Yet another "Help a returning player choose and build a DM scrapper" post

[fxds]

I've finally been able to get back to the game after several years away, and I really, really want to hit some bad guys. Mostly with my fists, rather than a weapon. My immediate inclination is Dark/Dark. My first character on live back in Ye Olden Pre-CoV Days was a Dark Melee scrapper. I never got very far with him, but I'm finding DM really appealing both visually and thematically right now so I'm pretty set on that. The choice of secondary is a little more open. My immediate thought is Dark Armor, but (again visually and thematically) I'm also at least considering Energy Aura or Invulnerability. I'm looking for relatively restrained visuals (unless it's DA), and I already have a few mid-level Super Reflexes and Willpower characters I can pick up and play again once I feel like I've gotten the hang of the game again, so I'd like to do something different. None of my old friends are playing anymore so this character is likely to be mostly solo, but of course I want to team up for TFs and such. Oh, and the cost of the build is not really a consideration. I have a reasonable amount of Inf on a couple of my existing characters and can always earn more. Am I forgetting anything else that would be good to know in order to ask for advice? I guess we'll find out...

 

So, first question, do you feel like there's a compelling reason to pick EA or Inv rather than DA as my secondary? I'm not worried about building the best possible meta.

 

Second question, does anyone have a Dark/Dark build (or Dark/EA or Dark/Inv, if that's what you feel strongly about) build that you'd recommend and are willing to share? I was never very good with builds and after having been away for so long I'll be honest that I wouldn't even know where to start.

 

[venetiasilver]

Dark Armor's heal is cracked. 

Dark Melee is mostly fine, not really good AoE.
Dark Melee + Shield Would give you a good burst 
Shield Charge + Soul Drain + Crit Power ATO Proc + Epic AOE 

[Erratic1]

I have had a fair amount of fun on a DM/EA scrapper. 

[Due Regard]

I've ran a DM/EnA Brute on Legacy, and a DM/Inv Stalk here on HC. Haven't rolled a DM Scrap, yet.

However, I can say that both EnA and Inv appreciate the maintenance of SL and -ToHit of all dark attacks. Also, the Brute was an ST only buzzsaw build - MG > SP > Smite > SP repeat. The Stalker has VERY much enjoyed the changes to ToF. I still hate Shadow Maul, tho. Refuse to take it.

My only caution AGAINST DM/DA is my inherent bias against "matched" Pri/Sec. It'll also be perfectly functional.

[Erratic1]

7 hours ago, Due Regard said:

My only caution AGAINST DM/DA is my inherent bias against "matched" Pri/Sec. It'll also be perfectly functional.

 

I have NEVER run matched Pri/Sec and been playing since Beta. I just cannot bring myself to do it. 😁

[venetiasilver]

22 minutes ago, Erratic1 said:

 

I have NEVER run matched Pri/Sec and been playing since Beta. I just cannot bring myself to do it. 😁

I recommend you try a dual fire brute.

[Erratic1]

3 minutes ago, venetiasilver said:

I recommend you try a dual fire brute.

 

Were I inclined to do a matched set, it would likely be an Energy/Energy Scrapper.

[fxds]

On 3/22/2025 at 12:46 PM, venetiasilver said:

Dark Armor's heal is cracked. 

Dark Melee is mostly fine, not really good AoE.
Dark Melee + Shield Would give you a good burst 
Shield Charge + Soul Drain + Crit Power ATO Proc + Epic AOE 

 

Thanks for the input. And excuse my old man aura, but I am old so I can't help it... From context I assume "cracked" in this case is a bad thing?

[fxds]

20 hours ago, Erratic1 said:

I have had a fair amount of fun on a DM/EA scrapper. 

 

After this thread and looking around a bit more, I've settled on Energy Aura, so thank you for the recommendation.

[fxds]

18 hours ago, Due Regard said:

I've ran a DM/EnA Brute on Legacy, and a DM/Inv Stalk here on HC. Haven't rolled a DM Scrap, yet.

However, I can say that both EnA and Inv appreciate the maintenance of SL and -ToHit of all dark attacks.

 

Thanks for the input. I think I've decided on Energy Aura at this point. Silly question though: what is SL in your comment? Only thing I can think of is smashing/lethal but I'm not sure why EnA or Inv would care about the primary dishing out some smashing damage, as the first few DM attacks do...

[Erratic1]

1 hour ago, fxds said:

After this thread and looking around a bit more, I've settled on Energy Aura, so thank you for the recommendation.

 

As you have some overlap between power effects between primary and secondary (endurance recovery/healing) you have flexibility in choice of which to take/use, leaving open slots for other powers. DM grants you a long lasting damage buff, EA grants you recharge--just have to be able to maintain the endurance expenditure and both sets have powers for that. You should lean into +Recharge as it makes everything smoother.

[twozerofoxtrot]

1 hour ago, fxds said:

 

Thanks for the input. And excuse my old man aura, but I am old so I can't help it... From context I assume "cracked" in this case is a bad thing?

 

It's a good thing. Akin to something being "badass."

 

I personally don't think it's that great, but it does heal for a lot even if you're not hitting many enemies. But the massive recharge on Dark Regeneration sort of limits its utility in my eyes. It's not as useful for say surviving high, periodic burst damage from an AV versus having to make it through a particularly nasty group's alpha strike.

[Due Regard]

4 hours ago, fxds said:

Thanks for the input. I think I've decided on Energy Aura at this point. Silly question though: what is SL in your comment? Only thing I can think of is smashing/lethal but I'm not sure why EnA or Inv would care about the primary dishing out some smashing damage, as the first few DM attacks do...

Siphon Life - Slot it as an attack and spam it. VERY very useful for maintenance HP.

And now recall the Buzzsaw better... Midnight Grasp > Smite > Siphon Life > Smite > repeat.

VERY tasty.

[Story Archer]

On 3/21/2025 at 2:07 PM, fxds said:

I've finally been able to get back to the game after several years away, and I really, really want to hit some bad guys. Mostly with my fists, rather than a weapon. My immediate inclination is Dark/Dark. My first character on live back in Ye Olden Pre-CoV Days was a Dark Melee scrapper. I never got very far with him, but I'm finding DM really appealing both visually and thematically right now so I'm pretty set on that. The choice of secondary is a little more open. My immediate thought is Dark Armor, but (again visually and thematically) I'm also at least considering Energy Aura or Invulnerability. I'm looking for relatively restrained visuals (unless it's DA), and I already have a few mid-level Super Reflexes and Willpower characters I can pick up and play again once I feel like I've gotten the hang of the game again, so I'd like to do something different. None of my old friends are playing anymore so this character is likely to be mostly solo, but of course I want to team up for TFs and such. Oh, and the cost of the build is not really a consideration. I have a reasonable amount of Inf on a couple of my existing characters and can always earn more. Am I forgetting anything else that would be good to know in order to ask for advice? I guess we'll find out...

 

So, first question, do you feel like there's a compelling reason to pick EA or Inv rather than DA as my secondary? I'm not worried about building the best possible meta.

 

Second question, does anyone have a Dark/Dark build (or Dark/EA or Dark/Inv, if that's what you feel strongly about) build that you'd recommend and are willing to share? I was never very good with builds and after having been away for so long I'll be honest that I wouldn't even know where to start.

 

 

I'm seriously considering a DM/Bio Scrapper. I feel like it could be a real boss...