Embrace the Fear! Playing with Invoke Panic and Dark [Dark/KM]

[Onlyasandwich]

After venturing into the lands of Dominatordom for my past few builds, the time has come yet again for another Tanker!

 

I'm going Dark/KM here not because it has any particular synergy, but because I just want to try these two sets generally, and am therefore squishing them together. 🙂 

 

In this pursuit, I'm also wanting to witness first-hand how effective Invoke Panic is in combination with Cloak of Fear. I see others have found it basically adequate. If you have experience and perspective here, I'd love to hear! This is also my first build with the slightly weird KM, so welcome wisdom from that angle as well.

 

My goals:

• A broad base of defense with enough melee defense to hit softcap with a purple easily when needed. Not trying to softcap.
• A proccy, efficient attack chain for both ST and aoe.
• Good slow resist, as my survival does rely on a couple clickies.
• Strong resists across the board without sacrificing the above priorities.
• Max hit chance against +4's.

 

Concerns about my current iteration:

• I'd love to find a way to swap to musculature radial instead, but feel the end hunger is too much otherwise. Cardiac does good work here, and helps with resist as well of course. At least the current iteration leaves some good room to benefit from the kins of the world.
• Will this be enough end support? Obviously I have foregone a lot of the end uniques, instead choosing to rely on heavy end reduction and ToE proc in Dark Regen. The Rec/Use numbers are not great, but my active powers are very cheap to activate with all the redux, so I'm thinking it may be workable. Can always go Ageless in high level content as well.
• Accuracy! Holy cow why does Cloak of Fear have such low accuracy? It doesn't seem justified. As it stands, everything is good except Cloak of Fear when Power Siphon is down, but I do rely of Siphon for max chance against +4's for Cloak. Less of an issue once level shifted.
• For those of you that have used Invoke Panic before, did you find it fun? Are there any little eccentricities you found in practice that weren't obvious at first?
• Finally, It would be nice to find room for Unrelenting. If only Invoke didn't require 2 power picks. : ) 

 

Note that the current version of Mids is wonky with KM for tanks and scrappers. It automatically adds the Power Siphon buffs in some cases, so the damage totals shouldn't include the extra ~80% global. Should be fixed in the next release. Also I have two FFback procs, so toggle those off for more perspective on totals.

 

Build:

 

Spoiler

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.2.17
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Dark Armor
Secondary Power Set: Kinetic Melee
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Presence
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(23), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(25), UnbGrd-Max HP%(25), GldArm-3defTpProc(36)
Level 1: Quick Strike -- Hct-Dmg(A), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(33), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Hct-Acc/Rchg(50), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(50)
Level 2: Murky Cloud -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(3), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(3), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 4: Smashing Blow -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(33), Hct-Dam%(46), TchofDth-Dam%(48)
Level 6: Obsidian Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(7), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(7), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 8: Dark Regeneration -- TchoftheN-Acc/Heal(A), TchoftheN-Acc/EndRdx/Heal/HP/Regen(9), TchoftheN-%Dam(9), ThfofEss-+End%(34), PrfZng-Dam%(37), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(40)
Level 10: Death Shroud -- SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(A), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(11), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23)
Level 12: Cloak of Darkness -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-Def(13), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Rct-ResDam%(15), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(15), Ksm-ToHit+(34)
Level 14: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), WntGif-ResSlow(33), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(34)
Level 16: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(17)
Level 18: Cloak of Fear -- GlmoftheA-Acc/Rchg(A), GlmoftheA-Acc/EndRdx(19), GlmoftheA-Acc/Fear/Rchg(19), GlmoftheA-EndRdx/Fear(21), GlmoftheA-Dam%(21), HO:Endo(50)
Level 20: Power Siphon -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 22: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 24: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 26: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(27), RedFrt-Def(27)
Level 28: Burst -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Erd-%Dam(29), Arm-Dam%(31), PrfZng-Dam%(31), FrcFdb-Rechg%(31)
Level 30: Provoke -- Acc-I(A)
Level 32: Intimidate -- Acc-I(A)
Level 35: Invoke Panic -- GlmoftheA-Acc/Rchg(A), GlmoftheA-EndRdx/Fear(36), GlmoftheA-Acc/EndRdx(36), GlmoftheA-Acc/Fear/Rchg(37), GlmoftheA-Dam%(37)
Level 38: Focused Burst -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(39), Apc-Dam%(39), PrfZng-Dam%(40), FrcFdb-Rechg%(40)
Level 41: Concentrated Strike -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Mk'Bit-Dam%(42), GldStr-%Dam(42), TchofDth-Dam%(43), PrfZng-Dam%(43)
Level 44: Repulsing Torrent -- SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), PrfZng-Dam%(45), PstBls-Dam%(46), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(46)
Level 47: Focused Accuracy -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Physical Perfection -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet 
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A)
Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon 
------------

 

Totals:

Spoiler

 

Visual of build:

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 6, 2022 by Onlyasandwich

[Cutter]

I've done this with Dark/ElecMelee, and find it to be decent -- I leaned into the control elements pretty far (Control Radial Hybrid + Spectral Core Interface) so I find it perhaps a bit better than some. It's never going to win clear time awards, but it does a good job of sticking the controllery effects. I went with Vigor alpha to address the accuracy concerns as well as manage endurance. Slotting is far more conventional for the most part, with next to no procs in place.

 

Build (note that I'm on an old version of Mids so it may not import nicely):

Spoiler

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.5.6
https://github.com/Reborn-Team/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Crimson Shroud: Level 50 Technology Tanker
Primary Power Set: Dark Armor
Secondary Power Set: Electrical Melee
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Presence
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Death Shroud -- OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(A), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(3), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(5), OvrFrc-End/Rech(13), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg(33), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(37)
Level 1: Charged Brawl -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(7), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(15), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(21)
Level 2: Dark Embrace -- UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(A), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(3), UnbGrd-ResDam(5), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(13), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(33), UnbGrd-Max HP%(46)
Level 4: Murky Cloud -- UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(7), UnbGrd-ResDam(15), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(19), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(45), GldArm-3defTpProc(50)
Level 6: Obsidian Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(21), UnbGrd-ResDam(46)
Level 8: Jacobs Ladder -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Dmg/Rchg(36), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(45)
Level 10: Combat Jumping -- Krm-ResKB(A), Ksm-ToHit+(11), Rct-ResDam%(40)
Level 12: Cloak of Darkness -- ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(A), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(27), ShlWal-Def(27), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(33)
Level 14: Dark Regeneration -- ThfofEss-+End%(A), Mrc-EndRdx/Rchg(23), Mrc-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(23), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(45)
Level 16: Thunder Strike -- Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(17), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), Arm-Dam%(31), Arm-Acc/Rchg(31)
Level 18: Cloak of Fear -- UnsTrr-Acc/EndRdx(A), UnsTrr-EndRdx/Fear(19), UnsTrr-Acc/Rchg(25), UnsTrr-Stun%(34), UnsTrr-Acc/Fear/Rchg(46)
Level 20: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 22: Provoke -- Acc-I(A)
Level 24: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Oppressive Gloom -- RzzDzz-Immob%(A)
Level 28: Chain Induction -- Hct-Dmg/Rchg(A), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Hct-Acc/Rchg(29), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(31), Hct-Dam%(34)
Level 30: Intimidate -- UnsTrr-Acc/Rchg(A), UnsTrr-Acc/Fear/Rchg(42), UnsTrr-EndRdx/Fear(48)
Level 32: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(43), UnbGrd-ResDam(43), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(43)
Level 35: Invoke Panic -- UnsTrr-Acc/Rchg(A), UnsTrr-Acc/EndRdx(36), UnsTrr-Acc/Fear/Rchg(42), UnsTrr-EndRdx/Fear(42), UnsTrr-Stun%(50)
Level 38: Lightning Rod -- SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(39), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(40)
Level 41: Soul Transfer -- Prv-Absorb%(A)
Level 44: Weave -- ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(A), ShlWal-Def(48), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(48), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(50)
Level 47: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Physical Perfection -- PwrTrns-+Heal(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
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), Mrc-Rcvry+(9)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(9)
Level 20: Double Jump
Level 50: Storm Elemental Core Superior Ally
Level 50: Barrier Core Epiphany
Level 50: Vigor Radial Paragon
Level 50: Control Radial Embodiment
Level 50: Void Radial Final Judgement
Level 50: Spectral Core Flawless Interface
------------

 

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Totals:

Spoiler

 

[Onlyasandwich]

1 minute ago, Cutter said:

I've done this with Dark/ElecMelee,

 

Thank you for sharing!

 

One thing I've been concerned about conceptually is how the fear may affect clumping up mobs. Do you find that it tends to keep things a bit more in their starting places, or do you still see ample scootch into melee range given the bits of movement they are allowed here and there? Although I don't bother doing formal herding, I do like to use the environment to cut LoS and encourage quick clumping, and don't like the idea of mobs sort of trailing off in a line as they are feared in place while I move into position.

 

 

[Cutter]

Just now, Onlyasandwich said:

 

Thank you for sharing!

 

One thing I've been concerned about conceptually is how the fear may affect clumping up mobs. Do you find that it tends to keep things a bit more in their starting places, or do you still see ample scootch into melee range given the bits of movement they are allowed here and there? Although I don't bother doing formal herding, I do like to use the environment to cut LoS and encourage quick clumping, and don't like the idea of mobs sort of trailing off in a line as they are feared in place while I move into position.

 

 

The fear effect is the "stand and tremble" version, not the "run away pooping their pants" version, so you may see some stragglers coming to you if you've jumped in to establish aggro and then moved to break LOS. It's a playstyle I've had to break with my guy, in that I'm more likely to find my environmental tool first & then taunt/provoke the mobs to me. Of course if they are standing around already decently clumped it's not really a concern. You will likely have to move a bit more to get at the spawn edges tho.

 

Do note that your damage aura will break fear and let the mobs take a shot at you, but those attacks are with the -tohit. And typically after one attack they'll go right back to trembling for a bit. So you should definitely see a reduced amount of return fire than you might otherwise be used to.

 

For my own part, because I'm also layering stun effects, I get more wanderers, which I somewhat mitigate with the immob procs. All told it's a patchwork of controls: some mobs shaking, some drunken stumbling, some just standing around.

[Yomo Kimyata]

10 minutes ago, Onlyasandwich said:

 

Thank you for sharing!

 

One thing I've been concerned about conceptually is how the fear may affect clumping up mobs. Do you find that it tends to keep things a bit more in their starting places, or do you still see ample scootch into melee range given the bits of movement they are allowed here and there? Although I don't bother doing formal herding, I do like to use the environment to cut LoS and encourage quick clumping, and don't like the idea of mobs sort of trailing off in a line as they are feared in place while I move into position.

 

 

 

It's been a while since I took my fearmonger out for a spin, but you don't see a lot of runners with the terrorized mechanic.  IIRC if they are in cower mode and take damage, they either counter attack or run away for a few seconds before going back into cower mode.

 

@Bionic_Flea had a good post about this titled "Phobophobia" in General a while back and there was some good stuff in there.

[Onlyasandwich]

33 minutes ago, Yomo Kimyata said:

runners with the terrorized mechanic

Not so much worried about the terrorize, but instead stringing along mobs that tremble in place as I cut a corner or hide behind a forklift.