Spaghetti Betty Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 (edited) No, seriously, it is. I was delving deep into powersets trying to find something unlike anything I usually gravitate towards. Well, I got what I asked for. For those unfamiliar with the 2 sets, Dark Blast is a peculiar cookie. It lacks in damage, but makes up for it with some very interesting utility. You get a hold, a life drain, an immob cone, and a huge (absurd, really) KB cone. Plant Manipulation also brings some unorthodox tools for a Blaster secondary. Not one, but two holds - one being an aoe, a debuff anchor, and a Fiery Embrace-esque Build Up. When you slap these 2 together, you get a very perplexing pool of powers. I was definitely boggled for about 30 or so levels trying to figure out how to make this thing drive smoothly. When I say Dark Blast lacks in damage, I mean it really lacks in damage. The melee attacks from /Plant aren't great either. I was having a lot of problems clearing mobs before they cleared me. I was stumped. I almost shelved the whole thing. Funnily enough, levelling a Dominator made me want to take another look. And so I did. I looked at the combo with a fresh set of eyes. "Ok, so my damage isn't great and my holds are ok, but they can't hold bosses. So, can I fix that?" Oh. Oh yes I can. I can definitely fix that. So, I threw survivability out of the window. My goal became to maximize my damage and make my holds a little holdier. And this is what I came up with... This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.4.7https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn Click this DataLink to open the build! ravens land: Level 50 Magic BlasterPrimary Power Set: Dark BlastSecondary Power Set: Plant ManipulationPower Pool: SpeedPower Pool: SorceryPower Pool: FightingPower Pool: ConcealmentAncillary Pool: Soul Mastery Hero Profile:Level 1: Gloom (A) Superior Defiant Barrage - RechargeTime/+Status (5) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime (5) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (7) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime (9) Superior Defiant Barrage - Damage/RechargeTime (9) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage Level 1: Entangle (A) Trap of the Hunter - Immobilize/Accuracy Level 2: Umbral Torrent (A) Superior Frozen Blast - Accuracy/Damage (11) Superior Frozen Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (11) Superior Frozen Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (17) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge (19) Sudden Acceleration - Knockback to Knockdown Level 4: Strangler (A) Neuronic Shutdown - Chance of Damage(Psionic) (34) Ghost Widow's Embrace - Chance of Damage(Psionic) (37) Unbreakable Constraint - Chance for Smashing Damage (37) Lockdown - Chance for +2 Mag Hold (37) Gladiator's Net - Chance of Damage(Lethal) Level 6: Hasten (A) Recharge Reduction IO (7) Recharge Reduction IO Level 8: Aim (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up Level 10: Moonbeam (A) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage (39) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (39) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (39) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage(Negative) (40) Gladiator's Javelin - Chance of Damage(Toxic) (40) Cloud Senses - Chance for Negative Energy Damage Level 12: Tenebrous Tentacles (A) Artillery - Accuracy/Damage (13) Artillery - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (13) Artillery - Accuracy/Recharge/Range (15) Bombardment - Chance for Fire Damage (15) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy) (17) Gravitational Anchor - Chance for Hold Level 14: Toxins (A) Recharge Reduction IO Level 16: Mystic Flight (A) Winter's Gift - Slow Resistance (20%) Level 18: Abyssal Gaze (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage (19) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (31) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (31) Ghost Widow's Embrace - Chance of Damage(Psionic) (34) Neuronic Shutdown - Chance of Damage(Psionic) (34) Lockdown - Chance for +2 Mag Hold Level 20: Wild Fortress (A) Synapse's Shock - EndMod/Increased Run Speed (21) Synapse's Shock - EndMod (21) Synapse's Shock - EndMod/Recharge (23) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb (23) Preventive Medicine - Heal (27) Preventive Medicine - Heal/Endurance Level 22: Arcane Bolt (A) Empty Level 24: Rune of Protection (A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance (25) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance (25) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance Level 26: Blackstar (A) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Recharge/Chance for Fire Damage (27) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge (29) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (29) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (31) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage Level 28: Vines (A) Basilisk's Gaze - Accuracy/Hold (40) Basilisk's Gaze - Accuracy/Recharge (42) Lockdown - Chance for +2 Mag Hold (42) Gladiator's Net - Chance of Damage(Lethal) (42) Ghost Widow's Embrace - Chance of Damage(Psionic) (43) Neuronic Shutdown - Chance of Damage(Psionic) Level 30: Boxing (A) Empty Level 32: Tough (A) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All) (33) Gladiator's Armor - Resistance (33) Gladiator's Armor - End/Resist (33) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3% Level 35: Weave (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed (36) Luck of the Gambler - Defense (36) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance (36) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Recharge Level 38: Night Fall (A) Ragnarok - Chance for Knockdown (43) Ragnarok - Damage (43) Ragnarok - Damage/Recharge (46) Bombardment - Chance for Fire Damage (46) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy) (46) Cloud Senses - Chance for Negative Energy Damage Level 41: Soul Tentacles (A) Bombardment - Chance for Fire Damage (50) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy) (50) Trap of the Hunter - Chance of Damage(Lethal) (50) Javelin Volley - Chance of Damage(Lethal) Level 44: Dark Embrace (A) Titanium Coating - Resistance (45) Titanium Coating - Resistance/Endurance (45) Titanium Coating - Resistance/Recharge (45) Titanium Coating - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge Level 47: Stealth (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed (48) Kismet - Accuracy +6% (48) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All) (48) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage Level 49: Spore Cloud (A) Endurance Reduction IO Level 1: Defiance Level 1: Brawl My mission at this point was simple. I'm now playing a very fragile Blaster, so it looks like from this point forward, I'm gonna join a team, hang back, and shoot out some cones and holds. And boy, lemme tell you, does this thing cone and hold. In fact, here's some highlights of what this Dark/Plant does very well: 1. Hold Stuff Abyssal Gaze, Strangler, and Vines all have the potential to hold bosses. This is my main ticket to surviving a fight. Much like a soft-Dominator hehe, I'm at the mercy of my mez duration. This factor makes gameplay exhilarating. Oh, also, I can help better Controllers and Dominators hold AVs without breaking my attack chain! 2. Make Lots of Orange Numbers These are the only other things I can see on my screen through the electric cage FX from the hold procs. I'm not out DPSing any other blaster, but I do have a full AoE attack chain. An attack chain that also includes holds. 3. Die Probably the only thing that reminds me I'm playing a Blaster. This thing splats spectacularly. A mean look is enough to have me eating dirt. But that's half the fun! I recently made it to 50 and this one is definitely a keeper for me. The itch for a fun and unique toon has been thoroughly scratched. Feel free to share insight or experience if you have also played this combo. Edited December 29, 2022 by Spaghetti Betty 3 1 Mainly on Excelsior. Find me in game @Spaghetti Betty. AE Arcs: Big Magic Blowout! 41612 | The Meta-Human Wrestling Association 44683 | MHWA Part 2 48577 Click to look at my pets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meknomancer Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Sometimes all it takes is the right name, a good costume and a respec and a toon goes from sitting untouched for a couple of years to being your current main. Sadly thats never been the case with mine. I made one of these back in 2020 i think it was. Love the costume you posted btw, especially the glowing yakuza shoulders, pale skin and the way you got the thorny stuff the right colours. I have a lot of dark blasters and this ones been played the least i'm not sure exactly why, its been pretty much unkillable since the last respec and it only runs about 34-5% ranged. I originally had double tentacles and vines which was nice but i found i wasn't using either much. The melee attacks got skipped every time, not because i hate melee'ing but because i hate both the animations the cast times and the puny dps. There's a reason you only see a few spines scraps/brutes/tanks outside of ae. Build still feels a bit odd, theres pieces in that don't make sense even when i look at it now but purely down to the secondary being just as odd. Absorb secondary's on blasters arent as good as the others, you only have to look at /fire and its massive recovery rates and even a single heal io in it giving your hp constant green tics. There was a few older respecs when i had endurance issues which is why i think i tossed a theft in life drain. So i end up with just the usual minimal picks, entangle is a force pick, strangler to stack with abyssal, spore cloud to stack with all the - to hit and its one of the few powers giving - regen to blasters. Not much to say about the primary, i never felt like it was one of the 'weaker' sets and i run life drain as part of the st attack chain as i do on all my dark blast toons. And you have Umbral torrent. Knock a mob down. Does it look like your going to get hit by something? Umbral torrent. Mob getting back up? Umbral torrent. Tied second best cone in the game, possibly the best. Range is ridiculous. I lost track of how many times i fired it off and aggroed 2-3 mobs behind the one i was aiming for. It recharges super fast. Slots an ff+rech. Perfect mob control. Umbral, Tentacles, Nightfall still one of my favourite combos and i try to fit them all in on every dark blaster i play. Problem with the combo for me has been having an ice/plant which i prefer and a dark/ninja, dark/devices and dark/time that all feel like a smoother play. I'd build in minimal defences if i were you, just enough so when you open up with nukes/cones all the - to hit stacks up and your pretty much untouchable. And i'd take life drain, even the small heal keeps you up. Current build (testing hammis to try match umbrals range or at least close enough so that i dont have to reposition constantly) : Spoiler This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.4.7https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn DARK PLANT SOUL: Level 49 Magic Blaster Primary Power Set: Dark Blast Secondary Power Set: Plant Manipulation Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery Hero Profile: ------------ Level 1: Gloom (A) Superior Defiant Barrage - RechargeTime/+Status (7) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (7) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime (9) Superior Defiant Barrage - Damage/RechargeTime (9) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage (11) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime Level 1: Entangle (A) Enfeebled Operation - Accuracy/Endurance Level 2: Umbral Torrent (A) Superior Frozen Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (11) Superior Frozen Blast - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime (13) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge (13) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown (15) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy) (15) Bombardment - Chance for Fire Damage Level 4: Strangler (A) Unbreakable Constraint - Chance for Smashing Damage (17) Ghost Widow's Embrace - Chance of Damage(Psionic) (17) Gladiator's Net - Chance of Damage(Lethal) (19) Gladiator's Net - Accuracy/Hold (19) Gladiator's Net - Endurance/Recharge/Hold Level 6: Aim (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up Level 8: Moonbeam (A) Sting of the Manticore - Chance of Damage(Toxic) (21) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Endurance/Recharge (21) Sting of the Manticore - Accuracy/Damage (23) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Endurance (23) Sting of the Manticore - Accuracy/Interrupt/Range Level 10: Toxins (A) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff/Recharge Level 12: Tenebrous Tentacles Hamidon Origin:Centriole Exposure (25) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy) (27) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (27) Bombardment - Chance for Fire Damage (29) Bombardment - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge/Endurance Level 14: Super Speed (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance (29) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points) Level 16: Hasten (A) Recharge Reduction IO (31) Recharge Reduction IO Level 18: Abyssal Gaze (A) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage (46) Superior Winter's Bite - Damage/RechargeTime (46) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (46) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (47) Superior Winter's Bite - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime (47) Gladiator's Javelin - Chance of Damage(Toxic) Level 20: Wild Fortress (A) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Endurance/Recharge (42) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Accuracy/Recharge (42) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Accuracy/Endurance (43) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Recharge (43) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Endurance (43) Preemptive Optimization - Accuracy/Recharge Level 22: Boxing (A) Empty Level 24: Tough Hamidon Origin:Ribosome Exposure Level 26: Life Drain (A) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage(Negative) (34) Apocalypse - Damage/Endurance (37) Apocalypse - Recharge/Accuracy (39) Apocalypse - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy (39) Apocalypse - Damage (40) Theft of Essence - Chance for +Endurance Level 28: Weave (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed (40) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All) (40) Shield Wall - Defense (42) Shield Wall - Defense/Endurance Level 30: Combat Jumping (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed (31) Kismet - Accuracy +6% Level 32: Blackstar (A) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Recharge/Chance for Fire Damage (33) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge (33) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (33) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (34) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Damage/Recharge (34) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage Level 35: Night Fall Hamidon Origin:Centriole Exposure (36) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy) (36) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (37) Bombardment - Chance for Fire Damage (37) Bombardment - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge/Endurance Level 38: Dark Embrace (A) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP (39) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance (49) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All) Level 41: Spore Cloud (A) Dark Watcher's Despair - Recharge/Endurance (48) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff (48) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff/Endurance (48) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff/Recharge/Endurance Level 44: Maneuvers (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed (45) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage (45) Reactive Defenses - Defense (45) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance Level 47: Tactics (A) Endurance Reduction IO Level 49: Super Jump (A) Winter's Gift - Slow Resistance (20%) Level 1: Defiance Level 1: Brawl (A) Empty Level 1: Sprint (A) Empty Level 2: Rest (A) Empty Level 1: Swift (A) Empty Level 1: Hurdle (A) Empty Level 1: Health (A) Panacea - +Hit Points/Endurance (3) Numina's Convalesence - +Regeneration/+Recovery (3) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb (5) Miracle - +Recovery Level 1: Stamina (A) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End (5) Performance Shifter - EndMod Level 49: Quick Form Level 14: Speed Phase Level 49: Double Jump ------------ | Copy & Paste this data into Mids Reborn : Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1672;733;1466;HEX;| |78DA75945B4F135110C767F7EC5AB9D452EEC8BD805C5D8AF1D9805C12A1D586AAA| |FCD863665A56C37A524FA01FC02BC9878E355D467445F34D1478D1A7DD3173F0060| |628CE22575DC3923A71836D9F677E6CCFCCFCCECECC6AF4E55BF7A191B072D3899B| |357565267F1B7982998713BEB2C005EA1A989F9B9AE446CE2FCC5AEE4854BB100DA| |5AA4576ADE76B399B4356517962832C23BC955CFCB178A562267BBC554DC761D6F3| |567179DBC0B95897C3E6725BD4C261DF471C6C92E161D375BEDAF6219DBC3458817| |E94C6165D1F1DAA63D67C18AFBEACB8E9B4E25F3ABB914ADAF35635211BC9D7A50A| |F9209601A0063061C01C1A0131C058D01082AC1203836582E83F79AE6EF5CC10334| |F5000D3639788BA01AAEEB123E0992832D90A09B3ED4E001429131049CA3A01A58D| |6244C53742D8C334C122C6112A6A6A467C20645E77027A0EA06E03D1D5D0FEF185E| |1334C21B86B70461CCAA422DBB02D649771975ABD4B2ABE034FE63DACDFB208B3C0| |E8F1864B56DA011F4606E4145460BC2075DBA7C2488A04B48A94D0BC130C97530B8| |984C587131C3708F5A7F123618EE333C20B0E021C30875B10EABAD5365EAE017B90| |CC24F861F0443B0C7F09DE11B81860937A84D6B80125E20D0DEA416D2E42FDBFF16| |72865A96C7425AD40C5A608CBAD00D51825E1825380116C308413FD40A5F0F1F32B| |42A32A2151A34E9322724CC0A59D10C412306B5ABE9B5735007FC065FD7C3F43AD5| |87DE09EB14DC057719EE30DC1632F35B0C37099E0A7A37FFC94478647AF641CE4E0| |FCF4E2FCF4E2FCFCE3394E95312D6FB604FC88E7C2588C229591C3EDA01E5483100| |8FA969A3B0C9F084618B208C1D1956DB38CC1D19812F42C20EC3AE1C220CB2D457D| |1C2C2FD9D26DC89AA73118556D9191C1CE523522AB519FF7D6EFC118A1D624F18E5| |1F215CF8F6EDCA7261F6DF39C4BE7BC08EE975538A3A5CD6246C93C58059B4F41BF| |0F94010E20D5DBAAC11CC0D95975E7A3E54FEDE975E1CF4F8038C01DD06| |-------------------------------------------------------------------| 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaghetti Betty Posted December 29, 2022 Author Share Posted December 29, 2022 (edited) 6 hours ago, Meknomancer said: Sometimes all it takes is the right name, a good costume and a respec and a toon goes from sitting untouched for a couple of years to being your current main. Sadly thats never been the case with mine. I made one of these back in 2020 i think it was. Love the costume you posted btw, especially the glowing yakuza shoulders, pale skin and the way you got the thorny stuff the right colours. I have a lot of dark blasters and this ones been played the least i'm not sure exactly why, its been pretty much unkillable since the last respec and it only runs about 34-5% ranged. I originally had double tentacles and vines which was nice but i found i wasn't using either much. The melee attacks got skipped every time, not because i hate melee'ing but because i hate both the animations the cast times and the puny dps. There's a reason you only see a few spines scraps/brutes/tanks outside of ae. Build still feels a bit odd, theres pieces in that don't make sense even when i look at it now but purely down to the secondary being just as odd. Absorb secondary's on blasters arent as good as the others, you only have to look at /fire and its massive recovery rates and even a single heal io in it giving your hp constant green tics. There was a few older respecs when i had endurance issues which is why i think i tossed a theft in life drain. So i end up with just the usual minimal picks, entangle is a force pick, strangler to stack with abyssal, spore cloud to stack with all the - to hit and its one of the few powers giving - regen to blasters. Not much to say about the primary, i never felt like it was one of the 'weaker' sets and i run life drain as part of the st attack chain as i do on all my dark blast toons. And you have Umbral torrent. Knock a mob down. Does it look like your going to get hit by something? Umbral torrent. Mob getting back up? Umbral torrent. Tied second best cone in the game, possibly the best. Range is ridiculous. I lost track of how many times i fired it off and aggroed 2-3 mobs behind the one i was aiming for. It recharges super fast. Slots an ff+rech. Perfect mob control. Umbral, Tentacles, Nightfall still one of my favourite combos and i try to fit them all in on every dark blaster i play. Problem with the combo for me has been having an ice/plant which i prefer and a dark/ninja, dark/devices and dark/time that all feel like a smoother play. I'd build in minimal defences if i were you, just enough so when you open up with nukes/cones all the - to hit stacks up and your pretty much untouchable. And i'd take life drain, even the small heal keeps you up. Current build (testing hammis to try match umbrals range or at least close enough so that i dont have to reposition constantly) : Reveal hidden contents This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.4.7https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn DARK PLANT SOUL: Level 49 Magic Blaster Primary Power Set: Dark Blast Secondary Power Set: Plant Manipulation Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery Hero Profile: ------------ Level 1: Gloom (A) Superior Defiant Barrage - RechargeTime/+Status (7) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (7) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime (9) Superior Defiant Barrage - Damage/RechargeTime (9) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage (11) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime Level 1: Entangle (A) Enfeebled Operation - Accuracy/Endurance Level 2: Umbral Torrent (A) Superior Frozen Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (11) Superior Frozen Blast - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime (13) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge (13) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown (15) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy) (15) Bombardment - Chance for Fire Damage Level 4: Strangler (A) Unbreakable Constraint - Chance for Smashing Damage (17) Ghost Widow's Embrace - Chance of Damage(Psionic) (17) Gladiator's Net - Chance of Damage(Lethal) (19) Gladiator's Net - Accuracy/Hold (19) Gladiator's Net - Endurance/Recharge/Hold Level 6: Aim (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up Level 8: Moonbeam (A) Sting of the Manticore - Chance of Damage(Toxic) (21) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Endurance/Recharge (21) Sting of the Manticore - Accuracy/Damage (23) Sting of the Manticore - Damage/Endurance (23) Sting of the Manticore - Accuracy/Interrupt/Range Level 10: Toxins (A) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff/Recharge Level 12: Tenebrous Tentacles Hamidon Origin:Centriole Exposure (25) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy) (27) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (27) Bombardment - Chance for Fire Damage (29) Bombardment - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge/Endurance Level 14: Super Speed (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance (29) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points) Level 16: Hasten (A) Recharge Reduction IO (31) Recharge Reduction IO Level 18: Abyssal Gaze (A) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage (46) Superior Winter's Bite - Damage/RechargeTime (46) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (46) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (47) Superior Winter's Bite - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime (47) Gladiator's Javelin - Chance of Damage(Toxic) Level 20: Wild Fortress (A) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Endurance/Recharge (42) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Accuracy/Recharge (42) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Accuracy/Endurance (43) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Recharge (43) Preemptive Optimization - EndMod/Endurance (43) Preemptive Optimization - Accuracy/Recharge Level 22: Boxing (A) Empty Level 24: Tough Hamidon Origin:Ribosome Exposure Level 26: Life Drain (A) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage(Negative) (34) Apocalypse - Damage/Endurance (37) Apocalypse - Recharge/Accuracy (39) Apocalypse - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy (39) Apocalypse - Damage (40) Theft of Essence - Chance for +Endurance Level 28: Weave (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed (40) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All) (40) Shield Wall - Defense (42) Shield Wall - Defense/Endurance Level 30: Combat Jumping (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed (31) Kismet - Accuracy +6% Level 32: Blackstar (A) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Recharge/Chance for Fire Damage (33) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge (33) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (33) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (34) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Damage/Recharge (34) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage Level 35: Night Fall Hamidon Origin:Centriole Exposure (36) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy) (36) Positron's Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (37) Bombardment - Chance for Fire Damage (37) Bombardment - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge/Endurance Level 38: Dark Embrace (A) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP (39) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance (49) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All) Level 41: Spore Cloud (A) Dark Watcher's Despair - Recharge/Endurance (48) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff (48) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff/Endurance (48) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff/Recharge/Endurance Level 44: Maneuvers (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed (45) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage (45) Reactive Defenses - Defense (45) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance Level 47: Tactics (A) Endurance Reduction IO Level 49: Super Jump (A) Winter's Gift - Slow Resistance (20%) Level 1: Defiance Level 1: Brawl (A) Empty Level 1: Sprint (A) Empty Level 2: Rest (A) Empty Level 1: Swift (A) Empty Level 1: Hurdle (A) Empty Level 1: Health (A) Panacea - +Hit Points/Endurance (3) Numina's Convalesence - +Regeneration/+Recovery (3) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb (5) Miracle - +Recovery Level 1: Stamina (A) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End (5) Performance Shifter - EndMod Level 49: Quick Form Level 14: Speed Phase Level 49: Double Jump ------------ | Copy & Paste this data into Mids Reborn : Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1672;733;1466;HEX;| |78DA75945B4F135110C767F7EC5AB9D452EEC8BD805C5D8AF1D9805C12A1D586AAA| |FCD863665A56C37A524FA01FC02BC9878E355D467445F34D1478D1A7DD3173F0060| |628CE22575DC3923A71836D9F677E6CCFCCFCCECECC6AF4E55BF7A191B072D3899B| |357565267F1B7982998713BEB2C005EA1A989F9B9AE446CE2FCC5AEE4854BB100DA| |5AA4576ADE76B399B4356517962832C23BC955CFCB178A562267BBC554DC761D6F3| |567179DBC0B95897C3E6725BD4C261DF471C6C92E161D375BEDAF6219DBC3458817| |E94C6165D1F1DAA63D67C18AFBEACB8E9B4E25F3ABB914ADAF35635211BC9D7A50A| |F9209601A0063061C01C1A0131C058D01082AC1203836582E83F79AE6EF5CC10334| |F5000D3639788BA01AAEEB123E0992832D90A09B3ED4E001429131049CA3A01A58D| |6244C53742D8C334C122C6112A6A6A467C20645E77027A0EA06E03D1D5D0FEF185E| |1334C21B86B70461CCAA422DBB02D649771975ABD4B2ABE034FE63DACDFB208B3C0| |E8F1864B56DA011F4606E4145460BC2075DBA7C2488A04B48A94D0BC130C97530B8| |984C587131C3708F5A7F123618EE333C20B0E021C30875B10EABAD5365EAE017B90| |CC24F861F0443B0C7F09DE11B81860937A84D6B80125E20D0DEA416D2E42FDBFF16| |72865A96C7425AD40C5A608CBAD00D51825E1825380116C308413FD40A5F0F1F32B| |42A32A2151A34E9322724CC0A59D10C412306B5ABE9B5735007FC065FD7C3F43AD5| |87DE09EB14DC057719EE30DC1632F35B0C37099E0A7A37FFC94478647AF641CE4E0| |FCF4E2FCF4E2FCFCE3394E95312D6FB604FC88E7C2588C229591C3EDA01E5483100| |8FA969A3B0C9F084618B208C1D1956DB38CC1D19812F42C20EC3AE1C220CB2D457D| |1C2C2FD9D26DC89AA73118556D9191C1CE523522AB519FF7D6EFC118A1D624F18E5| |1F215CF8F6EDCA7261F6DF39C4BE7BC08EE975538A3A5CD6246C93C58059B4F41BF| |0F94010E20D5DBAAC11CC0D95975E7A3E54FEDE975E1CF4F8038C01DD06| |-------------------------------------------------------------------| Thanks. I appreciate the compliment. Honestly, the new look was about 80% of the reason why I wanted to revisit the toon. I feel the same way about Absorb toggles on Blasters, too. In the past, /Temporal having an absorb toggle was what held back my Nrg/Temp. On the other hand, my AR/TA can recover from taking a glancing hit very quickly, but /TA is a great example in how not all secondaries are made equal. Life Drain was an unfortunate skip for my build. It was a tough choice. It's a very strong move, but a myriad of reasons made me opt to not take it: slot economy, overall direction, and I opted to grab double Tentacles instead for extra AoE burst. I didn't feel like my ST was struggling without it thanks to proc'd out Strangler. If I was running any other secondary, Life Drain would be a no-brainer. Yes, Umbral Torrent is a strange but very good power. I wonder which intern gave it double the range of Energy Torrent. It is also the single thing that leads to most of my deaths, since, like you said, it's really good at sniping mobs on the other side of the room. Ice/Plant definitely seems like the better version of this. I'd probably even recommend that over this, but Dark/Plant is still pretty fun. I'm a sucker for stand-out playstyles. I'll see if I can't work in some of your ideas into my build, but as it stands I'm really digging my "Glass Shadow". Edited December 29, 2022 by Spaghetti Betty 1 Mainly on Excelsior. Find me in game @Spaghetti Betty. AE Arcs: Big Magic Blowout! 41612 | The Meta-Human Wrestling Association 44683 | MHWA Part 2 48577 Click to look at my pets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaghetti Betty Posted August 27, 2023 Author Share Posted August 27, 2023 Hello! I've taken some time to revist this and I finally worked in Life Drain. This banaids one major problem I've had with the build - endurance management. I love running Intuition Radial as it boosts so many things vital to this Blaster, so switching to Cardiac was out of the question. Throwing a ToE proc in Life Drain alleviates that a bit. I also managed to cap Slow RES! It only matters to me And one last note, armor is for weenies (and Tankers)! Ravens Land new - Blaster (Dark Blast - Plant Manipulation).mbd 1 Mainly on Excelsior. Find me in game @Spaghetti Betty. AE Arcs: Big Magic Blowout! 41612 | The Meta-Human Wrestling Association 44683 | MHWA Part 2 48577 Click to look at my pets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire Chief Posted August 27, 2023 Share Posted August 27, 2023 Diggin' the screenies Betty 'cause my mids is not working with my sucky windows 11. Anywho thx. 1 My DA page —“too soon old, and too late smart.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onlyasandwich Posted August 27, 2023 Share Posted August 27, 2023 (edited) @Spaghetti Betty I love the combo here, and your build is great. I too very much enjoy the "damn the defenses" playstyle on sets who have meaningful controls to fall back on. It may not be as ultimately survivable as a defense softcap build, but it can succeed, generally has much better damage through procs, and is just more fun when you wish to feel engaged. I am inspired to make one of these myself, and bashed together my take on it. Much of my slotting is informed by yours, with some meaningful differences: Double tentacle action. I like the idea of constantly layering the full boss level immob mag on the whole spawn so things stay in place. I didn't proc out Vines. It definitely creates a nice little bomb if you do! My conceit here is to use it as a consistent opener, so hold/recharge enhancement is pretty useful. Swapping Grav anchor proc here gives a mag increaser with full 90% proc rate even with the maxed recharge. I'd love to hear more about how useful you have found the power. Heal slotting in Life Drain. I didn't go proc heavy here, though it does respectable damage. I usually fully proc out LIfe Drain, but am interested to see how often this tool is useful. Not quite at slow resist cap, but close enough with 90%. I grabbed the juicy low-hanging ranged defense bonuses, though didn't go out of my way outside of these. The idea here is to establish a solid baseline to stack with the to-hit debuffs, allowing me to stabilize in battle once Vines wears off. I built for max to-hit without Aim or Toxins in the mix. It looks like you may be leaning on these. Nightfall and Vines especially are running short on hit chance against +3's. I really like the idea of using Strangler as a one-shot boss hold. Even Abyssal will be clamping down bosses with regularity when used right after the opener. Of course, this leads to another question - why not just make a Dom? Plant/Dark Dom is one of the most powerful combos of anything out there. The real reason is of course fun and theme, but I see a few advantages to the Blaster: Nuke! More damage potential with their superior ATO set (extra purple proc). Better endurance management through blaster sustain. With how busted Plant/ is, I do think the dom version of this would tie or even pull ahead in damage outside of nuking, and gains full mez protection with perma-dom. Worth considering if you're inspired to make another dom! Nevertheless, not every character is about the optimal combo. Sometimes it's about making something odd work really well, and this is just the treat! Here's my build for reference. Blaster (Dark Blast - Plant Manipulation) mk2.mbd Screenshot: Spoiler Edited August 27, 2023 by Onlyasandwich 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaghetti Betty Posted August 28, 2023 Author Share Posted August 28, 2023 (edited) Thanks for checking out the build! I skimmed yours (currently on break at work) and I think yours is probably a lot safer than mine. I don't think the 10% difference in Slow RES will make that much of a difference in the long run. I'm just a huge stickler for trying to get capped or as close as possible on all of my toons. A lot of common team buffs also give Slow RES, I just think getting slowed is the worst and I'll do everything I can to make sure I can prevent it on my own. Lemme see if I can reply to some of your other points. 20 hours ago, Onlyasandwich said: Double tentacle action. I like the idea of constantly layering the full boss level immob mag on the whole spawn so things stay in place. I was originally running double tentacles but found I wasn't using the Soul Mastery version much. While it did look cool (always a plus!), Tenebrous Tentacles was always up fast enough to just use again after my other AoEs, so I ended up trading that out to make room for Life Drain. 20 hours ago, Onlyasandwich said: I didn't proc out Vines. It definitely creates a nice little bomb if you do! My conceit here is to use it as a consistent opener, so hold/recharge enhancement is pretty useful. Swapping Grav anchor proc here gives a mag increaser with full 90% proc rate even with the maxed recharge. I'd love to hear more about how useful you have found the power I think Vines is great! I see it as a nice "get out of jail free" power that a Blaster typically wouldn't have access to. Kind of like a nuke! I usually alternate between Blackstar and Vines to neutralize mobs quickly and turn the battle into my favor. Having it proc bombed causes it to deal a massive chunk of damage allowing my other AoEs to mop up minions/lts before they break free of the hold. 20 hours ago, Onlyasandwich said: I built for max to-hit without Aim or Toxins in the mix. It looks like you may be leaning on these. Nightfall and Vines especially are running short on hit chance against +3's. Yup, I do rely on Aim and Toxins to keep my hit chance healthy. I haven't noticed any huge strings of misses otherwise. 20 hours ago, Onlyasandwich said: why not just make a Dom? Just personal preference. When I originally set out to make the toon I wanted to play a Blaster that flipped the AT on its head. I have no doubt that the combo would make a really strong Dom, but I think it's way more entertaining being mistaken for one in the first place. Edited August 28, 2023 by Spaghetti Betty 1 Mainly on Excelsior. Find me in game @Spaghetti Betty. AE Arcs: Big Magic Blowout! 41612 | The Meta-Human Wrestling Association 44683 | MHWA Part 2 48577 Click to look at my pets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psiphon Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 7 hours ago, Spaghetti Betty said: Thanks for checking out the build! I skimmed yours (currently on break at work) and I think yours is probably a lot safer than mine. I don't think the 10% difference in Slow RES will make that much of a difference in the long run. I'm just a huge stickler for trying to get capped or as close as possible on all of my toons. A lot of common team buffs also give Slow RES, I just think getting slowed is the worst and I'll do everything I can to make sure I can prevent it on my own. Lemme see if I can reply to some of your other points. I was originally running double tentacles but found I wasn't using the Soul Mastery version much. While it did look cool (always a plus!), Tenebrous Tentacles was always up fast enough to just use again after my other AoEs, so I ended up trading that out to make room for Life Drain. I think Vines is great! I see it as a nice "get out of jail free" power that a Blaster typically wouldn't have access to. Kind of like a nuke! I usually alternate between Blackstar and Vines to neutralize mobs quickly and turn the battle into my favor. Having it prob bombed causes it to deal a massive chunk of damage allowing my other AoEs to mop up minions/lts before they break free of the hold. Yup, I do rely on Aim and Toxins to keep my hit chance healthy. I haven't noticed any huge strings of misses otherwise. Just personal preference. When I originally set out to make the toon I wanted to play a Blaster that flipped the AT on its head. I have no doubt that the combo would make a really strong Dom, but I think it's way more entertaining being mistaken for one in the first place. Thank you for highlighting this combo, looks very interesting. Off to make one now. 😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidge Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 I definitely agree: my Dark Blaster plays differently than my other Blasters. Despite having taken the melee powers, I find myself rarely engaging in close quarters. This is the character that I miss the original (for Homecoming, Fast) Snipe ranges the most... the longer-range (fast) Moonbeam paired nicely with Umbral Torrent for drawing the attention/hitting enemies at distance (including runners). I usually don't recommend %damage in Blasters, but I felt like fooling around. Originally I did not have Tenebrous Tentacles in the build... then started playing with them at higher levels, and with page 5 forcing some other changes I decided to go with them. I went with Dark/Temporal. I'm not sure it is the most creative, The one thing I like about this build is that Chronos is on fast timer, with a very high %Build Up chance, even without Hasten. 5-Slotting Arcane Bolt is a choice based on the concept as well as the set bonus. I could probably consider reworking this as a Corruptor... Spoiler Primary Power Set: Dark Blast Secondary Power Set: Temporal Manipulation Power Pool: Sorcery Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Force Mastery ------------ Level 1: Gloom (A) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage: Level 50 (*) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime: Level 50 (*) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance: Level 50 (*) Superior Defiant Barrage - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime: Level 50 (*) Superior Defiant Barrage - RechargeTime/+Status: Level 50 (*) Superior Defiant Barrage - Damage/RechargeTime: Level 50 Level 1: Time Wall (A) HamiO:Endoplasm Exposure - Accuracy/Mezz: Level 53 Level 2: Umbral Torrent (A) HamiO:Centriole Exposure - Damage/Range: Level 53 (*) HamiO:Nucleolus Exposure - Accuracy/Damage: Level 53 (*) Bombardment - Chance of Damage (Fire) (*) Javelin Volley - Chance of Damage (Lethal) (*) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown (*) Cloud Senses - Chance for Negative Energy Damage Level 4: Mystic Flight (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points) (*) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance Level 6: Time Stop (A) Gladiator's Net - Accuracy/Hold: Level 50+5 (*) Gladiator's Net - Accuracy/Recharge: Level 50 (*) Gladiator's Net - Recharge/Hold: Level 50 (*) Gladiator's Net - Endurance/Recharge/Hold: Level 50+5 (*) Gladiator's Net - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge/Hold: Level 50 (*) Gladiator's Net - Chance of Damage (Lethal): Level 50 Level 8: Moonbeam (A) Experienced Marksman - Accuracy/Damage: Level 50+5 (*) Experienced Marksman - Damage//Recharge: Level 50+5 (*) Experienced Marksman - Damage/Endurance/Interrupt: Level 50+5 (*) Experienced Marksman - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50+5 (*) Experienced Marksman - Damage/Interrupt/Range/Recharge: Level 50+5 (*) Gladiator's Javelin - Chance of Damage (Toxic): Level 50 Level 10: Chronos (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff (*) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Recharge (*) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Recharge/Endurance (*) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Recharge/Endurance (*) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Endurance (*) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up Level 12: Arcane Bolt (A) Apocalypse - Damage: Level 50+5 (*) Apocalypse - Damage/Recharge: Level 50 (*) Apocalypse - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 50 (*) Apocalypse - Damage/Endurance: Level 50 (*) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage (Negative): Level 50 Level 14: Tenebrous Tentacles (A) Annihilation - Accuracy/Damage (*) Annihilation - Damage/RechargeTime (*) Annihilation - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime (*) Annihilation - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (*) Annihilation - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime (*) Annihilation - Chance for Res Debuff Level 16: End of Time (A) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage: Level 50 (*) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Damage/Recharge: Level 50 (*) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 50 (*) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance: Level 50 (*) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50 (*) Superior Blaster's Wrath - Recharge/Chance for Fire Damage: Level 50 Level 18: Maneuvers (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed (*) Kismet - ToHit +6% Level 20: Temporal Healing (A) Preventive Medicine - Heal (*) Preventive Medicine - Heal/Endurance (*) Preventive Medicine - Endurance/RechargeTime (*) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime (*) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime/Endurance (*) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb Level 22: Life Drain (A) Touch of the Nictus - Healing (*) Touch of the Nictus - Accuracy/Healing (*) Touch of the Nictus - Chance for Negative Energy Damage (*) Gladiator's Javelin - Accuracy/Damage: Level 50+5 (*) Gladiator's Javelin - Chance of Damage(Toxic) (*) Cloud Senses - Chance for Negative Energy Damage Level 24: Rune of Protection (A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3% Level 26: Blackstar (A) Armageddon - Damage: Level 50+5 (*) Armageddon - Damage/Recharge: Level 50 (*) Armageddon - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 50 (*) Armageddon - Accuracy/Recharge: Level 50+5 (*) Armageddon - Chance for Fire Damage: Level 50 Level 28: Future Pain (A) Hecatomb - Damage: Level 50+5 (*) Hecatomb - Damage/Recharge: Level 50 (*) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 50 (*) Hecatomb - Damage/Endurance: Level 50+5 (*) Hecatomb - Chance of Damage(Negative): Level 50 Level 30: Time Lord (A) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP (*) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance Level 32: Hasten (A) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50+5 (*) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50+5 Level 35: Personal Force Field (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed (*) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All) Level 38: Kick (A) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge Level 41: Tough (A) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All): Level 50 Level 44: Weave (A) Reactive Defenses - Defense (*) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance (*) Reactive Defenses - Endurance/RechargeTime (*) Reactive Defenses - Defense/RechargeTime (*) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance/RechargeTime (*) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage Level 47: Temp Invulnerability (A) Aegis - Psionic/Status Resistance Level 47: Force of Nature (A) Performance Shifter %Heal (3PPM) Level 1: Brawl (A) Empty Level 1: Defiance Level 1: Sprint (A) Unbounded Leap - +Stealth Level 2: Rest (A) Interrupt Reduction IO: Level 50 Level 4: Athletic Run Level 2: Swift (A) Run Speed IO: Level 50+5 Level 2: Health (A) Panacea - +Hit Points/Endurance: Level 50 Level 2: Hurdle (A) Jumping IO: Level 50+5 Level 2: Stamina (A) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End ------------ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C U R S E Posted September 7, 2023 Share Posted September 7, 2023 Try Dark/Ninja Training and proc out all the attacks, with the crit bonus and you have a ridiculous killing machine. It is my favorite and my Main, he just melts everything. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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