/Dark Advice

[Tux]

Hi all,

 

Just looking for some advice on building a Spines/Dark Brute.

 

1) Thinking to go for S/L softcap then build for rech/end. Sound reasonable?

 

2) How much defence does Cloak of Darkness give unstealthed? Is there a way to easily see this on Mids?

 

3) Cloak of Fear. Worth it? Any other skippable powers? I remember Oppressive Gloom being good and looks like I want to take everything else.

 

4) EDIT: Oppressive Gloom? Opinions?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Nightmarer]

1.- Very reasonable indeed, it will boost your survivability all the way. WIth the right sets, you don't even need Weave to get S/L softcap.

2.- I don't have the figure on top of my head but CoD always gives same amount of def, stealthed or not. You can check it in Mid's anytime.

3.- I think CoF is definitgely worthy. DA has a very good balance and all toggles help. Also, the -To Hit will work fine with your softcapped S/L def.

[Tux]

Great thanks for your help! Thoughts on Oppressive Gloom?

 

Here's my Spines/Dark build so far. Softcalled S/L/Melee defence. 65% recharge, decent recovery/end on paper.

 

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.962

http://www.cohplanner.com/

 

Click this DataLink to open the build!

 

Final Resting Place Spines: Level 50 Magic Brute

Primary Power Set: Spines

Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor

Power Pool: Leaping

Power Pool: Speed

Power Pool: Fighting

Power Pool: Leadership

Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

 

Hero Profile:

Level 1: Lunge -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(3), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5)

Level 1: Dark Embrace -- UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(7), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(7), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(9)

Level 2: Spine Burst -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(9), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(11), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Obl-%Dam(13)

Level 4: Death Shroud -- SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(15), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), Mlt-Dmg/EndRdx(17), Mlt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), EndRdx-I(19)

Level 6: Murky Cloud -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), GldArm-ResDam(19), GldArm-End/Res(21)

Level 8: Super Jump -- UnbLea-Stlth(A)

Level 10: Obsidian Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(23), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(23), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(25)

Level 12: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), Rct-Def(21), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(25), Rct-ResDam%(43)

Level 14: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(27)

Level 16: Dark Regeneration -- TchoftheN-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(A), TchoftheN-Heal(27), TchoftheN-Heal/HP/Regen/Rchg(31), TchoftheN-Acc/Heal(31), TchoftheN-Acc/EndRdx/Heal/HP/Regen(31)

Level 18: Quills -- SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(33), EndRdx-I(33), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(34), Erd-%Dam(34)

Level 20: Cloak of Darkness -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(34), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(36)

Level 22: Kick -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A)

Level 24: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/EndRdx(A), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(36), StdPrt-ResKB(36), UnbGrd-Max HP%(37), UnbGrd-ResDam(50)

Level 26: Ripper -- Arm-Dmg/Rchg(A), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), Arm-Acc/Rchg(37), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Arm-Dam%(39), FrcFdb-Rechg%(39)

Level 28: Weave -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(29), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(29)

Level 30: Build Up -- RctRtc-ToHit(A), RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(42)

Level 32: Throw Spines -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(42), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)

Level 35: Oppressive Gloom -- AbsAmz-EndRdx/Stun(A), AbsAmz-ToHitDeb%(50)

Level 38: Soul Transfer -- RechRdx-I(A)

Level 41: Gloom -- Apc-Dmg/Rchg(A), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), Apc-Acc/Rchg(45), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Apc-Dam%(46)

Level 44: Dark Obliteration -- Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(A), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(46), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Rgn-Knock%(48)

Level 47: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(48), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50)

Level 49: Super Speed -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)

Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Fury

Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)

Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)

Level 4: Ninja Run

Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)

Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(40)

Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)

Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(40), PrfShf-End%(40)

------------

 

 

 

 

[slimmatt]

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 2.22

http://www.cohplanner.com/

 

Click this DataLink to open the build!

 

Level 50 Mutation Brute

Primary Power Set: Spines

Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor

Power Pool: Fighting

Power Pool: Leaping

Power Pool: Speed

Power Pool: Concealment

Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

 

Villain Profile:

Level 1: Barb Swipe

• (A) Accuracy IO
  
• (3) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  
• (3) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Recharge
  
• (5) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Endurance
  
• (5) Kinetic Combat - Accuracy/Damage
  

Level 1: Dark Embrace

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
  
• (7) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
  
• (7) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
  
• (9) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP
  
• (23) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
  
• (23) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)
  

Level 2: Spine Burst

• (A) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage
  
• (9) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  
• (11) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
  
• (11) Obliteration - Damage/Recharge
  
• (13) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge
  
• (13) Obliteration - Damage
  

Level 4: Death Shroud

• (A) Superior Unrelenting Fury - RechargeTime/+Regen/+End
  
• (15) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
  
• (15) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
  
• (17) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
  
• (17) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Damage/RechargeTime
  
• (19) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage
  

Level 6: Murky Cloud

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance
  
• (19) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
  
• (21) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
  
• (21) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
  

Level 8: Build Up

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
  
• (25) Recharge Reduction IO
  

Level 10: Obsidian Shield

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance
  
• (25) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
  
• (27) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
  
• (27) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
  

Level 12: Boxing

• (A) Accuracy IO
  

Level 14: Tough

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
  
• (37) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance
  
• (37) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
  
• (37) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
  

Level 16: Dark Regeneration

• (A) Touch of the Nictus - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge
  
• (39) Touch of the Nictus - Heal/HitPoints/Regeneration/Recharge
  
• (39) Touch of the Nictus - Accuracy/Healing
  
• (39) Theft of Essence - Accuracy/Healing
  
• (40) Theft of Essence - Healing/Recharge
  
• (40) Theft of Essence - Chance for +Endurance
  

Level 18: Quills

• (A) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown
  
• (40) Overwhelming Force - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  
• (42) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  
• (42) Overwhelming Force - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  
• (42) Overwhelming Force - Endurance/Recharge
  
• (43) Overwhelming Force - Accuracy/Damage
  

Level 20: Cloak of Darkness

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance/Recharge
  
• (43) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance
  
• (43) Luck of the Gambler - Defense
  
• (45) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed
  

Level 22: Weave

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance/Recharge
  
• (36) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance
  
• (36) Luck of the Gambler - Defense
  
• (36) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed
  

Level 24: Super Jump

• (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)
  

Level 26: Combat Jumping

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance
  
• (34) Luck of the Gambler - Defense
  
• (34) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed
  

Level 28: Ripper

• (A) Superior Avalanche - Recharge/Chance for Knockdown
  
• (33) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  
• (33) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
  
• (33) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  
• (34) Superior Avalanche - Damage/Endurance
  
• (50) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage
  

Level 30: Cloak of Fear

• (A) Siphon Insight - Accuracy/Recharge
  
• (45) Siphon Insight - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge
  
• (45) Siphon Insight - ToHit Debuff/Endurance/Recharge
  
• (46) Siphon Insight - Accuracy/ToHit Debuff
  
• (50) Siphon Insight - ToHit Debuff
  

Level 32: Throw Spines

• (A) Superior Brute's Fury - Recharge/Fury Bonus
  
• (46) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  
• (46) Superior Brute's Fury - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
  
• (48) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
  
• (48) Superior Brute's Fury - Damage/Recharge
  
• (48) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage
  

Level 35: Hasten

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
  
• (50) Recharge Reduction IO
  

Level 38: Stealth

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed
  

Level 41: Grant Invisibility

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed
  

Level 44: Superior Conditioning

• (A) Endurance Modification IO
  

Level 47: Physical Perfection

• (A) Panacea - +Hit Points/Endurance
  

Level 49: Soul Transfer

• (A) Regenerative Tissue - +Regeneration
  

Level 1: Brawl

• (A) Accuracy IO
  

Level 1: Prestige Power Dash

• (A) Empty
  

Level 1: Prestige Power Slide

• (A) Empty
  

Level 1: Prestige Power Quick

• (A) Empty
  

Level 1: Prestige Power Rush

• (A) Empty
  

Level 1: Prestige Power Surge

• (A) Empty
  

Level 1: Fury

Level 1: Sprint

• (A) Run Speed IO
  

Level 2: Rest

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
  

Level 4: Ninja Run

Level 2: Swift

• (A) Run Speed IO
  

Level 2: Health

• (A) Miracle - +Recovery
  
• (31) Numina's Convalesence - +Regeneration/+Recovery
  
• (31) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb
  

Level 2: Hurdle

• (A) Jumping IO
  

Level 2: Stamina

• (A) Performance Shifter - EndMod/Accuracy
  
• (29) Performance Shifter - EndMod/Recharge
  
• (29) Performance Shifter - EndMod
  
• (31) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End
  

Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon

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[Nightmarer]

I once removed OG on my DM/DA Scrapper thinking it did nothing for me, next thing I know, I went from owning ITFs to be perma-vengeance bait. As I said, there's a balance in DA that imho requires of all available tools at your disposal. Maybe OG or CoF are not noticeable against certain groups and yet, they might be your key to survive others. I pretty much plan all DA chars on a similar way, for some reason, I try to keep them under the 1.20 end/sec mark because I guess at a time is where I found the limit to keep them playable or to have them swallow blues like there's no tomorrow. I guess that has changed now with Incarnate tools but just in case, I still try to keep them below that. In this case it's 1.35 with Cardiac Alpha but with Ageless, shouldn't be a problem I think.

 

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 2.22

http://www.cohplanner.com/

 

Click this DataLink to open the build!

 

Level 50 Magic Brute

Primary Power Set: Spines

Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor

Power Pool: Leaping

Power Pool: Fighting

Power Pool: Concealment

Power Pool: Flight

Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery

 

Villain Profile:

Level 1: Barb Swipe -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(34), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(43), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), Acc-I(45)

Level 1: Dark Embrace -- UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(5), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(5), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(9)

Level 2: Lunge -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(39), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(39), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Acc-I(40)

Level 4: Spine Burst -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(15), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(36), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Obl-%Dam(37)

Level 6: Murky Cloud -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(7), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(7), UnbGrd-ResDam(9), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(36), UnbGrd-Max HP%(36)

Level 8: Combat Jumping -- Krm-ResKB(A), LucoftheG-Rchg+(13), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(15)

Level 10: Obsidian Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(11), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(11), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(13)

Level 12: Build Up -- RctRtc-ToHit(A), RctRtc-ToHit/Rchg(48), RechRdx-I(50)

Level 14: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)

Level 16: Dark Regeneration -- Mlt-Acc/EndRdx(A), ScrDrv-Acc/Rchg(17), TchoftheN-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(45), Prv-Absorb%(45), DctWnd-EndRdx/Rchg(46)

Level 18: Quills -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(19), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40)

Level 20: Death Shroud -- Mlt-Acc/EndRdx(A), Mlt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21), Mlt-Dmg/EndRdx(21), Mlt-Acc/Dmg(25), ScrDrv-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(50)

Level 22: Cloak of Darkness -- Rct-Def/EndRdx(A), Rct-ResDam%(23), Rct-Def(23), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(40)

Level 24: Boxing -- Empty(A)

Level 26: Ripper -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(27), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(48)

Level 28: Cloak of Fear -- SphIns-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(A), SphIns-ToHitDeb(29), SphIns-Acc/ToHitDeb(29), SphIns-Acc/Rchg(48), SphIns-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(50)

Level 30: Tough -- UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(31), UnbGrd-ResDam(31), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(31)

Level 32: Throw Spines -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(33), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury(34)

Level 35: Oppressive Gloom -- HO:Endo(A)

Level 38: Weave -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A)

Level 41: Mu Lightning -- Dcm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), Dcm-Acc/Dmg(42), Dcm-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Dcm-Dmg/Rchg(42), Dcm-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(43)

Level 44: Stealth -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A)

Level 47: Hover -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A)

Level 49: Invisibility -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A)

Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A)

Level 1: Fury

Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)

Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)

Level 4: Ninja Run

Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)

Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A)

Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)

Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(3), EndMod-I(3)

Level 0: Born In Battle

Level 0: High Pain Threshold

Level 0: Invader

Level 0: Marshal

Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon

------------

 

 

 

 

[Tux]

Great cheers for your advice guys. Gone for S/L cap in the end with 65% recharge and taken everything from Dark. Will see how it plays out!