JuliusSeizure

Thanks for the help guys. Looking into manually setting the cooling fans, and am taking extra care to remove lint and dust from the case.

Hope it works.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 11:16:00 AM, on 12/13/2010
Platform: Windows Vista SP2 (WinNT 6.00.1906)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18975)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\IAAnotif.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Lexmark X1100 Series\LXBKbmgr.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNo tifier.exe
C:\Users\Jeremy\AppData\Local\Google\Update\Google Update.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\ONENOTEM.EXE
C:\Program Files (x86)\Lexmark X1100 Series\lxbkbmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Camera Assistant Software for Gateway\traybar.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\HP Software Update\hpwuschd2.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Camera Assistant Software for Gateway\CEC_MAIN.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqSTE08.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqbam08.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqgpc01.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\Ad-Aware.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWTray.exe
C:\Users\Jeremy\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applic ation\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Jeremy\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applic ation\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Jeremy\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applic ation\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Jeremy\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applic ation\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.gateway.com/g/startpage.h...PTB&M=P-7811FX
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.gateway.com/g/sidepanel.h...PTB&M=P-7811FX
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.gateway.com/g/startpage.h...PTB&M=P-7811FX
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.gateway.com/g/startpage.h...PTB&M=P-7811FX
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.gateway.com/g/startpage.h...PTB&M=P-7811FX
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.gateway.com/g/sidepanel.h...PTB&M=P-7811FX
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: HP Print Enhancer - {0347C33E-8762-4905-BF09-768834316C61} - C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_printenhancer.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.6.5805.1910\s wg.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: HP Smart BHO Class - {FFFFFFFF-CF4E-4F2B-BDC2-0E72E116A856} - C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Camera Assistant Software] "C:\Program Files\Camera Assistant Software for Gateway\traybar.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GrooveMonitor] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpqSRMon] C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqSRMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNo tifier.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ehTray.exe] C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [dpapltMC] rundll32 "C:\Windows\colofpmp.dll",DllEntryPoint
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Users\Jeremy\AppData\Local\Google\Update\Googl eUpdate.exe" /c
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - Startup: OneNote 2007 Screen Clipper and Launcher.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\ONENOTEM.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Google Sidewiki... - res://C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Toolbar\Component\GoogleToolbarDynamic_mui_en_E117 12C84EA7E12B.dll/cmsidewiki.html
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Show or hide HP Smart Web Printing - {DDE87865-83C5-48c4-8357-2F5B1AA84522} - C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
O16 - DPF: {3860DD98-0549-4D50-AA72-5D17D200EE10} (Windows Live OneCare safety scanner control) - http://cdn.scan.onecare.live.com/res.../wlscctrl2.cab
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\Windows\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: @dfsrres.dll,-101 (DFSR) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\DFSR.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Empowering Technology Service (ETService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\GATEWAY\Gateway Recovery Management\Service\ETService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel® PROSet/Wireless Event Log (EvtEng) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\WiFi\bin\EvtEng.exe
O23 - Service: GameConsoleService - WildTangent, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Gateway Games\Gateway Game Console\GameConsoleService.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Matrix Storage Event Monitor (IAANTMON) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\IAANTMon.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service - Lavasoft - C:\Program Files (x86)\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWService.exe
O23 - Service: lxbk_device - - C:\Windows\system32\lxbkcoms.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: O2Micro Flash Memory Card Service (o2flash) - O2Micro International - C:\Program Files (x86)\O2Micro Flash Memory Card Driver\o2flash.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel® PROSet/Wireless Registry Service (RegSrvc) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intel\WirelessCommon\RegSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\SLsvc.exe,-101 (slsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\SLsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: XAudioService - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\xaudio64.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 11606 bytes

Hey guys, I am getting a black screen that is locking my computer and forcing a hard reboot. This is only happening with CoH. I tried reverting to an older version of the graphics driver from 2008 that is available for my laptop model on the Gateway drivers page (listed as v. 176.15), and the problem persists. Currently back with the newest driver from Nvidia.

I'm not sure if my graphics card is dying, but so far this crash is CoH exclusive and, anecdotally, has just been happening since i19. The crash has happened after as little as 5 minutes of gameplay or as much as several hours.


---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.2.0.2---

DxDiag gathered at December 13, 2010 11:00 (-08:00)
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.100608-0458)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: P-7811FX
BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBL
Central Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P8400 @ 2.26GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.3GHz
Memory: 4090MB
.Net Memory Report: 2286MB out of 4089MB available
Page File: 6285MB (2093MB currently in use)
C Drive: (ST9200420AS) 23935MB out of 90416MB (26%) free
D Drive: (ST9200420AS) 82953MB out of 90122MB (92%) free
E Drive: (Optiarc DVD RW AD-7583S) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 7.00.6002.18107 (64-bit version)

Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.

No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTS
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 9800M GTS
Video Memory: 2285 MB
Driver Version: 8.17.0012.6099
Driver Date: 10/16/2010 10:55:00 AM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Speakers (2- Conexant High Definition SmartAudio 221)
Driver File: CHDRT64.sys
Driver Version: 4.57.0000.0000
Driver Date: 6/2/2008 2:50:04 PM

Sound Device Description: SPDIF Interface (2- Conexant High Definition SmartAudio 221)
Driver File: CHDRT64.sys
Driver Version: 4.57.0000.0000
Driver Date: 6/2/2008 2:50:04 PM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: Gateway
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product:
Motherboard Version: Not Applicable
BIOS Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies LTD
BIOS Name: Ver 1.00PARTTBL
BIOS Version: GATEWA - 6040000
BIOS Release: 20080729000000.000000+000


Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1920x1200
3D Resolution: 1920x1200 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: Yes
Maximized: No
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: Yes


Physics Quality: Medium
Maximum Particles: 50000
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No


Anti-aliasing: Off
Anisotropic Filtering: 4x
Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
Water Effects: High quality
Bloom: 1.000 (turned on)
Depth of Field Enabled: Yes
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: Yes
Shader Detail: Medium?


World Texture Level: Very High
Character Texture Level: Very High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 1.000
Entity Detail Level: 1.000
Shadows Enabled: Yes
Shadow Mode: Disabled
Shadow Map Shader: Unknown (0)
Environmental Reflections: Disabled
Advanced Occlusion Settings: No
Ambient Occlusion: High performance
Occlusion Strength: Slight
Blur: Fast
Ambient Resolution: High performance


Gamma Correction: 1.000
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: No
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes

Audio Mode: Compatiblity
3D Audio: No
FX Sound Volume: 0.041
Music Sound Volume: 0.000

Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.500
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 293289 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1900.201011102104.11
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

Ahh-- cool. We just have different strategies for Tanking with Pain. What you wrote definitely makes sense and works great (I have a FF MM that does the same).

Even though you are using provoke, definitely look into at least using the two resistance IOs. This will place all your pets at 70%+ smashing/lethal resistance. Your pets' hit points amount to 5/7ths of your total HP when in full body guard mode, so anything that increases their survivability increases yours because you can never hold 100% of the agro with Provoke. No matter how you use Provoke, it's only hitting 5 targets at a time and you have no precise control over who it hits beyond the first target.

DS/Pain is probably one of the most powerful builds I have ever played so far, and IOs allow for some pretty silly things to happen.

First, you want to put the resist/defense pet set auras in that build. They will make a huge difference (+20% resistance to all, +10% defense to all with all 4).

Second, your hover will be painfully slow with no speed enhancers.

I have a DS/Pain that I am levelling, and another problem I see with your hover route is its inability to keep your pets in range of Suppress Pain and Nullify Pain. When you are in full body guard mode, Suppress Pain is granting 400% regeneration to a pool of up to 5000+ hit points. Hover and ranged defense is nice, but it's pretty superfluous with a sack of 5000 HP at 400% regeneration, +37% resistance to all (pet auras + World of Pain), +10% defense to all, and a 180 point heal spamming every 4 seconds. Then you also have Absorb Pain, Heal Other, a healing Lt. class pet, and Pain Bringer boosting one of the pets to 1400% regeneration when layered with Suppress Pain. So, why hover?

I would find the hover route annoying and actually a hindrance to my overall survivability and damage dealing capabilities with the pain set. Force Field, however, would benefit immensely.

It does not affect Domination. If you cannot socket a recharge enhancer into the skill, it will not receive any benefit. Domination has no sockets, so...

Fire/Fire/Pyre perma-Dominator with a Musculature would just be wicked.

300+ DPS on a single target? Check.

AoE Damage? Check (Hot Feet, Fireball, RoF, Fire Breath, Combustion. +Fiery Embrace and Musculature for massive +damage).

Mez Protection? Check.

I've soloed almost every AV that can be faced solo-- ie not Reichsman, Romulus, or others that requirer a team to form a Strike/Tasnk Force-- with a DM/ELA. No temps, insps, Shivans, or nukes were used. The only one that I can't beat thus far is Nosferatu with his Siphon Life cycling so fast and high Negative Energy resistance. Positron is a really long fight when he floors your recharge, but completely manageable with 90% energy resistance.

The thing about ELA is that you can run the highest DPS chains, which also have the highest endurance cost, almost non-stop with the only breaks being Energize and a very occasional use of Power Sink. Electric Field will also add upwards of 15 DPS against an AV.

This was before the Fury adjustment. However, my Musculature Alpha slot has already made up for the difference in lost +damage and actually gained some.

I had no problem at all. Ordered two packs around 12:15 PST. Maybe I was lucky?

I take it and use it. But I also take and use Power Surge on my ELA, which is another skill that a great many forum posters ignore.

OWtS grants massive +HP, solid resistance, and bonus recovery. Taking it really depends on your play style, however. The skill can be superfluous if you don't put your Brute into situations where moments of peak performance are required. I take it because there are few characters in this game that are tougher than a soft capped Shield Defense Brute with 95% DDR, 3000 HP, 70% Sm/L with 35% Fire/Cold/Ene/Neg resistance. However, this character happens to play in a VG that runs everything at +4/8 with just 4 total team members.

Despite all of that, the most powerful aspect of Shield (and SR) is the ability to achieve 95% DDR. This value pretty much shatters the challenge of this game. I would recommend sacrificing OWtS if it allows you to tweak your build for 95% DDR.

Just to add, if you really want to solo an AV, take along Envenomed Daggers. The main reason melee ATs haven't been as good as Defenders/Controllers/Corrupters was the lack of -regeneration. Then they added Envenomed Daggers. I have yet to meet an AV that a well built Brute can't solo with these temp powers, and I use ELA as my secondary as well.

I often prefer to use no temp powers for the challenge, however. But if you ARE willing to use temp powers, you have picked the best secondary to do it with. ELA has superior endurance management capability, so running the Vanguard Psionic Shield, Kinetic Dampener, or any other temp power armor isn't really cheating-- it's taking advantage of the strengths of ELA (unlimited endurance).

I couldn't fit Taunt with the Fitness line and all of my goals, but now I can.

I will:

• 1)-- Use the -range debuff to draw in pesky flyers or better clump foes (solo or teamed).
  
• 2)-- Use it on teams to feed Fury.
  
• 3)-- Use it on teams to maintain agro from a distance when chaos causes foes to break into the buffer/ranger lines.
  
• 4)-- Use it in PvP, particularly the range debuff.
  
• 5)-- Use it to recieve 2.5% SM/L defense at 4 slots. I view this as better than muling Kinetic Combat into Boxing or Brawl for defense, because Taunt is actually a useful skill. I'll take the lower defense value in exchange for enhancing an ability that I'll actually use, and use often when teamed.

First, you don't have enough accuracy in your attacks which means that your DPS will be taking a hit when trying to solo AVs. Having 22% accuracy from a single set of Kinetic Combat or Entropic Chaos is not enough even with the +ToHit of Follow Up (which definitely needs more accuracy itself, because the self buff needs to hit to activate). I know you like the Force Feedback proc, but you will need to put more accuracy in Focus as well as your other skills.

Second, you absolutely need Lightning Field. Look at Lighting Field as not only more AoE damage that is constantly ticking, but also as more single target damage. Electric Field can easily do 30+ points of damage per tic on your Claws build, and these tics activate once every two seconds. This means that Lightning Field will increase your DPS against an AV by 15 points, which is a huge contribution. If your set is lucky enough to have a damage aura, you absolutely need to take it. ELA also happens to be the only set with endurance management abilities that will allow you to run this endurance heavy toggle in single target situations (Power Sink, Energize).

Also-- look at Power Surge and the Demonic Aura accolade. By hitting Power Surge and using the Demonic Aura accolade when it crashes, you will have 4 full minutes where most AVs can't kill you. By using inspirations, you will definitely be able to solo a good amount of AVs.

I made some changes to your build. I didn't make that many drastic changes, like completely tossing out some of the sets, because you said that you spent all of your infamy building this character up. But definitely look at increasing accuracy, adding Weave and Lightning Field, and taking Power Surge.

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.81
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Claws
Secondary Power Set: Electric Armor
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Strike -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 1: Charged Armor -- RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(7), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(7), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(9)
Level 2: Slash -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(9), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(11), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Achilles-ResDeb%(13), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48)
Level 4: Conductive Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(15), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(15), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(17)
Level 6: Spin -- Oblit-%Dam(A), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Oblit-Dmg(19), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(19), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(21), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21)
Level 8: Follow Up -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(13), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 10: Static Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(25), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(27), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(27)
Level 12: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 14: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+(29), RgnTis-Regen+(43)
Level 16: Grounded -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), ResDam-I(46), ResDam-I(46)
Level 18: Focus -- Entrpc-Acc/Dmg(A), Entrpc-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Entrpc-Dmg/Rchg(31), Entrpc-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Entrpc-Heal%(31), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33)
Level 20: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A)
Level 22: Lightning Reflexes -- Run-I(A)
Level 24: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33), RechRdx-I(33)
Level 26: Combat Jumping -- Ksmt-ToHit+(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+(34)
Level 28: Energize -- Dct'dW-Rchg(A), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Dct'dW-Heal(45), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(45), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(45)
Level 30: Super Jump -- Winter-ResSlow(A), Winter-RunSpd/Jump/Fly/Rng(34)
Level 32: Shockwave -- Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(A), Posi-Acc/Dmg(34), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(36), Posi-Dmg/Rng(36), FrcFbk-Rechg%(37)
Level 35: Power Sink -- Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx(A), Efficacy-EndMod(37), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(37), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(39), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg(39), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(43)
Level 38: Boxing -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(40), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(40), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40)
Level 41: Lightning Field -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(42)
Level 44: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam(46), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(48), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 47: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def(50), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 49: Power Surge -- RechRdx-I(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 4: Ninja Run

Another example of this would be the Achilles' Heel %Chance for -Resistance when socketed in Analyze Weakness. The skill is a single target -defense/-resistance that doesn't generate agro, but when socketed with the Achilles' Heel proc it has a 20% chance for additional -resistance and generates agro when the proc fires.

Yeah, debuffs will generate agro.

Let me get a few things straight on how these properties interact.

Resistance will resist -damage and -resistance. When applying a -resistance debuff, it will: A) enhance the effectiveness of -damage by stripping away resistance; B) multiply the effect of -damage when a foe's net resistance value to a specific vector drops below 0%; C) -resistance will have similar effects on future applications of -resistance.

Take a character that has a base of 30% resistance to all. If a damage debuff of -20% were placed on this character, the debuff would be reduced to -14%. Similarly, if a resistance debuff of -20% were applied to this character, the debuff would be reduced from -20% to -14%. However, after having that -resistance debuff applied, the previous -damage duff would be increased from -14% to -16.8%.

Similarly, a charracter at 0% resistance to all that has a -20% resistance debuff applied would have the same damage debuff of -20% enhanced to -24%. If two -20% resistance debuffs were added to this character with 0% resistance to all, then the first application would be valued at -20% resistance, and the second application would be valued at -24% resistance. So, with every application of a -resistance debuff, it is enhancing future applications of itself as well as any future and current application of -damage.


So here's the question, assuming all of the above is right. Does this mechanic differ from defense/DDR, and -defense? Are they the same-- ie does Defense Debuff Resistance get reduced as -defense is applied-- or does DDR always operate at its listed performance? It seems like a similar mechanic happens as defense is reduced and more hit pile on. However, cascade failure feels much faster for characters at 90% resistance versus 45% defense/90% DDR. My gut tells me this is because the 90% DDR value is operating in full effect from 45% dfense on down to 0% defense, and that because resistance resists -resistance, it would experience faster cascade failure.

DN does not cause fear, but the debuff does generate agro. I have no idea what your team leader was talking about, unless they did not want to generate agro from Romulus or he has a completely unique AI script. A single Darkest Night would not create a grief tag, which causes foes to flee if they are completely over matched.

First thing, you absolutely need to socket a Steadfast Protection 3% defense to all. It's cheap for what it does.

Secondly, I would personally do something more like this with that build, where Smashing/Lethal defense is over the soft cap with one foe in range of Invincibility. You will be much tougher by soft capping SM/L rather than chasing other goals.