This is a guide to playing a Mind Control/Psionic Assault dominator. Its purpose is to give anyone interested a better understanding of the powers and some ideas about how to play one.
Note: I will be adding more content later, such as power pools, and patron pools.
Contents:
1) About this guide
2) What is a Dominator?
2) Why choose a Mind/Psy dominator?
3) Dominator vs. Controller: What's the difference?
4) Domination: what about it?
5) The scale for powers
6) About Slotting
7) Mind Control
8) Psionic Assault
9) -Coming Soon- Leveling: the early levels (1-19), the middle (20-31), the later levels (32-40), the Grandville levels (41-50)
About this Guide:
No matter how good a guide is, it is still a collection of opinions based upon the experiences of the person(s) who wrote it. Just as playstyles vary between people, so does the idea of what is the best build. What this guide is mean to accomplish is to not only give a better understanding of a mind/psy dominator, but get others interested in a build that I have enjoy.
What is a Dominator?
At first glance, a dominator looks like a controller that has attacks instead of buffs for secondaries. But unlike the controller, a dominator isn't a defensive character; control isn't used by the dominator to protect teammates. It is used to section off a portion of a spawn and dominate them. A dominator that tries to control every mob in a fight is going to find themselves making several trips back from the hospital, and frustrated as they discover that dominators lack any defensive powers to protect themselves with (except for */psi with drain psyche or when the patron shields which open up at lvl41).
Playing a dominator also requires alot of perserverence as they are the latest blooming AT in CoV. Control only becomes notably effective in the 20s as access to SOs and the later powers in the control sets open up. Attack chains don't even become complete until the 30s when the big powers open up (psychic shockwave for */psi opens up at lvl38). But once everything is in place, dominators become an amazing AT to play. For those players that love a good challenge with a great payoff, dominators are you.
Why choose a Mind/Psy dominator?
Why choose mind control for your dominator primary? For straight-foward control, Mind is the best of all the sets. The set has 3 hard (once the power is applied, any affected mobs will not attack back) AoE controls in Telekinesis, Total Domination and Mass Confusion, and 2 more soft controls (once the control
is applied, the mobs will not attack back unless they are attacked) in Mass Hypnosis and Terrify. Mind also holds the crown for most non-aggro powers, which helps to minimize the aggro that a dominator will receive once the power has worn off.
note: Mind Control is the only dominator primary to not receive a pet at lvl32. If you are playing a dominator and want a pet, this is not the set for you.
Why choose Psionic Assault for a dominator secondary? Psi has the longest range of all the sets, and one of the better debuffs with -recharge. Although the debuff from a power cannot stack with the debuff applied by the same power (if applied by the same player), three debuffs stacked on a target will almost cancel out any recharge. Drain psyche also makes */psi the set that has the most survivability, and psychic shockwave is a fast recharging, high damaging, very large area of effect power which also has about a 33% chance of disorienting a target. Psi itself contains some compliments to the mind control set, and works very well for those who like to play characters based on roleplaying concepts along with dominators that love to live in melee range.
Dominator vs. Controller: What's the difference?
What is it that makes a mind/* dominator different from a mind/* controller? Even though they both have access to the same primary, it is the types of secondaries that each class has that lends to the different playstyles.
Q: Thanks to my primary, I have locked down all the mobs. What do I do next?
A- Controller: I use my secondary to heal, buff, debuff, or apply further control as necessary.
A- Dominator: Use my secondary to defeat all the mobs.
Domination: What about it?
Description: +75% attack damage, double magnitude of all status effects, double duration of all status effects, and completely refills endurance bar.
Duration: 90 seconds
Recharge: 200seconds
Rating: 4
Strength(s): Domination will turn a mild-mannered dominator into a rampaging engine of destruction. Once clicked, mobs become like tissue paper and you'll find yourself running into mobs faster than a suicidal blaster (which is okay since you'll be able to handle it). Keep this power in reserve as an 'Uh-Oh'
button or click it to fly through missions faster or to make a tough boss look like a minion with a couple more hit-points. With domination, you'll deal damage like a blaster, stack magnitude like two controllers, enjoy power boosted like durations, and your endurance bar will completely refill so that you can start at full steam. Domination is arguably the best inherent in the game (and the only clickable one), and once clicked creates a peak that no other AT can match.
Group running, because they are about to be overwhelemed? Hold your ground, click on domination, and show the mobs that you have them exactly where you wanted them. Be careful though, you only have 90 seconds of glory before becoming returning to normal.
note: Currently on test, domination will also provide significant protection against all mez-type effects (sleep, hold, confuse, immobilize, repel, disorient, knockback, knockdown, stun). A further change that has been mentioned by a red name is that domination will also become a pseudo breakfree in that it can be fired off the same way that the inspiration can be used.
Weakness(es): Every peak has its valley(s). Domination wears off, and the dominator returns to being a mere mortal. Experiencing highs and lows of power are part of the flavor of dominators. It's great to experience the moments of glory that domination can provide, but dominators pay a price for this.
The Scale for Powers:
Ratings: Powers are rated on a scale from 1-4. Due to the introduction of better enhancements, other powers at later levels, and the changing pve scene; the ratings for some powers will change. Some powers aren't very effective at lower levels (due to lack of situations or SOs), but become much better later in the game. There are also some powers that are very effective at lower levels, but lose effectiveness at later levels (such as another power that does the same thing, but much better)
1 = Situational. The only redeeming quality of this power is that it can be effective in a certain situation. But to achieve this effectiveness, it requires 4-6 slots. The power could also be suffering from poor design, or just doesn't work well at certain level ranges. Still- It could be useful for a player that finds themselves commonly in the situation(s) where this power would be effective. But otherwise, this power is too much invesment for too little of a return.
2 = Semi-situational. Any power with this rating would be effective in more than one situation, but probably still requires a heavy slot investment. This power won't be used all the time, but it is nice to have when it is needed.
3 = General Usage. You'll most likely use this power every fight. It won't be the most effective power that you'll have, but it is definitely worth having it in your build.
4 = Essential Power. Anything with this rating is something that I think that anyone that plays a mind/psy dominator should have. When you get a power with this rating, you'll be glad you did.
About Slotting:
I made a few assumptions about slotting powers.
1) I assumed that once a player got to the level of being able to get better enhancements, they would get them (which is why I have no listing for training origin enhancements for mass confusion).
2) A power would not lose a number of slots throughout the levels (no power would be 6 slots before level 12, then become 5 or less later on).
3) For those powers that become better with better enhancements, they would gain slots (a power that only had 1 slot at level 6 could have up to 6 slots after level 22).
Mind Control:
While there exist a variety of different controls, the main controls that mind uses are: sleep, hold, confusion, and fear.
Sleep: The mob will not attack once put to sleep. If the mob is attacked though, the sleep is broken and the mob is no longer under control.
Hold: The mob will not attack for the duration of the hold no matter how much damage it receives. Of all the controls, holds are considered by far the safest.
Confusion: The mob will no longer attack villains, but instead attacks other mobs for the duration of the power. What is nice about confusion is that it transforms what would be a threat to the dominator into a benefit.
Fear: The mob will not attack, but will retaliate once for each attack. Once it retaliates, there is a small chance that the mob will run away, but they usually just go back to standing still not attacking anyone.
Power: Mezmerize
Available: Level 1
Description: Ranged,Moderate DMG(Psionic), Foe Sleep
Rating: 2 (pre-level 30), 3 (post-level 30)
Recommended Slotting: (TO) 1 accuracy, (DO) 1 accuracy, (SO) 1 accuracy (2acc if you plan on using it for pvp)
Strength(s): The nice thing about this power is that with one application, it can put a boss to sleep. In fact it is the only power in the whole set that can achieve this sans domination. It is not so effective in the earlier levels. But in the post lvl30 scence where mobs continously throw out status effects, being able to take a boss out of a fight in one application makes this power almost a must-have.
Weakness(es): It is a sleep, which means that one hit will break it. This power also deals damage before the sleep takes hold, which means that the mob will launch an attack which could be dangerous. This is not a non-aggro power, so using it will generate aggro against the dominator.
Power: Levitate
Available: Level 1
Description: Ranged, Moderate DMG(Smash)
Rating: 3
Recommended Slotting: (TO) 3 accuracy, 3 damage (DO) 2 accuracy, 4 damage (SO) 2 accuracy, 3 damage, 1recharge (2acc, 2damage, 2recharge for pvp or as soft control)
Strength(s): In the early levels, this power can help form a pretty decent attack chain. It also has a knockdown component which can help to keep a mob from attacking, and is the only power in the mind control set that offers non-psionic damage. For anyone wanting to completely avoid getting into melee range (i.e. using ranged attacks only), this power is essential. Although it is not absolutely essential otherwise, I highly recommend this power as it is a great source of soft control.
Weakness(es): While dealing decent damage in the early levels, it doesn't scale well. By the time that subdue is available, it becomes a welcome replacement for levitate in almost all attack chains. In later levels, levitate should be considered more as soft control that deals good damage rather than a moderate
damage power that has a knockdown secondary effect.
Power: Dominate
Available: Level 2
Description: Ranged, Moderate DMG(Psionic), Foe Hold
Rating: 4
Recommended Slotting: (TO) 4 accuracy, 1 damage (DO) 2 accuracy, 3 damage (SO) 2 accuracy, 3 hold, 1 recharge
Strength(s): The first staple power of the mind control set- the single target hold. A successful hit with this power removes a mob from the fight for the duration of the power. The concept of the single target hold is so important that no matter what primary, every control set has one available as one of its first powers. Get this at level 4, no exceptions.
Weakness(es): This power is a magnitude 3 hold, which means that it cannot hold a boss in one shot. However- you just attracted the bosses attention and now need to somehow react to the incoming attack (which is where having mezmerize or levitgate becomes a VERY good thing to have). Being a single target, this power is not effective at locking down groups of mobs quickly.
Power:Confuse
Available: Level 6
Description: Ranged, Target Confuse
Rating: 4
Recommended Slotting: (TO) 4 accuracy, (DO) 2 accuracy, 2 confuse (SO) 2 accuracy, 1 confuse, 1 recharge
Strength(s): This is the first non-aggro power that mind dominators get access to. Use it out of aggro range, and you will not aggro the mob once they are no longer confused. Another benefit to this power is that if a confused mob receives damage from a player, it will not aggro any surrounding mobs (unless the confused mob is defeated in which case it will aggro as normal).This and dominate provide the backbone of mind's single target control.
Weakness(es): There is the need to be careful that the confused mob doesn't deal 100% of the damage to a mob, as they would then steal all the exp (however, the scale for how much exp is given is very generous towards the player in this manner). Also- damaging a confused mob will not aggro its surrounding mobs if
you deal damage to it, but the damage will cause aggro once the confuse wears off.
Power: Mass Hypnosis
Available: Level 10
Description: Ranged(Targeted AOE), Foe Sleep
Rating: 3
Recommended Slotting: (TO) 3 accuracy, (DO) 2 accuracy, 1 range, (SO) 2 accuracy, 1 range
Strength(s): If viewed as a control power, mass hypnosis is somewhat ineffective. But, its true value lies in its ability to be a place-setter for other powers and its ability to control aggro while also being aggro-free for the dominator. 2 groups of mobs are bunched close together, and would wipe out the team if they are both pulled at once. Use mass hypnosis to put one group to sleep, and pull the remaining group. Another use is to put all the minions and lts in a group to sleep and pull the boss solo.When they wake up, the boss is gone and no aggro. Using mass hypnosis on a group of mobs makes activating drain psyche MUCH safer also, and will not wake any of the mobs (although they will be aggro towards you when they wake up). Even when using telekinesis, putting the mobs to sleep will negate any alpha strike they will have when they are pushed by telekinesis. This power has alot of utility, and can make a dominator's life much easier.
Weakness(es): No matter what- this power is only a sleep. And as a control power, sleeps are only effective as long as no one attacks the mobs. In groups where teammates love using AoEs, this power isn't going to help much (if at all). The only true positive side to this is that the person who breaks the sleep
gains the aggro, and not the dominator (which makes it a 'you break it, you bought it' power). Used effectively, sleeps are a great boon. Otherwise, they are a waste of a power slot.
Power: Telekinesis
Available: Level 12
Description: Toggle:Ranged(Targeted AOE), Foe Hold, Repel
Rating: 2 (pre-SOs),4(post-SOs)
Recommended Slotting: (TO) N/A, (DO) 3 reduce endurance, (SO) 3 reduce endurance
Strengths: Telekinesis is a power where its effectiveness is almost completely dependent upon the skill of the player using it. I highly suggest once you have it, to visit a lower level area (i.e. one where there is no real worry about the mobs defeating you) and practice using this power. Being a toggle hold, the mobs stay out of the fight as long as the dominator has endurance (which with 3 reduce endurance SOs is a long time). Another important factor in telekinesis is that it is auto-hit, so there is no chance to miss with it. Whenever going into a fight, telekinesis is always one of the first powers that I look at being able to use. For pvp, this is an incredible power. Get this power, learn to use it, and you will love it.
Weakness(es): The power takes alot of endurance to keep up, and pre-SOs isn't nearly effective as it is once it is slotted with SOs. This power also has a learning curve which can be painful (which is why it is best to practice on lower level mobs). Also since the angle of the repel is based on where you are positioned, any knockback or movement away from the hold spot can cause the mobs to be 'shaken' loose or moved to an undesirable position. This power also generates aggro so it is best to use terrify or mass hypnosis on them right after telekinesis is dropped.
Power: Total Domination
Available: Level 18
Description: Ranged(Targeted AoE), Foe Hold
Rating: 1
Recommended Slotting: (TO) N/A, (DO) 4 accuracy, 2 hold (SO) 2 accuracy, 3 hold, 1 recharge
Strength(s): For sheer control power, almost nothing can beat an AoE hold. This power can hold up to 10 mobs at once, which can easily save your group if they are starting to get overrun.
Weakness(es): In order for total domination to become effective at all, it requires 5-6 slots. Even with 3 hold SOs in it, the duration of this power is too short, and it is common for the mobs to still remain once the duration has worn off. With a secondary like ice or energy, which has power boost, total
domination is very worthwhile. For psi- this power is great in giving a little extra time, but it is too much investment for too little of a return.
Power: Terrify
Available: Level 28
Description: Ranged(Cone), Minor DMG(Psionic), Foe Fear(Special)
Rating: 3
Recommended Slotting: (TO) N/A, (DO) N/A, (SO) 2 accuracy, 1 fear, 1 to-hit debuff, 1 recharge
Strength(S): As soon as you get it, Terrify will become your main AoE control. A very wide cone (more like a half-circle), fast recharging, and should be up at least once a fight; Terrify is one of the brightest gems in a set that has many.In terms of control, fear lies in the middle. It doesn't break like sleep
nor allow mobs to keep on attacking like immobilize. But, it isn't as durable as a hold or confuse which both allow limitless attacks on a target without it retaliating. Combine this with the ability to deal damage equivalent to psychic scream and a very noticeable to-hit debuff, and Terrify is a power that every mind/* dominator should have in their build.
Weakness(es): Due to its ability to deal damage, affected mobs will get off an attack before succumbing to the fear effect; which means that if used too early in a fight, the dominator will be receiving an alpha strike. Even though it is small, there is a chance that a mob will run away. When using this power, it is better to be a little slow than a little fast.
Power: Mass Confusion
Available: Level 32
Description: Ranged(Targeted AoE), Foe Confuse
Rating: 4
Recommended Slotting: (TO) N/A, (DO) N/A, (SO) 2 accuracy, 1 confuse, 3 recharge
Strength(s): At level 32 when ever other dominator primary gets a pet, a mind dominator gets the best control power in the game. With this power, it will not only make the fight safer, but it will make it significantly shorter since the mobs will be attacking each other. Being a non-aggro power, it is a great to
open a fight with as it will negate or severly minimize any alpha strike. Another benefit to this power is since mobs tend to prefer to melee instead of use ranged attacks, mass confusion will cause them all bunch together as close as they can (which is very nice for those that use AoEs). This is a power that you'll want to have up every fight. This is a main reason why mind control doesn't need a pet.
Weakness(es): If a mob is confused, it will attack the nearest target. If there is no target, it will run to find one which can mean that it will run to another group. This power being non-aggro though, it will not cause the new group to aggro on the dominator (even if the confused mob received damage while
confused).
Psionic Assault:
Every one of the assault sets has a secondary effect of each power. The secondary effect of psionic is that it gives any affected target a recharge deduff. The debuff does not last long nor does it significantly reduce the recharge rate of a target. But the effects do stack, and can add up to a noticeable difference in an enemies attack rate.
Power: Psionic Dart
Available: N/A
Description: Ranged, Minor DMG(Psionic), Target -Recharge
Rating: 1, 2 (pvp)
Recommended Slotting: (TO) 1 accuracy, (DO) 1 accuracy, (SO) 1 accuracy
Strength(s): Psionic dart shouldn't be considered an attack power so much as a domination builder due to its fast recharge. In pvp, this power can fill a domination bar exceptionally fast.
Weakness(es): You have no choice but to get this power. While it does have a low recharge rate, it also deals the least damage of any power in both the mind primary and psionic assault secondary (mezmerize and domination both deal more damage than psionic dart). Once a dominator gets access to mind probe at level 2, this power is somewhat obsolete. There are alot of other sets in which the 'must have' first power is actually plausible. The psionic assault set is not one of them.
Power: Mind Probe
Available: Level 2
Description: Melee, Moderate DMG(Psionic), Target -Recharge
Rating: 4
Recommended Slotting: (TO) 4 accuracy, (DO) 2 accuracy, 4 damage, (SO) 2 accuracy, 3 damage, 1 recharge
Strength(s): This is the first of psionic's 'Big Three'. And until psychic shockwave is fully slotted at lvl39-40, this is the highest single target damage dealer. It requires the dominator to be in melee range to use it however, which can make it dangerous to use. But, being a */psi dominator means living life in melee range.
Weakness(es): This power is the first one to show the quandry of being a dominator. We need to get into melee range to use our highest damaging powers, but we have no defensive powers until drain psyche and the patron pool shields.
Power: Telekinetic Thrust
Available: Level 4
Description: Melee, Minor DMG(Psionic/Smash), Foe Knockback
Rating: 2
Recommended slotting: (TO) 2 accuracy, (DO) 2 accuracy, (SO) 2 accuracy
Strength(s): When handling bosses or getting a hard-hitting mob out of melee range, telekinetic thrust gives the dominator an important edge. And with the rag-doll psychics working as it does, this power has a slight edge over levitate how it takes a mob to get back on their feet.
Weakness(es): For a power that is essentially a push, it has far too long of an animation and recharge time (the animation time should be halved to make this power more effective).And even though it does offer a source of non-psionic damage, the amount that it offers is too low to be considered a reliable source of damage. Levitate is a far better source of soft control as it is not only ranged, but deals more damage than telekinetic thrust.
Power: Mental Blast
Available: Level 10
Description: Ranged, Moderate DMG(Psionic), Target -Recharge
Rating: 1
Recommended Slotting: (TO) 4 accuracy, (DO) 2 accuracy, 4 damage, (SO) 2 accuracy, 3 damage, 1 recharge
Strength(s): This power is essential to anyone that wants to only have (or mostly use) ranged attacks with their dominator. While this power doesn't deal as much damage as mind probe, it can be fired safely from a distance. For anyone wanting to play a ranged only dominator, I highly recomend not taking */psi as
a secondary.
Weakness(es): Mind blast has a somewhat long animation which makes for a long attack chain. The only reason that I can see anyone wanting to pick this power up is if they want a substitute for mind probe that would allow them to stay out of melee range. This power also becomes obsolete once subdue becomes
available.
Power: Psychic Scream
Available: Level 16
Description: Ranged(Cone), Moderate DMG(PSionic), Foe -Recharge
Rating: 3, 1(post-psychic shockwave)
Recommended Slotting: (TO) N/A, (DO) 3 accuracy, 3 damage, (SO) 2 accuracy, 3 damage, 1 recharge
Strength(s): The first AoE in the psionic pool. It is important to learn how to position in order to use cones effectively. This attack gives the dominator for several levels a decent source of AoE damage.
Weakness(es): The cone on this power is rather narrow. And until you get used to positioning yourself to properly use cones, you will find yourself missing desired targets that seem to be right next to each other. Once psychic shockwave becomes available, this power becomes obsolete (psychic shockwave with no damage enhancers in it deals more damage than psychic scream with 3 damage enhancters in it).
Power: Drain Psyche
Available: Level 20
Description: PBAoE Foe -Regen, -Recovery; Self +Regen, +Recovery
Rating: 4
Recommended Slotting: See strengths, 3 accuracy, 3 recharge (pvp)
Strength(s): This is the second of psionic's 'Big Three'. 6-slot this, no exceptions. Depending upon how it is slotted, drain psyche is either: a downtime eliminator, survivability enhancer, or mad regen machine. For those that or have endurance issues, slot it 2 accuracy, 2end mod, 2 recharge. One or two mobs being hit with this power will allow attacks to run at full steam while regaining endurance very quickly. Soloing on relentless or on small to medium sized teams? Slotting 2 accuracy, 1 health, 1 end mod will greatly enhance not only your survivability, but also recover endurance fast enough to prevent any slowdown in an attack chain. On large teams, or other cases where survivability is an issue- 2 accuracy, 2 health, 2 recharge is the best slotting. Hit 5+ mobs with this slotting, and you'll regen so fast that the only way that you'll go down is by being one-shotted. You'll regen so fast that your health bar won't move, and the only way to know that you're taking damage is by seeing the red numbers overhead; and you will be able to take alphas that scare brutes. Not only does this power provide a great buff, but it's debuff completely stops all foe's regen. This power scares regen scrappers as it can shut down all their regen abilities.
Weakness(es): Once your 30 seconds of feeling like a tank are up, watch out for the return volley. If you are not careful, your health is going to drop FAST since you aggroed so many mobs in order to get your super-regen (for some reason, the aggro from attacking with a -regen power is huge). Because while you
may have hit 5+ mobs with the power, you will also have aggro from the ones that you missed. The area of effect of this power is also rather small; mobs almost need to be on top of you in order to be in range. So this is a power that requires the dominator to enter melee range in order to use (with the
psionic pool, expect to spend most of your time in melee range anyways).
Power: Subdue
Available: Level 28
Description: Ranged, Moderate DMG(Psionic), Foe Immobilize
Rating: 3
Recommended Slotting: (TO) N/A, (DO) N/A, (SO) 2 accuracy, 3 damage, 1 immobilize
Strength(s): This is the best ranged attack in the psionic assault pool. It doesn't deal as much damage as mind probe, but it is a very solid second (until psionic shockwave when it becomes a decent third). Subdue also provides the dominator with another form of soft control with an immobilize. Very worthwhile power to get. I cannot think of a reason to not get this power.
Weakness(es): Of any of the powers in the psionic assualt pool, this is the one with probably the least downside to it. Even at level 40+, it still helps to form a very decent attack chain (although mind probe and psychic shockwave both deal about 20% more damage).
Power: Psionic Lance
Available: Level 35
Description: Sniper, Superior DMG(Psionic), Target -Recharge
Rating: 2
Recommended Slotting: (TO) N/A, (DO) N/A, (SO) 1 accuracy
Strength(s): With a base accuracy of 90% and an extra long range, this is an excellent power for pulling mobs. The base damage is also very appreciable, and fully slotted with damage and range SOs can give any mind dominator a very hard hitting power with an exceptionally long range. With the range given by 3 Sos, a dominator can single pull entire groups of mobs as the dominator would be standing outside the frenzy range of any mobs that would assist the aggroed mob.
Weakness(es): Like all sniper attacks, this one has a very long animation and can be interrupted. While this power deals a decent amount of damage, it is not able to become part of a decent attack chain since it can be interrupted. A snipe is also of almost minimal use to a set which causes the dominator to spend most of their time in melee range. Although this is a good power to slot up, I only recommended the basic slot for it since a mind/psy dominator would have access to several other powers that provide far more utility with the extra slots (and slots tend to be very tight for this build).
Power: Psionic Shockwave
Available: Level 38
Description: Close(AoE), High DMG(PSionic), Foe -Recharge
Rating: 4
Recommended Slotting: (TO) N/A, (DO) N/A, (SO) 2 accuracy, 3 damage, 1 recharge
Strength(s): The question is 'Is psychic shockwave worth the wait?' Yes- easily yes. The last of psionic's 'Big Three', psychic shockwave is the biggest power in the set. It deals more damage per target than mind probe (it deals the most damage per single target in the set), is fast recharging, has a small
chance to disorient any affected mobs (~33%), and also has a large AoE. Except for drain psyche, psychic shockwave easily overshadows the rest of the set. For those people that like to pick sets based upon the end power, this is the power for them.
Weakness(es): This power requires the dominator to be in melee range to use it. And being such a high damaging power that can affect multiple mobs at the wrong time could mean a fast trip to the hospital. If a dominator is smart with their aggro, this power is an incredible boon.
