Earth themed control hero. Controller, dominator or tank?

[NiklasWB]

So I've decided that I want to make a new character that creates and manupulates stone. I've narrowed it down to Earth Control for Controller or Dominator, or (as a sort of strange alternative) a Tanker with Stone Melee and Earth Mastery.

 

I really like the slow and steady feel of a Controler, but none of the secondary power sets fit the theme, except maaaaaaybe Empath... And as I understand it, Empathy kind of sucks? So I would more or less only focus on the main abilities and ignore the secondary as mych as possible, and maybe focusing more on power pools. Would that be crazy bad?

 

In terms of Dominator, the powers are very on brand: Earth/Earth, and I'm done. However, I can barely stand the Domination rainbow aura, both activated and charged. I don't suppose there is any way of disabling this? Can Domination as a power be turned off completely (might be super gimping myself, but at least I wouldn't hate how the character looks... 🙂 )

 

The Tanker with Stone Melee and Earth Mastery (and probably Invuln as the main, since I don't like the visuals of Stone Armor obscuring my costume) lacks some of the control of the other archetypes, but all the powers work visually and thematically. Not perfect, but once I get the Earth Mastery, the build might feel a bit more controler:y... but that is a long way off.

 

So I'm looking for advise on what to do. I wasn't really looking to make another Tanker (I have a Invuln/SS), and I kind of had my heart set on Earth Control. However, Controller lacks a thematic secondary, and as I said, I hate the visuals of Domination.

 

Any advise would be welcome. Thanks.

[Stellarex]

Have you looked at earth/stone armor sentinel? 

[Maelwys]

An Earth/Thermal Controller mechanically speaking works extremely well? You could potentially headcanon the secondary as (Geo)thermal or "Lava Manipulation"... or just recolour its powers into something more suitable for you (healing and damage resistance are both rather thematic for earth; so I can't picture many problems there!)

Alternatively; Radiation Emission (plenty of radioactive metals underground), Kinetics (tap into the momentum of the Earth), Pain Domination (smack allies upside the head with a Rock or three to keep them in line) could all have their merits?

[NiklasWB]

Thanks for the input.

 

I did try looking at the Blaster sets but they didn’t really tickle my fancy.

 

Also, while I hear you about Thermal, Radiation and Kinetics working themstically for some Earth style powers, in my case it is only purely rock/stone flavor I am after. My character is based on being able to form an manipulate a specific type of stone/crystal. Do no heat, no radiation and no kinetics to speak of.

 

I have the Invuln/Stone tanker I was describing up to level 27 now, and it ’kind of’ works so far… lots os stone attacks, although only melee so far, but I’m lacking the control ’feel’ that I’m after. 
 

I might have to level a Earth/Earth dominator for a while just too see if I can cope with the rainbow aura… but I really want to be able to turn it off completely. Also not a fan of Domination and the idea of Perma dom as a tax… oh well.

[biostem]

What about an Earth/Cold or Earth/Radiation Controller?  Both can be reasoned to be connected to the Earth in some way...

[Psiphon]

5 hours ago, NiklasWB said:

Thanks for the input.

 

I did try looking at the Blaster sets but they didn’t really tickle my fancy.

 

Also, while I hear you about Thermal, Radiation and Kinetics working themstically for some Earth style powers, in my case it is only purely rock/stone flavor I am after. My character is based on being able to form an manipulate a specific type of stone/crystal. Do no heat, no radiation and no kinetics to speak of.

 

I have the Invuln/Stone tanker I was describing up to level 27 now, and it ’kind of’ works so far… lots os stone attacks, although only melee so far, but I’m lacking the control ’feel’ that I’m after. 
 

I might have to level a Earth/Earth dominator for a while just too see if I can cope with the rainbow aura… but I really want to be able to turn it off completely. Also not a fan of Domination and the idea of Perma dom as a tax… oh well.

If theme trumps all, just don't click domination. 

Build for defence etc instead. 

[Psiphon]

6 hours ago, NiklasWB said:

Thanks for the input.

 

I did try looking at the Blaster sets but they didn’t really tickle my fancy.

 

Also, while I hear you about Thermal, Radiation and Kinetics working themstically for some Earth style powers, in my case it is only purely rock/stone flavor I am after. My character is based on being able to form an manipulate a specific type of stone/crystal. Do no heat, no radiation and no kinetics to speak of.

 

I have the Invuln/Stone tanker I was describing up to level 27 now, and it ’kind of’ works so far… lots os stone attacks, although only melee so far, but I’m lacking the control ’feel’ that I’m after. 
 

I might have to level a Earth/Earth dominator for a while just too see if I can cope with the rainbow aura… but I really want to be able to turn it off completely. Also not a fan of Domination and the idea of Perma dom as a tax… oh well.

Would Earth/Sonic work? Crystals resonating at different frequencies to create effects. 

Edited May 29 by Psiphon

[Frozen Burn]

On 5/27/2024 at 3:40 PM, NiklasWB said:

So I've decided that I want to make a new character that creates and manupulates stone. I've narrowed it down to Earth Control for Controller or Dominator, or (as a sort of strange alternative) a Tanker with Stone Melee and Earth Mastery.

 

I really like the slow and steady feel of a Controler, but none of the secondary power sets fit the theme, except maaaaaaybe Empath... And as I understand it, Empathy kind of sucks? So I would more or less only focus on the main abilities and ignore the secondary as mych as possible, and maybe focusing more on power pools. Would that be crazy bad?

 

In terms of Dominator, the powers are very on brand: Earth/Earth, and I'm done. However, I can barely stand the Domination rainbow aura, both activated and charged. I don't suppose there is any way of disabling this? Can Domination as a power be turned off completely (might be super gimping myself, but at least I wouldn't hate how the character looks... 🙂 )

 

The Tanker with Stone Melee and Earth Mastery (and probably Invuln as the main, since I don't like the visuals of Stone Armor obscuring my costume) lacks some of the control of the other archetypes, but all the powers work visually and thematically. Not perfect, but once I get the Earth Mastery, the build might feel a bit more controler:y... but that is a long way off.

 

So I'm looking for advise on what to do. I wasn't really looking to make another Tanker (I have a Invuln/SS), and I kind of had my heart set on Earth Control. However, Controller lacks a thematic secondary, and as I said, I hate the visuals of Domination.

 

Any advise would be welcome. Thanks.

 

First off, Empathy is a strong and solid buff set.  Many aren't keen on it because it's all buff, doesn't have AV-killing debuffs, and etc.  But the buffs are strong and no one argues when they have max end recovery, extremely high regen, have high defense, or can't be mezzed - oh yeah, and then get healed from the brink of death.  However... I don't think Empathy fits your concept.  

 

Earth / Nature / Earth Controller is a very powerful combo - I tank with mine. 

 

Earth / Earth Blaster is very good.  

 

 

Edited May 29 by Frozen Burn

[Lusiphur Malache]

Started running my earth/elec tanker at +2/2x at level 10, i'm level 30 now.  Solo I run missions at 2+/4x just to keep it interesting.  I don't know if I need any more primary or secondary powers.  I've only been defeated twice because i'm out of habit to checking my health bar.

[kelika2]

Probably Dominator out of everything you listed.  Earth Assault is very single target focused and will give you that feeling that you fucked something up after hitting it.  An added Bonus is that your single target hold stacks with seismic smash.  and seismic is effected by Domination

 

Most of earth control is skippable.  i think i just took the hold, quicksand, quake, the aoe stun, and the pet

 

Alternates:

Stone Melee/Shield Defense brute.  Use a rocky shield and rocky/fire and ice costume bits and you are gtg.  fault sucks, dont get fooled by it.  I think my final build had Spring Attack at level 16 because Fault was so bad

Seismic Blast/Energy manip blaster.  all you really need from energy manip is buildup and energize.  if you use magma stuff for seismic blast you can consider /fire for more aoe.

 

I personally never got very far with stone armor even after the revamp but good luck

Edited May 30 by kelika2
Fire and Ice