Don't understand how to play most controllers

[Mopery]

How does one make a peanut butter sandwich?

Does the jelly go on the outside of the bread?

This is all so confusing... I mean. I've got two individual pieces of white bread, peanut butter, and grape jelly.

Do I need a knife?

This is all so confusing.

[Triumphant]

@Diantane  I'll actually agree with you that controllers are more challenging to learn to play, especially if you're playing solo (though, I still think playing solo is the best way to learn their powersets, initially).

The way I do it:  Start from level 1 with notoriety set at base level (0/1).  Play and learn the powers until you hit a "wall" where it becomes too challenging for you.  At that point, set difficulty to -0/1.  Once you get comfortable with play, turn it back up to 0/1.  As you get better (and slot some IO's in there), try adding a more opponents.  Play at 0/2 for a while.  When that feels comfortable, dial up to 0/3 and so on.  If you hit a mission where you're struggling, just dial the number of opponents back down again.

Controllers require practice.  With enough practice, eventually you get your diff/# of foes higher and become more comfortable and confident with the set.  Once you get there, then you can start trying them out in groups.  Make sure you tell groups you're playing with up front that you're learning the AT and that you aren't used to playing them in a group.  Most players will be patient and you can probably find other controller players that will be willing to help you train and get used to the AT.

 

Finally, not all ATs are for everyone.  I've still not got the hang of Dominators, and I have probably 5 failed runs at playing them, finally giving up after getting frustrated.  I intend to have another go at some time in the future, but it may not ever be an AT I can get comfortable with.

[hakurr]

On 11/25/2024 at 7:10 AM, Mopery said:

How does one make a peanut butter sandwich?

Does the jelly go on the outside of the bread?

This is all so confusing... I mean. I've got two individual pieces of white bread, peanut butter, and grape jelly.

Do I need a knife?

This is all so confusing.

i see the problem you need to switch to strawberry jelly it works a lot better that way

[UltraAlt]

On 11/11/2024 at 5:00 PM, Diantane said:

When choosing a controller you have to pick a secondary that complements the primary some way (not one that just adds more powers to over support the team. If you did that, you wouldn't have enough time to do both the Primary and Secondary at the same time.

 

Yes. Regardless of archetype, you can only use one power at a time.

 

So I guess I have to ask, have you have played anything other than a melee character before?

 

Melee archetypes have an active/attack set and a passive/defense/armor set. Active set that you would click to use. Passive set with toggles and autopowers.

All other archetypes have two active sets.

 

If you have played non-melee sets before, you know you have powers in both sets and you can only use one power at a time.

 

And, yes, if you are playing a controller, defender, or corruptor, you are going to have to choice - at any given time - if you are going to use a power to help your teammate(s) or attack target(s). You can get into situations when you feel like you can only use powers to help teammates. Other than your own personal feeling about only helping with the team augmenting powers versus attacking powers, you are still helping the team and you get the same XP either way. It can feel like you never get to attack, but you shouldn't worry about spending your time healing and helping the team through support powers if the team needs the support. Mix in attacks/controls as able.

 

Support character payers need to watch the team window and see who needs support and assist. Also if you see a player losing health, you can use a heal to heal them, but you can also use a hold or other attack powers by targeting through them to attack the enemy that is most likely attacking them. If a team is doing well, then stick to healing/buffing/debuffing and controlling through the main attacker (generally a tank or other melee character that can soak damage).

 

You may find that it is safer for a controller to use single target attacks in order to avoid pulling too much agro.