_Ail_

QFT. Wormhole changes are nice but I am left with a "who the hell cares" type of feeling because most changes were clearly aimed at Controllers.

Gravity controllers will definitely be better, as Gravity is now as advertised for them a big damage set with slightly underperforming control.

Gravity dominators already had a whole assault set for damage, and I am extremely frustrated by the pointlessness of it all for doms. Why was there no effort to adabpt impact for the assault secondary?

I won't say anyone who currently plays a grav/ dom should reroll it as a controller, but a good 50% of them should. Any assault sets without much AOE (like NRG) should probably be rerolled as controllers now since they still get ST damage as a controller but get a whole (de)buff set as a secondary. Grav/ doms with a lot of aoe in the secondary still on the face of it have a point, however...

Sounds good. Regarding "I don't always team, so survivability and still being able to level are important," just remember that these are *very* late blooming sets. They do kind of suck in early levels. I wish it weren't so, but...

If you stick it out, it all should go well.

Well, you need it and CJ on to keep the def softcapped...

Awesome advice by the way! Thanks for getting back to me. I'll have to try it out. One concern is whether or not hover will be very awkward with hot feet (needing to toggle it on when not flying and then turning hover on and using it--awkward but fine as both can be on at the same time; but also just problems maneuvering a little slower because hover is on.)

With your build, I do get a travel power, and that is nice for costume reasons if nothing else--no icky fly pack.

I already had the stealth IO in sprint. I put the winter's gift in fly.

You could also nix fly and afterburner and instead get assault and vengeance if you wanted to up damage a little bit.

Thanks again for getting back to me. I'll have to try it and see how it goes.

As an update, I got force of nature and have all of the incarnates at at least tier 3 now. Still no elusive mind as that always seems to take longer.

Phase shift is almost never worth getting as the Warburg mission is quite easy and the temp power seems to last forever. I seemingly get it once on a character and never have to get it again.

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.953
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Smoke: Level 50 Natural Dominator
Primary Power Set: Fire Control
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Assault
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Fire Mastery

Villain Profile:
------------
Level 1: Ring of Fire Enf'dOp-Acc/Rchg(A), Enf'dOp-EndRdx/Immob(3), Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx(3), Enf'dOp-Immob/Rng(5), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob/Rchg(5), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob(7)
Level 1: Flares Acc-I(A)
Level 2: Char UbrkCons-Hold(A), UbrkCons-Hold/Rchg(11), UbrkCons-Acc/Hold/Rchg(11), UbrkCons-Acc/Rchg(13), UbrkCons-Dam%(13), Empty(15)
Level 4: Fire Cages Enf'dOp-Acc/Rchg(A), Enf'dOp-EndRdx/Immob(17), Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx(17), Enf'dOp-Immob/Rng(19), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob/Rchg(19), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob(21)
Level 6: Incinerate KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(21), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23)
Level 8: Hot Feet Armgdn-Dmg(A), Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg(25), Armgdn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), Armgdn-Acc/Rchg(27), Armgdn-Dmg/EndRdx(27)
Level 10: Fire Blast Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Decim-Dmg/Rchg(29), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31)
Level 12: Flashfire Amaze-Stun(A), Amaze-Stun/Rchg(31), Amaze-Acc/Stun/Rchg(33), Amaze-EndRdx/Stun(33), Amaze-Acc/Rchg(33)
Level 14: Kick KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(34), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(34), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 16: Boxing KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(36), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(36), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36)
Level 18: Cinders BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(37), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(37), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(37)
Level 20: Combustion Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(39), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), Oblit-%Dam(40)
Level 22: Tough S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GA-3defTpProc(40)
Level 24: Weave LkGmblr-Def(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+(42)
Level 26: Combat Jumping LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 28: Hover LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 30: Maneuvers LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(42)
Level 32: Fire Imps ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(43), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(43), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(50)
Level 35: Rain of Fire Ragnrk-Dmg(A), Ragnrk-Dmg/Rchg(48), Ragnrk-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Ragnrk-Acc/Rchg(50), Ragnrk-Dmg/EndRdx(50)
Level 38: Blaze Apoc-Dmg(A), Apoc-Dmg/Rchg(46), Apoc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), Apoc-Acc/Rchg(46), Apoc-Dmg/EndRdx(48)
Level 41: Fire Ball Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(45), Posi-Dmg/Rng(45), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45)
Level 44: Embrace of Fire RechRdx-I(A)
Level 47: Fly Winter-ResSlow(A)
Level 49: Afterburner LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon
Level 50: Pyronic Core Final Judgement
Level 50: Reactive Radial Flawless Interface
Level 50: Carnival Radial Superior Ally
Level 50: Rebirth Radial Epiphany
------------
Level 2: Swift Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health Mrcl-Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Hurdle Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(15)
Level 1: Brawl KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(7), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(9), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9)
Level 1: Domination
Level 1: Sprint Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
------------
Set Bonus Totals:
10% DamageBuff(Smashing)
10% DamageBuff(Lethal)
10% DamageBuff(Fire)
10% DamageBuff(Cold)
10% DamageBuff(Energy)
10% DamageBuff(Negative)
10% DamageBuff(Toxic)
10% DamageBuff(Psionic)
31% Defense(Smashing)
31% Defense(Lethal)
6% Defense(Fire)
6% Defense(Cold)
8.5% Defense(Energy)
8.5% Defense(Negative)
6% Defense(Psionic)
26% Defense(Melee)
7.25% Defense(Ranged)
6% Defense(AoE)
2.25% Max End
6% Enhancement(Immobilize)
126.3% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
78% Enhancement(Accuracy)
5% FlySpeed
103 HP (10.13%) HitPoints
5% JumpHeight
5% JumpSpeed
MezResist(Confused) 2.5%
MezResist(Held) 2.5%
MezResist(Immobilize) 16.25%
MezResist(Sleep) 2.5%
MezResist(Stun) 4.7%
MezResist(Terrorized) 2.5%
20.5% (0.34 End/sec) Recovery
46% (1.95 HP/sec) Regeneration
20% ResEffect(FlySpeed)
20% ResEffect(RechargeTime)
20% ResEffect(RunSpeed)
10% Resistance(Smashing)
10% Resistance(Lethal)
21.66% Resistance(Fire)
21.66% Resistance(Cold)
10% Resistance(Energy)
13.75% Resistance(Negative)
10% Resistance(Toxic)
10% Resistance(Psionic)
5% RunSpeed



------------
Set Bonuses:
Enfeebled Operation
(Ring of Fire)
3% Enhancement(Immobilize)
1.88% Resistance(Negative)
2.5% Defense(Smashing,Lethal), 1.25% Defense(Melee)
3.75% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
3.13% Defense(Melee), 1.56% Defense(Lethal), 1.56% Defense(Smashing)


Unbreakable Constraint
(Char)
4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery
2.52% Resistance(Fire,Cold)
15% Enhancement(Accuracy)
10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)


Enfeebled Operation
(Fire Cages)
3% Enhancement(Immobilize)
1.88% Resistance(Negative)
2.5% Defense(Smashing,Lethal), 1.25% Defense(Melee)
3.75% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
3.13% Defense(Melee), 1.56% Defense(Lethal), 1.56% Defense(Smashing)


Kinetic Combat
(Incinerate)
MezResist(Immobilize) 2.75%
15.26 HP (1.5%) HitPoints
3.75% Defense(Smashing,Lethal), 1.88% Defense(Melee)


Armageddon
(Hot Feet)
4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery
2.52% Resistance(Fire,Cold)
15% Enhancement(Accuracy)
10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)


Decimation
(Fire Blast)
MezResist(Immobilize) 2.75%
11.45 HP (1.13%) HitPoints
2.25% Max End
6.25% Enhancement(RechargeTime)


Absolute Amazement
(Flashfire)
4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery
2.52% Resistance(Fire,Cold)
15% Enhancement(Accuracy)
10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)


Kinetic Combat
(Kick)
MezResist(Immobilize) 2.75%
15.26 HP (1.5%) HitPoints
3.75% Defense(Smashing,Lethal), 1.88% Defense(Melee)


Kinetic Combat
(Boxing)
MezResist(Immobilize) 2.75%
15.26 HP (1.5%) HitPoints
3.75% Defense(Smashing,Lethal), 1.88% Defense(Melee)


Basilisk's Gaze
(Cinders)
2.5% Defense(Energy,Negative), 1.25% Defense(Ranged)
2% (0.03 End/sec) Recovery
7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)


Obliteration
(Combustion)
MezResist(Stun) 2.2%
3% DamageBuff(All)
9% Enhancement(Accuracy)
5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
3.75% Defense(Melee), 1.88% Defense(Lethal), 1.88% Defense(Smashing)


Steadfast Protection
(Tough)
3% Defense(Melee), 3% Defense(AoE), 3% Defense(Ranged), 3% Defense(Smashing), 3% Defense(Lethal), 3% Defense(Fire), 3% Defense(Cold), 3% Defense(Energy), 3% Defense(Negative), 3% Defense(Psionic)


Gladiator's Armor
(Tough)
3% Defense(Melee), 3% Defense(AoE), 3% Defense(Ranged), 3% Defense(Smashing), 3% Defense(Lethal), 3% Defense(Fire), 3% Defense(Cold), 3% Defense(Energy), 3% Defense(Negative), 3% Defense(Psionic)


Luck of the Gambler
(Weave)
10% (0.42 HP/sec) Regeneration
7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)


Luck of the Gambler
(Combat Jumping)
7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)


Luck of the Gambler
(Hover)
7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)


Luck of the Gambler
(Maneuvers)
10% (0.42 HP/sec) Regeneration
7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)


Expedient Reinforcement
(Fire Imps)
Status Resistance 2.5%
3% DamageBuff(All)
6.25% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
10% (0.42 HP/sec) Regeneration
10% Resistance(All)


Ragnarok
(Rain of Fire)
4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery
2.52% Resistance(Fire,Cold)
15% Enhancement(Accuracy)
10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)


Apocalypse
(Blaze)
16% (0.68 HP/sec) Regeneration
30.52 HP (3%) HitPoints
4% DamageBuff(All)
10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)


Positron's Blast
(Fire Ball)
2.5% (0.04 End/sec) Recovery
1.58% Resistance(Fire,Cold)
9% Enhancement(Accuracy)
6.25% Enhancement(RechargeTime)


Winter's Gift
(Fly)
20% ResEffect(RunSpeed), 20% ResEffect(RechargeTime), 20% ResEffect(FlySpeed)


Luck of the Gambler
(Afterburner)
7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)


Performance Shifter
(Stamina)
5% JumpSpeed, 5% JumpHeight, 5% FlySpeed, 5% RunSpeed


Kinetic Combat
(Brawl)
MezResist(Immobilize) 2.75%
15.26 HP (1.5%) HitPoints
3.75% Defense(Smashing,Lethal), 1.88% Defense(Melee)






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Hi,

You offer well thought-out and reasoned advice that I respect as always. I do, however, have a few comments:

Yeah, with /NRG you often just take power thrust (because you have to), build up, conserve power, power boost, and boost range.

This is not because the melee attacks in NRG are useless, however. It is just because you are making an all-ranged build.

Time Bomb really is useless. You are almost always better off just placing another trip mine, and anyone who thinks otherwise is (IMO) deluding themselves. I have at least never really heard (even in this thread where people are scrambling for faux-reasons) of a valid reason for taking time bomb.

If time bomb had a much shorter recharge, or trip mine did not exist, it would be different. But that's not the case. Trip mine does exist, and time bomb does have an absurdly long recharge.

Except archery is all ranged with no PBAOEs and 1 cone so there is nothing really great synergy wise here. And there will still be redraw. Kinetics is also one of the few sets that works well with crashing nukes, but again that is not relevant here.

Yes, rain of arrows is awesome and yes kinetics boosts damage. I still back my claim to no particular synergy though.

Edit: This is not to say it wouldn't work great as a combo. Both are strong sets.

Is this a joke? '06 registration date so you figure it almost has to be...

But yes, defenders get kinetics, as a primary, so it is kin/.

I don't think it has any particular synergy with Archery, but certainly kin is a solid set and you can't go wrong there...

+1 I agree with this message.

You are right. Storm is another top contender for control. Not better than TA I would say but definitely up there.

Thanks! Yeah, I saw that and was changing the post just as you replied. Ah well...It would have been awesome to slot a ST hold as 4-slot basilisk plus the superior and then normal procs, but obviously the devs are wise to our powergaming.

I just checked. It won't let you slot both the superior proc and the normal one.

I know you might not like this answer, but it doesn't make up for the difference in more debuffs. It makes up for the difference in:
*Damage--Oil slick is spawn killing
*Control--Can you honestly say that any other defender primary has more control? ST and AOE hold, AOE sleep, AOE slow, ST immob. Dark gives it a run for its money but that's it, and dark doesn't have the damage of TA.

Unfortunately, this is often not what people are looking for in a defender.

I think that it *could* use some mild buffs, but I think many people who play it don't: (a) realize it's late-blooming qualities; and (b) don't play to its strengths.