Illusion/Time, a call for advice.

[Albion]

Having developed some interesting character backgrounds for this combination, didn't manage to find much technical information in the old forums archive, reddit or around here. Thus I am reaching out to the finest minds and roughest veterans out there, anything will be of great help: Your personal play experiences, powers synergies, slotting, builds you have felt doing it right even. My gratitude in advance.

 

 

[Zepp]

Time is new, so vets may not be able to help as much as usual. On the other hand, the +Rech in Time will help you get perma-PA. It will likely give you something of a Mastermind feel to the build...

[Ghostpilot]

You're in for a treat!  I've just finished (or am at least satisfied enough) with my Illusion / Time, and after leveling Illusion 4-5 times between Live and Homecoming, I've got to put Time on an equal level with Radiation Emission.  Rad can do some things that Time can't, and vice versa.

 

While it's an old guide, Local_Man's guide into Illusion is a fantastically thorough deep dive into the powerset.

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20120905042613/http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=141225

 

Sadly, there doesn't seem to be one I've run across for Time as it's a comparatively new set.

 

I did make a post on Reddit that you may find useful.

 

 

Hope it helps guide you some!

 

PS:  As an aside, Time Stop lets you do fun things like slotting every available damage proc into it.

 

Here's my Time Stop with all the damage procs slotted into it on a minion my level with no buffs / debuffs:

 

https://gyazo.com/184d42cc997f320bff63bb1bede50b76

[Albion]

Time is new, so vets may not be able to help as much as usual. On the other hand, the +Rech in Time will help you get perma-PA. It will likely give you something of a Mastermind feel to the build...

 

Thanks for the tips Zepp!, luckily I found a very good example on Homecoming discord, I encourage anyone struggling with build to pay it a visit!

[Albion]

You're in for a treat!  I've just finished (or am at least satisfied enough) with my Illusion / Time, and after leveling Illusion 4-5 times between Live and Homecoming, I've got to put Time on an equal level with Radiation Emission.  Rad can do some things that Time can't, and vice versa.

 

While it's an old guide, Local_Man's guide into Illusion is a fantastically thorough deep dive into the powerset.

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20120905042613/http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=141225

 

Sadly, there doesn't seem to be one I've run across for Time as it's a comparatively new set.

 

I did make a post on Reddit that you may find useful.

 

 

Hope it helps guide you some!

 

PS:  As an aside, Time Stop lets you do fun things like slotting every available damage proc into it.

 

Here's my Time Stop with all the damage procs slotted into it on a minion my level with no buffs / debuffs:

 

https://gyazo.com/184d42cc997f320bff63bb1bede50b76

 

Thanks again Ghostpilot!, you were an awesome help on Discord and I come back to the forums to find you helped me out here to, +1 inf!

[Straenge]

Edit: Eh this is what I am currently aiming for but may edit it later a bit. But this should be able to get you started.

 

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.962

http://www.cohplanner.com/

 

Click this DataLink to open the build!

 

The Timeless Trickster: Level 50 Mutation Controller

Primary Power Set: Illusion Control

Secondary Power Set: Time Manipulation

Power Pool: Flight

Power Pool: Leadership

Power Pool: Speed

Ancillary Pool: Fire Mastery

 

Hero Profile:

Level 1: Spectral Wounds -- Dcm-Acc/Dmg(A), Dcm-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Dcm-Dmg/Rchg(3), Dcm-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Dcm-Build%(5), Dcm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7)

Level 1: Time Crawl -- Acc-I(A)

Level 2: Blind -- SprWiloft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(A), SprWiloft-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(7), SprWiloft-EndRdx/Rchg(9), SprWiloft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(9), SprWiloft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprWiloft-Rchg/Dmg%(11)

Level 4: Deceive -- CrcPrs-Conf%(A), CrcPrs-Conf/Rchg(13), CrcPrs-Acc/Rchg(13), CrcPrs-Acc/Conf/Rchg(15), CrcPrs-Conf(15)

Level 6: Time's Juncture -- DarWtcDsp-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(A), DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(40), DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb(40), DarWtcDsp-Slow%(42)

Level 8: Hover -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), Krm-ResKB(17), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(40)

Level 10: Temporal Mending -- Pnc-Heal(A), Pnc-Heal/+End(17), Pnc-Heal/Rchg(19)

Level 12: Superior Invisibility -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(21), RedFrt-Def/Rchg(21), RedFrt-Def(23), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(23), RedFrt-EndRdx(25)

Level 14: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)

Level 16: Group Invisibility -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(27), LucoftheG-Def(29)

Level 18: Distortion Field -- BslGaz-Slow%(A), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(19), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(25), BslGaz-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(27)

Level 20: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(29), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(31)

Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33)

Level 24: Time Stop -- BslGaz-Slow%(A), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(33), BslGaz-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(34), BslGaz-Acc/Hold(34)

Level 26: Phantom Army -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(34), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(36), SlbAll-Dmg/Rchg(36), SlbAll-Build%(37)

Level 28: Spectral Terror -- GlmoftheA-Dam%(A)

Level 30: Farsight -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def(31), RedFrt-Def/Rchg(31), RedFrt-EndRdx(43), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(50)

Level 32: Phantasm -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(37), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(37), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(39), ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(43)

Level 35: Slowed Response -- AnlWkn-%ToHit(A), AchHee-ResDeb%(39), AchHee-DefDeb/Rchg(46), AchHee-DefDeb(46)

Level 38: Chrono Shift -- PrfShf-End%(A), Mrc-Heal/Rchg(42)

Level 41: Tactics -- GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(A), GssSynFr--Build%(43)

Level 44: Fire Ball -- PstBls-Dam%(A), PstBls-Acc/Dmg(45), PstBls-Dmg/EndRdx(45), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(45), PstBls-Dmg/Rng(46)

Level 47: Fire Shield -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(48), RctArm-ResDam(48), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(48)

Level 49: Rise of the Phoenix -- FuroftheG-ResDeb%(A)

Level 1: Brawl -- Dmg(A)

Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)

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

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

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

Level 2: Health -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(33)

Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(42), EndMod-I(50)

Level 1: Containment

Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A)

Level 4: Ninja Run

Level 50: Cardiac Partial Core Revamp

Level 50: Pyronic Partial Radial Judgement

Level 50: Diamagnetic Partial Radial Conversion

Level 50: Rularuu Partial Core Improved Ally

Level 50: Ageless Partial Core Invocation

------------

------------

Set Bonus Totals:

• 19.5% DamageBuff(Smashing)
  
• 19.5% DamageBuff(Lethal)
  
• 19.5% DamageBuff(Fire)
  
• 19.5% DamageBuff(Cold)
  
• 19.5% DamageBuff(Energy)
  
• 19.5% DamageBuff(Negative)
  
• 19.5% DamageBuff(Toxic)
  
• 19.5% DamageBuff(Psionic)
  
• 6% Defense(Melee)
  
• 6% Defense(Smashing)
  
• 6% Defense(Lethal)
  
• 6.94% Defense(Fire)
  
• 6.94% Defense(Cold)
  
• 15.06% Defense(Energy)
  
• 15.06% Defense(Negative)
  
• 6% Defense(Psionic)
  
• 16.63% Defense(Ranged)
  
• 7.88% Defense(AoE)
  
• 2.25% Max End
  
• 4% Enhancement(Held)
  
• 24% Enhancement(Accuracy)
  
• 4% Enhancement(Stunned)
  
• 4.4% Enhancement(Terrorized)
  
• 8% Enhancement(Confused)
  
• 8% Enhancement(Sleep)
  
• 8% Enhancement(Immobilized)
  
• 112.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
  
• 15% SpeedFlying
  
• 49.6 HP (4.88%) HitPoints
  
• 15% JumpHeight
  
• 15% SpeedJumping
  
• Knockback (Mag -4)
  
• Knockup (Mag -4)
  
• MezResist(Confused) 31.25%
  
• MezResist(Held) 31.25%
  
• MezResist(Immobilized) 31.25%
  
• MezResist(Sleep) 31.25%
  
• MezResist(Stunned) 31.25%
  
• MezResist(Terrorized) 31.25%
  
• 15.5% (0.26 End/sec) Recovery
  
• 56% (2.37 HP/sec) Regeneration
  
• 19.5% Resistance(Smashing)
  
• 20.25% Resistance(Fire)
  
• 20.25% Resistance(Cold)
  
• 19.5% Resistance(Energy)
  
• 19.5% Resistance(Negative)
  
• 19.5% Resistance(Toxic)
  
• 19.5% Resistance(Psionic)
  
• 19.5% Resistance(Lethal)
  
• 15% SpeedRunning
  

 

 

 

| Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
|MxDz;1564;734;1468;HEX;|
|78DA65944B4F13511886CFB453A02DA52DA5502E2DD372B548A1EAD284444482424|
|22271A59206063A716C9B9936D1A57FC198E02D827297C48D4A082ED4DFE02DEEFC|
|030A5E16EEEAD7793F684D2721CF9C77BECBCB77CEE9D4ADF3F52FC6EF8C08C937A|
|AA74C7376349BC91B595D578DBAA9423E95D7B219414FF34C5A5566B49BAAAE9AA6|
|3263687337CCBC6AD4D2A7AE72CA51766242D70B26A51E09D18A987385858544A9D|
|4EC542AA3E50ABAD5C43F9149AB869AC9278E5EDCD359AA7441D716D379AFF53EA9|
|A6E655C34C6B3997B5BE9C53D5790FC24A515A66D13F96D3E6686594AA971CDE0E9|
|1C538FD2D4B829FA2432C11FA6461BBCF7C00CA0F998FC19A47E093A6E35C21DA08|
|4959AC503D89EB491B764BABD904EBB698DBA0EB3973077C4A8976E4CAF694CDD2E|
|AAF3167C186EBCCABE00A7970580D8B76C71EB4BE7DE62E78E20DE8A47DA945ACAD|
|3628599AEF2F2DC3147B091E96A99E131E6C4E059A2F0A3646C0554A75A38EC3CD7|
|59A5C4C37D8DCC0F480212FD8481E3CC8159E2866B6466B2FFBF272BD361FD8D104|
|3E235F7EF8B2FBBFDA2CCF8D9FC1D027B0ED0BE8A71E01AE1708FE5F27C27563141|
|3448C141C800F85B94ABD5AB8570BF752B857947B443F82EB54A395F7BBF500738E|
|1E825DBF98BF992360F728B841B9ED7C7EDABFC1D71AF50EF36CC3EC3D529A6588E|
|806E33CCB24CF36C9B3DF2474B2974EF6D2FD93C91E7AD9532F7B8CFF01D7A96F8C|
|CF51EC03C7BC27066431F88EF916DCA0D81E9E5DCF129FB171C9BA13019A6B3F7FE|
|BDFE21EDBE01A1D9F013EDF037B98F5C997CC57CCD7E0E02EB84E3909F6956891AC|
|990F9DC2391C8AA1E75004DCF10831CCF31C1E414C875C71474B974BB68B33955A9|
|11E11AF529255CAE92A65B2521984DF69F9F8FE0BA91BDA7717697CE6258EFB51A9|
|F5433B286B9274057BAA5CC4FF7658FE6693EEF2CC79F64905F9E1B29FE270955BA|
|7EFF8D7A578364009FCAED06E2651B9B85FA18F05CBFABD0AFD1FC66FF971|
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|

[Hjarki]

I'd probably aim for something like the following:

 

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.962

http://www.cohplanner.com/

 

Click this DataLink to open the build!

 

Level 50 Magic Controller

Primary Power Set: Illusion Control

Secondary Power Set: Time Manipulation

Power Pool: Sorcery

Power Pool: Leaping

Power Pool: Speed

Power Pool: Leadership

Ancillary Pool: Psionic Mastery

 

Hero Profile:

Level 1: Blind -- SprOvrPrs-Rchg/Energy Font(A), SprOvrPrs-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(3), SprOvrPrs-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(3), SprOvrPrs-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(5), SprOvrPrs-EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprOvrPrs-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(7)

Level 1: Time Crawl -- Acc-I(A)

Level 2: Temporal Mending -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), NmnCnv-Heal(7), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx(9), NmnCnv-EndRdx/Rchg(9), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(11), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(11)

Level 4: Arcane Bolt -- Apc-Dam%(A), Apc-Dmg(13), Apc-Dmg/Rchg(13), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), Apc-Acc/Rchg(15), FrcFdb-Rechg%(17)

Level 6: Mystic Flight -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(48)

Level 8: Superior Invisibility -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A)

Level 10: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(43)

Level 12: Group Invisibility -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(48)

Level 14: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A)

Level 16: Distortion Field -- Slow-I(A)

Level 18: Phantom Army -- ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(19), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(19), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(21), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(21), RechRdx-I(23)

Level 20: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(34), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(43), Ksm-ToHit+(43), LucoftheG-Def(46)

Level 22: Flash -- UnbCns-Dam%(A), UnbCns-EndRdx/Hold(23), UnbCns-Hold(25), UnbCns-Hold/Rchg(25), UnbCns-Acc/Hold/Rchg(27), UnbCns-Acc/Rchg(27)

Level 24: Rune of Protection -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(48)

Level 26: Spectral Terror -- SprWiloft-Rchg/Dmg%(A), SprWiloft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(29), SprWiloft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(29), SprWiloft-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(31), SprWiloft-EndRdx/Rchg(31), SprWiloft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(31)

Level 28: Farsight -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(33), Rct-ResDam%(33), Rct-Def/Rchg(33), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(34)

Level 30: Deceive -- CrcPrs-Conf%(A), CrcPrs-Conf/EndRdx(34), CrcPrs-Conf/Rchg(36), CrcPrs-Conf(36), CrcPrs-Acc/Conf/Rchg(36), CrcPrs-Acc/Rchg(37)

Level 32: Phantasm -- ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(37), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(37), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), FrcFdb-Rechg%(39), FrcFdb-Dmg/EndRdx/KB(39)

Level 35: Slowed Response -- AchHee-ResDeb%(A), Acc-I(50), TchofLadG-%Dam(50), TchofLadG-DefDeb/Rchg(50)

Level 38: Chrono Shift -- Prv-Absorb%(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(40), Prv-Heal(40), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(40), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(42), Prv-Heal/Rchg(42)

Level 41: Indomitable Will -- RechRdx-I(A)

Level 44: Mind Over Body -- Ags-Psi/Status(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(45), UnbGrd-Max HP%(45), UnbGrd-ResDam(45), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(46), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(46)

Level 47: Tactics -- EndRdx-I(A)

Level 49: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)

Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Containment

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 -- IntRdx-I(A)

Level 4: Ninja Run

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

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

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

Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(17), PrfShf-EndMod/Acc(42)

Level 50: Intuition Radial Paragon

------------

 

Note that the Phantasm slotting should include Sudden Acceleration (to remove the knockback) rather than Force Feedback. Pine's just doesn't support the former.

 

In the above, I skip:

• Spectral Wounds. I find this to be a weak power. While it's necessary at lower levels, the ability to slot FF procs into Arcane Bolt is a big plus. While Blind/Arcane Bolt isn't a particularly complex (or high damage) rotation, Illusion Controllers normally don't depend on direct nuking.
  
• Time's Juncture. I don't find this ability particularly compelling. The slow features are replicated by the (far safer) Distortion Field and any time you actually need -damage, you're probably fighting something that you have no business being that close to. Besides, the Army itself is invulnerable so you don't really care about -damage that much.
  
• Temporal Selection. This is just a bad ability that I can't see using even on a pet-based build.
  
• Time Stop. While it adds a stray bit of extra -regen, having a second (inferior) Hold just isn't all that useful given that the cycle time on Blind is around 1/8th of its duration.
  

 

Powers that aren't really all that great:

• Deceive. This is useless outside of solo play, but Coercive Persuasion is just such a nice set that it makes sense to pack it in.
  
• Flash. Normally AE holds are junk. However, this is a high recharge build and Unbreakable Constraint is a nice set.
  
• Superior Invisibility. Perma-Group Invisibility is available, so there's little reason for this. However, the alternative would be to take Super Speed for stacking Stealth and Superior can slot LotG-recharge.

 

Some particular notes:

• Blind. Since Blind is both a Hold and a Sleep, it makes sense to slot one of the ATOs there.
  
• Spectral Terror. Since Fear sets are, by and large, not very good it makes sense to slot there other ATO there.
  
• Phantom Army/Phantasm. Eliminating the knockback from these pets is actually quite important for a group setting. However, unlike with similar powers, it won't improve their damage any (since they don't tend to chase enemies they knock back).
  
• Chrono Shift. Slotting this for healing has nothing to do with actual healing - it's just that they're solid set bonuses.

 

Psionic Mastery lets you get near-100% uptime on status protection between Rune of Protection and Indomitable Will. Otherwise, Primal Forces (for Power Boost) is another common choice to drive the Farsight defensive boost into the stratosphere (and save some slots on boosting defense elsewhere) - Primal Forces would be the more group-friendly choice (since your allies would benefit from the additional defense) but I find "gather for X buff" rarely works in practice.

[Albion]

Wow this picked up nicely, so many approaches!, Straenge, Hjarki, many thanks!, now I have plenty of guidance and ideas, hopefully so do other players that were looking for this.

[Riverdusk]

 

 

• Phantom Army/Phantasm. Eliminating the knockback from these pets is actually quite important for a group setting. However, unlike with similar powers, it won't improve their damage any (since they don't tend to chase enemies they knock back).

 

 

That phantom army does knockback is the myth that won't die.  Phantom army does NOT do knockback. 

 

Now, putting that proc in them to actually give them a chance for knockdown might work out well though.  But very not necessary.