Desmodos

The notion that you are 'unhitable' at 45% defense is a gross exaggeration. Yes, it will substantially increase your survivability, but it's not an "I win button."

With Dark Armor, soft cap is a questionable endeavor because you'll never acquire any signifcant amount of defense debuff resistance, which can quickly rob you of all the defense you've accumulated. Broadsword and Kitana are somewhat of an exception because Parry/Divine Avalanche provide some additional buffer.

The vast majority of attacks have more than one damage type. The most common attack types are Smashing and Lethal. So even if an attack does Energy damage, if it's paired with Smashing damage, your Smash/Lethal defense mitigates the attack. The next most common attack is Energy. This is why typed defense builds will amass as much Smash/Lethal defense first, then target Energy Defense. This particular strategy works well for Dark Armor because it has very little mitigation towards Energy Damage.

The appeal of Typed defense over positional is that typed defense generally requires less slots for comparable defense. The appeal of Positional defense over typed defense is that you can achieve soft cap to all positions, soft capping to all types will require massive sacrifices (if possible at all) that will render your character rather useless.


Yes, all of this talk defense is just one form of mitigation. It's discussed in isolation of other forms of mitigation, hence folks like Werner and myself will tell you that soft capping is not always the most viable option. Dark Armor has multiple layers of mitigation (mez toggles, Dark Regeneration, and resistances), all of which determine your final survivability.

Defense is a powerful form of mitigation. Each point of additional defense increases your survivability more than the last. However, it is not the end all be all of damage mitigation.

Basically a build made before a major change to the powers. In this case, Fitness pool became inherent. When you do a respec, Fitness Pool will not be a power choice, because you get the entire pool automatically. Still need to slot it though.

That's fine, but keep in mind that acquiring merits and incarnate salvage my be faster, more efficient with a lower level TF, granted, not every scenario. There is certainly no shortage of ways to do it at level 50.

Ok, you really need to read the first article I linked for you. Enhancement Diversification limits slotting a power that only accepts one type of enhancement to 3 slots, in the vast majority of scenarios. The exceptions to the rule are when you 'over enhance' power for the sake of set bonuses.

In most cases you don't need to six slot a power unless you're after the final set bonuses. See build I am posting below.


Sadly, no. This will be the most frustrating thing about your transition to an IO set build. You can only extract 10 enhancements per respec. Sorry, it sucks, I've been there. Mauk is correct, those HOs do represent a substantial nest egg for you, so don't delete them.


Keep in mind this is a high end very expensive build, just what I have immediately handy. It should give you a better idea what IO builds look like. Keep in mind, this build is based on typed defense. For BS/DA a positional defense build is equally viable.


Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.93
http://www.cohplanner.com/

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Desnocta Blades I19 A: Level 50 Magic Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Broad Sword
Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Hack -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5)
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(7), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(7), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(9), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(46), GA-3defTpProc(48)
Level 2: Slice -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Erad-%Dam(11), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg(13)
Level 4: Death Shroud -- Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg(15), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), C'ngBlow-Dmg/EndRdx(17), C'ngBlow-Acc/Dmg(17), C'ngBlow-Acc/Rchg(19)
Level 6: Murky Cloud -- RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(19), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(21), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(21)
Level 8: Parry -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25)
Level 10: Obsidian Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(27), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(27), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(29)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), HO:Enzym(45)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Zephyr-ResKB(A)
Level 16: Dark Regeneration -- Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Heal(29), Theft-+End%(31), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(31), H'zdH-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(33)
Level 18: Whirling Sword -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Erad-%Dam(33), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg(34), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 20: Cloak of Darkness -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(36), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(50)
Level 22: Build Up -- Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg(36)
Level 24: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Disembowel -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(37), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(37), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39)
Level 28: Cloak of Fear -- SipInsght-%ToHit(A), SipInsght-Acc/ToHitDeb(39), SipInsght-Acc/Rchg(39), SipInsght-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(40), SipInsght-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(40), HO:Enzym(40)
Level 30: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(42), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(42), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 32: Head Splitter -- Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Erad-%Dam(43), C'ngBlow-Acc/Dmg(43), C'ngBlow-Dmg/EndRdx(45), C'ngBlow-Dmg/Rchg(45)
Level 35: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), HO:Enzym(36)
Level 38: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(46)
Level 47: Maneuvers -- HO:Enzym(A), HO:Enzym(48)
Level 49: Laser Beam Eyes -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50), Thundr-Acc/Dmg(50)
Level 1: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), EndMod-I(46)
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 1: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(48)
Level 0: LEGACY BUILD

IO builds are kind of complex, there is not one true way to slot a particular power. The choices you make are based on the entire build (rather each choice for a power is dependent on what you chose for the next power.)

For Dark Armor, there are to basic strategies I like for Resistance Toggles.

• Impervium Armor grants good resistance, but more importantly, provides +2.25 Max End. This will dramatically improve your endurance management. These are cheaper than option two and a good starting point.
• Reactive Armor provides good resistance but provides no endurance management tools. The trade off is some nice little defense bonuses. If you can manage your endurance by other means and you pursue defense bonuses in your other powers, This is the superior choice. Keep in mind, this route only works for typed defense bonuses. If your build relies on Parry for defense, this may not be the route to go.

For Dark Regeneration, I like using three Theft of the Essence, one Touch of the Nictus and IO that grants HEAL/Recharge/End rdx. With Theft of the Essence, it is vital you get at +End Proc, which will be very expensive but will completely change how you manage endurance.

For AoE attacks (this includes Death Shroud), I like to mix Eradications and Cleaving Blow. This grants good damage, accuracy and recharge enhancement. The bonuses grant you significant Energy defense and endurance management (+1.8% Max End).

For Single Target attacks you want 4 Kinetic Combats and one IO that grants Acc/Dmg/Rchg. Kinetic Combats are one of the most sought after IOs as they offer a hefty S/L defense bonus. As a result they are very expensive. If you are short on funds (which you most likely are), you can use Smashing Haymaker as a temporary substitute until you can afford the Kinetic Combats.

Tough and Weave are strongly recommended, particularly if you pursue defense bonuses, which is highly recommended.

Slot Health with a Numina's Unique and a Miracle Unique. These will massively increase your endurance management. EVERYBODY wants these, so they will be very expensive.


Obviously, there is more than one way to build BS/DA with IO sets. This just a starting point for you to consider.

Sorry, I edited my post for a bit more clarity. The build you've posted completely ignores ED. That's a tremendous waste of your slots.


And yes, while the learning curve for Dark Armor remains steeper than some other sets, it's potential is well known. For those willing to put in the effort, Dark Armor is a top performing set. Granted Kat/DA is better than BS/DA on top end builds, but BS/DA remains very, very solid.

I tried to be specific about the current trend. I agree the philosophy of fat client vs thin client will always be swinging pendulum. It always hinders on usage versus available technology. Previous infrastructure could not support usage on thin clients. With the current influx of smart phones (also not really new technology), the current shift will be towards thin clients. Like every tech trend, I have no doubt the pendulum will swing the other way towards thick clients.

Presently, the pendulum is moment away from thick towards thin. How far and how long the momentum will continue is up for grabs. My money is on thin clients...for the next 5 years so.

Which I believe was Werner's point. No one is saying defense doesn't help.

If you can soft cap a resistance build with no sacrifices, then by all means. It's the notion that anything less than soft cap on a resistance build is some how less survivable that's in question.

Except it isn't needed. I've solo'd grenades while the rest the league went for the acids (there were only 10 of us.) I only run about 35% defense, granted, I have really high resistance values on my scrapper.

This will depend on the secondary you chose. Base value of Scrapper vs Brute HP won't be significant enough. Builds that lend themselves well to additional HP (Will Power, Invulnerability) will have a noticeable difference in the heal value. Keep in mind, Siphon Life is a crucial part of the Dark Melee attack chain; slotting for damage takes priority.

I generally don't slot Siphon Life for any heals.

The defense values are the same, though the Brute will benefit from more HP.

Again, it really depends on your primary/secondary and the rest of your build.

In really general terms; if you go positional defense (Melee/Ranged/AoE), you pretty much need to get equal amounts of all three. Just because an attack was executed in melee range does not mean the game flags it as such. With typed defense, it doesn't matter if the attack is ranged, melee, or AoE. You focus on the most common damage types (S/L), the move on to the next. Which route you take depends greatly on where you started (your secondary). Super Reflexes would focus on positional. Invulnerability would focused on typed.

That perception is rather silly. Min/Maxing existed in CoH prior to the introduction of IOs. IOs simply raised the bar in potential, complexity and variety. Never mind that Purple IOs are actually detrimental to some builds.