Back after a bit of a hiatus...AT question...

[Socks10]

I haven't played this game in a few years really. I have a ton of well geared characters at level 50, but struggling to figure out what I want to play now. Back when I played, I typically played controllers or tankers. However, I have been seeing discussion on Tankers getting nerfed recently. I typically play with a buddy or two. They have been leaning towards controllers or dominators, so I would like to find a good character to play that can provide damage. My initial thought would have been to play a Tanker to provide someone for the enemies to beat on and do damage, but I'm not sure how viable that is now. What is a good option to help with a group that already has a controller and a dominator? 

[lemming]

Tanks do a bit less than they did pre-patch, but if teamed, barely noticeable.  Frankly, I'm still running tankers solo without an issue.

And depending on how many years it's been, you may have missed their over boost in power which would mean they're still more powerful than you played with before.

 

A Brute or Scrapper would synergize well with either a controller or dominator, but most ATs would benefit.

[Uun]

You could go with a blaster. With the controller and dominator locking everything down, you should be free to unleash carnage.

[Socks10]

I seem to lean towards Gravity and any Ice powersets. My favorite Tanker was Ice/Ice. I have a Cold/Dark Defender, and Ice/Cold Controller, and multiple Gravity Controllers. I do have an Ice/Atomic Blaster as well, that might be a good fit with my buddies characters. My thoughts on a new character that might work with these guys would be an Ice/Cold Corruptor or an Ice/Fire Blaster. I'm also open to any melee character that would provide good survivability and damage. Scrapper could be it, but I always lean Tanker for some reason. 

[Erratic1]

44 minutes ago, Socks10 said:

I haven't played this game in a few years really. I have a ton of well geared characters at level 50, but struggling to figure out what I want to play now. Back when I played, I typically played controllers or tankers. However, I have been seeing discussion on Tankers getting nerfed recently.

 

So did you stop playing before Tankers were buffed, so you would still find them more powerful? Or did you stop playing after Tankers were buffed, in which case you'd still find their single-target attacks the same as before the so-called nerf, and their AoEs still the same as before the "nerf" until you reached overcap?

 

The nerf was a nothing-burger, and it is hard to imagine you'd notice it.

[Socks10]

1 minute ago, Erratic1 said:

 

So did you stop playing before Tankers were buffed, so you would still find them more powerful? Or did you stop playing after Tankers were buffed, in which case you'd still find their single-target attacks the same as before the so-called nerf, and their AoEs still the same as before the "nerf" until you reached overcap?

 

The nerf was a nothing-burger, and it is hard to imagine you'd notice it.

I'd say I most have missed the original buff. Sounds like I shouldn't worry about it and maybe move into the Tanker forum to look for a good option for my friend group. 

[Erratic1]

11 minutes ago, Socks10 said:

I'd say I most have missed the original buff. Sounds like I shouldn't worry about it and maybe move into the Tanker forum to look for a good option for my friend group. 

 

If you enjoy Tankers, certainly.

 

Got a newly made Regen/Fire Melee one myself who is almost 50.

[lemming]

Yea, got my Regen/SS tank up to 50 and does well enough solo, but with just a bit of support is ridiculous. 

[Socks10]

I typically lean Ice as I mentioned, so I have an Ice/Stone and Ice/Energy in the early levels. Was also thinking about an Ice/Dark. Were there some new Tanker powersets released recently?

[Troo]

4 minutes ago, Socks10 said:

Were there some new Tanker powersets released recently?

 

yes

 

patch notes can be read here:

https://forums.homecomingservers.com/patch-notes/

[Psyonico]

On 7/4/2025 at 9:07 AM, Troo said:

 

yes

 

patch notes can be read here:

https://forums.homecomingservers.com/patch-notes/

I’ll add that (at least on paper) the new Psi armor should pair really well with ice melee if you wanted to stick to something ice

[Socks10]

16 hours ago, Psyonico said:

I’ll add that (at least on paper) the new Psi armor should pair really well with ice melee if you wanted to stick to something ice

I was actually considering Psi/Staff this morning. No idea if Staff is any good, or good for Psi in particular, but it seemed like something fun to try. 

[Uun]

2 hours ago, Socks10 said:

I was actually considering Psi/Staff this morning. No idea if Staff is any good, or good for Psi in particular, but it seemed like something fun to try. 

It received a (slight) buff in the latest patch, but Staff is still a C or D tier melee set. It does offer an assortment of buffs with the various forms that increase the set's utility.

[PLVRIZR]

To bring damage to the table, consider a Fire/Fire/Pyre tank, if you still want to o tank.

[Octogoat]

Might I suggest human form warshade with permanent eclipse? It's surprisingly tanky

[Psyonico]

46 minutes ago, Octogoat said:

Might I suggest human form warshade with permanent eclipse? It's surprisingly tanky

Except human only warshades don’t get mez protection until incarnates

[Warshades]

On 7/4/2025 at 10:21 AM, Socks10 said:

My initial thought would have been to play a Tanker to provide someone for the enemies to beat on and do damage, but I'm not sure how viable that is now. What is a good option to help with a group that already has a controller and a dominator? 

 

Depending on the controller/dominator combination, you could probably bring anything and it would still work for most regular content. For fighting AVs and such, having something that can taunt and take aggro for a bit until they're CC'd can be helpful. About the only thing I would actually suggest against is a brute in this case, simply because you wont generate or keep up fury as easily when mobs are CC'd. You could go for an offensive armor set that provides additional damage like Bio, Fire, Shield, Stone, and Radiation. Psionic could also work well to stack CC effects with the controller/dom through Aura of Insanity, but it doesn't provide the offensive buffs that other armor sets I mentioned do. 

 

A mastermind can also act as a tank in this situation if you want to try something different. Basically any MM primary with marine secondary can become a very durable tank with Power of the Depths and will also provide further buffs and debuffs to the team with Barrier Reef, Toroidal Bubble, and Whitecap. The only truly weak MM primary at the moment, at least in comparison to the other options, is Beast Mastery.