Critique my Dark/Earth please

[MunkiLord]

Hit 50 recently and came up with a build, this is version 2. I can get my defenses a little higher, but between all the -to hit and AoE mez, I don't think it's really necessary. S/L/E are all mid 30s and everything else is low 20s. Figure a purple or two can help me when I need them. With the way my build is now, Cardiac Alpha is definitely needed. I'd prefer Musculature for more damage, but that would require changing up quite a bit. Still, I'm open to suggestions to make that possible without sucking end every mob.

 

Few notes, I rarely use Living Shadows and I'm not married to slotting it, just did it for the AoE defense.  Stealth is there only to mule for Luck +7.5 Recharge, so I'm open to putting something else there. 

 

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome, currently doing a Patron Arc to unlock Scorpion Shield, so this respec won't be done for a couple days, most likely.

 

 

 

Villain Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.2
https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Bung v1.1: Level 50 Natural Dominator
Primary Power Set: Darkness Control
Secondary Power Set: Earth Assault
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Concealment
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Dark Grasp -- SprAscoft-Rchg/+Dmg%(A), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(3), SprAscoft-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(3), SprAscoft-EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(11), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(13)
Level 1: Stone Spears -- Dmg-I(A)
Level 2: Living Shadows -- SprFrzBls-Rchg/ImmobProc(A), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx(48), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg(48), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(48)
Level 4: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(5)
Level 6: Possess -- CrcPrs-Conf%(A), CrcPrs-Conf/EndRdx(7), CrcPrs-Conf(7), CrcPrs-Conf/Rchg(9), CrcPrs-Acc/Conf/Rchg(9), CrcPrs-Acc/Rchg(11)
Level 8: Fearsome Stare -- GlmoftheA-Dam%(A), GlmoftheA-EndRdx/Fear(13), GlmoftheA-Acc/EndRdx(15), GlmoftheA-Fear/Rng(15), GlmoftheA-Acc/Fear/Rchg(25), SprDmnGrs-Rchg/Fiery Orb(46)
Level 10: Hurl Boulder -- Apc-Dam%(A), Apc-Dmg/Rchg(17), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(17), Apc-Dmg(21), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), GldJvl-Dam%(37)
Level 12: Heart of Darkness -- AbsAmz-Stun(A), AbsAmz-ToHitDeb%(23), AbsAmz-EndRdx/Stun(27), AbsAmz-Stun/Rchg(37), AbsAmz-Acc/Stun/Rchg(40)
Level 14: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Ksm-ToHit+(50)
Level 16: Power Boost -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Haunt -- ExpRnf-Acc/Rchg(A), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(19), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(19), ExpRnf-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(21)
Level 20: Heavy Mallet -- Hct-Dam%(A), Hct-Acc/Rchg(34), Hct-Dmg(36), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39)
Level 22: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 24: Tough -- HO:Ribo(A), GldArm-ResDam(25), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(42), GldArm-3defTpProc(43)
Level 26: Shadow Field -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(27), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(29), BslGaz-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(29)
Level 28: Seismic Smash -- Dmg-I(A), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(34), UnbCns-Dam%(34), TchofDth-Dam%(36), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(37), NrnSht-Dam%(50)
Level 30: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(31), ShlWal-Def(31), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(31)
Level 32: Umbra Beast -- ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(33), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(33)
Level 35: Mud Pots -- SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(A), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(42), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(45)
Level 38: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-Def(39), Rct-Def/EndRdx(39), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(40)
Level 41: Poisonous Ray -- AchHee-ResDeb%(A)
Level 44: Tremor -- Erd-%Dam(A), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Arm-Dam%(45), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(46), Dmg-I(50)
Level 47: Stealth -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Super Speed -- Clr-Stlth(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Domination 
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: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(40)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A)
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon 
------------

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[MunkiLord]

Ok, so I've come up with what I think my next respec is going to look like. I'm dropping Haunt in favor of Fissure. I like Haunt, I just find myself not really using it much unless I'm fighting an EB. If I could figure out a way to keep it without losing any defense or more than 5-6% recharge I'd keep it, but this has become a rather tight build. Suggestions, thoughts?

 

 

Villain Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.2
https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Bung v2.0: Level 50 Natural Dominator
Primary Power Set: Darkness Control
Secondary Power Set: Earth Assault
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Concealment
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Dark Grasp -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(3), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(3), BslGaz-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(5)
Level 1: Stone Spears -- Dmg-I(A)
Level 2: Living Shadows -- GrvAnc-Hold%(A), GrvAnc-Immob(11), GrvAnc-Immob/EndRdx(13), GrvAnc-Acc/Immob/Rchg(46), GrvAnc-Acc/Rchg(48)
Level 4: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(5)
Level 6: Possess -- CrcPrs-Conf%(A), CrcPrs-Conf/EndRdx(7), CrcPrs-Conf(7), CrcPrs-Conf/Rchg(9), CrcPrs-Acc/Conf/Rchg(9), CrcPrs-Acc/Rchg(11)
Level 8: Fearsome Stare -- SprAscoft-Rchg/+Dmg%(A), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(13), SprAscoft-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(15), SprAscoft-EndRdx/Rchg(15), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(25), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 10: Hurl Boulder -- Apc-Dam%(A), Apc-Dmg/Rchg(17), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(17), Apc-Dmg(21), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23)
Level 12: Heart of Darkness -- AbsAmz-Stun(A), AbsAmz-ToHitDeb%(23), AbsAmz-EndRdx/Stun(27), AbsAmz-Stun/Rchg(37), AbsAmz-Acc/Stun/Rchg(40)
Level 14: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(48), Ksm-ToHit+(50)
Level 16: Power Boost -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Tremor -- Arm-Dam%(A), Erd-%Dam(19), Erd-Dmg(19), Erd-Dmg/Rchg(21)
Level 20: Heavy Mallet -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(36), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(36), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39)
Level 22: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 24: Tough -- UnbGrd-Max HP%(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(25), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(34), UnbGrd-ResDam(37), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(42), GldArm-3defTpProc(43)
Level 26: Shadow Field -- BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(A), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(27), BslGaz-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(29), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(29)
Level 28: Seismic Smash -- Dmg-I(A), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(34), UnbCns-Dam%(34), TchofDth-Dam%(36), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(37), Hct-Dam%(50)
Level 30: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(31), RedFrt-Def(31), RedFrt-EndRdx(31), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg(42), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 32: Umbra Beast -- ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(A), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), ExpRnf-Acc/Dmg(33), ExpRnf-Dmg/EndRdx(33)
Level 35: Mud Pots -- SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(A), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(42), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(45)
Level 38: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-Def(39), Rct-Def/EndRdx(39), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(40)
Level 41: Poisonous Ray -- AchHee-ResDeb%(A)
Level 44: Fissure -- PstBls-Dam%(A), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(45), ExpStr-Dam%(45), JvlVll-Dam%(46), Dmg-I(50)
Level 47: Stealth -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Super Speed -- Clr-Stlth(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Domination 
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: 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), Mrc-Rcvry+(40)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A)
Level 50: Musculature Radial Paragon 
Level 50: Reactive Core Flawless Interface 
Level 50: Assault Radial Embodiment 
Level 50: Ageless Core Epiphany 
------------

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[Scheme]

What powers do you use for your ST attack chain?  You have quite a few options it seems.

[MunkiLord]

I use Seismic Smash-Heavy Mallet-Hurl Boulder. There is a gap in the chain, but I'm good with that as I also need to fit in various control powers and AoE attacks. 

 

I really like Seismic Smash. With Power Boost and Assault Hybrid it can hit for over 1200 damage on an even level boss if everything procs. 

[Scheme]

I was wondering if Hurl Boulder was necessary if you included the ST hold in the attack chain.

 

Have you tried using the Force Feedback +Recharge proc in Fissure?  On paper it seems like you could almost perm the bonus, but I've never tried in practice.

[MunkiLord]

Hurl Boulder really isn't necessary, I frequently skip it to apply my controls. It's there for range and if I'm in a situation in which I'm only worried about damage. The ST hold I use a lot when there are bosses, but I have it slotted with Basilisk's for the recharge and not damage.

 

I've considered the +recharge in Force Feedback, but I don't really need more recharge and since I don't spam that power I'm not sure how much benefit it would give me. However, if I were to decide to slot my hold with damage and lose the recharge bonus that is something to consider.

[Scheme]

Usually I suggest 6-slotting your primary attacks to maximize their efficiency.  A number of slots can be shaved off of the defense toggles.

 

Is there something in particular you are wanting to improve (soft-capped defense, more ST DPS, etc.)?

[MunkiLord]

I've been using this build for a few days and there isn't anything particular that is causing me problems, I'm quite happy with it right now. Just looking for general ideas and see if anything pops out. I agree with the defense powers being overslotted a bit, that is me chasing set bonuses.