ketch

CA has been essential in both sapping and maintaining my endurance. As most of the time post-50 will be spent going against enemies that are +3, I'm not ready to short change it on accuracy. Having done a test run tonight, moving to sets and out of the mixture of low level IO's and SO's, I'm much less concerned about endurance consumption than I initially had been. Conserve Power and Chrono Shift are covering endurance needs very nicely.

Most likely Reactive, simply for damage and -resistance. Though I am interested in Preemptive for more sapping (particularly the chance for -recovery) and Cognitive for the chance to confuse.

What attack chain do use to achieve this? TC > TS > Time Crawl? Even with a very high recharge Mind dom, I've only very rarely broken through PToD before the team beats the AV.

If I do drop Jolting Chain, I may go with Time Stop over Paralyzing Blast. The extra -regen is always helpful and the ability to quickly stack mag 7 could come in handy for UG trials where EBs are very frequent.

I may relocate two slots from Hasten, since it is perma with one slot, to Tesla Cage. (I didn't realize I had reached perma-CS which makes this possible with Spiritual or Agility.) A bigger concern than Temporal Selection is Farsight, already perma without any recharge slotting. I could easily drop the Red Fortune set in favor of two Enzyme Exposures as Boomie does in his build, freeing up slots and securing better tohit bonuses. I may use those slots as suggested above for slotting Health and Stamina.

With some alterations to my build, I think I may have to go with Spiritual to maintain perma-hasten and Chrono Shift. However, it does allow me to make some of the changes that have been suggested. Here is my build with some revisions:

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.951
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Controller
Primary Power Set: Electric Control
Secondary Power Set: Time Manipulation
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Primal Forces Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Tesla Cage -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(7), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(7), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(11), Dmg-I(39), HO:Nucle(40)
Level 1: Time Crawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: Temporal Mending -- Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(3), Dct'dW-Rchg(3), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(5), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(5)
Level 4: Time's Juncture -- DarkWD-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(A), DarkWD-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(13), DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx(13), DarkWD-ToHitDeb(15)
Level 6: Chain Fences -- Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(A), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg(43), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(43), Efficacy-EndMod(46), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx(46), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(48)
Level 8: Conductive Aura -- Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(9), EndMod-I(9), Acc-I(11)
Level 10: Temporal Selection -- Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Dct'dW-Rchg(21), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(50), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(50), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 12: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 14: Static Field -- FtnHyp-Sleep/EndRdx(A), FtnHyp-Sleep/Rchg(15), FtnHyp-Sleep(17), FtnHyp-Acc/Sleep/Rchg(17), FtnHyp-Acc/Rchg(19)
Level 16: Boxing -- Acc-I(A)
Level 18: Distortion Field -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(21), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(23), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(23), Lock-%Hold(25)
Level 20: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(34), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(46), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(36)
Level 22: Time Stop -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), Lock-Acc/Hold(39), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(40), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(40), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(42)
Level 24: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GA-3defTpProc(25), S'fstPrt-ResKB(27)
Level 26: Synaptic Overload -- CoPers-Conf/EndRdx(A), CoPers-Conf%(27), CoPers-Acc/Conf/Rchg(33), CoPers-Conf/Rchg(33), CoPers-Acc/Rchg(33)
Level 28: Farsight -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), HO:Enzym(29), HO:Enzym(29)
Level 30: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(34), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(34), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(36)
Level 32: Gremlins -- ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(A), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(36), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg(37)
Level 35: Slowed Response -- Achilles-ResDeb%(A), AnWeak-Acc/Rchg(37), Acc-I(48), RechRdx-I(48)
Level 38: Chrono Shift -- P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(42), Efficacy-EndMod(42), RechRdx-I(43)
Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 44: Temp Invulnerability -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/EndRdx(A), S'fstPrt-ResKB(45), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(45), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(45)
Level 47: Power Boost -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 50: Reactive Radial Flawless Interface
Level 50: Spiritual Radial Paragon
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Containment
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Heal(31), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(31)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(19), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(31), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(39)

So don't complain about the mechanics? Don't complain about the writing? Go play something else?

Very constructive and surely an attitude that will contribute to this game's longevity.

I'm not sure what the devs feel is worth their time. More importantly though, this thread and many others should be an indicator that they need to work on their presentation. If they don't feel its worthwhile to revamp things, they need to be better attuned going forward.

Suspension of disbelief? Yes, it's a video game and, yes, it's a comic book genre. While many a concussion has been given by a rock, it's also true many a person has been killed by an explosive weapon. When suspension of disbelief is stretched too far and the story and setting become inconsistent that's a problem whether it's a game, a movie, a book, or what have you.

There are no Seers inside. The 4-6 Seers outside (depending on your league size) apply a zone wide debuff to everyone inside and outside the buildings. Watch below your health bar and you'll see their Pacification is still working indoors. Generally, I've seen leagues do better having everyone inside to expedite the defeat of Technicians because many people can't survive the assault outside with even 2 or 3 Seers standing... because, as already noted, high base damage on rocks.

Those debuffs still apply inside the buildings. Why aren't the IDF weapons one shotting people as often? High base damage on a freaking rock.

I think that would be a brilliant solution. Let it reheal after a certain amount of time just like Illusion's damage.

To further expound on this problem, while the Seers debuff may make some sense as them invading our minds, it doesn't explain why this lack of morale only takes effect for the citizens. We are so demoralized that a stone causes a great amount of damage, but step inside the buildings and we're taking damage from RPGs and energy weapons at the same rate. The gap from stone to weapons is just too small.

Good call on the Miracle proc. I should switch the Numina in favor of that. As for Conductive Aura, frankslotted with 4 slots puts it 91% enhancement for accuracy and end mod, hitting the point of diminishing returns with ED. Further slots won't contribute much in that regard.

I had really debated on whether to keep Jolting Chain or not. I'm awaiting unlocking Interface before I decide one way or another. I did like it both for knockdown mitigation and the -100% recovery on the first target, but I can see dropping it from my build if Interface isn't as promising as I hope. In the case, that I do Paralytic Blast will likely take its place.

I can see the usefulness of a bit more -regen on an AV, but having an additional hold here isn't going to let me break the PToD, especially with the slow activation on Tesla Cage. Static Field and Distortion Field, on the other hand, can stack -95% recharge on the enemies, enough to floor the recharge of +2 enemies.

I did use Temporal Selection as a bit of a set mule, but I do feel it needs recharge. It's not good as good as Fortitude, but a bit more useful than Forge, IMO. The regen it offers is probably the least appealing effect (though that's what my slotting enhances); it's real value comes in the additional recharge and damage. Damage dealers will love having this on them and in the event that there aren't many of those another buffer with long recharges will benefit from the recharge boost.

I may shift the slot from Distortion Field after I see how often the +2 mag proc fires there. I do dislike having so little accuracy in my single target hold.


I've got the purple confuse and sleep sets both slotted. As for the pvp IO, I've bought them in the past using Hero Merits and Empyrean Merits. With the new trials, it's even easier to acquire: a short Keyes and a MoM, TPN, or UG and I can obtain 4 merits a day... just over two weeks to get the IO.

Ah, I see the mistake in my collections. When calculating the difference from Farsight's base ability to its PB'ed/Clarion boosted bonus, I was simply toggling incarnate powers on and off, using a base defense of 14.99% without the alpha slot instead of the proper 16.07%. With Agility or Nerve in the Alpha slot, I'll begin at 37% defense, 22% from the incarnate cap. With PB/Clarion I'm gaining an extra 19.02% from Farsight, 2.98% short of the Incarnate cap. There's also the gap between Farsight's 120 second duration and Clarion Radial Epiphany's 180 second recharge.

With careful management, I can be very near the Incarnate softcap 2/3 of the time... still impressive, but a disappointing realization.

Bear in mind, that not only does PB/Clarion bring softcapped defenses for myself, but it means 11-19% more defense for the team or league, almost as if stacking an extra Farsight. It also increases my ability to sap, debuff via Time's Juncture, control and heal. Because of the discussion about softcapping, it is easy to lose sight of the other contributions that Power Boost makes in regard to support. Softcapping was a primary reason for taking the Primal APP, but there are, I feel, other significant benefits.

A bit of an aside: Controllers are a wonderful AT because they can encapsulate many different design goals, so while damage output is one possibility, survivablity, control, and support are also worthwhile pursuits. I think we at times over-value the importance of damage on the boards. There are enough other venues for damage that it need not be the focus of every build. If I wanted to play a control/damage or damage/support role there are other AT's available that can achieve those goals easily. I don't feel that the damage contributions I could make with the purposed changes are nearly as significant as what it is capable of in terms of support.

I may also consider Nerve. As you had pointed out, there are a few places in my build that would benefit from more accuracy. The end mod boost was attractive in Agility, but I will have to play it by ear to see how my sapping abilities are.

I wouldn't say that Psi Mastery is a bad APP. It just happens to be a incongruent choice for your primary and secondary. Primaries like ice, fire, and elec or secondaries like radiation that rely on toggles find a lot of utility in Indomitable Will, and play in melee which meshes with WoC. On the other hand, Mind tends to play at range and Force Fields offers adequate mez protection. Then there's the DOT nature of Psionic Tornado breaking sleep... It's really more a matter of a poor pairing than a defect in Psi Mastery.

I've went very light on slotting Force Fields before. The difference between using, for instance, only the LotG: +Recharge IO and two generic Defense IOs is only about 4%. That's a considerable amount in the power, but overall it's not something I'd sweat about if it's interfering with build goals. Slotting in Insulation and Deflection Shield used to be much more important when you could easily drain your endurance by shielding the team. Of course, I'd also say to use those slots in your shields loooooong before you slot anything in WoC.


I'll echo what Tex has said. Ultimately, it's your character and playing it the way your enjoy is top priority. However, I think there's definitely a route to take that will let you play more blastery with more safety. I'd suggest looking into build up some ranged defense, for example. In the long run, I think you could reach a higher level of performance that you might enjoy more if you're willing to let go of some of the specifics that you've grown attached to. (I'm looking at you WoC. >:| )

And your reasoning? I noted that I wasn't terribly concerned about damage, but your build sacrifices substantial defense and resistance from the one I posted for just that.

I look forward to any feedback.

Spot on, Sam. This is exactly the issue that was raised with the Malta in the Tin Mage TF. They were just guys with guns while the players had just taken their first sip of Incarnate power. The players are a super powered force that needs to be facing off against a super powered threat. Those big robots in the Warworks are a nice start. Giant monsters like the Avatar of Hamidon are acceptable. A brain-washed army grunt? Nope.

NO. That is all.

Well, no, that's not all. I actually use knockback to manipulate the Voids and GMs into place and think it's a reasonable tactic to have available. But let's look at another example of how a single individual can cause a trial to fail: taunting Marauder in the Lambda trial. If someone wittingly or unwittingly taunts him outside the gate, the trial fails. Yet no one suggests to remove the ability to taunt him.

It's already annoying that they've removed the ability to knockback the Telepathist in the TPN. Knockback doesn't have a lot of opportunities to shine and it's a shame they've already stripped one away.

The spider isn't a necessary power (though it is nice, especially with high recharge). You've still got a nice shield, a decent AoE, and a single target debuff. For a magic character it even makes a decent wand.

As for the your defenses, you've reduced the enemies base chance of hitting you from 1 in 2 to about 1 in 3. That falls into a noticeable range. For resistances, it seems like you'll be paying a lot of endurance for very little mitigation. Compare your endurance usage and recovery with Tough and Mind Over Body toggled on; it's not looking too keen. Indomitable Will would at least plug two of the mez holes left by Dispersion Bubble.

If any enemy deals 50% of the damage you're still getting 80% of the xp. That's a good deal in my book. I've tried WoC on an Ice/Rad and, despite being very melee oriented, never found it worthwhile.

I'm with you. Ice and Earth both ask you to sacrifice appearance for performance. Mace Mastery though has a nicely subtle effect in its armor, offers some more AoE. and has a pet that could survive nicely with bubbles. It is a bit of a trek to redside and back to get it though.

Exactly. Or those epic bits that many people weren't happy about being locked behind Empyrean merits.

Riiiiight...

Like they've adjusted merit rewards on TFs. Eventually something will be left to languish away from player interest. Attempts to herd players away and toward certain ways to play have not only been ineffective, but will eventually become destructive to maintaining the playerbase and community.

This works on the assumption that people won't flock to the small team/solo path. If people do less frequent trials even with greater rewards it may not be able to keep pace if the majority prefers the small team path.

Those living natives claim to be descendents of citizens of Paragon City (see the Sara Moore TF). This leads me to believe that Rularuu either consumed a small portion of Primal Paragon or that whoever fashioned the Shard did so with a piece of the city. It could be another Paragon, but they are familiar with many of the things in our dimension, i.e the Prince of Brass a.k.a. Nemesis and the green-eyed Cult a.k.a. the Circle of Thorns.

The Circle of Thorns have also been know to posses the Malleus Mundi, Hammer of the World, which holds the power to reshape reality and pop holes in dimensional barriers. That seems like the perfect weapon to use against something that may be a dimension itself.

I like to think of Rularuu himself as a Farnsworth Parabox.

At any rate, it's note worthy that Lanaru the Mad is the one held responsible for shattering the Shadow Shard by pulling himself free of Rularuu (brought up in Faathim the Kind's TF). The mental instability of Rularuu seems directly related to the shattered nature of the shard. Beyond that, we also know that Faathim and Lanaru both forged places in the Shard, the Chantry and Storm Palace respectively.