Need some help evaluating a Dark/Dark build...

[Story Archer]

I struggled trying to figure out which powers were skippable vs. which powers were must have, and just as much when it came to where I should put my slots. I really like the power set combination and I feel like what I've got is just fine, but I'd like to know if I'm missing something completely. I feel like what I've put together gives me the best of all worlds when it comes to multi-layered defenses/healing/control while also letting me manage my Endurance issues as well as can be. Due to severe alt-itis and occasional lack of funds, I try to pre-build as effective a character as I can with IO's but without using any purple sets, so that's kind of the criteria here.

 

I figure that I'm close enough to the defensive soft-cap that pretty much any team-provided defensive buff will get me there. Resistances are solid if not spectacular, but I'm looking at stacking Cloak of Fear with Touch of Fear whenever I can for mitigation. Taunt and eventually Fold Space should help me gather everyone into range of both.

 

Set bonuses basically give me +10% Endurance and 10% Endurance reduction. I don't think the Performance Shifter procs are factored into the Recovery numbers, but between those, Dark Consumption and the occasional Theft of Essence proc popping off I think I'll be good Endurance-wise. Side question about the Theft of Essence proc: considering how obscenely expensive Dark Regen is, would I actually be better off dropping a L50 Endurance Reducer there?

 

I plan on only running Focused Accuracy on an as-needed basis since everything but Cloak of Fear is already hitting at over 95% on +4.

 

I put a snapshot of the build below - TIA for any responses, I'm really looking forward to giving this guy a try!

 

 

 

Edited November 28, 2023 by Story Archer

[Without_Pause]

I would take Death Shroud over Energy Torrent. More so since you aren't mitigating ET's KB. I would also take Midnight Grasp over Shadow Maul. Even with the revamp, I still don't like SM.

[PLVRIZR]

Paging @Snarky

[Snarky]

I really need to formalize this info and save it.  But here goes....

 

I prefer Dark Dark on a Brute over a Tank due to non suppressing Stealth.  It is INCREDIBLY good on a Tank, it is just that I am a theme purist.  If the Armor wants to go somewhere I tend to follow.

 

In my opinion not taking all the toggles is a very bad idea.  

 

Defense > Resist > Heal in this game.  Dark takes that statement, pretzels it, and sells it back to you.  Using mezzes to slow the trash and to-hit debuffs to further reduce incoming damage creates a "faux defense" that cannot be reduced by -defense debuffs.  When facing a real boss/AV etc you have some of the A tier resists in the game, along with a S tier Heal.(which is up embarrassingly quick)

 

Dark uses AoE stun and AoE fear to mezze the nobodies.  This gets rid of a ton of annoying incoming attacks.   Dark Dark uses to hit debuffs to also reduce incoming attacks.  Dark has non suppressed stealth.  When they cant see you eating their friend twenty feet away you can call that defense.  So Defense strategy set

 

Now, your big bads ignore most of that.  Soooo… some of the best resists in the game. Do not neglect energy resistance.  It can be built into a nice neighborhood.  I have Tanked Rom on a Master Run (with a Dark Dark BRUTE!!!) because i have energy resistance 
 

BEST heal in the game.  Available every few seconds.  with hasten up  sits at 11 sec recharge.  From .0001 health to 100%.

 

Dark Melee provides very good ST damage.  Bolstered by Dark armor damage aura there is decent AoE as well.  
 

 

Tanker - Dark Dark revised Apr 23.mxd

Edited November 28, 2023 by Snarky

[Snarky]

3 hours ago, Story Archer said:

I struggled trying to figure out which powers were skippable vs. which powers were must have, and just as much when it came to where I should put my slots. I really like the power set combination and I feel like what I've got is just fine, but I'd like to know if I'm missing something completely. I feel like what I've put together gives me the best of all worlds when it comes to multi-layered defenses/healing/control while also letting me manage my Endurance issues as well as can be. Due to severe alt-itis and occasional lack of funds, I try to pre-build as effective a character as I can with IO's but without using any purple sets, so that's kind of the criteria here.

 

I figure that I'm close enough to the defensive soft-cap that pretty much any team-provided defensive buff will get me there. Resistances are solid if not spectacular, but I'm looking at stacking Cloak of Fear with Touch of Fear whenever I can for mitigation. Taunt and eventually Fold Space should help me gather everyone into range of both.

 

Set bonuses basically give me +10% Endurance and 10% Endurance reduction. I don't think the Performance Shifter procs are factored into the Recovery numbers, but between those, Dark Consumption and the occasional Theft of Essence proc popping off I think I'll be good Endurance-wise. Side question about the Theft of Essence proc: considering how obscenely expensive Dark Regen is, would I actually be better off dropping a L50 Endurance Reducer there?

 

I plan on only running Focused Accuracy on an as-needed basis since everything but Cloak of Fear is already hitting at over 95% on +4.

 

I put a snapshot of the build below - TIA for any responses, I'm really looking forward to giving this guy a try!

 

 

 

leaving out Death Shroud is such a mortal sin I do not know how to address it.  I have seen people leave out the mezze toggles, and I think it is so much weaker, to each their own.  But a damage Aura.  um.  cough.  But you left out Midnight Grasp.... So, I suppose damaging anyone was not on your design board.

 

Teleport pool?  You have stealth.  If you want teleport for theme use Mystic Flight and get a Bamph TP bonus.  You can fly your ball of hate anywhere on a map unseen by 98% of enemies and get your work done.  Fold space?  Fly your butt the 80 feet.  Most will not see you.  The few that do you probably wanted to collect their agro anyways.  Why you need Fold Space without a damage aura?  Okay, dropping that topic.  Sigh.  

 

Dark thrives on Purple Sets.  Because it is a resist armor set that FEEDS on Accuracy and to hit buffs.  YOU hit them, they stumble around, cower in fear, whiff when they try to hit you.  You need to hit to HEAL.  For Soul Drain.  

 

Did you know that RES is what stops (-resistance debuffs)?  So a RES value of 100% (hard capped at 90, but the game track the hidden number for this) resists all resistable -resistance debuffs.    -res debuffs will chew through your armor values in a few brutal seconds.  While a solid built RES armor will just stand there and be like "what does that power do?  Is that supposed to be funny?"

 

ps, compare your resist values to mine.  there are no incarnate powers yet on my build, when you add them....fuggedaboutit

 

Why do i bother? You probably will not take this advice and will decide Dark Dark is weak after running it a few days.  Good luck on your next Alt.

Edited November 28, 2023 by Snarky

[Story Archer]

3 hours ago, Without_Pause said:

I would take Death Shroud over Energy Torrent. More so since you aren't mitigating ET's KB. I would also take Midnight Grasp over Shadow Maul. Even with the revamp, I still don't like SM.

That's  good point about Death Shroud - I only took Torrent for the IO set slotting. It does make me worry more about Endurance issues, though...

[Story Archer]

1 hour ago, Snarky said:

leaving out Death Shroud is such a mortal sin I do not know how to address it.  I have seen people leave out the mezze toggles, and I think it is so much weaker, to each their own.  But a damage Aura.  um.  cough.  But you left out Midnight Grasp.... So, I suppose damaging anyone was not on your design board.

 

Teleport pool?  You have stealth.  If you want teleport for theme use Mystic Flight and get a Bamph TP bonus.  You can fly your ball of hate anywhere on a map unseen by 98% of enemies and get your work done.  Fold space?  Fly your butt the 80 feet.  Most will not see you.  The few that do you probably wanted to collect their agro anyways.  Why you need Fold Space without a damage aura?  Okay, dropping that topic.  Sigh.  

 

Dark thrives on Purple Sets.  Because it is a resist armor set that FEEDS on Accuracy and to hit buffs.  YOU hit them, they stumble around, cower in fear, whiff when they try to hit you.  You need to hit to HEAL.  For Soul Drain.  

 

Did you know that RES is what stops (-resistance debuffs)?  So a RES value of 100% (hard capped at 90, but the game track the hidden number for this) resists all resistable -resistance debuffs.    -res debuffs will chew through your armor values in a few brutal seconds.  While a solid built RES armor will just stand there and be like "what does that power do?  Is that supposed to be funny?"

 

ps, compare your resist values to mine.  there are no incarnate powers yet on my build, when you add them....fuggedaboutit

 

Why do i bother? You probably will not take this advice and will decide Dark Dark is weak after running it a few days.  Good luck on your next Alt.

 

Well you've certainly given me a lot to think about - my default has been to max defense and consider Resistance lagniappe, but between the control mitigation and capped Resistances, it's a very different approach that I think I can learn a lot from. 

 

I made the originally posted build without any purple IO's or any Tanker sets and was pretty proud of it given the circumstances, though I'm already seeing things there I could tweak. How does this high-Res build hold up under similar restrictions?

[Snarky]

2 hours ago, Story Archer said:

 

Well you've certainly given me a lot to think about - my default has been to max defense and consider Resistance lagniappe, but between the control mitigation and capped Resistances, it's a very different approach that I think I can learn a lot from. 

 

I made the originally posted build without any purple IO's or any Tanker sets and was pretty proud of it given the circumstances, though I'm already seeing things there I could tweak. How does this high-Res build hold up under similar restrictions?

about the only thing that will easily kill it is CRACKLE in Magisterium trial and Hami without using a special inspiration.  Again, i use the less tough Brute version to Tank Lord Recluse in Ms Lib TF Master Runs.  Recluse does massive energy damage.....

 

My build is rock solid.  in my opinion chasing def on a armor with no DDR is a waste of build strategy.  especially with the "faux def" Dark puts up.  There is slightly more defense in the Brute build.  Again, I do Tank with it, but it is not built as a Tank.  It is built to assassinate small tough groups, solo victoria robots and her warworks helpers, and get through hard content by shock and awe.  It uses inspirations, and strategy to stay up.  I have heard some people say they die all the time running it....

 

without using purples or tanker sets?  the tank would probably about as tough as my dark dark Brute, but i am not going into mids to build it lol,

 

 

Snarky 5.1 Brute (Dark Melee).mxd

Edited November 29, 2023 by Snarky

[Uun]

I may be missing it, but it looks like you only have 4 mag of kb protection. Not going to cut it on a tank. You'll be knocked all over the place. I agree with Snarky that you don't want to chase defense with Dark Armor. I built mine for high resists and skipped CoF and OG. (Note, this was built before the changes to power level availability.)

Uundead - Tanker (Dark Armor).mbd

[Snarky]

2 hours ago, Uun said:

I may be missing it, but it looks like you only have 4 mag of kb protection. Not going to cut it on a tank. You'll be knocked all over the place. I agree with Snarky that you don't want to chase defense with Dark Armor. I built mine for high resists and skipped CoF and OG. (Note, this was built before the changes to power level availability.)

Uundead - Tanker (Dark Armor).mbd 45.29 kB · 0 downloads

Actually i run mag 4 on my tank and brute Dark.  Except against a very few opponents it is fine.   And i mean very very few

[SeraphimKensai]

I find 4 is usually alright if your hovering, but I do prefer to have 8 maybe more out of habit than anything.

 

Luckily there's quite a few slotting options to get KB protection (karma, steadfast,. blessing of the zephyr, kinetic crash, and fury of the gladiator). Usually I'm able to toss either a spare slot for def/res to do either the steadfast or karma and fit a blessing in there.

 

I find with 8 or more about the only thing knocking ya around is when Recluse uses Spider Strike or Suppression.

[PLVRIZR]

4 hours ago, SeraphimKensai said:

I find with 8 or more about the only thing knocking ya around is when Recluse uses Spider Strike or Suppression.

...and the Crimson Prototype.  First time my (Mag 14) Inv/SS tank was ever knocked down/back was only after Market Crash was released in I25.

[Uun]

24 minutes ago, PLVRIZR said:

...and the Crimson Prototype.  First time my (Mag 14) Inv/SS tank was ever knocked down/back was only after Market Crash was released in I25.

Crimson Prototype has unresistable KB.

[Snarky]

5 minutes ago, Uun said:

Crimson Prototype has unresistable KB.

so 4 is good there lol?

[Story Archer]

On 11/28/2023 at 5:51 PM, Snarky said:

about the only thing that will easily kill it is CRACKLE in Magisterium trial and Hami without using a special inspiration.  Again, i use the less tough Brute version to Tank Lord Recluse in Ms Lib TF Master Runs.  Recluse does massive energy damage.....

 

My build is rock solid.  in my opinion chasing def on a armor with no DDR is a waste of build strategy.  especially with the "faux def" Dark puts up.  There is slightly more defense in the Brute build.  Again, I do Tank with it, but it is not built as a Tank.  It is built to assassinate small tough groups, solo victoria robots and her warworks helpers, and get through hard content by shock and awe.  It uses inspirations, and strategy to stay up.  I have heard some people say they die all the time running it....

 

without using purples or tanker sets?  the tank would probably about as tough as my dark dark Brute, but i am not going into mids to build it lol,

 

 

Snarky 5.1 Brute (Dark Melee).mxd 5 kB · 4 downloads

 

I took a stab at my purple IO build, taking advantage of a few of the concepts that you lean so strongly into. Obviously playstyle differs and there's not necessarily 'one right way' to do anything, given the variables out there, but I'm quite pleased with the way it came out and would appreciate any thoughts you might have.

 

By way of comparison, your build and mine are pretty similar when it comes to resistances, capping S/L/N/F/C & P while trailing only about 10% in Energy and Toxic. I originally had us about even, but I saw a few opportunities that I didn't want to miss. I know how you feel about defense without DDR, but giving up that little bit of resistance I still managed to go from flooring my defenses to soft-capping melee and having 23+% on everything else. That's an easy trade-off in my mind, especially considering how much more effective it makes your inherent ToHit DeBuffs. Between non-suppressible stealth and my ability to gather ranged threats into Cloak of Fear range with Fold Space, non-melee attacks should theoretically be at a minimum. I've also got 8 points of KB protection instead of 4, for whatever that's worth.

 

I think my Endurance management situation is a bit smoother. This build's max Endurance is about 5 higher and it burns a fair bit less endurance overall. I've also got two Performance Shifter procs in there that aren't accounted for in the numbers and I managed to slot the Theft of Essence proc into Siphon Life without reducing any of its effectiveness as an attack. I really like the way I have Siphon Life slotted, it's getting me some serious bang for my buck, but if it turns out that I don't need the extra healing or Endurance, I might drop a couple of damage procs in there to make it that much more of a threat.

 

I'm getting way more out of my Fear abilities than you have them slotted for. I seriously considered both Oppressive Gloom and Death Shroud, but right now Cloak of Fear is dealing more damage than Death Shroud would, it gives me a stackable Fear, I'm using less Endurance, nobody goes wandering out of range and I'm not burning through hit points.

 

A few random thoughts:

• I initially split Superior Gauntleted Fist to help get my Energy resist higher, but cobbling it back together is what allowed me to get over the soft-cap for Melee defense.
• Soul Transfer was a perfect place to drop in a Preventive Medicine +Absorb proc.
• I didn't take Taunt. We'll see if I end up needing it.
• I'm still a little torn on my Cloak of Fear slotting because I really like the overall set bonuses from going straight Glimpse the Abyss as well.

 

I honestly don't know how anyone could crap on Dark/Dark as a power combination. I'm looking at a toon with capped melee defense, basically capped resists, not one but two of the best heals in the game, a self-endurance buff, three different AoE Mezzes - two of which stack - what's not to like?

 

Thanks again for your earlier input. It's always good to hear from players with real experience running their preferred power sets.

 

 

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Edited December 1, 2023 by Story Archer

[Uun]

You've got a lot of your IOs set to lvl 30. Assuming you're using attuned enhancements, you should reset everything to max/default value in Mids.

[Warboss]

The discussion about the amount of KB needed on Tanks that don't have it as part of their power sets has gone on for a while. I've found that 10 is the minimum I'll use on any Tank, with 8 being a "leveling build" amount to start with. It's true that not every enemy group provides KB... BUT, the ones that do will knock you around quite a bit. Tsoo, Nemesis, Carnies, and BP just to name a few. If you plan on skipping those arcs/encounters, or you're running solo and choose the content you want to run, then do what feels right. I used to use Hami raids as a example for needing 12+, but with all the variations to that raid now, you won't need it unless you're taunting the big purple egg itself, or have to provide aggro control for a couple of Yellow Mitos. Also if you're leveling against smaller mobs you won't have the repetition of enemies that can KB, so smaller mobs = "less" KB. Outside of that, I'd say 10 is still the magic number for me. Ymmv.

 

There's nothing more embarrassing for a Tank than "Death by KB".

[Snarky]

3 hours ago, Story Archer said:

 

I took a stab at my purple IO build, taking advantage of a few of the concepts that you lean so strongly into. Obviously playstyle differs and there's not necessarily 'one right way' to do anything, given the variables out there, but I'm quite pleased with the way it came out and would appreciate any thoughts you might have.

 

By way of comparison, your build and mine are pretty similar when it comes to resistances, capping S/L/N/F/C & P while trailing only about 10% in Energy and Toxic. I originally had us about even, but I saw a few opportunities that I didn't want to miss. I know how you feel about defense without DDR, but giving up that little bit of resistance I still managed to go from flooring my defenses to soft-capping melee and having 23+% on everything else. That's an easy trade-off in my mind, especially considering how much more effective it makes your inherent ToHit DeBuffs. Between non-suppressible stealth and my ability to gather ranged threats into Cloak of Fear range with Fold Space, non-melee attacks should theoretically be at a minimum. I've also got 8 points of KB protection instead of 4, for whatever that's worth.

 

I think my Endurance management situation is a bit smoother. This build's max Endurance is about 5 higher and it burns a fair bit less endurance overall. I've also got two Performance Shifter procs in there that aren't accounted for in the numbers and I managed to slot the Theft of Essence proc into Siphon Life without reducing any of its effectiveness as an attack. I really like the way I have Siphon Life slotted, it's getting me some serious bang for my buck, but if it turns out that I don't need the extra healing or Endurance, I might drop a couple of damage procs in there to make it that much more of a threat.

 

I'm getting way more out of my Fear abilities than you have them slotted for. I seriously considered both Oppressive Gloom and Death Shroud, but right now Cloak of Fear is dealing more damage than Death Shroud would, it gives me a stackable Fear, I'm using less Endurance, nobody goes wandering out of range and I'm not burning through hit points.

 

A few random thoughts:

• I initially split Superior Gauntleted Fist to help get my Energy resist higher, but cobbling it back together is what allowed me to get over the soft-cap for Melee defense.
• Soul Transfer was a perfect place to drop in a Preventive Medicine +Absorb proc.
• I didn't take Taunt. We'll see if I end up needing it.
• I'm still a little torn on my Cloak of Fear slotting because I really like the overall set bonuses from going straight Glimpse the Abyss as well.

 

I honestly don't know how anyone could crap on Dark/Dark as a power combination. I'm looking at a toon with capped melee defense, basically capped resists, not one but two of the best heals in the game, a self-endurance buff, three different AoE Mezzes - two of which stack - what's not to like?

 

Thanks again for your earlier input. It's always good to hear from players with real experience running their preferred power sets.

 

 

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

 

Busy schedule right now, people to talk to, bodies to bury, you know.  I can look at mids in a few days

 

The important thing is you can run it.  I mentioned some players have complained they cannot keep my build alive. I find it nearly unkillable.  
 

I do like you softcap idea.  For the trade off it seems reasonable.  For 95% of content your life (unlife?) will be easier.  That said I always build for that other 5%.  I get shit luck.  Or peeps hate vampires.  Hard to say. 
 

My newest thought comes from some forum posts.  Adding Soul Mastery Darkest Night to my Dark Darks.  This will drop some more end, which no doubt can only be solved with Alpha slot or judicious use of end drain / refill power.  (Which i am good at watching).  It will reduce incoming damage by more to hit debuffs and flat out damage reduction.  I need to play teat that too

[Story Archer]

1 hour ago, Snarky said:

Busy schedule right now, people to talk to, bodies to bury, you know.  I can look at mids in a few days

 

The important thing is you can run it.  I mentioned some players have complained they cannot keep my build alive. I find it nearly unkillable.  
 

I do like you softcap idea.  For the trade off it seems reasonable.  For 95% of content your life (unlife?) will be easier.  That said I always build for that other 5%.  I get shit luck.  Or peeps hate vampires.  Hard to say. 
 

My newest thought comes from some forum posts.  Adding Soul Mastery Darkest Night to my Dark Darks.  This will drop some more end, which no doubt can only be solved with Alpha slot or judicious use of end drain / refill power.  (Which i am good at watching).  It will reduce incoming damage by more to hit debuffs and flat out damage reduction.  I need to play teat that too

 

I think a lot of the 'unkillable' aspect of your build is the skill you have in playing it and the fact that it suits your particular playstyle. For people trying it out, figuring out the build isn't the problem, it's the elevated level of play that is required, or maybe just getting out of their comfort zone regarding how they think a tank should be played.

 

Yeah, it's hard not to love Gloom and Darkest Night. Sure, the latter is an Endurance hog, but no more than Focused Accuracy would be... and DN is such a wonderful pulling tool. The problem is that endurance-wise you lose Physical Perfection (and it's potential PS proc) and you have to make certain you've got something else in place of FA so that you can fight off ToHit and Perception debuffs. That's the downside of a Resist-heavy defense is that you lose that extra protection from all of the non-damage debuffs which pretty much auto-hit.

 

Definitely think you should consider that Preventive Medicine proc, btw - it's a life-saver, and synergizes well with res-heavy builds.

Edited December 1, 2023 by Story Archer

[Snarky]

13 minutes ago, Story Archer said:

 

I think a lot of the 'unkillable' aspect of your build is the particular skill you have in playing it and the fact that it suits your particular playstyle. For people trying it out, figuring out the build isn't the problem, it's the elevated level of play that is required, or maybe just getting out of their comfort zone regarding how they think a tank should be played.

 

Yeah, it's hard not to love Gloom and Darkest Night. Sure, the latter is an Endurance hog, but no more than Focused Accuracy would be... the problem is that endurance-wise you lose Physical Perfection (and it's potential PS proc) and you have to make certain you've got something else in place of FA so that you can fight off ToHit and Perception debuffs. That's the downside of a Resist-heavy defense is that you lose that extra protection from all of the non-damage debuffs which pretty much auto-hit.

 

Definitely think you should consider that Preventive Medicine proc, btw - it's a life-saver, and synergizes well with res-heavy builds.

Yeah, i look at the focused accuracy as a huge loss.  I still run a +tohit/+acc heavy build.  That took it to the comfort zone however.  
 

It is a playstyle rhythm to be sure.  Watching your end bar and knowing whether you need to make a blue or have time for your end drain to come off cooldown. And a dozen other interesting corners to get around.  Once you get the feel it is beautiful 

[Riverdusk]

On 11/28/2023 at 10:32 AM, Without_Pause said:

I would take Death Shroud over Energy Torrent. More so since you aren't mitigating ET's KB. 

 

Just as an aside: the various epic pool's energy torrent is only .67 knockback by default, so knockdown in almost all cases.  I take it often on my scrappers and controllers, never had to worry about knockback.

[Without_Pause]

8 hours ago, Riverdusk said:

 

Just as an aside: the various epic pool's energy torrent is only .67 knockback by default, so knockdown in almost all cases.  I take it often on my scrappers and controllers, never had to worry about knockback.

I would still want a PBAoE aura on a Tanker versus a cone. 

[Thraxen]

Taking taunt is a super cool pick when you’re paying a tank class. Only requires one slot. It does have several sets though that have really good set bonuses. I would also take it on a brute but gave up trying to tell brutes they should take taunt. But Christ, tanks should take it. 

[smnolimits43]

[smnolimits43]

This my favourite take on Dracula.  Starring Gerrard Buttler as Dracula.  I felt like it explained alot about his past.  There will be no SPOILERS here.  The movie is called Dracula 2000. I also have a character named Captain Peroxide.  A Homage to Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  Personally dark/dark anything seems to evil for me.