Need advice on Dark Control

[Petrograd]

I made a Dark/Savage Dominator because it seemed the most thematic (char's a vampire), but while leveling I just don't understand Dark. I have literally 5 separate hold/mez types that don't seem to synergize and it feels like I never know which button I should be hitting.

I tried searching the forum for a general guide but I couldn't find anything, just builds. Would anyone be willing to tell me what Dark powers are the best vs. skippable and what their general use pattern is? Or if this already exists, does someone have a link?

Edited Sunday at 09:42 AM by Petrograd

[EnjoyTheJourney]

I'm not sure there is a dark control guide anywhere on the forums. At least, I don't recall ever having seen one. Of course, it is always possible there is one and I missed it. 

You could try searching for posts by Voltak about dark control in the dominator forum. He was definitely one of the better known posters who had good experiences and good things to say about dark control, back when he was frequenting the forums. IIRC, he also has one or more youtube videos that you might find helpful for getting to know how to build dark control dominators and how they can play. 

[Frosticus]

Fearsome stare>feral charge> hod (proc'd)

Is enough control for most spawns.

 

You won't use your st confuse often cause it's a very slow playstyle which is counter to what savage prefers. But you still want it for the occasional tough mob/eb.

 

Haunt is very skippable, but most people still take it. Same as the dog pet.

 

Cone immob has no synergy with the set/combo, st immob is of limited/no value in most gameplay.

 

Aoe hold is a good power.

 

I have one, it's fine, but feels awkward/clunky in game. I greatly prefer mind/sav, its just better versions of everything dark does imo.

 

 

 

 

[EnjoyTheJourney]

Dark control also feels clunky to me. I'd also second the suggestion that haunt doesn't contribute much and is an easily skippable power pick.

Dark control is still very effective, though, as fearsome stare alone can win a lot of fights. Also, despite the edge mind has in some key ways, thematically dark powers are a great fit for savage and having a shadowy hound to assist your dark / savage dominator feels so fitting. And, single target damage on dark control will generally have a higher peak because a T9 pet will add damage. 

Edited Monday at 12:51 AM by EnjoyTheJourney

[Clave Dark 5]

There's something to be said for power sets that you can gleefully skip half of and still play very well.  I like to go on weird side-jaunts with my builds when I can (just top keep things fresh), so this set would be a good chance to explore an Epic or pool power set that might fit or expand your theme, or pairs well with a couple of other powers.

[tidge]

I find Dark Control to be excellent on Controllers... I can imagine that building to PermaDom on Dominators might make it less impressive.

 

On my favorite Dark Controller:

 

Dark Grasp: 5-slots, FrankenSlotted for some Control and Damage %procs... A Dom will robably 5-slot Apocalypse

Living Shadows: 5-slotted Frankenslot for Damage via %procs, Dom will probably chase recharge via set bonus

Fearsome Stare:  4xCloud Senses, a Dom won't have room for any more slots

Heart of Darkness: Frankenslotted on a Controller, this might be a power to try to frankenslot on a Dominator (for %damage)

Haunts:  6x Cupid's Crush

Shadow Field: slot for a set bonus of some sort

Umbra Beast: I have this frankenslotted with pieces for Acc/Dam/End, a HamiO Lysosome, %Knockdown and %damage (cloud senses)

[Uun]

I skip the ST and cone immobilizes and Haunt. My go to controls are Fearsome Stare and Heart of Darkness. Since Heart of Darkness is PBAoE, you could use Feral Charge first to take you into melee range. I do use the ST confuse, but primarily to deal with specific mobs.