurance per second, if the attack is spammed. That's like a 2nd slotted Stamina. And if you're not spamming it, you're probably not in a hot combat. Life Drain is more consistent as a heal, but Radiation Siphon can also be slotted with Achilles Heel, and then it becomes a superb attack, giving about -18% Resistance, returning Endurance, healing sometimes, and also doing damage. If not for its animation time, it would be ridiculous.